Inner Circle of a Tree Website: Peer Comment

mdvaden · 5th May 2007, 07:20 PM

Howdy, y'all....

So, like a couple of you, I participate on a few forums. In the last week, I unintentionally discovered a way than information can be accessed within one that I was planning to join. I didn't really go looking for entry, it just coincided.

(We webmasters, should all realize most parts of our websites are not inpenetrable - anyway)

So... one message really caught my eye, because it looked like a local arborist participated in a conversation about me behind my back. This is one of the more mild statements...

Quote:

sotc - "ive met him a couple times, not to sure about him."

Another tree worker, to have met me a couple of times, would have to be in northern Oregon, or southern Oregon, but not the coast, as I don't recall meeting coastal arborists in person a couple of times.

So my logical guess, is the "sotc" may likely mean "Southern Oregon Tree Company" - s - o - t - c

What strikes me as odd, is how a tree service worker in this area would not "be sure" about me. Any I've met, should already have been able to form a good opinion or a bad opinion. My website has been in the face of almost all tree services here for two years, and I can't imagine they wouldn't have visited the site and noticed this page right off the bat...

http://www.mdvaden.com/testimonials.shtml

Locally, I've only had to meet individual Master Gardeners once, and they came to conclusions in a matter of a day - good ones, thankfully. I've worked for several in succession, and they invited me for a speaking engagement they held at the university in Ashland, nearby, last winter. And apparently, are interested in another, let alone repeat work.

Over at the coast, the same happened with Brookings / Harbor Garden Club Members, both speaking and working 3 times in less than 2 months at the coast.

Locally, I can't believe that this "sotc" would be Bartlett Tree Service of Medford, Oregon, as I don't think he could pull my leg for the genuine friendliness when I drop by his home, or when we eat lunch together.

He's an awesome arborist. A "10" on a scale of 1 to 10 for eithics, skill and personality. Other guys are good, but I'd give anyone else an "8" which is good. But there's no "9" here yet. Barlett is head and shoulders up there. I just don't think its him.

Anyway, I've always enjoyed visiting and confiding with arborists here - at least Certified Arborists. If you wanted to figure out who is worth confiding in, or not, how would you go about it? Similar experiences?

I may well steer clear of the other forum for a while, until I think this over a bit.

I've got thick armour on my back though. Nobody gets under my skin. Its more a matter of who can be trusted with personal trust and conversation.

Ideas?

Thanks

Ekka · 5th May 2007, 07:40 PM

Mario

Did you miss the exposure of many at TB when anonymous users were exposing some vile sprays out of MB's Treehouse?

Even Tom Dunlap copped it good. Some are out of a hidden area called The Batcave over there where selected people bitch about members. The Elders over there is not much different.

When you select a forum or even an employer you need to know what the character is. Did you not see the exposure of MB's child porn and drug manufacture, distribution and user charges?

Those people are trouble, with only degradation in their minds, they enjoy slagging off on others.

Have you read this article about the pack mentality?
http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/lani...6.2_index.html

The owner boasts of unsafe practices and even offers how to guides which are bloody stupid.

mdvaden · 5th May 2007, 08:13 PM

Well, since the means is available, I decided to extract a couple of other comments, so people may understand...

Our profession, might expect different, even if we are not someones "fave"...

Quote:

Canuck - "I thought he was a used car salesman now."

Especially with me being born in Canada, if they are in fact, Canadian.

Most Canucks I've met, have been very cordial and discreet. Its very believable that that person may not be like that in person, but could be feeling peer pressure to "chime-in" with comments that go cross grain with what's known by many Oregon tree and landscape professionals. I like to cut people slack whenever I can, if a chain of behavior is unknown to me. Sometime, if registration completes, I should PM a message to the Canadian and talk one on one - see if that's really how they feel.

Ekka · 5th May 2007, 08:47 PM

Used car salesman?!

Hey, this is about as hard as it gets to know about you.

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=e...e+Search&meta=

And that's about the intellect you'd expect from a child.

So a small bunch of back stabbers reside in some forum slandering decent community people. You spend lots of time studying, learning, growing and helping but there's a group who are always so much smarter deciding your "real value" in the arb community.

Beware the on line collective. No other forum owner would support such garbage, but here you have one that has made a profitable business out of it.

Birds of a feather do certainly flock together, be wise people and have faith in the way this board is run ... any garbage like that which you are experiencing Mario will be run out of this town. You had no opportunity to defend yourself nor were asked .... just a load of rubbish.

TreeCo · 5th May 2007, 09:35 PM

M.D. it's kind of a game they play running people down over there. I didn't worry much about it when they were talking about me and my adivice to you is to not worry much about it either.

a_lopa · 5th May 2007, 09:38 PM

Sounds fishy to me mario, but coming from where it did im not suprised at all...

mdvaden · 5th May 2007, 09:59 PM

Well here's the way it sits this evening - the registration got activated.

But I'm going to hold back on posting, other than an introductory for the moment. Well...... maybe a few for fun.

I try to be civil. (even if but "been here, thanks, see you later")

One thing about my nature though, I have a very, very long fuse. But once the fuse gets lit, I tend to be a "scrapper".

For all practical purposes, I like organization, and that means that I don't care to leave unfinished business just laying around.

Ekka · 6th May 2007, 12:06 AM

Hey, here's my little moto.

Be thorough, follow through and leave no loose ends.

I have lived by that for years now, things get done, you sleep well at night and no hauntings from things incomplete coming back to bite you.

Stumper · 6th May 2007, 07:04 AM

Mario, I DID post something about you behind your back. I apologize. Gossip is something I hate and I let myself slip into it. As for what I posted-it is the impression I gleened from our mutual participation on other boards. If it is inaccurate and unfair, my apologies but it is the impression I have based upon your posts. Please forgive me for saying anything at all that was less than complimentary.

mdvaden · 6th May 2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumper

Mario, I DID post something about you behind your back. I apologize. Gossip is something I hate and I let myself slip into it. As for what I posted-it is the impression I gleened from our mutual participation on other boards. If it is inaccurate and unfair, my apologies but it is the impression I have based upon your posts. Please forgive me for saying anything at all that was less than complimentary.

Fair enough.

Apology accepted.

Here's a fragment of information pertaining to my experience as a board member of Oregon's landscape contractor board that's associated with "hearsay".

The Governor appointed me to the position, and the signed document says this (should be image)....

The nifty thing about board appointments, is its not like some political campaign. And it stems more from who you are known to be, locally - where it counts.

The governor's staff, verify character and and background of board members, from the references provided - local people and who are in the best position to know an individual.

That's why I added that kind of stuff in my website.

It leaves a documented witness nation-wide. It leaves a "check and balance" between people who really know you, and people who really don't know you on a daily, or yearly experience basis.

Anyway, thanks again. No hard feelings here. Besides, as I wrote, my back has 2" of steel armour on it.

I'm doing an OPEN HOUSE today, so I'll be on and off the forums between greeting and making sure snacks are fresh.

Mario

canuck · 6th May 2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdvaden

Well, since the means is available, I decided to extract a couple of other comments, so people may understand...

Our profession, might expect different, even if we are not someones "fave"...

Especially with me being born in Canada, if they are in fact, Canadian.

Most Canucks I've met, have been very cordial and discreet. Its very believable that that person may not be like that in person, but could be feeling peer pressure to "chime-in" with comments that go cross grain with what's known by many Oregon tree and landscape professionals. I like to cut people slack whenever I can, if a chain of behavior is unknown to me. Sometime, if registration completes, I should PM a message to the Canadian and talk one on one - see if that's really how they feel.

Do I have you confused with some one else?

If my memory serves me well I thought you moved to Medford took a job as car salesman at a Lithia dealership.

mdvaden · 6th May 2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck

Do I have you confused with some one else?

If my memory serves me well I thought you moved to Medford took a job as car salesman at a Lithia dealership.

I took a temporary job in sales, until my body started hurting worse from not working, than from really working. Unique thing...

I resigned my license number, and they can never be reused. Old numbers are valuable, because a smaller number in Oregon immediately identifies that someone has longer experience in business.

When I called to apply for a new business license to do landscaping and tree work, I learned that the administrator had buried my license resignation, because he felt the industry is where I should be. So I was able to get my original license number again.

By the way, if anybody really wants to know what I'm doing, the website is updated weekly, if not daily. It's in almost all my signature links, and easy to find on the web. If ever in doubt, check the web.

Actually, the re-start in business here, after a 6 week pause, was very useful. It triggered advancing into some stuff I've wanted to do more of. I'm starting on a DVD pruning video geared to homeowners, and SilkyUSA sent me complimentary equipment to use in it, since I'll be mentioning them.

Speaking engagements multiplied down here, and I finally got around to teaching some college classes. And, I worked on my website, so that now, instead of costing me $150 per year, it's bringing in $130 per month from the 900 page views per day.

So all in all, its been a more productive experience than I expected.

Tree Machine · 28th May 2007, 05:04 PM

I love your site, Mario. I think you've done a great job with it. I've visited frequently over the last couple years and always amazed how it evolves.

I'm glad it's paying you back a bit, nothing close to the investment in time you have in it, but better to be on the monthly positive than negative.

Ekka · 29th May 2007, 01:15 AM

I too enjoy Mario's writing.

It's down to earth, honest and in layman's terms understandable.

I remember a comment I read ages ago when Mario was testing out his new pages. One wrote words to the effect "building a shrine for yourself" ... how bazaar.

When one has accumulated a lot of knowledge over time and wishes to share it that's no way to thank them for it.

Imagine saying to Shigo the same thing!

Good on you Mario. And if there wasn't negative implications from Google for duplicate content I'd just copy paste some of those tips to my site.

Stand tall and proud, you the man and ya customers should be damn proud to have you on the job.

Pineoil · 23rd September 2007, 06:42 AM

These are all good posts reflecting sincere feelings about each other. It's too bad in the United States we depend on sites filled with suspicious hatred and distrust but if they are owned by child pornography collectors I would expect nothing less.

5th May 2007, 07:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,606	Mario Did you miss the exposure of many at TB when anonymous users were exposing some vile sprays out of MB's Treehouse? Even Tom Dunlap copped it good. Some are out of a hidden area called The Batcave over there where selected people bitch about members. The Elders over there is not much different. When you select a forum or even an employer you need to know what the character is. Did you not see the exposure of MB's child porn and drug manufacture, distribution and user charges? Those people are trouble, with only degradation in their minds, they enjoy slagging off on others. Have you read this article about the pack mentality? http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/lani...6.2_index.html The owner boasts of unsafe practices and even offers how to guides which are bloody stupid. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

5th May 2007, 08:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,606	Used car salesman?! Hey, this is about as hard as it gets to know about you. http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=e...e+Search&meta= And that's about the intellect you'd expect from a child. So a small bunch of back stabbers reside in some forum slandering decent community people. You spend lots of time studying, learning, growing and helping but there's a group who are always so much smarter deciding your "real value" in the arb community. Beware the on line collective. No other forum owner would support such garbage, but here you have one that has made a profitable business out of it. Birds of a feather do certainly flock together, be wise people and have faith in the way this board is run ... any garbage like that which you are experiencing Mario will be run out of this town. You had no opportunity to defend yourself nor were asked .... just a load of rubbish. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

5th May 2007, 09:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
a_lopa Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drouin Posts: 865	Sounds fishy to me mario, but coming from where it did im not suprised at all... __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory Drouin tree lopping, land clearing and stump removals

5th May 2007, 09:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
mdvaden Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 564	Well here's the way it sits this evening - the registration got activated. But I'm going to hold back on posting, other than an introductory for the moment. Well...... maybe a few for fun. I try to be civil. (even if but "been here, thanks, see you later") One thing about my nature though, I have a very, very long fuse. But once the fuse gets lit, I tend to be a "scrapper". For all practical purposes, I like organization, and that means that I don't care to leave unfinished business just laying around. __________________ ____________________________________ Grove of Redwood TITANS Oregon BIGOOT trap Last edited by mdvaden : 5th May 2007 at 11:30 PM.

6th May 2007, 12:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,606	Hey, here's my little moto. Be thorough, follow through and leave no loose ends. I have lived by that for years now, things get done, you sleep well at night and no hauntings from things incomplete coming back to bite you. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

5th May 2007, 09:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
TreeCo Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 262	M.D. it's kind of a game they play running people down over there. I didn't worry much about it when they were talking about me and my adivice to you is to not worry much about it either.

6th May 2007, 07:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
Stumper I'm new here so be nice Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1	Mario, I DID post something about you behind your back. I apologize. Gossip is something I hate and I let myself slip into it. As for what I posted-it is the impression I gleened from our mutual participation on other boards. If it is inaccurate and unfair, my apologies but it is the impression I have based upon your posts. Please forgive me for saying anything at all that was less than complimentary.

28th May 2007, 05:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
Tree Machine Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 569	I love your site, Mario. I think you've done a great job with it. I've visited frequently over the last couple years and always amazed how it evolves. I'm glad it's paying you back a bit, nothing close to the investment in time you have in it, but better to be on the monthly positive than negative.

29th May 2007, 01:15 AM	#14 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,606	I too enjoy Mario's writing. It's down to earth, honest and in layman's terms understandable. I remember a comment I read ages ago when Mario was testing out his new pages. One wrote words to the effect "building a shrine for yourself" ... how bazaar. When one has accumulated a lot of knowledge over time and wishes to share it that's no way to thank them for it. Imagine saying to Shigo the same thing! Good on you Mario. And if there wasn't negative implications from Google for duplicate content I'd just copy paste some of those tips to my site. Stand tall and proud, you the man and ya customers should be damn proud to have you on the job. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

23rd September 2007, 06:42 AM	#15 (permalink)
Pineoil Sappling Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 5	Re: Inner Circle of a Tree Website: Peer Comment These are all good posts reflecting sincere feelings about each other. It's too bad in the United States we depend on sites filled with suspicious hatred and distrust but if they are owned by child pornography collectors I would expect nothing less.