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I have an idea that could bring the members of this forum, and the people of the website back together again. Because after all, despite our differences of opinion, quoting oshora, “most of us have a common thread - we like the music and the man in some form or another.”
First of all, I want to make clear that I am not trying to slag off Tina or Ian here. But personally I think the website could be improved a lot. It’s too black & white, too static, the pages do not read too well. In short, the content is OK, the layout could be a lot better. Take a look for example at sting.com, or petetownshend.co.uk. Maybe Sting and Pete spend a lot more money on it, I don’t know. But I think it does not have to cost a lot of money or effort, to make a large improvement.
With a better site, we could draw new people to the site, and more importantly, keep them coming back! It would help to give the large fanbase, that Bob obviously still has, the information they are looking for.
Maybe there are forum users that can help creating a new & improved website. Does one of you have any webdesign experience? Or who knows a good web designer, who wants to help out? Or who is just a creative person, who can generate ideas to make the site look better? For instance, I am a software tester by profession. I could look at the new design, its usability, functionality, do all the links work, etc. I am willing to spend time on this.
At the same time, we as forum members could agree on some new rules, to ensure that topics that are too personal, dirty gossip etc., stays off the forum from now on.
I am posting this on the forum, and e-mailing it to the website at the same time.
What you say does make sense and as I said in my other post, we should be working together, not against each other. But not to the extent that freedom of speech is compromised and I think fans should have the right to share editorial responsibility.(of a forum) It would have to be an equal partnership. But if Bob found any post personally offensive, then negotiation could take place. None of us want to personally offend him. (Newbie Mr Freedom ofSpeech, formerly known as Arr Gee would probably havesomething to say about that). Looking reallistically, I dont know how our forum can attract new members if there is not a link on the website. And at the moment, he can't say that members are not working FOR him. Another lot of letters went away yesterday. I know that he knows about the petition and I think he got shown an email I sent to Mark Radcliffe when he was on Radio 2 yesterday which mentioned it. Though I have not the slightest doubt that he thinks it is a waste of time and he does not need it, and we should pool our energies into sometning else. But that is not the point, the point being that after all the "Geldof has no fans left" headlines, we must be PUBLICLY seen to be counteracting that. We have had signatuures from Argentina, Australia, Denmark, USA, Canada, Belgium,and lots more. Getting publicity for it is the hard part. Would it hurt them to put in on their links page? After all, we can delete offensive posts. I would like to see a message from BOB here, not from Willo, or Ian and Tina. I would like to know Bob's thoughts. Clear the air once and for all and start again. Strength is in numbers.
As you say, we are a BOB GELDOF forum and are all on the same side.
P.S. if MR newbie Freedom of Speech is not formerly known as Arr Gee, please accept my sincere apologies).
And there is still a link to happyfanclub on their news page.
And maybe a page that we could add to. Several of us knew about Bob's radio 2 appearance a day in advance, but had nowhere to put it, except here. That is what I mean about sharing editorial responsibility.
Anyway, off to a cottage at the foot of a mountain, overlooking the River Tay in Perthshire for a week. There is an internet cafe at a neighbouring village, but I may not see you all for a week. I am taking the audio book, to listen to him "drone on " for 8 hours, his words, not mine. Half price at Amazon.
thinks for highlighting the remaining link to Happy Fan Club on the news page. I have now removed it.
With regard to Joke's post. Remember bobgeldof.info is not a fan site, it's an information site and anything that appears on it is sanctioned by either Bob himself or Willo/management. It's purpose is just to inform people of what's going on. We don't take offense at the obvious critical remarks regading the layout/look/content of the website, it is run without a budget at all - the content is fine I think.
There is nothing to stop anyone from doing their own websites. Go ahead! The more the merrier. Personally I am not really interested on 'opinions' any more. I just do the job and what we are instructed to do by the powers that be.
There is no problem with Bob's mental state, and Bob's view on these websites has never really changed. He is supportive of what we do, he owns the site. But he isn't spending time looking at it and getting involved. As he has previously said, why would he want to read stuff about himself. He rarely reads reviews or articles in antional papers either.
Ian had intended to do the big interview with Bob soon. He had collated a lot of the questions you asked into the intereview, but we have not, at present set a specific date to do this. it's all a matter of when we can get time to do it.
We get many positive contributions to the website from many people and will always feature articles if appropriate.
On a final note: We get hundreds of emails a day all relating to Bob's activitied etc., we screen all of these and answer/pass on all of the ones WE deem appropriate.
That is that dead in the water, then Joke! At least your heart was in the right place. I guess we keep going as we are. Where is the "big interview" going to be put? Mr Freedom of Speech (formerly known as Arr Gee) will be laughing his head off by now. Don't you dare say I told you so.
I keep editing this,- Tina, I meant have some sort of editorial input into a new forum, not the website. I don't think I made myself clear. You sound really exhausted by the whole thing. The last week can't have been easy for you all. We are trying to help, honest! If we find reviews and articles, can we still send them down?
I learnt about these things in school that people visit those websites more fften which are colorfull and has more pictures. (Even if it isn't a fan site.)
One last suggestion before I go. Now that we know where we all stand, let Ian and Tina get on with running the website and let us get on with supporting Bob, the musician, activist, and the man, in as many ways as we know how. We will not go away.
"Them" and "us" stops here. For everyone's benefit. Ian and Tina have jobs to do as well as running the site. How they get the time, I don't know.
Scottie wrote: Mr Freedom of Speech (formerly known as Arr Gee) will be laughing his head off by now.
I find it odd that you choose to keep going on about this. I think it is very obvious that I am not Mr Freedom of Speech. Can I have some super sincere aplogising?
At the same time, we as forum members could agree on some new rules, to ensure that topics that are too personal, dirty gossip etc., stays off the forum from now on.
Some super sincere apologising as requested. When I get a notion in my head..... My fault entirely. I will keep my big mouth shut from now on and be super good.
It is not only the kids who get up to mischief in the school holidays.