site closure?

Submitted by bobbee on July 1, 2012 - 11:12am

What is happening and why? Any explanations?

bobbee
Posted July 1, 2012 - 11:44am

No ? 

DarHin
Posted July 1, 2012 - 2:02pm

I don't get it. Improvements a couple weeks ago now this.

I guess Stephen can't sell it for what he thinks it's worth and doesn't want to keep it going himself.

Jim Townsend
Posted July 1, 2012 - 2:25pm

OMG! You are kidding me right! This is truly a sad day and i cant say how dissapointed i am at this dreadful news. I am speechless!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim Townsend
Posted July 1, 2012 - 2:33pm

My watches shall stay along with my adverts i have given, Sad day indeed to be blunt this news sucks

yugioh1776
Posted July 1, 2012 - 2:27pm

I find this unexpected news devastating and heartbreaking. This has been a extremely helpful site and has made me even more interested in vintage watches, because without this site i wouldn't have many of the treasured watches i now own. :( sad day indeed

Jim Townsend
Posted July 1, 2012 - 2:27pm

I have the funny feeling that more than one panel member knew this was coming

Reverend Rob
Posted July 1, 2012 - 2:30pm

Just my 2¢, but the site will remain a valuable archive, and I for one will leave my few watches posted, and I'm sure I speak for many of us when I say I hope everyone will do the same. A lot of work has gone into this over the years, and it would be a shame if it unravelled completely, with pictures and files being removed. 

Jim Townsend
Posted July 1, 2012 - 5:09pm

Will we still have the option to PM Members or  will this vanish also? I belive that will and plains know the answers but for some reason are keeping quiet, hmmmm

William Smith
Posted July 1, 2012 - 5:23pm

In reply to by Jim Townsend

You folks know about as much as I do now.  More will be revealed.  Don't know what will happen to PM's, but it may be a good opportunity for members to get any email addresses and information in PM's recorded elsewhere, as I think this function (PM'ing) would be moot and removed.  If there is no login ability, how would one "check" their PM's?  Make hay while the sun shines.... :)

William Smith
Posted July 1, 2012 - 5:41pm

In reply to by Jim Townsend

Jim.... I don't think there would be any "members" as such, with the ability to log in removed.  There would be guests, or followers who could continue to benefit from the ads and historic content on site, but not membership as we now know it. 

Jim Townsend
Posted July 1, 2012 - 5:48pm

So what will we be able to view/ Date codes and ads are going to be gone  or still be able to be viewed  And the data base what about that? all that information that was gained will it be gone to? I get the no more members thing will all the infomation still be here to view when needed? And for how long. And if Stephen closes the site completly all this will be lost  to the world forever except him he will keep all our efforts and sweat and tears.

bobbee
Posted July 1, 2012 - 5:54pm

Try watchtalkforums.com Guys and gals, there is a good bulova forum on that site, I am a member, name of thumbs.
Not limited to Bulova on this site either.

Jim Townsend
Posted July 1, 2012 - 5:56pm

Thanks Bob heading there right now

bobbee
Posted July 1, 2012 - 6:01pm

And of course, watchophilia.com, Lisa's excellent site
See you there

Jim Townsend
Posted July 1, 2012 - 6:04pm

Got that one saved already

 

bobbee
Posted July 1, 2012 - 6:09pm

Aww shoot, life will not be the same, sorry its ending, we had real fun here.

bourg01
Posted July 1, 2012 - 6:12pm

Hey All,

Stephen is not shutting down the site!, He has stated that he is removing alot of the disscussion functionality which has been a major source of grief for him. Jim, Bobbee, Darhin, yugioh, as for login capabilities, maybe that portion is to be restructured such the site is always open to anyone who cares to visit. No logging in, no acccounts, just access to the data base, no one know's right now.

No, None of the panel members saw this coming, we're all shell shocked!

The site will evolve, hopefully into something better. I'm sure Stephen still has a vision of what he wishes the site to be and do.

Jim Townsend
Posted July 1, 2012 - 6:14pm

But we will no longer be able to post our finds and share it with everyone as i understand it

bourg01
Posted July 1, 2012 - 7:40pm

In reply to by Jim Townsend

Jim,

Right now this may be the intent but I don't think it's carved in stone at this point, it may be, but I would't take it as gospel until it happens. I think everyone is very willing to find useful alternatives to moving mybulova forward and helping Stephen to reduce the workload of running, and moderating the site. He has worked hard to build it up to where it is, he deserves our support to address some of the major concerns, and he deserves a break from all the BS that comes in some of the forums and watch discussions which become blown way out of proportion and way off topic of a subject watch. I for one am not going to throw in the towel and as I have stated, I'm soul searching for new idea's to help Stephen possibly re-structure the site so it may move forward in a very positive light without taking drastic measures. At the end of the day, Stephen runs the site, he makes the final decisions and we should try to encourage change we can all live with.

Regards Shawn

Reverend Rob
Posted July 1, 2012 - 7:38pm

I think it is a good idea to exchange emails or those that feel comfortable can post them. I am a watchmaker in Niagara, and my business email is:

[email protected]

Standard Time

Watch and Clock Repair

 

DreamWeaver
Posted July 1, 2012 - 10:03pm

I'm not sure this is such a bad thing. The biggest problem with the site was the members themselves and  the disagreements and arguments over calling a watch a this or a that. Sometimes asking for opinions was helpful...but normally it wasn't. A lot of times there was no comment at all...and other times questions answered and debated ad nausium. In my opinion it's time the site evolved into something different....it couldn't last the way it is. It can still be just as valuable as resource fcenter or research then as a forum for overly opinionated people. Frankly, I applaud the change. 

Jim Townsend
Posted July 2, 2012 - 3:25am

But for gods sake lets keep the feature that we can still post our watches. Just no more comments then no more bickering. It would be a shame to lose all this. And the many many vintage Bulovas that are still out there yet to be found and added for all to benifit from.

Jim Townsend
Posted July 2, 2012 - 5:16am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Hello Stephen. First of all i would not give in to pressure. I would keep the database the adverts and the ability to ad new and yet found watches. Do away with the rating system no checks no stars. Let the people post the watch as they know it. If it is an unknown then so be it. The band /strap is a throw away they wear out and get replaced over time. This should have NEVER been a consideration on naming a watch. The watch itself speaks for itself. It is what it is and no strap/band will change this fact. I dont know but please i  beg you not to give into this pressure. This person is out to see this fail and i belive will have alot to gain in  having it implode. Keep the ads. the database date codes etc. Do away with the rating altogether.  I feel the comment section was very needed so that we all could express our own opinion on a  watch and all work together to find the real and true name for any given watch.

God will guied you Stephen in what is best for you to do. I know you have strugglrd long and hard to find the answers you seek. Go with your heart and all will be good. You are a good man that took the efferot to get this site up and running and now it is known all over the wotld as the premier site with a wealth of Bulova knowledge and history.

Judy and i send our love and our prayers and will stand by you 100% in what ever become of this site.

Jim Townsend
Posted July 2, 2012 - 3:35am

This was a fairly "good" site when I first joined however it went downhill quickly... Site admin. is weak and allows way too much guesswork by certain opinionated members. This site also promotes a PM (private messaging) section that is anything but PRIVATE !! I personally have had "private conversations" with other members deleted, and notby me. The basis of this site is great in theory but piss poor in execution!!! IMO
05/05/2012 UPDATE
I've been watching this site constantly over the past year and can honestly report that it's even worse than I first reported! Site owner is such a spineless wimp. He has allowed a small number of members basically "take over" and BULLY the more knowledgeable members off the site. Arguments abound, name calling is the norm and the database has been "highjacked" to the point of absurd! Admin. recently announced that he was so "fed up" that he was going to sell the site, which in my opinion, would have been the best thing he probably could have done! Didn't happen, shame. Now he says that he's going to "PURGE" the membership roster of over 2500 members to only members that have logged in within the past year? What a YUTZ, now his membership will drop down to less than 25 based on my calculations, reason being that the other 2475 members got tired of the Bull*^+t and just stopped participating. Again, WHAT A YUTZ!
6/21/2012 UPDATE
Well it's pretty much as I predicted, this site owner has literally "Killed" his own site. The valuable and knowledgeable members have all left this site. A few have launched their own sites, the ones that are left are the ones who created all the controversy to begin with. Now, instead of true investigations, trying to re-build the Bulova watch history that was destroyed by careless Bulova management when they moved to their current headquarters, all this site promotes is speculation and guesswork.
It's been really sad to watch a website that had so much potential, literally be destroyed by weak and inept ownership. Especially when this same owner stated on numerous occasions that his main purpose was to establish a "friendly and courteous website" to re-create a timeline of history that was lost.
Finally, as a word of caution, One member in particular, {edited by Will Smith} who {edited by Will Smith}, was almost certainly the biggest trouble maker on this site, and should be given "SPECIAL RECOGNITION" for {edited by Will Smith} unwavering dedication to helping destroy this site.
UPDATE 07/01/2012
OFFICIALLY DEAD, ACCORDING TO SITE OWNER!!! AS OF JULY 4TH SITE WILL NO LONGER BE OPEN TO MEMBERSHIP, FORUMS, OR DISCUSSIONS OR EVALUATIONS.
Instead of taking a ProActive approach to saving what COULD have been a "Premier Watch Site" he let the "Inmates take over the asylum".
This will be a fine example, for decades to come, on how "NOT TO RUN A WEBSITE m     
  

Is the back stabbing worm man enough to fess up who posted this and stuck the knife in Stephens back!

http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.mybulova.com

 This was a fairly "good" site when I first joined however it went downhill quickly... Site admin. is weak and allows way too much guesswork by certain opinionated members. This site also promotes a PM (private messaging) section that is anything but PRIVATE !! I personally have had "private conversations" with other members deleted, and notby me. The basis of this site is great in theory but piss poor in execution!!! IMO
05/05/2012 UPDATE
I've been watching this site constantly over the past year and can honestly report that it's even worse than I first reported! Site owner is such a spineless wimp. He has allowed a small number of members basically "take over" and BULLY the more knowledgeable members off the site. Arguments abound, name calling is the norm and the database has been "highjacked" to the point of absurd! Admin. recently announced that he was so "fed up" that he was going to sell the site, which in my opinion, would have been the best thing he probably could have done! Didn't happen, shame. Now he says that he's going to "PURGE" the membership roster of over 2500 members to only members that have logged in within the past year? What a YUTZ, now his membership will drop down to less than 25 based on my calculations, reason being that the other 2475 members got tired of the Bull*^+t and just stopped participating. Again, WHAT A YUTZ!
6/21/2012 UPDATE
Well it's pretty much as I predicted, this site owner has literally "Killed" his own site. The valuable and knowledgeable members have all left this site. A few have launched their own sites, the ones that are left are the ones who created all the controversy to begin with. Now, instead of true investigations, trying to re-build the Bulova watch history that was destroyed by careless Bulova management when they moved to their current headquarters, all this site promotes is speculation and guesswork.
It's been really sad to watch a website that had so much potential, literally be destroyed by weak and inept ownership. Especially when this same owner stated on numerous occasions that his main purpose was to establish a "friendly and courteous website" to re-create a timeline of history that was lost.
Finally, as a word of caution, One member in particular, "Fifth Avenue Restorations" who also sells on EBay under the same name, was almost certainly the biggest trouble maker on this site, and should be given "SPECIAL RECOGNITION" for his unwavering dedication to helping destroy this site.
UPDATE 07/01/2012
OFFICIALLY DEAD, ACCORDING TO SITE OWNER!!! AS OF JULY 4TH SITE WILL NO LONGER BE OPEN TO MEMBERSHIP, FORUMS, OR DISCUSSIONS OR EVALUATIONS.
Instead of taking a ProActive approach to saving what COULD have been a "Premier Watch Site" he let the "Inmates take over the asylum".
This will be a fine example, for decades to come, on how "NOT TO RUN A WEBSITE 
This was a fairly "good" site when I first joined however it went downhill quickly... Site admin. is weak and allows way too much guesswork by certain opinionated members. This site also promotes a PM (private messaging) section that is anything but PRIVATE !! I personally have had "private conversations" with other members deleted, and notby me. The basis of this site is great in theory but piss poor in execution!!! IMO
05/05/2012 UPDATE
I've been watching this site constantly over the past year and can honestly report that it's even worse than I first reported! Site owner is such a spineless wimp. He has allowed a small number of members basically "take over" and BULLY the more knowledgeable members off the site. Arguments abound, name calling is the norm and the database has been "highjacked" to the point of absurd! Admin. recently announced that he was so "fed up" that he was going to sell the site, which in my opinion, would have been the best thing he probably could have done! Didn't happen, shame. Now he says that he's going to "PURGE" the membership roster of over 2500 members to only members that have logged in within the past year? What a YUTZ, now his membership will drop down to less than 25 based on my calculations, reason being that the other 2475 members got tired of the Bull*^+t and just stopped participating. Again, WHAT A YUTZ!
6/21/2012 UPDATE
Well it's pretty much as I predicted, this site owner has literally "Killed" his own site. The valuable and knowledgeable members have all left this site. A few have launched their own sites, the ones that are left are the ones who created all the controversy to begin with. Now, instead of true investigations, trying to re-build the Bulova watch history that was destroyed by careless Bulova management when they moved to their current headquarters, all this site promotes is speculation and guesswork.
It's been really sad to watch a website that had so much potential, literally be destroyed by weak and inept ownership. Especially when this same owner stated on numerous occasions that his main purpose was to establish a "friendly and courteous website" to re-create a timeline of history that was lost.
Finally, as a word of caution, One member in particular, "Fifth Avenue Restorations" who also sells on EBay under the same name, was almost certainly the biggest trouble maker on this site, and should be given "SPECIAL RECOGNITION" for his unwavering dedication to helping destroy this site.
UPDATE 07/01/2012
OFFICIALLY DEAD, ACCORDING TO SITE OWNER!!! AS OF JULY 4TH SITE WILL NO LONGER BE OPEN TO MEMBERSHIP, FORUMS, OR DISCUSSIONS OR EVALUATIONS.
Instead of taking a ProActive approach to saving what COULD have been a "Premier Watch Site" he let the "Inmates take over the asylum".
This will be a fine example, for decades to come, on how "NOT TO RUN A WEBSITE 
This was a fairly "good" site when I first joined however it went downhill quickly... Site admin. is weak and allows way too much guesswork by certain opinionated members. This site also promotes a PM (private messaging) section that is anything but PRIVATE !! I personally have had "private conversations" with other members deleted, and notby me. The basis of this site is great in theory but piss poor in execution!!! IMO
05/05/2012 UPDATE
I've been watching this site constantly over the past year and can honestly report that it's even worse than I first reported! Site owner is such a spineless wimp. He has allowed a small number of members basically "take over" and BULLY the more knowledgeable members off the site. Arguments abound, name calling is the norm and the database has been "highjacked" to the point of absurd! Admin. recently announced that he was so "fed up" that he was going to sell the site, which in my opinion, would have been the best thing he probably could have done! Didn't happen, shame. Now he says that he's going to "PURGE" the membership roster of over 2500 members to only members that have logged in within the past year? What a YUTZ, now his membership will drop down to less than 25 based on my calculations, reason being that the other 2475 members got tired of the Bull*^+t and just stopped participating. Again, WHAT A YUTZ!
6/21/2012 UPDATE
Well it's pretty much as I predicted, this site owner has literally "Killed" his own site. The valuable and knowledgeable members have all left this site. A few have launched their own sites, the ones that are left are the ones who created all the controversy to begin with. Now, instead of true investigations, trying to re-build the Bulova watch history that was destroyed by careless Bulova management when they moved to their current headquarters, all this site promotes is speculation and guesswork.
It's been really sad to watch a website that had so much potential, literally be destroyed by weak and inept ownership. Especially when this same owner stated on numerous occasions that his main purpose was to establish a "friendly and courteous website" to re-create a timeline of history that was lost.
Finally, as a word of caution, One member in particular, "Fifth Avenue Restorations" who also sells on EBay under the same name, was almost certainly the biggest trouble maker on this site, and should be given "SPECIAL RECOGNITION" for his unwavering dedication to helping destroy this site.
UPDATE 07/01/2012
OFFICIALLY DEAD, ACCORDING TO SITE OWNER!!! AS OF JULY 4TH SITE WILL NO LONGER BE OPEN TO MEMBERSHIP, FORUMS, OR DISCUSSIONS OR EVALUATIONS.
Instead of taking a ProActive approach to saving what COULD have been a "Premier Watch Site" he let the "Inmates take over the asylum".
This will be a fine example, for decades to come, on how "NOT TO RUN A WEBSITE 

mybulova_admin
Posted July 2, 2012 - 3:47am

In reply to by Jim Townsend

FOR THE RECORD

No one (except me) has the ability to read or delete another persons Private Messages. PMs are stored directly in the sites database and can only be accessed through the site security policy which protects all content from prying eyes and change.

I can 100% guarantee every member of this site that I have never read or deleted anyones PM.

Jim Townsend
Posted July 2, 2012 - 3:59am

Only a guilty man would blame another to take the heat off him. Not to worry Stehpen you have always had and always will have my support 100%. ---moderated by admin---

bobbee
Posted July 2, 2012 - 5:00am

In reply to by Jim Townsend

Whoever made those comments is a very bitter and twisted person. There is no need for such a personal attack on Stephen, who has done so much to make this site the veritable fount of information it is. How can you be so crass as to denigrate someone who lets people bounce their ideas and opinions off of each other in the name of furthering knowledge? It takes a light hand to balance and control a delicate thing like this site, and for putting up with opinionated people like me, so I take my hat off to him.

Jim Townsend
Posted July 2, 2012 - 4:59am

To be BLUNT This dribble sounds alot like ***** and who more than **** had such an ax to grind with *****. Granted he can be a bit stressing at times but **** is a very knowing on Bulovas. I came to accept **** for who ***** was and moved on. Others like ***** could not and always would look to pick a fight. I feel **** did **** share of harm to this site as well. Dont blame one man for something that was a group thing.

Also i have never heard {edited by Will Smith} direspect Stephen in the way this poster has. I feel that the person who did this had alot and has alot to gain by this site going under. Any guesses who this might be? I think we all know who it is now dont we........

comment moderated by admin.

more moderation by Will Smith 2012-07-03

Jim Townsend
Posted July 2, 2012 - 5:23am

Hello Stephen. First of all i would not give in to pressure. I would keep the database the adverts and the ability to ad new and yet found watches. Do away with the rating system no checks no stars. Let the people post the watch as they know it. If it is an unknown then so be it. The band /strap is a throw away they wear out and get replaced over time. This should have NEVER been a consideration on naming a watch. The watch itself speaks for itself. It is what it is and no strap/band will change this fact. I dont know but please i  beg you not to give into this pressure. This person is out to see this fail and i belive will have alot to gain in  having it implode. Keep the ads. the database date codes etc. Do away with the rating altogether.  I feel the comment section was very needed so that we all could express our own opinion on a  watch and all work together to find the real and true name for any given watch.

God will guied you Stephen in what is best for you to do. I know you have strugglrd long and hard to find the answers you seek. Go with your heart and all will be good. You are a good man that took the efferot to get this site up and running and now it is known all over the wotld as the premier site with a wealth of Bulova knowledge and history.

Judy and i send our love and our prayers and will stand by you 100% in what ever become of this site. 

bobbee
Posted July 2, 2012 - 6:32am

I have gone back to this "sitejabber" and joined up and made a comment on this idiot's post. Whoever they are, they seem to be regular posters on that site and not very nice with comments. Just another "nerd with no nuts", if you ask me.

bobbee
Posted July 2, 2012 - 6:41am

I also noticed this "ShadowG." person ripped up Lisa and her site........moderated by admin.

mybulova_admin
Posted July 2, 2012 - 7:42am

Sorry guys but I don't want this to become a slinging match.

There is no evidence of who wrote the review and really no gain to be had by  finger pointing. It is a great shame though that someone close to us is out there giving the site and myself a bad rap.

I'm not a company, nor a corporation, nor a group, I'm just me. I never set out to make this site the authoritative domain of vintage Boluva's, just a place where like mind collectors of this wonderful watch brand could come to freely discuss their passion and help both themselves and others learn more about these very cool vintage watches. I've said now for a while that the site has out grown me, but I still try each and every day that I can to do the right thing by the site and its members.

A forum is full of opinions...just like Shadow G has his/her single opinion, many more visitors to the site over the years have had theirs.....that's the nature of the game. 

bobbee
Posted July 2, 2012 - 7:48am

Well said with dignity, Stephen. Bye.

Ellierose
Posted July 2, 2012 - 8:05am

before this is taken down..i would like to say thanks to everyone who help this site and helped me along the way it both techincal info and bulova product info.it is sad that i site that was there at the being of my watchmaking carrer is now gone..what ever the reason..i can understand the owner not wanting to keep inside fighting going on...some post have gotten pretty mean and upsetting to alot of people..people don't want to come to a site and be insulted...people want to have a good time,not be told how they are always wrong.. but forget all that and remember all the knowledge taken and given to this wonderful site... Rev. Rob thank you for answering many of my questions on watchmaking i hope to email you,and still learn from you although i have gotten pretty advanced from help by you and others..and if i need to know something i look it up..take care everyone and thanks for everything..special thanks to stephen...i am glad that the data base will still be opened..as it is a great source of info,no matter what...

Bob Bruno
Posted July 2, 2012 - 8:26am

Anyone who frequents this site and knows Stephen can see this  "Reviewer" has an ax to grind! To name names like he did with fifth is so unprofessional. I have been collecting for a little more than two years now and was lucky enough to find this site early on. It has been a huge part of my collecting experience. I have learned so much from the "opinionated" members of this site. Thank you Stephen, Jerin, Geoff Baker, Lisa, Mark and all the other members. I have never had any worries about anyone reading my Pm's or my privacy being violated by Stephen or anyone else. I wish the site wouldn't go but in the end Stephen you must do what is best for you. Like you said your just you not a corporation or company. The net is a great thing, unfortunately it also give any clown with a keyboard a voice.

Bob Bruno

bobbee
Posted July 2, 2012 - 1:53pm

Well said Bob. You too Ellierose.

Stephen, is there anything we the members can do to help with administration or anything? I would be willing myself, to help in any way possible to me.

Jim Townsend
Posted July 3, 2012 - 6:25am

First off let me say that i was wrong in  accusing any one person for the post about Stephen. A few of us have  emails from {edited by Will Smith}. I was aghast at the news that MyBulova was taking such drastic actions and out of anger i accused without proof. For that i will be sorry for a very long time. When i first joined this site i will be honest i came here to get information so that i could sell my watches  and took alot of heat over that. But as time went on and i found more and more  wonderful old Bulovas my motive changed to that of a collector.. And it became a passion of mine and will be from now on. Yes i sell bulovas but i do keep the ones i want and sell the others to buy more. That said i want to once again say to {edited by Will Smith} all of you i am sorry for my words they were said out of anger and hurt that this great site was imploding. I shall go away now and continue to search out these great old watches and wish you all a wonderful future.

Jim & Judy

 

William Smith
Posted July 3, 2012 - 3:15pm

In reply to by Jim Townsend

Jim  I edited your comment above.  While I realize the intent of this post was an apology for your previous comments, by apologizing with a name, it none-the-less indicates who you previously "accused".  While we will never know who the reviewer was- nor do we need to know- I feel it is important not to identify anyone, be they apologies for false accusations or comments made in anger.  I applaud your intent of the comment!   IMO- the only merit I see in this thread - the content of the review- is that it brings to light the types of things which can make site administration such a daunting task. 

Jim Townsend
Posted July 3, 2012 - 4:22pm

Goodbye all it was fun i shall miss this.

Reverend Rob
Posted July 3, 2012 - 7:33pm

Happy Trails, all, and a Happy Fourth tomorrow to our American neighbours. 

bobbee
Posted July 3, 2012 - 8:28pm

Goodbye and good luck to all.

DarHin
Posted July 3, 2012 - 8:47pm

See ya'll around.

Darren

When in the Course of human Events ...