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Scuba Forum / UK Scuba / March 2005scuba gear reviews
A few months ago, I posted here to let people know about a new website stuffed with valuable information for new scuba divers. At the time, I received many comments and suggestions from uk.rec.scuba readers about how to improve the site - and some readers even offered additional content and pointed out corrections. Readers from uk.rec.scuba have taken an active role in making the Scuba Guide a little better than the editors themselves had expected. http://www.thescubaguide.com/ At the time I also announced that a scuba gear review section was being built, where you could read and compare gear brands, along with user reviews. Knowing that scuba divers are always eager to share their knowledge with others, (and having received many requests asking "is it ready yet?"), I'm happy to annouce that the directory is finished and it's on the website now. The directory currently covers over 1400 products by well-known manufacturers like Aqualung, Mares, Apeks, Oceanic, Suunto, Beuchat, IST, and many more. New products are added every day. http://www.thescubaguide.com/d/ Since the directory is very new, the number of user-submitted reviews is small. So if you look up a product that you have used, and see no reviews for it, why not offer your opinions! Over time, with the participation from the public, this directory will be an excellent one-stop spot to get real opinions about products when you're looking to buy new gear. The Scuba Guide is not associated with any gear manufacturers or retailers (revenue to host the site is provided by advertising, not by commercial investors), so we can offer completely unedited and unbiased consumer information. Feel free to rant or rave about your gear as eloquently as you wish. I hope you enjoy the new features. Cheers, Ian Ring, associate columnist, www.thescubaguide.com It just goes to show you. This review arrived within seconds of announcing the directory at uk.rec.scuba. http://www.thescubaguide.com/d/i1134.aspx uk.rec people have been the most responsive out of any online diving group that I've been in contact with. Thanks for your continued participation! Cheers, Ian Ring associate columnist www.thescubaguide.com > It just goes to show you. > This review arrived within seconds of announcing the directory at [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > associate columnist > www.thescubaguide.com Spamming w.nker! > Spamming w.nker! A little harsh perhaps :O\ That said, that was my first thought too, and a quick nosey does reveal its American bias (no bars or litres), lots of adverts, and very little real content. Better than some of the attempts we've seen though - doesn't really overlap too much with something already around. All very nice if it works, although i'm still questionable of the whole "we'll do the quick design and put the money-making infrastructure in place, and you provide the content to attract people back". As long as we don't get messages everytime someone posts a review on there (strong hint to the owner - more messages here will mean less visitors!) then good luck to it I suppose! David > That said, that was my first thought too, and a quick nosey does reveal its > American bias (no bars or litres), lots of adverts, and very little real > content. Better than some of the attempts we've seen though - doesn't > really overlap too much with something already around. The thing that annoys me about sites like this is that the content is of dubious value/accuracy, and all the site does for me is generate spurious hits on a search engine. On principle, I will never purchase anything through a portal site like this. There is NO value in the site. Sean > It just goes to show you. > This review arrived within seconds of announcing the directory at [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Cheers, I see a totally anonymous "review" without the slightest trace of objectivism that could have been written by the manufacturer of the equipment. Do you really expect people here to believe it? Perhaps the best way of discrediting this site is to send utterly derogatory reviews of each and every piece of equipment. I doubt that advertisers would support it for long in the face of such bad press. Cliff. Cliff, that wouldn't do anyone any good. And it would be a waste of your time. Why are you "bent" on discrediting this site? ~ ian >> It just goes to show you. >> This review arrived within seconds of announcing the directory at [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Cliff. > Cliff, that wouldn't do anyone any good. And it would be a waste of your > time. > Why are you "bent" on discrediting this site? > ~ ian Probably like your top posted response, the site is upside down! First thing you see on entering either of the two links you provided is 'shopping links' - filling most of the page. This is repeated wherever you go on the site. This would tend to prove the point that the site is purely a money driven bunch of scuba adverts with a few reviews thrown in to try to justify itself. Perhaps if it placed more emphasis on the content and the ads played second fiddle, then it wouldn't be regarded as such a blatant spam attempt when you advertise it here. your point is made. the ads are very prominently placed because they are the sole means of generating revenue for the site to be online. Not unlike any other magazine you'll pick up off the shelf. Other sites do not place their ads as prominently because they are either privately funded hobbyist sites (i.e. blogs or "personal" diving enthusiast sites) or they have commercial investment. The Scuba Guide has neither - that's part of why the directory can be an unbiased forum. Whether you appreciate the advertising or find them inexcuseable, I hope you find a way to enjoy what is there and not ruin it with a bunch of bogus trolling reviews. ~ i www.thescubaguide.com >> Cliff, that wouldn't do anyone any good. And it would be a waste of your >> time. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > second fiddle, then it wouldn't be regarded as such a blatant spam attempt > when you advertise it here. > your point is made. the ads are very prominently placed because they are the > sole means of generating revenue for the site to be online. Not unlike any [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > second fiddle, then it wouldn't be regarded as such a blatant spam attempt > > when you advertise it here. still f.cking top posting though!!! > still f.cking top posting though!!! Oh for god's sake, if you have a problem with this bloke then tell him what you're problem is, don't sit there whinging about top posting - you don't like it, get over it! I don't like the fact that I had to scroll down 50 lines to get to your pointless contribution - maybe you can start whinging about top posting when you've improved your own posting style! David here, here. Well said that man. > still f.cking top posting though!!! Oh for god's sake, if you have a problem with this bloke then tell him what you're problem is, don't sit there whinging about top posting - you don't like it, get over it! I don't like the fact that I had to scroll down 50 lines to get to your pointless contribution - maybe you can start whinging about top posting when you've improved your own posting style! David |
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