MarkO

So far I've been on your side, but why not take it off-line if you want to have a major go at Simon.

As you say, it's his hobby, which means he can run it how he likes. He chooses to run it in a way which requires a lot of his time, you'd perhaps run it differently. Fundamentally, however, although you may not agree with it, he who pays the piper calls the tune, surely?

If you feel that strongly about it, why stay at all? Not that I'm advocating your departure - I'd rather you stayed to spike thorns in the sides of those who need it - but you do seem very negative at present.

As you so rightly commented, when all's said and done it's only a BBS, so why the heat? Chill pills needed all round, I think.

bros

 

I'm not trying to have a go at Simon, and I'm not complaining about how SN is run. I think SN is an excellent resource, as I've said. I also began this thread with some light-hearted feedback whilst trying to engage with Simon et al to help make it better.

What then happened was that the moderators and Simon stomped all over me, threatened to disable my account, and generally started having a go at me (whilst ignoring the other 30 people who'd done exactly what I had).

When questioned about this, Simon got all ballsy about how much of a sacrifice is, seemingly expecting sympathy. A lot of other people who know nothing about webhosting etc will read Simon's post and incorrectly assume that he's making the supreme sacrifice by running SN. The biggest responsibility he has to the 18,000 people on this board is not to mis-represent his committments, motives and rewards which are part and parcle of running the BBS.

I've not been rude, I've simply engaged in dialogue. And I did offer to discuss it privately (and mailed Simon direct yesterday afternoon) but didn't get the courtesy of any response.

 

Mark, without wanting to take part in the rest of the discussion ... that statement is very wrong IMHO.

At least... when it comes to technical discussions, we have moved a long way from "a bleedvalve will kill your car, a decatted exhaust will make your car run lean, and PE are the daddy"

Read the first few pages of drivetrain, then read the last 15 pages.

I do agree that a lot of the posts are not about "new" stuff, but I doubt there has been a DIY FMIC thread 4 years ago (just an example). In fact, I know for sure.

I'm not saying SN is the only website where you can find technical information, but I don't agree with the new "Scoobynet has no content" adagio. It's there, but you have to actively look for it.

 

MarkO

As I've said, I essentially agree with you. As to whether you've been rude .... forthright, certainly!

As to Simon's motivations, sacrifices ... they're up to him. As far as I can see, the only people he has a responsibility to are the advertisers, as everyone else gets it for free, and it's essentially someone's playtime project we're all using.

I'd have to say that to criticise someone for the amount of time they (seem to) need to manage a free BBS - the very BBS you're using to criticise him! - seems just a little churlish. Perhaps you're better at it than Simon, or maybe the technical difficulties really are as severe as he states. Whatever, it's his toy and he can always take it home if he wants to. I, for one, would be sad if he did.

But that's my opinion. You're more than welcome to disagree with me.

bros

 

Have to say if SN went, it would also take me with it, as it has generated all of my business for the last 12 months directly and indirectly.

I for one see it as more than just a simple "resource". To me it is like a favourite pub, and I certainly wouldn't want my local to close down, howeer they decide to run it

 

Two points.

1. I'm not saying Scoobynet has no content, just that there isn't a huge amount of new or groundbreaking stuff that appears day-to-day. Compare and contrast to 1998/99, when Prodrive and Subaru were being cagey, 3rd-party tuners were pretty much limited to PE & Scoobysport, and people really didn't know whether the ECU reset worked or not.

2. I'm not criticising Simon for the amount of time he spends - as you say, that's totally up to him. What galls me is when he publicly comes out and insinuates that somehow we should all be bowing down before him for making the supreme sacrifice.

 

Fair point. The question begs, then, should you be putting all your eggs in one basket - particularly one over which you have no control?

 

Do I need to say why I edited this post

[Edited by Neil Smalley - 10/15/2002 9:36:42 AM]

 

That would have been relevant and funny about 24 hrs ago

 

Not really Mark - eggs are in one basket as far as new business and enerating business from leads goes at the mo, but if SN did go, I would have to move my lead generating to another source (not that that is all I see SN as )

The business has come in as a result of Scoobynet, not directly. i.e. people contact me for work, saying they know a friend of a friend who is on Scoobynet etc etc

Always had a top priority to make sure I dont have everything relying on one source/person.

 

If scoobynet went I would have to do some work for the whole day or defect to the evo bbs

 

So dreamweaver what your saying is if I ar3elick simon I can ***** my business for free all over scoobynet too?

 

I feel another handbagging session coming on

 

<slaps Mark> You're being a prat.

I might not be a regular poster here, but Scoobynet is something that Simon obviously cares for.

I think what you've done / are doing is hurtful and immature - but maybe that's you down to a 't'.

If you don't like SN then don't use it. Don't spend your whole life complaining about what is undeniably other people's hard work.

Adam

 

Devil obviously you need a slap and maybe some part time schooling?

 

Yeah something like that beastman

Depends if Scoobynet are one of your clients though really

 

I like MarkO. Have never met him, but he speaks his mind. I admire that.

Don't want to get into a slanging match, just IMHO.

 

"Depends if Scoobynet are one of your clients though really"

What did you do, hold simon at gun point shouting "CUTTING IT UP IN FIREWORKS USING THE WIZARD IS WHAT ALL THE PROS DO, CAPECHE"

 

Hey, he's a married man so admire someone else

 

Nothing to do with it. His posts make me laugh, are intelligent and sometimes close to the edge. I think I would say he is entertaining.

 

Everyone, EXCUSE ME, EVERYONE, LISTEN UP, Clarebabes gives MarkO the thumbs up

 

Thought I was in, there.

 

whhhhhoooooo there, how come marko does the funny post thing and gets the chicks? never happened to me?

 

I know Mark though. He doesn't speak his mind. He speaks what will wind other people up.

He says he thinks SN is a useful resource ... there are better ways to put across how he feels the moderators treat people. Better ways that would have provoked a positive response from the moderators and no hard feelings.

6 of one and half a dozen of the other IMO.

 

He pays them more

 

cos you are from essex ?

<joke could backfire lol>

 

ahem.........MarkO does not get the chicks....I do

 

, .

 

errr, could you offend me more? my builder family have lived in essex for 100 years.....you aint funny buddy.

 

Marko, are you really saying that chicks go for funky letters over a dead guinea pig story? maybe thats where i've gone wrong?