Stargazer's Lounge

[Blake Edwards]

This was removed twice from the CN forum, so as promised its here now.
The Stargazer's Lounge forum is being used a promotional tool for Tom Baader and
his Baader Planetarium products. The case is simple, a group of moderators
along with members in their attempt to receive discounts on Baader Planetarium
products have hijacked the forum where they will deliberately spam, harass, and
bother other members should they have another point of view which results in
that member being bullied or banned off the forum.

Further their harassment does not stop just at that forum. This same group will
engage in the same tactics against others who are on other astronomy forums. So
astronomers be aware the Stargazer's Lounge forum in the UK. If this happens to
you, contact your state's Department of Consumer Affairs.

[Mary Wilson]

The truth is out, keep up the good work.

[Frank McCay]

Blake Edwards wrote:

This was removed twice from the CN forum, so as promised its here now.
The Stargazer's Lounge forum is being used a promotional tool for Tom Baader and
his Baader Planetarium products. The case is simple, a group of moderators
along with members in their attempt to receive discounts on Baader Planetarium
products have hijacked the forum where they will deliberately spam, harass, and
bother other members should they have another point of view which results in
that member being bullied or banned off the forum.
Further their harassment does not stop just at that forum. This same group will
engage in the same tactics against others who are on other astronomy forums. So
astronomers be aware the Stargazer's Lounge forum in the UK. If this happens to
you, contact your state's Department of Consumer Affairs.

The owner of that forum is also a dealer for Baader

[Arnold Webster]

What evidence is there for Blake Edwards' assertions? I use the Stargazer's Lounge forum and haven't seen any of the behaviour its moderators are accused of. I have however benefited from the members' discount offered by the forum sponsor, First Light Optics, whose role is fully explained in the Sponsor Zone section of the forum. They are indeed a dealer for Baader, and for many other companies. And I see lots of praise on the forum for companies of whom First Light is not a dealer.

It doesn't surpsise me that CN removed the post. It ought to be removed from this site too, unless someone can substantiate the allegation.

[Peter Sellers]

I have never seen any of this type of behaviour that you mention. Do you have a grudge for some reason?

[Iain Sutherland]

Have you got the right forum? Stargazers lounge is the friendliest astronomy forum bar none.

[Pete Rossiter]

Hmm there must be some sort of sinister motive behind this thread because I have not seen this sort of behavior on Stargazers Lounge or any other forum in the UK.
Total and utter hogwash. This thread is a prime example of the bad side to the internet. People can post lies and complete rubbish. And they can post it in a way that others not in the know may believe.

[Pete Rossiter]

So Blake, the question is:

where the threads removed from CN or were YOU?

[Carlos uk]

Frank McCay wrote:

<quoted text>
The owner of that forum is also a dealer for Baader

I assume you are referring yo 'First Light Optics'..??

FYI - FLO are a SPONSOR of SGL
Not the owner.

FLO also sell many other brands, as well as Baader.
Their people give good advice on other forums, as well as SGL - and in my experience, I haven't seen any bias towards 'pushing' Baader products.

[Harry UK]

There is no one owner of SGL. It was founded by a group amateur astronomers for the enjoyment of everyone.....for free!!!! Servers and domains cost money, so a sponsor was taken on to cover those costs.
That sponsor sells a lot more than just Baader products. Looking at the First Light Optics website it's fair to say that Baader is not even their main product range.
This story looks like something to undermine either SGL or First Light Optics. A nasty and spiteful story that is totally untrue......complete lies and fabrication!!!!!!! Probably started by a nasty sad strange little man!

[Peter Heart]

Harry UK wrote:

There is no one owner of SGL. It was founded by a group amateur astronomers for the enjoyment of everyone.....for free!!!! Servers and domains cost money, so a sponsor was taken on to cover those costs.
That sponsor sells a lot more than just Baader products. Looking at the First Light Optics website it's fair to say that Baader is not even their main product range.
This story looks like something to undermine either SGL or First Light Optics. A nasty and spiteful story that is totally untrue......complete lies and fabrication!!!!!!! Probably started by a nasty sad strange little man!

Play nice or all of you will be off. It's not a threat it's just the way it will be

[Eddy]

Blake Edwards wrote:

This was removed twice from the CN forum, so as promised its here now.
The Stargazer's Lounge forum is being used a promotional tool for Tom Baader and
his Baader Planetarium products. The case is simple, a group of moderators
along with members in their attempt to receive discounts on Baader Planetarium
products have hijacked the forum where they will deliberately spam, harass, and
bother other members should they have another point of view which results in
that member being bullied or banned off the forum.
Further their harassment does not stop just at that forum. This same group will
engage in the same tactics against others who are on other astronomy forums. So
astronomers be aware the Stargazer's Lounge forum in the UK. If this happens to
you, contact your state's Department of Consumer Affairs.

I agree with Blake, so Blake looks like you got the bad guys mad so keep up the great work. Hey if they take you off this forum, make a web page about the nasty stuff that goes on at Stargazer's Lounge.

[Tim Silva]

Arnold Webster wrote:

What evidence is there for Blake Edwards' assertions? I use the Stargazer's Lounge forum and haven't seen any of the behaviour its moderators are accused of. I have however benefited from the members' discount offered by the forum sponsor, First Light Optics, whose role is fully explained in the Sponsor Zone section of the forum. They are indeed a dealer for Baader, and for many other companies. And I see lots of praise on the forum for companies of whom First Light is not a dealer.
It doesn't surpsise me that CN removed the post. It ought to be removed from this site too, unless someone can substantiate the allegation.

Here in out country we call it "Free Speech" weather you like it or not.

[Tim Silva]

Blake Edwards wrote:

This was removed twice from the CN forum, so as promised its here now.
The Stargazer's Lounge forum is being used a promotional tool for Tom Baader and
his Baader Planetarium products. The case is simple, a group of moderators
along with members in their attempt to receive discounts on Baader Planetarium
products have hijacked the forum where they will deliberately spam, harass, and
bother other members should they have another point of view which results in
that member being bullied or banned off the forum.
Further their harassment does not stop just at that forum. This same group will
engage in the same tactics against others who are on other astronomy forums. So
astronomers be aware the Stargazer's Lounge forum in the UK. If this happens to
you, contact your state's Department of Consumer Affairs.

Looks like we got their names. The truth is out there! FREE SPEACH!!!!!!!!

[Randal Scott]

Who cares. If you dont like the forum go to another one.

[John Pons]

Astromart has the best way of dealing with this sort-of thing. They like Clear Nights have a fee to join but after each post show the full name of the member. In addition there is a record of the transaction for the fee, so just this in it's self keeps things a little more civil. Perhaps the other forums should take note of that. This way stuff does not spill from one forum to another. If Blake has been banned then he can use a proxy to get back on the forum.

[Richard Levenson]

The matter has been turned over to the West Coast Astronomers Association for review. The WCAA will speak with both parties ie: firms as to the matter regarding forum dispute.

[Jim Heaton]

Lets put the forums aside an now star observing with our telescopes.

[Richard Levenson]

Blake Edwards wrote:

This was removed twice from the CN forum, so as promised its here now.
The Stargazer's Lounge forum is being used a promotional tool for Tom Baader and
his Baader Planetarium products. The case is simple, a group of moderators
along with members in their attempt to receive discounts on Baader Planetarium
products have hijacked the forum where they will deliberately spam, harass, and
bother other members should they have another point of view which results in
that member being bullied or banned off the forum.
Further their harassment does not stop just at that forum. This same group will
engage in the same tactics against others who are on other astronomy forums. So
astronomers be aware the Stargazer's Lounge forum in the UK. If this happens to
you, contact your state's Department of Consumer Affairs.

Sounds like you got a case! Take it to the WCAA

[Sherrie Tanner]

Richard Levenson wrote:

The matter has been turned over to the West Coast Astronomers Association for review. The WCAA will speak with both parties ie: firms as to the matter regarding forum dispute.

Good information. I'll remember it if I have trouble with other astronomers.