Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I monitor FM Lighting forum regularly. Looks like their volume of posts has dropped very dramatically since I have been banned. Draw you own conclusions.

Paul, I ended up getting banned as well. On the day that FM kicked you off I sent a PM to FM (while listening to XM in the AM... not a BFD... sorry for the digression). I pointed out to him that I thought it was highly unprofessional to address you as "Bluff". Of course, I didn't get the courtesy of a reply, so I hit the "report" button a couple of days later, and in the process called him "Fred Mylanta".

The next time I logged on, I found myself locked out of the forum. It's no big loss to me; I hope I never have the misfortune to meet FM in person; from what I can tell he's an arrogant SOB, and I'm sure I wouldn't be able to hold my tongue.

You remind me a lot of my dad, and I just wanted to let you know, as I'm sure you do already, that you've got a respect out here. Thank you for taking the time to share information; it's truly a rarity these days.

In defense of Fred, I just don't think he has time to deal with all the bickering, let alone search through the history to find out who's really been antagonizing who. Your mockery of his name after he mocked Paul's name did get a chuckle out of me, but again, the guy doesn't have time for it and was obviously unable to find the humor. Do you guys know that at least half the forums have this type of drama all the time? That shit must get so old to him year after year. It's a lot like grade school, we all bicker like little kids and occasionally a fight breaks out and what does the teacher do? Punish them both because the truth is gray and they're both guilty of something to some degree. Anyway, I really enjoyed Paul's existence on FM and think the effort he put into it was a testament to his character.

TKM: Thanks for the feedback. They still don't get it over at FM. The same scenario happened over and over . . . a post was made asking technical info regarding a subject I have expertise in. I answered the question - often in very high detail, and never threw the first stone.

Then comes along a hater who starts throwing lies and defaming comments that usually have nothing to do with the subject. I defend myself from unwarranted libelous garbage and proceed to further clarify the information sought.

Then more of the dozen or so idiots that never contribute anything of value add more hate, lies and libel. I post complaints by the dozen and ask Fred to enforce his own rules and Fred ignores them. The dirty dozen post complaint about what an ass I am and Fred kisses their butts. Score . . . whiners win, information loses, FM loses.

It goes on whether I'm there or not. It actually has a positive effect on my business because real people gain the info they are seeking and FM gets lots of hits and views. But no more . . . maybe in the future Todd 56 or whoever can explain the stuff I have presented.

Lastly, I'm not a vendetta driven person . . . just playing cat and mouse with a pompous jerk who forgot the purpose of his forum . . . information.

There was no grey truth here, . . . just info from me and hate and agenda from a small but ever present group if instigators. "Punishment" was not applied to both . . . only the party that provided information, while the instigators remain in their cesspool. Why would you support a forum moderator who is too stupid to see the difference, or who seemingly has the same agenda as his pitiful group of ignorant hate mongers?

Yes, this stuff happens on most forums and I can handle a good fair fight, but not a biased moderator who refuses to strive for truth, civility and information.

As for "Fred doesn't have time for it" . . . you think I do? Fred is only in the forum business, while I am responsible to 500,000 customers for whom I create, manufacture and ship 1000 products a day. They don't whine at me . . . because I take care of my business and customers.

Man, the technical chats were great. Many times I wouldn't really understand what was being said, so I'd google a bunch until I could grasp it (at a basic level) and viola, learned something new, those conversations really will be a loss.



That first sentence oozes of an unwillingness to accept any level of responsibility. Love ya man, but this is not a 100% one sided issue. You were probed a bunch, yes...but that doesn't make any reaction acceptable. We all have instances like this in life and once I'm emotionally over it, I'll usually play devil's advocate with myself to figure out what I could have done better. You can't control other people, but you can control yourself. It looks like you're still angry with it all, when you get to a point where you truly don't care about it, consider trying to figure out way to defuse the common household jackass.

That's BS... that forum is his business and he should be held to a higher standard than this. If he isn't going to do research and come up with a fair response then he should have no response at all or simply lock the discussion.

You really just don't get it, do you? Paul has spent a lifetime tirelessly changing a part of the world. His work has made it possible for little guys like me to do things I would have never been able to do. He's been a visionary and delivered - time and again. Beyond delivering product, he's delivered service second to none. Quick example - I used Alien Bees for two years - and sold them for 80% of their initial value (one I sold for more than I paid!). I've never had a "tool" product hold its value like that. I traded up to Einsteins. Beyond all of the technical details, my work simply looks better. As far as service goes, after a YEAR of using the Einsteins, Paul's company contacts me to swap out the Einsteins for the second version - including paying shipping. Wow. The closest guy to this kind of thing today is Steve Jobs. But even Apple didn't notify all of it's iPad users and swap them out at no charge for the v2.

When Paul puts his name on his products he actually puts a stake in the ground and stands behind his products like nobody else today. Right now he's really pissing off his competitors with the Einsteins - they're that good.

Have you ever talked to Paul's employees on the design side? He's never satisfied. They've got to redesign and refine and fix and reduce parts and reduce cost and improve reliability. He makes his people work to deliver the best product. On top of this, Paul has been forthcoming with product status providing transparency we don't get from other manufacturers.

It's all because Paul cares. In the pit of his stomach he has passion for this stuff we just can't imagine. He gets up early, works his ass off and goes to bed late - doing stuff we just can't imagine.

So when it comes to forums it's a little different than you think. The very fact that Paul takes the time to explain technical details of his products on public forums is really amazing. He does it because he cares and it pains him to think that misinformation would be floating around out there. He clearly has never taken the misinformation personally - I've never seen it. What he takes personally is the personal attacks on him. It's gotta hurt to do all that Paul has done then take a public personal attack from some idiot. Saying "brush it off" doesn't apply here. That's just not going to happen from a guy who's worked so hard and deserves respect. Paul has a right to respond the way he's responded and the fault IS 100% with the other guy.

To make matters worse, you bring this to Paul's house on this forum then insult him more by posting what you posted above. Don't be a jackass - you owe Paul an apology.

Tim, not to be contrary, but I don't think you get it. You wrote hundreds of words about how awesome Paul is, part of what you don't get is that I completely agree with you! I absolutely love PCB products, they have found the perfect balance of performance and cost. I will likely be a PCB customer for as long as I shoot. I also think Paul is an amazing guy, his passion in this industry appears to be in a league of its own. However Tim...when it comes to forums, it's a little difference than you think. If you expect 100% seriousness and due respect, you should probably just hit your computer with a hammer right now and get it over with, because you will never find it. Take off your PCB goggles and try to be objective! Was Paul taunted at FM, absolutely. Could he have handled it better, absolutely. Since you will never ever ever ever ever be able to remove internet bozos...you have no choice but to improve yourself to handle situations better if you want to be online with the least amount of drama. I don't owe Paul anything except thanks for making an awesome product and delivering excellent customer service.

PE - Maybe I should have phrased as, "I just don't think Fred wants to deal with all the bickering...".

Please let's not start bickering here, and no apologies are needed. Unlike Mr. Miranda, I will deal with it with a level hand if it starts.

I will say I also feel no need to apologize to anyone on FM for my responses to unwarranted provocation, taunting and lies. Throw a sucker punch at me and I'll put your lights out if I can. Debate with me and I'll tell you all I know, and give credit for what you know.

Lastly, if Mr. Miranda doesn't want to deal with bickering properly he ought to consider getting out of the forum business. It's not that hard to separate antagonists from information suppliers.

Tim, you are 100% correct about my motivations. This stuff is my life and I approached it from the start in 1957 with the proposition "How would I like to be treated were I the customer?" I work every day to instill that in my staff. and they get it.