When my daughter learned to walk, I cheered her on. When she drew crayon pictures of stick figures and told me they were her and me, I cheered her on. When she learned to play simple melodies on the piano, I cheered her on. I never told her she sucked, even though I could walk/run far faster than her, even though I could draw far more lifelike figures than her, even though I can play circles around her on the piano. I have sometimes made suggestions in as positive a fashion as I could, but I know she has to learn some things at her own rate and in her own way. I try to apply that form of behavior here when dealing with others here. Guess what? No one else has to behave the way I do. I sometimes wish they would but I'm not God and my opinions are no more or less valid than anyone else's. And I'm sure as hell not better than anyone else here. A lot of what I see here isn't exciting to me. Sometimes it's because I've seen it before. Sometimes it just doesn't meet my standards or preferences. I do acknowledge, however, that for the one who did it, it may be their crowning achievement. And I can't read their minds and tell why they did something. Humans are quite complex and rarely do things for just one reason. I remember what it was like learning all the stuff about art that I've learned - and I'm still no master. I can't fault someone for not having my skills or meeting my standards. I am not God and my opinions aren't any more valid than anyone else's. They are also no less valid than anyone else's. I also accept that the owners of the site have the right to run it their way - whether I like it or not. I might make suggestions or recommendations but it's their site and I accept that as owners they have the same rights as I would if I owned it. I definately have not agreed with some of the things I've seen done here. But, it's their site. That acceptance provides me with peace of mind. I'm here at their site by my choice, because I want to be here. If I decide I don't want to stop by, I won't. There are plenty of web sites I don't go to and it's nothing personal - I'm just not interested in what they have to offer. So far, what Renderosity has to offer outweighs the things I've not been pleased with. BTW, _dodger, I like your gallery idea. I might bump up the numbers a bit though; I'd hate to only be able to see 20 of Doc Legume's images. FWIW, this wasn't intended as a rant. It was more a personal "manifesto."

Before they made me they broke the mold!
http://home.roadrunner.com/~kflach/