ScubaBoard needs your help...

[apenland01]

I'm not sure if I'll get my medical clearance to return to diving, but I've gotten WAY more than $40 worth of advice and guidance in the few days I've been on the board than I ever could have dreamed of. If I don't clear, I'll give my new dive gear I just bought to my 24 year old son and steer him to get certified. He's recently showed interest in diving after Cowboy Cerrone interview on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

While this group is highly opinionated, they tend to argue details with facts from various sources and I greatly appreciate that. I like to make my own decisions and I like seeing differing viewpoints that are presented on this board....

 

[scubajelly]

Scubaboard has be an invaluable resource to me. Thank you.

 

[Ryan Neely]

I'm not a huge fan of community. Humans as a group aren't the best (which has not been illustrated any better than in the fallout from a pandemic). However, a single person in a one-on-one conversation can change your life. The people on this board have been that for me. I've certainly received more than a fair share of advice and information here. ScubaBoard has likely saved me more financial headache than a Supporter membership. I wish I could do more.

 

[OctoHelm]

The community here is truly second to none. You all are almost like a family to me. Seeing that the Board couldn't even afford stickers was so sad. Seeing that level of hardship and financial distress really stuck out to me. The advice, expertise and friendliness of everyone here has truly made this my favorite forum on the internet. I really would be upset to see it go, so it's nice that I can chip in to help the board continue. I'd love to have my kids be able to use this invaluable resource.

A big thanks to all of the mods, staff members, supporters and members of this site who make it the great place that it is.

Take care of yourselves!

Stay healthy, happy, and safe diving!

Respectfully,

OctoHelm

 

[Doctor Rig]

What is value of ScubaBoard to members and dive businesses??

About 5 years ago, I bought a Honda Ruckus scooter. If you’re not familiar the hugely successful Ruckus, it has been sold unchanged by Honda for 15 years and is still being sold. There is a sub-culture of Ruckus owners who buy this steel framed 50cc scooter and make all kinds of modifications. It was and is not uncommon for owners around the world to spend thousands of dollars on these mods, buying mod equipment from numerous speciality businesses.

There was a Ruckus website, Total Ruckus, were members posted pictures of their modified scooters and members discussed everything about mods, trouble shooting, riding, traveling, vendors offerings and the list goes on. The Total Ruckus website had a treasure trove of valuable information and had a huge following where people just hung out and talked and helped each other.... much the same as ScubaBoard. About two years ago, Total Ruckus just disappeared without any warning. All that historical recordings and inspirational information just disappeared forever as the website was no more. I used to visit Total Ruckus daily, if not regularly, just to catch up with postings or to help with my mods. I really missed this hugely valuable resource which hasn’t been replaced, and I still miss it today. The loss of sense of community was also felt!

Based on my experience with Total Ruckus, if ScubaBoard was to disappear, I have no doubt that the event would be a hugely significant loss to SB members and diving related businesses, as its real value is unappreciated.

- - - Be A ScubaBoard Supporter or More - - -

 

[BoltSnap]

if ScubaBoard was to disappear

That would be most tragic indeed.

 

[Addison Snyder]

The Total Ruckus website had a treasure trove of valuable information and had a huge following where people just hung out and talked and helped each other.... much the same as ScubaBoard. About two years ago, Total Ruckus just disappeared without any warning.

So what if ScubaBoard backed things up in a way that others could take over if something happened?

 

[The Chairman]

Just a note... I have caught us up to making everyone red that has donated, EXCEPT for a few whose PayPal email doesn't match their SB account. I've sent emails to those people, but no one has responded. If you should be red and are not, please send me a PM. Thanks for your support! It really, really helps. And thanks, thanks, thanks for all the kind replies in this thread. We ARE a family, and it shows.

 

[The Chairman]

So what if ScubaBoard backed things up in a way that others could take over if something happened?

I'm not going anywhere and when I die, there are a couple of people who will take over without a hitch. Forums have been under intense pressure from people flocking to places like Facebook and while we've survived, we're not immune. It's easier to post on FB, but it's far, far, far harder to find useful information. The industry wants to be able to control the dialog and they can't here. You, the user gets to voice your opinion about gear, instructors and dive ops with the only caveat that you keep it civil and respectful. Unlike posting your opinion elsewhere, Google makes it count here.

 

[Addison Snyder]

It's easier to post on FB, but it's far, far, far harder to find useful information.

Which has the mostly positive side effect of limiting spam and low-effort posts here. Ever join the broader scuba groups on Facebook? About half the posts are "yay-I-got-such-and-such-card-look-at-me" pictures.

Google makes it count here.

Didn't even realize how awesome that was until you said it.