Have you had problems with GW

Hello my friends.

The last thing I want to do is to start another discussion about Spike Hernandez's unprofessional bad manners. BUT, I do need help from all of you people that have been banned from the GW.

I was banned and very unhappy about it.

After many many emails, I got tired and when I requested that Spike give me his boss's name, he wrote to my server company asking them to do something about me, that I was harrassing and abusing him (when all I asked was his boss's name???)

Then I tried changing my email address but did you know that Spike is able to block whole server companies. This is what has happened to me. My server company Videotron has completely been blocked. This means that other people that are hooked up with Videotron cannot post on the forums anymore. I know of one other phone company that is also blocked from the forums, if there are 2, there are more.

Please, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. If you have had any sort of problems at the GW, please contact me, I really want to hear from you. I want to hear your story and feelings. And also where you are from, people from outside the USA seem to be easily banned.

We are already a large group and I am hearing from new people every day. Don't let this guy get away with all of this. Put you foot (or shovel) down and just say NO! and contact me.

Thanks. Tina. xox tinadrouin@videotron.ca

Hi Tina - welcome to Dave's :) I think if you read through the postings to this forum you'll see you're in good company. Cheer up and let's have fun here at Dave's.

Dave, do we need a new forum entitled, Support group for banished GWers ?

GrannyLois - I think yes, except my concern is that this might encourage an excessive amount of badmouthing, etc. That's not what any of us are about, in my opinion.

I have been thinking about a forum called 'Gardening Online' where people can discuss /ANY/ issue related to online gardening. GW discussions would fall into this forum.

dave

I agree with Dave ; a gardening online section would be better for gripes and venting ....sounds good ...AND a lot better than going POSTAL :)))

Sorry to harp on this, but did you know that if you've been banned from GW, you can edit your Seed Exchange Page but not your Home Page, so personal information you may not now want publicly available cannot be changed or updated or removed? I'm not happy about this.

Oh Tina --

I am now in the club of banned ones. Peter and I have talked and here I am --- I have read a few of the stories and mine is similar, probably only in the unreasonableness of the response from spike and turdi --LOL. Can we just trade some seed and have a few intelligent conversations? Uh, shouldn't be SO hard. I am looking forward to being in company with all of you. Niki

I know this may be an unpopular viewpoint--but I want to remind all of us who have been banned from GW that the GardenWeb is still private property, and those who own it can disallow whomever they please, for whatever reason suits their fancy. Would you like someone to come into your yard or home or business and do things contrary to your wishes? I know I wouldn't. The same principles apply to web sites. So, no matter how much we may not like the way Spike does things, it is in his domain--so he's within his rights.

P.S.) Going to Crosswinds.net, or Hotmail and getting an anonymous email account is an easy way to still trade at the GW if you're at all interested. However, you may want to keep a low profile. *grin*

Hi TINA,
Sorry I haven't been able to get back to you. Yes there is another sever company that has been banned, MINE. Bellsouth.net, If anyone used it in my area.. SORRY!!! ;(
But as we all know there are NOW great sites opening EVERYWHERE on gardening. Like Dave's and Mine & Theresa's (She does most of the work she just likes me enough to keep me around =)!) Anyway, Hope Dave doesn't mind but for all of you haven't heard it is http://www.thetotalgardeners.com GO VISIT!!!! And do me and your kids a favor and join up with ME favorite link as well (on front page there) MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE and HAPPY HOLIDAYS...ps Dave you've can a long way on the site...GREAT JOB!!!!

dear dave:
yep i have had a few. once i just asked a question on germinating some seeds and got a bad email from spike. he said thats not what the forum calles for and to read info on what is and isnt allowed ,, i see people all the time asking for germination data. .. oh well we have you now and am very happy and excited to be here.i do have one question .. i used to visit garden.com because they have a garden chat group.. saddly its is closeing.. dont suppose theres a chance we could possibly have one here?
shirley

Specially for Tina - Just posting to bring this up to the front so new members can see it.