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Jeff McClellan
01-06-06, 07:51 PM
A long, but true story about DBS websites.

Let me first introduce myself.

You may know me by name, but maybe not by my history. I first got started in moderating about 7 or 8 years ago with a friend name John Hodskins. He started the first truly reliable website on DBS called DBSDish. Some of you may remember this. The site was dedicated to postings about accurate and informative information for those looking to purchase into this new technology. Over time, I ended up here, due to the trust in me by Mark Lamutt and Chris Blount. Actually I had retired for doing this due to the the industry becoming stagnant and my losing interest. The 942 changed all of that, bad or good in your opinion.

After coming here I quickly realized that the group of people here shared the same common interest that was shared where I once assisted. That single interest was to provide information for current members and newcomers, looking for information on DBS and its providers. I don’t take this lite-hearted. I don’t believe in any site existing based on numbers, egos or any thing that isn’t directed back into its members. I guess you can call it corny, but the reality is, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for each of you. Let me first talk about you. All of you are special to each Administrator, Super Moderator, or Moderator here. You wouldn’t believe how much time and thought we put into trying to determine what you want from us and this site.

We are just like you.

We get up each day with 8 to 5 jobs, families to care for, and the extra task of trying to find time to come here and manage a place of interest for you. But it is your support that makes or breaks our day. We may not always agree, we may not always post speculation you want to hear, but we always try to make sure that what you hear, is what you can bank on. If it means you hear it a day late, so be it, because the last thing we want is to mislead you. People will say, “We are glad you came, or joined,” but those are just words. What makes them true here, are the efforts that the good people here, put into making them true and from their heart. And folks, it is real here. I am not comparing sites on this subject. You all have your different needs, and ultimately will decide what site gives you what you want. And if it isn’t DBSTalk, that is ok. Because all we want are for all of you, is to get and/or gain the information you are looking for.

The people who work here.

I could go on forever about the character of these guys. I guess the best way to sum it up is, I am honored to be a part of them. You see, this place may be owned by a great person like David Bott, and operated by another great person like Chris Blount, but what you don’t realize is, this place doesn’t revolve around just one person or their title, but all of us collectively.. We spend time on weekends, all of us, discussing what we need to do, or want to do, to improve this site for you. David and Chris allow us the luxury of not just having a title, but a voice. And that my friends, is what sets us apart from everyone else. It isn’t about glitter or theatrical props, it is solely about what you are looking for when you log into this site to gather information. This is why you come. That is why we exist.

The Providers.

People say, “Why are you so Pro Echostar and not Direct. The reality for a lot of years is that Echostar made a conscience choice to listen and participate in sites like this. For feedback, be it positive or negative. They knew that if you didn’t listen to what customers wanted that you had no chance of shortening the gap of the 2 providers. I commend them for this approach as it has proven it works. Some of you call the chats, corny, or just plain show. I respectfully disagree as I have literally watched every one of them, remembering even the one when Charlie stated that Starz would be available that coming Friday night. Show mw any other CEO that will take the time to do a monthly update on their product. You can’t. Sure, it may be limited in its content or participation, but it is real, and you are the one, he is talking to. Take it or leave it, but it is still the best CEO feedback program going.
Direct on the other hand takes a different approach. Even before Rupert purchased them. They remain quite; approach each milestone in secrecy and caution. And this to, has proven to work. So you really can’t fault either provider or their chosen path. Based on all of this, it is why you will sometimes here more rumors about what Dish may be doing over Direct. It isn’t because no one is asking; it is just how each provider approaches this subject.

Bottom line.

I guess if you lasted this long reading this, then maybe you started to find the truth in the message I am trying to relay to you. You have decided to choose who your provider is, based on their value, content, reliability and trust. I end this by asking you this, why not do the same with where you go for information on DBS. I want to again thank you for coming here on behalf of all that work here. One last thing I ask. A post like this is real, but at the same time it is kind of like the hidden truth that others may not want to hear.
So base your choice on what you feel is fact, not based on fiction. Thank you.

Nick
01-07-06, 10:15 AM
Excellent essay, Jeff, and certainly thought-provoking for those of
us who care about DBSTalk.com and its members and visitors.

Operating and moderating a popular and growing web forum like
DBSTalk.com is hard work and requires time and dedication on
the part of many people. Some satellite forums, for good or bad,
reflect the personalities (or egos) of their owners. DBSTalk.com
is different, and in my opinion, a cut above, in that it reflects the
personalities of its membership.

Congratulations, and a tip of the old fedora to the admins and mods,
both former and present, for your hard work and dedication in keeping
DBSTalk.com as the friendly DBS meeting place on the web.

The important thing to keep in mind is that, when everything is said
and done, it's only television.

JM Anthony
01-07-06, 10:23 AM
Jeff -

Thanks for taking the time to provide a thoughtful post on this issue. From a consumer's perspective, I couldn't agree more with you. This and our sister site are without question two of the best sites for content. DBSTalk has more of a "Cheers" feel to it. And that has to do with the ongoing efforts of you all behind the curtains who toil to make it better.

My thanks for all of your efforts.

John

Stewart Vernon
01-07-06, 03:27 PM
In my opinion, a good forum should be like a good newspaper.

You can have an editor (or a moderator) post editorials/opinions when they are clearly labelled as such and not to be confused with otherwise fact. The columns in the paper (discussion areas and threads in the forum) are presented either completely as factual (like the strictly press release only areas where only press releases can be posted) or as an open forum for opinionated discussion (like Dear Abby in the papers).

I happened to find this site first. I registered with this site, although I have not contributed monitarily to become a member. I have not registered on other sites, though I do visit them from time to time.

Without ranting in detail, I see a distinct difference in mood when visiting other sites as compared to this one. People disagree here, and even get mad... but I also see apologies and people reaching out to others, and even sometimes a willingness to agree to disagree. On other sites I see significantly more name-calling and "if you aren't with me you are against me" personalities surface and if not encouraged, not discouraged very much.

I feel a lot more comfortable here, even when I am wrong and even when disagreeing with other forum posters.

Just like in the real world, there are some places you might shop or visit because you need something but you never feel you belong... and there are other places you stop by to check up even when you don't need anything because it feels comfortable.

greatwhitenorth
01-08-06, 08:11 AM
Jeff, thank you.

The tone of this site is certainly much lighter and friendlier than some other sites, and I'm sure that is due to the efforts of you and the other mods. I can also say that I often get information about my own company here before I get it through "official" channels. Of course that might say more about my company than the site! Although I have only been here a short time, I find that this is first and foremost a valuable resource for my occupation, but also an excellent source of entertainment. I, for one appreciate your efforts, and hope this site continues in its current direction.

Cheers!

tsmacro
01-09-06, 12:59 PM
I also want thank everyone involved with this site. I find it a valueable resource to my job as well as a source of entertainment. It's also a place that I can visit during the occasional slow periods at my job that my supervisors don't mind. They'd much rather see me spending time at this site than playing solitare on my 'puter or shopping like they sometimes catch some other of my co-workers doing. Of course they occasionally get annoyed that I find out stuff before they do....:lol:. So thanks for the site, making me look smart and keeping me out of trouble!:righton: