Dear ***boat (adminstrator)

[yopengo]

I do not understand your thinking in regards to banning so many people today. I donÂ’t think you understand the community that has been created here. We are your customersÂ… we buy the products you advertise in your magazineÂ…we are your subscribers. By banning so many people you will not only alienate those banned but also cause the rest of us to jump the shark. Yes, we tend to get a little out of hand sometimesÂ… but that is what makes us a Hot Boat community... and this community helped build your magazine. :idea:
I can tell you that I have been involved in boating for over twenty years, I own my own business and I am your target demographic. I have subscribed to Hot Boat magazine forever. I was excited to see the new format show up in the mailÂ… until this happened today. What the hell are you thinking? :mad: This better be some good April fools joke. I would seriously reconsider your actions today. If things continue on this path I will be canceling my subscription and taking my friends with me.
yopengo

[squirt'nmyload]

X 2 :mad:

[Sigus]

What I miss? :eek:

[Devil's Advocate]

Hell no we won't go.:D

[blown65]

x3

[Sleeper CP]

X 3. Power go to your head today ? A little overkill I would say:mad:
Sleeper CP
Big Inch Ford Lover

[Rocknpalms]

X4

[Mardonzi]

I'm really going to miss thumbing through my Rex Marine catalog...
In all reality though, I have to agree with you Yo.. I've purchased from advertisers here in the past due to the exposure they have had on this site.
I guess you could look at the bright side. We will all probably get alot more work done once we are all banned.

[banned]

I do not understand your thinking in regards to banning so many people today. I donÂ’t think you understand the community that has been created here. We are your customersÂ… we buy the products you advertise in your magazineÂ…we are your subscribers. By banning so many people you will not only alienate those banned but also cause the rest of us to jump the shark. Yes, we tend to get a little out of hand sometimesÂ… but that is what makes us a Hot Boat community... and this community helped build your magazine. :idea:
I can tell you that I have been involved in boating for over twenty years, I own my own business and I am your target demographic. I have subscribed to Hot Boat magazine forever. I was excited to see the new format show up in the mailÂ… until this happened today. What the hell are you thinking? :mad: This better be some good April fools joke. I would seriously reconsider your actions today. If things continue on this path I will be canceling my subscription and taking my friends with me.
yopengo
Oh I love you...
But seriously you are dead on.......

[Wet Dream]

Do we 100% confirmation that we have the admin to blame? Point me in the right direction.

[No Butt No Putt]

X 2 :mad:
They banned me brian. :mad:

[OCMerrill]

Do we 100% confirmation that we have the admin to blame? Point me in the right direction.
If this is what your asking...
It's in the top bar of the forums or the forum header if you will.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/announcement.php?f=18
I would say that looks pretty official.
I would not call a mass slaughter of established members a great sales tool. Stupid.

[new2cats]

As a newbie, it was completely refreshing to be able to visit a forum with almost complete freedom of speech and very little censorship..sure it got rough and rude at times but just as in radio and TV choices...you can opt to not come here and play ball!!!
I did a stupid thing and posted some "dubious" pictures....got my ass handed to me but it was my choice to come back and take the bully-beatings. Except for blatant threats, porno that is offensive to kids and/or spamming in excess, what could possibly cause new owners of the HB dynasty to alienate customers. As stated within this thread, the demographic of this forum seem to be generally intelligent and upper middle class....they buy worthless magazines and the products within them....offend/ban 50 people and lose 5,000 consumers of your product and advertisers within.
This is just my humble opinion; I have built and sold a dozen successful companies...cleaning house usually cleans out the capital reserves too!!!
Hopefully, a clear, clean and detailed explanation of each ban will set the record straight......list each person and the reason for ban....this will make it more concise and easier to follow the Nazi-esqu censorship techniques that has obviously been adapted here today.
OH, BY THE WAY.....JUST GOT MY NEW HOT BOAT MAG.; THE FORMAT, CONTENT, LOOK AND FEEL ARE AWESOME..NOW STOP BANNING THE VILLAGE IDIOTS....THEY ARE RESTLESS AND BORED!!!!!

[squirt'nmyload]

Do we 100% confirmation that we have the admin to blame? Point me in the right direction.
from the post at the top of the page.................
In order to achieve the kind of informative and entertaining website we're hoping to achieve, we are asking for your help. In the recent past, civility and decorum have been lacking on the part of some Forum users and this will not be tolerated from this day forward. Some flagrant abusers of this site have already been banned for their conduct. If there is any question regarding what is, or is not, acceptable conduct, please refer to the Hot Boat Forum Rules section.

[AZJD]

Wow just got home and thought this would be worked out by now.......
Guess I was wrong. I didn't expect to see this. New forum rules would probably be a better way to go about this considering the close group of people that are on this board. Just my .02

[squirt'nmyload]

They banned me brian. :mad:
thats horseshit...you didn't do anything wrong :confused: :confused:

[Wet Dream]

OC, thanks. What a mess this is going to be.

[Bandaid]

x6

[racecar.hotshoe]

I see your point. :D
http://starfcker.typepad.com/photos/stars_ive_spotted/larry_flynt.jpg

[MBlaster]

Cripes, who got the banstick?

[ITG]

I just read that Brett (old HB Editor) was one of the first people banned - and obviously he didn't break any rules. The control issues are really starting to shine thru now. Brett was one of the coolest guys around. How pathetic that they drop to such a childish level. Good luck...see y'all on another site. Someone told me that www.performanceboats.com is a pretty cool site. And don't forget www.riverdavesplace.com.

[OCMerrill]

OC, thanks. What a mess this is going to be.
You are not kidding. Throughly focked this community up big time and made all the mods look like fools. If I were a mod here (and I have been one elsewhere) and I just read that I would freaking explode.

[RitcheyRch]

Sure not a good way to promote the magazine. Speaking of magazine, when am I going to get the latest issue? :mad:

[Phat Matt]

If this is what your asking...
It's in the top bar of the forums or the forum header if you will.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/announcement.php?f=18
I would say that looks pretty official.
I would not call a mass slaughter of established members a great sales tool. Stupid.
HOT BOAT FORUM RULES
Amendment Regarding Avatars and Signatures:
Rick Rolls & Other Inappropriate Linking:
No Posting of "Rick Rolls" or other inappropriate links, as determined by Hot Boat Moderator Staff. Warnings, and/or temporary to permanent accounts bans can result.
:)

[ahhell]

Ban me ...I need to get some shit done around the house...:eek:

[26 Awesome cat]

I just read that Brett (old HB Editor) was one of the first people banned - and obviously he didn't break any rules. The control issues are really starting to shine thru now. Brett was one of the coolest guys around. How pathetic that they drop to such a childish level. Good luck...see y'all on another site. Someone told me that www.performanceboats.com is a pretty cool site. And don't forget www.riverdavesplace.com.
No shit? Brett is one of the coolest guys ,he has always been a big part of this site and the people that make it up.

[desertbird]

Hell no we won't go.:D
SI SE PUEDES!!!!!!!:eek: :) :eek:

[69ss]

Don't guess i will be a new subscriber now.:mad:

[No Butt No Putt]

thats horseshit...you didn't do anything wrong :confused: :confused:
Thats what I said.

[AzLakeLizard]

I'm really going to miss thumbing through my Rex Marine catalog...
In all reality though, I have to agree with you Yo.. I've purchased from advertisers here in the past due to the exposure they have had on this site.
I guess you could look at the bright side. We will all probably get alot more work done once we are all banned.
I am out of here also babe.. oh well "Their Loss!":devil:

[Rexone]

New forum rules would probably be a better way to go about this considering the close group of people that are on this board. Just my .02
I agree that a different approach would have been better, laying out the new rules first and then enforcing accordingly. And possibly telling the moderators. But what the hell do I know.
The forum is kind of like a big family (albeit a dysfunctional one) and some members were hit today that I strongly feel was unwarranted. Communication normally works better than a hammer in most situations. So I've heard. ;)
Additionally many of the banned ones just re-registered. So probably more problems were created today than solved. Just my opinion.
You are not kidding. Throughly focked this community up big time and made all the mods look like fools. If I were a mod here (and I have been one elsewhere) and I just read that I would freaking explode.
We love the time we spend under the bus. :)

[Charley]

Please don't ban Yo Pengo.... he is my favorite penguin esque character on HB.com ;)

[asch]

Not having read through this situation entirely nor having all the facts, I would venture to say that the new ownership is not interested in the debauchery that often graces these pages. As such, image is going to be paramount with ***boat. Probably trying to appeal to more of a wider, family-friendly demographic.
Part of me believes they have every right to do so and today simply demonstrates their seriousness. Business image is often the reverse thinking of the way things "ought to be" and what goes on here apparently is not in HB's best new image interest. For the handful of people that have been banned today, there might be twice as many new people that might become members and/or subscribers simply because of a cleaner image.
Part of me also sees this website as a longstanding, close knit community helping each other out. Even though I've only been here little more than a year, contribute very little, I do see the positive things.
Prediction: The banning will continue until image and or morale improves.;)

[pancho]

wouldn`t a simple post stating we now own hot boat and do not like the tone lately,a simple warning is now in effect,please be aware of what you post and ask yourself would this offend or bother someone if youre answer is yes please refrain,there will be a very short probationary period

[pancho]

sorry,my brain got ahead of my fingers,you know what i mean

[OCMerrill]

I agree that a different approach would have been better, laying out the new rules first and then enforcing accordingly. And possibly telling the moderators. But what the hell do I know.
The forum is kind of like a big family (albeit a dysfunctional one) and some members were hit today that I strongly feel was unwarranted. Communication normally works better than a hammer in most situations. So I've heard. ;)
Additionally many of the banned ones just re-registered. So probably more problems were created today than solved. Just my opinion.
We love the time we spend under the bus. :)
Bashing the volunteers is just ridicules. Thrown straight back under the bus. :sqeyes:

[Rvr Swpr]

The call out thread(Daniel) could have been the final thread that brought this on. Good drama at the grocery chk out,but really was over the top in the class dept.

[Oldsquirt]

That was extremely well thought out and written. Please pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
Jeez, how far up the new ownership's ass(es) do you intend to shove your nose?????(I've also read many of your other posts on the subject)
I highly doubt that eliminating a few people will suddenly draw in "new blood" that was afraid to join previously. I'm reminded of some dimwit business owner who posted here a few years ago about how he would routinely fire his best employee(and I'm not saying those that were banned were the "best" members) just to keep the others on their best behavior. All it really accomplishes is showing people how little business sense they really have. They will lose a whole lot of the people, like myself, who rarely post/read here in the sandbar, but who think that the heavyhanded behavior demonstrated today makes this anything BUT a positive place to continue reading or posting. Just a reminder, the Sandbar was created as an "open topic" forum.
An intelligent "businesslike" approach would have involved a well thought out post by the new owners detailing the changes they had planned, what would or would not be acceptable and letting people decide for themselves whether they would stay or go. Would not have created anywhere near the animosity.

[Magic34]

I am all for cleaning it up. I just hope that it stays as active as it was before all of this.
When activity drops on a site, members start to fade away regardless if they are appreciated members or not. There are some people that I know who have been banned and they are good guys. Dont understad the rhyme or reason other than deleting threads about mfg bashing.
To me, it makes clear sense to do this as advertisers for the magazine would pull their $$ if they were bashed on the site. I know as a business owner and I advertised in a magazine, if I was getting bashed on the mags forums, I would want a stop to it or I would pull any funds I had going to the publication. This makes sense to me.

[Magic34]

The call out thread(Daniel) could have been the final thread that brought this on. Good drama at the grocery chk out,but really was over the top in the class dept.
I agree. We all like a good read, but that thread was a joke. I cant belienve those people had made it this far through life. I am all for a site without that stuff. Just wish some of the good people I have met here were still around.

[OCMerrill]

The call out thread(Daniel) could have been the final thread that brought this on. Good drama at the grocery chk out,but really was over the top in the class dept.
I agree. We all like a good read, but that thread was a joke. I cant belienve those people had made it this far through life. I am all for a site without that stuff. Just wish some of the good people I have met here were still around.
I agree and Magic34 you tried your best to get the parties that be to realize was asses they were making out of themselves but the fact is the thread is still a go.
If it were the root cause I would think it would have been deleted by now or at least locked.

[asch]

An intelligent "businesslike" approach would have involved a well thought out post by the new owners detailing the changes they had planned, what would or would not be acceptable and letting people decide for themselves whether they would stay or go. Would not have created anywhere near the animosity.
True, but on the flip side, this IS a free-for-all website. Nobody's obligated to anyone--on either side. Now if you and I and everyone else here were shareholders or had some kind of financial interest in this website and this happened, then yeah, there'd be problems.
Although it may seem like brown nosing, it ain't. I just know my place.
This whole thing is a bit similar to the real estate situation. It was announced the hammer was gonna drop and now that it has, everybody's all surprised and ticked off .....mass foreclosure was inevitable. We knew it was coming.
Also, keep your eye on the vendor/advertiser section to increase. I see this website to be driven by heavy advertising in the future.
Remember....He who has the gold, makes the rules.

[Sleeper CP]

Not having read through this situation entirely nor having all the facts, I would venture to say that the new ownership is not interested in the debauchery that often graces these pages. As such, image is going to be paramount with ***boat. Probably trying to appeal to more of a wider, family-friendly demographic.
Prediction: The banning will continue until image and or morale improves.;)
What next no swim suite issue because a few "f"ing uptight prudes don't like a little skin:idea:
These idiot's could "F" up a rock.:mad:
Sleeper CP
Big Inch Ford Lover

[asch]

What next no swim suite issue
THAT would be truly disappointing.:eek:
I'm just tryin' to read between the lines on this deal and where it might be going.

[Jbb]

Jeez, how far up the new ownership's ass(es) do you intend to shove your nose?????(I've also read many of your other posts on the subject)
I highly doubt that eliminating a few people will suddenly draw in "new blood" that was afraid to join previously. I'm reminded of some dimwit business owner who posted here a few years ago about how he would routinely fire his best employee(and I'm not saying those that were banned were the "best" members) just to keep the others on their best behavior. All it really accomplishes is showing people how little business sense they really have. They will lose a whole lot of the people, like myself, who rarely post/read here in the sandbar, but who think that the heavyhanded behavior demonstrated today makes this anything BUT a positive place to continue reading or posting. Just a reminder, the Sandbar was created as an "open topic" forum.
An intelligent "businesslike" approach would have involved a well thought out post by the new owners detailing the changes they had planned, what would or would not be acceptable and letting people decide for themselves whether they would stay or go. Would not have created anywhere near the animosity.
:D

[voodoomedman]

I highly doubt that eliminating a few people will suddenly draw in "new blood" that was afraid to join previously.
An intelligent "businesslike" approach would have involved a well thought out post by the new owners detailing the changes they had planned, what would or would not be acceptable and letting people decide for themselves whether they would stay or go. Would not have created anywhere near the animosity.
I agree that there could have been a better way about it. Warn people so that they comply with the rules instead of "There's a new Sheriff in town".
With that said eliminating some people or at least their posts or actions (And I don't know who was banned and maybe some weren't justified) would definitely bring new people or bring lurkers out of the woodwork. I notice people who are genuinely good guys and bring value to the forums that used to post quite a bit but now only post once every 6 months. Let's face it there are only a handful of people who post in any tech forum or anything other than the Sandbar anymore because the culture has lead to it not being read. If I post a boating question it goes in the Sandbar because that is where it gets read. The problem is you will see 100-150 views but only about 5-10 replies. 1 or two of those replies will be serious and the others will be sarcastic remarks or RD Sux. Countless threads turn into the same handful of people who's life revolves around this place bashing eachother, a manufacturer or a page of replies rehashing the same old stupid joke. It gets old. Most people won't sit around reading the crap. Us SoCal folk will sift through it because it's the closest thing to keeping your mind on boating while your boat is 4 hours away. The rest of the country will just go boating. I say let everyone come back but they have to play nice and warn them if they slip up. The do it again and they are gone permanently and everybody gets to know why.

[Old Texan]

After a several hour fiasco I have finally gotten onto the site in order to post something.
New Qwners whomever you may be or whatever you may be about, I sincerely believe you've made a big mistake in whatever you're doing. I believe you will eventually find your subscriptions and advertising will drop and be effected by pi--ing off so many old time users. If you don't want us just say so and we'll be gone.....So far that's what your actions have indicated.
Looks like Later has been brought in as an advisor to the new folks.....:devil:

[yopengo]

Please don't ban Yo Pengo.... he is my favorite penguin esque character on HB.com ;)
Are you saying I am short and fat? :eek: Well mister I am one of those and its not short…..:D
Not having read through this situation entirely nor having all the facts, I would venture to say that the new ownership is not interested in the debauchery that often graces these pages. As such, image is going to be paramount with ***boat. Probably trying to appeal to more of a wider, family-friendly demographic.
Part of me believes they have every right to do so and today simply demonstrates their seriousness. Business image is often the reverse thinking of the way things "ought to be" and what goes on here apparently is not in HB's best new image interest. For the handful of people that have been banned today, there might be twice as many new people that might become members and/or subscribers simply because of a cleaner image.
Part of me also sees this website as a longstanding, close knit community helping each other out. Even though I've only been here little more than a year, contribute very little, I do see the positive things.
Prediction: The banning will continue until image and or morale improves.;)
This would be so true if they were selling Bayliners.....Not Custom HP Boats.

[Sleeper CP]

Bilge,
I thought I read somewhere(RD'S) that you got banned last night?
I hope they get this worked out sooner before later.... they are turning this place into a waste land.
Sleeper CP
Big Inch Ford Lover:D

[Some Kind Of Monster]

Hey Rex,
So what are the grounds for being banned? I know I have created more problems on here than some of the banned people. I'm seriously considering boycotting this site and calling to cancel my subscription. I would say that ***boat has the weekend to figure this out before they lose ANOTHER paying customer.

[yopengo]

Lots of speculationÂ…. How about some answers? Admin? :idea: