A rather rotten way to treat their community, no matter what the issues involved between whoever it is that runs the site (Dan, Eric, others?). How will we find out what Mystery Ink #4 is? Just all around more drama than is appreciated, rather thought I'd left that crap behind when I left FPN.
I agree with you regarding FPN. When I left six years ago, it was getting too silly and stupid. How many times do people have to ask what kind of pen they have, when they can simply search on Google? Over 30 years of collecting history is online somewhere and all they have to do is find it. In fact, if they want to visit a living library of writing instrument information, go to a pen show. It's a good decision and a wise investment in time and money if you go to one. Plus, you meet some of the finest pen collectors, historians, nib grinders and vendors in the business.
Oh, yeah...You can also actually try the pens before you buy them. Did I also mention the friendly atmosphere of good people?
Honestly, I don't know what's going on with Eric, Dan, Tim, or anyone else on FPGeeks. All I am saying is the pen enthusiasts I see at pen show after pen show are elated when they share their passion and enthusiasm in using fountain pens, and we need new people all the time. Young people, curious people, people we can pass our knowledge to. There's a lot of grey hair at pen shows, and my concern is when a generation of hobbyists leave this earth, who will carry on? That is why forums like this one, FPGeeks and others are so desperately important.
Also, we need to emphasize more on writing with pens than collecting them, too. We want people to change their minds about writing with pens and handwriting styles. It isn't good to have a series of clubs and boards online which talk about great pens to collect if no one writes with them. Whether we like it or not, handwriting is a dying art, and it doesn't need to be. Sometimes I feel like persuading customers to use pens is akin to climbing mountains without oxygen. We constantly have to educate the public what handwriting does positively to their lives. Forums have a place for people to learn and become better writers, but it's a dip in the shallow waters of a pool.
If we as a community realize that, there can be more enriching communication in society overall.
That's all,
John Martinson