A blast from the past

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devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

A blast from the past

It looks like the foro is already past its peak. There was only 1 member here when I just logged in. It's quite common nowadays.

This is how foroflamenco looked back in February 2011. When was the golden age of the foro?

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Say No to Fuera de Compás!!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 17 2022 20:37:16

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

All things must pass. I keep it going more out of a social conscience than anything else.

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Foro Flamenco founder and Admin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 17 2022 20:40:24

kitarist

Posts: 1715
Joined: Dec. 4 2012

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

quote:

There was only 1 member here when I just logged in.

There is a privacy option of not showing if you are online. Lots of people use it probably. I seem to have it on as well.

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Konstantin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 17 2022 21:00:56

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to Escribano)

quote:

All things must pass.

But some things can last forever. The other day I asked myself how the foro will be like in the distant future. Let's say 100 years from today.
Imagine some guy's reading through muy antiguo comments we posted. The other guy will be like ... this is pure flamenco.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kitarist

quote:

There was only 1 member here when I just logged in.

There is a privacy option of not showing if you are online. Lots of people use it probably. I seem to have it on as well.

It only makes your username invisible when you're logged in. It still shows how many members are currently online.

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Say No to Fuera de Compás!!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 17 2022 21:33:20

Ricardo

Posts: 14799
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

quote:

When was the golden age of the foro?

For me it was around when the cante accompaniment thread started. The foro was almost destroyed at one point by an individual that took it over and decided to divide the whole thing into “old school” and “modern”, in a dictatorial fashion. Simon came back in and saved the day and reclaimed the site.

http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=90246&appid=&p=&mpage=1&key=old%2Cschool%2Cforo&tmode=&smode=&s=#90262

Activity started slowing gradually as great inspiring artists started dying. Ron (2012) and Paco de Lucia in particular (2014) was damaging as many members simply disappeared shortly after his passing. Also popularity of social media coupled with political divisiveness caused problems IMO.

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CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 18 2022 10:58:15

payaso

Posts: 85
Joined: Dec. 7 2014

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

I think the Foro is an invaluable resource and I learn a great deal from it. It offers fascinating perspectives on flamenco afición in the diaspora in a unique way as well as wonderful video examples of cante (especially from Morante) and toque. It has been very rewarding to hear the stories of how players and makers came to flamenco and how it has enriched their lives.

It still surprises me that the Foro is free and that we make no contribution to Escribano for his immense generosity in running the site . That possibility was mooted some time ago but has not resurfaced. Perhaps the idea of payment should be revived.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 18 2022 11:56:37

etta

Posts: 341
Joined: Jan. 20 2010

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

I deeply appreciate Escribano and the preservation of this site. I live in a culture in Tennessee that often cannot distinguish between large pink birds and a unique musical and art form. I do not know or know of one flamenco player in my state. The only flamenco guitarist I have had contact with face to face since the 1960's was Carlos Montoya from whom I bought the only flamenco guitar I had ever seen at that time. If the site may appear stale, some of it may be the lack of membership contributions. Personally, I have learned much and enjoyed much from this site and do hope it survives. Thanks all, etta

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 18 2022 14:52:31

n85ae

Posts: 877
Joined: Sep. 7 2006

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

This is a great gathering place, I rarely ever post but I stop by at least a few times a week to see what threads are running. There's a lot of interesting stuff here, and I bet if you posted how to brew a better pot of coffee, it would find an answer :)

I as well greatly appreciate that Escribano has kept this place alive. It's a nice online community.

Jeff

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 18 2022 15:01:09

Fluknu

Posts: 151
Joined: Jan. 11 2021

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

I'm new here, but I've been feeling lately that there were lots of posts on lutherie. a thing that is great, but slightly over represented.
lately I don't post much, saying to myself....bah...there won't be much answer or interest.
yes, this place is really important. I hope it lasts some more time.
thanks to all and specially Escribano
hugs

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 18 2022 15:57:24

gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

I still visit more or less once a day, and like to read what is going on. Also there is a huge history of knowledge here.
Last week I searched on Humidity, cause it is very dry here at the moment and there where a lot of tips.
Thanks t Simon, for still hosting this after al these years, and also Ricardo for his knowledge and eternal patience.
Of course a lot of other guys. New ones and old ones.
This foro goes a long way back, and seems to grow old with us as a good friend.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 18 2022 17:21:06

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

Same here. To me, the Foro has played a central role during my 4 year flamenco journey. I also learned a lot from the foro. There's still lots of valuable information to discover here.
I think the foro is well visited. Most people are just lurking either as guest or a registered member.

quote:

The foro was almost destroyed at one point by an individual that took it over and decided to divide the whole thing into “old school” and “modern”, in a dictatorial fashion. Simon came back in and saved the day and reclaimed the site.

Never knew about it. I always thought the foro's been active without distrurbance since 2003.

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Say No to Fuera de Compás!!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 18 2022 19:49:15

hamia

Posts: 403
Joined: Jun. 25 2004

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

It's still an interesting forum - for both flamenco and off-topic.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2022 23:47:18

Grisha

Posts: 1263
Joined: Mar. 17 2005

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

I still check the foro out today without logging in. Mainly, to see what new artists are being discussed, and to see if there are interesting youtube links of cante or guitar. I rarely see topics where I can contribute anything meaningful. My main area of expertise is probably technique.

As Ricardo pointed out, I sensed the decline in participation after Ron's passing. It was so great to have him around with his wisdom and kindness.

I also would like to thank Simon for keeping this forum going. I remember the time when that decision was made and am glad to see the foro survive.

I wouldn't object to a paid membership. I would gladly support this site simply out of gratitude and respect.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 22 2022 14:57:50

kitarist

Posts: 1715
Joined: Dec. 4 2012

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to Grisha)

quote:

I still check the foro out today without logging in.

It seems when I don't log in I cannot see a few sub-forums and their threads and posts - like 'audio and video uploads' sub-forum and its threads, and I think some others...

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Konstantin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 22 2022 16:10:30

Ricardo

Posts: 14799
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to Grisha)

quote:

I wouldn't object to a paid membership. I would gladly support this site simply out of gratitude and respect.

Agreed same here.

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CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 22 2022 18:29:19

Pgh_flamenco

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

Years ago a lot of activity on the Foro was related to a conflict between two members. Florian would post a video of his playing and Todd would criticize it. (Although there were similar conflicts between members, this was the main one.) Other members would take sides and comment. Some of these arguments would go on for days - and Ron, the main admin, would monitor and participate in the debate. We had an admin who had time for this sort of thing and a willingness to deal with it. I think he even enjoyed it as he was more than happy to share his opinion even if it appeared to fan the flames of the conflict. Ron was not fond of locking threads and I recall him posting, “I’m banning no one,” after a big flare up. Ron died and eventually Florian settled down and stopped posting. This had a significant effect on Foro activity.

Switching from a laptop to a touch screen device changed my internet posting habits and social media drew many people away from topical forums. People who value information about specific topics still make use of these forums. Also, it’s easier to bond with individual members in this type of format - so it still has its place.

The golden era of topical forums may be in the past, but many still have a lot of active members interested in the trove of information that earlier members created over the years.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 22 2022 20:19:20

ric

Posts: 84
Joined: Dec. 27 2010

RE: A blast from the past (in reply to devilhand)

Yes, I am also an audio aficionado and the site AudioAsylum, has been very slow, in my case, due to the demise of baby boomers. Sometimes you can hear an echo when you go to certain sites!

Here in the Bay Area, we have lost two prominent teachers to other areas (Yaelisa and La Tania) due to high cost of living, and again to decline in baby boomer numbers.
Here in Santa Rosa, my teacher is 82 and many in the class are in their 60's, 70's, even 80's! But, they'll have to pry this guitar out of my cold dead hands!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 23 2022 14:46:22