Nvidia viral marketing with AEG exposed !!! *UPDATED* *Poll Added*

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: 5150Joker

Originally posted by: M0RPH

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
My god when will the b!tching stop.... Over at H, they are treating this mole hill as a mole hill. Sure they are discussing it a lot, but civil like. Here, the mole hill has become Vesuvius. Put down all your pitchforks and torches, and discuss it like rational civil human beings for a change. Everybody. Wreckage, Joker, Dingo, Nitro, Me, Rollo, etc. etc. etc.
Maybe we will all learn something good today.

Wanna know what the difference is, Keys? Rollo annoyed a lot of people here with the way he incessantly tried to bash ATI at every opportunity. He antagonized a lot of people in the flamewars that he started. So all this backlash against him upon finding out he was all the while part of an Nvidia marketing program should not come as any surprise. People on the other boards didn't have to put up with his nonsense, his non-stop ATI bashing and Nvidia evangelism.

Exactly, if it was done as an enthusiast only it could be tolerated as fanboy lust for nVidia. Being a marketing agent of nVidia and doing this in return for free hardware and beta software is unacceptable.

I don't know it all of course, but Rollo has been pro NV probably forever. Liked ATI's stuff obviously because he always tried them out. And maybe just getting the free hardware was just icing on the cake for him. Who knows.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: ronnn

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: ronnn

Originally posted by: Rollo


Hmmm. The guy I had to ban from PMing and who I believe got vacationed for flaming me thinks I'm bad....
Heavens to Betsy!

Are you accusing me of pming you?

You're the 3rd person down the list on my Ban List in PMs, so I assume at some point in time you did. The funny way that works is I only have about 8 guys on the list, not total strangers I've never interacted with. :roll:

Whether you did or didn't, I honestly don't remember, but we've had words more than once, the fact you've returned from whereever to join in this is little surprise to me.

And that's all I have to say to you, because I doubt anything productive will come of us conversing.

Well must admit to not being surprised at you telling another total lie. :beer: Will update your mod buddies.

You think the mods are MY buddies?!

Newsflash:
The mods wish I was never born because I've got a gaggle of hatas that follow me about flaming every post I make. (not to mention some of my own are pretty controversial)

Like I said, I don't remember why I put you on my ban list, but saying I did is hardly a crime.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: beggerking

Originally posted by: M0RPH

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
My god when will the b!tching stop.... Over at H, they are treating this mole hill as a mole hill. Sure they are discussing it a lot, but civil like. Here, the mole hill has become Vesuvius. Put down all your pitchforks and torches, and discuss it like rational civil human beings for a change. Everybody. Wreckage, Joker, Dingo, Nitro, Me, Rollo, etc. etc. etc.
Maybe we will all learn something good today.

Wanna know what the difference is, Keys? Rollo annoyed a lot of people here with the way he incessantly tried to bash ATI at every opportunity. He antagonized a lot of people in the flamewars that he started. So all this backlash against him upon finding out he was all the while part of an Nvidia marketing program should not come as any surprise. People on the other boards didn't have to put up with his nonsense, his non-stop ATI bashing and Nvidia evangelism.

Actually, Joker is annoying me now. Lets ban him? for bashing NV at every oppertunity.. oh ya, you bash NV at every oppertunity too... lets ban everybody who doesn't agree with me...pick on them every oppertunity..

do I sound like you/joker now?

5150 is annoying me now too, probably because he feels I betrayed his trust, but he's no fanboy of any company.

 

[crazydingo]

Originally posted by: beggerking

Originally posted by: M0RPH
Wanna know what the difference is, Keys? Rollo annoyed a lot of people here with the way he incessantly tried to bash ATI at every opportunity. He antagonized a lot of people in the flamewars that he started. So all this backlash against him upon finding out he was all the while part of an Nvidia marketing program should not come as any surprise. People on the other boards didn't have to put up with his nonsense, his non-stop ATI bashing and Nvidia evangelism.

Actually, Joker is annoying me now. Lets ban him? for bashing NV at every oppertunity.. oh ya, you bash NV at every oppertunity too... lets ban everybody who doesn't agree with me...pick on them every oppertunity..

do I sound like you/joker now?

Joker isnt slanted like you falsely accuse him to be. Now we know where you are coming from.

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: Rollo

I think it's more a question of not opening the floodgates to "I want a free video card too!". I've ALWAYS said I got the cards deeply discounted straight from nVidia, and the cards do come from nVidia. The difference between "free" and "deeply discounted" is not huge.

THe thing is, I remember when you used to brag about how you put your money where your mouth is and buy the products that you advocate with your own hard-earned money. And you used to criticize anyone who didn't own the products that they were defending. It wasn't until very recently that your story started to change about where your video cards came from.

 

[RobertR1]

Sorry to be a bit off topic but after being on several different message boards for various things: motrocycles, cars and computers, beggerking takes the cake as being the most annoying/irritating/argumentative (without sufficient knowledge) personality by a large margin. If there was a f'in crown, I'd hand it to you, buddy.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: beggerking

If doing that would fend off fanboys like yourself, I'd be glad to be one too. The fact is, it does not matter if Rollo or anyone works for Nvidia or Ati, I don't base my purchase decision on what anyone says in the forum.

BUT, people new to the forums (and who may not know much about hardware) that ask for opinions may base their purchase on advice they receive from the forums...that's when there's a problem when there are marketing people posting in the forums.

 

[RobertR1]

Originally posted by: M0RPH

Originally posted by: Rollo

I think it's more a question of not opening the floodgates to "I want a free video card too!". I've ALWAYS said I got the cards deeply discounted straight from nVidia, and the cards do come from nVidia. The difference between "free" and "deeply discounted" is not huge.

THe thing is, I remember when you used to brag about how you put your money where your mouth is and buy the products that you advocate with your own hard-earned money. And you used to criticize anyone who didn't own the products that they were defending. It wasn't until very recently that your story started to change about where your video cards came from.

Actually, that's my only issue with rollo. His constant mockery of members who did not have as good of hardware (video cards specifically) and questioning their financial status, while claming to have paid for his own hardware outright, will leave a sour taste for a long time.

 

[tuteja1986]

Originally posted by: M0RPH

Originally posted by: Rollo

I think it's more a question of not opening the floodgates to "I want a free video card too!". I've ALWAYS said I got the cards deeply discounted straight from nVidia, and the cards do come from nVidia. The difference between "free" and "deeply discounted" is not huge.

THe thing is, I remember when you used to brag about how you put your money where your mouth is and buy the products that you advocate with your own hard-earned money. And you used to criticize anyone who didn't own the products that they were defending. It wasn't until very recently that your story started to change about where your video cards came from.

yeah , i think rollo is in denial of thinking he hasn't done anything wrong. it happens to people !! . Wake up rollo and see the truth and publicly apologies to all the people you lied too. When i was a new member at this forum , I accused you to have something to do with Nvidia and you claimed that I was a banned member who made another account and was just seeking revenge when I wasn?t :! But then I gave up and became friendly towards you but you post sometimes was totally outrages against ATI.

 

[v8envy]

Originally posted by: RobertR1
If there was a f'in crown, I'd hand it to you, buddy.

More OT, but I can't help but wonder. Would such a crown be an imposing phallic diadem, or more of a beret shaped like a pair of hairy buns?

 

[RobertR1]

Originally posted by: v8envy

Originally posted by: RobertR1
If there was a f'in crown, I'd hand it to you, buddy.

More OT, but I can't help but wonder. Would such a crown be an imposing phallic diadem, or more of a beret shaped like a pair of hairy buns?[/q

Whatever they have left at the Dollar Tree store

 

[Bumrush99]

Does it really matter if Rollo gets banned? Every new post, every reply he makes will be shot down with answers that will be linked to this post. The damage is already done, he no longer has any legitimacy in these forums. Banning him will not change his status here. It is already ruined.

 

[RobertR1]

Originally posted by: Bumrush99
Does it really matter if Rollo gets banned? Every new post, every reply he makes will be shot down with answers that will be linked to this post. The damage is already done, he no longer has any legitimacy in these forums. Banning him will not change his status here. It is already ruined.

But will the forums improve any when every rollo post turns into a mess??? which is exactly what will happen. Judging by his ego, how long do you think before he's back to his old self????

 

[RiDE]

So many drama queens... over video cards. LOL

 

[tuteja1986]

Rollo should be ban unless you don't want every thread or post he makes into flame fest.

 

[beggerking]

Originally posted by: RobertR1
Sorry to be a bit off topic but after being on several different message boards for various things: motrocycles, cars and computers, beggerking takes the cake as being the most annoying/irritating/argumentative (without sufficient knowledge) personality by a large margin. If there was a f'in crown, I'd hand it to you, buddy.

Havn't seen you post anything but flame, yet you come out saying I argue without sufficient knowledge? Yes, like always, you will resort to insults.

 

[beggerking]

Originally posted by: thilan29

Originally posted by: beggerking

If doing that would fend off fanboys like yourself, I'd be glad to be one too. The fact is, it does not matter if Rollo or anyone works for Nvidia or Ati, I don't base my purchase decision on what anyone says in the forum.

BUT, people new to the forums (and who may not know much about hardware) that ask for opinions may base their purchase on advice they receive from the forums...that's when there's a problem when there are marketing people posting in the forums.

From what i've seen, advice were given from both sides everytime a question is raised.

 

[beggerking]

Originally posted by: RobertR1

Originally posted by: Bumrush99
Does it really matter if Rollo gets banned? Every new post, every reply he makes will be shot down with answers that will be linked to this post. The damage is already done, he no longer has any legitimacy in these forums. Banning him will not change his status here. It is already ruined.

But will the forums improve any when every rollo post turns into a mess??? which is exactly what will happen. Judging by his ego, how long do you think before he's back to his old self????

now I see your only purpose here is simply to ban and insult anyone who has a different opinion than you.

 

[RobertR1]

Originally posted by: beggerking

Originally posted by: RobertR1

Originally posted by: Bumrush99
Does it really matter if Rollo gets banned? Every new post, every reply he makes will be shot down with answers that will be linked to this post. The damage is already done, he no longer has any legitimacy in these forums. Banning him will not change his status here. It is already ruined.

But will the forums improve any when every rollo post turns into a mess??? which is exactly what will happen. Judging by his ego, how long do you think before he's back to his old self????

now I see your only purpose here is simply to ban and insult anyone who has a different opinion than you.

Show me where I've advocated a ban of anyone but rollo. Please start searching.

 

[Matt2]

Sweet grandmother's spatula...

Everyone just f'ing get the hell over it.

You'd think this was Watergate for Christ's sake.

THe crusade is over.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Nitromullet is right:

I do owe the board and some of my friends here an apology. I am sorry I withheld the fact that I got some free parts from AEG.

Much appreciated.

The only ethical question I've ever had with this is the not revealing some of the stuff was free.

As you should... Getting free hardware isn't in itself bad. Personally, I would take free hardware from NV, ATI, Asus... any of the brands I use, and I'd probably even be more inclined to try some brands I haven't. However, I would would not accept anything if I wasn't allowed to be upfront about it.

I think it's more a question of not opening the floodgates to "I want a free video card too!". I've ALWAYS said I got the cards deeply discounted straight from nVidia, and the cards do come from nVidia. The difference between "free" and "deeply discounted" is not huge.

Anyway, so what about the sig..? Can you lose the beta tester BS..? Maybe something more like "Proud AEG focus group member"?

I like it- done. (although I left the "Proud" out- I don't think it's something to be proud or ashamed of)

Appreciated on the sig as well. If you're upfront about it, getting selected to receive free hardware is something that you can certianly be proud of. Ronin isn't one bit ashamed of his 6 GTX 512's he received, and he makes no bones about getting them for free. While he gets the occational jealously jab, no one (that I'm aware of) accuses him of being a shill. Granted, his posting style has it's own "flair" that I wouldn't necessarily want everyone on this forum to adopt, but it's different strokes that keeps this interesting, right?

The only other requests that I could have is that the "AEG" in the sig links to their page and that the other AEG members do the same. If Wreckage is an AEG member as well, I think that putting that in his sig would be appropriate as well. I think disclosure is all most of us really would like to see.

 

[RiDE]

Originally posted by: Matt2
Sweet grandmother's spatula...

Everyone just f'ing get the hell over it.

You'd think this was Watergate for Christ's sake.

THe crusade is over.

Everybody here has a holier than though attitude, you're not going to get them off their high horse.

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: RiDE

Originally posted by: Matt2
Sweet grandmother's spatula...

Everyone just f'ing get the hell over it.

You'd think this was Watergate for Christ's sake.

THe crusade is over.

Everybody here has a holier than though attitude, you're not going to get them off their high horse.

I don't want to fall and get hurt by trying to get off my high horse.

 

[Pete]

Alright, horsey, just a bit further and then we can rest for the night.

Originally posted by: Ronin

Originally posted by: Gamer X
After Rollo has been proved to be an AEG agent,I wonder why he is not banned yet.
Members like him just demolish what any tech forum is all about.How can I ask
for an advice on a forum when I know it is infested with undercover salesmen
marketing their affiliate products.

You mean like...when you go to a computer store and a salesman lets his personal bias sway you, too? *gasp* What a flawed argument for a ban.

I don't want this forum to be comprised of salesmen, real or semantic. It's that simple. That's really not likely to happen in a forum of this size, but I'll settle for one less "salesman."

IMO, Rollo should be banned simply because his style of posting has poisoned this forum. I don't like the current character of the forums, and I (rightly or wrongly) ascribe much of that to Rollo('s posting style). So, one permaban; at the very least, an extended temp ban.

Do I hate Rollo? No. He's probably not a bad guy IRL. But I don't like what I see of him in this forum. He does this forum more harm than good. (I'm all for entertainment, but I get my share of politics in the papers. I'm sure we'll cope without another set of SLI benchmarks.) If he actually petitioned to be mod, rather than ran his tongue-in-cheek "Fair and Balanced" message for kicks, that's another strike against him. This forum doesn't need a mod that needs to be modded, and that's exactly what we can expect given Rollo's "one white lie."

Watch what happens to everyone else deadset to defend or attack Rollo (and I'm not holding myself above this). Watch how the forum responds. Watch if we have more "corrective" posts, most of which are meant to offset perceived bias but simply seem to create more "corrections." Watch how many tangential mini-battles we'll see b/w "correcter" and "correcter-correcter." Watch what happens to the fire if you remove the spark and so negate the oil (evident in this very thread). This is what I want to see disappear. This is probably what the mods are debating.

What what happens when you remove the flashpoint. Does the forum experience improve for the occasional visitor, or should they just resign themselves to being caught in the crossfire (eh, eh, eh)?

To be clear, I was against AEG's program when I thought it comprised of ppl like Rollo and consisted of goods in return for promotion, mainly b/c it seemed simplest explanation. Rollo gave AEG's "focus group" a bad name, IMO. His posts are just too calculatedly one-sided for someone not affiliated with (read: compensated by) a company. Now that I know CR, Chal, and Ail are in it, I know that Rollo and AEG are separate issues. I support--or at least don't object to--what I know of AEG. Why? B/c I feel CR, Chal, and especially Ail contribute to the forums they frequent without as much or any of the one-sided fervency Rollo shows (most evidently in his threads). That's why any backlash against them will be minimal and muted.

I'm still wondering how many of these guys would be using SLI without AEG, but that's a separate issue (possibly worth exploring, probably not by AT).

To be doubly clear, this is also not an ATI vs. NV thing. If there's anything to be learned from the past few years of "revelations," it's that if one company is doing something, odds are the other is. That's just business, like it or not.

To be painfully clear, from what we know now, it appears there never was an NDA forbidding disclosure of the program. True or not (can't deny the cynic in me), I'm moving past AEG entirely and looking to set this forum right, as conceited as that sounds.

As for the purported "Rush Limbaugh" effect, I'd like to know how much money the forums generate compared to the front page. Last I heard, the front pages of most sites still drew and generated more income and required less maintenance than the forums. Why exactly is there a separate comment system for the front page?

Alright, enough about Rollo. The ball is in the mods' court, and I await their decision. I appreciate their leaving this thread open so we can just vent it all out in one communal wail. Maybe they're even monitoring it for our opinions. I've said my piece. Whatever they decide, this dude'll abide. By.

There are a bunch of good posts worth QFTing--many that made my points better than I could--but this thread is just too huge and too dead to bother at this point.

Oh, and JimmyH FTW. :laugh:

Edit: Oh, and I never knew anything about any AEG NDA (as my posts should show). I just speculated on its implications along with everyone else. I didn't reply to my proposal b/c I thought it was spam, not b/c of any NDA. Again, a cynic is me--well, when I'm not toying with idealism or playing at being a fooh.

 

[raildogg]

I often found it weird that certain people who totally support nvidia and had a one sided comment each time. Then I learned about this story. I think its a not a great thing for a company to do this, but again, since I believe in the free market system, a company has a right to do it. Even though it may not be the best thing ethically, they can still do it and in their view, they are increasing their sales.

The "fanboys" on this website and others may be paid to become "fanboys". But that is not always the case, in fact, it is rare. So lets keep that in mind. As for people that have Rollo for mod stickers in their sigs, why do you think he is fair? What makes him better than anyone else to give both sides a fair chance? I am willing to consider him and others for mod. But what makes a person fair to both sides?

Nvidia makes great products so I find it very odd that they have gone to this extreme. Maybe its not such an extreme since other companies do it too, but nvidia has totally dominated the past 2 years. I don't like it. The "fanboys" here and other places that are paid to promote Nvidia products actually may be doing more hurting than helping after the revelations. But instead of trying to cover for themselves, nvidia and AEG should come out say that truth. That would limit the damage done.