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3.09am
Reviewers
17 December 2012
Offline
I have often wondered about this. And on this date, when some of us are playing with a friend, I thought I would ask.
I think many regulars here know this is an unusual, and very special, forum. Joe has created something exceptional. It might be an idea if we told him occasionally what we like about this place he created for us, and why it matters to us individually.
@Joe, my friend, I stumbled across this forum just after I had suffered the loss of my closest friend to suicide. I watched for a while, and then signed up. I found myself welcomed, with no one judging me about what I’d been through.
90%+ of my communication with other people is here, but it wouldn’t be here had you not created such a special place that allowed us to be ourselves, and wander your beautiful garden, greeting happy people along the way, and becoming friends with many.
I like it here, for others, why do you like it here? What has this forum, and the way it’s done, added to your life? Or am I alone in thinking here is special?
The following people thank Ron Nasty for this post:
Starr Shine?, Mr. Kite, vonbontee, Joe, ewe2, Beatlebug, parlance, AbbeyRoadRage, Zig, AppleScruffJunior, 4or5Magicians, UnidentifiedFiendishThingy, Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^<, Merch, HongKongLady, Matt Busby"I only said we were bigger than Rod... and now there's all this!" Ron Nasty
To @ Ron Nasty it's @ mja6758
The Beatles Bible 2020 non-Canon Poll Part One: 1958-1963 and Part Two: 1964-August 1966
3.29am
3 February 2014
Offline You’re not alone.
When I joined last February, I wasn’t sure what to expect of this forum. All I really hoped for was a place to learn more about the Beatles and that would connect me to fellow fans, whom I know too few in person. The Fab Forum met these expectations, but the friendliness of the forum members really struck me. I wouldn’t expect such warmth from an internet community, and I knew I had found something special.
Although I don’t post much, I know whenever I do, a genuinely caring group will be there to listen to what I say.
The following people thank AbbeyRoadRage for this post:
Joe, parlance5.15am
8 September 2014
Offline I agree with @AbbeyRoadRage, I haven’t met any Beatles fans in real life and I had no one to talk to about them, and I often felt left out when my friends would talk about current bands I have no clue about. After joining this forum, I could talk to others about our common love – the Beatles. Everyone here is so friendly, which I really made it special.
The following people thank LittleBeatlemaniac for this post:
Beatlebug, parlance, AbbeyRoadRage, Joe"Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.” - John Lennon.
11.29am
31 March 2008
Offline
I guess I should chime in here. Firstly, thanks @Ron Nasty for the kind words, and I’m sorry for your loss.
Like others here, I don’t know many Beatles fans in real life; at least, not nearly as obsessive as I am. So I’m grateful to have a place where we can throw ideas out and have people catch them.
I don’t really feel like I own this forum. The main site is all mine, but this place is everyone’s. A lot of the good vibes are down to the amazing moderators we’ve had, past and present, who have helped shape this place into a kind, welcoming, informative place. They contribute a lot of their time for the love of this site, and I’m endlessly grateful to them.
I also like the anonymity. I know bits and pieces about some people, but most are a blank slate. I do know that we have people from all ages, statuses and walks of life, from all around the world.
I love the fact that people come and go, and that whenever someone decides it’s time to move on, someone else seems to pop up – not to take their place, but to slightly shift the tone of the whole forum. I realise not everyone wants to stick around forever, but it’s encouraging that there’s always a new wave (or old wave) of Beatles fans to take their place. And most people are nice, which is also true in real life, though it’s sometimes easy to forget.
When I set up this website the forum was a bit of an afterthought, but it’s become the biggest part of the site. It’s also caused me a lot of tech headaches, with server crashes, weird outages and functions which don’t quite work. Recently things have been very stable, a lot of which is down to my hosts, WiredTree, who have made this site just work. I have no idea what they do in the background, but I’m glad they do it.
Truth be told, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this forum. I’ve met some truly amazing people, but I’ve also grown weary of the fights, flounces and controversies that flare up occasionally. I dread seeing new posts in the bug reports thread, and there are still unruly sections of the forum that I’m still working out what to do with. More than once, in times of stress, I’ve seriously considered shutting down the entire thing, but I wouldn’t really do that. I’d miss it too much. And even when I’m busy with work or family, at least I know it’s always there. 
The following people thank Joe for this post:
Mr. Kite, Starr Shine?, Beatlebug, LittleBeatlemaniac, IveJustSeenAFaceo, Zig, parlance, AbbeyRoadRage, vonbontee, trcanberra, Necko, Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^<, ewe2, HongKongLady, Matt BusbyCan buy me love! Please consider supporting the Beatles Bible on Amazon
Or buy my paperback/ebook! Riding So High – The Beatles and Drugs
Don't miss The Bowie Bible – now live!
1.18pm
8 January 2015
Offline Yes, it’s no small thing running any kind of forum like this, and the problems you mention @Joe are common across a lot of the forums I’ve joined over the years. But successful forum communities like this one are special. Like you I literally have one person in the physical world to talk Beatles to, it is a forbidden subject for others. So to have access to this community and its unique blend of resources enthusiasm and diversity? I’ve waited at least 40 years for, worth the wait.
The following people thank ewe2 for this post:
Joe, parlanceI'm like Necko only I'm a bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin and also everyone. Or is everyone me? Now I'm a confused bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin everyone who is definitely not @Joe. This has been true for 2016 & 2017 
but I may have to get more specific in the future.
3.11pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline Very kind words for Joe.
If you are interested, here are some thoughts from others posted in a similar thread.
https://www.beatlesbible.com/f…..gratitude/
Thanks Joe!!
The following people thank Zig for this post:
Joe, parlanceTo the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
3.25pm
Moderators
15 February 2015
Offline A lot! 
It really is special.
In real life, I don’t know anyone who is as Beatlemad as myself– casual fans are only willing to discuss the political climate within the band in 1968 for so long before they’ve had enough– so when I joined the forum, I was absolutely overjoyed to meet so many fellow Beatlemaniacs, who will take all one’s Beatle references for granted, no explanation necessary. And as I started to get to know people, I realised just what a friendly lot the Forumpudlians are– it’s like a (very large) small town. As AbbeyRoadRage said, it’s unusual to find such a welcoming place on the Internet.
I also like the anonymity– hiding behind our (usually Beatley) avatars and usernames, we have created personas for ourselves, through sharing our opinions on Paul’s latest collaborations and discussing whether we think Apple should release the UK singles as a box set and not as Past Masters ; such things are far more revealing of what a person is like than names or appearances. We are able to be ourselves without being us, if that makes any sense, though it probably doesn’t. But that’s all right; I’ll make you maybe next time around.
And when I am able to get my Beatles fix here, my family and friends who aren’t willing to discuss the Rubber Soul tracklisting to the finest degree don’t have to deal with as much Beatle-related nonsense from me.
(This may in part explain why I have made nine hundred and forty posts in the past ten weeks. 
)
So to conclude:
This is a wonderful, friendly, special place, and That Means A Lot !
The following people thank Beatlebug for this post:
Joe, parlance, Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^<([{BRACKETS!}])
New to Forumpool? You can introduce yourself here.
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3.49pm
Reviewers
1 November 2013
Offline Though it’s hard to tell from my extremely long absences, this forum means a lot to me. Everyone here (even though I don’t know a lot of the newer blood) is fantastic, and though we have the occasional argument or mixup, it’s almost always fixed by our incredible mods, and of course, Joe, who’s the best admin a forum could possibly ask for. Thanks, everyone, and I hope I can be more active in the future.
The following people thank IveJustSeenAFaceo for this post:
Beatlebug, Joe, Starr Shine?, Zig, parlance, Matt Busby(This signature brought to you by Net Boy and Net Girl. Putting messages in modems since 1996.)
4.05pm
1 November 2013
Offline Is this forum perfect? No but then again neither are the Beatles or anything else (well except for Pattie Boyd 
). This forum is the best forum I have every been on. I love how the mods and Joe keep on trying new things to improve the forum and are passionate about the forum just like a lot of the members. Their is so much Beatles info and creativity on this forum and this forum is a fantastic venue for exploring the Beatles!
Thank you Joe for making this fab forum
Posted as Von Kite
The following people thank Starr Shine? for this post:
IveJustSeenAFaceo, Beatlebug, Zig, Joe, parlance, Mr. Kite, ewe2
4.56pm
8 November 2012
Offline I think today speaks especially to why this forum means so much to me. It’s a welcoming space, a fun space, a thought-provoking space and a supportive space. I don’t think I would have been able to get so many people on board with a good-natured prank. And I can’t think of a better place online to come to in the midst of such sad news as Cynthia’s passing.
parlance
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Starr Shine?, Beatlebug, Joe, Zig, vonbontee, AppleScruffJunior8.41pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline von partee said
I think today speaks especially to why this forum means so much to me…
…And I can’t think of a better place online to come to in the midst of such sad news as Cynthia’s passing.parlance
I came to this thread to post those very thoughts, parlance. Several times today, I’ve had to wipe away a tear. Sharing the grief with, and leaning on, my virtual Fabulous support group has been an incredible comfort.
Thank you all.
The following people thank Zig for this post:
parlance, AppleScruffJunior, Mr. Kite, Starr Shine?, Beatlebug, Joe, ewe2, Matt BusbyTo the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
9.09pm
Members
18 March 2013
Offline I have said far more to this forum than I’ve ever said to my friends in real life. None of my friends knew when I was having family troubles but everyone here was so accepting and helpful. I got PMs from people who’d I’d never talked to before saying “if I ever needed to talk to someone just to email them”. It really is a wonderful crutch and support for a person especially in their darkest hours. I think everyone here has posted something sad that has happened in their lives and the overwhelming response of love and solidarity by the forumpudlians is extraordinary!
The people who I didn’t click with are few and far between as everyone here is so nice, you can be on at 4am and still talk to another Forumpudlian who’s there with open ears (or eyes really) to hear your whinges and complaints. The fact that this forum is so diverse has really educated me on other peoples’ cultures as well.
Especially on Cynthia’s passing like parlance has said we can all cry and share our grief here whereas in the “real world” we’d probably be told to cop on because we didn’t know her anyways. We all just understand each other
And of course, nobody I know is Beatles-obsessed in real life
The following people thank AppleScruffJunior for this post:
Starr Shine?, Beatlebug, parlance, trcanberra, Joe, Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^<, Matt Busby
INTROVERTS UNITE! Separately....in your own homes!
***
Make Love, Not Wardrobes!
***
"Stop throwing jelly beans at me"- George Harrison
11.53pm
11 November 2010
Offline At absolute worst, this forum is a good place to waste time chatting with people who share a common interest.
The following people thank Necko for this post:
trcanberra, Beatlebug, Joe, Mr. Kite, Matt Busby, chrisredditchI'm Necko. I'm like Ringo except I wear necklaces.
I'm also ewe2 on weekends.
Most likely to post things that make you go hmm... 2015, 2016, 2017. 
1.16am
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline I joined because of the Beatles.
I stayed because I could chat about just about anything with people who just happened to like the Beatles.
At first I loved the anonymity, and I still value that for those folks who prefer it that way.
Personally, I have loved getting to know some people here on a more personal level, and I now count some of them as close (emotionally) though distant (geographically) friends. Even some of my ‘acquaintances’ here are closer to me than some of my ‘friends’ on Facebook ever were.
Like any group of friends and acquaintances we have our squabbles; here’s hoping we can continue to resolve them all amicably.
A big thank-you to Joe for making this place a reality.
The following people thank trcanberra for this post:
parlance, Starr Shine?, Beatlebug, Necko, Joe, Mr. Kite, Matt Busby, chrisredditch==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
2.48pm
Reviewers
4 February 2014
Offline @Starr Shine? pretty much said it upthread! She was really channeling the character, I guess.
The fact that she could channel ‘my character,’ though, shows that this is a wonderful platform for communication, and it really shows the personalities of all the wonderful people on here.
The fact that there is some room for free discussion shows that Beatles fans have a lot of other similar tastes and interests to agree on and (less often, luckily) disagree on, even in the Beatles world. (Ahhhh, what could I be thinking of?)
As strange as it may seem I do feel like I can call you all my friends, and it’s such a cool thing to have friends living in almost every inhabitable continent. Something like that wouldn’t be possible without places like this forum. I think @Joe has done a wonderful job with the whole site, and the way he’s gone about it all (letting it grow even if we don’t like it 
) is a large portion of what has created the inviting atmosphere of this place that has attracted so many different people, the rest of that atmosphere is the result of the users who all seem to be extremely kind and caring people.
This forum means a lot because it’s a place to share our extreme interest (read: obsession) with other like-minded people. And “at absolute worst, this forum is a good place to waste time chatting with people who share a common interest.”
The following people thank Mr. Kite for this post:
Starr Shine?, trcanberra, Beatlebug, parlance, Joe2.41am
1 December 2009
Offline Necko said
At absolute worst, this forum is a good place to waste time chatting with people who share a common interest.
This is good enough for me (at absolute worst), thanks Necko for verbalizing it.
I only have one irl friend who is as big a Beatles fan as I am. And since he’s also as big a music-fan-in-general as am I, it’s only natural that he’s largely moved on from Beatles-obsessiveness, like I’ve done at times over the years. Maybe he’ll become re-obsessed someday, maybe not; in the meantime, it’s nice to be in contact with others who can fret over the minor details like Fender Casinos and Magic Alex and the Star Club recordings. And I like to think that I can better organize my thoughts as textual documents than verbally, anyways, so this forum is ideal. Thanks Joe, thanks everybody.
The following people thank vonbontee for this post:
Beatlebug, Joe, parlanceGEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
4.05am
8 February 2014
Offline i think of this place foremost as a place to learn about music in general and the Beatles in particular (both passions of mine). It’s also a nice little community of people who care about each other and good music in general. It’s a great resource. It isn’t perfect but it’s pretty darn cool.
The following people thank Matt Busby for this post:
Joe, parlance2.22pm
Moderators
15 February 2015
Offline vonbontee said
Necko said
At absolute worst, this forum is a good place to waste time chatting with people who share a common interest.This is good enough for me (at absolute worst), thanks Necko for verbalizing it.
I only have one irl friend who is as big a Beatles fan as I am. And since he’s also as big a music-fan-in-general as am I, it’s only natural that he’s largely moved on from Beatles-obsessiveness, like I’ve done at times over the years. Maybe he’ll become re-obsessed someday, maybe not; in the meantime, it’s nice to be in contact with others who can fret over the minor details like Fender Casinos and Magic Alex and the Star Club recordings. And I like to think that I can better organize my thoughts as textual documents than verbally, anyways, so this forum is ideal. Thanks Joe, thanks everybody.
Nice pun, @vonbontee, but it’s actually an Epiphone Casino.
See? We’re fretting over minor details like Fender Epiphone Casinos.
The following people thank Beatlebug for this post:
Von Bontee, Joe, Mr. Kite([{BRACKETS!}])
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4.29pm
14 December 2009
Offline Haha, I regret to admit that the error was unintentional, as was the pun (decent enough as it was). Dunno what I was thinking…
The following people thank Von Bontee for this post:
BeatlebugPaul: Yeah well… first of all, we’re bringing out a ‘Stamp Out Detroit’ campaign.
5.15pm
27 March 2015
Offline I’ve just joined very recently, but I love it. This forum allows me to fangirl all I want (hence the username), without bothering anyone who couldn’t care less about my Beatlemania. My mum loves the Beatles too – she’s from 1949 so she grew up during those days – but I can almost hear her roll her eyes when we talk on the phone and I mention Macca or the Beatles…haha!
I’ve already learned quite a few things I didn’t know. I laughed until I cried in the Beatles LOL topic (though sadly, most of the images don’t work anymore). I’ve been getting involved in some of the games and discussions and it’s just wonderful to be around so many likeminded people, albeit virtually. I’ve read many threads that just as easily could have turned into flame wars, but people are so eloquent and civil here. I really like that. So yeah, fab forum, and I hope to be a member here for a long time!
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Beatlebug, parlanceFormerly Known As JPM-Fangirl --
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'Out There' - 07-06-2015 - Ziggo Dome Amsterdam -- 'One On One' - 12-06-2016 - Pinkpop Festival Landgraaf
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