If it were you, what would yo do??

I found a website that I enjoy reading and sharing info on. I check the forum area multiple times a day, learning many useful tips. So, let’s say someone needs some info on a specific area or tactic. I’m thinking, hey, I know a very good website that is very specific to the info this guy needs. I’ll send him that way, I post the link with some advice. The next time I login, I see the webmaster has edited my post to remove the link. I inquire what I did wrong and he very cordially replies. In the registration agreement area, it states this site does not allow links to “competitors” sites and/or advertising. Please go reread that info. No problem, completely understood.

OK, so I broke the rules, sort of. Now here is the my dilema, do I continue to visit and post on that site?? I thought forums were to share info and help each other out. I never once thought, I’m gonna show this guy a new site so he’ll quit visiting this forum. Is my perception of forums incorrect?? Isn’t a forum an area to swap info, have arguements, learn and sometimes just to listen??

With all that being said, I realize it costs money to maintain and continually update these sites. That is part of my job, so I know just exactly what it takes to maintain a website. I know the costs involved and the amount of labor. I know the webmaster has the right to allow whatever content he feels is necessary for that particular site.

What disappoints me most is the fact that it’s OK to share info on that forum, but only info that is deemed worthy by the webmaster. What do you guys think?? Am I way off base here?? I look forward to your insight.

Just and FYI also, this post in no way refers to this site, but I’m pretty sure everyone new that.

Let me guess…….walleyecentral.com

Links arent the only thing they routienly delete. At times they will delete anything they don’t like, thier sponsors don’t like or just cause they feel like it.

They have lost me as a visitor/contributor. Pissed off a bunch of guys I know who will not visit that site any more. In the end, they will have a handfull of “think they know it all fisherman” who talk about fishing more than they actually fish.

J.

Regulation of this sort will only hurt the site. If that’s their philosophy of success, wish them well but wave goodbye. Inclusion and cross referrencing are key to good knowledge and growth. I’d let them ride a high horse alone!

Still,

That was my knee jerk reaction also. I thought maybe my thinking was way off base and I always value the opinions of guys here. No non-sense approach, a spade is a spade…..

*wow*… good thing Im not on that site… they would have thrown me out long ago!! LOL……

but then Jon said they will have people who talk but never fish… I feel like that this summer…. thank god it will all end about december.. cold water bite… here I come!!

oh…. and that kind of editing would kind of [censored] me off…. I figure a site keeps your loyalty by providing what you want and need… not by supressing what you want and need….. just my opinion…..

Guys & Gals,

Let me re-phrase my last comment…….

That site will end up being a place where paid posters offer the advice and services of paying advertisers. A place where the common guy is ridiculed for asking the same stupid question that was asked last week. A place where the standard answer is “Check the Archives”!

River Eyes and Stillakid2, I think your bantering is fun and look forward to seeing every day. Keep up the good work.

J.

Jon,

You hit it on the head. The webmaster’s response did refer to the site remaining free and that is why they were not allowing links to competitors. I see his point to some extent, but I also disagree with the policy and I think it will eventually push all posters like myself away. I don’t need to sit around an listen to a paid response from Northland or Lindy, use my product, use my product……………..

Jon J.,

Your words are met with gratitude! We just like to have fun and hope everyone is able to have fun with us! Laughter is healthy and smiles are addictive…………..just share one and you’ll know it to be true! :O)

Let me put it this way….I look at many, but post on few. I`ve got enough headaches in my life than to worry about stepping on somebody`s toes …… or should I say ego. I learned in my 20+ years involved in the fishing rep and seminar business that there are more a-holes than a’s just like everywhere in the world. It`s up to you to sort through the [censored] and decide where you want to spend your time.

I`ve never been one to walk on egg shells, so I post where my opinion can be heard and not be stepped on or eliminated for whatever reason.

Beaver

Waterfowler,

I saw this happen…also happened to me. The policy tweaks me and is the reason I only visit when I have lots of time on my hands.

Here’s a good one about that site…Late last winter I saw a post asking for info about Pool 4. Knowing I couldn’t post another site’s addy, I posted with my e-mail addy and told the guy to contact me because I knew of a “REALLY good source of info”. Yes, I was going to point the guy to this site. Well, who sends me a note but James himself…I had to tell him if he wanted to find that really good source to go look in the mirror!

Pete

Rvvrat,

Thats hilarious!!! The most knowledgable guy on the river(IMHO) looking for info from us.

Waterfowler

Before you read this post, keep in mind that I no longer am involved in the day to day management of Walleye Central, but am still a partial owner of the site. That said, I feel like I can express my honest feelings on the subject.

Here is my take on the entire deleting competitive sites issue.

1. If you want to direct traffic to another site, have the courtesy to leave a tip. It’s just good board manners to do so. For example, in response to a question on fishing on Pool 4, a response of “go to fishtheriver.com” leaves no value to the site you are posting on. The same response changed to “I have heard they are catching fish on xyz types of areas using xyz for bait, by the way, there are some good posts on this subject on ftr.com if you need more info” will more than likely NOT get pulled.

2. Site trying to BUILD traffic never seen to mind having people post website url’s on their board (any post is better than none) or posting on someone else’s and can’t seem to figure out what the big deal is. However, once the traffic is there, or they become the place to go, then the tolerance tends to diminish.

3. Walleye Central is unique in that it was one of the pioneers in fishing websites. There was no easy free advertising on other fishing message boards to get the word out about your site to thousands of people instantly. The traffic was built “the hard way” slowly and steadily over many years. This evolutionary process has created sort of a “earn it the hard way” culture at Walleye Central. I’m not saying it’s right, or that I agree with it, but it is what it is. Also, Walleye Central is not some after school/work hobby, a number of people’s living depend on the site, adding to the protective culture.

4. Because of the high traffic volume (last time I looked the avg was around 130,000 pageviews per day -yes – per day) it is a very popular place for people to try to advertise their site, some obviously, some a little more cryptically. This gets very old, and in order to delete the blatant ad’s you have to carry the policy across the board, because the avg person can’t make the distiction.

5. I’ve heard from a few people over the past couple of years that they will never go back to Walleye Central because of this, yet the traffic has doubled in that amount of time. The fact remains that there is more good information exchanged on that site than any other on the web. To state that the info on the site passes a sponsor test is absurd. They provide Live LeaderBoard services free of charge at great expense to the organization. They are advancing the sport of Walleye Fishing and taking chances that no-one else had the guts to take, and that is a good thing. The key is to read what you want, and don’t read what offends you, it’s really that simple.

6. My opinion if I were 100% in control? Leave all [solicited] urls that help respond to the question asked. Information is information, whether it is a fishing report or a URL, they found it at your site and will come back for that reason. Delete all unsolicited advertising.

Probably more than you wanted to hear eh ??!!! Sorry for being long winded.

Zach

Zach,

your explanation makes sense to me. It is obvious there is a fine line here between the sharing of information and protecting ones self interest. I also come to these sites to share info , no matter the source, so hopefully it will be clear in my posts that I am trying to help and not advertise. I would hate to be responsible for shooting the foot of any website I use and appreciate.

Mike

Yeah, I guess my point is if it were me, I’d do it a bit differently, but there are reasons they do it they way they do it, and it is still the best place to go for general walleye fishing info.

As far as your post is concerned, if you responded to a question, then you should be fine. If it did get removed, e-mail the owner and exress your displeasure. Also one other thing, 99% of people who thought their post was removed didn’t check page 2 or 3, where the post had scrolled to.

Take care,

Zach

Edited by zboudreau on 07/30/01 10:31 AM.

Hello Zach,

Before this thread gets to far out of hand, I wanted clarify one thing. It wasn’t WC that deleted my post and I never intended to give the name of the site that did this to me. I’m not here to bash someone specifically, just to debate the theory of a forum.

I completely understand it’s you, the owner, who has the right to do whatever you want with your site, and I respect that!! I just didn’t want this to become a bash fest on WC.

Thanks for your input!!!

John

Zach,

FYI…the site discussed that started this thread was not walleye central (I know, it got dragged in though).

FYI…the post I made when the url got pulled had the format suggested. It was not a “general pointer”.

I understand the business end of internet sites. Traffic is the life blood of information based sites as opposed to retail sites. The more traffic the more advertisers are willing to pay.

I think Beaver said it best when he stated that he visits many sites, but posts to few. We all learn where we are most comfortable. Hey, you guys are in a competative biz…not everybody is going to like what you do…at the same time I hope site owners don’t lose sight of the value in sharing info…which is why most of us look and participate.

Pete

That’s OK, WC serves as a good example of what you were talking about anyway, and it is where my experience lies on the subject. It’s a tough call, everyone has their own philosophy.

If you don’t like the practices of a certain website, send ’em an e-mail and tell them what you think. If they get enough negative criticism they WILL change their policies.

Zach

I used to visit a number of sites…. but I found what I was looking for here…. I get all the information I need and have fun too…. all in one place….. I like the “culture” that has developed here… and nearly ALL of my walleye fishing is river fishing…. the river is almost ALWAYS the best option….. except when its flooding so high you cant get on it….. Ive always been a confirmed “river rat”, but now Im rabid too!! (is that the 3 R’s? Rabid River Rat?) guess I better not “bite” anyone… or the como the tiger incident will be repeated on me!

I guess if the site proved useful, I would find a way to continue accessing it! Whether or not their policy jives with mine. If people really want the info from ya, they’ll find a way to get it. SOme sites are obviously more user friendly than others, but you can always find something new(new info, tactics reports etc.) on each one. I’m fortunate that I can go “surfing” for info! Face it, you will generally never get the “exacts” from any website even this nice site. Heck, if you don’t watch it, the cyber vamps(river eyes/stillakid) will take a bite out of ya anyway(jk)!!!!!! Let’s all worry about catching fish, eh? Jim W

hmmmmmm R U trying to say we SUCK? LOL…… U know… Vamps…. vampires….. suck…… ummmmm yeah….. right?

but then I dont “sick” the pup on just anyone!…. mostly cuz he dont listen to anything I have to say….. and just where is that little PUP today? slipped his leash again….. hes developed a nasty tendency of getting right out of shock collar range too!! Im going to have to get a satelite track on him…… (you know satelite… one of those green latrines…., I figure I tie one onto him and he wont be quite soooo quick!!)

DOn’t forget the collar made out of garlic, that should keep in down!!

LOL! Now, did that “make” or “break” his day??? LMAO! :O)

Okay, now that I’ve read “ALL” the posts…………………I’m sorry I bit the Beav! I’m a pup in training and I can bite. I don’t need to be a “vamp” to bite, just irritated. Hmmmm………….when are you camping on the Croix again?? LOL! Thick cover on the Root River banks ay?? LOL! I think that’s out of shock range…………….but now we have the “satelite challenge” huh? I think the only way to make it heavy enough not to drag it around would be to put ol’ RiverRump himself in it! LOL!

Zach, thanks for sharing your viewpoints and insider knowledge. It was informatively eye opening and your involvement with the discussion was indeed helpful. :O)

Give a quick bit of info and give your e-mail address and tell them about the other site in private. Just like most of you I found this out the hard way. Almost all fishing sites can be clicky and somewhat exclusive. THAT IS A GOOD THING!! The area and groups served for a large part determine who and what is welcome and that tends to limit conversations to things that have a direct bearing on the area and people fishing that area. If I have one gripe about Walleye Central it would be the huge geographical area it covers. For the most part many posts are only significant to a few readers. Here most every post covers areas we can all get to or already have been. Lawrence

Good point by you Lawrence I think youre right.

It is tough for the site owner(s) though because you want to grow and grow then you have loyal visitors that are key to your success who gain alot of satisfaction and feel really comfortable in what you might call a click. I agree that WC outgrew that and became very diverse. Ive heard that many times. I agree that although its ok to drop urls in your posts, if you do it in private you run very little risk of offending anyone. I guess we will just have to see where this thing goes and hopefully it will continue to be a source of joy regardless of whether or not it produces profits.

Steve Hougom – FTR Webstaff