I'm not partial to Mr. Siebert, or Mr. Denkmeier, or Mr. Nagler, or any other vendor, for that matter, but I am troubled by the sentiments published as the justification for banning vendor participation in most forums. I don't mind having an "automotive engineer" participate in a discussion about cars, to use the poster's analogy, and if I get corrected a couple of times I'm thankful for the information. Given a choice between hand-holding and a robust flow of information, I'll take the information every time.
Cloudy Nights is a private site (and one I enjoy), and the operators can run it any way they please -- this is more like a meeting in someone's living room than a public forum like a street corner or even a library. But I think this is the wrong way to go on this issue, and I'd like to at least see some other justification for the decision. Do we so dislike the prospect of "being corrected a time or two" that we restrict participation based on what people know? Or is it that people just don't like the posts of the only vendor who has participated thus far?
I own equipment made by Astrosystems, Meade, Televue and Denkmeier. I have no brand-related axe to grind. It's the principle cited as justification for the no-vendor decision that I find troubling, even more so than the decision itself.
MPD
Unfortunate decision
Started by
Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*
, May 06 2003 09:16 AM
5 replies to this topic
#2
Pat G.
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Ranger 4
Posted 06 May 2003 - 08:42 PM
"I'd like to at least see some other justification for the decision."
I don't think you will see the real reason in print on this forum because a certain vendor likes taking legal action when his product is discussed in a less than flattering light.
Of course this is just my humble opinion.
Pat Gillies
I don't think you will see the real reason in print on this forum because a certain vendor likes taking legal action when his product is discussed in a less than flattering light.
Of course this is just my humble opinion.
Pat Gillies
#3
Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*
Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*
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topic starter
Posted 11 May 2003 - 08:29 PM
Found this microscope head on the net, and was wondering if anyones knows if its being used as a binoviewer. Looks like all you have to do is remove the screws from the nose part and remove the microscope cover. 
The website states it has fully multi-coated prisms.
DonR.
The website states it has fully multi-coated prisms.DonR.
Attached Thumbnails
#4
John_Gillies
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Surveyor 1
Posted 12 May 2003 - 11:39 AM
M. Deneen,
If you weren't on the Yahoo forum when all the crap went down that created this situation, then I can fully understand your questioning the decision.
But it still goes on even as we speak. Over in the Astromart Classified ad #'s 189925 and 190471, a certain binoviewer vendor pleads at the bottom of his ad:
"Please do not spend more for a deepsky setup until you have tried this setup"
His main competitor's product just happens to be called the "Deepsky Binoviewer". Now some may believe that this is just a coincidence, but I see it as just another of his little "not so subliminal" cuts at the competition. Why? Because I was there, and truly felt cheated by that particular vendor along with a great many others, and quite frankly, don't want to risk the integrity of the group again.
So...I said it before and I'll say it again, and I think it's fair....the vendors have websites and will take questions emailed directly to them without a problem. I like the new set-up and think the decision was a fair one.
Sincerely,
If you weren't on the Yahoo forum when all the crap went down that created this situation, then I can fully understand your questioning the decision.
But it still goes on even as we speak. Over in the Astromart Classified ad #'s 189925 and 190471, a certain binoviewer vendor pleads at the bottom of his ad:
"Please do not spend more for a deepsky setup until you have tried this setup"
His main competitor's product just happens to be called the "Deepsky Binoviewer". Now some may believe that this is just a coincidence, but I see it as just another of his little "not so subliminal" cuts at the competition. Why? Because I was there, and truly felt cheated by that particular vendor along with a great many others, and quite frankly, don't want to risk the integrity of the group again.
So...I said it before and I'll say it again, and I think it's fair....the vendors have websites and will take questions emailed directly to them without a problem. I like the new set-up and think the decision was a fair one.
Sincerely,
#5
Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*
Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*
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topic starter
Posted 12 May 2003 - 12:35 PM
Very well said John,thanks.
#6
Tom T
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A Father, A Teacher, A Pioneer
Posted 12 May 2003 - 01:48 PM
Ok folks, I'm starting to drown in all the innuendo on this thread.
This is obviously a topic that many folks are still sensitive about.
But - I've had a couple of complaints, and I don't think we are doing *anyone* a service here throwing these types of comments around, so (after consultation with another administrator) I'm going to close it for a little while and let folks calm down.
This thread has also prompted a slight revision to the site wide guidelines. You may want to check them out again (and continue to do so periodically as like you, the administrators and moderators are learning as we go). Basically, we don't mind if you tell the world something is wrong, or that you have a problem with us, someone or something else, but please "be specific". Remember we wish to develop an online community here, and few things will destroy a community faster than innuendo and accusations.
Tom T.
This is obviously a topic that many folks are still sensitive about.
But - I've had a couple of complaints, and I don't think we are doing *anyone* a service here throwing these types of comments around, so (after consultation with another administrator) I'm going to close it for a little while and let folks calm down.
This thread has also prompted a slight revision to the site wide guidelines. You may want to check them out again (and continue to do so periodically as like you, the administrators and moderators are learning as we go). Basically, we don't mind if you tell the world something is wrong, or that you have a problem with us, someone or something else, but please "be specific". Remember we wish to develop an online community here, and few things will destroy a community faster than innuendo and accusations.
Tom T.
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