No really, I mean it from the heart. This isn't meant to be a Thursday rant but I'm becomming increasingly disenchanted with the paneristi.com forum and this is my way to let off steam....
Forums (fora?) are for discussing, exchanging points of view, having a laugh (whenever possible) and generally interacting with other people, more often than not, people we never see or meet.
This forum is a prime example - and it works, very well IMHO - we ask questions, we give advice, we exchange experiences - I don't feel that anything said has ever been meant to exclude people or bring anyones mentality into doubt (obviously I don't include BMW owners in this
) and I for one (sometimes two) feel perfectly at home and amongst friends. This is an 'open forum' in that no matter what is said, however daft the question, however much you love BMW's, one is treated with respect and (in the case of aforesaid car owners) understanding.
We were all taken aback a little when a****** (I won't write acceldebts name so that he can remain annonymous) started his periodic rants, but before long his humour became appreciated (at least by me) - he has every right to air his opinion, even though we need to see more of his guitar playing!
Over there, on p********.com it just isn't the same - the atmosphere is taught, you can cut the air with a knife, and it seems to me that the 'regulars' are all paying lip service to what the forum exists for - what is the point of posting an 'empty' reply to a thread with the title 'awesome' ? I used to wonder if there was a prize for the most posts...but no, it's just what everyone seems to do. I could go on, but I won't, it's just not worth the effort. There is a team of moderators, whom I feel sure are very decent people, but they have to work within so many rules and guidelines that the idea of spontaneity dies at birth.
I 'joined' the forum to learn about Panerai, and sure enough, a few well meaning people have bothered to answer the few questions I posted, however it's not like it is here, and I probably won't be visiting again in the near future, no loss for them I feel sure.
Despite the overriding Breitling theme, we can post on any subject, even cars (!) and for this the forum works perfectly - Nelson keeps an eye on us and weeds out the spam, while the rest of us just get on with enjoying the exchanges. He doesn't have to have a team of moderators to oversee the kindergarten...
I feel priviledged to be here, happy in the knowledge that there are other complete nutters, just like me, out there who just want a free exchange of questions and ideas.
Thanks breitlingsource - have a great weekend everybody
Ian, France
but I've serious doubts as to whether anyone would call me 'normal' 
