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onebir
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Quote onebir Replybullet Topic: message of support for GDF
    Posted: 02 December 2006 at 7:08am
I'm really sorry to see the problems you've been having with the new site.  I hope things calm down a bit soon.

Thanks for the huge amount of time and effort you (and the contributors) have put in to make all this material available!
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daristani
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Quote daristani Replybullet Posted: 02 December 2006 at 9:14am
I second the above, and am sure that many, many others do as well, even if they don't all chime in to say so.  I had noticed the spike in new members over the past couple of days, and wondered what might be behind it, especially as the number of people on-line at any given time always seemed to be rather low in comparison to the number of new members.

In any event, I've always been somewhat partial to the layout of the "old site" (this one), and only regret that gdfellows has had so much difficulty in trying to get the new site up and running.  Aside from the tremendous value of the courses themselves, it's really great to see the helpful attitudes that other members have shown either in terms of donating materials or in terms of  providing useful information and guidance to newcomers.  So in my view there's been a really great synergy among the members, and I hope that the problems can be resolved so that this community can continue to thrive.

Many thanks and warmest regards to gdfellows, in particular, but also to the rest of you.   
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nieuk
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Quote nieuk Replybullet Posted: 02 December 2006 at 5:07pm
I agree. It's been a great idea to get the courses out there, and it's obviously been successful due to the interest the site(s) have had. Not the mention the contributions from a number of members.
 
Hopefully the site and community will get over this minor hurdle and live on.
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TheBigZaboon
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Quote TheBigZaboon Replybullet Posted: 02 December 2006 at 5:38pm
We all owe a very big debt to all of those who have contributed. This is especially true for gdfellows, as in the final analysis, he is doing all the basic admin work, providing the funding, and taking responsibility for making things run smoothly. It is sometimes a thankless job. It is also a huge personal responsibility when you take it seriously.
 
I am all for setting a series of limits on the site that allows it to be administered in such a way that it does not encroach on the administrator's private life and peace-of-mind.
 
It is not necessary to respond to individual requests for certain files, files in a specific format, or modified recordings/pdfs, etc. Things like that can be done site-member to site-member. It is not necessary to meet individual requests for certain courses by a certain date; that is an impossible goal for a small community-style site like this one. Maybe the owner of the original material could respond to such a request if it is possible, but it is easy to see that frequent 'rush' requests for popular titles would soon put a stop to that, too.
 
Maybe a set of basic rules clearly stating limits that we can all live with is the best idea for the long-term survival of the site and those who have volunteered to make it a reality. This site really is the answer to the dreams and prayers of many of us. A little cooperation to make it work well for everyone is not too big a price to pay.
 
Again, many thanks to gdfellows, and all of the other contributors, for making this all possible. 
 
TBZ
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sepulnation
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Quote sepulnation Replybullet Posted: 02 December 2006 at 8:09pm
i just wanted to say thanks as well this site has been a huge help to me thanks alot GDF
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Chung
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Quote Chung Replybullet Posted: 02 December 2006 at 9:25pm
Originally posted by TheBigZaboon

 
It is not necessary to respond to individual requests for certain files, files in a specific format, or modified recordings/pdfs, etc. Things like that can be done site-member to site-member. It is not necessary to meet individual requests for certain courses by a certain date; that is an impossible goal for a small community-style site like this one. Maybe the owner of the original material could respond to such a request if it is possible, but it is easy to see that frequent 'rush' requests for popular titles would soon put a stop to that, too.
 
 
I agree. The only questions that contributors should answer about the courses that they have worked on or donated are those about missing files, file quality or the source of the material. If someone has such questions, it'd often make gdfellows' life easier if that person would send a message to the contributor of that course instead. About half of the time, a contributor not only donated the course, but also did the digitalization work.
 
Of course this must be within reason. Sometimes the tapes were of marginal quality to begin with. There's only so much fiddling one can do with software such as Audacity or Soundforge to improve it. Of course, answering individual requests for specific formats etc. is up to the contributor, and he/she mustn't feel obliged to fulfill such requests.
 
In any case, one can assume that the contributors have done their best with the materials and they feel that what they send for posting is as good as it can get. Because this is an exercise in altruism, there is no incentive for contributors to rush the job and overlook "fixable" problems. Personally, I would feel quite boorish if I were to ask a contributor to resend a course in a specific format or style just to suit my tastes. What is presented on this website is more than sufficient.


Edited by Chung - 02 December 2006 at 9:42pm
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talltim
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Quote talltim Replybullet Posted: 06 December 2006 at 7:22pm
I just want to add my thanks to that of others for all of the work different individuals have put into this site.  I was about to spend my hard earned money on a product you have provided free.  (the hard earned money had plently of other places it needed to go)

I am looking forward to the rest of the basic spanish course.

Thanks for all of your hard work.Big%20smileBig%20smileBig%20smile
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euphony
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Quote euphony Replybullet Posted: 08 December 2006 at 8:12am
My two cents as well -- this site is a huge boon. Thanks to the creator and the contributors who care enough to share.
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erinserb
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Quote erinserb Replybullet Posted: 08 December 2006 at 5:23pm
What can I say?  This site rocks!!! for linguaphiles -  I have started in French (French in Action & also the Basic Course), but I would like to learn Spanish eventually. I am excited about the basic Spanish course.

I am a librarian in training and realize the importance of good education, and a solid background in at least one foreign language (the more the better).

I am willing to contribute a small sum to help with the cost and time that the hard working volunteers do for the site.  The gift of language is invaluable and its getting close to Christmas!!

All the best
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AndrewK
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Quote AndrewK Replybullet Posted: 17 December 2006 at 10:36am
Ditto to all of the above. This site is amazing thanks to gdfellows and everyone else who has volunteered their time and money for language learners world wide.
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