News: The Forum is Coming to a Close

Ben · 5th November 2010, 11:29 AM

Dear forum members,

The Notes from Spain forum is sadly coming to a close, as Marina and I work on new projects (mainly Notes in Spanish related).

As for the success of this forum over the years, the stats speak for themselves:

Threads: 9,673, Posts: 86,032, Members: 8,024

All of the posts that have been made in that time will remain here as an archive for people to browse and get useful information from, but the forum is closed to new posts.

Marina and I will continue making great Spanish materials at www.notesinspanish.com

I will keep blogging about Spain at www.notesfromspain.com

Finally Marina and I want to thank everyone again for making this such a fantastic place to hang out over the years. We have made many friends here, and we know that many of you have too. As mentioned above, the Notes from Spain blog will continue, as will Notes in Spanish, so do keep up with us there,

Saludos from Madrid,

Ben y Marina

jubilee · 5th November 2010, 06:01 PM

Eeek

ribeirasacra · 5th November 2010, 07:06 PM

Sad day, but understandable.

Have you asked anyone else to keep it going for you? I would have thought it is a great publicity tool for your work.

PS I think I should add a thank you for your posting, for running this forum, but then seeing it is coming to an end........
Also i should add....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35FqbbZWPsM

Cide Hamete Benengeli VII · 5th November 2010, 07:30 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFSlYyK1G2Q

ValenciaSon · 5th November 2010, 10:48 PM

This is the end.

Cide Hamete Benengeli VII · 6th November 2010, 12:13 AM

A playlist for the end of the forum

ValenciaSon · 6th November 2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cide Hamete Benengeli VII

A playlist for the end of the forum

But really

La Vaquera · 6th November 2010, 05:14 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Say it ain't so!!

Uriel · 6th November 2010, 06:51 PM

Bummer.

Stephen · 6th November 2010, 10:37 PM

Even it sounds ungracious to say it I can't see myself logging in much just to read a blog on Spain. Has Ben got a bit bored with the forum perhaps? It must seem sometimes that the same old ground is gone over again and again but it's not the same people posting things. Longtime members drop out and others take their place.

Ah well it was nice while it lasted and as someone who has many times nearly lost enthusiasm for learning Spanish thank you Ben and Marina for helping to keep the spark going.

pbojarsky · 7th November 2010, 01:44 AM

I had just begun to get the feel of the forum and gotten used to visiting on a daily basis. I feel I am losing a whole world full of great teachers, conversationalists and language nuts.

Good-bye and thank you to all who helped out with my Spanish mistakes and questions,. I'll miss chatting with you.

Paula

Lise · 7th November 2010, 11:16 AM

Since the initial shock of the announcement, I've really been feeling quite sad at the thought of losing this great community ! A new exprerience for me to grieve the loss of virtual [email protected] !
However, I would like to again say muchas, muchas gracias, Ben and Marina, for everything you've done and for your fantastic resources. It's lucky we live in the digital age; had the brilliant audios been on tape, mine would have been totally worn out by now. Thanks to you and your great ideas and lovely style my listening comprehension has advanced no end.
Also thanks to all the foreros - especially the very active ones - I've learnt heaps from you, too - gracias [email protected] !
(P.S. Para mí, my problem with the Facebook alternative is, that as far as I understand the system, you need a Facebook account of your own, which I'm still resisting for fear of ending up spending more time on the computer than I want to),

greytop · 7th November 2010, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lise

....
(P.S. Para mí, my problem with the Facebook alternative is, that as far as I understand the system, you need a Facebook account of your own, which I'm still resisting for fear of ending up spending more time on the computer than I want to),

I've felt the same but just registered and you can set your privacy to "friends only" so it's up to you who you make a "friend".
It's going to be strange not popping in here every day so to prevent withdrawal symptoms get thee to Facebook

Margot · 7th November 2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

The Notes from Spain forum is sadly coming to a close.

******¿¿¿¡¡¡

+

*****!!!???

"...... wonderful community."
***YES***

want to thank forum member Greytop for doing a wonderful job of keeping the spammers ***and foreros*** under control.....
.....also like to thank all of the other moderators, and all of the members in general for making this such an incredibly friendly place over the last 5 years.
***Yes, Yes, Yes***
..... as of next Friday (November 12th), the forum will be closed to new posts.
###NOOO, noo, no...well ....ok

"......wonderful discussions ....about Spain and Learning Spanish ..."
".....such a fantastic place to hang out over the years. ...have made many friends here..."
***YES***

I'm uncharacteristically a bit..well.... speechless....so started (above) by just letting YOUR words express a little of what I feel.

Gracias Ben y Marina....
Espero que para vosotros y Leo los próximos 5 años sean tan productivos, creativos, satisfechos y felices como los cinco pasados.
Os echo de menos ya y - ya echo de menos el foro único de NFS

"Pues....nada.....vale....."

Un abrazo
Margot
"La ViajeraVerdaderaVirtual" (élla quien he viajado a todas partes con NFS).....
ps: mine is the missing "thumbs up" thanks beneath your message Ben...try as I have for some unknown reason - my browser prevents me from adding my name to the list- quizás sea mi tristeza :-(

MrMark · 7th November 2010, 09:00 PM

Sorry to see this place go. I feel you're making a mistake Ben,as this must be good publicity for your language site, but you obviously have weighed up pros and cons of doing this. Good luck for the future.
I'm particularly sad to see this forum go as I don't believe there is another English source quite as good on Madrid. Well there is another forum, but it's saturated wall-to-wall with adverts. Other forums Spain related tend to focus (understandably) on the Costa based British contingent.
Hasta luego, amigo viejo!

Lise · 7th November 2010, 11:39 PM

[QUOTE=MrMark;93167] there is another forum, but it's saturated wall-to-wall with adverts.

That reminds me ...
I want to add another THANK YOU to Ben and Marina: for keeping your sites ad-free. Another reason you're in a class of your own !

miguel79 · 8th November 2010, 12:02 AM

Now that's what I call bad luck. This was my first week in the forum and I was planning to write a lot of posts in the weeks to come. Nevertheless I want to thank you so much for your work which helps me a lot - day by day. Let me type one last sentence I have learned along with so many other things:

Este mes he aprendido mas español que en todos los años pasados. (Which means a lot - I'm interested in learning spanish for over 15 years now.)

I may have made mistakes again - but as an inspired beginner I do not care at all. Thank you Ben and Marina!

SrCandas · 8th November 2010, 09:02 AM

[QUOTE=Lise;93172]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMark

I want to add another THANK YOU to Ben and Marina: for keeping your sites ad-free. Another reason you're in a class of your own !

But in the end perhaps that is the problem. Ben mentioned issues with software updates and stopping spam but there are other issues as well. A forum/foro owner has a responsibility both legal and moral. This weekend I've spent a fair amount of time watching videos for people learning english (*) so that the links on the chat group do not course offense to anyone. It is time consuming. And then there are costs (real £$Es). At least the ads can cover the latter.

I am involved with a flamenco forum just a bit more active than here but on the same scale. On that all costs are covered by a header band of ads. The ads merge well with the design and layout. They do not effect functionality. They are flamenco related and I have used them. And as they sit at the top they are hardly intrusive.

But whatever it was fun while it lasted

barry · 8th November 2010, 01:56 PM

i joined this forum 5 years ago, or was it 6. i participated for a few years and saw the many near copies that sprang up on the net shortly after NFS started. I discovered many spanish resources, mostly from NFS forum members but none came as close as NFS for inspiration. When Edith passed away it was a bit like "The day the music died".
This site was a great inspiration for me and now five years on I can happily claim to be bi-lingual although I am forever reaching for the dictionary still. I scarcely watch or listen to english media anymore, watching media from around the spanish speaking world is great entertainment.
My message to all the beginners and intermediates in this forum.... Keep at it.
"Yes you can"

eldeano · 8th November 2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SrCandas

so that the links on the chat group do not course offense to anyone.

What chat group?

5th November 2010, 11:29 AM	#1
Ben Hero Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,421	News: The Forum is Coming to a Close Dear forum members, The Notes from Spain forum is sadly coming to a close, as Marina and I work on new projects (mainly Notes in Spanish related). As for the success of this forum over the years, the stats speak for themselves: Threads: 9,673, Posts: 86,032, Members: 8,024 All of the posts that have been made in that time will remain here as an archive for people to browse and get useful information from, but the forum is closed to new posts. Marina and I will continue making great Spanish materials at www.notesinspanish.com I will keep blogging about Spain at www.notesfromspain.com Finally Marina and I want to thank everyone again for making this such a fantastic place to hang out over the years. We have made many friends here, and we know that many of you have too. As mentioned above, the Notes from Spain blog will continue, as will Notes in Spanish, so do keep up with us there, Saludos from Madrid, Ben y Marina __________________ Notes in Spanish: Get The Best Free Spanish-Learning Conversations On The Net! Last edited by Ben; 8th June 2012 at 01:08 PM.

5th November 2010, 07:06 PM	#3
ribeirasacra Galicia, Celtic land Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 225	Sad day, but understandable. Have you asked anyone else to keep it going for you? I would have thought it is a great publicity tool for your work. PS I think I should add a thank you for your posting, for running this forum, but then seeing it is coming to an end........ Also i should add.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35FqbbZWPsM Last edited by ribeirasacra; 5th November 2010 at 07:24 PM. Reason: video added

5th November 2010, 07:30 PM	#4
Cide Hamete Benengeli VII Super Forero Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: U.S. Posts: 213	So long farewell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFSlYyK1G2Q

6th November 2010, 12:13 AM	#6
Cide Hamete Benengeli VII Super Forero Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: U.S. Posts: 213	Dejadme si estoy llorando: Más Canciones para despedidas, ausencias y reencuentros A playlist for the end of the forum The Beatles - Hello Goodbye http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf2S7kKLtEQ R.E.M. - It's The End Of The World As We Know It http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmxyj6iInMc&ob=av3n Gypsy Kings - A mi manera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avGAe9EVkjc Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCqsG1t7RoU&ob=av2e Maná - Se me olvido otra vez http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUodGqOd9Ec Don mclean - American pie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMlzf...eature=related Aterciopelados - La Estaca http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xtcxiBAMNw 10,000 Maniacs - More than this (Original HQ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oixRtues5c Presuntos Implicados - Todas las flores http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhwEBeWfMqk Queen - Love Of My Life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3bowe-W7ZM Cheers (full theme song) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvRGh2NEjSU Nacha Pop - lucha de gigantes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqSQxQJdNR4 James Taylor - You've got a friend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7RPCFfudmU Frank Sinatra - My Way http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6Lp4w8wyy0 La Cabra Mecanica - La Lista De La Compra http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UBwtL__280&feature=fvw Joaquín Sabina - Todos menos tú http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ87PW9mCUM Killer barbies - Candy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYYyr9g6Sxs Aterciopelados - El Album http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6i5J8Cjkqc Remy Zero - Belong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuwBdVI4YRg Bob marley "no woman no cry" 1979 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGqrvn3q1oo Joe Cocker - A Little Help From My Friends http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQYDvQ1HH-E Los suaves- Adios, Adios http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuQgRDvC6Iw Morrissey - Everyday is like Sunday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmPKVvxFb1c Gulf of Araby - Natalie Merchant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWGQcofF7R4 El Gran Silencio - Déjenme si estoy llorando http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh1yKjGfmQI Suspiros de España http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohduIiPmJ9E Plus a few TV/film clips to buoy up the spirit It's the end, but the moment has been prepared for [Tom Baker regeneration] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jqT3...eature=related Robin of Loxleys Death - The greatest Enemy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z53KjQJM6cA Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - "Arise riders of Theoden!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdnqZcmWk8U Fraggle Rock español http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9rRAnP8wWs Los Golfos - Que pasa contigo tío http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWForzIOCWo Gattaca - Ending http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWw9tboDtrg Last edited by Cide Hamete Benengeli VII; 8th November 2010 at 03:13 PM. Reason: added items

8th November 2010, 01:56 PM	#19
barry Super Forero Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Costa del Sur. England Posts: 116	Just popped in to say thanks. i joined this forum 5 years ago, or was it 6. i participated for a few years and saw the many near copies that sprang up on the net shortly after NFS started. I discovered many spanish resources, mostly from NFS forum members but none came as close as NFS for inspiration. When Edith passed away it was a bit like "The day the music died". This site was a great inspiration for me and now five years on I can happily claim to be bi-lingual although I am forever reaching for the dictionary still. I scarcely watch or listen to english media anymore, watching media from around the spanish speaking world is great entertainment. My message to all the beginners and intermediates in this forum.... Keep at it. "Yes you can"


NFS Blog Forum Learn Spanish Podcasts Book About Contact

5th November 2010, 06:01 PM	#2
jubilee Mega Forero Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Derby Posts: 264	Eeek

5th November 2010, 10:48 PM	#5
ValenciaSon Hero Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA Posts: 4,915	This is the end.

6th November 2010, 05:14 PM	#8
La Vaquera Mega Forero Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: El estado bello de California, que tiene una gran historia hispánica Posts: 312	NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Say it ain't so!!

6th November 2010, 06:51 PM	#9
Uriel Mega Forero Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Mexico, US Posts: 434	Bummer.

6th November 2010, 10:37 PM	#10
Stephen Mega Forero Join Date: May 2007 Location: Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 269	Even it sounds ungracious to say it I can't see myself logging in much just to read a blog on Spain. Has Ben got a bit bored with the forum perhaps? It must seem sometimes that the same old ground is gone over again and again but it's not the same people posting things. Longtime members drop out and others take their place. Ah well it was nice while it lasted and as someone who has many times nearly lost enthusiasm for learning Spanish thank you Ben and Marina for helping to keep the spark going.

7th November 2010, 01:44 AM	#11
pbojarsky Forero Senior Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 51	I had just begun to get the feel of the forum and gotten used to visiting on a daily basis. I feel I am losing a whole world full of great teachers, conversationalists and language nuts. Good-bye and thank you to all who helped out with my Spanish mistakes and questions,. I'll miss chatting with you. Paula

7th November 2010, 11:16 AM	#12
Lise Forero Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 43	Since the initial shock of the announcement, I've really been feeling quite sad at the thought of losing this great community ! A new exprerience for me to grieve the loss of virtual [email protected] ! However, I would like to again say muchas, muchas gracias, Ben and Marina, for everything you've done and for your fantastic resources. It's lucky we live in the digital age; had the brilliant audios been on tape, mine would have been totally worn out by now. Thanks to you and your great ideas and lovely style my listening comprehension has advanced no end. Also thanks to all the foreros - especially the very active ones - I've learnt heaps from you, too - gracias [email protected] ! (P.S. Para mí, my problem with the Facebook alternative is, that as far as I understand the system, you need a Facebook account of your own, which I'm still resisting for fear of ending up spending more time on the computer than I want to),

7th November 2010, 09:00 PM	#15
MrMark Convert to vinos Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: London Posts: 317	Sorry to see this place go. I feel you're making a mistake Ben,as this must be good publicity for your language site, but you obviously have weighed up pros and cons of doing this. Good luck for the future. I'm particularly sad to see this forum go as I don't believe there is another English source quite as good on Madrid. Well there is another forum, but it's saturated wall-to-wall with adverts. Other forums Spain related tend to focus (understandably) on the Costa based British contingent. Hasta luego, amigo viejo!

7th November 2010, 11:39 PM	#16
Lise Forero Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 43	[QUOTE=MrMark;93167] there is another forum, but it's saturated wall-to-wall with adverts. That reminds me ... I want to add another THANK YOU to Ben and Marina: for keeping your sites ad-free. Another reason you're in a class of your own !

8th November 2010, 12:02 AM	#17
miguel79 Giant Squid Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 5	Now that's what I call bad luck. This was my first week in the forum and I was planning to write a lot of posts in the weeks to come. Nevertheless I want to thank you so much for your work which helps me a lot - day by day. Let me type one last sentence I have learned along with so many other things: Este mes he aprendido mas español que en todos los años pasados. (Which means a lot - I'm interested in learning spanish for over 15 years now.) I may have made mistakes again - but as an inspired beginner I do not care at all. Thank you Ben and Marina!

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