Boycot of scoobynet
You do not need to read the adverts. It's your choice and if for some reason it upsets you so much then stay off the bbs but think about this;
Google obviously pay to place their adverts and to operate successfully Scoobynet needs an excess of income over expenditue.
Scoobynet does not exist by magic but by the hard work of only a few individuals and expenses are incurred in running the board.
We are all lucky, a few clicks for us and there we have it but what about the cost and effort to provide it??? Surely the Google pop ups are a minor annoyance and if they serve a purpose then we can live with it??? Yes/No???
Google obviously pay to place their adverts and to operate successfully Scoobynet needs an excess of income over expenditue.
Scoobynet does not exist by magic but by the hard work of only a few individuals and expenses are incurred in running the board.
We are all lucky, a few clicks for us and there we have it but what about the cost and effort to provide it??? Surely the Google pop ups are a minor annoyance and if they serve a purpose then we can live with it??? Yes/No???
Scooby Regular
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 33
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Why dont you put your name down to be a moderator. Or attempt to become a shareholder, otherwise shut-up. Every day of your life you see crap loads of advertising and unless your in the markrt for shopping you ignore them. Why is it different on SN? Does SN have a charter stating that it won't accept advertising....NO. I know I haven't been posting for very long but there have always been ads on SN, so it must be the format of the google ads thats upsetting you. Are the ads not relevant to Subaru? Just because YOU dont want to buy anything. Why dont you start your own forum with no ads and see how long you last.
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 262
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Me daft? never 
How is what I proposed selfish? I did not make a statement that everyone with immediate effect should abandon Snet, re-read what I posted. All I did was propose a boycott to gauge others opinions and views, people tend to read to much into things and start to project their own beliefs onto others and fill in the gaps of the personality that they do not know, I am guilty of this myself at times, in fact WE ALL ARE.
At the time of starting this thread the Webmaster put his message about google across in the tone of 'this is how it is going to be and don't you dare question me!' The vast majority of us probably took offence at the way we perceived we was being belittled as we believed at the time that we was supporting the community by reporting what looked like to be a hacker ruining the BBS.
Why was his position on this google matter any more valid than mine? There was no prior consultation with the community on the whys and merits of imposing ads in the middle of threads which I and OTHERS thought distracted from the flow of threads on Snet.
If I was egocentric I could quite easily of posted in another name that has +member status which incidentally would enable me to turn off the google ads. Would this of benefited the community or would it be egocentric to assume the "I'm ok sod everyone else" mentality?
'Shall we boycott ITV and all newspapers/magazines as well then, not to mention cinemas, taxis, buses, planes etc?'
These things are not banded about and promoted as a community which by its definition means the views and wishes of all are recognised and taken on board when any major changes are to be made.
On the subject of stopping junk mail if you contact the mail preference service on 0845 7034599 they will have your address removed from the mailing lists. Similar I expect to the telephone preference lists to stop cold callers. Incidentally I do not have to pay a joining fee to use the mail preference service.
Webmaster I expect you checked my ip address as you probably thought I was a different user that had previously been banned from scoobynet. My post proposing a boycott was not an exercise in futility as all I have ever wanted was for the views and wishes of the community to be taken on board when major decisions regarding the direction of Snet takes place. If you use the word community you have to take account of the opinions of all of its members and not just the select ones that mirror your own beliefs, would you want a forum full of sycophants that agreed with all you did regardless? Hopefully my post did have some impact on your subsequent decision to open up the proposed changes to the delivery and content of the service to the Community into a well structured and reasoned thread like this one http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/threa...hreadid=294663
I have invested more into Snet financially and personally than some people will ever know and do not see why I should have to quantify this for my opinions or views to be counted as valid. Community encompasses all regardless of their financial/personel measurable input.
Stop using the word community and I will probably fade away for good. On the subject of me being a Moderator to help contribute to Snet, the Webmaster et al knows what he knows...
Just because I'm paranoid and you are not a part of it, does not mean there is not a conspiricy against me LOL
There you have it you can do as you please Simon as you own Scoobynet Ltd. so if you want to pick your ball up and take it home as you do not like what others have to say, please do it as you are more than welcome to do so but please stop using the word 'community' out of all context.
Will I get any replies I doubt it as most people will be boycotting my posts from now on LOL
So there you have it a well structured and reasoned reply and not just goodbye; sod off then you selfish sod; Someone pick his dummy back up; Because they are sad, like some others have posted
How is what I proposed selfish? I did not make a statement that everyone with immediate effect should abandon Snet, re-read what I posted. All I did was propose a boycott to gauge others opinions and views, people tend to read to much into things and start to project their own beliefs onto others and fill in the gaps of the personality that they do not know, I am guilty of this myself at times, in fact WE ALL ARE.
At the time of starting this thread the Webmaster put his message about google across in the tone of 'this is how it is going to be and don't you dare question me!' The vast majority of us probably took offence at the way we perceived we was being belittled as we believed at the time that we was supporting the community by reporting what looked like to be a hacker ruining the BBS.
Why was his position on this google matter any more valid than mine? There was no prior consultation with the community on the whys and merits of imposing ads in the middle of threads which I and OTHERS thought distracted from the flow of threads on Snet.
If I was egocentric I could quite easily of posted in another name that has +member status which incidentally would enable me to turn off the google ads. Would this of benefited the community or would it be egocentric to assume the "I'm ok sod everyone else" mentality?
'Shall we boycott ITV and all newspapers/magazines as well then, not to mention cinemas, taxis, buses, planes etc?'
These things are not banded about and promoted as a community which by its definition means the views and wishes of all are recognised and taken on board when any major changes are to be made.
On the subject of stopping junk mail if you contact the mail preference service on 0845 7034599 they will have your address removed from the mailing lists. Similar I expect to the telephone preference lists to stop cold callers. Incidentally I do not have to pay a joining fee to use the mail preference service.
Webmaster I expect you checked my ip address as you probably thought I was a different user that had previously been banned from scoobynet. My post proposing a boycott was not an exercise in futility as all I have ever wanted was for the views and wishes of the community to be taken on board when major decisions regarding the direction of Snet takes place. If you use the word community you have to take account of the opinions of all of its members and not just the select ones that mirror your own beliefs, would you want a forum full of sycophants that agreed with all you did regardless? Hopefully my post did have some impact on your subsequent decision to open up the proposed changes to the delivery and content of the service to the Community into a well structured and reasoned thread like this one http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/threa...hreadid=294663
I have invested more into Snet financially and personally than some people will ever know and do not see why I should have to quantify this for my opinions or views to be counted as valid. Community encompasses all regardless of their financial/personel measurable input.
Stop using the word community and I will probably fade away for good. On the subject of me being a Moderator to help contribute to Snet, the Webmaster et al knows what he knows...
Just because I'm paranoid
and you are not a part of it, does not mean there is not a conspiricy against me LOL There you have it you can do as you please Simon as you own Scoobynet Ltd. so if you want to pick your ball up and take it home as you do not like what others have to say, please do it as you are more than welcome to do so but please stop using the word 'community' out of all context.
Will I get any replies I doubt it as most people will be boycotting my posts from now on LOL
So there you have it a well structured and reasoned reply and not just goodbye; sod off then you selfish sod; Someone pick his dummy back up; Because they are sad, like some others have posted
Scooby Regular
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 7,278
Likes: 0
From: In the garage or in bed
If it wasn't for Simon and his Team of Mods etc and all the efforts they put into ScoobyNet there would not be a ScoobyNet to boycott
So the Google ads should stay and what’s the harm it’s helping to pay for the thing you want to boycott!!
Scooby Regular
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
From: lincoln
What is wrong with these ads?its only the same as another post,keep them there,might see something worth checking out and if it helps simon and SN all the better or go subsciption and get rid of these moaners.
Its probably only those in the muppet forum complaining and all they post is sh!te anyway!!!!!!and probably dont know what a scoob is.
Paul
Its probably only those in the muppet forum complaining and all they post is sh!te anyway!!!!!!and probably dont know what a scoob is.
Paul
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 0
From: Some say he has frost on his helmet...
No!
Nothing free now...
So long as its not intrusive.. fine!
Keep it real!
you have a flashing banner at the top.. r u blind!
a couple of weeks and your brian won't even register the googles!
Dazzazazazazazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Nothing free now...
So long as its not intrusive.. fine!
Keep it real!
you have a flashing banner at the top.. r u blind!
a couple of weeks and your brian won't even register the googles!
Dazzazazazazazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Scooby Regular
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 7,278
Likes: 0
From: In the garage or in bed
Its probably only those in the muppet forum complaining and all they post is sh!te anyway!!!!!!and probably dont know what a scoob is.
As for Muppets being **** ask Simon "Webmaster" even he has supported The Muppet Show Forum due to all the winging ***** that think it takes up all the bandwidth of Scoobynet
They should get a life if the don’t like it they can Go elsewhere [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] There have been more friends made in Muppets that I expect in any other Forum on Scoobynet I have meet more people through it than elsewhere on here
I would think twice about thinking we are all brainless dimwits in Muppets [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
Me excluded as I am as I drive a Mmmmmmmmmmmm I think it was a scoob the last time I was driving it
Hang on I’ll ask Huxley Chick she’s a Muppet show Tart she might be able to remember what we drive
[Edited by Huxley - 1/24/2004 10:07:41 PM]
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,015
Likes: 0
From: Manchester 360 Gamertag: WHM Odyssey
STi VII,
get a fookin life, only 180 post and your at it, do you pay to use this site? NO
Do you know how much expense it costs to run a site like this? NO
Either,
1) get lost and find somewhere else and stop making waves in the scoobynet community
or
2) use the site and enjoy it.
very simple, choose one.
[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
get a fookin life, only 180 post and your at it, do you pay to use this site? NO
Do you know how much expense it costs to run a site like this? NO
Either,
1) get lost and find somewhere else and stop making waves in the scoobynet community
or
2) use the site and enjoy it.
very simple, choose one.
[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,464
Likes: 0
From: Blackpool, Uk. Destination: Rev Limiter.
Im saddened to see this post guys.... 
The bandwidth being used to simply generate this post HAS to be paid for. Simple.
Heres another simple fact to consider:
If we ALL Boycott scoobynet, and go to, lets say "XYZ forums" what exactly do you think will happen?
They will exceed their bandwidth limit, close down, and re-open requiring membership fees, advertising and forum google ads
NOTHING in this life is free, so get a grip or leave.
My 2p 
The bandwidth being used to simply generate this post HAS to be paid for. Simple.
Heres another simple fact to consider:
If we ALL Boycott scoobynet, and go to, lets say "XYZ forums" what exactly do you think will happen?
They will exceed their bandwidth limit, close down, and re-open requiring membership fees, advertising and forum google ads
NOTHING in this life is free, so get a grip or leave.
My 2p
Scooby Regular
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: www.stiracing.com
c'mon give the guy a break here!!!
I remember STI VII putting this post up way back in the beginning when the first ads where coming up on our screens and at a time when just about everyone said, Oh no, ghastly, shocking, horror, appalling, scandalous,
and etc. This was a 'heat of the moment' post!
I remember STI VII putting this post up way back in the beginning when the first ads where coming up on our screens and at a time when just about everyone said, Oh no, ghastly, shocking, horror, appalling, scandalous,
and etc. This was a 'heat of the moment' post!
Scooby Regular
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 402
Likes: 5
From: mummy it's dark in here!!!!!!!
At the end of the day ,nobody does nothing for nothing,fact!.i have been on this site for 5 months and found it invaluable and it aint cost me a penny!more power to the scoobynet moderators etc.well done guy's this is one hell of a site.and if you can cover your time and costs and even make a few quid more power to your elbows..the kazlo
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
I don't think anyone is saying Scoobynet Ltd. should not turn a profit as long as it does not impede on the enjoyment for the members of using the forums. If this is achieved via advertising or by the sale of plus memberships or a combination of both is irrelevant really. I understand that the advertising has to reach its target and to be quite frank I am mystified by its initial positioning, why you would of wanted it mid thread as having the google ad at the end of the posts on each page means that you could if you wished slow down the new page load speed and so have maximum exposure (more chance of a clickthrough) of the ad.
My own feeling is that if the problem with the for sale forum had been sorted out when it was needed all those years ago that an income could of been created with say a nominal charge to post an ad of 2% (minimum charge of £3) of the asking price or to defer this charge and pay 3% (capped at a maximum of £100) of the final price achieved. For people selling cars it could be a flat up front fee of £40 and 0.5% commision. This could be done via an auction system with scoobynet holding onto the payment ala paypal style and even see scoobynet negotiate a preferential rate for using its affiliated courier service ( One of the mods has got experience of this field so could probably if willing come up with what could be achievable for a discount etc ). Plus members would be entitled to a discount on the charges imposed for using the for sale forum.
I would rather sell via Scoobynet than ebay to tell the truth. I am sure that there are others that feel this way due to non paying bidders; timewasters and fraudsters we experiance on these other services. You could remove the sellers id from the ad so as not to have people circumventing paying commission and all emails in the deal could be done via Snet that removes all traces of a username or email address until the close of the auction. Sellers and bidders of the for sale auction forum would have to be verified via a valid CC prior to being able to place bids or items for sale perhaps even 2 or 3 weeks prior to being able to use the service. This would have the effect of it being less likely for a stolen CC to be used and so would protect the users and Snet from fraudsters. I don't think any of the people that sell via Snet would be opposed to a system of pay if the for sale forums to start with where finally split up into Subaru cars; other cars; Subaru parts; other car parts and everything else. I really do think that Snet has missed the boat so far with the potential for income generation that the for sale forum could create if it could undercut ebay et al for scoobynet members. Each seller and buyer could have a rating system. The two party's could after the transaction then rate how the other person performed their part of the deal with a predetermined criteria to be met, such as correct description of goods and their condition; speed of dealing with enquires; speed of payment; speed of dispatch; adequate and appropriate packing and speed of placing feedback.
If other members feel I was out of order for showing a mistake for what it was on a public forum so be it. My reason for proposing the boycott was to empathise to the webmaster how wrong it was to place the ad in the text of the threads. I do not believe I was wrong to do this at all. I have contacted the webmasters before on other matters which I felt where just as justifiable (rightly or wrongly) and had felt that I was given a glossing over answer and this time I really felt strongly that as much attention of how wrong it was had to be drawn to this matter as we was being told that they where here to stay as is. It would subsequently seem that I was not the only dissenter on this matter and my original stance was fully justified.
My own feeling is that if the problem with the for sale forum had been sorted out when it was needed all those years ago that an income could of been created with say a nominal charge to post an ad of 2% (minimum charge of £3) of the asking price or to defer this charge and pay 3% (capped at a maximum of £100) of the final price achieved. For people selling cars it could be a flat up front fee of £40 and 0.5% commision. This could be done via an auction system with scoobynet holding onto the payment ala paypal style and even see scoobynet negotiate a preferential rate for using its affiliated courier service ( One of the mods has got experience of this field so could probably if willing come up with what could be achievable for a discount etc ). Plus members would be entitled to a discount on the charges imposed for using the for sale forum.
I would rather sell via Scoobynet than ebay to tell the truth. I am sure that there are others that feel this way due to non paying bidders; timewasters and fraudsters we experiance on these other services. You could remove the sellers id from the ad so as not to have people circumventing paying commission and all emails in the deal could be done via Snet that removes all traces of a username or email address until the close of the auction. Sellers and bidders of the for sale auction forum would have to be verified via a valid CC prior to being able to place bids or items for sale perhaps even 2 or 3 weeks prior to being able to use the service. This would have the effect of it being less likely for a stolen CC to be used and so would protect the users and Snet from fraudsters. I don't think any of the people that sell via Snet would be opposed to a system of pay if the for sale forums to start with where finally split up into Subaru cars; other cars; Subaru parts; other car parts and everything else. I really do think that Snet has missed the boat so far with the potential for income generation that the for sale forum could create if it could undercut ebay et al for scoobynet members. Each seller and buyer could have a rating system. The two party's could after the transaction then rate how the other person performed their part of the deal with a predetermined criteria to be met, such as correct description of goods and their condition; speed of dealing with enquires; speed of payment; speed of dispatch; adequate and appropriate packing and speed of placing feedback.
If other members feel I was out of order for showing a mistake for what it was on a public forum so be it. My reason for proposing the boycott was to empathise to the webmaster how wrong it was to place the ad in the text of the threads. I do not believe I was wrong to do this at all. I have contacted the webmasters before on other matters which I felt where just as justifiable (rightly or wrongly) and had felt that I was given a glossing over answer and this time I really felt strongly that as much attention of how wrong it was had to be drawn to this matter as we was being told that they where here to stay as is. It would subsequently seem that I was not the only dissenter on this matter and my original stance was fully justified.
Orange Club
Joined: Oct 1998
Posts: 13,763
Likes: 1
STi VII
As described in the new focus of scoobynet, I am not going to get drawn in to discussing the points in your post except this..
The important things is.. you may WELL have felt that a boycott was the thing to suggest. But as you can see, you are on your own. This means that the community disagrees with your stance.
So, of course you were not wrong to state your opinion, as long as you are humble enough to realise that it is just that.. YOUR opinion, not that of the community.
All the best
Simon
As described in the new focus of scoobynet, I am not going to get drawn in to discussing the points in your post except this..
The important things is.. you may WELL have felt that a boycott was the thing to suggest. But as you can see, you are on your own. This means that the community disagrees with your stance.
So, of course you were not wrong to state your opinion, as long as you are humble enough to realise that it is just that.. YOUR opinion, not that of the community.
All the best
Simon