A challenge to Scott J, and an Audifans Fundraiser

[Fred Munro]

It's not the "people", Dan, or the "members" that can't behave themselves,
although at times I'm sure it seems that way. It's a very few members that
are causing 80% of the problems. 99.9% of the members of this list are fine,
upstanding folk who ask relevant questions, provide accurate responses, and
generally conduct themselves in an amazingly restrained and productive
fashion while pursuing their passion for old Audis. You, sir, are to be
commended on creating the forum for this discussion and providing the vision
that has resulted in such a productive exchange. Don't be discouraged by the
actions of a few - this list stands out as pure gold amongst the other dreck
that is out there, and your guidance over the years has made it what it is.
You can take a lot of pride in that, my friend.

Now to the present contretemps.

Phil provided hard data, part numbers, resolved listers problems in 3 words
(or less), and gave us the occasional bit of dry humour. He posted most of
his replies to the list.

Scott J, reported a very personable and extremely knowledgeable and helpful
individual by those who have met him, provides verbiage, theory, and lots of
opinions on several "trigger" subjects but not a lot of hard data or
resolutions to problems on the list. He has helped many people but seems to
prefer doing it by private e-mail.

Personally, over the 5 years or so I have been on the list, I've learnt a
hell of a lot more about the maintenance of Audis from Phil than from Scott,
thanks to Phil's public posts.

I'm not knocking Scott - he sells a service, his knowledge is his
stock-in-trade, and that knowledge was hard won. He has a living to make,
and he won't do it by spewing out his knowledge for free to the general list
members.

But Phil did.

Scott and Phil (and others) have had lots of disagreements over the years.
The "Delete" on my keyboard is almost worn off from all the use it gets.
Phil finally got PO'd and left. Our collective loss. I personally will miss
Phil's informative posts and the warm fuzzy feeling that his help was just a
few keystrokes away.

What to do?

I don't think much can be done.

It's the nature of the beast. You can't be a babysitter or a policeman, Dan,
I assume you've got a life beyond the qlist. You've provided the guidelines
for the list and it is up to us to follow them and behave in a relatively
civilized fashion.

It does hurt when something you've put a lot of yourself into isn't going
the way you've envisioned, though. Don't get discouraged, Dan - I think
you'll find all of the listers really appreciate what you have built here.

So let's shape up, folks. The objective is to share our knowledge,
enthusiasm, and help each other out, not to stroke and stoke our egos.

And Phil, I hope you'll rejoin the group, but if you don't, thanks for the
assistance, info, and laughs, and I sincerely wish you a long, happy, and
prosperous life ( if such a thing is possible without the qlist :o). Good
luck, friend, and all the best.

Fred Munro
'94 S4

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Simoes" <dans at audifans.com>
To: "Roa, Greg" <Greg.Roa at Cinergy.COM>
Cc: <quattro at audifans.com>; <quattro at isham-research.com>
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2002 8:56 PM
Subject: Re: A challenge to Scott J, and an Audifans Fundraiser


> > I would hope that others would join in with donations, if nothing else,
> > just to help out Dan, and help him keep this list running.
> > I would ask both of you do help me help Dan.  If you don't want to lose
> > face, just do it so he can get the money.
>
> I hate to tell you Greg, but I don't think either party is going to
> comply.  I've already asked Phil to reconsider, there's not much else I
> can do.
>
> I don't think I'll be needing the money either.
> Frankly, this whole affair has me taking a hard look at the future of
> the lists.  Perhaps the care and feeding of older Audis has reached a
> saturation point, and what needed to be said has been said?
> Future owners of ratty A6 2.7tt and A8s will just have to fend for
> themselves.
>
> As far as the people...
> At one time I was proud of what was here, but I'm not so sure anymore.
>
> It seems that I can't spare enough time to actively police the list, and
> that members are incapable of behaving themselves, so if someone wants
> to assume the mantle, I'm listening.
>
> | Dan |