A New Record....

[John Dunkle]

Today, the PGCA Forum has set a new record. We have had 26 New Forum Registrations to participate on this Forum today alone (and the day is not over?)...

So far - we have over 1,700 active users and nearly 2,000 registered users to this site...

To all the new Forum Members from today...

Welcome to our community..!!!

:cheers:

John

[Pete Lester]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.........anything to do with the change in identity policy or just a coincidence?

[John Dunkle]

I believe, but can not be sure - that it was this thread:

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2811

That caused the spike in registrations..???

They all wanted to see Dean wearing his hat..???

Just my opinion - which certainly has nothing at all to do with real life or reality???

;)

John

[Bill Murphy]

The following comment is in reply to a very insulting post by Bruce Day, very critical of this website, its moderators, and its participants. Mr. Day has chosen to delete the post, although he stands by its insulting theme and its juvenile wording. Here is my reply to his post...........That is so much crap. I have a vivid memory of a member who was trying to get on the Parker horse and in a few days, knew everything. Becoming a Parker person by participating in an internet forum is no worse than becoming a Parker person with a big checkbook.

[King Brown]

A record is a record. New record is redundant.

[King Brown]

And while we're recording participation, my PCGA membership is not recorded here although I have received a reminder to renew it.

Twice I've paid my money and received no recognition here that I am a member, which may be a record.

Spirit is measured by how we relate one thing to another. Two other sites I support are careful to recognize participation of its members.

[Dave Suponski]

I have to disagree with Bruce's line of thinking.For us to close down the website would be returning to the stone age.The PGCA has grown in no small part by the use and development of our website.Couple that with our ever increasing presence at various shoots and gun shows both large and small where face to face meeting and camaraderie takes place we have grown to be one of the premier collectors groups.But along with this growth comes a increased responsibility to "Be there" for the newcomer and novice. This website serves to (on a daily basis) fill that need. Many of us have made some great friendships through all this interaction.We have truly become a community where some of us share what's going on in our lives beside our collecting and shooting endeavors and that's what friend's do.I am not and will never consider myself an expert.I learn something new here quite often and that is because of the free exchange of information from some of our more learned member's and newcomer's alike.


Yes,I do agree that with our website we are exposed to various hackers and phishing site's but our administrators and moderators are constantly taking steps to ensure our safety and they have my complete confidence.Change is inevitable and sometimes a little scary we need to just roll with it and see how it plays out.If we are not growing ...we're going..

OK...I will get off my soapbox now...nuff said.

[Christopher Lien]

Registration on the forum does not equate to good and productive PGCA members.

The internet forums become an addiction, but I can't say I have learned much of real value through participation in the forum.

To the extent that there are security issues raised by internet participation, the answer is simple; don't participate.

Bruce Day Kansas City
______________________________________________


That is so much crap. I have a vivid memory of a member who was trying to get on the Parker horse and in a few days, knew everything. Becoming a Parker person by participating in an internet forum is no worse than becoming a Parker person with a big checkbook.
______________________________________________


Yeah Murph, I remember that guy too... Just doesn't make sense, if someone already knows it all, and announces he learns nothing of real value participating on the PGCA Parker forums, why would he continue spending several hours a day here (over the past 6+ years) reading & posting thousands of messages?.. Yup, a bunch of crap...

Best, CSL
_______________________________

[Christopher Lien]

I have to disagree with Bruce's line of thinking.For us to close down the website would be returning to the stone age.The PGCA has grown in no small part by the use and development of our website.Couple that with our ever increasing presence at various shoots and gun shows both large and small where face to face meeting and camaraderie takes place we have grown to be one of the premier collectors groups.But along with this growth comes a increased responsibility to "Be there" for the newcomer and novice. This website serves to (on a daily basis) fill that need. Many of us have made some great friendships through all this interaction.We have truly become a community where some of us share what's going on in our lives beside our collecting and shooting endeavors and that's what friend's do.I am not and will never consider myself an expert.I learn something new here quite often and that is because of the free exchange of information from some of our more learned member's and newcomer's alike.


Yes,I do agree that with our website we are exposed to various hackers and phishing site's but our administrators and moderators are constantly taking steps to ensure our safety and they have my complete confidence.Change is inevitable and sometimes a little scary we need to just roll with it and see how it plays out.If we are not growing ...we're going..

OK...I will get off my soapbox now...nuff said.
______________________________________________


Very well said Dave, a GS-HR and cleared the CF wall by about 25' feet...:clap:

Best, CSL

______________________________________________

[Bill Murphy]

If you want to hear a very diplomatic rebuke of the Bruce Day "diss" of our website, read our new leader's comments about the website on a recent thread titled "nom de plumes". Bill Mullins says it very well. I'm glad Bruce has never learned anything from this website as he states. I have been studying and researching Parkers for about 45 years longer than Bruce has, and I learn something here on a regular basis. "Checkbook Bruce" knows a bunch about Parkers, all learned in the last five years. I'm sorry I'm not a bit more diplomatic, but only reach the bottom when someone tries to tear down this organization. Usually, I'm pretty upbeat and would rather talk about buying and researching Parkers.

[Pete Lester]

I would also like to add the following, how much has the site done in the last ten years to enhance the pleasure of owning a Parker through providing research letters? I discovered one of the earliest versions of the site some 10 years ago and I was thrilled to get a research letter on the Parker I have owned and wondered about the longest. Additionally through contacts made here how many of us have benefitted from being able to sell and to buy a Parker to or from other members through our personal contacts that were started right here? How many have received good advice of where to turn for parts, repairs and restoration and learned of people doing fantastic work in other parts of the country from where we live? How many of us learned of shooting matches that we could travel to and participate in and at least know of someone in this group who was there to talk with even briefly? How many of you have through contacts made here been allowed to see, handle and even shoot a Parker that you would otherwise never see? (Thank you again John for letting me shoot your Grandfather's fabulous AAHE trap gun on a round of trap)

I for one have learned a fantastic amount here in the last decade, information that has let me grow, find repairs when needed and restore when needed/desired my own modest collection of Parker shotguns.

It's a bit perplexing that anyone who has participated in this forum or simply read and gleaned information over a period of years would either dismiss the site or feel the need to come to it's defense.

This site is not perfect, but it is often entertaining, interesting and helpful in my enjoyment of Parker shotguns. Thank you John for keeping it together and thank you to all parties who make it available.

[Mark Ouellette]

Here is my PGCA website story,

I was introduced to Parkers a couple years ago with an offer for me to purchase a DHE 20 from a member of my shooting club. At the time I owned LC Smiths, which are a fine gun, an RBL, Merkels, Beretta, and Winchester SxS's. In the time since I bought that little 20 my knowledge of Parkers has increased a thousand times. Much of that new knowledge was gained, or at least the learning was initiated from this site. Via this site I have developed friendships with Parker guys from not only Michigan but throughout this country. That has rarely happened from other gun sites. This PGCA site offers to its participants the opportunity to become am active part of a community of fellow enthusiasts.

To my fellow PGCA members and forum participants, THANK YOU!

Most respectfully,
Mark

PS: My gun safe now holds many Parkers, Smiths, a few new Foxes, and a couple LeFevers. It has many less SxS made after 1930 than it held two years ago. See what one little Parker can do!

[John R. Richards]

Gentlemen:

How about letting a newbie join in on this discussion and what I saw as a newcomer. I joined 6 months ago and the reason I joined had a lot to do with this website and what I saw. I saw a very well thought out website with a very enlightening and entertaining forum. I saw members that were willing to share their knowledge with newcomers, to share even with folks that were not members. I saw a group of people eager to pass on the history of Parker and the pride they have in owning, shooting, collecting, and hunting with a Parker. I saw a group of dedicated members whose knowledge and willingess to share far exceeded any other organization I had ever been a member of and who prided themselves on keeping current.

My hat is off to this organization and the hard work that John and others have done and who seldom ask for nor receive credit for their time and effort. I thank all of you for providing me with responses that were informative and helpful. Now, I didn't always follow the advice given but it was helpful to get different thoughts from more experienced people who spoke their opinions with thoughtfulness.

Keep up the great work and your willingness to share and this organization will continue to grow as the best of the best.

John

[John Dunkle]

OK guys, I give, there seems to be quite a few who believe the website is valuable to them. I deleted my prior post questioning the value of the forum. I know its addictive and I am as guilty as anybody else about spending time here. Remember that the PGCA is 1200 or so members strong and we have added and retained a little under 100 members per year. I am member #171 and joined when we didn't have a forum or a website because I saw an ad in the DGJ . Still, out of 1200 members, it looks like we only have 25-50 that are regulars here yet from everything I hear, it occupies a substantial portion of management time and expense far out of proportion to the number of PGCA members using it.

So have it.

Bruce Day
Kansas City

Bruce,

I have absolutely no idea where you come up with your "facts" - but, they have little to do with anything.....

In fact, there are over 220 on this site who are PGCA "Members" - and close to 90% of those have a substantial number of posts...??

Insofar as the "..substantial portion of management time and expense far out of proportion to the number of PGCA members using it.... - I would ask you to quantify that, yet, I am certain you are unable to do that - with you not knowing either the "management time" nor "expense".

To your point of being member #171, I think it's wonderful - but has no bearing on anything of importance. In my world, someone has to be Member #171, and it might as well be you as anyone else?

Frankly - I have no idea what your personal agenda is by publicly and continually ridiculing and belittling this forum, it's members and users - but thought I would take a moment to introduce some facts as a basis and future fodder for your rhetoric, should you be so inclined.

Have a wonderful day,

John

[Christopher Lien]

John,

Don't knock yourself out over this, he just doesn't get it, never has and never will... The many positive comments posted this past week in support of the PGCA web-site and your efforts here speak volumes about how a good majority currently feel regarding the Parker forums...

Whatever Bruce's personal agenda of "continually ridiculing and belittling this forum, it's members and users", ---- We are All better than to let One discontent spoil it for the rest...

Best, CSL

________________________________________________

[Bruce Day]

It's your baby John. Have at it, and I'm sure you're right about everything and there is no room in discussion. I deleted the post expressing an opinion.
Good luck.

[Dean Romig]

Just a couple of thoughts....

This forum (from this PGCA Member's point of view) isn't about "what can I get out of it" but more about what can I contribute to the discussion or to the knowledge base of Parker guns and related subjects. This forum is for members of every level but more so, again in my opinion, for those who happen upon this site while searching the Internet for anything having to do with "Parker" and "Parker Gun". It exists for everybody's benefit - not "mine". It exists for the person who never posts but checks in daily. It exists for the guy who has dozens of the nicest Parkers as well as for the lady who just inherited one. It exists for the social networking of PGCA Members and forum members. It exists, more than simply as a research source, but for many it exists for the comraderie and the fun. It is many things to many people but in my opinion... there is no "I" in the PGCA.

[Dave Suponski]

Bingo!.....

[John Dunkle]

Just a couple of thoughts.........Simply a terrific post, Sir... Well said.. All of it....

Thanks for taking the time to post that......

:cheers:

john

[Dave Suponski]

Sir?....Aw John don't go callin him that. The next thing you know he will want us to bow in his presence......:bowdown:

[Bill Murphy]

By the way, CSL's earlier "quote" of Bruce Day's post is not the complete post. In Mr. Day's post, he accused posters of drinking before posting, exchanging useless information, as well as taking away from the positive aspects of membership in PGCA. I hit the print button to save the post, but, unfortunately only the last page printed. I'm sure someone will email a copy of Bruce's insulting post to me at wilmrph@verizon.net so I can file it away. I'm sure someone printed it knowing that Bruce would not man up and let it stand.

[Bill Murphy]

I can't believe that "Checkbook Bruce" still doesn't get it. I think we are beginning to understand his comment about drinking before posting. He has been accused of it in the past, accusations without merit, I trust.

[Christopher Lien]

Murph,

Check your e-mail..... :whistle:

CSL
_________________________________

[scott kittredge]

Sir?....Aw John don't go callin him that. The next thing you know he will want us to bow in his presence......:bowdown:

o' boy :whistle: i am holding out on that one. :rotf:

[John Dunkle]

o' boy :whistle: i am holding out on that one. :rotf:

:rotf:

OK - well said.......

Anyway - when I posted the original post to this thread - it was far different than the discourse it has included. In short - I posted the original post - and subsequently - had my say on the diversionary posts as well - as have others... I think (but could be wrong???!!!) that everyone has had their say???

I'm going to close this thread before Scott, Dean and Dave run amok with the "Sir" thing..??!! :) If anyone disagrees - please PM or e-mail me, OK?

Dang..... Some vacation..??!!!!

Best to all!

John