MBC WTF?

[Gary_C]

I'm obviously missing something here.

Earlier, I logged on to see a thread started by Angus about the MBC, 30 participants, reduced prices, site costs money, etc.

Then, it is gone and a new one is started up by Brian asking for ideas, support, a cameo in a porn film :silly: , etc.

Then, THAT one is gone and a new one is started up by Brad soliciting advice for how to help AFO that was greeted in an ugly manner (judging by the locked thread and surviving questions).

So, WTF is happening? If Angus posts something about the site being in dire straits, I think I am justified in considering it as official. If Brian posts it, I wouldn't think anybody would call me stupid for thinking it is semi-official. When Brad (Basstracker) posts something that gets hacked, slashed, and locked, I'm starting to wonder what is happening and whether any businesses affiliated with AFO are also in financial trouble.

As Angus' original post pointed out, many of us consider this to be a community more than just a website. So, if the convicted sodomist, cleptomaniacal, serial killer is placed into the rehab house down the street, I think the community might feel that they should have been informed.

So, can we get something official that sticks around for a few minutes?

[Jords]

I blame Kreel

[Gary_C]

the convicted sodomist, cleptomaniacal, serial killer is placed into the rehab house down the street, I blame Kreel

Ouch Jords! I'll remember not to get onto your bad side with accusations like that!

:whistle:

[Surfingant]

the convicted sodomist, cleptomaniacal, serial killer is placed into the rehab house down the street, I blame Kreel

Ouch Jords! I'll remember not to get onto your bad side with accusations like that!

:whistle:

Probably a good idea Gary Young Jords is quite evil and I go home after a fishing session with him and sit in the corner shaking like a poor schoolboy that has just been robbed of his lunch money while having his head flushed in the toilet

[Angus]

AS per my final post in Basstrackers thread mate:

It is great people care but this has not been put out there officially. I am not locking this to censor people just to prevent the speculation that comes with a thread like this. Speculation often becomes rumor and then fact in some peoples minds.

We appreciate all the support and we are not planning on closing up shop.

This year has been busy for both owners and admins. It is a shame some people see that as a lack of interest in the site but this could not be further from the truth. People who whinge a lot generally can't perceive the countless hours that go on behind the scenes making sure there is a site to begin with. This year has just been a year where the bill paying jobs have come first. I wish I could say AFO was my job but hahahaha, that is just not the case.

Our hearts and minds are still very committed to keeping this community alive and growing it to boot. So chill out everyone and lets get back to fishing.

Further: Relay. Whilst AFO is a business, we also like to see the community members get something in return for their money (IE event entries etc). Hence it would be awesome to see a bigger support for events as both an avenue to meet, greet, fish and to support the site and all it offers day to day.

I will leave this open guys but if it just travels down the rampant speculation path of what we are and are not doing it will be locked. This site is more than "one" person, or a small 'boys club" and whatever is decided will be based of satisfying as many as possible.

Angus

[sunnydays]

Just my thoughts...

It is hard not to speculate when I don't really know what is going on, but I love AFO and I want to help... so if the site is having financial troubles, and it is not a charity, then the solution has to be market based. Right?

By the way, I don't have a buisness degree from Harvard or nothin' aye! but it seems to me that the AFO buisness model is based on the finacial contribution of its own community ... sounds like a charity to me!

So if it needs to be treated as a buisness, why not take some ideas from fishing events around Australia that are sucessful. I'm not suggesting that we start a new ABT, but obviously there is something there that is working. BTW I don't know much about comps either as I have never even fished one!

So here are a few ideas as to how to get more 'punters' along to pay there entrance and compete in events.

!. Open up the events to the wider community. Advertise on Briz31, radio stations, put up posters in BCF and other fishing stores, put up posts on other forums (if allowed). Even hand out flyers at the boat show, tinnie tackle show, that fishermans market at Manly, even at busy boat ramps on a Saturaday morning. I would be happy to hand out flyers once a month if it helped keep the site going.

2. Make them competitive with desirable prizes and bragging rights. No matter what most people say, they like to win and win good prizes and brag about it! Its human nature! All of the successful fishing events around Australia have one thing in common, they are competitive in nature. I guess this means that the entrance fee would go up.

3. Maybe have the option of signing up for a series of events/comps down the track if it is successful?

4. I know bream is not the desired species of a lot of fisho's, but a lot of successful events in Aus are Bream tournaments. I think this style of event is desirable to a large market of the fishing population. So why not start up a bream comp?

5. Kayak comp? I dont know much about it but from what I understand there is no longer a KFT? Maybe there is a market here to pick up where they left off???

I can't really think of anything else now, but maybe you can add to it?

Whilst I think it is great that the events are 'community' minded, if they need to turn a buck then some of that might need to go by the wayside. :dry: There will still be community events such as Blakeslys, Wavebreak and others.

Just trying to help...

Justin

[Gary_C]

Thanks Angus. I can definitely understand the issues with running a business, and I feel for the owners.

I'm thinking that there is some apprehension from people joining official events for a few reasons.

1. They are land-locked and don't feel they have any hope of winning a prize.

2. They have had online disagreements with other people on the site and have decided that they will never like the individual and will then avoid sponsored events that the other individual may attend.

3. (Probably the biggest one). Guys that join fishing forums generally do so to learn more and do not consider themselves professional fishermen, so aren't up for entering "competitions."

4. It coincides with my wife's birthday (and the prick scalpers bought up all of the Jimmy Buffet tickets so I had to plan something equal to it).

Those are just my throwouts, but I'm thinking that somebody might be able to help you with 1-3. Tackle #4 at your own risk!!!!

[max pwr]

Maybe have the option of becoming a financial member whereby say $100 annually is contributed by a user and that entitles the member free entry into a comp or two and at the same time just helps out the site.....so it's a little bit like a donation with an incentive. Also the raffle, there's a way to donate some coin with the chance of getting something in return.

At the end of the day if you want the site to stay then it might be time to contribute a little bit if you are able. A lot of people won't be in a financial position to outlay more money towards a past time that is already expensive and they shouldn't feel pressured or obligated to pay I don't think. But if you can spare 5 bucks then buy a raffle ticket or whatever.

[Angus]

Guys all good suggestions but please go back to my first post...

I do not disagree with anything said but this year we have just been time poor to the max. All these suggestions have merit, some more than other, but like any GOOD idea it takes time to implement without cocking it up We have some great plans for the medium future of the site so stick around!

Also I am in talks at the moment with a few sponsors RE making the 2013 Summer Classic (late Jan/early Feb) an absolute cracker with some great prizes and format. Stay tuned!

Angus

[BassTracker]

Its all good, but I disagree with my post causing speculation after 2 admins posted it and took it down, seems like you guys should have thought it through a bit more before posting it up in the first place.. But thats ok. I was only trying to use the community forum to put up some helpful ideas that might be picked up and offer what support I could and to volenteer my wifes services haha, she charges out at upwards of $250 an hour to organise and consult on events, could have been a good resource. If admins want to post about AFO going down the tubes then you can expect a few members wanting to help out,

I think the thread I posted would have been constructive not an uprising

[planetfonz]

yeah basstracker yours was the third post i'd typed a big response too that day and had it vanish.

i give up . unless this post doesn't get posted. in which case i like to wear dresses

with the amount of cheap hosting these days, it'd be better to see the forum side of it unaffected from whatever business folly's are currently underway.

without seeing cost breakdowns and having all those other possibly valuable threads deleted, its hard to say what can be done.

[ellicat]

Regarding the threads yesterday---

Angus made a thread and then thought better of it. He moved it into the mod area where I read it and made a misinterpretation of what was said so decided to make the thread I did. It was a mistake. AFO is not finishing up. AFO will continue and there is no need for speculation and concern.

I apologise for my part in having stirred the emotions. :blush:

Get along to the MBC

[planetfonz]

Also I am in talks at the moment with a few sponsors RE making the 2013 Summer Classic (late Jan/early Feb) an absolute cracker with some great prizes and format. Stay tuned!

after the deleted rant post yesterday angus i'll admit surprise at how this sounds? the reasons for deleting posts just don't sit well. isn't discussion a whole lot more healthy than hearsay? which is whats happening now no doubt

[ellicat]

Even admin can have fluctuating emotions

[Angus]

Also I am in talks at the moment with a few sponsors RE making the 2013 Summer Classic (late Jan/early Feb) an absolute cracker with some great prizes and format. Stay tuned!

after the deleted rant post yesterday angus i'll admit surprise at how this sounds? the reasons for deleting posts just don't sit well. isn't discussion a whole lot more healthy than hearsay? which is whats happening now no doubt

I dont see how?

My disappointment with the MBC registrations (an event put together using feedback from over 100 members earlier in the year) wont stop the AFO team trying to organize more events hopefully more successfully in the future...

[planetfonz]

you don't see how discussion is better? or the surprise after reading the rant and subsequent turn around of feelings?

[Angus]

you don't see how discussion is better? or the surprise after reading the rant and subsequent turn around of feelings?

Surprise

The only thing that would probably stop us trying to put on some events for the members would be a total lack of interest. The interest is there, as PM's suggest so I will endeavor to satisfy the needs.

[planetfonz]

well i'm all for continuation. but the way it looks is that when a cry for help goes out, and people have valid and good idea's, things get deleted and it leaves everything in the same way it was before.

we don't see PM's here, just chopping and removals that leave holes and questions.

[Angus]

well i'm all for continuation. but the way it looks is that when a cry for help goes out, and people have valid and good idea's, things get deleted and it leaves everything in the same way it was before.

we don't see PM's here, just chopping and removals that leave holes and questions.

Threads were removed as the headings etc were misleading. As Ellicat pointed out fluctuating emotions are a human error. Not asking for forgiveness on that, just understanding. We out in hours and hours every week to providing this site allow for a slip up.

No offense to everyone that has offered suggestions (even the ones no longer visible have been recorded) but most of them have been made and considered. We did a HUGE push for feedback on events from members earlier in the year and have made future plans in accordance with these surveys and their related threads. If you have honest and well meaning feedback always feel free to PM or email us and we will within reason do what we can to facilitate the idea.

Cheers guys.

Here's to more events that satisfy everyone's needs.

[kreel]

So Jords was right ... It is my fault?

[51MPL]

Since when is it not your fault Baden?

edit - i apologise. Brian is to blame sometimes too *wave*

[John]

Hi Everyone,

Just to touch base, as I've been overseas recently and missed some of this discussion and it seems that there has been a bit of misunderstanding and cross-wireds. There were a few topics removed recently as these were not worded well and had misleading topic titles, which instead of garnering more support for the upcoming MBC, they instead seemed to bring about confusion in the community of the state of the AFO business.

For those that are interested, AFO is in ok financial situation, but we are always pushing for greater support of all our endeavours (naturally). We are not solely about events or tournaments, but these are one part of what we do to facilitate community interaction and help keep us going. AFO has many other parts to the business and also the community.

We have many ideas and undertaken market research to aid in our goal of creating a thriving community. We then make decisions on which of these we can achieve and implement. Over time have brought about many changes which members would have seen looking back over the years. Our major focus for 2012 has been to fundamentally rewrite and change alot of the code to make the site scalable for much larger performance. Whilst, this may not be readily seen to alot of the members, it is of huge importance to us going forward.

With regard to tournaments, we were a little waylaid earlier in the year and this has pushed our events to the 2nd half of the year unfortunately. On that note, its business as usual for AFO and me See you at the tournaments and online

[Jewy]

Everyone take a chill pill. Personally I think everyone that is involved with the running of AFO do a fantastic job and should be praised for doing so. I can understand that many hours upon hours go into running a site like this and every now and then things do get tough. People make mistakes and also misinterperate things. I love this site and visit it regularly. I am sure that if things do get bad for the site we all would be the first to know.

Keep up the awesome work guys.

Matty / Jewy

[Do$tylz]

actually.. you know what would help a heap?? if all those that bicker and cry and whinge and just generally act like children and not adults would pull their socks up, that'd help us a lot.

It would allow admin to spend that time cleaning up the dribble, replying to PMs and banning people into actually doing stuff for the site.

That's my rant

[BassTracker]

probably not the best thing i could write,

[Gary_C]

I'm thinking that Angus, Do$tylz, Ellicat, and John have managed to clear up the confusion.

Now, can this thread please be locked??????? :whistle: :silly:

In some cases, the only interaction that we have is from this site. So, I think we are justified in wondering what is happening with it and whether or not we can still reach people through the site.

I think people sometimes forget just how much currency changes hands through this forum. In fact, I know of several people who, because of trust and a reputation, have a few thousand dollars held by people that I would not know how to contact without a computer.

At the same time, I would not have met many people who I consider to be friends without AFO and am grateful for that opportunity. I reckon we are all (at least a little bit) keyboard warriors at times. However, at the end of the day we probably should be notified if Kreel is moving into the neighborhood (I have a cat).

Cheers to the AFO administration for providing a response that we can all read.

BTW, if anybody wants to do something childish (like I do to Peyton all of the time) just shout:

LAST WORD!!! :evil:

[rosstralia46]

actually.. you know what would help a heap?? if all those that bicker and cry and whinge and just generally act like children and not adults would pull their socks up, that'd help us a lot.

It would allow admin to spend that time cleaning up the dribble, replying to PMs and banning people into actually doing stuff for the site.

That's my rant

Someone didn't get in time to pre order there iPhone 5 :whistle: :evil:

[kreel]

Here kitty kitty, come to Kreel kitty!

[melrichsin]

I think in agreeing with Gary C's #3 and Angus' comment regarding TIME POOR... I am keen as to go fishing but with work commitments would be hard pushed to attending events.

If on a Thursday night there isn't a wind warning out I try to go for a fish on a Saturday morning but usually it is in the spirit of needing to get away from people and chill out- not saying that attending a competitive event is a bad environment but I am on this site to read ideas from likeminded passionate fishers and would happily contribute to a site subscription and occasionally contemplate attending social events if time permits.

I am as competitve as the next punter and everyone wants to win some glory, but supporting sponsors where we can and not going to mass produced recreational copies of a Bunnings for our supplies.

Thanks for the site to Angus and the other moderators, just keep doing what you can when you can guys.

[Surfingant]

Nothing stopping people donating anyway

[davopac]

i like AFO ,i like the events and socials .i get to them when i can .

i like the people on AFO and what the AFO guys and girls do to run the site and events.

i don't judge the guys for getting emotional ,they are human too .

i get emotional or drunk and post stupid stuff all the time and life goes on.