What a sad little chapter in Beau Peep Forum history this has been.
It would appear that the upshot is that we now have two forums. A shiny new one, courtesy of Peepsie, and this 'old' one, now rehosted for at least the next three years, courtesy of Mince along with mystery benefactor(s). I'd personally like to thank all concerned for each, and acknowledge that both Mince and Peepmaster are (and long have been) integral to the good running of the Beau Peep Forum, and are worthy of high praise for all they have both done over the years, in spite of their petulance and mutual loathing, which has, for the most part, been highly entertaining to observe. That is until this latest chapter, which has actually threatened to over-spill into seriousness.
However, it does seem that we have arrived at not only a solution, but one that provides options, possibly even a dilemma. Two forums (fora?) - can we make use of both, or do we opt for one over the other? For me, the choice is simple. Much as I admire the golden look of the shiny new forum, it seems to me that it comes down to a simple choice between that one, with its much-admired 'like' button, or these good old boards that have served us so well in recent years, and which have the weight of those years still attached. By that, I mean all the old posts remain intact, thanks to Mince's determination to preserve all of our old drivel, rather than disposing of it (something I believe he deserves our thanks for, and not some of the rather unjust comments directed at him of late). I know his bedside manner can leave a lot to be desired, but I believe he has always had this place's best interests at heart, with precious little in the way of thanks by return. And of course, I include myself in that. So, thank you, Mincey.
Of course, I wouldn't blame anyone for challenging any concern I'm showing now, on the grounds that I've contributed very little in recent times. But with well over 4000 posts to my name, every one an incisive and important contribution (koff koff!), second only to Peepmaster and Mince themselves, I think I have earned the right to care about the history of this place, and be forgiven for wanting to preserve it so that students and enthusiasts of the reason we are all gathered here, may in future have the opportunity to enjoy our collective drivel as enthusiastically as we have delivered it over the years. I may be a master of self-delusion, but I happen to think we have created an important body of work here, and would like that to continue.
So my own preference is to thank Peepsie for his swift work in setting up a safety net, but rather than look a gift horse in the mouth, I'd prefer it if we continued where we left off, and carried on using this 'old' forum which Mince has now reinstated and is assured and paid for at least the next three years.
The alternative is keeping this one as an archive, whilst enjoying the fresh furniture in the new one, but I think that would be a bit of a waste of the full 'story' wrapped up in cameldung. What do you think?
