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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 11, 2008 10:54:01 GMT -5
  So, how did you run across this forum? What did you think when you came to this website/forum for the first time? Did you visit the website, or the forum first? Did you know you wanted to be a part of it? Why did you seek it out in the first place? (Rick, the question to you would be - what inspired you to START this website/forum?) I know these answers for me, and will gladly share them with you at a later time. Now, it's YOUR turn. I'm curious to know. Until next time, I wish you all the best from here in my corner, Tim 
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Post by wisejester7 on Mar 12, 2008 8:22:47 GMT -5
So, how did you run across this forum? What did you think when you came to this website/forum for the first time?
I 'googled' "Carpenters" and this site was listed.
I liked the website from my first readings of it.
Did you visit the website, or the forum first?
The website.
Did you know you wanted to be a part of it?
As a lurker, yes. As an active participant, well, that took a lot longer.
Why did you seek it out in the first place?
I was (still am) hungry for information, history, and news on the Carpenters and all the components that went into making them what they were/are.
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Post by carpentersgermany on Mar 15, 2008 20:19:16 GMT -5
In the "Claiming the Carpenters"-Thread I just mentioned the positive sides of discovering the Carpenters music in retrospect. I spoke about a vacuum-like situation where I have the chance to just focus on their music, pretty much without any prejudices (hip or square etc.).
A negative thing about someone in my age (25) becoming a Carpenters Fan, is that they are immaterial in my everyday life. Here in Germany you don't read about them in the newspaper, they do not appear on TV and just sometimes you can hear one of their biggest hits on the radio.
What is more is that you don't have anybody to share your thoughts and feelings with or discuss the music (aside from "Carpenters?! What did they sing?! Ahh, Close to you? Yeah, of course I know that schmaltzy song..)
But I think the most beautiful thing in your life becomes even more beautiful when you can share it with someone.
So I googled a Carpenters forum on the Internet.
What I really liked about this forum was that I saw a balance between the true love for the Carpenters and their music on the one hand and the chance to also deal with some aspects in a critical way on the other hand.
In some of the other forums I found, one could not dare to make a somehow negative or critical statement on the C.'s or their music, without being treated like a heretic!
I really like the sometimes controversial discussions here.
So I decided to become a member of this forum - an active member since my very first day.
I just could not wait a second to interact with the other members, after reading all this interesting and knowledgeable comments.
Of course I was really insecure in the beginning, but all the positive and really overwhelming reactions made this insecurity fade away (and I can say that after only 2weeks of my really young fellowship).
Once again I'd like to thank you for that!
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 15, 2008 20:24:11 GMT -5
 What inspired me to start this website/forum? I purchased my first computer in September 2001. I had no idea that I would eventually develop websites when I first got the computer. To be honest, I bought it so I could download music. A friend of mine (Yalemannn) had introduced me to Audio Galaxy in June 2001 and I would drive to his house and spend hours downloading music. That's the same time I found out about Karen's unreleased solo tracks. I downloaded all these songs with in the first two or three times I used Yalemannn's computer. I also found tons of DJ mixes of Donna Summer songs. To this day I have eleven discs full of remix versions of Donna's music. Within two months I began selling stuff on the internet... Ebay and places like that. I made a little money and really enjoyed that... a little extra spending money never hurt. I began emailing back and forth with one of my lifelong friends(who now lives in Santa Maria, California, which is about 200 miles from me). Once again I was in daily contact with a good friend. We primarily conversed about music and old friends. My frined and I discussed how great it would be to have a music web site. From this the idea grew in my mind and around Christmas 2001 I began working on developing a web site along with a forum called "Popular Songs Music Voice". By February 2002 the web site was complete and made it's debut on the internet. "Popular Songs Music Voice" was a website that featured various music artists from Pop, Classic Rock, Disco and Alternative Rock. We had voting polls for everything you could imagine and the website ended up becoming fairly popular with about 1,000 visitors per month. But one website just wasn't enough. I kept thinking about how the Carpenters websites on the internet were either poorly designed or just didn't have much information. I kept thinking Carpenters deserve a "great" website that looks good, is easy to navigate through and is fun with tons of information. Thus came The Carpenters Online which I worked developing from August to November 2002 and on November 16, 2003 The carpenters Online made it's debut on the internet. At first the website was not very popular with maybe only 100 to 200 visitors in the first two months. I was crushed by this as I put a good amount of work into the site and I really wanted it to work out. On top of that I received some nasty emails from one person who had another Carpenters website on the internet. With this adversity I went full bloom... I've always been one who takes on the challenges of life and keeps on digging until it finally works out. I did a little bit of retooling on the look of the site and began promoting it and emailing the friends I made on the internet along with advertising the site on my other website "Popular Songs Music Voice" and in February 2003 The Carpenters Online managed to have near 600 visitors up from only about 150 the previous month. It was only a matter of time that I discontinued Popular Songs Music Voice as it was way too much work to maintain two huge websites. I went full-time with The Carpenters Online and by the end of 2003 we were getting an average of 3,500 vistors a month. we hit our stride in November 2005 when we were getting up to 7,500 visitors a month and that continued for the existence of the website. By this time most fans knew about The Carpenters Online. On June 22, 2007 I decided (after 4 1/2 years) to close down the main website of The Carpenters Online but the forum remained which is now renamed "Richard and Karen Carpenter Avenue". The main website The Carpenters Online is still on the internet but I no longer maintain it and it is no longer a paid site so there are tons of pop-up ads on it. for those of you interested in looking at the original The Carpenters Online here is the URL: http:www.carponline.bravepages.comIn May 2006 The Carpenters Online expanded went MySpace... I figured since I would eventually close down the main website I would bring The Carpenters Online to MySpace as Myspace is much easier to edit. The Carpenters Online on Myspace is the most popular Carpenters/Karen Carpenter site on MySpace with a friend list of over 2,300 people. What can I say people love the Carpenters. I also have several other forums including a few that failed such as The CSI Examiner and The Miscellaneous Room. One of my other current sites is The new Wave Site which is a popular MySpace site featuring the popular sounds of the 80's. This site has near 1,400 friends. The New Wave Music Site www.myspace.com/newwavesiteAnd there's The Christian Music site also on MySpace. This site features todays Christian music artists... primarily in the alt-rock, praise and worship, bluegrass and contemporary fields. This site is just as popular as The carpenters Online with near 2,300 friends. The Christian Music Site musicjesus.proboards100.com/index.cgi  |
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 15, 2008 20:28:34 GMT -5
In the "Claiming the Carpenters"-Thread I just mentioned the positive sides of discovering the Carpenters music in retrospect. I spoke about a vacuum-like situation where I have the chance to just focus on their music, pretty much without any prejudices (hip or square etc.). A negative thing about someone in my age (25) becoming a Carpenters Fan, is that they are immaterial in my everyday life. Here in Germany you don't read about them in the newspaper, they do not appear on TV and just sometimes you can hear one of their biggest hits on the radio. What is more is that you don't have anybody to share your thoughts and feelings with or discuss the music (aside from "Carpenters?! What did they sing?! Ahh, Close to you? Yeah, of course I know that schmaltzy song..) But I think the most beautiful thing in your life becomes even more beautiful when you can share it with someone. So I googled a Carpenters forum on the Internet. What I really liked about this forum was that I saw a balance between the true love for the Carpenters and their music on the one hand and the chance to also deal with some aspects in a critical way on the other hand. In some of the other forums I found, one could not dare to make a somehow negative or critical statement on the C.'s or their music, without being treated like a heretic! I really like the sometimes controversial discussions here. So I decided to become a member of this forum - an active member since my very first day. I just could not wait a second to interact with the other members, after reading all this interesting and knowledgeable comments. Of course I was really insecure in the beginning, but all the positive and really overwhelming reactions made this insecurity fade away. Once again I'd like to thank you for that! |
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Post by smoothie2 on Mar 21, 2008 13:30:11 GMT -5
*****************************************************
Welcome Carpentersgermany...interesting comments and info. Glad you found this site. I don't "clock in" as much as I used to, but seems I do keep coming back here.
Just as wisej. said she "googled" her way to here, same with me.
Not long after I got my first computer, and discovered Google and other search engines, I found it so captivating with all the info. anyone could ever want. So, not sure exactly why I googled the "C"s, other than just being curious. One of the first sites I came across was this one.
<<<>>>><<>>&&&
I discovered the main website page first then the forum. It didn't take me long at all to put in a comment about how I felt about Karen and Richard.
AND THEN MOST OF ALL,
IT WAS RICK WHO FIRST WELCOMED ME, AND CAME OUT WITH SOME VERY FRIENDLY WORDS FOR ME. HE SEEMED TO KNOW THAT I REALLY
NEEDED SOME POSITIVE WORDS AT THE TIME, BECAUSE I HAD
NO DOUBT NOR INTEREST IN SEARCHING ANY WHERE ELSE.
AND SO THANKS AGAIN TO RICK AND NOW TO ALL THE REST OF YOU OUT THERE FOR CONTINUED "GOOD VIBES".
krckrckrckrckrc krc krckrckrckrckrc
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
AND I WILL AGAIN WANT TO SAY AGAIN THANKS TO TIM.....
eVERYONE IS GREAT AND DIVERSE IN THEIR OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES
AND TIM TAKES THE CAKE
tIM TAKES THE CAKE....YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN...RASCAL
.>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
i GREW UP WITH THE CARPENTERS, AND WAS ABOUT 24 WHEN KAREN DIED, THE MUSIC LIVES ON THO.
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Post by Rick Henry on Mar 21, 2008 21:21:24 GMT -5
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 21, 2008 22:03:27 GMT -5
***************************************************** Welcome Carpentersgermany...interesting comments and info. Glad you found this site. I don't "clock in" as much as I used to, but seems I do keep coming back here. Just as wisej. said she "googled" her way to here, same with me. Not long after I got my first computer, and discovered Google and other search engines, I found it so captivating with all the info. anyone could ever want. So, not sure exactly why I googled the "C"s, other than just being curious. One of the first sites I came across was this one. <<<>>>><<>>&&& I discovered the main website page first then the forum. It didn't take me long at all to put in a comment about how I felt about Karen and Richard. AND THEN MOST OF ALL, IT WAS RICK WHO FIRST WELCOMED ME, AND CAME OUT WITH SOME VERY FRIENDLY WORDS FOR ME. HE SEEMED TO KNOW THAT I REALLY NEEDED SOME POSITIVE WORDS AT THE TIME, BECAUSE I HAD NO DOUBT NOR INTEREST IN SEARCHING ANY WHERE ELSE. AND SO THANKS AGAIN TO RICK AND NOW TO ALL THE REST OF YOU OUT THERE FOR CONTINUED "GOOD VIBES". krckrckrckrckrc krc krckrckrckrckrc +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AND I WILL AGAIN WANT TO SAY AGAIN THANKS TO TIM..... eVERYONE IS GREAT AND DIVERSE IN THEIR OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES AND TIM TAKES THE CAKE tIM TAKES THE CAKE....YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN...RASCAL .>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< i GREW UP WITH THE CARPENTERS, AND WAS ABOUT 24 WHEN KAREN DIED, THE MUSIC LIVES ON THO. Posted by Rick Henry on Today at 8:21pm Aaaawwwww!! Katt, what a sweet thing to say! Thanks. I feel the same way as Rick does - I love my little corner here, and as I said in Tim's Musings - I feel comfortable coming here and letting my hair down, and just being myself - and joining my cyber family. Thanks one and all for that freedom . I'll be back to tell ya my story about how I happened across the forum. Gee, I like this little corner too, Rick. I wish you all the best from here in my corner, Tim |
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Post by smoothie2 on Mar 21, 2008 23:18:26 GMT -5
Indeed guys....thanks to all out there....just about to feel that knot of emotion in my throat, the one that turns up when someone compliments me.Sure is nice to have such friends!
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 31, 2008 23:24:31 GMT -5
I remember that I found this forum, and it was the first and only forum I have ever registered for (save another Rick Henry forum or two since then). I, too, Googled Carpenters, and looked at several sites. The first couple of times I did that, I found a very odd website, that had "doors" or something - there was a "lounge" and there were several other "places" to go to and find out info about the Carpenters, but not to discuss them, or do any writing about them whatsoever. I recall I found this website twice, and then never again. I also remember running across the Newville Avenue website, which, as much as I like and respect Randy Schmitt, I thought the website left a lot to be desired. And I think I ran across Lead Sister. I remember enjoying the fact that I could send a "Carpenters E-card" with a limited amount of photos from this site. I did, too - sent out a bunch of them. I think you can still do this, but I'm not sure. I know some others of you are members there - I guess I did, come to think of it, join up there at some point, but I'm not active on that website. I remember coming back to COL long after first finding it. I posted - that was fun - and then I was "welcomed" quite warmly by many. So, I continued to post, and I find myself here today with "Tim's Corner" as a piece of this puzzle. So cool. I think about that in this way - each of us are a puzzle piece in the "whole" that makes up this wonderful cyber community...and Tim's Corner is a piece of that puzzle, as well. I'm quite grateful to Rick for introducing the idea of Tim's Corner to me. It's a nice little place, and I really enjoy it. I want to thank Rick for everything associated with this well maintained, and well run site. Yes, there are some discussions that aren't just "go-with-the-flow" discussions all the way round, but hey, each of us is human, and we each have an opinion - which should be able to be expressed without fear that we're angry with one another. It's fun here that we can actually voice our opinions and not be crucified for it. This is a great forum, and I enjoy what time I can spend here. That's my story. I was so delighted, and I mean VERY HAPPY, folks, to find a web site, and associated forum, that discussed one of my all time favorite groups; Carpenters. I didn't have anyone for many, many years that I could discuss these more in-depth issues about the Carpenters, with. Oh sure, people knew who the Carpenters were, but had no desire to discuss anything about them, or their music. When I landed here, I felt really like I'd been directed here, and could not believe my good fortune. It's such a fun thing to be able to not only discuss my thinking about the group, but to learn so much as I have learned.....and I continue to contend that rarely is a time I don't log on and not learn something when I come to this forum.... I am so pleased that we're still talking about Karen, Richard, and the gang of people who surrounded them, and were all "Carpenters" players, whether promotional, band members, or just those friends and family who were a big part of their lives. I hope we can continue for a long, long time.  I wish you all the best from here in my corner, Tim
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 1, 2008 23:04:21 GMT -5
I remember that I found this forum, and it was the first and only forum I have ever registered for (save another Rick Henry forum or two since then). I, too, Googled Carpenters, and looked at several sites. The first couple of times I did that, I found a very odd website, that had "doors" or something - there was a "lounge" and there were several other "places" to go to and find out info about the Carpenters, but not to discuss them, or do any writing about them whatsoever. I recall I found this website twice, and then never again. I also remember running across the Newville Avenue website, which, as much as I like and respect Randy Schmitt, I thought the website left a lot to be desired. And I think I ran across Lead Sister. I remember enjoying the fact that I could send a "Carpenters E-card" with a limited amount of photos from this site. I did, too - sent out a bunch of them. I think you can still do this, but I'm not sure. I know some others of you are members there - I guess I did, come to think of it, join up there at some point, but I'm not active on that website. I remember coming back to COL long after first finding it. I posted - that was fun - and then I was "welcomed" quite warmly by many. So, I continued to post, and I find myself here today with "Tim's Corner" as a piece of this puzzle. So cool. I think about that in this way - each of us are a puzzle piece in the "whole" that makes up this wonderful cyber community...and Tim's Corner is a piece of that puzzle, as well. I'm quite grateful to Rick for introducing the idea of Tim's Corner to me. It's a nice little place, and I really enjoy it. I want to thank Rick for everything associated with this well maintained, and well run site. Yes, there are some discussions that aren't just "go-with-the-flow" discussions all the way round, but hey, each of us is human, and we each have an opinion - which should be able to be expressed without fear that we're angry with one another. It's fun here that we can actually voice our opinions and not be crucified for it. This is a great forum, and I enjoy what time I can spend here. That's my story. I was so delighted, and I mean VERY HAPPY, folks, to find a web site, and associated forum, that discussed one of my all time favorite groups; Carpenters. I didn't have anyone for many, many years that I could discuss these more in-depth issues about the Carpenters, with. Oh sure, people knew who the Carpenters were, but had no desire to discuss anything about them, or their music. When I landed here, I felt really like I'd been directed here, and could not believe my good fortune. It's such a fun thing to be able to not only discuss my thinking about the group, but to learn so much as I have learned.....and I continue to contend that rarely is a time I don't log on and not learn something when I come to this forum.... I am so pleased that we're still talking about Karen, Richard, and the gang of people who surrounded them, and were all "Carpenters" players, whether promotional, band members, or just those friends and family who were a big part of their lives. I hope we can continue for a long, long time. I wish you all the best from here in my corner, Tim |
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sunnybunny
CERTIFIED GOLD MEMBER
Where do I go from here?
Posts: 108
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Post by sunnybunny on Apr 1, 2008 23:35:03 GMT -5
So, how did you run across this forum? What did you think when you came to this website/forum for the first time?
I was looking up Carpenters fan clubs and after that got me nowhere I decided to look for boards.A short while later I came across here.
Actually I didn't much (no offense) I saw it,read a few topics,liked what I saw,and joined.
Did you visit the website, or the forum first?
I visited the forum first.I had no clue that the website exsisted until a little bit later.
Did you know you wanted to be a part of it?
I knew that I wanted to be a part of it shortly after I made my first post and all these people started welcoming me.Most boards I've joined in the past I've made a couple of posts and left because I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb but this board is different.
Why did you seek it out in the first place?
I had just rediscovered the Carpenters and I wanted to meet other fans.Plus things were rough over at the other board I was at at the time (things have gotten rougher since then) and I came here to get away from it all.So if any of you notice that I post over here more than usual than that is a major sign that things are bad over at the other board.
I love it over here because here I can be myself and not be what people may want me to be.I think I've become more of a Carpenters fan since I've registered here.I'm a big messageboard person because I've always had a hard time getting along with people in the 'real' world.Though I may seem outgoing here in real life I am the total opposite.I seem to express myself better in the cyberworld than in the 'real' world.
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Post by Ming on Apr 2, 2008 11:21:17 GMT -5
Hello Tim and all,
I remembered googling 'the Carpenters' to see if there are websites that contains many information of the Carpenters. I was a new fan then. (I don't know the Carpenters until someone chose 'Top of the world' for our whole class to sing in th school singing contest.)
I clicked into the forum and find that it was not very active at that time, but I liked it and I bookmarked the link and came back for a few times to read posts. I didn't realize there was a website at that time. (I think I only find it out after joining the forum.)
One day, I decided to join the forum and it is the first forum that I joined. I have made a lot of friends since then. It is great to meet all of you here. I also learn a lot.
Ming
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Post by ps11932 on Apr 4, 2008 17:30:58 GMT -5
In 2004 my interest inThe Carpenters was revived and intensified, and like many of you I looked for information about the group and found the website; I visited often and began receiving monthly updates and through this saw the Forum. I very much enjoyed (and still enjoy) the Carpenters related discussions, and other interction as well, though I didn't join until 2006, due to technical reasons. I love all the thought-provoking and affirming conversations here, and I would say there are at least 3 other distinct benefits I have derived: 1- Since I am not of a Carpenters background (or a musical one in general), I am receiving a definite education here 2- I tend to see life as a whole rather than a bunch of individual parts or activities, and being a Carpenters fan is a small measure of defining who I am, and 3- contact with Rick has afforded me the kind offer of participating in some of the reflective writing I love. Thanks to everyone here- I look forward to continued contact.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 4, 2008 20:59:58 GMT -5
In 2004 my interest inThe Carpenters was revived and intensified, and like many of you I looked for information about the group and found the website; I visited often and began receiving monthly updates and through this saw the Forum. I very much enjoyed (and still enjoy) the Carpenters related discussions, and other interction as well, though I didn't join until 2006, due to technical reasons. I love all the thought-provoking and affirming conversations here, and I would say there are at least 3 other distinct benefits I have derived: 1- Since I am not of a Carpenters background (or a musical one in general), I am receiving a definite education here 2- I tend to see life as a whole rather than a bunch of individual parts or activities, and being a Carpenters fan is a small measure of defining who I am, and 3- contact with Rick has afforded me the kind offer of participating in some of the reflective writing I love. Thanks to everyone here- I look forward to continued contact. |
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