I agree with Amos' 12 May 06 - 01:42 PM post. As an example, I and others were subjected to merciless bullying some years ago by a "guest" who was actually a member. It came out, through his own confession, that this person was a highly respected contributor to the Mudcat musical knowledge base but that he had succumbed to baser instincts and was anonymously and viciously attacking other Mudcatters. (This was NOT Gargoyle, and Gargoyle was wrongly blamed for much of the viciousness at the time.) Having been one of his targets I know how painful that was, and I stopped contributing to any threads because I felt vulnerable and very upset. When I found out that he wasn't just a Guest with no psychological investment in the site, but that he was a valuable Mudcat member that upset me even more, because I knew how much he had contributed to Mudcat.

Due to his sociopathic behaviour, I lurked for many months and eventually got up the courage to start posting again.

My addiction on this site is for searching for information for people on the 'Net, i.e. being a frustrated librarian. My best moments here are those when I found a song or album or other info which someone was searching for and I was happy to help. So I don't have a lot of money to donate but I try to help out with info requests.

Unfortunately my financial situation for the last 10 years has been very pressing and I haven't been able to donate $$ but I have used the Auction and I will search again for some other items to put in there. When my finances stabilise - I am hoping this will happen very soon - I will donate $$.

I decided long ago, here, to not give the vicious posters the satisfaction of an argument. Now I send them positive thoughts and ignore them, but it doesn't mean that I don't feel hurt or upset by some of the things they say.

Thanks, as always, Max and the other helpers, and all contributors to the knowledge base, and sharers of information. But thanks especially to the Mudcat community, warts and all, for a great place to be.

Helen