New forum, how long will it remain free. Or how long will it remain as it was before with no restrictions?

[nik at work]

Agree

 

[Andy W]

Ok thank you to tech/admin for the apology. Below are two unanswered questions;

Firstly why is the 'new look website' thread not visible/available on the main forum?

Secondly, this thread title, was a question as well and although not directly aimed at tech/admin/Alan, is I imagine specific enough for him to address? Simply put. How long will the site remain free, or when will the implementation of the account upgrades take place and what restrictions will that impose if you don't upgrade?

The question of data sharing is an issue for me. Tech/admin maintains this doesn't happen and will never happen. The group builder website privacy policy and affiliated ad company Raptive, contradict this. So we have tech/admin/Alans word for it. Seems weird or at least unprofessional to me. The privacy page also has a different address to the one on the main page, registered in Panama, the well known tax haven for tech. This second point was left unaddressed by tech/admin/Alan.

https://raptive.com/creator-advertising-privacy-statement/
Thirdly, in terms and conditions (pasted below) with reference to intellectual rights does it include where content is user generated, i.e. forum posts and info, photos, topos etc uploaded by users?

10. Intellectual Property
10.1. Copyright: All content on this Website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, and digital downloads, is the property of Group builder forums or its content suppliers and is protected by international copyright laws. The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of Group builder forums, with copyright authorship for this collection by Group builder forums, and protected by international copyright laws.

 

[SA Chris]

IIWI. It will be what we make it. 2 choices; like it, lump it.

 

[jakaitch]

Fair questions - but out of interest do you know what the case/policies etc for data sharing were with UKB under Simons ownership/did you care?

 

[dabs-not-ads2]

The previous owner could have chosen to gift the site to the community. They chose not to.

There was no data privacy notice previously. I had to remind the previous owner of their legal obligations, to which they eventually responded.

The new owner has simply made it more unpalatable to be a (not logged in) lurker. The rest of the site is much improved once you’ve adjusted your preferences.

 

[TdG]

Much as I appreciate the option to disable the ubiquitous dark-pattern ads (at least at the moment), based on what I can see in other Group Builder forums (here and here) we will at some point be seeing a side bar notice for 'The UKB Server Upgrade Donation Drive' or 'UKB Server Replacement Fund', warning us that:

Our current server, the heart of our community, is teetering dangerously close to obsolescence.

and imploring us to transfer cash to Group Builder Inc to:

secure another decade of shared knowledge and friendship…. Your prompt donation could be the key to safeguarding our collective home.

Draw your own conclusions about the candour and good faith of the new IOs.

 

[Andy W]

Fair questions - but out of interest do you know what the case/policies etc for data sharing were with UKB under Simons ownership/did you care?

I don't know, I wondered. UKC for example has no ownership over user generated material. If my reading is correct, that is not the case on this forum. I could be wrong, it's not normal practice for me to read the small print!

 

[jakaitch]

The previous owner could have chosen to gift the site to the community. They chose not to.

There was no data privacy notice previously. I had to remind the previous owner of their legal obligations, to which they eventually responded.

The new owner has simply made it more unpalatable to be a (not logged in) lurker. The rest of the site is much improved once you’ve adjusted your preferences.

Why should he be at a financial loss? If you felt so passionately about it being in the hands of climbers then why didnt you push to buy it yourself/raise funds to buy as a community?

 

[Nails]

Much as I appreciate the option to disable ..................................................

I agree that this does seem slightly disingenuous when compared with TechAdmin's explanation. However those donations on the 2 sites are mostly a year and a half old. My concern would be that it's suggesting that the money raised will be spent on some improved capacity/tech or somesuch. That appears dubious and the whole donation thing is just a bit of supplementary income on top of the advertising. They would be better off being a bit more honest rather than spinning the whole creaking infrastructure bollocks.

 

[TdG]

My concern would be that it's suggesting that the money raised will be spent on some improved capacity/tech or somesuch. That appears dubious and the whole donation thing is just a bit of supplementary income on top of the advertising. They would be better off being a bit more honest rather than spinning the whole creaking infrastructure bollocks.

Exactly. 'Disingenuous' would be about the most charitable description of it.

 

[mrjonathanr]

I knew out the gate you were going to be "that guy". You barely post and are just here now to stir shit. You've made a whooping 20 posts this entire year and all of sudden you're popping into every thread you can to raise flags about "concerns". Didn't get enough juice in the other threads so trying yet another one, you haven't even made a post since August and now you are on here hourly just "concerned" about the future. If you were serious go to UK Workshop, The Homebrew Forum UK, Derelict Places, Beekeeping Forum UK which we have ran for years and years and do some research on how we manage a community.

What a way to introduce yourself. Classy.

 

[spidermonkey09]

Without wishing to do the Tech Admin's job for him, he has already said this is what they do on their forums.

we monetize only through banner ads/network advertising, Supporting Memberships, donations and affiliate links like Amazon/eBay.

I take the point that it implies it will be used on tech upgrades rather than just to make some cash and would be better if they just said that, if indeed thats the case.

Still think people are being a bit oversensitive. UKB is now owned by a US company that wants to make money (shock!). Its a change, but its done. Who knows, might be a good thing and freshen the place up a bit.

Much as I appreciate the option to disable the ubiquitous dark-pattern ads (at least at the moment), based on what I can see in other Group Builder forums (here and here) we will at some point be seeing a side bar notice for 'The UKB Server Upgrade Donation Drive' or 'UKB Server Replacement Fund', warning us that:

and imploring us to transfer cash to Group Builder Inc to:


Draw your own conclusions about the candour and good faith of the new IOs.

 

[cheque]

The idea of UKB being taken over by a profiteering US company with no link to climbing and a sassy admin who takes no shit is such an amazing plot twist. It’s like the sort of thing that would happen in the 6th series of a sitcom that needs a kick up the arse ratings-wise

Obviously the narrative demands that we charm Alan (you couldn’t make it up and the fact that he won’t understand why his name’s funny makes it even better), he gets into climbing and moves to Sheffield.

 

[spidermonkey09]

the fact that he won’t understand why his name’s funny makes it even better)

I realised this yesterday - beautiful!

 

[tomtom]

Gosh - there’s quite a sentiment of entitlement in some posts!

Why on earth should Simon gift it when it cost him money in the first place - and time/money to upkeep!!

You all had the chance (collectively or individually) to buy it - and no one did.

 

[petejh]

Gosh - there’s quite a sentiment of entitlement in some posts!

Why on earth should Simon gift it when it cost him money in the first place - and time/money to upkeep!!

You all had the chance (collectively or individually) to buy it - and no one did.

Probably to do with the price not being right for potential purchasers at the time of the sale TT rather than a sense of entitlement.
And it is a two-way relationship - forums are nothing without posters. The posters provide the only inherent value of UKB.

 

[Fiend]

Probably to do with the price not being right for potential purchasers at the time of the sale TT rather than a sense of entitlement.
And it is a two-way relationship - forums are nothing without posters. The posters provide the only inherent value of UKB.

Innt. Anyone got some good hanging knotted rope bantz or spicy downgrades on the go??

 

[webbo]

Innt. Anyone got some good hanging knotted rope bantz or spicy downgrades on the go??

No but would you like a picture of my daughters dogs.

 

[Fiend]

Yes please. Do You Like Daghs thread...

 

[webbo]