Farewell from Simonjk weatherman? Signature too commercial?

[simonjk]

Hi Guys,

YBW have informed me that they have received complaints about the signature on my posting being 'too commercial' and have (politely) asked me to remove references to my courses.

You may remember a few years back this issue was raised and at that time you felt that an exception should be made in my case as the service I was offering was of direct use to sailors, and that you understood the level of information I was providing could not be done completely non-commercially.

If forum users (and YBW) now feel that that position has changed then I'll reluctantly stop posting to the forum.

The moderators will no doubt monitor your responses, as indeed will I. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on this.

It's a shame because I was about to post a Round the Island Race forecast

Best wishes and possibly 'farewell',
Simon



UPDATE 7.30PM - RESOLVED

This issue was resolved very quickly by Laura at YBW. Have a read down the thread and see the comments made.

 

[pteron]

Having been on one of your courses and learned a huge amount, I for one will miss your forecasts.

I support the exception.

 

[SlimRick]

Always found your posts and forecasts very informative - would be a shame to miss out on what is essentially a very useful source of information. I can understand YBW's position to some extent in that it would be hypocritical to have different rules for different posters, but in this case I really do think an exception should be made.

 

[bendyone]

Without doubt you should be "allowed" to keep your signature.

 

[Lakesailor]

The "suits" may have a commercial advertiser (who runs courses?) who is objecting to a "free" service.
Conflict of interests.
Who would complain about such a service otherwise?

 

[Pinnacle]

If you are indeed "forced out" this will be a great shame.

Although I do understand the need to keep straightforward commercial activity ( or maybe that should be abuse ) out of the Forum, you have and do provide a wealth of advice and information completely free!

I for one would urge the Mods to think again.

PS - Please post the RTIR forecast!

 

[[70521]]

Vote for Simon.

I wish to log my support for Simon and the service he provides. His weather service is fantastic I for one would be very, very disappointed if he stopped posting on here (even if I do follow him on twitter).

 

[Captn D]

Always found your posts and forecasts very informative - would be a shame to miss out on what is essentially a very useful source of information. I can understand YBW's position to some extent in that it would be hypocritical to have different rules for different posters, but in this case I really do think an exception should be made.

+1

 

[zalophus]

Agreed it would be a great shame to lose your insightful service. Given the huge amount of free met material on the web (which gives users the discretion to choose which source works best for them), I really can't see any grounds for a complaint - perhaps the complainant is trying to corner a market or two.

 

[Seajet]

Simon,

I value your forecasts highly and think it would be daft to force you out, there is the obvious safety side which YBW should consider an asset to their site; it's not as if you were flogging dayglo deck shoes or something !

 

[jimi]

I find Simon's forecast one of the big benefits of this forum, the sad person who has complained should own up and be ashamed of themselves. Selfish idiots

 

[Talulah]

But they are not asking you to go. Just to make the postings less commercial. i.e. less reference to courses.
I don't see where the issue is.

 

[NPMR]

I always assumed that there had to be a commercial element to the site otherwise it would not be there or survive. So it never bothered me, especially as it was never too overt or pushy.

I have looked at the postings many times and found them most useful.

I too would support an 'exception' for Simon.

It seems to me that 'weather' is of such interest to sailors in general and was so far removed from 'product' sales as to warrant it being in a different category and as such exempt from moderator's resonable desire to keep commercialism off the forum.

 

[Pete7]

Simon, I for one have learnt a lot from following your weather forecasts and think YBWs stance is short sighted. There are many sports and hobbies that require good weather forecasts but particularly ours. When adverse conditions are imminent your prompt warnings will have saved many from an experience they may not have foreseen.

If there was a vote, I would be strongly in favour of maintaining the status quo and allow you to continue with a link to your site.

Pete

 

[webcraft]

. . . the sad person who has complained should own up and be ashamed of themselves. Selfish idiots

I suspect it may be an advertiser rather than a poster.

- W

 

[Tradewinds]

I always assumed that there had to be a commercial element to the site otherwise it would not be there or survive. So it never bothered me, especially as it was never too overt or pushy.

I have looked at the postings many times and found them most useful.

I too would support an 'exception' for Simon.

It seems to me that 'weather' is of such interest to sailors in general and was so far removed from 'product' sales as to warrant it being in a different category and as such exempt from moderator's resonable desire to keep commercialism off the forum.

Echo that.

 

[Wandering Star]

Agree with all the responses so far, think probably Lakesailors reply may provide the reasons but whatever, I've found your posts very useful and if true, YBW should reconsider and extend the exception.

Cheers, Brian.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Simon should be allowed to continue.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Without doubt you should be "allowed" to keep your signature.

+1

 

[prv]

And me.

Pete