I've been a member of the Acoustic Guitar Forum since September 2003. The forum has been online since around 2000. Back then the AGF was known as the Taylor Guitar Forum. But years ago, the TGF was asked to change its name and it became the Acoustic Guitar Forum, allowing more than just Taylor Guitars to be discussed.
The Acoustic Guitar Forum is the internet's largest online guitar forum for acoustic guitars. Several years ago, I was made a "moderator" of the forum too. I also produced the AGF's first guitar CD called Acoustic Guitar Forum 1. I am known as "Forensicguy" on the forum.
Over the years, the forum has grown tremendously. As of this post, we currently have 42,377 registered members. As a moderator of the forum (we are all volunteers) we review the various postings from other members and remove any posts that do not meet the forum's rules.
One of the highlights of the AGF is that we maintain a family-oriented forum. The main rule of the forum is "Be Nice." While most of our members do that, some do not and it is the moderator's job to do something about that when they are not "being nice." Nobody likes to be moderated by having their posts removed or having other disciplinary action taken, but it is necessary at times so that all other members can enjoy a better online experience.
Sometimes things get personal between members while discussing various topics and the moderators have to step in to put an end to it. Usually when that happens, the members who violate the rules object to our actions. While the moderators are fully aware that they may not be happy with some decisions that we make, we do what we do to keep the peace on the forum.
Being an AGF moderator does take time. Since none of the moderators are paid for their efforts, people often wonder why we do it. Well, we do it because we love guitars and like talking about them and we want others to enjoy it too. Personally, I enjoy a nice forum rather than one where people are not nice and post remarks that are derogatory. I think most people would agree with that. But at times, some members step over the line and that's when the moderators do their job to point that out.
If you are a guitar player, check out the forum. I think you will find it a fun place to be.
8 comments:
excellently written Russ...........
Why thanks, fellow moderator! :)
Thank YOU, Russ, for all you do to help "shape" the atmosphere of the Acoustic Guitar Forum. You and the others in the merry little band of moderators there help make it, in my opinion, the finest forum of any kind on the net. The 10,000+ people who visit it each day are as kind and helpful as they are knowledgeable and fun loving.
I especially love it when you post some of your beautiful photography there!
I look forward to reading more of your blog.
John Cotten
Fellow Member of the AGF Mod Squad
Aw shucks! :)
Thanks John!
Hi Russell, I have been trying for a few days now to join the Acoustic Guitar Forum - not sure if I've somehow been black-balled or whether there is an email issue (pretty sure everything is OK at my end). I've registered under the ID 'isiton212' but have not received the confirmation email. Any chance you can look into it? I am a 40yo player (and occasional singer) in Melbourne Australia, not a punk kid or spammer! Many thanks, Neil
Neil:
I don't do the memberships for the AGF, but I will forward your request to those who do.
Thanks.
Russ
Neil:
One of the other moderators checked your status and apparently you were approved two days ago.
Welcome to the AGF!
Russ
Thanks, Russ. Very nice words about our big little community. Thank you for all you do for our forum. It's a pleasure to know you.
J.R. Rogers
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