Change of site ownership

bob · 08-12-2013, 20:30

Hi All,

I need to make an important announcement about the future of DiabetesForum.com. It's with some very mixed emotions that I have to announce the site has been sold to a Canadian company called Verticalscope (VerticalScope : Driven by Enthusiasts). I agreed to sell the site a couple of weeks ago and last week we moved over to their servers.

I've had to accept that the site has grown too big to be run by a one man business. There is a lot of work to do behind the scenes to keep everything operational. From marketing, sales to server administration, as the site grows then so does the work and the costs. Verticalscope can provide the stability required for the next stage of growth.

The sale should be seamless to the way the site is run and the rules that are in place.

Thank you so much to all the members have supported the site in the past and will continue to support it as it grows even better in the future.

Kind Regards

Bob Sheth, Admin

foxl · 08-12-2013, 20:41

Thanks for letting us know, Bob!

ForumAdmin · 08-12-2013, 21:38

Hello,

Just wanted to introduce my self to you all. My name is Philip and I am a community manager for VerticalScope and will be taking over the WebMaster duties for Bob. I am here to help primarily with the technical end of things and help make the jobs of the current staff easier. I posted a real basic run down to answer common questions below. If you have more questions or concerns please post them.

What are our intentions?

We bring reliability, support and the infrastructure needed to ensure that the community will be around for years to come. It’s our goal to work with your board staff to help provide the resources and required to give this community a broader reach, to attract new members to better the overall knowledge shared in the community.

Will leadership change?

Continuity is the focus here, You as the membership work very hard to keep building this community while staff keep the walls and the roof up in this place; We are primarily here to make sure the lights stay on. Every community is unique and should always be respected in that regard. You guys have established your own unique rules and regulations and a strong reputation that is carried by all of this and it’s paramount that we maintain this level of integrity.

What am I here for?

My primary role is to be the technical contact as I said earlier you all built the foundation and keep the roof from falling, I am here keeping the lights on inside. I will be on the forum checking in daily to make sure regular maintenance is all taken care of and keep things running smoothly from behind the scenes.

I do look forward to getting to know you all and this unique community better.

tish · 08-12-2013, 22:11

Hi Bob,

Sorry to hear you're leaving us. I guess some of us had got used to you being behind the scenes.

We as diabetics certainly needed what you provided and hope it will continue to go from strength to strength with the new company.

I wish you all the best for the future.

best regards
Tish

ForumAdmin · 08-12-2013, 23:38

Bob's not leaving, I am just taking over most of the behind the curtain stuff for him.

Shalynne · 08-13-2013, 04:47

Welcome to our community, Philip!

ForumAdmin · 08-13-2013, 20:06

Thank You!

Patdart · 08-14-2013, 03:16

It's a very good one and valuable to the entire community, even those who don't post, but read. Thank you for taking the load off Bob!

smorgan · 08-14-2013, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob

Hi All,

I need to make an important announcement about the future of DiabetesForum.com. It's with some very mixed emotions that I have to announce the site has been sold to a Canadian company called Verticalscope (VerticalScope : Driven by Enthusiasts). I agreed to sell the site a couple of weeks ago and last week we moved over to their servers.

I've had to accept that the site has grown too big to be run by a one man business. There is a lot of work to do behind the scenes to keep everything operational. From marketing, sales to server administration, as the site grows then so does the work and the costs. Verticalscope can provide the stability required for the next stage of growth.

The sale should be seamless to the way the site is run and the rules that are in place.

Thank you so much to all the members have supported the site in the past and will continue to support it as it grows even better in the future.

Kind Regards

Bob Sheth, Admin

One question: Who are the sponsors and will that be changing? Much of what is discussed on DiabetesForum will get you banned on virtually every other diabetic forum in the world - perhaps not immediately but definitely eventually. One can't be sure of exactly why, but there is at least the appearance of blatant conflict of interest with most of the sponsors of such sites. I hope this site will not be going down with the rest!

Ironically, seeing words like "inclusive" is ominous. Many times in practice the reality is precisely the opposite. People who do not like LC/HF whine vociferously that every time they post they are inundated with LC/HF "fanatics" and by some twist of (convenient) "logic" BANNING and silencing an entire contingency becomes the definition of enhancing "inclusiveness".

Sponsors who in any way, shape or form, directly or indirectly seek to influence "rules" and content should be avoided like the plague for the sake of the real integrity of this site.

ForumAdmin · 08-14-2013, 17:36

I am not familiar with other diabetes forums online and am only becoming familiar with this one. I am not sure what would get you banned on all other forums? The rules are set up by the site mods and admins as well as enforced by them. I don't see why this would need to change though I would need a better example of what these offenses that are ban-able on other sites would be.