Farewell from Simonjk weatherman? Signature too commercial?

simonjk said:
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.
Click to expand...

Hi Simon
i am very pleased that common sense has prevailed.
your weather posting are invaluable here,we use them all the time for passage planning.
i cant stand the media representations of their so called weather, all over dramatised & too theatrical.
most cover all eventualities so cant be wrong .
Keep up your good work Simon we appreciate it.
No sailor should complain to the Mods about your services for sailors
 
simonjk said:
What would be of interest is to know how many of you use YBW's weather service? I do not want this thread to turn into a YWB-bashing (we have resolved that one, and as I said YBW did it professionally and courteously and I have no complaints against YWM at all. In fact, I probably owe L:aura and RichardS a beer after the day they have had ;) ).

Of course it is up to YBW who they use for weather information, but perhaps more of you would use a 'different' service which could include a synopsis etc... But that is a point you need to make to YBW, not me!

Just a thought,
Simon
Click to expand...

Dear Simon,

I watched your video for the first time a day or two ago - it was very good, explaining the reason for the forecast, which would enable a user to assess the probability of different scenarios, and also develop his/her own skills.

However, I for one dislike video as a means of transferring information. It's great for tutorial material, but less useful for passing on factual information. And I have to say that the video I watched was a great tutorial showing how the forecasting mind works, but a poor way of presenting the information. One of my gripes about the BBC's web-site is the tendency to have stories covered only by video. I can absorb text and diagrams far more quickly and efficiently than video. Your 8+ minute video would have taken me 2-3 minutes (or less) to absorb as a text summary. And, as others have pointed out, video just doesn't work in a lot of places - especially on the West Coast of Scotland!

I was surprised at your statement that it takes you longer to prepare a text synopsis than to make the video. For me, it would be the other way round; I have many years of experiences of doing presentations, and find that it takes me at least several hours, if not a day or more to prepare a 10-15 minute presentation. Text I can prepare as part of the process of doing the underlying work; it takes me no extra time to speak of. Of course, you have more practise at this very specific type of presentation, the graphics are already available in a convenient form and you are obviously a "natural" at it!

As a teacher you will be well aware of the various learning styles that people exhibit. Sadly, one form of presentation can't meet them all! And the nature of the beast means that at least one learning style (hands-on experience) can't be used anyway. But you would meet the needs of more of your audience by using both video and text. Your video meets (very well) the modes of explanation and demonstration, but fails to meet the needs of those who absorb text/diagrams better.

Perhaps I can make the suggestion that you look at ways of producing a text synopsis as part of the forecasting work-flow? That might not impinge on the overall efficiency of the process - indeed, it might enhance it - but would produce a valuable product as well.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
......I was surprised at your statement that it takes you longer to prepare a text synopsis than to make the video.
Click to expand...

...me too... my bro in law runs a business and he uses some voice recognition software by a company called Dragon..... basically he just chats away, and the program types what he says.... some editing afterwards, but perhaps a way forward??
 
I guess that's part of the joys of being a professional broadcaster; I can put together a video in mutes, but writing the same thing is text takes a very long time.

Putting together Powerpoints certainly takes much longer than making the videos!

I hear what you say!

Simon
 
Lakesailor said:
What a chance missed.
The luxury of an iconic post number and you wasted it like that!

You need a list of important topics that you could choose from for the next such opportunity.
Click to expand...


I thought it might be a while before the next anchor thread comes along, so I grabbed this one to be going on with.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
However, I for one dislike video as a means of transferring information. It's great for tutorial material, but less useful for passing on factual information. And I have to say that the video I watched was a great tutorial showing how the forecasting mind works, but a poor way of presenting the information. One of my gripes about the BBC's web-site is the tendency to have stories covered only by video. I can absorb text and diagrams far more quickly and efficiently than video. Your 8+ minute video would have taken me 2-3 minutes (or less) to absorb as a text summary.
Click to expand...
Yes indeedy.

I long ago gave up on his forecasts, far too many words and seconds for not much substance. Having said that I can understand why less experienced yachtsmen like his tutorial style weather presentations.
 
For me its about give and take. Rules need to be in place to prevent people spamming forums with junk, however we must continue to make exceptions for people like Simon who provide a valuable service to this group.

As a result of Simon's postings, I did go to his site and signed up for his mailing list. Every morning I get an email from Simon's site containing forecast information free of charge. I know that most of this is freely available on various websites, but to have a service which collects all of this information, organises and then pushes it to an email address is very useful.

Moderators, lighten up and keep things as they are for Simon.

Simon, Keep posting please - its welcomed by many here
 
Life is a little bit like English grammar - there is always an exception to the rule.

Come on YBW this is a safety issue - not a commercial one.
 
Amazing. Two days, 16 pages, 160 posts and several thousand viewings after we're told the issue is resolved the mods are still getting bashed!

Who'd be a moderator?
 
Truth and Justice are the First Casualties, Surely???

Salty John said:
Amazing. Two days, 16 pages, 160 posts and several thousand viewings after we're told the issue is resolved the mods are still getting bashed!

Who'd be a moderator?
Click to expand...

"Dont try to understand 'em, just rope, throw, and brand 'em, soon we'll be living High and Wide".
Surely, the 'Rawhide' theme is always to be borne in mind at all times on these Foruii:D:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

N
Volvo Penta Alarm Module/Alternator Issues
Replies
1
Views
178
superheat6k
superheat6k

Share this page

Top