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Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Hi,

John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.

I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.

With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.

I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.

If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.

I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.

I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.

Thank you
Darragh Sherwin

Forum Sabotaged

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30 Dec 2007 00:58 #1 by darragh (Darragh Sherwin)
Hi all,

It has come to my attention that several of the forums including the sponsors forums have been removed and not by any software glitch or bug.
My only current conclusion is that someone has sabotaged the forum for their own gain.

This makes me sick to my stomach that someone would preform such an cowardly act.
I hope the person who did this will own up to it so I can fix the damage they have caused.

Darragh

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30 Dec 2007 01:14 - 30 Dec 2007 01:18 #2 by steven (steven)
Replied by steven (steven) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
Lads for F**k sake who would stoop this low Darragh who has access to this area of the forum?

Actually Darragh who would gain anything from doing this and after all that has gone in the last 48 hours???

Treat every day like your last, some day it will be??
Last edit: 30 Dec 2007 01:18 by steven (steven).

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30 Dec 2007 01:33 #3 by steven (steven)
Replied by steven (steven) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
Darragh if its any help the sponsors section was still up between 2 and 2.30pm i accessed it to use petshop online to buy some new toys for my dog.

Treat every day like your last, some day it will be??

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30 Dec 2007 01:46 #4 by KenS (Ken Simpson)
Darragh,

How could this happen?? The Malawi section disappeared yesterday which hasn't been resolved yet. Are you sure it isn't a glitch???

Regards,

Ken.

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30 Dec 2007 01:49 #5 by Daragh_Owens (Daragh Owens)
Steven, is that 2.00 -2.30 today Saturday? Because not long after that I spoke to one of the sponsors who told me it was gone, so that ties down time very specifically. It would have been around 3pm I spoke to the sponsor.

The fish section went yesterday (Friday), sometime between 5pm and around 9pm / 10pm

I don't think this would have been done deliberately by anyone, there was talk yesterday of changing the sections around on the general forum and in the admins forum, so I am hoping that it was accidental when someone was combining some of the sections together???

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30 Dec 2007 01:52 #6 by darragh (Darragh Sherwin)
Ken,

I am certain it isn't a glitch, I've the same software running another forum and it has not had any glitches at all.
Also the forum has been running grand up to about 24hours ago when forums started disappearing.
I have start restoring some of the data from a backup in the middle of December but I don't think I will be able to fully recover it.

Darragh

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30 Dec 2007 01:53 #7 by KenS (Ken Simpson)
I hope you're right Daragh. Surely nobody would stoop as low as to sabotage the forum.

Regards,

Ken.

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30 Dec 2007 01:57 - 30 Dec 2007 01:58 #8 by steven (steven)
Replied by steven (steven) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
Yeah Daragh between 2 and 2.30pm Saturday i logged on to petshop online through our sponsors page can check in the morning exactly what time i made my purchase at, and last night i remember seeing the video one of our members posted and i made a comment on how well his fish looked against the background, then i made a post of my own about a Malawi i had rescued and wasn't sure of the species, Peter 'o Brien answered me and i googled his reply around 7-8pm, that was in the Malawi section last night (Friday).

Treat every day like your last, some day it will be??
Last edit: 30 Dec 2007 01:58 by steven (steven).

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30 Dec 2007 02:09 #9 by steven (steven)
Replied by steven (steven) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
Daragh i just checked my purchase it was at 2.23pm so you can assume i browsed their site for 5-8 minutes.So anywhere between 2.10 and 2.20pm.

Treat every day like your last, some day it will be??

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30 Dec 2007 02:15 #10 by KenS (Ken Simpson)
Just looking at the forum, I notice that many of the forums are showing no posts. This includes the LFKS forum which I know had several posts. What's happening??

Regards,

Ken.

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30 Dec 2007 02:15 #11 by mickeywallace (Michael Wallace Cath Woods)
i have to say i DO NOT thing this is some thing recent the forum clock has been off for ages. And there was other problems as well but i be on here quite a bit and as silly as it sounds miner problems have been the norm for a while could there be a BACKDOOR.

regardless if by accident it was done joining up sections well i would say shame on the person who did it as action was taken before the members voiced their opinion and was unacceptable.

my last word the wicked witch is dead but her magic lives on

I suggest that every member be contacted and asked to change their pass word and all possible admin passwords be changed as well.

New faces old story?

Mickey Wallace & Cath Woods

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30 Dec 2007 02:49 - 30 Dec 2007 14:28 #12 by JohnH (John)
Replied by JohnH (John) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
darragh wrote:

I hope the person who did this will own up to it so I can fix the damage they have caused.

Darragh


Cowardly would-be saboteurs work in this underhanded manner, they don't have the front to do things openly so don't hold your breath waiting for a confession, t'would be a long wait...

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


ITFS member.



It's a long way to Tipperary.
Last edit: 30 Dec 2007 14:28 by darragh (Darragh Sherwin).

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30 Dec 2007 14:30 #13 by darragh (Darragh Sherwin)
I am currently trying to restore those forums, but the restore has not yet restored the messages to those forums.

Darragh

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30 Dec 2007 17:38 #14 by derek (Derek Doyle)
darragh
i am absolutely shocked and sickened by this latest turn of events but am very pleased that you are sticking at it through this current onslaught. i know you and the admins have worked hard on our behalf to build and improve this great resource with no material reward. i have been in this great hobby a long time and i strongly believe that the forum is hugely responsible for a massive improvement in fishkeeping standards and greatly helped with the success of the itfs show this year. on a personal note it has helped rejuvenate my flagging interest through meeting loads of great new (to me) fishkeepers. i sincerely hope we survive this current crisis and carry on improving our knowledge and standards, and i intend to help in any way i can in writing articles and answering more posts.
i propose we have a meeting in the new year to create a charter and ombudsman commitee and thrash out any problems and discuss finance for necessary improvements.


derek doyle

30 tanks specialise in african cichlids, angelfish and various catfish

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30 Dec 2007 19:14 #15 by KenS (Ken Simpson)
I think Derek's suggestion makes a lot of sense. I am also prepared to contribute in any way I can.

Do we have any idea how this happened? Was the forum hacked or was it an insider?

Regards,

Ken.

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30 Dec 2007 19:21 #16 by steven (steven)
Replied by steven (steven) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
Thanks Darragh for doing your best to mend everything.

Ken i would love to think it was a hacker ( that one of our own wouldn't stoop this low), but with the carry on the last 72 hours serious questions must be asked.

Darragh if you need help with anything let us know.

Treat every day like your last, some day it will be??

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30 Dec 2007 21:39 - 31 Dec 2007 00:47 #17 by ChrisM (ChrisM)
Replied by ChrisM (ChrisM) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
I am one the the few people who made this forum what it is,I must have referred over 30 members personally.I got involved everyday I could and gave advice where I could.

I gave Anthony my support as a friend and so was guilty by association.I never once claimed he didnt overstep the line and contradict his own rules.I also agreed he deserved to be banned but thought an alternative solution could have been met!

Darragh made a very weak claim today that the forum reset was responsible for my Admin status being removed.You forget Darragh I am a Computer Engineer and understand these systems well.It was switched off manually without even as much as a text. [Sorted]

There has been so much hidden meanings and non mentioning of names over the last few days so why dont people get honest and post what they think.....it may end all this arguing.

Ill get it started.....I did not delete any posts yet Darragh Sherwin assumes me guilty[sorted].And word has spread around Dublin already.Only a few weeks ago I was accused of having my pockets lined by Petstop Blanchardstown in return for them controlling the forum.Yet less than a week ago I was asked to become Super Admin of the forum.If you are confused then so am I.

All I want is my name cleared and an apology,from who I dont care but I will not have my integrity questioned.I have worked too hard to get where I am and I wont have it dragged through the dirt for anybody.

Regarding the forums policy on sponsors:

I feel it would have been appropriate to approach the people who actually got sponsorship for ITFS/LFKS/SAS/GAS members to help draw up a document on sponsorship.

Regarding Anthonys behaviour:

Dave Walters,Ken Simpson and myself will be having a meeting to discuss how this can be resolved.
Last edit: 31 Dec 2007 00:47 by ChrisM (ChrisM).

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30 Dec 2007 21:48 #18 by ChrisM (ChrisM)
Replied by ChrisM (ChrisM) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
Mobile: 0879147400

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30 Dec 2007 22:30 #19 by TomNolan (Tommy Nolan)
I can't believe how petty the forum has got, I used to enjoy coming on here but now it's just a joke. I've seen 10 year olds with more maturity than some people on here have exhibited the past couple of days. Shame as this was once a helpful and entertaining forum.

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30 Dec 2007 23:07 #20 by Gerard_Evans (Gerard Evans)
Hi all. I as a member of both clubs and also in the trade think that enough is enough. Till the person or persons come forward and own up to the stupid removable of posts and treads this will go on and on.

This is meant to be about fish keeping not a slagging off each other problem.
As fish keepers we are all passionate about fish not personalities.

It all started from dyed fish why on earth did it turn to this. The forum has been a great way to get things said but also the written word can be dangerous as much harder to take back.

The forum should never be about individuals as in all walks of life some people just do not get on. I am not taking up for anyone but the members who seem to be caught up in the problems are some of the most dedicated and nicest people you could ever meet.

Can it be at all possible to meet and get this resolved with cool heads.

I will now probably be now given out about but i do not care i care for fishkeepers and fishkeeping only. This hobby owes a lot to the admins and some members but please please get back to fish keeping.

Chris you should not get worked up about this you should take a deep breath and forget about this, as you know i was also brought into an dispute of late and i got worked up and now just have forgotton about it.

You think the world is against you , you know you did not pull the threads so just wait till a meeting is called. Derek and myself and a few others hope that a set of rules that are not to harst can be drawn up by people that the forum respects and will be taken on board by all members.

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30 Dec 2007 23:12 #21 by steven (steven)
Replied by steven (steven) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
\"I am one the the few people who made this forum what it is\"

This is what causes 99.9% of the problems here people on power trips, every member that has signed up has made this forum what it is.

\"Despite Daragh Owens bitchy and sly comments\"

Never seen a comment he made where he wasn't attacked 1st.

\"Darragh made a very weak claim today that the forum reset was responsible for my Admin status being removed\"

Failed to see this myself and have checked for the last half an hour.

And as for Petshop Blanch the place was a disgrace, yes it deserves a 2nd chance but there where sponsers here before them that never got the limelight they got, just because they decided to clean their act up.

They should have had to earn a place in our sponsership section after there years of neglecting our hobby, with there dead floating fish day after day and flithy tanks. Basically years of cruelty.

Treat every day like your last, some day it will be??

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30 Dec 2007 23:32 #22 by paulm (paulm)
Replied by paulm (paulm) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: It all a f**king joke and the prev. post has just proved it. :angry: :angry:

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30 Dec 2007 23:37 #23 by steven (steven)
Replied by steven (steven) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
Care to explain Paul....all i posted was facts

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30 Dec 2007 23:40 - 30 Dec 2007 23:49 #24 by Gerard_Evans (Gerard Evans)
Steven

I do not know you but yes it is the members who make the forum. But it is also members who destroy forums, naming a person whoever they may be seems a personal attack, we all do not get on but can this all stop please and get back to basics. As regards to name and shame or banning a member it was done in my opinion wrong the person or persons who are to be banned should be at least be contacted and given a reason for there banning and not done on a public forum.

Also starting to name shops again is not right there are still loads of problems in the trade but it is getting better at least they have taken on board negative things brought up about them.

If we where to police everyone and become big brother some people would say ban fancy goldfish, tank busters, marines which are nt captive breed, fancy mollies, and any now natural cichlids.

We are here to advise what we think should happen but people have different tastes and it is not for us to tell them they are wrong.

why does it take an arguement to make things happen.
Last edit: 30 Dec 2007 23:49 by Gerard_Evans (Gerard Evans).

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30 Dec 2007 23:48 #25 by Gerard_Evans (Gerard Evans)
on another note people should only sign in under ones own name not different ones as this is counter productive and really upsets the good nature of what we all should be doing.

i always use my name as i could sign in under a different name and slag off a compeditor or shop to try and gain points, but my nature would not allow this as i hope all shops do well as it is good only for the hobby.

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30 Dec 2007 23:59 #26 by steven (steven)
Replied by steven (steven) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
Understood Gerard but i got banned a while back and was named for no reason no written rule broken just a common knowledge rule..Naming shops is not right i apoligise but i was sickened a while back to see how much publcity this shop was getting after years of neglagence, as i said everyone deserves a 2nd chance.

This forum has been a goldmine of information for me and every newbie who joined up and alot of what happened i feel in the last 72 hours happened behind close doors in the admin section, it spilled over here on to the public forum.

I do not doubt that Anto and Chris are top men and fishkeepers but why the constant bickering and i said that he said crap. Why can't we get back to the fish side of things help Darragh rebuild whats been lost, bury whatever grudges are there between whoever and all just kop on and act like grown men myself included.

Treat every day like your last, some day it will be??

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31 Dec 2007 00:08 #27 by Gerard_Evans (Gerard Evans)
Steven

thanks for the reply i do understand what you said but it is a sorry fact things got out of hand, but chris and anto are really passionate people and it is wrong to say their names as causing the trouble.

As all forums things get said out of place and like whispering people add their own extras.

Please can this stop or can the site admin stop all this constant bickering, we are meant to be adults not babies, it seems myself included can be wrong at times. It is like the guy next door nicest guy you can meet a angel but put him behind a wheel road rage takes over, the forum seems like that aswell.

Anyway enought from me now i am going to get it in the neck.

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31 Dec 2007 00:13 #28 by KenS (Ken Simpson)
I spoke to Chris tonight. Chris felt he was being implicated in the sabotage of the forum. I didn't see where that was said, but Chris feels this opinion is out there.

Knowing Chris, I'm quite sure he doesn't want glory regarding the work he put into the forum. He simply wants people to consider the work he put in if they for a minute feel that he's responsible for the damage caused.

Chris and another former Admin did a lot of work together on the forum and were aware of each others' log in details. I'm sure you can work out the rest for yourselves.

Regards,

Ken.

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31 Dec 2007 00:16 #29 by steven (steven)
Replied by steven (steven) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
No Problem Gerard the outcome that would be the perfect one, is Anto,Darragh, Daragh Owens and Chris get their heads together sort it out. Its hard to see it happen but it would be a great outcome, look at this forum 6 months ago it was thriving you would log on in the evening after a hard day at work, and catch up and how everyone's own fish world was progressing. Lads if there is anyway its worth a try its for the good of our forum and fishkeeping in Ireland.

1 question. Where did it all go wrong??

Treat every day like your last, some day it will be??

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31 Dec 2007 00:21 #30 by steven (steven)
Replied by steven (steven) on topic Re:Forum Sabotaged
KenS wrote:

I spoke to Chris tonight. Chris felt he was being implicated in the sabotage of the forum. I didn't see where that was said, but Chris feels this opinion is out there.

Knowing Chris, I'm quite sure he doesn't want glory regarding the work he put into the forum. He simply wants people to consider the work he put in if they for a minute feel that he's responsible for the damage caused.

Chris and another former Admin did a lot of work together on the forum and were aware of each others' log in details. I'm sure you can work out the rest for yourselves.


Well said Ken clears alot up and Chris i never doubted you, you had nothing to gain from sabotaging the forum.

Treat every day like your last, some day it will be??

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