R.I.P.

I attended a funeral today of a man I have known and worked with for 27 years.  The chapel was packed with friends, colleagues, and family.  We were regaled with music from the consummate talents of Kenneth Williams and Les Dawson.  There was riotous laughter as Les Dawson belted out the song 'Feelings'.  We shared good memories and made re-aquaintances with ex-colleagues who also wanted to say goodbye.

I tell you this as we have just heard news from Joe Tree about the rescue of Blipfoto from liquidators.  Some perspective needs to be placed on the goings on around Blipfoto in the last few weeks.  If you accepted what some people have written and said on forums, Facebook groups and on this site, you would think that what has happened is a matter of life and death.. It isn't and nothing brought this home to me more than hugging his wife today.  

Some people have seen it as there right to 'rake over the coals' of every decision made in relation to the running of the former company, to question decisions, to forensically examine actions and question motives.  They wish to challenge how the company will go forward under its new owners and demand answers and to be involved in this new chapter for the site.

Yes, people have lost their livelihoods.  Paying members have lost money as undoubtedly the life memberships cannot and should not be honoured.  We were concerned about the potential loss of our images, the journal entries and comments but thanks to some wonderful generosity from other members these can be saved.  But what rights do we have?  We are not shareholders or employees.  Many have not contributed a penny towards the survival of Blipfoto, despite using it on a daily basis to post images and commentary and view others' images.

I have been saddened to read some of the comments from other members.  They were unworthy of a community which in my years here have been the most supportive and positive influence on each other.  'Be excellent' is the strap line for this site and the vast majority of people here are unswervingly excellent in their behaviour towards each other.  Unfortunately, some people haven't been and despite the rescue of the site, they are not satisfied.  I accept that we are a free society, but it is not for the customer to tell the business how to run the company, or that they should do this or do that.  Before we know very much about the new owners they are being depicted as 'asset strippers'.  I've looked into the background and find a person in Bobby Sagar that I would like to know more about.  If you have the time read this.  At least as far as I am concerned I reckon this guy might just get why Blipfoto means so much to so many people, don't you?

And if you don't like what has happened or the sites direction in the future?  Well I have to say if people aren't happy they have a perfect right not to use the site, but no more than that!  We still need to sit tight and carry on what we have been doing.  That is taking pictures, posting them to Blipfoto and continuing to 'Be excellent'.