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May 27, 2015 9:30 AM  #1


SOWNY has closed.

Domain for sale for $1000.00.  Start your bidding now.  

 

May 27, 2015 9:41 AM  #2


Re: SOWNY has closed.

Can't say I'm surprised. Ziggy had about 25 % of the volume. He was side swiping most of the threads and many topics were back and forths between Ziggy, others and perhaps his alternate ID's. A look at SOWNY before Ziggy's spree of multiple and mostly denigrating posts started back in early 2014 on the way back machine reveals a lively board with many many broadcasters and fans. Sad to see this outcome as a result of one person.. The evedence is there and no it's not b/c there's no interest or people did not migrate to the new format.

 

May 27, 2015 9:43 AM  #3


Re: SOWNY has closed.

I know SOWNY was troubled, but I thought the moderator had it under control. Anyone know the reason for the sudden departure of this venerable board, which goes all the way back to the 1990s? Did Phil simply get fed up with all the bickering or was this a financial decision - or both? Sad in any event. It wasn't perfect, but it was a good place to catch up on gossip and opinion. I, for one, will miss it. (And no, I don't have the time or the money to take it on myself!)

 

May 27, 2015 9:45 AM  #4


Re: SOWNY has closed.

Beat Box wrote:

Can't say I'm surprised. Ziggy had about 25 % of the volume. He was side swiping most of the threads and many topics were back and forths between Ziggy, others and perhaps his alternate ID's. A look at SOWNY before Ziggy's spree of multiple and mostly denigrating posts started back in early 2014 on the way back machine reveals a lively board with many many broadcasters and fans. Sad to see this outcome as a result of one person.. The evedence is there and no it's not b/c there's no interest or people did not migrate to the new format.

I agree Ziggy was an irritant, which is why I came over to this board. But if he's the apparent problem, why not simply treat the disease (i.e. ban the troublemaker) instead of killing the patient?

Last edited by aflem (May 27, 2015 9:45 AM)

 

May 27, 2015 9:48 AM  #5


Re: SOWNY has closed.

aflem wrote:

I know SOWNY was troubled, but I thought the moderator had it under control. Anyone know the reason for the sudden departure of this venerable board, which goes all the way back to the 1990s? Did Phil simply get fed up with all the bickering or was this a financial decision - or both? Sad in any event. It wasn't perfect, but it was a good place to catch up on gossip and opinion. I, for one, will miss it. (And no, I don't have the time or the money to take it on myself!)

See my post above. My guess is one word ZIGGY. Every second day a squabble would erupt and he'd go off. Yesterady he posted some really inane banter about the meaning of shit hitting the fan alongside his recent feud with Mike Stafford.

Last edited by Beat Box (May 27, 2015 9:48 AM)

 

May 27, 2015 9:52 AM  #6


Re: SOWNY has closed.

aflem wrote:

Beat Box wrote:

Can't say I'm surprised. Ziggy had about 25 % of the volume. He was side swiping most of the threads and many topics were back and forths between Ziggy, others and perhaps his alternate ID's. A look at SOWNY before Ziggy's spree of multiple and mostly denigrating posts started back in early 2014 on the way back machine reveals a lively board with many many broadcasters and fans. Sad to see this outcome as a result of one person.. The evedence is there and no it's not b/c there's no interest or people did not migrate to the new format.

I agree Ziggy was an irritant, which is why I came over to this board. But if he's the apparent problem, why not simply treat the disease (i.e. ban the troublemaker) instead of killing the patient?

Good question. With no board I guess we will not get an answer but apparently the Mod was against censoring anyone although from time to time he would delete entire anti Ziggy threads.
 

Last edited by Beat Box (May 27, 2015 9:53 AM)

 

May 27, 2015 9:53 AM  #7


Re: SOWNY has closed.

I can only wonder if there were some legal threats that eventually led Phil to throw up his hands and say,"not on my watch." It's been going in that direction for a while. Hopefully this forum will now pick up and get some of the decent regulars who posted there back.

Last edited by aflem (May 27, 2015 9:55 AM)

 

May 27, 2015 9:53 AM  #8


Re: SOWNY has closed.

Irvine wrote:

Domain for sale for $1000.00.  Start your bidding now.  

*rubs hands together gleefully*  

 

May 27, 2015 10:02 AM  #9


Re: SOWNY has closed.

I really doubt it was Ziggy who was the cause of SOWNY closing.  The moderator in question strikes me as an "internet guy".  He repeatedly said if you don't like something, don't read it.  Further, he created the option to block the comments of other people so you wouldn't see them.  But, that only worked if the user logged in, not if he just browsed it.  

It was more likely a case of him receiving never ending whining about Ziggy & threats of lawsuits (of which nothing Ziggy said was lawsuit worthy).  He just got tired of it.  Craig Smith got tired of it.  And so did every other moderator of that forum.  Yet, it was always blamed on 1 or 2 "trolls".  

The real truth is with SOWNY there is nothing left to talk about.  Most of the content was about a few subjects on endless repeat.  That isn't a magnet for discussion.  Forums come and go on the internet. It was time to put SOWNY down years ago.  I'm surprised it took this long.  

 

     Thread Starter
 

May 27, 2015 10:12 AM  #10


Re: SOWNY has closed.

Irvine wrote:

I really doubt it was Ziggy who was the cause of SOWNY closing.  The moderator in question strikes me as an "internet guy".  He repeatedly said if you don't like something, don't read it.  Further, he created the option to block the comments of other people so you wouldn't see them.  But, that only worked if the user logged in, not if he just browsed it.  

It was more likely a case of him receiving never ending whining about Ziggy & threats of lawsuits (of which nothing Ziggy said was lawsuit worthy).  He just got tired of it.  Craig Smith got tired of it.  And so did every other moderator of that forum.  Yet, it was always blamed on 1 or 2 "trolls".  

The real truth is with SOWNY there is nothing left to talk about.  Most of the content was about a few subjects on endless repeat.  That isn't a magnet for discussion.  Forums come and go on the internet. It was time to put SOWNY down years ago.  I'm surprised it took this long.  

 

Again I say go and look at pages from Sowny on the way back machine. One could do a graph which would show  participation and probably menmbership decline after Ziggy started his spree. A number of people said they were out after bickering with him but many must have left without saying anything. Moreover just look at the recent threads where any topic ( a new station in Milton or a question about Shortwave)  would turn into a discussion about and by Ziggy.
 

Last edited by Beat Box (May 27, 2015 10:14 AM)

 

May 27, 2015 10:19 AM  #11


Re: SOWNY has closed.

Beat Box wrote:

 
Again I say go and look at pages from Sowny on the way back machine. One could do a graph which would show  participation and probably menmbership decline after Ziggy started his spree. A number of peoiple said they were out after bickering with him but many must have left without saying anything. Moreover just look at the recent threads where any topic ( a new station in Milton or a question about Shortwave)  would turn into a discussion about and by Ziggy.
 

So you're saying that when I was the resident troll (and activity was high) all was good.  Because that's not what most people said.  People blamed ME for the downfall of SOWNY, remember?  

Truth is, it's very likely the frequent change of the format/look probably played a big part.  People had to repeatedly register & that typically causes people to not bother to re-register. 

to the Mod here.  Why in god's name would you spend $1000.00 on a domain for a site like that?  You can't sell it.  It's throwing good money after bad.  Just follow @airchecker for the news.  
 

     Thread Starter
 

May 27, 2015 10:44 AM  #12


Re: SOWNY has closed.

Irvine wrote:

Beat Box wrote:

 
Again I say go and look at pages from Sowny on the way back machine. One could do a graph which would show  participation and probably menmbership decline after Ziggy started his spree. A number of peoiple said they were out after bickering with him but many must have left without saying anything. Moreover just look at the recent threads where any topic ( a new station in Milton or a question about Shortwave)  would turn into a discussion about and by Ziggy.
 

So you're saying that when I was the resident troll (and activity was high) all was good.  Because that's not what most people said.  People blamed ME for the downfall of SOWNY, remember?  

Truth is, it's very likely the frequent change of the format/look probably played a big part.  People had to repeatedly register & that typically causes people to not bother to re-register. 

to the Mod here.  Why in god's name would you spend $1000.00 on a domain for a site like that?  You can't sell it.  It's throwing good money after bad.  Just follow @airchecker for the news.  
 

The SOWNY mod actually said a few months back that the site click rate was very healthy. May have been the rubbernecker effect and I just think many people stopped posting b/c of possible negative blowback. My prediction is that membership to this forum will grow as this is now the SOMF and not Quad Cities. People still want to discuss radio and TV and this will be the oultet where readers of SOWNY may gravitate to. We'll wait and see.
 

 

May 27, 2015 12:08 PM  #13


Re: SOWNY has closed.

Irvine wrote:

So you're saying that when I was the resident troll (and activity was high) all was good.  Because that's not what most people said

You didn't attack people on a personal basis as the subject did yesterday.    If M. Stafford is suing him, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was, I'd gladly buy a piece of that lawsuit (except it would be difficult to pawn Ziggy's computer)
 

 

May 27, 2015 1:55 PM  #14


Re: SOWNY has closed.

i'm just your regular "joe public" radio listener .. my only time on the other side was a weekly show i did on university radio decades ago.

that said, i've always loved talk radio.  i was pleasantly surprised a few months ago when i stumbled on the SOWNY forum.  i looked forward to the discussions\opinions on those inside the business.  frankly, i was shocked & very disappointed witnessing the boorish Ziggy vitrol that dominated the board.  i quickly muted Ziggy but his bile still permeated & hijacked most threads.   i fully support free speech & different opinions.  but when a poster resorts to posting about tampons, pricks & piano playing gimps, he's simply trolling & destroying adult discussion.  IMO, the SOWNY mod's worship of "free speech at any cost" was a key factor in SOWNY's demise.  

it's so unfortunate when folks can't\won't simply treat others with respect.

i do hope this "blue board" can now increase it's membership & foster adult, respectful discussion.

cheers from Toronto .. 

 

May 27, 2015 2:21 PM  #15


Re: SOWNY has closed.

I have a sick feeling that the boorish troublemaker will wander over here.
He will be very easy to spot.

 

 

May 27, 2015 2:33 PM  #16


Re: SOWNY has closed.

Sick-of-Ziggy wrote:

I have a sick feeling that the boorish troublemaker will wander over here.
He will be very easy to spot.

 

thus he will be easy to shut down unless the mod here wishes to suffer the same fate as SOWNY .. 

*chuckles* i do embrace free speech .. Ziggy is most welcome to create his own forum with his rules where he can feed his own ego til his heart's content .. 

cheers from Toronto .. 

 

May 27, 2015 3:54 PM  #17


Re: SOWNY has closed.

Hello,

I have first hand knowledge of the shut down.

The reason is simple.  Ziggy

 

May 27, 2015 7:06 PM  #18


Re: SOWNY has closed.

Truth is it should have been me that was the moderator of SOWNY.  The reason is simple.  I have thick enough skin to do it. 

     Thread Starter
 

May 27, 2015 8:00 PM  #19


Re: SOWNY has closed.

new message as of 8:59pm

With the demise of sowny.ca I've been asked if I would consider restarting this forum. I'm honestly not sure yet.If I do, it will be a tightly controlled venue where, to be blunt, some people will not be welcome. The last few months over at sowny turned into a lord of the flies scenario, and was unpleasant for everyone involved except 2 or 3 people. It will be more of an information forum where people can comment on issues. Individual posts may require approval before posting. Anonymous users will be allowed, but as administrator I will know who everyone is. If you don't like that, you don't have to sign up. You're more than welcome to read only.If you would like to sign up for an e-mail list keeping everyone informed as to what will be taking place, please do so here. Anyway, Give me a couple of days to talk with some other people and I'll let you know. For what it's worth, my best to Phil for giving it a great shot. I would have thrown in the towel a lot sooner than he did, and I admire his patience. Ig.

http://members2.boardhost.com/scrapbook/index.html?1432774741

Last edited by bucky (May 27, 2015 8:03 PM)

 

May 27, 2015 9:20 PM  #20


Re: SOWNY has closed.

 ndividual posts may require approval before posting. Anonymous users will be allowed, but as administrator I will know who everyone is. If you don't like that, you don't have to sign up..

Two things

1.  Exactly what will constitute an acceptable post?  Will it be about the content or will the filters be based on who is your friend? 

2.  You will know who everyone is?  I'm willing to wager $25,000 dollars on this.  Care to engage me...

     Thread Starter
 

May 27, 2015 9:55 PM  #21


Re: SOWNY has closed.

2.  You will know who everyone is?  I'm willing to wager $25,000 dollars on this.  Care to engage me...

i remember signing up for SOWNY about five years ago, i had to send an email to the mod requesting access, then having to justify my credentials in order to be a part of it all.  not saying creds need to go public, but at least the mod can keep posts in perspective.

i don't know what would fix it.  free speech and all.  maybe we should ask the CRTC to intervene?

 

May 27, 2015 9:55 PM  #22


Re: SOWNY has closed.

I wrote the now former moderator of SOWNY to ask him about his decision to shut the board down. He's agreed to let me post his reply here, for those who were wondering what the real reason might be. And yes, it's exactly what a lot of those gathered here thought it was. Here's his final response:

--------

In a nutshell, I grew tired of dealing with 2 distinct groups of people: Group A spent a great deal of time baiting people, and Group B sent me endless e-mails and messages complaining about Group A. These two groups did not represent the majority of the board's users, but there were enough of them to make the job of moderating tiring. However, when I was deleting entire threads that had nothing to do with the topic of said thread, I decided enough was enough.  I know I could've deleted the users who were causing the problems, I even banned a few of them for a short period of time. However, as I suspected, and as I told everyone who e-mailed me complaining about Group A, these users just registered using different e-mail addresses and started causing trouble again. That was the last straw, and I decided to pull the plug. I have no interest in giving the domain away after all the time I put into rebuilding the board, but I will entertain reasonable offers.  It needs to be said that I did received a large number of e-mails from people over the period that I managed the board offering kinds words of support and thanks, and I want to tell those people that I'm sorry I couldn't continue on with the project.

And just as a matter of clarification, I have received no legal threats, no lawyers have called me.


va3qr

----- 

So there you have it straight from the horse's mouth so to speak. In a separate part of his email, our ex-mod indicates between his family, his business and his other interests, "it just didn't seem worth it anymore."

Sad day, but he's hoping that satisfies the curiosity here, and brings some posters a sense of closure. Love or hate the way he ran the board, I think we can all appreciate the effort he devoted to it. And I'm grateful for both his time and trouble. 

Last edited by aflem (May 27, 2015 10:43 PM)

 

May 27, 2015 10:09 PM  #23


Re: SOWNY has closed.

bucky wrote:

i remember signing up for SOWNY about five years ago, i had to send an email to the mod requesting access, then having to justify my credentials in order to be a part of it all.  not saying creds need to go public, but at least the mod can keep posts in perspective.

i don't know what would fix it.  free speech and all.  maybe we should ask the CRTC to intervene?

The NSA can likely identify people. Others, less so.  To be frank, being a moderator of anything is difficult.  Moot was the moderator of 4chan, a site that, on a good day, is 100 times more vile than SOWNY ever was.  The comment made by the moderator is clear.  It was BOTH sides of the equation that pissed him off.  So it was the "trolls" & it was those whose skin is so thin they can't tolerate shit like "Alan Cross is Mr Wikipedia".  

You just have to let it slide off your shoulders, plain and simple.  And to be blunt, if you think some guy dissing CHUM is "evil" you've never seen evil.  Just saying.  

 

     Thread Starter
 

May 27, 2015 10:23 PM  #24


Re: SOWNY has closed.

bucky wrote:

new message as of 8:59pm

With the demise of sowny.ca I've been asked if I would consider restarting this forum ... 

hi bucky .. 

just curious .. is there really a need for two seperate forums? 

what do you see differentiating your new SOWNY board & this quadcities blue board? 

cheers from Toronto .. 

 

May 27, 2015 10:30 PM  #25


Re: SOWNY has closed.

The majority of "bait" posts were by Ziggy and then he spawned a whole industry of response posters. He endlessly repeated the same tired attacks on Mike S. Ted W. Alan Cross and others over and over and over again. Not just a case of "vile" but sheer stupid repitition. He waited to attack posters on a personal basis and oh yes there was some "vile" in the mix such as his feces and genetailia fixations. He was the root casue plain and simple. The board was doing just fine until he started to lose control actually on the old board before Phil took over. More than just vile, people tired of reading the board when 25 % of the content was sheer junk and another 25 % was responses to that junk.

 

May 27, 2015 10:43 PM  #26


Re: SOWNY has closed.

I have always wondered when it came to John Kato: to what end?  What would motivate him to be so vicious?  To such an extent he was showing signs of being unhinged.  So is he in his mommy's basement now, all smiles repeating over and over  and over again  (because he does that every well), "Mission Accomplished"!? 

 

May 27, 2015 10:57 PM  #27


Re: SOWNY has closed.

g121 wrote:

bucky wrote:

new message as of 8:59pm

With the demise of sowny.ca I've been asked if I would consider restarting this forum ... 

hi bucky .. 

just curious .. is there really a need for two seperate forums? 

what do you see differentiating your new SOWNY board & this quadcities blue board? 

cheers from Toronto .. 

i was quoting from IG who posted to http://members2.boardhost.com/scrapbook/

i have little interest in patrolling children with predilictions for tampons and feces....

 

May 28, 2015 12:49 AM  #28


Re: SOWNY has closed.

I was kinda hoping this forum would continue (but go back to being "blue".  Forget the yeloow, and don't try to be "SOWNY".)  But I like this format the best (fonts and all)
 


Cheers,
Jody Thornton
 
 

May 28, 2015 3:01 AM  #29


Re: SOWNY has closed.

I for one have no interest in re-regersting AGAIN at that other board. (It would be 3 times in just over a year)
I would rather stay here read news,gossip? and join in on healthy discussions.

 

May 28, 2015 6:32 AM  #30


Re: SOWNY has closed.

Let's put the "Big Z board" behind us and move forward.  With a "don't be a dick" policy here, this could be the start of something big.

Last edited by Leslieville Bill (May 28, 2015 6:32 AM)

 

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