My belief is that this is a forum for people with a common interest, mostly about all things Fender, naturally. But the general forum has always been open and should be that way. As long as someone doesn't use a misleading subject line, you can skip anything you're not interested in.

THIS IS THE LOUNGE!!!

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Current Gear: Ron Kirn Barnbuster Tele,
Marshall: 1971 SuperLead 100>1997 1960-TV, bunch of pedals
and a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe named Veronica

Well spoken!

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"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi

Owner of:
-2008 American Standard Strat in Candy Cola Red
-Vibro-Champ XD
-Fender CD-60 Acoustic (Sunburst)

I joined the forum because of the hot women in T-shirts

I always try to keep my posts guitar related. One time we were talking about auto racing so I just slipped in some pics of Fender's Indy car guitar so no one would complain.

But we should also be sensitive to our fellow members and if they are having a bad day or their pet died give them some room. It's the least we can do. There are other forums that have saved lives like that.

We've been talking at work about what makes a good online community (I always hold the Fender Lounge up as one of the most stunning examples out there).

That question always leads to a larger discussion of what the internet is for - I know some people who view it completely as an information-gathering resource, and use it like they would the news on TV or a library, just to gather information and then go.

But I've always viewed it as a way of connecting people. At each end of every transaction - every email, every forum, every web site - there's another human being, and the internet provides ways for human beings to communicate.

So I've always thought the best communities were where people could have well-rounded human relationships, not just cold transfer of info, and that's why I think the fact that people come here for comfort or to celebrate major life events, even when not guitar-related, is a testament to the strength of the forum, people gather here to talk to their friends about their lives, and that makes it a true community. I hope one day to manage one that's even a fraction as good.

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2008 MIM Strat w 3-tone sunburst
2002 LP Special Ebony Faded
2008 G-Dec
'59 Reissue Bassman 4x10 combo
TS 808
DS 1
Gretsch 6120DS (on loan)

I can see where the OP is coming from..

But hey, I don't mind reading some un-Fender related stuff. Sometimes it's a way to wind down after a long day.

Then again.. so is playing my Fender. :]