<html> <body> At the risk of attracting some of Encore's residual ire, I'll suggest that, just possibly, Wimmy's intent, even if unsuccessful, was, like my own: to lighten it up, just a bit.   I amused myself by assuming the persona of someone whose most significant response to his genuine expression of exasperation and anger was that he said 'shit'?   If, in fact, Wimster was serious, I'll go back and hide.  Except, one more thing.  By allowing the criticism of the HL web-forum model to veer into a discussion of PTG politics, which is the effect of Wim's comments, we again ignore what had been an accepted parameter of this list.  I know it's been violated a lot recently, but I think people should try harder.  Will's original comment deserved to be heard by this group, but the further discussion of the organizational ramifications ought to go to  PTG-L.   Don't y'all understand - you ptg members that are not accessing that list, that your voice there has a much greater impact on this issue?   Be clear.  I'm not saying that the HL solution is a solution, but every ptg member has access to that list, and they need to hear from you there.  I'm suggesting that anyone who has trouble accessing the site should ask for help.  Here, or call the home office 913-432-9975 or to to  <a href="http://my.ptg.org/PTG/Home/" eudora="autourl"> http://my.ptg.org/PTG/Home/</a> or <a href="http://www.ptg.org/" eudora="autourl">http://www.ptg.org/</a> David Skolnik Hastings on Hudson, NY At 06:14 AM 2/1/2012, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Wow, Wim, you are on the nominating committee.Ā  That means you are in a position to potentially affect the resolution of these issues past the present administration, which is meaningful since it is unlikely that anything will get done while we have the present officers.Ā    Your comment to me is interesting.Ā  You throw it back at me as if I am a whiner and complainer simply because it was almost impossible for me to do one of the most important functions of our organization – paying dues – and that despite the fact that the software barely functions even when all my information was entered correctly.Ā  I see where your values lie – completely ignore the problems by (shooting, dissing) the messenger.Ā  Should I take that to mean that you simply donā€™t care whether the software functions well, since you make no mention of the problems?Ā    Your requirement that anyone who complains has to be nominated for President is unworkable I think.Ā  That would mean that about 1000 people would have their names put into nomination.Ā  Nor do you seem to have any interest in my core competencies to be the best person for that job.Ā  I submit that merely complaining does not make me or anyone else fit for the job, and you know almost nothing about me otherwise.   Your comment is offhand and should not be taken seriously.Ā  And you disserve me and others by ignoring the issues even as you are far more in a position to do something about them than I. I think that it is legitimately within your purview to seriously look for someone who can skillfully focus on resolving software issues along with having the other skills required to be President.Ā  I am not that person, but you may be able to find someone who is.Ā    Most sincerely yours,   Will Truitt           From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [<a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org" eudora="autourl"> mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf Of tnrwim@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:53 PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] dues payment fiasco   Will   I'm on the Nominating Committee. I presume I'll see your name entered as the nominee for President? If not that ambitious, at least RVP?   Wim     -----Original Message----- From: Encore Pianos <<a href="mailto:encorepianos@metrocast.net"> encorepianos@metrocast.net</a>> To: pianotech <<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a>> Sent: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 5:37 pm Subject: [pianotech] dues payment fiasco <img src="cid:.0" width=303 height=183 alt="[]"> Ok, so I am going to do some venting now.  I just spent a frustrating 50 minutes trying to pay my dues, and by some miracle was finally able to actually do so.  It only took me about 50 tries to log in, although my username and password information were entered correctly.  It simply just kept going around in circles and kept asking me for the same info on the page I started with, again and again and again.  Searching for help with this was the same frustrating, counterintuitive, and all but nonexistent effort that it was a year ago – it is still the same broken piece of shit software that it was when they introduced it and  nothing meaningful has changed.  It still navigates like the software was written by a bunch of 12 year olds during recess – pretzel logic.    That this monstrosity continues in its present form is a shining testament to the mediocrity of our leadership, where the only answer to our problems are occasional platitudes and telling us that if we were wise and good people, we would learn to love these shackles.  After all, theyā€™re just doing it for our own good.    I wish that I believed that our present leadership is dealing with the problems with Higher Idiotlogic software in a meaningful manner, or even considers it important to make a serious, ongoing and ultimately constructive effort to resolve the issues, and  actually make using it something less excruciating than dragging your fingernails across a chalk board.  Nor do I believe they will make the effort to move to something else if the issues cannot be resolved, no matter how inferior the product is.  After a year of this, I have lost my faith in them. Will Truitt         </blockquote></body> </html>