Author Topic: R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement  (Read 22376 times)

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Offline saratogaWX

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R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement
« on: August 25, 2006, 11:24:45 AM »
Well, we've gone full circle on the name weatherforum.net.  Here's the cronology for those who may be interested:

July 14-2006  weatherforum.net expires along with the registrar simple-web.net

July-20-2006 Chris creates wxforum.net as a temporary place for the admins to meet and see about restoration of backup that Gary may have of the forum contents.

July-26-2006 the temporary forum address is announced on Weather-Watch, Ambient, WeatherMatrix forums and folks begin joining this forum.
Gary is deep in the prep for the new job (beginning Aug 1s in Texas).

Aug-1-2006 Gary starts new job in Texas (18hr days).  WXforum.net has 41 members.  Posts on other forums updated with status.

Aug-15-2006 Weatherforum.net leaves 'redemptionstatus' and enters 'pendingdelete' status.  Gary is working with Schlund+Partner (upstream registrar to the failed simple-web.net), jumping through hoops trying to reclaim the name.

Aug-21-2006 Schlund not successful, Weatherforum.net picked up by eNom.com who starts a private auction for the name.  Private=you had to be an eNom.com client before the auction started, so Ken couldn't join it.

Aug-23-2006 eNom.com auction completed -- weatherforum.net went to another reseller namegiant.com based in UK (final price was $70).

Aug-23-2006 - I send a polite note expressing interest in acquiring weatherforum.net from namegiant.com.

Aug-25-2006 - no response to email note, so I called them.  Yes, they'd be pleased to sell the domain for a paltry $5,000.00 US.  I noted that their recent acquisition had only cost them $70US and that their asking price was quite steep.  They noted that I was unfamiliar with how it works now.  I bade them thanks and good luck.

Upshot:  Rest In Peace, Weatherforum.net  

Please change any links you have on your webpages to wxforum.net -- our new home.

Best regards,
Ken
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Offline JaxWeather

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« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2006, 11:59:52 AM »
File a Report with ICANN, I would think since you had the support of the upstream provider and the domain name was grabbed by a cybersquatter you may still yet have a chance, can't hurt to try...

http://reports.internic.net/cgi/registrars/problem-report.cgi


While this is not the Domain Name Dispute process, i have heard of others filing a complaint with full details and contact information for all of the parties and all of a sudden finding that the domain name becomes available to them again...

-Bob

Offline SLOweather

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« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2006, 12:32:17 PM »
I say file the report, if for no other reason than to be a pain in NameGrunt's backside.

Offline saratogaWX

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« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2006, 12:58:43 PM »
I agree.. Gary will have to do the filing as he's the original owner and has the right to appeal.  I'm just an interested third-party so they wouldn't pay attention to my request.

Gary returns to Texas on Aug-28th with family and all.

I'll send him a note to start the appeal process.. nothing to lose.

Thanks for the advice!

Ken
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Offline CNYWeather

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« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2006, 01:21:05 PM »
Chalk this up to Simple-web's fault.

I went through the same thing and lost a domain that way.

Glad I switched most of my sites before they
went belly up.

What a bunch of crap by them anyway.
Tony




Offline ocala

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« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2006, 01:32:05 PM »
IIRC weren't there more than a few people who had problems with that company. Mostly downtime issue's.
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Offline racenet

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« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2006, 09:12:18 PM »
Sorry to hear about all of this. Really sucks when the rug gets pulled right out from under you.

I say, chalk this up as a big learning lesson. Never allow anyone to register your domain names for you, unless they are under YOUR control.
If they will not list you as the owner, go somewhere else. Several sites I manage were on simple-web and of course, they went bye-bye. The domains though, had nothing to do with them. The sites were back up within 24 hours without issue. I'll take them where and when I want. :)

Hopefully a report will get something done. It can't hurt to try.


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Offline up10ad N9RJH

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« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2006, 12:53:46 PM »
Very interesting issue.  What I take away from it all is that paying a few dollars more and using a major US-based registrar is worth the effort.  I use Register.com for almost all the domain nmes registered by my company.  Although it may cost a few bucks more, I suspect I won't ever have to face this type of nightmare.  And as we have seen in this forum, the same goes for hosting companies.  Caveat Emptor I guess.
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Offline SLOweather

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« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2006, 02:15:43 PM »
The other lesson is to keep track of when all of your domains expire and renew them on time. I let SLOweather slip once and was just lucky that no one sniped it.

And avoid Network Solutions. They are a pain to deal with, especially if you want to move to a different registrar.

Offline talbert1952

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« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2006, 04:55:42 PM »
Quote from: "SLOweather"
The other lesson is to keep track of when all of your domains expire and renew them on time. I let SLOweather slip once and was just lucky that no one sniped it.

And avoid Network Solutions. They are a pain to deal with, especially if you want to move to a different registrar.


I've been using Network Solutions for quite a while and have had excellent service from them. I can't address SLO's issue with moving domains. I haven't tried moving a domain away from them because I haven't found it necessary to do so. Also, they have been much better to deal with than my previous registrar Yahoo.

Network Solutions has domain protection and auto renewal if you want it. They also have have a privacy feature which hides your domain whois information from the spambots.

Personally I am satisfied with Network Solutions.
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Offline racenet

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« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2006, 06:20:57 PM »
Quote from: "talbert1952"

Network Solutions has domain protection and auto renewal if you want it. They also have have a privacy feature which hides your domain whois information from the spambots.

Personally I am satisfied with Network Solutions.


As long as you are happy with their service, that's all that is important. But what they offer isn't heads above the rest, so I can't see how they justify their yearly registration fees. Way too high. Just because they were the first on the block just doesn't cut it these days. For a lot less, you get the same service at other places.


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Offline kray1000

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« Reply #11 on: August 26, 2006, 07:40:41 PM »
Quote

As long as you are happy with their service, that's all that is important. But what they offer isn't heads above the rest, so I can't see how they justify their yearly registration fees. Way too high. Just because they were the first on the block just doesn't cut it these days. For a lot less, you get the same service at other places.

Bob


The same can be said for register.com.
I've been happy with godaddy.com so far.

I lost a site to simpleton-web as well.  :(

Offline Ravenstar

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« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2006, 05:57:46 PM »
I see Gary has joined us! garytx latest member. :)


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Offline saratogaWX

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« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2006, 06:39:42 PM »
Yes.. I sent off a confirm email to his work address.. I'm hoping it is Gary too :-)

Ken
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Offline saratogaWX

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« Reply #14 on: August 30, 2006, 07:52:50 PM »
And... It is Gary!

Welcome!!!

Ken

Quote
Yep, Ken, that was me, finally!
 
Gary L. Oldham
Public Safety Projects Director
Williamson County
321 W. 8th St.
Georgetown, TX 78626
 
________________________________

From: Ken True [mailto:webmaster@saratoga-weather.org]
Sent: Wed 8/30/2006 3:44 PM
To: Gary Oldham
Cc: Gary Oldham; Ken True
Subject: Did you sign up for WXForum today?



Gary:

Userid garytx signed up for WXForum today.. I'm hoping that's you.

Let me know...

Thanks,
Ken
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Offline saratogaWX

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Re: R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement
« Reply #15 on: November 09, 2006, 09:42:08 AM »
I thought you'd be interested (amused) by the note I received this morning from the name grabber of 'weatherforum.net'.  As you can see, their price for it is still quite dear, a paltry 7,000 pounds ( $13,340 US).

By George, I think they can keep it.   :evil:

Ken

Quote
Hi Ken,
 
 Thank you for your enquiry.
 
 A search for "weather forum" shows approximately over 130,000 results from Google.
 
 Names such as weatherforum.net  are very much in demand especially as
 there are more than 60 MILLION domain names currently registered.
 
 If you consider that just recently Fish.com sold for $1,020,000,
 MyPremierCard.com for $135,250, JMM.com for $55,000 and  
 HorseSupplies.com $52,500 etc there have been many other
 5 figure sales - I'm sure that our asking price could be considered
 an investment for a domain of this quality.
 
 The price of this domain is £7,000 Great British Pounds or US$13,340
 (close offers may be considered).  
 This is a one off payment for the rights to the domain, however you
 will be responsible for paying the yearly registration (approx $30).

 For a currency converter for other currencies please see
 
 http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
 
 Please note:
 
 Transactions are extremely straightforward, totally secure, and can
 be completed within 24 hours from start to finish.
 
 <snip>


To which I replied:
Quote
Dear Joshua,

Thank you for your correspondence.  Your price for this domain is approximately 2000 times what you'd paid to acquire it when the former registrar (simple-web.net) had failed.  As I remember, you paid $70US for it at the time.

The domain was the location for a small group of weather enthusiasts to gather and discuss topics related to weather and personal weather stations.  It is not a corporation nor an organization with any funds at all.

Your price is quite outrageous, and quite unobtainable for our small group of weather enthusiasts.  We have since moved to a different forum, and have no interest in acquiring weatherforum.net at those lofty prices.  We would be interested in $200 US (or less) which would only net you a 100% profit on your investment.

Regards,
Ken True
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Offline anchorageweather

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Re: R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement
« Reply #16 on: November 09, 2006, 11:04:08 AM »
Quote from: "kenmtrue"
I thought you'd be interested (amused) by the note I received this morning from the name grabber of 'weatherforum.net'.  As you can see, their price for it is still quite dear, a paltry 7,000 pounds ( $13,340 US).

By George, I think they can keep it.   :evil:

Ken


Quote
Hi Ken,
 
 Thank you for your enquiry.
 
 A search for "weather forum" shows approximately over 130,000 results from Google.
 
 Names such as weatherforum.net  are very much in demand especially as
 there are more than 60 MILLION domain names currently registered.
 
 If you consider that just recently Fish.com sold for $1,020,000,
 MyPremierCard.com for $135,250, JMM.com for $55,000 and  
 HorseSupplies.com $52,500 etc there have been many other
 5 figure sales - I'm sure that our asking price could be considered
 an investment for a domain of this quality.
 
 The price of this domain is £7,000 Great British Pounds or US$13,340
 (close offers may be considered).  
 This is a one off payment for the rights to the domain, however you
 will be responsible for paying the yearly registration (approx $30).

 For a currency converter for other currencies please see
 
 http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
 
 Please note:
 
 Transactions are extremely straightforward, totally secure, and can
 be completed within 24 hours from start to finish.
 
 <snip>


What a joke.  I don't know about everyone else, but I'm happy with wxforum.net and I hope they have to write off their US$70.00.  The reason that domains are so hard to get now days, is that these goofballs buy EVERYTHING up for a couple of bucks, set up google adds on the sites, and then try to sell them for a bazillion dollars - let 'em rot.   :x
South of the Tracks, Anchorage, KY

Offline racenet

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Re: R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement
« Reply #17 on: November 09, 2006, 12:57:41 PM »
Quote from: "anchorageweather"
What a joke.  I don't know about everyone else, but I'm happy with wxforum.net and I hope they have to write off their US$70.00.  The reason that domains are so hard to get now days, is that these goofballs buy EVERYTHING up for a couple of bucks, set up google adds on the sites, and then try to sell them for a bazillion dollars - let 'em rot.   :x


I agree 100%. These people are only out looking to prey on people. Out for the mighty quick buck. They will suck up anything and basically hold it for ransom. That is why you need to protect your domain names at all costs. If you register a domain, get all that you can with the same name. Otherwise, they will grab them, looking to cash in on your hard work.

And always remember, NEVER get your domain name as a free service from a hosting service. Chances are great that they hold the ownership of that domain and you have no control over it. Register it yourself. Then you own it, control it and can easily take it where ever you want. Think of it as an investment, because it really is.


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Offline kray1000

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Re: R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement
« Reply #18 on: November 09, 2006, 07:03:13 PM »
Quote
And always remember, NEVER get your domain name as a free service from a hosting service. Chances are great that they hold the ownership of that domain and you have no control over it. Register it yourself. Then you own it, control it and can easily take it where ever you want.


Been there, done that...  :(

Lesson learned the hard way...

Offline anvana

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Re: R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement
« Reply #19 on: November 09, 2006, 09:06:56 PM »
I put these guys in with the same lot as spammers. My only hope is that they rot in hell.

Offline racenet

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Re: R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement
« Reply #20 on: November 09, 2006, 11:19:14 PM »
Kinda hard to rot in hell, since they were spawned from there in the first place.  :wink:
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Offline weatheroz

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Re: R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement
« Reply #21 on: November 09, 2006, 11:45:32 PM »
Quote from: "racenet"
Quote from: "anchorageweather"
What a joke.  I don't know about everyone else, but I'm happy with wxforum.net and I hope they have to write off their US$70.00.  The reason that domains are so hard to get now days, is that these goofballs buy EVERYTHING up for a couple of bucks, set up google adds on the sites, and then try to sell them for a bazillion dollars - let 'em rot.   :x


I agree 100%. These people are only out looking to prey on people. Out for the mighty quick buck. They will suck up anything and basically hold it for ransom. That is why you need to protect your domain names at all costs. If you register a domain, get all that you can with the same name. Otherwise, they will grab them, looking to cash in on your hard work.

And always remember, NEVER get your domain name as a free service from a hosting service. Chances are great that they hold the ownership of that domain and you have no control over it. Register it yourself. Then you own it, control it and can easily take it where ever you want. Think of it as an investment, because it really is.


That's the same thing I tell everyone I know of.

Keep your domain name registered in your own name, and if there's a chance of your competitor grabbing the .net/.info/.org version of your .com domain, grab the lot.... protect your brand.

If you still feel that it is 'okay' for your hoster/web designer registering, always ensure that it is indeed registered in YOUR name, not their name!
There's nothing wrong with them running interference for the spam that comes in, but they must keep it in your name.
Brendan,
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Offline W3DRM

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Re: R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement
« Reply #22 on: November 13, 2006, 04:07:26 PM »
I see the site http://www.weatherforum.net is active. It has a bunch of links to all kinds of other weather related sites. But, BE CAREFUL, when you open it you will get a pop-up ad and then again everytime you go back to the home page...  :(
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Offline saratogaWX

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Re: R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement
« Reply #23 on: November 13, 2006, 04:15:34 PM »
Yes, weatherforum.net is populated by an attractant site put up by namegiant.com (current owner of weatherforum.net) for the express purpose to attract folks, count accesses, spoof search engines.. all to drive up the price for some deep-pocketed corporation to buy the domain from them, at a 2000% markup.

Sleasebags!   :evil:

Grumble,
Ken
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Offline W3DRM

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Re: R.I.P WeatherForum.net .. wxforum.net IS the replacement
« Reply #24 on: November 13, 2006, 04:25:35 PM »
As is often said - There ought to be a law against such things...  :twisted:
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