Why Post?

[Jeff D]

Thanks Jim and ward for the comments.

As always Jim you underestimate yourself. It is a good thing for us. It reminds me of a story where a famous martial artist was teaching classes for free. When his students pooled some funds together to show their admiration, he steadfastly refused to take it. Eventually he admitted that if he was to be paid for his services there is no way the students would be able to afford it, and continued to teach for free. You were taught by these 'pillars' and now return the favor to us. You clearly feel that it would be wrong to try to profit from their work and that it would be a betrayal of their trust. This is exactly the social norms the 'pillars' have come to expect and trust from you, it is why they 'gave' it to you. Everybody gains from this, the pillars , you, and us. This trust continues on, and is why we hear from the modern pillars, such as Philip, Artzi, ward, ham and the others including yourself. So much for the good.

Now the bad. There are people who profit from other's work. It may be as simple as lifting information from this site without credit to the forumite, or at minimum credit to the site where the information may have had multiple contributors. The information may be used to promote an individual, another forum, a publication, or a sword for sale etc. This doesn't cost the original researcher anything in monetary value, but it clearly breaks the social norms in which the context of the original information was given. Much like pirating a DVD costs the movie makers nothing but breaks the market norms for which it was provided. Once the trust has been broken it is very hard to mend, once burned... and all that.

The Ugly. To me this is when a thread loses any reasonable social conduct. It may be as simple as not acknowledging a post, to the more obvious trolling, baiting and rudeness too often seen in the internet world.

Now for my final word (thank goodness!). I have just reread my post and it it would appear that I am totally pissed with posting, and this forum. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth. Like my original story, I could not afford to buy the information I have gained from this site. I have made great friends here and look forward to meeting more of you in person. The Bad and the Ugly are the exceptions to the rule here, but, I will admit that when a new name appears I tend to wait to see their pattern of behavior before I take the time to try to answer their post. This is part (not the only reason, work) why my posting has diminished. I wish I could be more like Jim, in-fact I wish we all could be!!!

All the Best
Jeff

[Jim McDougall]

Jeff, thank you again, and for elaborating more on this perspective, which finally does explain some of the concerns that seem to have been very present, and led to many of the present circumstances existing here.

Actually, your points have been extremely well placed and presented, and I think now I much better understand the position taken by many dealers and those more closely connected commercially. I do know that many of them are reluctant to participate in forum discussions, although some of them still will appear from time to time, but usually only in discussions which involve certain unusual or seldom addressed topics on rare items.
Most of them are extremely busy, and I can well understand them not wanting to get involved in random ebay chatter or simple, laconic notes on commonly seen pieces, however I had not thought of any sort of wrath regarding giving out free information. I was always under the impression that interesting historical information on weapons directly charged interest in that particular form of weapon and would actually promote sales.

I suppose that idea came from times in the past when certain movies often spurred sales, such as if based on Arabia, perhaps like 'Lawrence of Arabia', might have generated more interest in janbiyya's or other Arabian weapons.
Possibly simplistic, but often such is the way of things. I will admit that as a young collector the movie 'King of the Khyber Rifles' fanned the flames of my passion into a quest for Martini-Henry's, Sniders and jezails, and to research for years that had me actually in touch with one of the commanders of this famed unit. You should have seen my wifes face when that letter from Pakistan came in, with an autographed book on the history of the unit!
She exclaimed theres something here with Arabic stuff on it and really strange stamps all over it.

While I have of course often entertained thoughts that one day I might work for a museum, or augment my limited income by appraising, the fact is that it remains an empassioned hobby for me, and I enjoy learning as I help others.
The information I provide is really nothing more than secondary research from books many out there do not have (but I provide the references so they might watch for bargains online) and from notes I have compiled over many decades of joyful adventures.

Retirement can be a lonely thing, especially if you are detached from any core of social life such as friends or neighbors. When we took to 'the road' it is of course enjoyable and exciting at times, but very often in extremely remote locations I am so grateful to have this hobby and the computer.
I can recall how amazing it seemed to be in a Winnebago in the middle of the Sonora desert involved in international three or four way communications investigating a rare 17th century weapon! Incredible! I often wonder if I am perhaps one of the only 'mobile arms research units'

I have no idea what the future will bring, but for now, I truly enjoy what I do, and I certainly dont want to impede on anyones ability to make a living by sharing information and doing research to learn. I honestly believed, and still do, that awareness and knowledge fosters more interest in acquiring weapons, and more importantly, understanding them. As I said before, we are together here, custodians of history, and there is no reason that as collectors or dealers or both, we cannot carry out our interests to the mutual benefit of all.

I have been told that publishing a reference work, such as a monograph on weapons online is ideal because so much exposure is gained, and that it actually generates sales in degree of the actual published work. I know that for many years I often utilized tattered photocopies of books important to my research, but when the opportunity to buy an actual bound copy came up, I bought it instantly. Obviously the situation is now a bit different, as the 'bookmobile' has limited capacity, and the shocks can only take so much!
The point is that information shared online does not necessarily negate enterprise.

I honestly hope yet more of my ramblings in some way illustrate my position on this interesting aspect of writing on the forums, and that again, more out there reading will join us, as well as that those we have lost might consider coming back. What we have all done together over the years I believe stands as important material in these threads, and I know I use the search feature constantly. Lets try to keep it going!

All very best regards,
Jim

[Matchlock]

Hi there,

With about everything having seemingly been said, I should like to thank Jim for the impulse and everyone joining in for the great additions.

I, too, have been left a bit frustrated at times facing 0 replies to a thread but then, after a few days just resorted to keep on posting.

Hey, you cannot expect anybody out there to sort of readily jump on any far out topic and give an input of substance.

I just wish to thank everyone who has made responses and has thereby helped me to shed new light on old guns, and most of all Grandmaster Jim, who with his never fading commitment and assiduity has fostered all our trials.

Best,
Michael

[celtan]

Guys,

Sometimes, the reason why we don't comment on a post is simply because we don't know anything about it , or perhaps less than the poster.

While we may not be able to contribute, we enjoy the post nonetheless, and are grateful to the poster for bringing it up. We live to learn.

Best, and keep up the good work.

Manuel Luis

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Hi there,

With about everything having seemingly been said, I should like to thank Jim for the impulse and everyone joining in for the great additions.

I, too, have been left a bit frustrated at times facing 0 replies to a thread but then, after a few days just resorted to keep on posting.

Hey, you cannot expect anybody out there to sort of readily jump on any far out topic and give an input of substance.

I just wish to thank everyone who has made responses and has thereby helped me to shed new light on old guns, and most of all Grandmaster Jim, who with his never fading commitment and assiduity has fostered all our trials.

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Exactly, Manuel Luis,

You took the words right out of my mouth (or my keyboard, that is).

Michael

[Hotspur]

Hi Folks,

What can be more discouraging at times is to make well thought out replys to someone looking for information and never reading of the person posting again. I imagine it may be because they got what they were looking for in regard to information. More frustrating than that though is seeing one's exact information as presented and then finding them attached to a sale description.

At any rate, I figured this was a thread to post to and also make an appearance of hello. I probably know a few here from days past and in continuance. I hope to be here as a student with occasional offerings that can help.

Cheers

Hotspur; mostly following American swords up through the militia era. I like eagles

[celtan]

Welcome HS,

Regarding your post, there's always the proverbial silver lining. When you answer some cad's question, you are also teaching to those others who are following the exchange.

If the original poster disappears without further contributions, it's his loss. In the end, there's a net positive balance in the equation.

One of the strangest things I learned from Life is that we also learn when we teach. In fact, I daresay we learn more while teaching...

Best

M

Originally Posted by Hotspur

Hi Folks,

What can be more discouraging at times is to make well thought out replys to someone looking for information and never reading of the person posting again. I imagine it may be because they got what they were looking for in regard to information. More frustrating than that though is seeing one's exact information as presented and then finding them attached to a sale description.

At any rate, I figured this was a thread to post to and also make an appearance of hello. I probably know a few here from days past and in continuance. I hope to be here as a student with occasional offerings that can help.

Cheers

Hotspur; mostly following American swords up through the militia era. I like eagles