Ketch going off on OB

[MBHORNSFAN]

I really think what makes this board so special is the lack of a central ego. There isn't one man running the ship with an iron fist. The mods are diligent but respectful of banter and opposing positions. You join the board and you're treated like a long lost brother, rather than an unintelligible newcomer. There isn't an entitlement issue here and that goes a long way in repeated poster use. Knowing that you can come into a place, state your opinion however unpopular, and do so without suffering a series of berating and insulting posts isn't ordinary among online forums. I think HS could be the kind of place where even Sooner and Aggie fans could come for good, humane and intelligent conversation. We just have to continue demanding the best out of one another. Avoid personal attacks and recognize we're all here out of a mutual love for the Burnt Orange.

Thanks. We're truly trying to build something different here.

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

It's still the truth.

Hello Neil,

The point is we don't have to go there on this site. I hope you understand that?

 

[NLeininger]

Hello Neil,
The point is we don't have to go there on this site. I hope you understand that?

No worries.

 

[Coal Harbour]

My personal dealings with Ketch have been positive. As mentioned before, he gave me an opportunity to write for period of time on OB and cover HS football recruiting with player spotlight articles. It was a bucket list type of thing for me as I had done some work covering HS football with a local newspaper when I was younger.

He provided me quite a bit of latitude with the articles and never changed the content, which was appreciated. My "real" job changed and couldn't move forward in that arena and Ketch was very understanding.

I don't hate OB and still am a member even though I prefer this site much more with the "respectful" back and forth between members. I'm not an OB plant, but wanted to chime in as my experiences with Ketch were much different than some others seemingly by reading the posts.

 

[Black Scholes]

This is defamatory.

How does truth play into it as a defense?

 

[mesoHorny]

My biggest gripe with that site is the sloth and laziness that permeates the ownership/moderators. Ketch - who always identifies himself now as a journalist - can't spell and won't proofread. I know it's a small thing but it bugs the hell out of me. Suchomel may be the least informed person on a Texas website. Chip Brown is down to Plonsky as his last source and she will make him dance when it suits her. I actually think all of those guys are pretty miserable about what they do, although you would think the checks Ketch is cashing would make him pretty happy.
That site can be had. It's got the eyeballs but the content is second-rate. Virtually every single intelligent or informed poster has left. Orangebloods is closer to a tipping point than not. But Mack Brown's departure will probably mean some serious $$ for Ketchum in new signups so he's very money good for the next 6 months.

Scipio is the single best writer about Texas sports. Don't even know who's second, but it's well back. But BC is kind of an awkward place and I don't think it's going to get mass numbers. IT has the credibility and the guys running it have good reps; if they can figure it out that's your bet to take down OB IMO.

Agreed but Clendon is going to have to loosen up the board a bit. One of the things I liked about OB's was there was always good conversation. Yes nasty and petty at times but there was always some thread to go to and get instant feedback. Because of the way Clendon mods his board the threads are all basically the same and you will see days go by without a thread ever going past 2 or 3 pages. It's a catch 22 I know but if you want a lot of people on your board you have to be willing to deal with the negatives that come with it.

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

Agreed but Clendon is going to have to loosen up the board a bit. One of the things I liked about OB's was there was always good conversation. Yes nasty and petty at times but there was always some thread to go to and get instant feedback. Because of the way Clendon mods his board the threads are all basically the same and you will see days go by without a thread ever going past 2 or 3 pages. It's a catch 22 I know but if you want a lot of people on your board you have to be willing to deal with the negatives that come with it.

I'm not so sure Clendon is going to have loosen up? He has one of the fastest growing web sites. I would rather grow slow and exclude the nasty & petty posting. If I see something that is nasty or petty, it is coming down. I absolutely agree with what Black Scholes take on how this site should proceed.

I'm going to do my best to learn from Clendon & Geoff. I want emulate what they have done well and try and avoid the mistakes that may have been made.

 

[beamcoke&horns]

I'm here for the gangbang

 

[theknighttrain]

I will just say that Ketch has placed himself into the role of public figure, therefore he is open to "shots" against his character so long as there is no intent to harm his business or person. Reputation, well that's another story.

Question: What is that limitation?

Wamhof: A public figure cannot sue for libel or slander unless the defendant made the defamatory statement with malice.

Question: So proving malice may be difficult by a public figure?

Todd: That’s right. The plaintiff has the burden to prove malice, and prove it with convincing evidence.

But I'll digress to the board mods and owners here.

I don't want to get booted off here.

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

I'm here for the gangbang

Have you calmed down a bit?

 

[Hoekem]

I'm here for the gangbang

Had to laugh...

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

I will just say that Ketch has placed himself into the role of public figure, therefore he is open to "shots" against his character so long as there is no intent to harm his business or person. Reputation, well that's another story.

But I'll digress to the board mods and owners here.

I don't want to get booted off here.

You are not getting booted. I just don't think it what we should discuss here?

 

[MBHORNSFAN]

I'm not so sure Clendon is going to have loosen up? He has one of the fastest growing web sites. I would rather grow slow and exclude the nasty & petty posting. If I see something that is nasty or petty, it is coming down. I absolutely agree with what Black Scholes take on how this site should proceed.
I'm going to do my best to learn from Clendon & Geoff. I want emulate what they have done well and try and avoid the mistakes that may have been made.

Fair statement

 

[mesoHorny]

I'm not so sure Clendon is going to have loosen up? He has one of the fastest growing web sites. I would rather grow slow and exclude the nasty & petty posting. If I see something that is nasty or petty, it is coming down. I absolutely agree with what Black Scholes take on how this site should proceed.
I'm going to do my best to learn from Clendon & Geoff. I want emulate what they have done well and try and avoid the mistakes that may have been made.

Not sure I made myself clear. I don't condone the nasty and petty. Where I think Clendon errors is his strict control of what is a valid subject for his main board. He is really strict on it being longhorn related. Now in a perfect world that would be fine but the fact is especially in the off season there isn't always a lot to talk about regarding only UT. IMO loosening the content restrictions would bring more traffic to the board which IMO is the only thing they are missing over there. Mondays are great b/c the Hummidor. Then it start to taper off and by th/fr it's down right boring at times. The weekends no one posts anything.

BTW McPhaul I remember you from OB's and love what your doing here. Congrats on a great site.

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

Not sure I made myself clear. I don't condone the nasty and petty. Where I think Clendon errors is his strict control of what is a valid subject for his main board. He is really strict on it being longhorn related. Now in a perfect world that would be fine but the fact is especially in the off season there isn't always a lot to talk about regarding only UT. IMO loosening the content restrictions would bring more traffic to the board which IMO is the only thing they are missing over there. Mondays are great b/c the Hummidor. Then it start to taper off and by th/fr it's down right boring at times. The weekends no one posts anything.
BTW McPhaul I remember you from OB's and love what your doing here. Congrats on a great site.

You what Brother, I stand corrected. I misunderstood your take!

 

[Topstarr]

I'm here for the gangbang

YES! I understand.....Maybe

 

[Topstarr]

I really think what makes this board so special is the lack of a central ego. There isn't one man running the ship with an iron fist. The mods are diligent but respectful of banter and opposing positions. You join the board and you're treated like a long lost brother, rather than an unintelligible newcomer. There isn't an entitlement issue here and that goes a long way in repeated poster use. Knowing that you can come into a place, state your opinion however unpopular, and do so without suffering a series of berating and insulting posts isn't ordinary among online forums. I think HS could be the kind of place where even Sooner and Aggie fans could come for good, humane and intelligent conversation. We just have to continue demanding the best out of one another. Avoid personal attacks and recognize we're all here out of a mutual love for the Burnt Orange.

I will be glad to do my best.......mutual love

 

[Black Scholes]

Agreed but Clendon is going to have to loosen up the board a bit. One of the things I liked about OB's was there was always good conversation. Yes nasty and petty at times but there was always some thread to go to and get instant feedback. Because of the way Clendon mods his board the threads are all basically the same and you will see days go by without a thread ever going past 2 or 3 pages. It's a catch 22 I know but if you want a lot of people on your board you have to be willing to deal with the negatives that come with it.

It's an art, not a science. You have to figure out who's adding value and contributing to the conversation. Anger and emotion is all good stuff; I'm guilty of it. If it's not at least a little rowdy it'll be too tame. But 20 guys saying 'first', 'you're not a coach', 'who are your sources', pointless attacks, etc - that's a waste of my time.

 

[DizzG]

All I know is the intelligence level on OB right now is at an all time low. Just reading threads like the Jamail thread today and how many people cant read between the lines is disturbing.

 

[Randolph Duke]

It's an art, not a science. You have to figure out who's adding value and contributing to the conversation. Anger and emotion is all good stuff; I'm guilty of it. If it's not at least a little rowdy it'll be too tame. But 20 guys saying 'first', 'you're not a coach', 'who are your sources', pointless attacks, etc - that's a waste of my time.

I am 100% against people claiming to have "inside sources" who are supposedly willing to violate confidences and neglect loyalties to the program and both the athletes and professionals that comprise the program. Instead, I enjoy the efforts of people who are willing to ask intelligent questions of people involved in the program and remind those people how answers to valid questions help keep people connected to the program and willing to pay to keep UT athletics vibrant.