What is wrong with all of you people here? This used to be a good forum where people could trade practical, helpful ideas about preparing for y2k and news about y2k. This forum has degenerated into nothing but name calling,flames, panic posting, and fear-mongering. People here seem to think that y2k will lead to the apocalypse and that a Mad Max road-warrior-type scenerio will be the rule rather than the exception. I mean, have you guys actually read some of the posts from the last week here? I've counted such things as cannibalism, how to BBQ your neighbor for dinner, how to fortify your home with barbed wire and landmines, posts saying that we're all f#@$%$@#ed and don't have any hope at all 'cause y2k will kill 2/3rds of America, people saying that death and disease will pile up mountains of bodies numbering in the billions, people saying that famine will kill billions, posts saying that we are headed twords a new dark age were violence will be the order of the day, and more doom and gloom than you could possibly find from even the worst pessimist. Some posters even seem to actually WANT the whole world to go down so they can fulfill their dream of shooting up everyone. I mean, come on here people. Yes, Y2k is a very serious thing, I don't dispute that, and am preparing for about six months of problems. But this forum has got to get cleaned-up. What will people think when they first come onto here and find these kinds of things. We need practical, realistic information and rational thought. Not the crazed rantings of people over the edge. Thank you

-- People need practical info. (shape@up.com), February 19, 1999

Answers

Ignore the empty vanity posts. Continue generating good advice. Do not panic. Get with it. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS! :)

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), February 19, 1999.

I agree with you completely, however you will notice that a lot of the old timers (anyone here over a month) have NOT lost their grip or sense of humour.

I wonder if this excess of emotion or whatever you call it (on both sides) is evidence of things to come. It does support the doomsday scenario - psychologically speaking.

As in the rest of Y2k --- time will tell.

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), February 19, 1999.

Practical info for people...

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000UdL

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), February 19, 1999.

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I agree, there is a lot of discussion here on how to "eat" your way through Y2K. Ooog. I'll stick to Dinty Moore, thanks. Don't forget the great discussion on spackling! A classic.

I will continue to wade through all of this when I can, because there is usually something useful in all the weeds. I just have to look for it.

-- Margaret Janssen (janssm@aol.com), February 19, 1999.

Absolutely Excellent Practical Info for Y2K Preparations:

THE Book to get you through Y2K

-- INVAR (gundark@aol.com), February 19, 1999.

I believe that we have a well rounded forum going here. I have been here for well over a year now and this is a forum with a sense of humor, a sense of dignity, a sense of truth, a sense of human compassion, a sense of fear, a sense of wisom....please add to this people. And when the day comes that I no longer have a use for this site and it no longer becomes practical for me, then I will move on. And, there have been many that have moved on, but I have also seen many come back. There's "practical" info all over the interent, this BB is unique.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), February 19, 1999.

BARBOU!!! Why did yOU LEAVE OUT A SEnSE OF FOOLiSHNESS???? YOU are FOOLISH VeRY RaRELY,IS THAT NOT So?????? YeS THE bB IS MOSTLY GOOD BUT THE FooLS ARE aBOUT!!! WHY is it that only DiEter musT EXPOSE THEM?????

-- Dieter (questions@toask.com), February 19, 1999.

True - if you search for the polution from trolls, you will likely find it. and they certainly have done their best to spread such hatred and misery as you noted.

However, does your complaint affect them, help yourself (by venting) or help other new people - as we hope all our information does?

But since you brought up the subject - there's nothing like a little barbeque sauce to help a troll - but do they make good eating? Or are they forever rancid and unappetizing?

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (Cook.r@csaatl.com), February 19, 1999.

By the way - I see no signs of panic but from the trolls and their cohorts.....hint, hint. I will grant, though, many veterns (-1 sp) do tend to loose their tempers at times....... Be calm, relax, prepare yourself and your family for times of uncertainity.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (Cook.r@csaatl.com), February 19, 1999.

Kevin: I want to thank you for your hard work in linking valuable information. I have gone through 3 deskjet cartridges printing out material for my husband to read that you have linked. Sunday morning in bed with a cup of java, stacks of Y2K reading, the cat and dog at the foot of the bed, and my husband every once in a while saying "WOW!" (tee hee!) There are other's here to thank for their hard work. Even though I don't always agree with you, I do appreciate all the valuable information you contribute so thank you Leska, Diane, Paul Milne, Sysman, John Galt, Flint, PShannon, Uncle Deeda, Old Git, Furie, Chuck the Night Driver, and the rest know who you are. I could have ignored this thread, but this had to be said.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), February 19, 1999.

barbau

I'd like to add Paul Davis, Troll Maria and Tyronne to that list.

-- Rasta Man (bigroac@spliff.com), February 19, 1999.

Sometimes I think of this forum as going through stages - ups and downs - There have always been at least some great threads to read and discuss, and hopefully this will continue. Some of us have also tried to specifically help the newbies with threads 'dedicated' to them, and by patiently answering questions that have been answered time and time again. Yes, there are weeds in the garden, but they are worth going through to get what it is you need or want - the info is here. Still.

-- Rob Michaels (sonfodust@net.com), February 19, 1999.

Dieter: You are correct, there are many threads that are pure foolishness, and I disregard those. Let people decide for themselves what is foolishness and what is useful information. I think most people posting here can decide that for themselves. I don't know if I'm foolish or not, I don't know what people really think of me. But that really doesn't matter at this stage of my life. What matters to me is surviving and taking care of my family. We all have to muddle through the same information. Maybe you have the gift to detect foolishness, whereas some of us just look for answers.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), February 20, 1999.

Rasta Man: And yes them too. Without "people" this forum wouldn't exist.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), February 20, 1999.

Heh RastaMan----is it RastaMan(bigroach@kafka.com) or is Rasta Man (bigroac@spliff.com)? He bro...yuz gots me confuzed!

-- seeitman (seeitman@seeit.com), February 20, 1999.

Seems to me that this forum is not a lot different from life out in the analog world. The dialogs go back and forth with some getting extreem at times. Yes there are some here who are fOOLish. Some who are sane. Some who are wise.

As to predictions about the future. I'd a hell of a lot rather have a dimmer view and be over prepared that too light of a view and wake up some morning dead.

As to "the crazed rantings of people over the ecge" is guess one mans trash is another mans treasure.

I return to the fundamental point that if you can handle what you read on a computer screen now, what kind of serious problems are you going to have in a hard future? It's likely to get a lot crazier outside your front door next year than it can ever get here on this computer screen.

Read, learn, observe, laugh a little and disregard the rest.

-- Greybear, who has always been too opinionated

- Got Reality?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), February 20, 1999.

I have seen people come here in this last week asking for/ providing information about, storing food, storing and treating water, various stoves and fuels, types of batteries, shortwave radio, LED flashlights, lanterns, grain mills, books, gold & silver.

Someone this past week posted about an intensly personal problem, and for the most part was treated with dignity, respect, care and compassion.

I have seen people come here in need when a loved one died, and they were comforted.

I learn somthing here every day. The posts about billions dead, or cannibalism are way out there...millions of people think 6 mos. worth of y2k preps are extreme. (I don't) I'm an artist, I come from an enviroment where people brainstorm the most bizarre things, one thought leads to another and miraculous ideas are formed. I am not threatened by the bizarre.

I agree some things have gone way over the top this week, it is a shame, but it does not take away the value of the other posts here. Yes, you are right if you ignore me long enough, I will go away. Ignore those topics, and they will surely die (here at least).

I still think you guys are great.

-- Deborah (wereallcrazy@chicago.com), February 20, 1999.

Hi People. As you can see from MOST of the answers to your question, most of us are here to help if we can, and try to keep up with current events. I've only been a regular here for about two weeks, but have been a computer pro for 31 years, now deep into the Y2K fix work. One of my first posts was answered "best signal to noise ratio on the net" and I think very true. Much good info here, but you still get the BS. So, hang in there and try to ignore the crap. As the clock continues to tick, and as more people become aware of the problem, we are sure to get more and more varried opinions here. Take the good and ignore the bad. And most important, make up your own mind, and be prepared for what you think will happen. I've said over and over, even if nothing happens, you won't be hurt by being prepared. Think of all the trips you won't be making to the grocery store next year, etc. etc. It is sure to become more interesting, and difficult, here as the year continues, but I guess that's what this is all about. Stick around. <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), February 20, 1999.

Well, bardou, we dont often agree, but if it ever came to a shoot out at the OK corral, Id prefer to be on the same side. (My hiking boots are still useful for kicking shins up close and personal).

We do have PG&E in common. *Big Sigh*

For useful info ... People need practical info. (shape@up.com) ... see ...

"Practical Pantry Y2K Got You Bugged? (Portland, Oregonian --Long Post)"

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 000VSJ

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), February 20, 1999.

As with any of life's other forums.

"Some days your the pigeon, some days your the statue."

-- Jim P.E. (outstrip@hotmail.com), February 20, 1999.

I have not posted on this forum because I fear that most of you in one form or anther would pick apart my point of not preparing,preparing (and I am),my gender (female),my spelling,my education (8th grade because I did get married at 15 because I was molested at home)and to many more reasons to list.I can read,I see that most of you are intelligent far past most of us in the real day to day life of work with little pay.Ican see your intelligent it's in your discssions and in your humor.I do get it I got it a year ago.I think you have belittled yourself and this forum with name calling,back stabbing,my way or the highway point of views.You talk of freedom,everyone has the freedom to choose,freedom of opinion.Take time for each other if you can not do it over a forum how do you think it will go down face to face?

-- Darlene (boomer@tdstelme.net), February 20, 1999.

Darlene,

You lack of FORMAL education doesn't mean squat to the ol Bear. My father had 6 yrs, my mother 10 and I have only 12, those are years of FORMAL education. Your brief comments about you life assure me that you have education far and about many who post here.

Don't let the education lovers fool you. There is NO golden answer there. The Bear has done OK without formal post graduate education.

I value wisdom (which mostly comes from experience) wherever I find it. In Texas we have a saying (well actually *thousands* of them) "I'll pick up a diamond any where I find it, even if it's in a goats butt".

-- Greybear, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Collegeum Obdura Vita, now working on advanced degrees. (Schools about to open for a whole bunch of folks next year)

- Got Smarts?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), February 20, 1999.

Bayadoua, You forgot to add Butt Nugget to that list of useful posters. Your apologies are accepted in advance. No seriously folks, all message boards have problems like this.

-- Butt Nugget (bn@gniabn.new), February 20, 1999.

Also, if you're starting a thread on practical info it will help to give it a category, Fallback or Survivalist or Food. Now that there are so many new threads I'm starting to scan quick over the overall list, and go to the categories to look more in depth.

-- Shimrod (shimrod@lycosmail.com), February 20, 1999.

Shape,

You will find no where else on the net the calibur of people that discuss the ins and outs of Y2K with as much knowledge as you will find here. Diane Squire, Rob Michaels, Mike Lang, Arnie Rimmer, Sysman, Robert Cook, Leska and her mate, bardou and both of the Andys were here in August when there was very well investigated threads most of the time. There was about 15 new quality threads a day. And then we get Kevin in here who gives Diane a run for CIO who adds to the mix. Even Jimmy Bagga Donuts (INVAR) I enjoy. The cornucopia of personality that make up this forum makes it the best on the net.

A lot of weeds are growing in here now days, but, big deal. This tells me the awareness is raising in giant leaps and thats good for everyone. Its been neet watching this forum evolve over the last 6 months. By December will probably have a hundred threads a day to sift through. What I'm looking forward to is watching awareness levels increasing over this next period. I only wish the dangerous disimformation by some of the so called "trollS" would stop.

May GODS Will Be Done

Mike

-- flierdude (mkessler0101@sprynet.com), February 20, 1999.

Greybear: You got it together! I know people that are Md's, PhDs and they haven't a lick of common sense!

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), February 20, 1999.

Thanks GreyBear. From all of us "undereducated" out there.

-- No College Degree (school@commonsense.com), February 21, 1999.