I've PM'ed him too. I understand and respect Peter's perspective. I have been cutting back myself. I did not see the entire thread which precluded his departure, however, I'm glad it was removed. The last thing we need is to leave a steaming turd lying in the front yard for all to see.

So, what do we do about it? Peter's not coming back anytime soon. He sounds committed to his decision to leave. How do we keep others from leaving too? Where's Tauhd? She seems to have lost interest, no?

I will do my best to bring him back to the Progarchives forum
I'll make a post, this is my post really that is that post, as a TRIBUTE to Peter.
He really is an source of information, and it would be a loss if he would dissapear.

Peter, please don't!
Huub Vlemmings

i have had many pms with Peter, he will come back when he is ready(IF INDEED HE DECIDES TO!!!)

personnally i understand his reasons

lets get away from politics(who cares who likes George Bush or not etc) and religion(lets just stay away from any religios references eg muhommad, jesus (even as a profanity...PLEASE !!!)

for the most part this is a fun forum with a unique sense of humour that ,not only have i not encounted elsewhere but has apparently been noted elsewhere on the net!!

if Peter comes back..all well and good!!

but let his departure be a reminder as to our obligations ,not only to our countries  but also to ourselves as representatives of a wider world, this is a forum devoted to prog and our perceptions of it!! lets focus on thaT But for goodness sake lets have a little fun on the way

THERE ARE THREADS WHICH ARE FRIVOLOUS AND HAVE LITTLE OR NOTHING TO DO WITH PROG...OKAY, LETS LET OF A LITTLE STEAM(AND UNEARTH SOME GOOD COMEDIC TALENT!!)

I LOVE MY MUSIC BUT I DO NOT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY

I KNOW ENOUGH TO POKE GOOD NATURED FUN

LETS ALL RELAX AND REMEMBER

NOT LIKING SOMEONE ELSES BAND IS NOT A PERSONNAL AFFRONT TO THAT PERSONS CHARACTER

SOMEONES RELIGIOUS BELEIFS ARE IRRELEVENT  LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE!!

JIM GARTEN LIKES BADGERS...(OOPS)

DUDE IS A sh*t STIRRER!!

PETER, INSERT COMMENT HERE!!!

I missed whatever it was that caused you to leave Peter, but I gather it had to do with politics and or religion. Whatever it was it's not worth getting upset about mate. I just got political myself, on another thread, but it was relevent to the thread. I would like you to return for the following reasons:

1. Posts are always articulate and eloquent.

2. Posts are interesting and informative.

3. If you quit now, your a QUITTER. (meant in a friendly pep-talk way.)

According to the stats on the members list, Peter has posted 878 messages since January, at an average of 7.20 posts per day.

I reckon he deserves some time off for good behaviour. I know I'd be in line for an ear bashing from "'er indoors" if I got anywhere near that batting average!

I also PM'd Peter - and he told me he has several reasons for wishing to take a back seat ATM - the same as he has posted here - which I respect.

I think we're all capable of breaking up a fight - and of following Peter's example of doing that in a light-hearted but pointed manner.

Even if he wants to take a break, I'm sure his spirit will remain.

"...you can check out any time you like..."

I don't want to rehash things but seeing we are all talking about Peter's departure,can someone Summarize in 3-4  lines the why he left  ? because I also missed it. I know it was  political/religious in nature . But what exactly and what did peter take offense at ? Its always good to know what happened that was negative so as not to repeat the same mistakes ( Knowledge is power ).

danbo wrote: I've PM'ed him too. I understand and respect Peter's perspective. I have been cutting back myself. I did not see the entire thread which precluded his departure, however, I'm glad it was removed. The last thing we need is to leave a steaming turd lying in the front yard for all to see.

I did not see the thread. was it really so bad that it had to be deleted? Perhaps it would have been better to keep it for a few days so that the rest of us would understand his reasons for leaving? Apparently it must have been bad because now Stormcrow has stated that he is leaving also in the THE LAST POST thread that Peter started in the other section.

dude wrote: personnally i understand his reasons lets get away from politics(who cares who likes George Bush or not etc) and religion(lets just stay away from any religios references eg muhommad, jesus (even as a profanity...PLEASE !!!)

I agree that we should stay away from politics and religion. However, not everyone is going to comply. In  forums there are always those that enjoy offending everyone in the name of free speech. If someone crosses the line then they should be banned just like in other forums that I belong to. Hate mongers that go out of their way to continually harass others or express their hatred toward certain members because of race or religion should be banned.

I've been away from the PC most of the Bank Holiday weekend and missed this. However, picking up on other's comments, I must say I thought I had found a safe haven for prog rock discussion and description here - I've been on others and left because of  tirades propelled by inflexible people.

A couple of points that should be remembered:

a) we should concentrate on the breadth and depth of progressive rock here - although there must be room for humour but not anger or aggression. However, I am not proposing that e.mails should be moderated, but contributors should have a "sense of proportion".

b) everybody is entitled to their own opinions, that should be respected - but it would be a very dull world if other folks always agreed. If a counter-arguement is offered it must be made in the spirit of friendly debate, and perhaps some reasoning offered. (I'll listen and I might even change my mind). Perhaps 'IMHO' should be used more often! And of course wrt to reviews we are all trying  to communicate quite abstract ideas why we like (or less commonly) why not like an album.

As a fellow academic I can understand Peter's ideas expressed here, being based on sound knowledge and sensible interpretation.

This is an international discussion group on music and therefore one country's politics has little relevance in another. And religions arguments will risk falling foul of  various nations' Race and  Equality Laws.

AND THAT,AS THEY SAY,IS THAT!!

ITS TIME TO MOVE ON

THANKS JIM!!

All:

As a long-time friend and colleague of Peter's (though not as long as some), I must say I find some of your posts - all of which are heart-warming - nonetheless a bit "odd."  I refer to those posts that support that part of Peter's decision to leave which was based on the decreasing level of "civility."

I say this because at least a few of you (though certainly not all) were fervently (or otherwise) opposed to the two guidelines - for civility - that were recently implemented.  You need only read some of your own posts to that thread (which still exists in "important topics") to see why it seems to me that some of your posts on this thread come across as either disingenuous or downright hypocritical.  For those who are now "changing their tune" (to one degree or another) in this regard: Why did it take the loss of two senior members before you "saw the light" regarding the importance - no, the urgency - of maintaining civility on the site?  And why did it take Peter's comments about "sticking to the music" and "avoiding inflammatory topics like politics and religion" for you to "get it," when I brought up both of those things on my "civility" thread?

Note that I do not say any of this as "accusation" (though I realize it may sound that way), or to start a ruckus.  It is simply observation.  However, if I sound slightly "rankled," it is, frankly, because I feel a bit like Cassandra: I all but warned everyone that this (the loss of members) would happen if civility did not increase.  And don't get me wrong.  Max and I (and the rest of the admin group) are pleased - thrilled! - that those who didn't "see the light" before, see it now.  After all, better late than never!

Max and I have instituted only two basic guidelines for the site, which are discussed in detail on my "civility" thread.  It has been suggested by various members that perhaps further guidelines are necessary - and that the following of any and all guidelines should be "required" for membership.  We are open to further discussion on this issue.  This does not mean that we are contemplating further guidelines: none are in the works at this moment.  But if - as many of you have either said or implied - it is truly important to all of you not to lose any more members, and you have ideas for how to prevent that (beyond all of you following the existing guidelines), please do not hesitate to send me a PM in this regard.

I have stated (almost ad nauseum) that Progarchives exists to serve people who have an interest in and/or love for progressive rock music - to be a place where visitors and members can go to review prog albums, learn about the history of prog (from the site and from each other), and discuss prog-related subjects in a safe, welcoming and non-confrontational environment.  Anything we can do to further this goal is critical to maintaining Progarchives as the progressive rock website - one which will not just grow, but thrive.

As always, your participation, contributions, criticisms, comments and suggestions are truly appreciated.

Peace.

I miss Peter too, but you're all forgetting that the fuss about religion wasn't the only reason for him to stop posting!

Peter Rideout (In the Last post? thread) wrote: ... This forum eats up too much of my time in any case -- time better spent with my family, or reading a good book, or listening to music! (I have also said perhaps all I really want to regarding "what is prog?" forum civility, and even Mariah Carey!)  I will continue, however, to write reviews for the archives. (My output should increase in that regard.) ...

I can understand that he wants to spend more time with his family, or reading a book, or listening to music. I, as a youngster, can learn a lot here about my favourite musical genre, but Peter knew enough about prog and maybe sometimes he had the feeling he was wasting his time. I respect his choice.

...but I would LOVE to see him back!

 < That's for Peter!

We Want Peter, We Want Peter, We Want Peter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And some drinks.