Hi All From Seamus

[SEAMUS]

Hi folks, Seamus here, so sorry I've not been in touch for a while, had a heck of a time over the last 12 months - illness, family problems, PC problems, and trying to fix things that were not broken - broken heart, broken bank account, and to tell you the truth, broke most of the time!

Anyhow, pleased to tell you I'm on the mend, everyday, and I've sneaked into this great site to keep up to date with all your postings, but could not bring myself to post, so sorry.

I love this site and I'm a big fan of Matt, but what I find very difficult to deal with is the impression I get that this seems to be a very competitive site, with each member competing to see who makes the most postings! Sorry but I can't be doing with that.

I belong to various sites, where we can all chat and share banter, laughs and be there for each other and no one gives a damn who has made the most postings.

Please, please don't be offended by what I am saying here, it is strictly my opinion and how I feel about things. There are issues that make me uncomfortable, like the references to how well someone has done, based on the amount of their postings!

In recent postings by Robert, I noticed the he referred to the site being quiet and the lack of members posting. I also checked out the amount of members this site has and the amount who never post.

In view of this, I would question whether this apparent competitiveness is not in fact responsible for the lack of interest and postings?

Please accept that I am not having a go at anyone here, I'm just trying to get my head around the issues I feel need looking at at. My experience when I first joined was great, and the help I got from you was terrific, but I'm sad that there are so many members, yet only a fraction post and this disturbs me - why? Possibly I'm treating this as a chat-room, when it seems it is not. But in Ireland where I come from, the lounge/sitting room/parlour is where the banter/chat/laughs is the place for this purpose.

Maybe it's me, I'm not fully clued up up on this PC gadget, I'm not posh, I'm a retired run of the mill Irishman, who enjoys good music, good banter and buckets of laughs.

Feel free to put me right if I've goofed, I'm simply trying to explain my feelings, my concerns but if that offends anyone, please accept this is not my intention. I would not do that for the world.

So there we are folks, a long posting to say I'm sorry I've not been in touch, but I've been around and appreciate all the help you guys gave me when I enlisted.

Before I go, I would like to ask you good folks, does Daniel Evans on X Factor remind you of Matt, his looks, his voice or personality?

Take good care everyone

Best Wishes

Seamus.

[Marian]

Hi Seamus, It's good to hear from you after such a long time, and I'm very sorry to hear you have had such a bad year.
I suppose we have all been going through similar happenings of late to a greater or lesser degree.
Sorry too to hear your comments on the forum, but I have heard similar comments raised by one other too.
We are not at all competitive and the counting of the scores is very much a fun thing and is always done in the most friendly way.
I suppose it all started when the site was first trying to get off the ground, and Michele introduced the 100 Club for the members who reached 100 posts in the first year. Somehow, it has just gone on from there.
We only comment on "the scores on the doors" as it were, on one section of the forum, which happens to be the lounge.
All the other sections are packed full with other information, friendly comments and advice, but always with the wonderful music of Matt Monro first and foremost in our minds.
We recently were given a scary warning from EMI, who threatened to close the forum down unless it could be proved by being used regularly, that it is an important part of the site, so therefore the number of postings is indeed important, but really I suppose the actual counting of individuals posts is not so much so. As I said earlier, it has just become a fun thing, and as the posts go up, it is more difficult to keep track of individual personal scores.
I'll be interested to hear other members comments on Seamus's comments, as I can sort of see his point.
Keep 'em coming Seamus.

Marian.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Yes, we are also sorry to hear what a bad year you've had Seamus, and we all experience problems of one kind or another from time to time.
As far as your comments regarding the forum etc, you have mentioned that you were made to feel welcome when you first posted and those of us who post regularly on the forum and even some who don't make a special point of doing this to every new visiter.
Perhaps you have a point regarding the postings and the regular congratulation messages posted to the persons concerned Seamus, and at times appearing over emphasised, and must admit that this has passed through our minds, and as Marian has said in her reply to you, this started as just a fun thing, and you certainly haven't offended us in any way, but regardless of a scoring system or not it's a place for us to log on to, enjoy and discuss Matt's music and other artists. The scoring point and the continuation will be left to Michele of course, but it will certainly make no difference to us or our postings and we are sure this applies to all the other forum regulars.
Hope things are looking better for you now Seamus and...KEEP POSTING

[mariana44]

Just to add to this discussion--firstly Seamus, sorry to hear about all your problems, and hope things are looking up for you.

I cannot see any competitiveness in the number of posts that each person has--we all know it's not a competition---just fun. As I cannot always think of something to say, I restricted myself some time ago, to just commenting on every 500 postings---and why shouldn't I congratulate , and praise anyone who has notched up another 500 postings--!! I cannot see why any would would object to that. It is an achievement, but does not mean that the person concerned has made 500 posts in order to be congratulated---and I personally rarely look at my own scores--and if you asked me now, I would not have a clue.

We know that due to various commitments, some cannot post as regularly as others---for some like myself, who often has time on my hands , it is a lifeline----and a fun and easy way of communicating with others , who have the same interests. The references to number of posts only usually appear in one section of the Forum, so easy to avoid.

And also without the regular postings--and visits from those who read, but do not post, there could--and indeed has been, a real danger that the forum would close--and none of us want that to happen.

[john]

Hi Seamus.
We have over 300 members on the forum, and it is quite true what you say, the majority have either not put a single post at all, or only put a handful of posts. We always welcome the new members when they join and it is then up to them if they wish to continue using the site. So it is down to us regular members to try and keep things going.
I don't see it as a competition on who gets the most posts. We talk about anything and everything on the site, from our love of Matt's music which is obviously our main reason of being together to literally anything anyone feels they want to discuss.
As Marian pointed out a few weeks ago there was a risk we could have lost the forum and none of us want that to happen. I think Robert was merely pointing out the fact that it had been quiet and if we wanted the forum to stay up and running something would have to be done.

[keithgood838]

Hi Seamus
A warm welcome back to the embrace of this friendly forum.
I grew up in Bandon in West Cork and I published a slim volume
about the scenic region. I would prefer to mark your return with
something stronger than this extract provides, however I hope
you will find it palatable:

LEMONADE

The laid-back, fridge-cool mixer
effervesces
with life in the glass,
then eager bubbles
race
in reckless relays
to oblivion at the brim.

And a raging dust-dry thirst
is slaked
by the sweet tang of a thousand
West Cork
childhood memories ...

Keith Good

[mariana44]

Hi Seamus--I have been thinking about this subject while I was out shopping, as it has disturbed me to know you were thinking of us in that way.

I think you may have misjudged the members on this forum, who are all very special, sincere and caring people--and I feel qualified to say this as I have met many of them in person, on more than one occasion.
I do not believe there is anyone posting so that they can be "Top Poster" or "Gain Points" or whatever---it is a way of communicating and sharing our thoughts, feelings and memories with each other, and the number of previous postings a person has is irrelevant.

Are you saying Seamus ,that someone with -for example -10 posts is treated any differently to someone with 1000 posts--this is definately not the case, and I for one, would not be happy if that is what you think.

There is no rule to say people should or should not post---everyone does what they are comfortable with.

The important thing is that the Forum keeps going, I am sure everyone would agree on that.

[Administrator]

Hi Seamus,

This site was created in order to ensure that the legacy Matt Monro left behind is not forgotten, his music is shared round the world and the site brings people together from all walks of life, regardless of their background, colour or religion. Music can do that, it is one of the only mediums that can transgress racial hatred, language and time.

Because Matt Monro is no longer with us, the problem I faced was in ensuring the site stay fresh each month and that the viewers had a reason to come back and it is for that reason I have a spotlight on different artists each month, highlight products and run competitions. It was a good way to combat that initial worry but it had to go further than that so that like-minded people could talk about the passion for the music, their favourite music, programmes, review the albums and most importantly talk to each other.

So I created the Forum. This opened the website up enormously and people were eager to share their points of view, tell us about a show they had seen or merely ask a question. It made it possible for people to add to their collection in finding rarities, and swap products.

Because of the Forum, I was pressed into holding a fan club event 'Fans Reunited'. People from all over the world flew in and not only was it a fabulous day, it brought more people together, an extended family if you will.

Launching anything new is a daunting task, a lot of people are shy or don't feel that what they have to say is interesting, they may not be computer literate and so nervous over what buttons to push and it is for that reason that at the beginning we encouraged people to make their posts and they were recognized for that. It became a fun thing. I pride myself on keeping all the posts open to everyone to read and if you look back you will see there are no frivolous listings, none that are just done for the sake of it, this is a serious site where I like to thank my members for staying loyal and continuing to visit the site and make postings.

You mention how well you were treated when you first visited the area and so I find it difficult why that would have put you off re-visiting. There are 24 different headings in the Forum and they are all full of wonderful comments, quotes, poems, get well wishes, birthday acknowledgments, reviews and points of views and do not feel that the site has lost its reason for being here. That is to talk to each other, join in someone's joy or pain, comfort at a moment of sadness, celebrate the birth of a child, and combat loneliness. Some people, who live alone, are incredibly shy or are disabled like myself, rely on this site, it might be their only communication in a day and whatever their disability, or lack of confidence in the outside world is hidden by a blanket of security on this site.

We comfort people who are ill any extend that comfort to their families. Sometimes the immediate people are around you in everyday situations are too close to speak to, here they can vent their worries without fear of judgement or reprimand. I have received several letters from fans of this site who have recently been widowed and this site has kept them sane. One person, whose son was critically injured in a motor accident, told me my words of solace got him through those darkest of hours.

In closing I will say that although I am quite happy to offer up a congratulatory message when I think it should be acknowledged, after all it is one subject that accounts for less that 1% of this site.

No one is excluded from being here, I know there are some that feel more comfortable reading the comments than writing them but we are all hear to listen, share and make welcome all those who are willing to take that first step. I do not want to start telling people what they are not allowed to say in their postings, or stop being supportive of others, or curb their enthusiasm - that places restrictions and we already live in a society where we have lost freedom of speech and freedom of choice to. This site allows that freedom..

I am sorry you feel uncomfortable with what you might feel is self gratification but sometimes all one needs in a day is to be told by someone else - well done - thanks - your comments and postings are interesting - you made me laugh - you made me think - you made me cry - because without those special people who go that extra mile to visit regularly we wouldn't have an interesting site - to those people I do say THANK YOU.

[mariana44]

Thank you Michele---I think you have said what most of us feel about our Forum.

[ROBERT M.]

I agree 100% with you Michele but I offer Seamus the opportunity to join in ANYTIME with us on the forum..............you are most welcome

[Lena & Harry Smith]

It's been interesting to read the different responses to Seamus's post
Thanks very much Michele, we appreciate your comments.

[paul jh]

I don't think anyone responded to Seamus's question on Daniel Evans. Since I can't watch X Factor, I went to You Tube to find some performances. He does resemble Matt Monro a bit, but his singing can't compare. He doesn't appear to have much of a range. Rarely do people talk about Matt Monro's singing range, but it was immense. Listen to the clarity of the low notes on Hava Nagila and then listen to the high notes on What To Do. Remarkable!

Welcome back to the forum Seamus.

[SEAMUS]

To all the folk who replied to my concerns on 'competitive posts'. Permit me to point out that in my posting of 5th November, I did request folk not be offended by my remarks and also accept that they were not directed at any one person.

I was simply saying that I was left with the impression that there seemed to be an air of competitiveness among posters and while Lena and Harry say this could be 'over emphasized', I find it intimidating. My view please note.

I also wondered if in fact my point could be the reason many other new members join but do not post or contribute. I feel this is a valid question, which as a member,, I should be able to ask!

I have absolutely no doubt this is a great site and forum and boasts terrific people and while I accept the postings made are all in good fun and spirit, I would ask you good folk to stand back and look at it from a newcomers point.

There are some posts that are intimidating to the newly arrived and most definitely could be the reason they are frightened off. I refuse to believe that I'm alone with this view.

I am not misjudging anyone here, just the impression created by the comments on the amounts of postings made by various folk. It certainly made me feel uncomfortable and it seems I am not the first to comment on this!

I firmly believe my right to comment and air my point and I would ask fellow members to accept that it is with the site interests at heart that I raised these concerns. I would love to see more members involved and share this wonderful site.

Thanks to all that replied to my post. If I hit a nerve with anyone, that was not my intention and I would be the first to apologise. Thanks Michelle and Hilary for your kind comments and taking the time to contact me.

Keith Good - I thank you for your poem but I also know Bandon in Co. Cork. Unfortunately my memories are of a very battered and brutal childhood at an institution in that area. which was managed by religious people.

I am 65 now and still live with the knock on effects of that experience. One thing that grieves me very much is not having a decent education that would enable me to write this letter in a manner that merits my point. That's my disability

To sum up, surely if more new members posted and contributed, it would make for a safer secure site?

That;s my answer to you good folks, sorry if I have repeated myself but I'm trying hard to get my spelling right and hit the right buttons! Going off for a nice lemonade.

Regards and Best Wishes to all

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Seamus, my mention of over emphasised was not intimidating, in fact to the contrary. I was stating that perhaps you were correct, and we were making too much of this scoring on the web-site.
I'm sorry that you misread what was meant to be in your defence, and perhaps I should have worded it differently.

[john]

I think at the end of the day Lena and Harry, the expression "you can't please everybody" comes to mind.
Speaking from my experience, I was the first member to join the forum, after Michele of course (and I am not blowing my own trumpet about that, nor am I seeking any recognissance for the fact). For the first 12 to 18 months I guess I didn't add more than 100 posts in all that time. I have to admit I had never been part of an internet chatroom before and to be honest I didn't know what to say a lot of the time, or if my posts would be of any interest to anybody else. But I eventually broke the ice, as it were, and I have to say the members of this forum are the nicest and loveliest people I have ever met, and have indeed met a lot of them, and made some wonderful friends.
We welcome everybody that joins the forum and ask them to join in, some do, some don't, that is entirely down to them.