I have joined Nvidia's Focus Group.

[Magusigne]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: apoppin

we might have some ATi representation here.

We might?

RotFL

... we DO

... ATF is a very important Tech forum! ... we won't be "neglected" as badly with poor PR with AMD as we so obviously have been with NVDIA's ...
i just noticed some real and very solid improvement just now.

i'm glad to see some fresh air coming in and maybe *we* can get back to what we do best - discussing Graphics without too much distraction from "PR"

Well I was thinking you might have something to do with it, but I don't get the impression that you're actually sponsored by ATI/AMD. I think you are just the type of person that likes ATI's stuff and you wear your pride on your sleeve.

Myself, I would be downright PROUD to put ATI/AMD in my box at home, and slap "Member of ATI/AMD focus group, I get free stuff from them!" in my sig. I would happily pimp for them especially with a 780G+3780x2+Phenom 9900 in the mail.

QFTW

 

[TroubleM]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Think before you post. That's all I'm saying.

One more reason to NOT come here anymore. This is turning into a pathetic move by Nvidia and is as disgusting as can be. I can understand those of you that benefit from this, but don't expect some congrats or whatever.:disgust:

This forum is turning into a joke, it's just fair that people should ignore ANY of your advices/open propaganda.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Powernick50
Yeah I second that. SunnyD and Powernick50 vs Keys and Nrollo ATI vs Nvidia.

Only one small problem with that is I have 230ish forum posts and don't know any more than the average geek about cards.. But I can still be a Propaganda Machine!!

I think I lurk the video & gfx forum too much and post too little to actually be noticed by any PR group. Though I might be somewhat more inclined to post more if I actually was part of something...

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: apoppin

we might have some ATi representation here.

We might?

RotFL

... we DO

... ATF is a very important Tech forum! ... we won't be "neglected" as badly with poor PR with AMD as we so obviously have been with NVDIA's ...
i just noticed some real and very solid improvement just now.

i'm glad to see some fresh air coming in and maybe *we* can get back to what we do best - discussing Graphics without too much distraction from "PR"

Well I was thinking you might have something to do with it, but I don't get the impression that you're actually sponsored by ATI/AMD. I think you are just the type of person that likes ATI's stuff and you wear your pride on your sleeve.

Myself, I would be downright PROUD to put ATI/AMD in my box at home, and slap "Member of ATI/AMD focus group, I get free stuff from them!" in my sig. I would happily pimp for them especially with a 780G+3780x2+Phenom 9900 in the mail.

Well, i am fiercely *protective* of AT Forums ... and i will do what ever it takes to keep our "cyber-home" as clean as possible. And i do also fight dirty when it is required - you may have noticed a certain "uncharacteristic" thread of mine that accomplished it's purpose.

NO i have NEVER - ever - been associated with ATi or AMD ... you are quite right. I am too *dangerous* for them as i am perceived as 'chaotic neutral' by them [and NVIDIA]. However, as you may have guessed, i know both groups pretty well and i also have to be very careful what i post here.

in other words, i equally attack "PR" and you noticed i *defended* NVIDIA [by myself] when they were accused of "shady" practices with 9600GT's link-boost overclocking. i Used to be "PR' ... for a radio station in Hawaii who founders were probably among the most creative people on this planet - their plans shook the captains of radio industry and i was privileged to be associated with them as "co conspirators" and i know PR.
i can smell PR .. especially slimy PR.

i am not so sure i would - personally - accept any focus group invitation. Even moderating this forum was difficult for me as i found my posting style "crimped" more that i liked. But that is just "me"

Anyway, this will be an opportunity to find out who the culprit was: nRollo or Nvidia Focus Grp.

nothing wrong with NVIDIA focus group, imo .. they are respected on other forums .. only one person made it a public joke .. here

 

[Demoth]

I have no problem with focus groups. Nvidia can give out all the free stuff they want to selected community members. We are all aware they are not doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. Having focus group members identify themselves is also a bit more honest then some companies.

However, as the GPU mod on one of the top 4 hardware sites on the net, there is a problem. Even the perception of paid bias will hurt Anandtech in the long run. I am assuming you discussed this issue with Anandtech higher ups before posting this?

I see few issues now as Nvidia is leading ATI in performance and sales. However, what type of pressures might you be under if things start going differently? My guess is you would speak your mind even if that would risk being removed from Santa's list. I guess we might find out once you start chiming in on 9800GX2 reviews in the next few weeks.

If anything, I feel you should probably step down for a while and let the community see for themselves how biased you come across. Reestablish a rep and then let the community re-approve you as the main forum mod as they usually would any new mod.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: TroubleM

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Think before you post. That's all I'm saying.

One more reason to NOT come here anymore. This is turning into a pathetic move by Nvidia and is as disgusting as can be. I can understand those of you that benefit from this, but don't expect some congrats or whatever.:disgust:

This forum is turning into a joke, it's just fair that people should ignore ANY of your advices/open propaganda.

The first post was soley intended to keep things civil, and discuss everything in an appropriate manner. Was that wrong of me? To want people to think before they post? Like you should have done for an extra few minutes before your post here?

I mean:

Pathetic and disgusting move by Nvidia? Why would you say that? Do you not understand the purpose of the focus group?

This forum turning into a joke? This is the best forum on the web. Video alone has improved ten fold in the last year alone.

And what makes you say people should ignore my "advice"? You haven't even seen any yet. And probably won't for a while yet. I am just starting out in this group. Feet still need to get wet. Judge not lest ye be judged my friend.

You're predetermined to think the worst. That's your choice. Doesn't have to be that way.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: apoppin
NO i have NEVER - ever - been associated with ATi or AMD ... you are quite right. I am too *dangerous* for them as i am perceived as 'chaotic neutral' by them [and NVIDIA]. However, as you may have guessed, i know both groups pretty well and i also have to be very careful what i post here.
...
i am not so sure i would - personally - accept any focus group invitation. Even moderating this forum was difficult for me as i found my posting style "crimped" more that i liked. But that is just "me"

LOL @ chaotic neutral! I love it! I myself think of myself as chaotic evil... do whatever I want, went I want. Though my temperment is more chaotic good - I try to do the right thing, but usually go about it the wrong way. But you are honest and to the point, which is refreshing.

I would personally join a focus group, moreso because I like to see what is going to be offered and where a company is going to go. I think you can learn a lot about the long term goals of a company just by being a part of their products internally. Again, I'd love to see ATI here... I think they're too quiet and have a lot going for them. Plus... I really REALLY want a TriFire 780G+3780x2+Phenom setup! :laugh:

 

[AzN]

Awesome Keys. I will join you soon.

 

[MarcVenice]

7k posts and you describe yourself as a lurker ?

Anyways, about keys being a mod, this is my own opinion on it, not as a moderator or anything. But besides moderators, we are also regular members. We have to adhere to a higher standard, because the moderator title is always in sight, but we also post as regular members, about things we find interesting and worthy of our attention, just like every other regular poster. Perhaps he MIGHT get biased, thats simply how a persons brain works from what I picked up in psychology class, but as a regular poster you have a right to be biased. Then again, keys isn't dumb, he isn't going to moderate/edit threads that could be considered pro nvidia or anti Ati. We can all see his sig and keep in mind he HAS tripple sli-ed 9800gtx's, then I ask, what's wrong with that ? I don't think it will be a problem, and I'm sure he will try harder to be unbiased then many of us who just blindly follow Nvidia or ATI because they have said brand of videocard in their PC

 

[Keysplayr]

To SunnyD and toslat:

As a moderator, I have to adhere to guidelines here more than anyone.
Giving up my moderator rights would not be taking the high road. It would be letting
Anandtech down. Some of you have this idea that being a part of this focus group will steer the way I moderate. Well, how can that happen without going noticed? You forget, I am a moderator, and also a member here. I like the way the video forum is now. We worked hard to make it this way. And will work to keep it this way.

So enough about my stepping down as moderator. One has absolutely nothing to do with the other. Surely I can't just abandon my efforts here.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
And what makes you say people should ignore my "advice"? You haven't even seen any yet. And probably won't for a while yet. I am just starting out in this group. Feet still need to get wet. Judge not lest ye be judged my friend.

You're predetermined to think the worst. That's your choice. Doesn't have to be that way.

This is exactly what I was alluding to earlier keys... I am sure you would be able to, at least for a while, set aside the focus group stuff from the moderating stuff. But it is the perception and damage that has been done on this very forum in the past - which is as expected starting to trickle in to this thread - which will inevitably cause issues. I would honestly hope that you, and AnandTech as a whole seriously consider the role you have on this particular forum, being a part of the NV Focus Group. It really is a conflict of interests.

With that said, you may have already had that discussion with the mod mods, or even Anand or what not. But if you haven't, for your sake, you should. I stand by my original suggestion.

Edit: For the record... I will always keep reading this forum, even with a mod as part of the NV Focus Group - I respect keysplayer enough to do that. Hell, apoppin hangs out here and I haven't left!

 

[AmberClad]

So I'm curious if the senior administration here has been notified and if they've agreed to let Keys continue as mod. Otherwise, isn't there a bit of a double standard, as far as nRollo being vetoed from being in the running for Graphics mod? Basically I'd like to hear their thought process in both situations.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
So I'm curious if the senior administration here has been notified and if they've agreed to let Keys continue as mod. Otherwise, isn't there a bit of a double standard, as far as nRollo being vetoed from being in the running for Graphics mod? Basically I'd like to hear their thought process in both situations.

I believe part of the deal with Rollo would be his history here. The focus group is one thing, but Rollo's actions I believe infuriated people so much that he either got banned or left. It wasn't so much that he was a part of the focus group, it was at the time he was outed the focus group worked in stealth-mode. I could be wrong though.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Unless the Nvidia Focus Group is just a front for the Illuminati, I think people calling for Keys to step down as a mod are over-reacting.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: surfsatwerk
Unless the Nvidia Focus Group is just a front for the Illuminati, I think people calling for Keys to step down as a mod are over-reacting.

I have to agree here. If it is something that the Anandtech HQ would deem inappropriate, I'm sure Key's would gladly hand over the reins of video. Frankly, him bringing this out into the open as of day one shows his integrity, at least to me.

 

[Keysplayr]

Amber and Sunny:

Before I made any decision, I went directly to Derek Wilson and told him about it. He congratulated me and said he felt it was definitely a positive.

I won't post everything he mentioned, but just a snip of his words of wisdom were:

"the point of being a moderator though is to step outside that and act impartially ."

And I couldn't agree more.

Then he thanked me for letting him know.

So yes, I did approach the very top (besides Anand himself) with this information before acting on anything. Hope this answers your questions.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Amber and Sunny:

Before I made any decision, I went directly to Derek Wilson and told him about it. He congratulated me and said he felt it was definitely a positive.

I won't post everything he mentioned, but just a snip of his words of wisdom were:

"the point of being a moderator though is to step outside that and act impartially ."

And I couldn't agree more.

Then he thanked me for letting him know.

So yes, I did approach the very top (besides Anand himself) with this information before acting on anything. Hope this answers your questions.

Alrighty... if Derek is okay with it, I'll shut up (but I'm sure it's not going to stop others from grumbling about it). Now, where's the ATI Focus Group... I need to get me some CrossFire goodness...

 

[AmberClad]

Please don't misunderstand me - I would never accuse you of acting anything other than impartially, just that this leaves you open to those accusations from others when you try to moderate.

But my other main concern here is that we now have a very uneven brand representation. The AT moderator tag carries with it a certain weight and while it's not as strong as saying that Anandtech endorses Nvidia over DAAMIT, there's more weight to a mod "representing" Nvidia than just your average joe AT member.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
Please don't misunderstand me - I would never accuse you of acting anything other than impartially, just that this leaves you open to those accusations from others when you try to moderate.

But my other main concern here is that we now have a very uneven brand representation. The AT moderator tag carries with it a certain weight and while it's not as strong as saying that Anandtech endorses Nvidia over DAAMIT, there's more weight to a mod "representing" Nvidia than just your average joe AT member.

I understood what you meant Amber, no worries there. Thanks.

I myself find it a bit hard to believe that on a forum as large and popular as Anadtech, that there are no affiliates of AMD here. It is entirely possible that they are not "allowed" to come forward with this affiliation. So, it may be that this "uneveness" you are concerned about, is only differentiated by it not being made publicly known. This is just my speculation of course, but it does have a reasonability about it. What do you think?

 

[CP5670]

Originally posted by: toslat
Seeing the way guys treat nRollo (even when he is right), personally, I will think twice b4 joining any focus group, particularly Nvidia

Anyway, this will be an opportunity to find out who the culprit was: nRollo or Nvidia Focus Grp.

Keys:
On the Moderator issue, I also feel u shld take the high road and step down voluntarily.

The reason for that is nRollo and his behavior, not the focus group per se. Nvidia should have thrown him out of it long ago considering that he's hurting the company's image more than anything else these days.

The focus group concept is a good one if they put the right people in it. From what I can see, Keys used to carry something of an Nvidia bias at one point but has become much more balanced in recent years and is a great choice. One purpose of focus groups is to allow better communication with the broader user base, and I would look at the members as more an outlet for specific questions and complaints than someone to get buying advice from. I've seen focus groups with other companies and the members are usually very well respected (and make it clear who they are).

That being said, I agree with some others that he certainly shouldn't be a moderator at the same time, considering what happened with nRollo here. All of his actions in that capacity will carry accusations of bias and invite flames, regardless of whether they're correct or not.

This forum turning into a joke? This is the best forum on the web. Video alone has improved ten fold in the last year alone.

It's a pity that a lot of that good work had to be undone by letting nRollo back on.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Think before you post. That's all I'm saying.

I did, and congrats. Sounds like a pretty good gig. Couldn't of happened to a nicer or more un-biased guy. Good luck with it .

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
I myself find it a bit hard to believe that on a forum as large and popular as Anadtech, that there are no affiliates of AMD here. It is entirely possible that they are not "allowed" to come forward with this affiliation. So, it may be that this "uneveness" you are concerned about, is only differentiated by it not being made publicly known. This is just my speculation of course, but it does have a reasonability about it. What do you think?

I'm not about to name names, but yes, I'm sure we do have closet shills for DAAMIT and Intel here. But it would be nice to have "official" representation for those companies -- people who are actually responsible for any comments they make and aren't just free to spread FUD and false propaganda.

 

[JAG87]

as long as you keep posting the way you have been in the past years I don't think anyone will care, I sure wont. like CP5670 said, its not the focus group that bothers but rather the behavior of certain members of it, no need to name names.

as a matter of fact, it is a positive thing for us, you are the forum representative to nvidia for us. lets begin by telling them that vsync hasn't been working with SLI in recent drivers. if you could bring it to their attention you would do me a favor.

congratulations, I hope it will be an enjoyable experience for you and for us!

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: AmberClad

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
I myself find it a bit hard to believe that on a forum as large and popular as Anadtech, that there are no affiliates of AMD here. It is entirely possible that they are not "allowed" to come forward with this affiliation. So, it may be that this "uneveness" you are concerned about, is only differentiated by it not being made publicly known. This is just my speculation of course, but it does have a reasonability about it. What do you think?

I'm not about to name names, but yes, I'm sure we do have closet shills for DAAMIT and Intel here. But it would be nice to have "official" representation for those companies -- people who are actually responsible for any comments they make and aren't just free to spread FUD and false propaganda.

Seriously! Yo! AMD/ATI!!! I have an 8800GTS in my machine, with a NVIDIA chipset motherboard! I'd love to have some more AMD/ATI goodness in there!

 

[nitromullet]

Cool deal for you Keys, especially with the 9800GX2 on the horizon. I don't think I'd turn the opportunity to "give my opinion" on two of these in the comfort of my own home either. Now, if the focus group member starter kit only consists of a single 9600GT and a NVIDIA koozie, that's a different story.

That being said, I feel that you should probably consider stepping down as a mod... I say this not because I don't think you personally can handle both duties, but I think it's somewhat of a conflict of interest. Of course that decision is ultimately up to you and AT...