Search by Name

Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 22:37
ThreadID: 85176 Views:2455 Replies:9 FollowUps:32
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I tried this out and used the name 'Willem' which will be familiar to those who have been around here a while.

I found around 691 posts from him.

I know there are newer contributors with the knowledge and talent to help but it's a pity though that some of the earlier 'greats' have gone.

Paul

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Reply By: Member - cuffs (SA) - Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 22:47

Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 22:47
Just my opinion but the site has lost direction and has become a money making concern

woops!

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Follow Up By: Member - T N (Qld) - Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 22:52

Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 22:52
I can feel a moderation coming on,
whose a naughty boy?
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 23:27

Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 23:27
It always was a money making concern Cuffs - it is their business; they are entitled to make a living from their business. However it may be all those graphic adverts that make the site almost unworkable for me, as the slowing down seemed to coincide with their introduction.



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Follow Up By: Member - T N (Qld) - Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 23:49

Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 23:49
I'm with you Bosschook, this site is unacceptabledly slow to load,
Tom
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 00:07

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 00:07
P A I N F U L L Y S L O W at times!!!!

David posted that he was finished maintenance a couple of hours ago....... so what's with it? I really am losing patience.

Just renewed my Membership but am wondering about what value I am getting for my money!!!

I might add that when I was doing maintenance in my own business I did it 'out of hours' so as to not inconvenience the customers. Sure it meant working in the Wee Small Hours but so be it.

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Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 09:01

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 09:01
Motherhen, I tick the "Suppress Content Advertisements - Members Only" box and use Adblock, which gets rid of most of the ads.
The site is working quickly for me, except when David is working on it.
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Follow Up By: Member - Ups and Downs - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 09:10

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 09:10
I rarely have a problem with speed so no complaints from me.

As Motherhen stated ExplorOz is a money making concern. Comparing this to the alternative free sites I find this to offer vastly more amounts of useful info.

I don't pay anywhere else and at times wonder why I do here, but I DO renew each year so must be satisfied with the return.

Paul

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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:46

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:46
Hi Rod

The members suppress ads function still leaves me with at least four (top, bottom and two on right side), and i don't think IE offers the same sort of ad blocking that FF does.

My computer is probably slow too, but works quickly when using forums such as caravaners forum.

Mh


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Reply By: Member - T N (Qld) - Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 22:48

Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 22:48
Ups and downs,
What info were you looking for regarding " Willem"?
Tom
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Follow Up By: Member - Ups and Downs - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 08:59

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 08:59
G'Day Tom

Not looking for anything in particular, just using a name that popped into my thoughts to test the facility.

Thanks for asking.

Paul
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Reply By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 23:15

Tuesday, Mar 22, 2011 at 23:15
Paul, I think that sometimes those who may be considered 'greats' get a little weary of some expressions of those whom they may consider 'not-so-great' and decide to explore "greener forums". I do know that Willem was quite peed-off when he left. Mind you, Willem could be "prickly" and stir some up. LOL. Certainly he added colour to this forum.

There have been many others whom we may not have even missed until when searching the archived posts we see the name and realise that they have not been around for a while.

By the way, I also tested the "Search By Name" and guess what name I used to search for.......... yep, "Willem". He lives-on yet!

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Allan

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Follow Up By: Members Pa & Ma. - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 06:24

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 06:24
Hi Allan,
I agree with some of what you say.
Willem helped me get started on EO, along with Richard & mother hen.
I know why Richard is gone & mother hen is still with us, helpful as always.
I think the speed of loading EO. has improved this a.m.
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Follow Up By: Member - Ups and Downs - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 09:15

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 09:15
Allan

I suppose the 'characters' are so because of a bit of eccentricity. The spirit that gave them the knowledge to be entertaining is probably why they move on.

I wonder if those 'not so greats' are still here. Probably not.

Paul
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:09

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:09
Paul, Exactly so. Eccentricity can be entertaining. Their spirit certainly made this forum more interesting... unless you happened to be on the receiving end of their viperous response.

People move on for all sorts of reasons as their needs and interests change. Leaving just the boring old farts here...... present company excepted of course.

PS. Just as I wrote the above and pressed the "Submit" button..... Boom, off went the power. Maybe Willem or some of the "earlier Greats" are still lurking in the background?!!! (LOL Willem)
Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Members Pa & Ma. - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 17:44

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 17:44
Hi again Allan,
I was in a big hurry & didn't even sign off properly,...HWMBO was standing beside me, hurry up, come on hurry up!
Willem was a very knowledgeable and kind man.I've missed his comments on the Forum.
Take care, safe travels.
Bye for now,Ma.
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Reply By: Member - Phil B (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 07:47

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 07:47
EO must be doing something right with the huge achievements in blogs (see 85174) and continually getting new members.

Re adverts - its a bit like TV if there aren't any ads then there's no TV station. You can't have it both ways.

No one is forcing anyone to stay with EO - if you don't like it then make other choices.
There is a lot of difference between
‘Human Being’ and ‘Being Human’.





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Follow Up By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 08:03

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 08:03
Spot on Phil!

Cheers

Brian


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Follow Up By: Member - Ups and Downs - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 09:21

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 09:21
Phil

As I put further up the page, I renew each year because I think there is great value here.

Paul
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:21

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:21
Phil, I have no issue with the advertisements and generally ExplorOz is great. However having paid some few dollars on membership, if the site performance falls below reasonable expectations then it is appropriate to express concern. Making other choices is not a first-response.

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Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - Phil B (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 13:06

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 13:06
Fair enough Alan B,


cheers
There is a lot of difference between
‘Human Being’ and ‘Being Human’.





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Reply By: Member - Jack - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 08:35

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 08:35
We are better off without the likes of Willem IMHO. There are others here more helpful and giving of their experiences and expertise. There are plenty of other forums that cater for the bogans.

This site is doing fine as far as I am concerned.

Jack

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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:34

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:34
So Willem was a Bogan was he?
If that’s the case I'd probably fit into the same category.
Willem may have been a prickly old sod – but there’s no need to get personal.
Or is that what non Bogans do?
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Follow Up By: Member - John Baas (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:35

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:35
Got to agree Jack, but we're about to get mod'd.

:-)

Cheers.
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Follow Up By: Member - Howard (ACT) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:58

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 12:58
as someone who has been around EO since its inception I would hardly consider Willem a "Bogan."
Have met the man personally and enjoyed his hospitality when travelling thru.

perhaps he upset a few people because he doesnt suffer fools gladly.

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Howard
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Follow Up By: Member - Jeff O (VIC) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 16:02

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 16:02
I also met Willem and was made welcome at his home.I would gladly reciprocate.
I miss his threads.
Take 'em as you find "em
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Jeff.O

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Follow Up By: Richard W (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 17:36

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 17:36
I've got plenty of time for Willem and loved his tales.
He has also put me up overnight.
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Follow Up By: Member - Leigh (Vic) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 19:14

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 19:14
Yep, he was a great contributor and certainly an accomplished adventurer in his own right. He deserves more respect than you are showing Jack.
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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 22:57

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 22:57
X2, Willem was very helpful and well travelled/experienced, it is great contributers like Willem, MickO and a handfull of others that got me interested in this site enough to join it, people like these are a massive resource to this site, and are probably one of the reasons, why this site has become successful. Kanga.
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Follow Up By: Member - T N (Qld) - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 01:03

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 01:03
Your right Kanga,
I have no problem with straight talkers, and Willem and others of his ilk seduced me to joining EO, but in the last couple of years, the site has become bland.
I do not have a clue who the Mod Squad consists of but I think they have taken
EO down, poor old bastards.
Will I renew in May? I do not know.
Jack, you should wash your mouth out
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Follow Up By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 02:31

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 02:31
Another here who will say that Willem had always helped me when I've needed it, I also miss his and others of the 'old group' that have fallen by the wayside, I always use to open up EO first thing in the morning when the 'old school' were here as there was always some light laughter available, now I open it when I have some spare time on my hands, I read the threads that interest me, help if there is help needed and then I'm out of there.
I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Willem but his and Judith's hospitality is well known on here. I understand that he may have been a bit firey (I must say I have never experienced it) but that is what makes the difference among us all, our differences compliment each others.
Just my view.
Cheers
D


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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 08:27

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 08:27
It might pay to ask Jack why he is down on Willem. Maybe Jack has been on the receiving end of Willem's acerbic tongue as I have.

As for "not tolerating fools"........... consider that without fools the rest of us do not look so great?

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Allan

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Reply By: Member - Phil B (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 13:14

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 13:14
Re what do 'we get for our money' & ‘site’s slow’

If I buy a litre of milk at the shop does that mean I can tell the owner what to do in his shop?

The site might be slow at times - so we can't wait that extra second - is our time that precious? Relax and just consider yourself fortunate to be able to access a site such as EO and what it offers.

EO owns the site not us - its their site and its the way they want it - if we/you don’t like it then as I said elsewhere in this thread make other choices.




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‘Human Being’ and ‘Being Human’.





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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 13:55

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 13:55
C'mon Phil, You are getting the "shop" and the "product" confused.
It's the product we pay for not the shop.
If the milk is sour..... we complain.

As for waiting "that extra second" .... take a look at my last Follow Up to you..... it lodged twice. Because after pressing "Submit" the site locked up and after waiting 15 minutes (look at the lodgement times) I pressed it again but had to close the application and log-out to clear the problem but then could not get back in for some time. So there ARE problems with the product and I have been in direct email contact with David about them. He is doing his best but needs to know that we are having problems. So please stop telling us to bugga-off.

Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 16:31

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 16:31
If the above reference to Follow Up duplication does not appear to make sense it is because the Moderators detected the duplication and deleted FU 721336 dated 11:36 today. At least something works well!

Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - Phil B (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 18:00

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 18:00
Alan
I'm glad that you
" have been in direct email contact with David about them. He is doing his best but needs to know that we are having problems.'

Do you think stirring it up in the forum is going to get it fixed faster? Give him a chance to fix it without going on about it.
There is a lot of difference between
‘Human Being’ and ‘Being Human’.





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Reply By: Wilko (Parkes NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 15:53

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 15:53
Hi Paul,

I think its a shame when someone who has a wealth of experience is no longer imparting wisdom.

My only thoughts are that (because Willem had been 4x4ing since moses was a kid) his advice was of a higher level then most "novices" could easily perform.

He once said that driving across the Simpson whilst towing was a relatively easy thing to do (and it may have been for an experienced desert dweller) but the average joe could easily get into trouble if they did it and generally if they are asking they prob are inexperienced.

Its just a matter of aiming the advice at who is asking

Just my thoughts,

Cheers Wilko
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Follow Up By: cycadcenter - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 16:25

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 16:25
Yep, a wealth of knowledge was Willem.

Those not familiar can see some here:

Willem


Bruce
Fallbrook CA
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Follow Up By: cycadcenter - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 16:46

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 16:46
Just a quick follow up.

This is a thread from just 12 months ago................

Thread 75794

Bruce
Fallbrook CA


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Reply By: The Explorer - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 01:33

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 01:33
Stop it guys ..I'm running out of tissues :(

Cheers
Greg
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Follow Up By: Member - John Baas (WA) - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 02:18

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 02:18
I'm sure it's not my fault Greg.

I'm still with Jack.

:-)

Cheers.
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Reply By: ExplorOz - David & Michelle - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 13:44

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 13:44
There's not much feedback in this post about the new Search by Name feature here but I thought I would comment on the misinformation in the discussion about ExplorOz being a "money making venture".

We would love for the site to run purely on Membership, but 5% membership cannot sustain the operating costs of the site so we need to generate revenue from our audience in other ways. We make no apology for that! Some of you may be surprised to know that at the end of the day there is no "profits" gained from our business in fact we simply cover the operating costs. We have even considered listing as a "not for profit" organisation, however our intent is that there is still a lot of opportunity left in our model and we believe we will see further growth and is one of the reasons why we've created and taken TriathlonOz.com out to a new market.

The choices for covering costs have always been to either ask the user to pay, or take payment from advertisers. We have a model that combines both - where consumers only pay when they want more than what the basic free offering provides.

It is the individual's choice and people can use the Forum without being a Member but if they want access to the enhanced features, or want to use other features, or would benefit from the Member savings when ordering through our shop, then they have the option to pay Membership to access these services and benefits.

We are always focussing on building better Membership features to increase the attraction of this, and also WE ENJOY creating online features for travellers! Some of the stuff on ExplorOz is totally unique and I.T. Beyond is often approached to provide business-business services based on the ExplorOz proof of concepts. If we were a bigger business, we could probably focus on that more, but we are very restricted by the limitation of running our business so lean and having limited staff. Increased Membership may also enable us to reduce the reliance on ad revenue, so it is something we continue to focus on.

At the end of the day, whilst we can adequately continue to cover current costs with our "imperfect" model, this is only achieved by keeping our operating costs to a minimum. However, the peformance of the system and the satisfaction of our customers (those who buy from our shop, buy trader ads, buy advertising, or buy membership) are our No. 1 priority. So most of the operating costs are to do with system and customer satisfaction. Any income derived from the site goes right back into these core areas of the operation.

We know we can't please everyone, all of the time but if you chose to use ExplorOz then that's how it works.

Regards,
Michelle
David (DM) & Michelle (MM)
---------------------------------
Always working not enough travelling!

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