Offer to VDH members who need another home

[vance]

I posted a response to the question that was posed on VDH recently: "What now?"

The "What Now " question is about what will happen to the VDH forum and reference archives now that Bryan (the head guy) has passed.

The information available on VDH, whether in the forum threads or archives, is priceless. This must be preserved. How that will be accomplished is a big question on the VDH site. We can't absorb VDH, so we are no help there.

Regardless of the VDH archive question, I felt it was necessary to direct any and all vintage scuba enthusiasts who are left hanging and would like to connect to like-minded folk to us.

I know that some VDH members and ours have clashed in the past. However, we have long standing and intensely involved members who are also big-time VDH members/contributors.

I want to point out that it  really only takes tact, respect, and understanding to reduce any animosity between members. Animosity has no place on our site.

I invited anyone who would like to participate. I hope they come.  

[Aquala1]

Good that you did that, Phil.

[Linda]

Hopefully the info on VDH can be preserved, and of course if those forums go down (or even if they don't) all are welcome here.

As far as members clashing in the past, it is amazing how long those petty dramas can endure. I can offer a bit of a back story. In May of 2003 (20 years ago!), this forum was created as an extension of Vintage Scuba Supply. I was Dan's webmaster. Bryan was a member here and Vintage Double Hose did not yet exist. In less than five years, things changed on several fronts. Bryan and Dan were not fast friends, to put it mildly, and Bryan had started VDH and created his own forum. Dan took no interest in this forum and was not wanting to participate. At the same time, my life was going through changes as well. I moved, got married, and was no longer doing any web maintenance. Dan took over maintaining his own web site, and I disconnected the forum from his business. This was probably around 15 years ago. He still links to us but I think the link is broken.

Despite the fact that we, the Vintage Scuba Community Forum (VSCF) have been a separate entity for most of our existence, some people still call us VSS (which irks me to no end! Ha.)

VSCF is an online community of like-minded individuals with the main focus being vintage scuba diving and is NOT associated with any shop or business. All are welcome here.

P.S. I'm only here because I started the whole thing and I think it is of value to others. I don't even dive, although I do snorkle from time to time. But I consider the forum to be the property of the community -- those who participate and keep it alive.

[Aquala1]

Linda, thanks for the back story and I have to admit (and apologize) that I am one of those “VSS” offenders. I just didn’t know! 😀

[luis]

Thanks Linda,

I new some of the history, but never noticed the name change. I just noticed it on the top of the page...

Thanks

[Linda]

No problem Ty, and Luis, it's not like I ever shouted from the rooftops that we were a separate entity from VSS, and since he links to us, that would of course add to the confusion. I think the link is broken, though, and not an intentional thing on his part at this point. Just that it was there to begin with many many years ago, and his site is on some levels outdated because he's not that interested in it any more, from what I gather...

ANYway, if anyone from VDH was hesitant to come here thinking this forum belongs to VSS, hesitate no further. It did have a connection at one point in the distant past, but it was fleeting, and a LONG time ago. We are just a free-floating community and not affiliated with any business or organization. All of the participants here are the driving force of VSCF.

[Seahuntjerry]

Hi Linda,
Glad to see you on here Dan and I go way back when he lived in Mn!
Hope everyone still learns and helps other new divers in this forum.
Jerry

[broxton coalition]

Thanks to Linda, this site survived "saucer separation" from the VSS mothership many moons ago.. MANY THANKS for the work you have put into this forum over the years ! great collection of old souls and salts on this forum and i am glad to be a part of it !
Keep diving and SNORKLING to adventure,
MIKE

[nikeajax]

The reason why I have been so dedicated to this site and not the VDH, is that people don't take themselves nearly so seriously here: I'll just leave it at that

JB

[antique diver]

Linda, Thank you for keeping this going after VSS (which was always helpful to me as well... Thanks Dan).

I was active on VDH since 2006, but as you know it's not exactly as active as it used to be. Now, back to the present....I want all of you on VSCF to know how appreciative I am of the friendly acceptance and helpful new (and old) friends that I have found here!

[Linda]

Jan 15, 2023 9:17:52 GMT -8 nikeajax said:

The reason why I have been so dedicated to this site and not the VDH, is that people don't take themselves nearly so seriously here: I'll just leave it at that

JB

You are entitled to your feelings JB, and I get what you are saying, but on the other hand, I have to point out that it's statements like this that contribute to the "us against them" mentality and torpedo the sense community all the way around. We've had our share of drama on this forum at times, too, most of it a long time ago. In my opinion, it's not the place, meaning it's not "here" or "there" that's the problem. A lot of our members hang out in both places. I think vintage divers are a special breed of independent thinkers, often highly intelligent (lots of engineers and such), people who like to push boundaries, and also many of them are older. In my experience, some of us get more opinionated as we age. Anyway, you add all that up and there are bound to be some ruffled feathers now and then. On top of all that, you add the online element to the mix, where it's sometimes hard to ascertain tone, and also easier to get snarky since we're not communicating face to face in a live conversation and things get blown out of proportion. As Phil mentioned in a previous post, a little tact and respect can go a long way. We don't all have to agree all the time.

I just want to reiterate that anyone from VDH that isn't already here is welcome as far as I'm concerned. They can at least come over for a test drive and delete their own account if they don't want to stay. No contracts to sign.

Thanks, JB, you are an asset here for sure!

[vance]

I am active on VDH as well as VSCF. Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to continue on both.

I find VSCF friendly and inclusive, and VDH a bit less so. Not being one of the "old guard" is kind of a liability over there. I certainly am not one. Not old guard here, either!

[vance]

Jan 15, 2023 15:38:38 GMT -8 Linda said:

Jan 15, 2023 9:17:52 GMT -8 nikeajax said:

The reason why I have been so dedicated to this site and not the VDH, is that people don't take themselves nearly so seriously here: I'll just leave it at that

JB

You are entitled to your feelings JB, and I get what you are saying, but on the other hand, I have to point out that it's statements like this that contribute to the "us against them" mentality and torpedo the sense community all the way around. We've had our share of drama on this forum at times, too, most of it a long time ago. In my opinion, it's not the place, meaning it's not "here" or "there" that's the problem. A lot of our members hang out in both places. I think vintage divers are a special breed of independent thinkers, often highly intelligent (lots of engineers and such), people who like to push boundaries, and also many of them are older. In my experience, some of us get more opinionated as we age. Anyway, you add all that up and there are bound to be some ruffled feathers now and then. On top of all that, you add the online element to the mix, where it's sometimes hard to ascertain tone, and also easier to get snarky since we're not communicating face to face in a live conversation and things get blown out of proportion. As Phil mentioned in a previous post, a little tact and respect can go a long way. We don't all have to agree all the time.

I just want to reiterate that anyone from VDH that isn't already here is welcome as far as I'm concerned. They can at least come over for a test drive and delete their own account if they don't want to stay. No contracts to sign.

Thanks, JB, you are an asset here for sure!

Right on, Linda! You hit the nail on the head. 

I believe my position as one of three moderators here requires me to remind folks of the "rules of behavior" on the forum. It rarely comes up , thankfully! Most of my moderating is about off-topic posts that go too long (I'm a worst offender for sure!), and redirecting or managing threads when they need it.

But, in the case of conflict between members, someone needs to step in, and step up. That'd be us.