Identz II

Oh would someone give him back his rattle.  What an utterly predictable response.

Now...you might want to read what follows in its entirety before flying off the handle!

Number one James, there is very little difference between your site and TV Home *at the moment*...VERY little...apart from cosmetics.  MP3s, wallpapers...none at TV Home?  I would agree with Peter on the point about Soundz.  I have no problem admitting that I have visited and downloaded some of the MP3s - none at all.  My point on the MP3s which differentiate your site from the others is that when you get into clean versions of such material James, you're entering into new territory.  There are scores of people within and outside the industry who have access to that material - but do not publish them in this manner.  Frankly, I'm quite surprised you've been allowed to go as far as you have with this.  Granted, most people have no interest in this type of thing...however, copyright holders and BBC management DO.  However, fair play...you've put them together and they're online...and have entertained many of us.  I was a bit hesitant about the whole thing initially as I looked upon this as overstepping the mark...and that the powers that be would cause grief for the rest of us.

Point two.  My website is a hobby too James.  I have a full-time job which incorporates standard 9-5 and additional rota callout service.  And with a reasonable social and family life thrown in, there ain't that much time to play with.  TV Room is the result of two-and-half-years work - it didn't happen overnight.  During the week, I put things together in dribs and drabs.  All the equipment is in one area so I can have images, video and pages edited and online very quickly...it's really not much hassle.  And no, I'm not wrapped up in my own little world.  I am in no way averse to criticism whatsoever...I am when it is expressed in an ignorant manner.  I do not, incidentally, think that my site has the best content or design...far from it.  There's much better out there.  In fact, you appear to have a good eye for design.

I take exception to your remarks about how much material on TV Room comes from external sources - so what?!?!?  For the record, ALL images which are provided by external sources are labelled there and then as well as on the Credits page.  External sources are used mostly for regional or archive material which I do not have access to.  I think you'll find that in the region of 75% or more of the material on that site is sourced from my own library.  However, I have no problem in stating what I would consider to be the real gems have come from external sources.  I have a large number of valued and knowledgable contributors...I make no apologies for that.

What the hell has that got to do with anything - your remark on that was quite petty and puerile and entirely out of context within the whole argument.  Also, quite a cheek when you consider (see my previous post) that you have pinched images from TV Room and resized them *without* credit.  Probably removed by now of course.  Where's the originality there?

And let me just say when it comes to 'looking smart' and 'proclaiming importance' you do a nice job of that all by yourself.  Have you ever heard me brag about BBC contacts, how many clean news themes I have, the fact that I have clean versions of balloon symbols  etc etc etc etc.  NO!!

In the end James, as I've said before, it is very much up to yourself.  I look forward to seeing how things develop.  Hopefully, you're not going to continue with your cries for sympathy...after big bully boy Mike has had a dig.  Far from encouraging you to give up...I am in fact encouraging you to continue...just give us something fresh.

Anyway...must go...


(Edited by MikeMcG at 8:17 am on Dec. 5, 2001)

.. and you wonder why I never bothered doing anything with my themes!!!

As to what Mike was saying about his site being done in his spare time, I know for certain that this is the case. I have designed and contributed for the site, and am fully aware of the little spare time he often has to manage the site, yet still as I'm sure many people will agree does a very good job at that.

Mike is correct in saying that BBC management do take an interest, not from what I've been told by friends who are indeed BBC employees, but also look back at the days of the Tellytubbies when 6 and 7 year olds were told to remove their site because it infringed copyright.

As to his earlier comment about the clean themes, I've even got a couple that Identz doesn't have, so it shows that they are circulating more than you think.

I think the idea now would be to let things settle, and continue doing identz. There are many people on here who would want it to continue, infact I think it's fair to say everyone.

It's clear you've put alot of work into it, especially the 3 or 4 re-designs it's had, so don't let a little criticism cause the whole thing to be chucked in, if anything try to make identz better and be the best TV site around!

Look, come on guys. If you don't like it, you don't like. In this case, you've already said it and we know what you're saying.

But others do like it - particularly me - and it really isn't fair to keep posting these comments. Once you've said it, don't keep on and on and on.

There are only a few more sounds left to go onto the site. After that I will be keeping them to myself, and then I can be sure that people like Peter and Mike will have less of a reason to absolutely slaughter me on the forum.

And there was me thinking Isonstine & I were doing you lot the favour, looks like we were sorely mistaken, and I for one am deeply hurt.

I didn't slaughter - only agree that if Identz was to become popualar, it should maybe develop more ideas than other sites.

Afterall - I did send some MP3's to you - Remember?

Erm - actually, no I don't remember

Please remind me.

Come on James, for the sake of the poor people like me, I'm grovelling on the floor! Ignore them! Your site is great - don't stop!

Please...

Well, they were sent, and acknowledged a month or so ago.



(Edited by peterrocket at 6:08 pm on Dec. 4, 2001)

Don't you think it's a little odd though that James got nothing but praise for Isonstine:TV when it just had the sounds? No images, no downloads that have been done elsewhere, just the sounds and proved very, very popular.

You're now getting people basically to react with 'We want you to continue it - please don't stop it. Oh sod them that have a criticism of your site....' Is this really the reaction you want? People seeming to appease you just to continue to get the sounds?

The sounds section of Identz is fantastic IMO (as was Isonstine TV before it) but for someone who doesn't have the time to update the site, as you've said, why not concentrate on just the bits that makes Identz unique, namely sounds, wallpaper (although Max, that idea was on TV Home!) and 'your designs'?

Any hoo, just a suggestion.

Cheers, Asa

I don't think I've posted in this thread before.. so here goes:

Jamez - don't discontinue identz. It's a great site with lots of potential. As Asa says, concentrate on the parts that make identz unique and stand out. Then work on the 'standard' bits of a TV site.

It would be a great shame to see the site close as I can tell it's took a lot of hard work to get it going.

Rise above the people who you are saying are 'slaughtering' you, prove them wrong - make the site a huge hit.

I regularly visit identz - don't stop just because some people have criticised it.

Slaughtered?!?!  What utter balderdash!!

You're certainly not averse to hurling criticism at others (albeit incoherent and non-sensicle).  Not so keen when it's coming from the other direction.  From what I've seen of your behaviour on this forum, you're no stranger to controversy.  And quite often, your tone is nothing short of brute ignorant.  Putting myself aside, your irrational reaction to Peter's comments is quite astounding…yet, very much in character.

No-one is suggesting you close your site.  Stop being such a drama queen.

I could quite easily hammer into the ground every single 'argument' you've put forward in the last 24 hours.  However, I see no point.  You clearly read nothing anyone writes in reply.

Particularly amusing was your remark about the oddball obsessives on MHP.  You do actually share their interest (in case you hadn't noticed)...so much so that you've even gone so far as to create a website.  Or are you a more 'trendy' variety of anorak or something?!?  However, I'm not in the least offended by any of your remarks.

By all means continue with Identz.  No-one is asking you to call a halt to the thing.  You have been offered independent opinions on the content.  If you cannot handle criticism...well, that's your problem.  

For what it's worth, there are a few areas such as Features, Soundz and Your Designs which could be expanded out into a very worthwhile site.  This kind of material would win much more appreciation.  By your own admission, you don't have a lot of time on your hands; the other sections are looking like pale imitations of TV Home at the moment…and lets face it, the format/content of the Presentation pages is very strongly influenced by TV Home.  If you haven't got the time to devote, concentrate on specific areas...with an original approach.  You have pages on there asking for RealMedia ident contributions for other channels; this kind of thing is available elsewhere; there's a glut of sites with this kind of material.



(Edited by MikeMcG at 12:23 am on Dec. 5, 2001)

This could go on forever. I'd stop it while you're ahead. Swallow you're pride and walk away before more harm is done than good.