Fishwrecked update
Hi Guys/Girls,
Its been a long time since I've done a general site update on whats happening behind the scenes, so I thought I'd give you a heads up. Recently we've taken on a new sponsor, Bozo's Tackle and will be doing give aways and promotions to help Phil get exposure to the W.A market. (glad we found them because they're bloody good lures)
Whilst we have taken on a new sponsor, we have also lost a couple - Ocean to Outback Generator and Engel Hire, along with Southern Cross Charters (will be back after the ban)
To supplement the costs of the site, I will also be taking on a non fishing related site - to be announced shortly (its a pretty cool site if your into trying to get web bargins ;) ). I know I have said that I wouldn't do this in the past, but when the tax lady gives you the word up, its time to listen. Theres going to be 2 banners, one like the typical ones at the top of the site and one at the side. The adverts are animated, but they're not that bad (if you find them annoying, please let me know though)(no different from any other site out there these days)
I am also considering moving to full names for new members, similar to other W.A sites for authentication purposes. Now we have a solid and quality membership base, I don't think that changing names will matter too much. I'd like your opinion on this though, so please feel free to let me know.
I'm also looking to start up a mailing list to get old members that have lapsed back to FW. It will be a general fishing report on whats been happening on the site with some of the best photos/reports. It will have an opt out option as well if you don't want to get the emails again, but thought I'd give you all warning that you will probably receive one sometime in the future. (a similar sort of email to this thread but with pics)
On the general site front, you will notice that logged in numbers have been high of late, excellent news which has resulted in the highest hits day again yesterday. Some seriously good numbers that should have potential advertisers taking notice. Hopefully the more advertisers we can get, the more benefits and discounts we can get for you guys.
We did have a bit of downtime over the weekend, on Friday and Saturday night due to a Russian search engine spamming the site with connection requests. Pretty much the same spam bots that used to hit us before, but with a better server, we can handle it a lot better these days and I have since banned that IP address.
The southwest fishwrecked comp has been put off until after the metro bans finish, there may be a freshwater part of the comp held before then as a general meet and greet. The 2010 Exmouth fishing competition has got 13 teams confirmed, 4 nearly confirmed and 5 lightly penciled in. There is nearly $1000 in cash prizes up for grabs, 10 Weezel poppers worth $600, and a custom built game rod from Mako Matt at the Tackleshack. Theres still 7 months until the competition and I am also looking into regional grants to boost our prize pool. There are also a few other sponsors waiting for closer to the date to announce their prizes.
The fishwrecked-reeltime magazine has also had great success in the last 6 months with issue 4 coming out soon. Just quietly it looks to be a ripper (I can't wait to show you some of the U/W marlin pics I got) ;) Hopefully you will all sign up and get the latest issue to your mailbox next month.
I think that pretty much covers it, the site is going gangbusters and its thanks to your great support over the years.
Cheers,
Adam
Andy Mac, Tim, Colin Hay.
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
Roger Knife
Posts: 710
Date Joined: 12/01/09
awesome site, great members
awesome site, great members and well run...big up to you adam.
Rog
Honorary Aussie and "foreign correspondant" for fishwrecked reel time. Make sure you have subscribed to:
http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
hlokk
Posts: 4290
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Good to see effort made in
Good to see effort made in making the site better by various means. Its certainly easy to rest on your laurels, but not the case here.
Re the names: if its a road you have to go down, then perhaps you could still allow people to choose nicknames, but still have whatever checks you need when signing up. If the names need to be public, then perhaps have them on the profile pages rather than in the login names themselves? Not sure what about it is required though (whats to stop someone just registering a fake name anyways?)
As for the other advertiser: I'm just hoping its a legitmate bargain site rather than something like those pay to bid sites that were mentioned recently :p
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
pay to bid
Yes, it is a pay to bid site, but when they pay your hosting fees for the year, its too hard to knock back. Mind you, I have picked up some good bargains off them - got my ipod for $16. ;)
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claire
Posts: 98
Date Joined: 11/09/09
I'm jealous - would love to
I'm jealous - would love to have the knowledge to set up a pay to bid site! Good luck and I know I'll be hanging out on the new site!
Matt T
Posts: 875
Date Joined: 19/11/07
Great Site
Adam, you have done really well with this site mate. It is by far the site I most visit on the web.
Matt T
Posts: 875
Date Joined: 19/11/07
Nothing wrong with Advertising....
Specially if it pays the bills mate. You don't have to click on it anyway.
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Adam
Why the full names. Some people might not want their name listed because they might be Police, Fisheries, Lawyers, Drs etc.
I would be happy but some might find this a bit daunting.
Neels
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
mako magic
Posts: 5785
Date Joined: 03/08/05
good job adam, totally agree
good job adam,
totally agree with the full names, cant see it being an issue unless you have something to hide, might stop some of the suss new additions coming onto the site lately.
All the mods and yourself and doing well and its very generous of Phil to offer the prizes and look forward to having kim from southern cross come back as a sponsor after the ban.
As you said the more sponsors etc the more chances of a bargain for the FW crew and thats what its all about.
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
names
Don't think we have too many Dr's around here Neels
But then again, I'm constantly suprised. :)
I guess the purpose of it is to stop the really random names, but the jury is still out on whether I should go that way. As the guys said, theres still nothing stopping guys from using aliases anyway, just that the honest guys are easier to see. Will have to give it some more thought, spose changing something that already works is a little pointless, but thought I'd get your opinions to weigh it up.
Cheers,
Adam
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
Likc
Posts: 361
Date Joined: 09/08/09
I would keep the option to
I would keep the option to use aliases. Otherwise great website.
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
current
All current members will keep their aliases, it will be for new members only.
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PilbaraBrad
Posts: 3628
Date Joined: 16/05/07
neels know any good doctors
neels know any good doctors mate, tsk tsk
damo6230
Posts: 2029
Date Joined: 07/06/08
Good work Adam
As for names it's your call, I'm happy either way as its the people and attitude that make the site not the name of the individual.
The SW comp will start early 2010. May need to find a helper but willing to fly by myself.....
Looking forward to the Exi Comp.
Thanks to one and all behind the scenes.
wal blenny
Posts: 31
Date Joined: 20/06/08
good site Adam
The name thing is a bit tricky. some people do have legitimate reasons not to publish their names too widely. In my current situation I wouldn't care at all but in my last job a little discretion was welcome.
I reckon it's only fair that the site administrators have access to real names etc. in case issues arise. whatever the solution is though I reckon it should be the same for all members, old and new. why create another mode of exclusivity when the site should be (and generally is) a welcoming place for new contributors.
Perhaps 1 exception could be a minimum length of membership (even 1 mth or so) before you can post in the "buy and sell" section (not sure it's possible though).
all the best
Wal
On the Level
Posts: 35
Date Joined: 13/06/09
Great Site
I with Wal Blenny, don't have a problem declaring my name but would rather keep it as On the Level, gives me a bit of latitude in some of my comments.
On the Level
shammy
Posts: 231
Date Joined: 03/07/09
Changes to site
Adam hi there.
Ref the banners popping up these are ok if it's not constantly trying to loop like some of them.... all the time... or have an OFF option.
Ref the names I prefer the fun of the nicknames here, my old man was called shammy all his life and the family had a cool drink company setup in Queensland for about 40 to 50 years with the name "Shammy's". I'll scan and post a pic of one of the surviving labelled bottles. just my thoughts. If you want verification on signup perhaps there is a better way?? For buy and sell; paypal works well on ebay etc?
Just my thoughts..
cheers,
shammy
"Life wasn't meant to be a spectator sport"
Dreamtime
Posts: 657
Date Joined: 21/09/09
props!
props to you on starting and running such a usefull and succesfull web site mate. im with everyone else with the names idea, this is pretty much a community of its own and it brings all the fishos state wide together, wich i reckon is really good for heaps of reasons. i only put the name of my boat as my fw name coz my real name would look to long on all the posts. lol crongrats again adam and cheers for makin such a good site.
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
Hi guys Love the site and
Hi guys
Love the site and well done to all those involved. Also great to see its progress as time goes on.
In relation to full names I would be extremley hesitant in having my full name used on this or any other site (in fact if it was required and published I simply wouldn't do it end of story).
Whilst this may seem harsh this is partly due to my occupation and also partly due to being wary of the info you put out on the internet which can be used for identity theft (my first concern), amoungst other things - there is an article today on MSM re facebook and other sites being used for this purpose and it is becoming a huge problem.
That being said I do not have a problem with proving my details to site administrators. My suggestion would be to submit the info to the administrators for registration but allow nicknames etc for posting.
Cheers and keep up the good work
Paul (or Peter or someone.......)..
Youtube Channel - FishOnLine Productions
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUVNa-ViyGm_FTDSv4Nqzg/videos
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
"Social networking sites
"Social networking sites such as Facebook are "gold" for identity thieves, an international forum has been told.
International experts on identity crime are in the Gold Coast for a symposium to discuss the latest innovations in combating the growing global problem of identity theft.
Identity theft costs Australia around $3 billion a year.
Detective Superintendent Brian Hay, from Queensland's Fraud and Corporate Crime Group, says fraud is the most under-reported crime type, largely because victims often feel so embarrassed.
Supt Hay said one of the richest fields for global identity harvesters are social networking sites like Facebook.
"Anyone who joins a social networking site can have a look at random almost, and pick up people's dates of birth, where they work and family details," he said.
"That's gold to people who want to steal identities."
He said computer hackers were writing programs to reap identity information on social networking sites.
"We know the crooks are harvesting identity data and building empires of massive identity warehousing stocks," he said.
"We know they're writing data-mining programs to extract information from various sources, pull it together and build profiles on people.
"Today it may be Facebook but what's tomorrow?
"We've got Twitter, it's live by the second. It's an issue we need to address."
The conference, which will hear from experts from Romania, the Netherlands and the United States, ends on Wednesday".
I would prefer to be able to post without having to worry regarding the above or some twit working out my address and knowing when I'm planning my two week fishing trip and breaking into my house etc. One of the things that makes this site great is the ability to post freely (and I must say without some of the dicks that seem to prevail on other sites)..
Cheers all
Youtube Channel - FishOnLine Productions
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUVNa-ViyGm_FTDSv4Nqzg/videos
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18027
Date Joined: 11/03/08
i think the names the way
i think the names the way they are is working , then its up to the individual to disclose his/her name at the end of a post if they wish, if people want to hide behind a alias thats their choice, most of the regulars know each other by name anyway, if you start using real names you may get a lot of Pauls, Brads , Tims Adams and so on , it could get confusing , this way you can only have one person with a name
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
fair point
Fair point Paul, I will keep the names as they are for future members. For the record, there was no plan to change existing members aliases.
Maybe I will look into ways to make the buy/sell a little more secure then. Gotta find something that can be fixed and improved, I'm on a mission. :)
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flagpole
Posts: 285
Date Joined: 14/05/09
nice work ads keep up good
nice work ads keep up good work
bod
Posts: 2319
Date Joined: 03/05/06
site changes
If it's a vote, I support nicknames which provide the anonymity to say what you like without fear or favour.
However I do think it's imperative for the administrators to have full names, addresses and contact numbers when people register, but making it clear that these details will not be disclosed. The majority of internet sites require this and legitimate fishwrecked members wanting to join up shouldn't have any problems with this. I notice that of late some people are choosing to use their full names anyway, but I think it should reman a choice.
I also think paypal would be a great service to introduce to the buy and sell section so that transactions are secure.
wal blenny
Posts: 31
Date Joined: 20/06/08
site stuff
been thinking about it since this arvo adam. is it really worth spending too much time on secure transaction stuff etc? At the guts of it the reason the site works is because people share fishing stories and stuff. A fishing site where people actually post photos of fish!!!!
yep - its great that people can buy and sell some gear as well while they're at it - but what you dont want (well I dont anyway) is that it become just another place to flog stuff. I'd hope that fishwrecked stayed a place where fishing yarns were the focus and buying and selling gear was more of an incidental thing.
it's not as if there aren't other places people can buy and sell stuff in a more secure forum if they desire (you can even use paypal!)
Just a few of my thoughts. I'm no computer nerd and so if improvements are easily made re. the buy/sell thing then go for it but if it takes much in the way of resources/energy/time then I'm not so sure that it's effort well spent.
as I said - just a thought
Wal
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Cheers Wal
The main reason I'm following up that avenue is a fair few of the guys have been saying that the latest content section is becoming like the quokka. Its a bit of a conundrum, because sometimes there are some brilliant deals in there, but lots of other times it just gets in the way of those good stories and photos.
I guess the reason I'd like to try and make it secure is to remove any element of doubt for sales - the last thing I want to see is any of my members get ripped off and then have the element of doubt creep into future sales. Everything has been done on trust so far and its worked, but with the recent sale for Blank Cheque, it almost looked like that was over. How I can control that and if it is even worth me getting involved is a tough one, but there are a few sites out there that make a good example of having trading sections where transactions are secure and recorded. Its always buyer beware, guess I just don't want it to happen here.
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till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Well, its simplistic, but
Well, its simplistic, but why don't you filter the for sale section out of the latest pic/post and new forum topics?
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
it is done
It had been done, but Sam had used the taxonomy filter rather than the one called 'Taxonomy: Terms for Forums.' So we couldn't figure out why the for sale stuff was staying in latest content, but removed from latest posts. He's figured it now so that there is no for sale stuff in latest content apart from those that are put in the wrong forum sections, which I will move.
You will see the new section, latest for sale/buy
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ody
Posts: 581
Date Joined: 30/12/06
Hi Ya, Don't care either
Hi Ya,
Don't care either way really about the names but to use my real name would confuse me. Most people I know call me Ody and have done so for years. Even the wife - when it isn't other unprintable things.
As for the quote Paul H put in re identity theft, can't agree more. When my son joined the Police force the first thing they were adivised was get rid of such sites as it is too easy to be tracked down.
Cheers.