Administrator StereoNET Posted October 12, 2020 Administrator Posted October 12, 2020 (edited) Dear Xtremeplace Members, As some of you already know, we are the new owners of Xtremeplace. Firstly, we would like to thank Queks and the moderator team for creating and nurturing the community here. They have done a great job in building and growing the community for many years. So, who are we? We are StereoNET. We are one of the fastest growing global publishers of hi-fi, home theatre, and head-fi publications in Australia & New Zealand, United Kingdom, and our more recent Asia publication which is headquartered in Singapore. Along with extensive product reviews and news, we believe in maintaining an enthusiast community for each of our publications. This is a place where like-minded enthusiasts can come together to share their knowledge, help one another, and a friendly corner of the internet where online friendships are formed and nurtured. When we initially planned our launch of StereoNET Asia, it was first thought to base this publication in Hong Kong. However, for many reasons, and after visiting Singapore and speaking with members of the industry in this region, we felt Singapore was the best hub for our business in this region. With that in mind, we opened office early in 2020 and appointed Eugene Ng as our Regional Manager, who knows the industry extensively and resides in Singapore. As mentioned, we believe having a community and forums is an essential part of any online publication, and when we looked at the Singapore market it was clear it was already catered for by the Xtremeplace forums. It would be pointless to create yet another forum from scratch, and try and compete with an existing, well-established forum. So, we commenced discussions with Queks. After spending much time and money on this website, it was clear he did so out of goodwill rather than for any other reason. He was open to the idea of the forum continuing and so a deal was finally agreed. It is not an easy task to run a large online community, but we have been running forums since 1999, and our Australian forum has over 167,000 members, 4.5million posts, and averages over 150 new registrations every day, so we are very experienced in this area. We believe in a fair and friendly approach to operating forums, and respect between members, and of course between admin/moderators and members. So, what will change? We want to change as little as possible. We want Xtremeplace to remain the enjoyable, knowledgeable, and friendly resource that it has always been. As you would expect though, the name will change to reflect the community being part of the StereoNET Asia organisation. This is in progress now and we are backing up the entire website and relocating it to our state-of-the-art data centre with much more resources available (update- this is now completed). We have also now ensured the site is fully secure with SSL which was incorrect configured previously, to ensure your accounts and data are safe. Also based on our experience, there are many limitations of the current Simple Machines forum software. We have developed an intuitive and multi-device friendly interface using the Invision Community software platform and will soon convert the forums to this platform. All content and user accounts will be retained in this process (update- this is now also complete). Finally, and encouragingly we have already been approached by some of the commercial members of this forum asking if they can pay to support the site. We will allow commercial members their own dedicated section of the forums to promote their businesses, and special offers for members. It will be easy to recognise those contributing to the forum privately, and those with commercial interests. We hope that the current moderators who know and understand the heritage and culture of Xtremeplace, which we intend to honour and respect, will remain with us. We will also be hiring more staff for StereoNET Asia, and initially we will be looking at working with local reviewers experienced in hi-fi, home theatre, and head-fi, and welcome your contact if this is something you would be interested in pursuing. We would like to involve more members of this forum in our organisation. We do hope that you will give us fair opportunity to take Xtremeplace through its next evolution and ensure its success for future decades. Things may at first look and feel a little different, but all changes we make are for the best long-term interests of this forum. Just like a brand-new car, it feels a little different when you drive it home for the first time, but by the second and third drives it starts to feel comfortable and familiar. So please work with us through the initial changes and allow us the opportunity to make the forums better, faster, and even more like ‘home’. On behalf of StereoNET, thank you to the members for making this community what it is and I sincerely hope you will support us, and continue to enjoy the forums into the future under our management. We are extremely excited about brining StereoNET to the Singapore region, and we have big plans including events such as the potential for a Singapore StereoNET Show, local get-togethers, dealer events, and much more. We will also be delivering the latest news, reviews, and exclusive show coverage from across Southeast Asia, and hope you will enjoy the fresh, engaging, and dynamic content that we deliver. Sincerely, Marc Rushton Managing Director StereoNET International Pty Ltd Edited October 13, 2020 by Marc updates
kopidilo Posted October 12, 2020 Posted October 12, 2020 There's no discussion forum to post this in xp now. So I'm very sorry to post it here cos no other options of forum I just noticed the XP domain has changed to stereonet when I tried logging onto xp. Caught by big surprise. But it might be good that we got bigger and belong to a bigger group :) So is our forum part of the stereonet Australia website / group now? This is the main site ya? https://www.stereo.net.au/ Would someone be kind to give a quick sharing on what's happening, transpiring? :) Will stereo net be having a Singapore based office and shops too? Exciting!
DJQ Posted October 12, 2020 Posted October 12, 2020 https://www.stereonet.asia/forum/index.php?topic=300213.0 We chat here. Well it is now known stereo net Asia. They are the new owners. We didn't even get to vote. They just bought it.
kopidilo Posted October 12, 2020 Posted October 12, 2020 Ah i see. T u djq bro. That sub forum is disabled ya? Can't see it on the main sub forums Such an exciting development, warrants a discussion thread in an unhidden forum! :)
coryfire Posted October 12, 2020 Posted October 12, 2020 I think you need to click on the right hand up/down arrow to open up the sub category
Guest wcseow Posted October 12, 2020 Posted October 12, 2020 There's no discussion forum to post this in xp now. I just noticed the XP domain has changed to stereonet when I tried logging onto xp. Caught by big surprise. So is our forum part of the stereonet Australia website / group now? Its explained here https://www.stereonet.asia/forum/index.php?topic=300349.0
kopidilo Posted October 12, 2020 Posted October 12, 2020 I think you need to click on the right hand up/down arrow to open up the sub category Oh great! Just realised mine was in collapsed mode. Sorry mods, pls delete this thread :) :)
FGreen Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 Somehow it feels weird that a pretty local forum is now owned and managed by foreign owned entity.
Guest Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 1 minute ago, FGreen said: Somehow it feels weird that a pretty local forum is now owned and managed by foreign owned entity. I can understand that, but despite perception please understand I'm just one guy with a small business and a team of freelancers dotted around Australia, UK, and now Singapore. I may personally be in Melbourne AU, but I can assure you this site is targeted towards the Singapore region, and is headed up by a Singapore resident.
kinger Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 1 minute ago, malsound said: How to locate my ex-pm , any idea? Top right messages option...
Guest Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 Just now, kinger said: Top right messages option... The system in the background is still processing and rebuilding everything. If any of your messages are not showing up yet please give it more time to process.
DJQ Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 9 minutes ago, Marc said: I can understand that, but despite perception please understand I'm just one guy with a small business and a team of freelancers dotted around Australia, UK, and now Singapore. I may personally be in Melbourne AU, but I can assure you this site is targeted towards the Singapore region, and is headed up by a Singapore resident. was there a specify need to remove the xtremeplace header? i see a lost in our identity. anyway moving forward. i hope your new mod team can come forward to aid to address us. most of us has contributed a lot of World Class international informative knowledge here. 1
synthesis1624705793 Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 1 hour ago, DJQ said: was there a specify need to remove the xtremeplace header? i see a lost in our identity. I have the same feeling, especially with completely new look of the forum
Boxerfan88 Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 After acquisition, the rebranding is to be expected lah... ...I didn't see any message about keeping the old branding, and the message was clearly to roll the forum under the acquirers brand.
macrotrust Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 Hi Admin, i do not understand why are you re-imposing your Aussie format and layout on our Singapore Xtremeplace. If people want to participate we can go to stereonet in Aussie. You have not create any value -add but a value destruction that was built over the years. Why not restore the previous format. Also why are you restricting guest to view or read the forum. It is so unfriendly as there are many people are just curious to browsing the store why do they need to register. It is common place for forum to be able to access by all. Please do not impose your Aussie rule here in Singapore. Sooner or later it will be disintegrated in its defunct purpose. Please consider it- as our Singapore context. not your Aussie users.
petetherock Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 I joined XP way back in 2006 At that time it was a dark period and the forum as well as the people helped me to find answers for HT and make many friends. I’ve learnt a lot and made many friends and sadly also crossed swords with a few. I’m very grateful for this forum. I also know change is inevitable and for a forum to be privately run is rather rare. It is also costly and I don’t think we did much to help ease queks’ burden financially. So it came as no surprise that we have someone take over the forum. The surprise perhaps is that it is a foreign company but perhaps it’s a feather in our forum’s cap that it’s worthy of such attention. Stereonet also took over the first forum I joined: Digital TV Australia or DTV and revived them, so it’s not bad if we can be taken to greater heights.. maybe queks is tired or unable to continue ? With new owners there will be changes and probably some commercial elements. As for the forum interface - well it’s always a sensitive issue and even when queks changed some elements there were supporters and detractors. No surprises there. Stereonet already has a UI and it’s not surprising to find that here. It’s economy of scale. Actually why not think positive? its easier now to post pics and also videos etc I didn’t pay any subscription and I can also vote to go elsewhere but I think I’ll stick around and since my friends are still here along with Desray and many others, why not give them a shot then see. Of course someone can start a new forum or site too On the hand Marc : may I suggest you allow some customization so we can retain some unique flavors that make XP what it is. My 2c worth Cheers 1
zephyr11 Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 (edited) abit luan, but feels like there's no turning back, hopefully get use to this (which in long run should be better), i was just thinking this week finally working from home today, but XP down almost whole day, lol, not meant to be... Edited October 13, 2020 by zephyr11
Guest Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 36 minutes ago, petetherock said: On the hand Marc : may I suggest you allow some customization so we can retain some unique flavors that make XP what it is. Thank you for the encouraging words @petetherock - I am absolutely receptive and open to suggestions and ideas.
Guest Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 1 hour ago, macrotrust said: Hi Admin, i do not understand why are you re-imposing your Aussie format and layout on our Singapore Xtremeplace. If people want to participate we can go to stereonet in Aussie. You have not create any value -add but a value destruction that was built over the years. Why not restore the previous format. Also why are you restricting guest to view or read the forum. It is so unfriendly as there are many people are just curious to browsing the store why do they need to register. It is common place for forum to be able to access by all. Please do not impose your Aussie rule here in Singapore. Sooner or later it will be disintegrated in its defunct purpose. Please consider it- as our Singapore context. not your Aussie users. Hi @macrotrust - There is nothing Aussie about this format and layout, it also exactly the same as our UK/Europe website you will discover. It's just a forum theme off the shelf and optimised for desktop, tablet, and mobile usage. I don't encourage you to go to StereoNET Australia, and that would defeat the whole point of having separate, regional specific websites, and of course allowing the existing community here to prosper. They are completely independent of one another. I am sorry you don't feel we have added any value, but I believe in time you will change your mind. We have given this community a positive future that can span hopefully another two decades. Who knows what may have happened had we not purchased the site. I invited the previous owner and admin to stay on and play a role and guidance on the future, but I discovered by surprise this morning he simply deleted his account. I respect that - perhaps he had given so much to XtremePlace and it was time to move on to other things. As for guest restrictions - I am not aware of this and it is not intentional. I will check the settings and ensure all guests can read the website without signing up. There are no "Aussie rules" being imposed here whatsoever. I am not sure what has given you that impression or why you feel that way. I am open to all suggestions, and considerate of respecting what was already created here at XtremePlace. Like you, I want the best for the community and the long term success for all.
Guest francishuang Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 Let the new people do their work first, give them time. Way to early to judge if this is heading up or down. If after sometime, many feel its not as good as before. I am sure alternative forums will be set up. We will have choices. Likewise, if over time many grown used to it or fond of it. This forum will continue. Let's give the new owners time to do their thing before we judge.
Jagdpanzer Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 (edited) I'm surprised by this announcement. Do give Stereonet a chance to prove themselves. The new site white background is too glaring for browsing. Can Stereonet do something about it? Edited October 13, 2020 by Jagdpanzer
Guest Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 3 minutes ago, Jagdpanzer said: I'm surprised by this announcement. The new site white background is too glaring. Can Stereonet do something about it? There are still many processes to work through to have this all running smoothly. I think the idea of having a user choice between light/dark theme might be a good idea? If there is enough interest I will have our developer put a dark theme option together. I personally prefer light themes but I know many prefer dark. Best to just offer a choice I think.
landis1 Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 i am happy for Queks as he is finally getting some reward / repayment for his efforts of maintaining the forum through the years. cheers!
Guest francishuang Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 14 minutes ago, landis1 said: i am happy for Queks as he is finally getting some reward / repayment for his efforts of maintaining the forum through the years. cheers! Hearsay its just a token sum.
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