Mark

[Neverenoughwatches]

7 minutes ago, spectre6000 said:

If someone were to set up a new site intended purely as a means of carrying this over in light of current events, would the mods agree to continue/resume on the new site? Maybe even help let people know what's going on? I'm a software engineer by day, and could probably swing the setup over a weekend, but time is extremely limited for me right now (two small kids, major home repairs ongoing, a startup I'm trying to get off the ground, etc.). 

I'm willing to bet they would, this forum is a strong community full of like minded guys that all get on like a house on fire. 

[RichardHarris123]

4 hours ago, Waggy said:

Read the room people......

Mark is not talking to moderators, and not even commenting on discussions like this one - it has his name on it - no excuses. I agree with @Neverenoughwatches that it is only a matter of time before this site just stops. If Mark lacks the motivation to visit and interact with the site, why would he be motivated to keep paying the bills?

There are several options to set up discussion boards for little or no money that would closely match this one and I played with this a while ago as a 'proof of concept', but there was little interest from the group in looking into this, actually this is an understatement - people were actually hostile to the concept, even sharing a common email list was deemed to be an act of treason, so I stopped working on it.

I could look again, but only if there was genuine interest from the members and I wasn't outcast as some sort of heroic.

Sorry, I was busy at work. 

I think some members seemed hostile because it looked like we were trying to set up a rival site and steel members from here, which was definitely not the intention. 

I think it is time to set up an alternative site, we could sign up and leave it dormant or a just ticking over, until the fate of this site is determined. 

I can't set the site up as I don't know how but will continue being a moderator or helping in which ever capacity I am required. 

In the meantime, if Mark is winding the site down, let's hope he gives us, the opportunity to keep it running. 

[JohnR725]

2 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

n the meantime, if Mark is winding the site down, let's hope he gives us, the opportunity to keep it running. 

What I find so interesting here is that the moderators have zero method to talk to Mark other than leaving a message on the group? Then he appears to be visiting the Facebook discussion group has anyone tried to leave him a message there?

 

[oldhippy]

I admit I was one that was not into setting up something new by leaving this site. I have changed my mind and I will except what needs to be done. I would just like to add I would like it to include clocks. How we have been left like this I think it is disgusting. Mark don't you have the guts to tell us what is going on. 

[tomh207]

25 minutes ago, JohnR725 said:

What I find so interesting here is that the moderators have zero method to talk to Mark other than leaving a message on the group? Then he appears to be visiting the Facebook discussion group has anyone tried to leave him a message there?

 

I have left a message tagged to Mark on the Facebook group asking him to contact Old Hippy here. I don’t have anyway to contact him directly there, only through this site.

 

Tom

[RichardHarris123]

13 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

I would just like to add I would like it to include clocks

Of course, I need to show off my expertise. 

[JohnR725]

3 hours ago, tomh207 said:

I have left a message tagged to Mark on the Facebook group asking him to contact Old Hippy here. I don’t have anyway to contact him directly there, only through this site.

Outstanding we will now get a? If we get no answer at all it's not a good sign if we get an answer who knows what it will be.

Then as far as making a new discussion group I don't think there's a limit on how many the world can have so no one was ever stopping anybody from doing it. If you made a better group people would come to it.

Then this group has anyone thought about backing it up?

 

[RichardHarris123]

11 minutes ago, JohnR725 said:

Then this group has anyone thought about backing it up?

Good evening John. 

What do you mean backing it up? 

[JohnR725]

3 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

What do you mean backing it up?

There has to be a way of archiving what we have. For instance Archive.org

[RichardHarris123]

3 minutes ago, JohnR725 said:

There has to be a way of archiving what we have. For instance Archive.org

I didn't know that was possible, at least without the permission of the owner, that's why I asked. 

[rjenkinsgb]

36 minutes ago, JohnR725 said:

There has to be a way of archiving what we have. For instance Archive.org

On the wayback machine at archive.org already - 

https://web.archive.org/web/20250000000000*/https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/

 

[tomh207]

I don’t think we should be looking at creating a competing/replacement site at the moment. I, as many of you, have concerns if this site goes away for whatever reason. 
 

I would propose that we have an alternative way to keep in touch that doesn’t replace this site but would rather allow us all to keep in touch and decide what would be an action to move forward with if the worst happens if we lose this place. As Rich, @Neverenoughwatches has said we have built relationships here and are a welcoming and inclusive community. 
 

so, definitely not a replacement for this site as it can’t and doesn’t work the same way, I have created a discord server so we can keep in touch without the security issues of an email list or anything like that. 
 

if you’re interested in that idea as a backup to the great community we have here then let me know and I will publish an invitation link.

 

i have to reiterate, this is not a split from here but a backup in case we lose this site due to circumstances beyond our control.

 

Tom

[RichardHarris123]

7 minutes ago, tomh207 said:

you’re interested in that idea as a backup to the great community we have here then let me know and I will publish an invitation link.

Either way Tom, we need some sort of backup.

We need some sort of backup sooner rather than later .

[AndyGSi]

I for one would like to keep in touch should the worst happen.

[GuyMontag]

On 3/12/2025 at 8:49 AM, AndyGSi said:

So are there any other forums that people already use?

I know I've looked at a few and never really got on with a lot of the members
as they were more interested in how much they'd spent on their latest Rolex.

The watchmaking sub-forum at watchuseek is somewhat active, but not as much as here.

[watchweasol]

That’s the beauty of this site is the interaction of the members, even on matters other than watch repair, I n the six years I have been on this site I have got to know and respect a lot of other members, have interest in their advice and information shared .  A lot of members join for a specific reason , long term or short term they all get the same respect. This site is a one off, not repeated else where. So in that case continuation in case of disaster is desirable.

[spectre6000]

The problem with setting up a backup to keep on standby "just in case" is that it costs money to keep it spinning. 

I don't think there's anyone trying to "steal" members. This is an active and functional community attempting to self preserve. There's a Pandora's box of indifference at play here such that Mark could, at any point, decide to just stop paying the bill and pull the plug with no notice. There's zero reason at this point to suspect that we'd be any the wiser prior to the lights going out. Just click the bookmark link one morning, and 404.

Backing things up, in this context, means preserving all of the content that has been generated by members in a manner that it can be referred to later. I'm not sure what the legal aspects of that are... Who owns the content on this site? Might be as simple as reading the terms and conditions (not something I have the bandwidth for at this second as I get my 5yo ready for preschool this morning). It's very worthwhile if it can be done, as there's obviously a lot of very high quality content here. I've seen the loss of such information first hand a few times now in my luthiery hobby life. On multiple occasions, I've wanted to go back and look at an instrument made by a mentor of mine, and the only photos I'm aware of existing are gone (as is he). 

If there is desire and consensus to spin up a new forum, let me know. It's going to take some planning to nail down the time to get it done. There are undoubtedly a handful of logistical considerations that will need to be sorted as well, and those will also take time. 

FWIW, I'm 1000% in favor of making sure there's clock content. I'd like to see more of it, as I have my grandfather's grandfather clock just a few feet from me here in need of attention. I've been wanting a desk clock for a while, and haven't found one that's quite grabbed me enough to pull the trigger yet. I also have an analog electrical clock design I've been cooking up for a while that I'd like to execute some day. Clocks aren't as "cool" as watches in 2025, but that time will no doubt come.

[RichardHarris123]

I keep saying, we needs something and as soon as possible. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

On 3/13/2025 at 8:06 PM, JohnR725 said:

What I find so interesting here is that the moderators have zero method to talk to Mark other than leaving a message on the group? Then he appears to be visiting the Facebook discussion group has anyone tried to leave him a message there?

 

 

On 3/13/2025 at 8:33 PM, tomh207 said:

I have left a message tagged to Mark on the Facebook group asking him to contact Old Hippy here. I don’t have anyway to contact him directly there, only through this site.

 

Tom

Mark's facebook profile is very easy to contact.  Did you read the private message earlier Tom ?

21 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

Outstanding we will now get a? If we get no answer at all it's not a good sign if we get an answer who knows what it will be.

Then as far as making a new discussion group I don't think there's a limit on how many the world can have so no one was ever stopping anybody from doing it. If you made a better group people would come to it.

Then this group has anyone thought about backing it up?

 

Tom left that message a month ago John, there has been no reply to it.

20 hours ago, tomh207 said:

I don’t think we should be looking at creating a competing/replacement site at the moment. I, as many of you, have concerns if this site goes away for whatever reason. 
 

I would propose that we have an alternative way to keep in touch that doesn’t replace this site but would rather allow us all to keep in touch and decide what would be an action to move forward with if the worst happens if we lose this place. As Rich, @Neverenoughwatches has said we have built relationships here and are a welcoming and inclusive community. 
 

so, definitely not a replacement for this site as it can’t and doesn’t work the same way, I have created a discord server so we can keep in touch without the security issues of an email list or anything like that. 
 

if you’re interested in that idea as a backup to the great community we have here then let me know and I will publish an invitation link.

 

i have to reiterate, this is not a split from here but a backup in case we lose this site due to circumstances beyond our control.

 

Tom

I'm up for that Tom, always have been. It looks like we are left to our own devices to do whatever now.

5 hours ago, spectre6000 said:

I'm not sure what the legal aspects of that are... Who owns the content on this site? 

Copyright of the writings and images I thought would belong to the authors that created them....so the members.

Edited March 14 by Neverenoughwatches

[RichardHarris123]

28 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

I'm up for that Tom, always have been. It looks like we are left to our devices to do whatever now.

3 hours ago, spectre6000 said:

Let's go for it. 

[AndyGSi]

Does anyone know if Mark has a middle name, his age and where he lives?

[Neverenoughwatches]

43 minutes ago, AndyGSi said:

Does anyone know if Mark has a middle name, his age and where he lives?

Thailand 

1 hour ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Let's go for it. 

Until something is set up I suggest a meeting place where those who are interested can congregate and then build something more appropriate, on from there. Doesn't matter where or what it is, the easiest way for most of us is for someone to quickly set up a facebook group and all join. Or join another already existing site, Myretrowatches ? . I interact with Mike from time to time, a solid genuine guy, I think he also knows Mark personally. 

Out of interest something similar has happened with a facebook group I sometimes visit. The guy that set it up has abandoned it and one of the admin member is trying to keep it going. Some may recognise the name Sonny Moorhouse .

[JohnR725]

3 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Tom left that message a month ago John, there has been no reply to it.

This means that you grasped that there was a problem a month ago and once again were having a crisis where you could have been starting the procedure a month ago?

Okay how about some ideas?

Private messaging on Facebook doesn't work what about public messaging? Maybe somebody can place a public message has anyone seen Mark his other discussion group has concerns about his absence were concerned about his health. Maybe we should emphasize the health aspect as that always tends to get people excited it also shows were concerned about Mark

 

The classes that he sells online do they have any other way of contacting their instructor?

It's not the first time I've seen or heard about people online having zero communications with other people but it seems strange that A website can exist with zero way of contacting the person who owns the thing.

7 hours ago, spectre6000 said:

prior to the lights going out. Just click the bookmark link one morning, and 404.

I was thinking we really don't understand how the message board works do we?

For instance if you look up who owns the domain name you see that it doesn't expire until 2032-12-02. But that's not necessarily reassuring because on a yearly basis you have to verify that you actually exist or the website ceases to exist. I'll skip over how I understand that problem.

Then I've never tried to contact the web owner through the WHOIS information when privacy is on? I was under the impression it's supposed to forward to the original owner but no idea if that works at all.

3 hours ago, AndyGSi said:

Does anyone know if Mark has a middle name, his age and where he lives?

I believe on his Facebook profile it says where he lives which is in Thailand. But sometimes I think he does come back to the UK?

[oldhippy]

I have heard so much about Facebook I don't have anything to do with it. I stay right away. 

[Neverenoughwatches]

5 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

For instance if you look up who owns the domain name you see that it doesn't expire until 2032-12-02. But that's not necessarily reassuring because on a yearly basis you have to verify that you actually exist or the website ceases to exist. I'll skip over how I understand that problem.

Thats a bit different in the Uk John, I have three domain names that I pay for every 2 years . The payment is reoccurring, so as long as my bank carries on paying the host fees the sites just continue to run.  I can pay up to 10 years in advance for them.

5 hours ago, oldhippy said:

I have heard so much about Facebook I don't have anything to do with it. I stay right away. 

Honestly OH , dont worry about Facebook,  just use it as you want. I have only 2 friends on mine, 2 people that i decided to accept their friends requests. You can set the security to whatever you feel safe with. You can close the account at any time, ask others here more knowledgeable than me about it. We can all help you set up a profile. You might be surprised what benefit you will get from it. You dont have to read what everyone has for breakfast or what their bowel movements were that morning . If its not for you then just come away from it. Take whatever you want from it and ignore everything else, just give it a try, you have nothing to lose.

5 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

This means that you grasped that there was a problem a month ago and once again were having a crisis where you could have been starting the procedure a month ago?

Okay how about some ideas?

Private messaging on Facebook doesn't work what about public messaging? Maybe somebody can place a public message has anyone seen Mark his other discussion group has concerns about his absence were concerned about his health. Maybe we should emphasize the health aspect as that always tends to get people excited it also shows were concerned about Mark

 

The classes that he sells online do they have any other way of contacting their instructor?

It's not the first time I've seen or heard about people online having zero communications with other people but it seems strange that A website can exist with zero way of contacting the person who owns the thing.

I was thinking we really don't understand how the message board works do we?

For instance if you look up who owns the domain name you see that it doesn't expire until 2032-12-02. But that's not necessarily reassuring because on a yearly basis you have to verify that you actually exist or the website ceases to exist. I'll skip over how I understand that problem.

Then I've never tried to contact the web owner through the WHOIS information when privacy is on? I was under the impression it's supposed to forward to the original owner but no idea if that works at all.

I believe on his Facebook profile it says where he lives which is in Thailand. But sometimes I think he does come back to the UK?

Thats right John, I seem to remember him mentioning he returns home to visit his parents but his wife is from Thailand so he lives there .