Darren, banning those members is ridiculous!

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  • #1
    And this matter deserves a publc debate

    Dear UKBF members,

    It has come to my attention that the founding members of a recently established business forum are using UKBF to recruit new members to their site.

    The founding members were previously very active on UK Business Forums, so I'm sure you'll all understand that this situation isn't acceptable. As such we have been forced to take the decision to issue bans to these members.

    How do you think most of us got here darren? telepathy? or is it because we are members of other forums!! and other people on those forums suggested we come here!!

    If you want the BENEFIT of people promoting THIS forum elswhere, then accept the consequence that other forums will also be mentioned.

    My view on this is that the founders of the other forum have a gripe with how UKBF is managed. I've had (what I thought were positive) conversations with these people in the past and explained my thoughts and views, and how decisions are taken on UKBF.

    I find their actions extremely disappointing as our approach to UKBF's ongoing development is, and always will be, based on trying to get a consensus amongst the members using this site ... not the vocal views of a relatively small group of members.

    It also appears that they disagree with our approach to moderation on UKBF. I firmly believe that tight moderation on a business forum is essential to keeping discussions focused, professional and, above all, useful to UKBF members.

    If those people want a different type of forum, good luck to them

    And if their offering is more popular than UKBF....then start to look at your rules.

    The members you mentioned have contributed a lot to this forum - and in the end, the asset you bought and own and value in 6 figures, is the net sum value of the contributors!!!, alienate them and you have no forum

    At the end of the day, as with all things, it is your choice as to which forums you visit and why - and in the online world this will always be the case. UK Business Forums will always strive to maintain a high level of professionalism and respect (alongside Time Out, of course, where you can kick back and let off steam!) - I sincerely hope that this ethos is one that you appreciate.

    Finally, I would kindly ask that if you receive an invitation through UKBF to join another forum, please forward it to my Private Message inbox - your confidence is assured.

    And it was nazism that promoted the idea, of ratting on others!

    If you have any further thoughts on this, again please do drop me a PM.

    Kind regards,
    Darren Falkingham
    UKBF Chairman

    __________________
     
    A

    alloageorge

  • #3
    competition is healthy.i would think nothing of contacting a rivals employees and offering them a pay rise to come and work for me.i would also think nothing of contracting out work to the same rivals.its called business.
     
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    Gillie

    Gillie

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    Apr 12, 2006
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  • #5
    Strikes and bans are given when members: post inappropriate content; spam the forums; send unsolicited Private Messages; or otherwise abuse the Rules of the forum.

    Any strikes or bans given are not to be discussed on the forum. Such matters shall remain private between UKBF and the member. Questions or comments concerning warnings, strikes or bans will be conveyed through e-mail or Private Messages.

    'Strikes' are given against a member's account for the reasons mentioned above. Strikes expire after six months. Automatic 6 month bans are imposed if UKBF members reach 3 concurrent 'strikes'. Persistent misuse of UKBF will result in a permanent ban.

    Its in the terms of use that no one ever reads, so you accept this when joining, so you aint got a leg to stand on when you don't comply!

    Simple as!
     
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    Duke Fame

    Duke Fame

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    Jan 28, 2008
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  • #6
    kimmrunner said:
    And this matter deserves a publc debate


    Although, sadly we have not seen the back of this issue....

    Dear UKBF members,

    It has come to my attention that the founding members of a recently established business forum are using UKBF to recruit new members to their site.

    The founding members were previously very active on UK Business Forums, so I'm sure you'll all understand that this situation isn't acceptable. As such we have been forced to take the decision to issue bans to these members.

    How do you think most of us got here darren? telepathy? or is it because we are members of other forums!! and other people on those forums suggested we come here!!

    Hmmmm? google, (it's number one?), recommendations? NOT SPAMMING THOUGH! Which the aforesaid members have been known to complain about in the past?
    __________________
    Click to expand...


    :redface::redface::redface::redface::redface:
     
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    ken_uk

    ken_uk

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    Jul 27, 2007
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  • #7
    Any strikes or bans given are not to be discussed on the forum. Such matters shall remain private between UKBF and the member.
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    If thats the case, why is the reason for the ban posted in public for all to see?

    Names not mentioned, but I can guess at at least one name, all people need to do, is see if a long standing member is banned as of today, to see if they were banned for that reason. Therefore, it did not remain private, and was a breach of the rules...
     
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  • #8
    Honestly I think that Darren was pushed into a corner, and had to act. He has done what he thought was best for the remaining community, and that is fine by me. I know that Ozzy would have taken action, just as Darren has done, and maybe we should consider the fact that there might have been more going on than we all know about.....

    One of the banned members has done nothing but stir things for the past couple of weeks, whilst the others have all but left anyway. Where is the problem?

    I must admit to missing the little fellah, I got on quite well with him.
     
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    B

    Blush

  • #11
    If this was your business what would you do? You would protect it wouldn't you!
    I have no argument with anyone but it is usually common practice for forums not to allow any promotion of any other fourms in direct competition to themselves, its common sense really
     
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    Gillie

    Gillie

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  • #18
    Round,
    Like a circle in a spiral
    Like a wheel within a wheel
    Never ending or beginning
    On an ever-spinning reel
    Like a snowball down a mountain
    Or a carnival balloon
    Like a carousel thats turning
    Running rings around the moon
    Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
    Past the minutes on its face
    And the world is like an apple
    Whirling silently in space
    Like the circles that you find
    In the windmills of your mind
     
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    N

    nicola jane

  • #19
    One of the banned members has done nothing but stir things for the past couple of weeks, whilst the others have all but left anyway. Where is the problem?[/quote]

    Being quite new to this forum I dont think I know who the now banned members are (Maybe I will note them by their future absence as I have been following closely for the last few weeks)

    I will say that on several occasions I have found some of the comments very uncomfortable reading and hope that my future experience here will be very different. Maybe I'm wrong but on several threads I really didn't 'dare' comment myself incase I was also shot down in the way I have seen recently.

    That said and with no other information, except for having faith in the moderators decisons, I hope I will enjoy my time here and hope the forum goes from strength to strength.
     
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    A

    ADW

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    Oct 25, 2007
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  • #20
    Don't know exactly what happened but after having a little look around I found the possible banned members on a forum which I will not name for obvious reasons but it doesn't appear to have anything to do with them as it is established. Still none the wiser to what happened but there seems to be a lot of cloak and dagger stuff going on. If they want a forum that isn't moderated then fair enough go elsewhere.
     
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  • #26
    quikshop said:
    I don't think the ukbusinessforums has anything to fear from other forums.

    I belong to several including a couple on the other side of the pond (US, not the Wirral :p) and yet another business forum will have no impact on members using this one as well or instead.
    Click to expand...

    That is the point!!! - so why are UKBF so twitchy??? there always will be other forums ...lots of them and almost everyone is a member of several.

    It interests me that at least one other forum was set up by less than clandestine promotion on UKBF....so why pick this one out for special treatment.
     
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    P

    Patsygirl

  • #27
    I must say that I think this site tends to be run by what I see as dictators, and I want to remind everyone on it, and who run the site that we in the UK are a free democracy and if people who run ANY website feel they cannot allow FREE debate, or private messages then I feel that the site ought to shut down.
    I am quite a new member myself, I dont normaly get involved in any debate, but I do hear of more people being offended on this site than ANY I have ever been on.
    If any website is set up to allow a debate and people have different views from the owners, then if they cannot stand the heat, they ought to get out of the kitchen I feel.
    My father was in the Russian Convoys fighting for FREEDOM for the UK, and I hate anyone telling others what they are allowed to say.
    O well thats it, I suppose I am band yes? if I am, then lots of others will I know very soon be following me too.
    Yours faithfully,
    Patsy.
     
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  • #28
    Gillie said:
    Strikes and bans are given when members: post inappropriate content; spam the forums; send unsolicited Private Messages; or otherwise abuse the Rules of the forum.

    Any strikes or bans given are not to be discussed on the forum. Such matters shall remain private between UKBF and the member. Questions or comments concerning warnings, strikes or bans will be conveyed through e-mail or Private Messages.

    'Strikes' are given against a member's account for the reasons mentioned above. Strikes expire after six months. Automatic 6 month bans are imposed if UKBF members reach 3 concurrent 'strikes'. Persistent misuse of UKBF will result in a permanent ban.

    Its in the terms of use that no one ever reads, so you accept this when joining, so you aint got a leg to stand on when you don't comply!

    Simple as!
    Click to expand...

    Rules are made for the obedience of fools.....

    Point I am making is rules dont have to be enforced.

    And as regards how that post applies to this thread. I didnt put this in then public domain. Darren did and not only did that, but also made it a sticky post so it would become public!! - and thus becomes fodder for a good discussion IMHO.

    Anyway..... Better things to do.....like go to my other forums.
     
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  • #31
    Gillie said:
    Hang on, when you join you agree to abide by the rules, if you don't like em why the hell are you here??
    Click to expand...

    I didnt say, I didnt like them!
    And I didnt say I didnt agree.

    And if this is becoming BORING
    why is Gillie still here....it is way past her bed time....go have a jamesons and calm down.

    BTW....you dont actually READ the rules do you gillie? You anorak!!
     
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    D

    Dawg

  • #33
    Patsygirl said:
    I must say that I think this site tends to be run by what I see as dictators, and I want to remind everyone on it, and who run the site that we in the UK are a free democracy and if people who run ANY website feel they cannot allow FREE debate, or private messages then I feel that the site ought to shut down.
    Click to expand...

    So you want to forcibly shut something down in your "free democracy"?
    (Which in itself is a curious claim, but debating the niceties of political theory is for another place.)

    I am quite a new member myself, I dont normaly get involved in any debate, but I do hear of more people being offended on this site than ANY I have ever been on.
    Click to expand...

    ANY? (Or should that be ANY?????!!!!!) Does this mean you are an active member of The Mothers Union forum only? Even The Womens' Institute play rough.

    If any website is set up to allow a debate and people have different views from the owners, then if they cannot stand the heat, they ought to get out of the kitchen I feel.
    Click to expand...

    Yes; and..?

    My father was in the Russian Convoys fighting for FREEDOM for the UK, and I hate anyone telling others what they are allowed to say.
    Click to expand...

    Was he aboard the HMS Non Sequitur?

    O well thats it, I suppose I am band yes? if I am, then lots of others will I know very soon be following me too.
    Yours faithfully,
    Patsy.
    Click to expand...

    Please stay, you've only just arrived.
     
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  • #34
    Gillie said:
    Its repetitive and serves no purpose other than letting some people go on and on and on and on about a subject thats between the banned members and the management. End of!
    Click to expand...


    Coming to which. I am trying to remember who told ME about the OTHER forum. I know it was someone on here...
    ....trouble is I am getting too old, and Ive got a crap memory, so I couldnt rat even if I wanted to...now lets think.

    Naahh....Its gone. Shame.

    You are right, it is getting repetitive

    The ONLY thing I was trying to say to darren was, UKBF needs to consider it is part of a network and not an island all by itself...and IMHO will get on better if it accepts all its members come and go elsewhere - so a witchunt every time a new forum sets up is somewhat pointless....chances are the other forum will never reach a critical mass, and if it does it could make a better ally than enemy.

    And that was all.......
     
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    Alex Bellinger

    Alex Bellinger

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    Dec 22, 2005
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  • #35
    I've been using Forums for a very long time. Way before I started frequenting small biz forums, I used to belong to a chess forum, an electronic music forum, and a even a podcast forum. God, i sound like the geek I am ;)

    Anyway ... in my experience sooner or later some faction gets unhappy and breaks off or the moderator has to clamp down. Moderation is absolutely vital on a forum. So are factions, breakaways, flame wars, community, rules and forgiveness.

    The beauty of communities on the web is that they are free to swarm wherever they like. It's no big deal.

    For the record, this is one of the best, least spammy, well moderated, useful and civilised forums I've ever had the pleasure of taking part in.

    Cheers

    Alex
     
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  • #36
    Patsygirl said:
    I must say that I think this site tends to be run by what I see as dictators, and I want to remind everyone on it, and who run the site that we in the UK are a free democracy and if people who run ANY website feel they cannot allow FREE debate, or private messages then I feel that the site ought to shut down.
    I am quite a new member myself, I dont normaly get involved in any debate, but I do hear of more people being offended on this site than ANY I have ever been on.
    If any website is set up to allow a debate and people have different views from the owners, then if they cannot stand the heat, they ought to get out of the kitchen I feel.
    My father was in the Russian Convoys fighting for FREEDOM for the UK, and I hate anyone telling others what they are allowed to say.
    O well thats it, I suppose I am band yes? if I am, then lots of others will I know very soon be following me too.
    Yours faithfully,
    Patsy.
    Click to expand...

    As a new member I can tell you patsy, this forum has without doubt the best quality information post and help of any business forum. ( with the exception of the legal forum which tends to be wall to wall pitching - ie spam)

    You need to accept too, that some people on the forum enjoy a good verbal punchup too (not me of course!???) , and that gives the forum character!

    So stick around.

    The mods do a good job (by and large) which keeps the forum mainly spam free. its a tedious job and I commend them for it.

    And the owners have a tough job when it comes to an argument over franchises. They got nasty legal threats.

    As a long standing member, I simply pointed out to the owners, that I think they are over reacting in this case, since the net impact of all that has gone on is Nada. Nothing. Zip.

    UKBF has too many members and toomuch traffic for one or two posters to make any difference. So why do they bother with a witchunt.
     
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    G

    GreatSEO

  • #39
    I am sorry but I am also with many others here.

    I frequent at least 6 different forums and I even own my own too and I have a number of members that also frequent a number of forums.

    I think that UKBF is one of the best if not the best I have ever been a member of.

    Sorry just my 2 pennies worth.

    Regards

    Dave
     
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  • #40
    MytchMac said:
    I am sorry but I am also with many others here.

    I frequent at least 6 different forums and I even own my own too and I have a number of members that also frequent a number of forums.

    I think that UKBF is one of the best if not the best I have ever been a member of.

    Sorry just my 2 pennies worth.

    Regards

    Dave
    Click to expand...

    So why does that make you sorry?? Sounds fine to me.
     
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