Hi Paul and fellows,
Paul, you're correct, if the memories are not posted soon after the ham becomes a SK, chances are they will not be saved. We are all aging, and each day we lose a little bit of what we remember. So even more important to get it down when fresh, most folks will remember and comment then as it is timely.
Comment nature, quite correct, it can tend to be a bit of a magnet for negative comments on some of the more "colorful" characters, sad but true. Guess we could edit out the negative comments, request only positive.
Storehouse of knowledge, you bet. I love Joe GMS's idea, that is best thing possible.
I shot a video with my friend W1FPZ less than one month before he passed, so glad that I did -->>
http://www.youtube.com/user/W1UJR#p/u/2/EV9ljdHLqLgWould love to do such with all the grand old hams. But in cases where we can't do that, when the folks are already gone and we want to remember who they were and what they did while on planet earth, wonder if we can make a simple topic which all can post to?
This may mesh in well with the good work Joe is doing, offering a single source for what I term "Grand Old Hams". Thinking that we could also use the format we use here for messages, maybe just put them under another section, then fellows can post tidbits and photos to that message, like an open running tribute. Things will peter out after a few months, but the photos and reminisces will remain, hopefully for a long time. Every ham deserves to be remembered by their friends, and those who come after them.
I think the KISS principle applies here, has to be simple for anyone to post to, just like our forum messages.
While we can do that with the current forum setup, I'd like to make certain that the entire topic is protected and does not get nuked because someone posted something improper, we need a "gardener" to monitor, prune and clean up as needed. So I walk my walk and not just talk the talk, I'd happy to do the admin/monitor work, if Gary and the powers that be are interested. Would love to get Joe GMS and Co. in on this as well.
Format something like this:
Subject: Bob Reardon W8EPQ SK Aug 21, 1997
Message:
Fellows can fill in the details in the body of the post, each adding as they see fit.
Personal memories.
Attach photos of stations, QSL cards, hamfests, etc.
Who has his homebrewed gear, often a point of pride for many of us.