This forum is a wonderful thing to me! I am grateful for what it provides. To be in contact with persons all over the world is truly amazing. I have learned so much about a subject that, up until a year ago, I knew virtually nothing. Every member of the forum has something to offer. Many are experienced professionals and amateurs that contribute so much to us all. Others, like myself, are new to photography, and while we may not be equipped to offer much advice and direction, it is often our questions (sometimes very elementary ones) that precipitate some of the best discussions. I am grateful toTony Rowlett who serves us so well. He is often placed in an awkard, difficult position, and WE should never allow that to happen to such a friend. Our respect for one another will make Tony's task much more enjoyable. Thanks, Tony! Also, to Mr. Greenspun and his organization deserves our gratitude. His generosity contributes to our good times together. I have appreciation for every member of the forum, and while I may never display a photo in a gallery, or even in my home for that matter, it is a joy for me to visit this site many times every day to read the offerings that are posted by persons all over the world. I look forward to tomorrow, and the day after, when I can read your words. Thanks, everyone.

-- Max Wall (mtwall@earthlink.net), May 04, 2002

Answers

Allow me to add my name under your statement. I am similarly grateful, and you articulated how I feel so well.

-- Ollie Steiner (violindevil@yahoo.com), May 04, 2002.

And allow me to add my name to this comment! well said! I have learned much and have had great enjoyment.

-- gary brown (drdad1111@yahoo.com), May 04, 2002.

Max, If I could also piggy back on your words of thanks to Messrs. Rowlett and Greenspun. Yes, this is truly a great forum. Not only have I learned so much in such a little time, but I have also saved a lot of money in the process by not buying unnecessary equipment. A lot of the voices of reason here force one to think again about the whole "needs vs. wants" question when buying such expensive [to me] equipment. I don't come from the "money-no-object" world, but so what? I do wish to be able to use the superb Leica equipment, and with the possibilities shown on this forum, I am now having a lot of fun.

I do wish to take this opportunity to mention in particular Mr. Jack Flesher, who, in addition to running the MUGers group in Yahoo, has been extremely generous with his real lens tests (he has/had them all!), and also with his limitless photographic advice, even about other camera systems. Jack has also done some fun things here, such as the Mike Dixon 75mm lens project. Who else could have thought of such a great idea? I'm sure many of us have lerned from, have enjoyed, and are in awe of Mike's pictures. So, thanks Jack!

-- Vikram (VSingh493@aol.com), May 04, 2002.

What they said!!

-- Steve Rosenblum (stevierose@yahoo.com), May 04, 2002.

As we are probably the oldest (ancient ) continuous Leica users on this forum, we can only add our thanks to that tribute. George (79) and Pat (76).

-- George C. Berger (gberger@his.com), May 04, 2002.

Max:

Thanks for starting this thread: it's good to read postings which do not attempt to insult or harass anybody but thank those who deserve it.

Regards

-Iván

-- Iván Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), May 04, 2002.

As a newcomer to this forum, can I say that Max's eloquent statement sums up my reaction to it.

-- Paul Hart (paulhart@blueyonder.co.uk), May 05, 2002.

Max: I agree with you wholeheartedly and I too thank both Tony and Mr. Greenspun for this marvelous forum. On another note, we should continue to IGNORE certain crazies who try to raise havoc on our forum site.

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), May 05, 2002.

Many thanks! I appreciate the kudos, but not without extending my gratitude to Philip Greenspun, of course, for writing this software and for providing the free server space (if either of these things were missing, we wouldn't have the forum), and to our awesome membership. And to our little friend, somewhere out there, by whom I am rather perpetually amused when I click on the little "delete" checkbox in the admin utility. Ya gotta love his/her futile resilience! :-)

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@mail.com), May 05, 2002.

I agree, this is a tremendous forum. If only we could keep those pesky spam robots from harvesting our emails...

Thanks,

-- David Carson (dave@davidcarsonNOSPAM.com), May 05, 2002.

Tony:

Of course you do a good job. No problem there. Still, personally, I find some of Phil's [whoever Phil is] posts very funny. I enjoy them. Just my opinion.

Art

-- Art (AKarr90975@aol.com), May 05, 2002.

It takes all types to make a world,and all types to make a Forum.If we were all the same what a boring world it would be.

-- Allen Herbert (allen1@btinternet.com), May 05, 2002.

Count me in too!

Hats off to Tony, and our many other knowlegable posters.

-- Tom Bryant (boffin@gis.net), May 05, 2002.

Ditto Max.... Being in southeast euthenasia does not lend itself to a ready source of information. This site is a tremendous wealth of it, laced with an occasional touch of humor. Thank-you one and all for your information, humor, wit, sarcasm and your time.

MJ

-- Mark Johnson (logical1@catholic.org), May 05, 2002.

Gotta add my vote of thanks for this forum to Tony Rowlett and to Phil Greenspun. The structure of the forum is excellent. I don't mind the occasional flames that we see from time to time.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), May 06, 2002.

Ditto to all the good things said about Tony and his forum.

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), May 06, 2002.

I am new here, too, and it is a great site. A pleasant change from others I've seen on other subjects. A truly civil group here, and very helpful. John

-- John H Osterholm (Barjo4@attbi.com), May 08, 2002.

Amen and amen!

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), May 08, 2002.