When I first became interested in creating a Christmas light display sequenced to music, I discovered the LOR forums and joined up to learn from the more experienced. To my dismay, it soon became apparent that the forum was dominated by many who appeared to gain great pleasure from humiliating new members about their lack of knowledge on all things related to Christmas displays and it was very disheartening. However, I soon discovered the Auschristmas forum which, in contrast, welcomed new members into the Christmas lighting community and in fact encouraged newbies to ask questions with the line often quoted “the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask”.
Sadly, it has become apparent to me that there still exist within this community, those still looking for an opportunity to nitpick, attempt to humiliate and verbally attack other members when they see an opportunity. This first became apparent to me, to my great surprise, when the Auschristmas site had it’s great crash some time ago. I was completely taken aback when the knives came out attacking the individual who had generously and without thanks, donated their services free of charge to host the site and keep it running.
Over the last couple of days, comments have been made with regards to the recent tragedy in Paris that have left me at a complete loss and has made it intolerable to continue to be a part of this Auschristmas community. The comments akin to cyber bullying made on this forum and in the xlights/nutcracker Facebook group are beyond my understanding (but I thank to those who were positive or simply clicked “like”). Innocent people in Paris were massacred and all some could think about was to nitpick, criticize and make snide comments about the way the colours of the French flag are portrayed on a vertical structure (just the same as on several landmarks around the world including the Eiffel tower itself) in an attempt to humiliate someone, and for what!!!.... for trying to do something supportive for the French in this time of horror. That is just truly bizarre behaviour. But the final straw for me was in chat last night as I watched in dismay, the sarcastic discussion about how many countries in the world have red, white and blue colours in their flags....
May I suggest next time that the carping minority at least wait until the blood of the victims of such a tragedy has dried before you indulge in a bit of self congratulatory, derisive, sarcasm and criticism of others who are just trying to do something even a tiny bit descent.
To those that have always been helpful and positive (the majority), thank you and I wish you well with your displays and hope you continue to bring joy to those who visit your lights.
To those few with their verbal knives ready at the keyboard, I hope you soon learn to stand on your own merits without the need to put down others and that your lives start to improve. I mean really, nobody needs that crap.
Sadly, it has become apparent to me that there still exist within this community, those still looking for an opportunity to nitpick, attempt to humiliate and verbally attack other members when they see an opportunity. This first became apparent to me, to my great surprise, when the Auschristmas site had it’s great crash some time ago. I was completely taken aback when the knives came out attacking the individual who had generously and without thanks, donated their services free of charge to host the site and keep it running.
Over the last couple of days, comments have been made with regards to the recent tragedy in Paris that have left me at a complete loss and has made it intolerable to continue to be a part of this Auschristmas community. The comments akin to cyber bullying made on this forum and in the xlights/nutcracker Facebook group are beyond my understanding (but I thank to those who were positive or simply clicked “like”). Innocent people in Paris were massacred and all some could think about was to nitpick, criticize and make snide comments about the way the colours of the French flag are portrayed on a vertical structure (just the same as on several landmarks around the world including the Eiffel tower itself) in an attempt to humiliate someone, and for what!!!.... for trying to do something supportive for the French in this time of horror. That is just truly bizarre behaviour. But the final straw for me was in chat last night as I watched in dismay, the sarcastic discussion about how many countries in the world have red, white and blue colours in their flags....
May I suggest next time that the carping minority at least wait until the blood of the victims of such a tragedy has dried before you indulge in a bit of self congratulatory, derisive, sarcasm and criticism of others who are just trying to do something even a tiny bit descent.
To those that have always been helpful and positive (the majority), thank you and I wish you well with your displays and hope you continue to bring joy to those who visit your lights.
To those few with their verbal knives ready at the keyboard, I hope you soon learn to stand on your own merits without the need to put down others and that your lives start to improve. I mean really, nobody needs that crap.
(in the hope you you stay!) 
