You know, this isn't being posted to take a shot at anyone, I really hope not to anger anyone, but it is extremely discouraging to see new companies come to this board and try to get their name out there and just get bashed until their name does get out there ... a bad name, in which the good and honest companies don't make it, and the lying and deceiving make it because they pay off rating sites to give them a good name, or they get people to come to forums like these and say how great their hosting service is.

Once again, I really hope people don't take this the wrong way. I personally came here originally posting my advertisements in the forum and my offers were exploited and bashed until people never thought twice about the company, but, little did they know that the person who runs it is a good, honest man. I've known him for about two years now and he's a great guy, yet the name got bashed without anyone even knowing how good and honest the company was.

I'm not posting this message as a "Oohh, feel sorry for me" message. I really hold nothing personal against anyone here, and it isn't when I got bashed back in August which was what ticked me off. It is the bashing of newbie companies that I see come here. Instead of people saying something like "I think you're plan looks good. Here are a few ways you could improve it:", people are saying "You suck. You'll never get a customer. And I'll make sure to tell everyone never to even give you the pleasure of getting a hit on your web site."

For the last time, I'd like to point out this isn't directed towards anyone in particular, this post isn't asking for you to feel sorry for me, feel sorry for others, or for me to look supreme to you all and judge you. I'm just saying that it would be nice if we could all just try to act a little nicer and more business like when it comes to companies coming here and trying to get their name out. Thanks for reading.

[Edited by Vincent Paglione on 10-11-2000 at 03:15 PM]

Well, I'm not sure what to think of this, as I don't know what exactly prompted this post. I will say that there is an advertsing forum for this purpose that is open to any company that wishes to get their name out there.

There are proper ways of doing things and the rules of the forum are posted. If you tried to get your name out locally by spray painting your company name on every stop sign in town, you'd be encounter negativity, to say the least. Some hosts see these boards as merely a place to "get their name out there", offering absolutely nothing to the discussion, other than, "Try us out." (I posted a link to such a thread).

Anyone who genuinely asks for help or opinions usually receives good advice from many of the people here. Although the forum isn't a place to post ads, one of the benefits of sharing your knowledge and adding to the discussions here is that you can include a signature which gets your name out. I'm not sure what else you could ask for really...

Chicken,

I agree that yes, you are supposed to follow the guidelines. I am talking about companies who post into the advertising forum with their offer and then get negative comments posted by other hosts lurking here who are only promoting themselves shamelessly in that post. A few examples can be found in active topics in the last few weeks in the advertising forums.

Once again, I hope no one takes offense. I just noticed it and I would like to try to get it to stop ... these guys don't deserve it.

I have to agree with Vincent. There's no place for one host bashing another in the advertising or other forums. If there's something fishy going on -- well, that's another story. But if Host A advertises his plan and all it does is inspire negative posts from Host B, then I think those comments should be deleted from the advertising forum and the person making the post should be put on notice.

This bashing behavior only serves to further tarnish an industry that already has more than its share of problems. We can only hope that a potential customer can see the childishness and pettiness behind the bashing, and understand that those comments are more damaging to the individual making them than their intended target.

Ahhhh, errrr... well I have to admit I don't check that forum quite as much. Will keep an eye out for unjust negativity. Checking now... :)

edit
I see what you mean, and although I don't think there was much of a problem there, I'll remind the few to play nice if it crops up.
/edit

[Edited by Chicken on 10-11-2000 at 06:44 PM]

Honesty is the best policy. If a company wants to compete and succeed, they should do it the honest way, by proving they can provide good service. Not bashing others.

I'm not familiar with vBulletin, but can you allow a new thread to be started by anyone in the advertising forum yet disable the "reply" button?

Alchiba,

Technically yes, it's possible to post threads while disabling the Reply button, but you would have to ask the mods to close the thread immediately.

I think there is a hack somewhere which allows you to do the above, but I'm not entirely sure where or if it does it exist.

If it was a rampant problem I'd lock the threads, but I think some discussion about the offers might be helpful. Sometimes a subtle reminder like what Vincent posted is sufficent. Remember: it takes a whole tribe to raise a child.

Eh? Ahhh, even I don't know... just be a good tribal member.