Farewell from Simonjk weatherman? Signature too commercial?

[[2574]]

I accept that I have not thought about the commercial issues too deply here; that's not my business. However if Simon departs consequent of this requested change then I too shall depart. That will be no loss to anyone unless the snowball rolls........

 

[YachtAllegro]

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.

While I'm sure Simon's a very generous chap, he is trying to run a business. Therefore its understandable that the forecasts he provides freely to forum users must provide some degree of commercial benefit to him, and I have to say the link to his website has always seemed commendably discreet. However, it is there, and if the forum rules say "no advertising", then, especially if someone (be it user or other advertiser) has complained there are difficulties arguing the case for an exception.

Maybe an alternative would be to allow him a more "officially" commercial outlet somewhere on the website - making it clear that this is advertising as well as information... Or to simply allow everyone to place advertising / links in a one line text signature. Not sure anyone would object to that and it would level the playing field.

Cheers
Patrick

 

[prv]

Nothing is free.
Who pays for the forum?

The advertisers whose adverts are displayed to non-logged-in readers.

Why is this advertising space so valuable? Because practically any Google search for a boat-related topic will point people to this site.

Why does Google point everybody here? Because we the users provide such a mass of good-quality relevant content.

Pete

 

[Resolution]

We have several posters who are in business of one type or another and I tend to take more notice of their posts on their specific subject, than posters who "think" they know the answer.

Surely this is one of the real benefits of this forum?
YBW, please do not discourage Simon from providing us all with a valuable service for free.

 

[sarabande]

I accept that I have not thought about the commercial issues too deply here; that's not my business. However if Simon departs consequent of this requested change then I too shall depart. That will be no loss to anyone unless the snowball rolls........

Not an impossibility that others might follow.

I think the rules about commercial participation need to be looked at and re-drafted.

 

[claymore]

An invaluable service, fully integrated into the psyche of most forumites I would suggest.
Accurate and understandable - why on earth would anyone with some sort of executive power/authority running these sites consider withdrawing such a service?

Have you no sense of the value of these posts?

 

[prv]

I have to say the link to his website has always seemed commendably discreet. However, it is there, and if the forum rules say "no advertising", then, especially if someone (be it user or other advertiser) its hard to argue the case for an exception.

What the rules actually say is "commercial links are tacitly allowed in signatures only".

In any case, Simon isn't an exception. Several regular posters mention their businesses in their signatures, nobody objects to that as long as the signature isn't inappropriately large and garish. This is generally considered acceptable across many otherwise anti-advertising forums and newsgroups, not just this one.

Pete

 

[Vara]

I value Simon's contribution to the forum, I have found his posts informative and useful.

I would be very sorry to see him go, the forum would be a poorer place without him.

 

[Boathook]

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

I would like to lodge a complaint against the person(s) who made the complaint against Simon.

Please carry on posting Simon.

 

[Daedelus]

The only things to complain about are that the forecasts are 1) usually dire and 2) correct.

Why on earth complain about an accurate forecaster - apart from that?

 

[Paul_G]

+1

and another

 

[Ammonite]

Great service Simon - I hope you stay

Just a thought though - is it just the signature they are complaining about? I for one have never clicked on it but I'm very happy to hear about the ads, courses you provide etc when I click on the forecast link and pretty much click on every post you make on the forum. How much commercial benefit do you derive from the signature versus the actual site? Having said that if the signature is of real commercial benefit then I like others would like YBW to make an exception given the volume and usefulness of the free information you provide.

I'm not an internet / search engine expert so please disregard my thoughts if I'm missing the point.

Keep up the good work (hopefully!)

 

[duncanmack]

The forum would be a poorer place without Simon.

 

[garvellachs]

Like others I have found Simon's posts and links very informative useful and interesting - I would be disappointed to see them stopped. I don't think the level of commercial activity is untoward either.

 

[Steve Clayton]

Simon,

a long long time ago when I happened upon one of your posts then I reported it as "not within the spirit...". A bit more digging and I realised and appreciated all the good work, professionalism, and invaluable information that you provide and regretted my hasty, and unthought-through action.

I only hope the moderators quickly recognise that they too, have decided on this action, without giving the due consideration that you deserve.

A sad day, and a great loss. - surely Richard isn't party to this decision?????

 

[jhr]

Get a grip IPC, this is ludicrous. We've already had this discussion, as Simon mentioned in his OP.

Simon provides far more value to forumites, through his free forecasts and musings, than he can possibly get back in attendance at his weather schools, or paid-for services.

If you persist with this, you will be robbing the Forum of a valuable - and free - resource.

If it is one of your advertisers that has complained, I need to know who they are so that I can boycott their services.....

 

[simonjk]

Thanks Guys!

An update for you; I have received an email from YBW stating that they were not aware of any agreement and that if that is the case then they are happy for me to continue posting. Seems a case of left-hand/right-hand etc...

I can see how this can cause problems, especially if other commercial organisations say' why not us?'.

What I would really love to do is to provide YBW with a decent weather page where my forecasts, musings, charts, GRIB files could be posted. I'm sure that this would attract much commercial interest and advertising to YBW, can you imagine how many sailors would use it? A one-stop-shop for sailing weather! I could look after it, provide all the data and forecasts and make sure it's what sailors want and need.

However, to date YBW have not 'bitten' but I'm sure it's something that would really help you? You'd keep you visiting the forum, this would raise advertising revenue for YWB and raise revenue for me to enable me to continue adding new features. We all win!

Perhaps we should encourage YBW to give it a go?

Simon

 

[cloud7]

+1

+ 1

 

[old_salt]

More support for Simon!
I have never posted on any of Simon's forecast posts but have looked at them for some time now " since the last thread about him posting weather forecasts"
I have found them very informative and whats more in this day and age "FREE" repeat "FREE" to all YBW users.
YBW and the scrot yes " THE SCROT" who complained should be ashamed of them selves.
There are many peeps who put a Blatant link to a commercial operation run by themselves on the forums and no comments are made by anyone,
YBW get your act together and authorise the reinstatement of Simon's forecast link.
Maybe with out the additional promotion of dates for a Class or lecture event.

But will this thread be seen any of the YBW team or just ignored.

How about we all hit the mod report button and express our support.
I have.

 

[RichardS]

I can't see the problem with a weblink in a signature.

Loads of people have them, some commercial and some not.

If you don't like it, don't click it!

I do hope the moderators will re-think this one.

Richard