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Author Topic: Mourning the loss of a great forum...  (Read 161042 times)

heyandy

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Mourning the loss of a great forum...
« Reply #60 on: March 29, 2006, 09:40:18 pm »

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Hi, guys -

 I'm here too. Happy to see James here, unhurt - let's go and get Mark and continue where we left off ...

Edmund
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61317\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I'm not banned at RG (yet), but am glad to find things picking up here.  Andrew, your generous contributions to many public forums were a significant part of an invaluable resource for me back in the days when not many people were shooting digitally...  Your voice always seemed to rise above the nonsense.  I'm amazed that RG would have banned you - I just assumed you went elsewhere on your own.  

I'd like to see a general shop-talk or watercooler type of forum opened here to give a space for threads that don't necessarily fit the specific topics already here.  Just a thought...
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digitaldog

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« Reply #61 on: March 30, 2006, 09:08:40 am »

What's most interesting is the number of times this post has been read (to date, over 4500 viewings). I wonder how the numbers are over on RG since this all started. I'd also love to know what Rob's true agenda is. Unlike this site and these forums, it's not about gathering people to discuss imaging! So ironic considering that one silly post here about this site and commercialism. That's so far from the truth. The Galbraith forums and site appear to all be about commercialism hence the need for severe censorship.
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mtomalty

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« Reply #62 on: March 31, 2006, 01:36:11 am »

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What's most interesting is the number of times this post has been read (to date, over 4500 viewings).


I think this number reflects nothing more peole trolling for gossip and controversy.

There's really no point to it and, unfortunately, many  interesting threads here sit
idle for days.

MT
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lonna.tucker

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« Reply #63 on: March 31, 2006, 09:51:10 am »

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I think this number reflects nothing more peole trolling for gossip and controversy.

There's really no point to it and, unfortunately, many  interesting threads here sit
idle for days.

MT
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61408\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


I respectfully agree with Mark, and don't want to offend those with their reasons for leaving RG. I wish whatever happened - hadn't.

The Rob Galbraith forum is still the best site for professionals and the moderation keeps it that way IMO. Their forum format is still the best. It is the easiest to scan for information, see who is posting, what's new, etc.

Lonna Tucker
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Fritzer

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Mourning the loss of a great forum...
« Reply #64 on: March 31, 2006, 02:41:47 pm »

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I think this number reflects nothing more peole trolling for gossip and controversy.

There's really no point to it and, unfortunately, many  interesting threads here sit
idle for days.

MT
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61408\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

With all due respect, this whole forum section sat idle from the beginning, but started picking up after that RG incident   .

The RG MF forum archive remains the #1 source for everything Digital Back for the time being, but has lost it's most resourceful contributers, judging by the postings made in the past few weeks.

What you find here are people searching for an alternative place to discuss the professional use of high end digital capture, preferably run by more capable moderators.
Such a thing simply doesn't exist right now, thus the overwhelming interest in the topic.

I don't think RG and Mike should be compared to a certain German right wing party of the forties or blamed of being a slave of their advertisers, I believe it comes down to poor judgement, a lack of experience in online discussions and the guts to admit and correct a mistake.

This way they destroyed a unique and lively international community of DB users, and there is no replacement in sight at the moment.

Best,
Thomas
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KenRexach

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« Reply #65 on: March 31, 2006, 08:33:35 pm »

Hi all!

Im also a frequent RobG Forum poster and was totally surprised by what happened with JR and MT.

One day there was a great MFDB discussion, the next gone and their names removed from every post they ever made there. Unreal.

Although no discussion is free from some degree of subjectivity (for whatever reason, buyers justifying their purchase unconciously, brand loyalty etc even if its slight) a LOT of facts about the somewhat "mysterious" MFDB's were revealed there along with a lot of insight from actual users. (that in it self is rare since most people who talk about X piece of gear on the net probably have never actually used it other than maybe handling it at a store)

Then, they were censored! wow. That is such an extreme measure for something that im sured couldve been resolved by talking.

I am starting to beleive that MFDB mfg's are purposely trying to stomp these discussions. I understand that they might be afraid of unfounded slander and misinformation but the RG forums are far from being like the out of control DPR forums or others out there. Maybe MFDB mfg's dont want us to know much about their products other than what they tell us even from credible sources (maybe "they" are more afraid of those). But the Forums serve a purpose.

Thanks to the Forums I didnt buy a Kodak 14n or SLRn (we know what disaster that camera was, its extintion probably accelerated by internet discussions no question despite Kodak's continous efforts to try to fix it and being a very good camera within its capability) and steered away from shady broklyn retailers.

Im glad I found you guys again!
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med007

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« Reply #66 on: March 31, 2006, 11:58:53 pm »

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Censorship is just wrong. I'm seriously considering putting a link to this and the other sites that have discussed Rob's inappropriate behavior on my web site (I get a few thousands hits a week). Or maybe emailing his sponsors. Or should I just ignore this bonehead?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=60838\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Andrew,

I write as one who has learned so much from all of you and tried to handle with care and patience, people who where struggling with issues I have mastered.

Nowhere on the web was such a stellar international collection of generous color, fashion, commercial, landscape and other experts joking, ribbing one another and challenging marketing mythology by telling the truth as expeirence dictates.

Rather lonely, over the river, stands one lone man, testing and reporting on DB's in his own eccentric way. His opinions too are eclectic, but he merelly struggles like we all do to do his job well and be honest.

Now, the circle is completed, and everyone is together here.

I must say that on RG forum, where extoling the Leica DMR, outing a dishonest event stealer  or mentioning J.C. caused dismissal. However, the repeated posting of vile ethnocentric phraseology almost quoted from the most notorious texts, concerning the pious orthodox man in the famous di Ciorica case, was given a free pass. Still, RG did allow my posts..to date.

DPReview was THE premier site then success made it grow commercial and many were driven off. I believe that colorful talk is expected with unique successful photographers. This society actually polices itself, because ill-informed comments get exposed as such.

I'm happy to say I have never dissed MR!

Asher
« Last Edit: April 01, 2006, 12:20:11 am by med007 »
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med007

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« Reply #67 on: April 01, 2006, 12:41:25 am »

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Still, RG did allow my posts..to date.

Asher
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61480\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Oops, spoke too fast! I have now been banned too it seems!

Well, I have written to Mike Sturk to get a reason, but I guess, they are following this thread!

It's something like getting knighted! Hit by a sword and honored at the same time!!

Asher:)
« Last Edit: April 01, 2006, 02:18:54 am by med007 »
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Henry Goh

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« Reply #68 on: April 01, 2006, 01:16:46 am »

.....walks in with a wooden stool in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other....sits down.....
I'm so glad to find you guys again!  I have always lurked and read your posts on RG so here I am again... to lurk and learn.

Please carry on....



...slurps up coffee drip at edge of mouth....

Henry
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ericevans

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« Reply #69 on: April 01, 2006, 02:19:52 am »

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Gailbraith and company have lost a few great contributors due to their severe lack of humor and Nazi like posture.   

They don't realize that their forum is sucessful BECAUSE of the interesting people who post there.   Otherwise it's just a blank page.

Who needs Gailbraith anyway?  They ban the people who write something useful and knowledgeable then keep the ones who know little or nothing.   I suggest boycotting his forums.

Or better yet send him an honest email about how you see this then quit.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=60652\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
This is my first post here and I hope this forum can pick up where RG left off . Someone asked today where James and Mark had went and I posted a response and got the boot as well . RG for a while had a lot of great info until the best posters were banned or left . I posted a comment today that said that the great forum was ruined because the owners and moderators think too highly of themselves and that they were driven by money and that they are nothiong without posters . I think I will just hang out here from now on .
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med007

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« Reply #70 on: April 01, 2006, 08:43:21 pm »

Well, im reinstated, unblocked and unlocked!

Well, maybe the thunderstorm will pass.

Who else is persona-grata?

Asher
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izaack

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« Reply #71 on: April 03, 2006, 03:09:31 pm »

Given the shoddy treatment handed out to JR, MT and others, why would you want to go back?
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James Russell

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« Reply #72 on: April 04, 2006, 02:22:33 am »

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Given the shoddy treatment handed out to JR, MT and others, why would you want to go back?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61677\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Nobody wishes bad on those RG forums, at least not in public.  (Insert smiley face here.)

It is amazing to me the number of like minded people that want to talk, share, exchange viewpoints, but for so many reasons just are not comfortable doing it in public.  The recent events pretty much illustrate why someone would be hesitant.

What most of us wanted was an outlet to talk and learn about more than just cameras, or sensors, but when you step back and look at it, the medium format area of a technical forum really isn't the envrioment  to do this.

The problem is only talking techique, without a human side gets pretty boring, pretty quick.

In a way it's a shame because the wealth of knowledge that passes through my e-mails is really amazing and many of the people I never would have met, if it were not for public forums.

It also amazes me that so many people that are edited or deleated on those forums are some of the largest purchasers of digital equipment.

Logcially, you would think a commercial forum would love that level of participation.

JR
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awofinden

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« Reply #73 on: April 04, 2006, 09:24:56 am »

I was banned a few months ago as I didn't realise that you had to use your real name to post, I hadn't read the fine print. I wanted to use a different name as I realised that a google search on my name returned results of me posting about how I had problems with my camera, not what you want a client to see ideally speaking. Anyhow, I realise that I broke the rules of the forum, fine, I would have changed my username, however the moderator was unbeleavably rude to me so I told him to stuff it. A little bit of human decency goes a long way and I'm glad that his forum has paid the price of his unpleasant manner. I am however saddened that us the users have lost out also.
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ronno

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« Reply #74 on: April 04, 2006, 11:03:52 am »

If this dearth of a place to chill for pros keeps up, I am going to start one myself. And I agree, it should not be strictly a tech forum.

No one wanted to post in Rob’s “commercial/advertising/industrial”  section for some reason. Wonder why?

Perhaps the pro area should require some credentials before posting, like Canon’s CPS? (although Rob’s site never needed this, and the users seemed to do a pretty good job of weeding out the riff raff on their own…)
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bwpuk

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« Reply #75 on: April 04, 2006, 12:25:21 pm »

Like many other people I've been saddened by the silly behaviour by the moderators at the RG forum. These guys gave all this information for free. It was hard won no-nonsense professional advice and opinion, for all to share and absorb.

The people who are going to suffer are those that run that forum. All that will happen is that everybody that was banned will go somewhere else along with the hundreds of photographers that logged on and read their posts. For me it was required reading several times a day. It was the one place where you could be certain of unbiased professional information free of the bull**** that you get from a dealer behaving like a second hand car dealer trying to sell you a flawed MFDB solution.

If the moderators wanted to keep a tight ship then they should have applied their rules as stuff got posted that they didn't like, not wait until a thread developed after a few weeks. I am suspicious of their behaviour in this regard, maybe this is what they wanted. By doing it the way they did they have got rid of all the highly talented guys that were critical of certain bits of gear and software and weren't afraid to say so. If there was a hidden agenda how can anyone have confidence in any reviews that get posted on the RG site.

Mark, James and all the rest, where are you guys ?  I miss my daily fix !
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mediahound

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« Reply #76 on: April 04, 2006, 03:13:01 pm »

There are things that can be done. For example, writing to the advertisers on the RG site, explaining what happend and that you feel they should be aware of what they are supporting, etc.
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eronald

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« Reply #77 on: April 04, 2006, 04:48:29 pm »

Quote
If the moderators wanted to keep a tight ship then they should have applied their rules as stuff got posted that they didn't like, not wait until a thread developed after a few weeks. I am suspicious of their behaviour in this regard, maybe this is what they wanted. By doing it the way they did they have got rid of all the highly talented guys that were critical of certain bits of gear and software and weren't afraid to say so. If there was a hidden agenda how can anyone have confidence in any reviews that get posted on the RG site.

Mark, James and all the rest, where are you guys ?  I miss my daily fix !
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61764\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I'm still waiting for Mark to show up ...


I expressed a number of opinions critical of several of the big brands that RG himself writes good things about, and I never suffered for it in any way - so I do not believe in a commercial conspiracy here - has anyone considered that some people of a religious bent might have complained ?

Edmund
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Kumar

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« Reply #78 on: April 04, 2006, 06:32:43 pm »

Michael Kravit, an architect and photographer who has always participated in a  mature and professional manner on the RG forums, has just had a thread deleted. Michael was away on a job for 10 days, and asked where Mark was and BOOM, the axe fell.

Is that a Pavlovian thing? The mere mention of Mark, even in a perfectly normal, civilized manner sets them off foaming at the mouth?

So, can we end the mourning, and start hanging around the water-cooler again?

Kumar
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mediahound

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« Reply #79 on: April 04, 2006, 06:47:57 pm »

My www.robgalbraith.com account was deleted/blocked simply because I said in one of the forums that some people have been deleted lately. Boom, as soon as I said that, I too was a goner.

Rob Galbraith and Mike Sturk have some real problems and frankly, are total jerks.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2006, 07:36:01 pm by mediahound »
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