Help for caving newbies

[Outdoors Dunc]

Hi,

I am just getting into caving so was searching the net for some advice. I got an enewsletter from outdoorsshowextra with a story about a new section on their site called Get Active. There are loads of beginners guides to outdoor sports and activities on there including caving and I found it really helpful (this is how I ended up on this site!)

http://www.outdoorsshowextra.co.uk/index.php?id=251

Hope this helps other newbies and if you have any other tips to pass on, please do!

 

[Andy Sparrow]

bullshit

 

[graham]

I'm sure you are being too harsh, Andy. I am quite certain that newsletter is exactly the reason he ended up on this site.

 

[cap n chris]

I'm so interested in caving I've taken up Orienteering. 

 

[SamT]

Er - not sure I get what's going on here - would andy like to expand on his comment ?! 

 

[Maggot]

That web page doesn't even mention going to the pub afterwards.  :thumbsdown:

 

[Global_S]

Its.....

New poster turns up to "recommend" a website. Its viral marketing.

 

[JB]

I especially like the suggestion on the Climbing and Mountaineering page that 'aid climbing' is a great place to start! I agree if you happen to have two full racks of cams, etriers, bat hooks, a portaledge and a big haul bag lying around! They've also confused 'free' climbing and 'soloing'. If you're going to write a short piece about sports at least have the decency to do a bit of homework (or get someone else to write it for you!)

http://www.outdoorsshowextra.co.uk/index.php?id=253

Jules.

 

[SamT]

so nobody else on this site would place a link to advertise some other outdoor related thing? (cliffhanger etc)

Its caving related isn't it (albeit a little 'highstreet').

 

[Andy Sparrow]

so nobody else on this site would place a link to advertise some other outdoor related thing? (cliffhanger etc)

Its caving related isn't it (albeit a little 'highstreet').

I think it's OK to post and say 'here's our new website - what do you think?' but not to invent a spurious non-existent poster to spout bullshit about how wonderful this new site is.

 

[ian.p]

i agree with Andy's sentiment would much rather it was posted as what it is rather than some patronizing marketing git pretending hes a novice caver.

 

[underground]

I followed all the links on the 'huge corporate sponsored trade show aimed at the money spending public' website, and you can indeed get to ukcaving from there - via the http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/arb/speleo.html link, but it's a tenuous route indeed!

So I suspect that 'outdoors dunc' could be suspected of using a touch of artistic license in his claims, if he is indeed a marketeer. But then again, he may be the real deal, no one can know. He may even send a few quid bubba's way by way of thanks, if everyone plays nice.

And especially Mr. Sparrow - given that you push this type of 'bullshit' for a living, wouldn't you be grateful if loads of people started booking themselves in for your lessons in caving, or team building, or whatever, because they went to the show, or the website, and searched online for 'caving lessons' or 'caving videos'.

It is a bit spammy, but it's 'good spam'. Low fat and organic spam, if you like  :

 

[Cookie]

And especially Mr. Sparrow - given that you push this type of 'bullshit' for a living, wouldn't you be grateful if loads of people started booking themselves in for your lessons in caving, or team building, or whatever, because they went to the show, or the website, and searched online for 'caving lessons' or 'caving videos'.

I don't have a problem with it being commercial. It is relevant after all.

The problem is the poster is pretending to be one thing when in fact he is another. 

The lack of honesty is the problem.

 

[martinr]

if he is indeed a marketeer. But then again, he may be the real deal, no one can know.

Have a look at this

Almost identical wording.

 

[whitelackington]

if he is indeed a marketeer. But then again, he may be the real deal, no one can know.

Have a look at this

Almost identical wording.

I agree Martin, virtually identical.
That clinches it for me.
It is Spam.

 

[martinr]

I agree Martin, virtually identical.
That clinches it for me.
It is Spam.

 

[SamT]

ok ok - but its caving related spam.. big deal.

sheesh..

 

[ronaldjprice]

Hi Dunc, and welcome.
Have you managed to do any caving yet?
Ron

 

[Andy Sparrow]

Hi Dunc, and welcome.
Have you managed to do any caving yet?
Ron

Dunc may not get back to you for a while.  Apparently he's quite busy climbing, diving, kayaking, paragliding.....

 

[whitelackington]

Hi Dunc, and welcome.
Have you managed to do any caving yet?
Ron

Dunc may not get back to you for a while.  Apparently he's quite busy climbing, diving, kayaking, paragliding.....

I wonder if he's ready for digging yet
:-\