FTA Forum Changes

[gpflepsen]

Ya know what's odd about the list compiled above and today's reality? MicroHD has no dedicated forum anywhere I've seen. That's an improvement for the web community as a whole?

Segregation is for FTA receivers, not people.

 

[Keith Brannen]

First, I don't know what would have given them that impression. We had an AZbox forum, that doesn't mean that we were an AZbox vendor.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, why did they perceive association with SatelliteGuys as a taint on the product?!

Well, I can think of two resellers who would view it as a "taint". Both have their own forums. The irony of the whole thing is, if either or both became resellers, they would immediately add the MicroHD as a sub-forum to their receiver section! LOL!

 

[Anole]

Information, not Support?

I'm not sure that I like the "Support" subcategory
Perhaps FTA Receiving Equipment - STB and FTA Receiving Equipment - PC categories would be better.

Newbies don't know "STB", so let's not use that term.
The subject of FTA is already complicated enough.

But more importantly, up until recently, we DID have a PC Card sub forum.
Then one day, it got folded into the general FTA area.
So good luck bringing that back! :up

 

[vc2]

For an even bigger list of receiver sub-forums: http://www.legitfta.com/forum/forum.php

Great forum - very well organized. Thanks for the link.

 

[vc2]

Newbies don't know "STB", so let's not use that term.
The subject of FTA is already complicated enough.

I didn't either, but I learned quickly. It's a common term. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set-top_box

I'm OK with anything that's well organized. I don't want to add confusion to the mix.

But more importantly, up until recently, we DID have a PC Card sub forum.
Then one day, it got folded into the general FTA area.
So good luck bringing that back! :up

Yes, I remember seeing it somewhere. I thought that it was on this forum, but when I couldn't find it, I thought that it might have been on another site.

 

[pwrsurge]

I'm not sure that I like the "Support" subcategory. Perhaps FTA Receiving Equipment - STB and FTA Receiving Equipment - PC categories would be better. Specific brands such as AZBox would home to these equipment categories and support discussions would take place under a specific brand.

Yes you have to be careful when using the term "support" when discussing free to air receivers unfortunately as it is a well known euphemism for satellite piracy so it may attract more posts from people asking how to steal subscription satellite services. I believe "discussion", "information" or "help" would be a better term to use.

 

[pwrsurge]

How about we have dedicated discussion forums for any current brand which truly supports Free To Air in the North American market and an "Other brands" forum for all other brands. As you know, there are only a handful of brands which support Free To Air in the North American market so these should be recognized. You never know, this may encourage even more brands to support Free To Air in this market instead of focusing on satellite piracy.

 

[SatelliteAV]

I would hate to make the call as to what forum a receiver was placed loosely based on NA support. Personally, I would not separate the receivers other than by brand.

What is NA support? Is it simply providing firmware updates and satellite lists? Technical support? Warranty repair or replacement? Or is it also distributing equipment that meets the safety, compliance and licensing requirements. Maybe this concern is based on the experience of my chops having been busted on many occasions when pointing out the little legal issues such as licensing and compliance.

KISS.... Keep It Simple .....

 

[Vondertrenk]

Agreed, please post the "BLACK list"

Scott,

Would you post the complaints that you have received or at least provide a list of manufacturers that complained? I would like to know which products and manufacturers to boycott. I think that we all would like to know.

I can see where this site might be a source of embarrassment to those manufacturers that don't adequately support their own products.

 

[Vondertrenk]

Guys
Let me throw my two cents;

I like Scott's idea, subforum for every FTA brand. However the are voices in favour of keeping all the discussions in the same bucket. That is underestable because will make it easier for people looking for new boxes to compare.

This is my idea; Keep the original Scott's plan of subfolders for each band and....... add another subfolder that will compile all the threads going to every specific subfolder. You can call it "All FTA Receivers" or similar. In such way everybody will be happy.

 

[vc2]

I would hate to make the call as to what forum a receiver was placed loosely based on NA support. Personally, I would not separate the receivers other than by brand.

What is NA support? Is it simply providing firmware updates and satellite lists? Technical support? Warranty repair or replacement? Or is it also distributing equipment that meets the safety, compliance and licensing requirements. Maybe this concern is based on the experience of my chops having been busted on many occasions when pointing out the little legal issues such as licensing and compliance.

KISS.... Keep It Simple .....

I thought that NA was North America. A lot of equipment is made for the European market with little or no support for North American customers. AZBox is a prime example.

 

[vc2]

Guys
Let me throw my two cents;

I like Scott's idea, subforum for every FTA brand. However the are voices in favour of keeping all the discussions in the same bucket. That is underestable because will make it easier for people looking for new boxes to compare.

This is my idea; Keep the original Scott's plan of subfolders for each band and....... add another subfolder that will compile all the threads going to every specific subfolder. You can call it "All FTA Receivers" or similar. In such way everybody will be happy.

I'm not sure what you are trying to say - - - I'm not quite sure that I agree.

Technical issues targeting a particular receiver should be discussed in the subforum for that receiver, not in a general discussion area. Otherwise, the issue will get lost in the noise. Products such as AZBox have a lot of issues. It makes no sense to discuss AZBox issues anyplace other than the AZBox subforum.

A general discussion area is fine for non-specific general or pre-sales discussions, but not for targeted model specific problem solving technical issues.

 

[Mr Tony]

I agree with Iceberg, Pete is one of the Most professional moderators, that we use to have!

I hope you were joking...i sure as heck was.
I guess you werent here when he would nuke posts because he didnt agree with the views, get mad a folks who tried to help others and whine to other staff that people were "stalking him"......one of the best moves Scott made was getting rid of him

I don't think Iceberg was arguing for bringing Pete back, I think he was being sarcastic.

bingo!

 

[Mr Tony]

I should note that before the change was made it was discussed with staff and all the FTA staff voted to make the change. (Including Iceberg)

I really suggest you read post 66 again....especially last paragraph

 

[vc2]

Our first commitment is to you our members! That's what SatelliteGuys is all about!

Members helping members since 2003, we are SatelliteGuys!

I am very confused! Your actions contradict the words that you speak.
R.I.P.

 

[SatelliteAV]

I thought that NA was North America. A lot of equipment is made for the European market with little or no support for North American customers. AZBox is a prime example.

So in your example are you suggesting that the AZBox would not be placed in the NA (North America) support area?

 

[vc2]

So in your example are you suggesting that the AZBox would not be placed in the NA (North America) support area?

Not at all. Your original post may not have been clear.

I may be wrong, but I believe that we are a North American support site by default. I don't see a pressing need to provide regional support areas. I've never seen any discussions on satellites outside of North America other than how to remove them from the satellite lists.

All I stated is that the AZBox was designed primarily for the Euorpean market. Because of this, there was never any official support for the North American market. This site has provided far better support than the official AZBox support forum ever did.

 

[pwrsurge]

All I stated is that the AZBox was designed primarily for the Euorpean market. Because of this, there was never any official support for the North American market. This site has provided far better support than the official AZBox support forum ever did.

We at AzBox Canada have been providing official AzBox support for the North American market since 2010.


Best regards,


PwrSurge
AzBox Canada

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Guys thanks for your feedback and lists, I will be working this morning on making a change that will help us out going forward. Once I am done I will explain what I did and why it is that way. And I will also go into why the change was made in the first place.

BTW good to see a lot of old faces come out of the woodwork and chime in on this one. Welcome back and enjoy!

More later once I am complete!

Thanks again!

 

[Vondertrenk]

If we do stick for products built primarily for the NA market then it will be only the GeoSat miniHD.....
Not a good idea.