Robert,

You helped make my day, week, month, year... When I started this forum it was based on the concept that had proven itself at AVSIG which is the Compuserve Aviation forum that is one of the oldest online forums in existence, one I have been involved in since before there was an Internet, or AOL, or the raucous newsgroups or the Web. It was, and continues to be a success because it had simple rules based on mutual respect and everyone respected those rules, which is what a civilized society is all about. That's what I wanted, hoped, would develop here. With a reasonable foundation and framework I hoped a community would grow, people become friends and eventually almost family. It is an environment that provides someplace where persons of all persuasions can gather and hold civil discourse and, most importantly, learn. This little neighborhood in cyberspace is developing its own community, a diverse group with some common interests. It is exactly what Ii hoped would occur, proof that the Web doesn't have to be anarchy. It attracts the "right kind of people" because the others move on when they find they cannot disrupt the community. It's you all who make that happen, you all who have decided how this community will behave. We can guide, but we cannot control.

Lots of credit is also due Chris for staying on top of things; I don't have the time and would likely have had to shut it down were it not for his willingness to shepard things along with what has been, for the most part, a wise and gentle hand, which is exactly what is needed. We're not perfect, but we strive to maintain an even keel so that everyone can benefit from the free exchange of information. We have seen that people can agree to disagree without getting nasty, a lesson many could stand to learn.

Thanks again for your kind words.