Ready for the influx!

[Russell Gilbert]

G'day all, well looks like shit has hit the fan with the Ozzie TOMM forum and I recon this will help to see an influx of Aussies posting to the new forum set up.

Bring it on guys.
Thanx Harry

[Oldsiron]

Bring it on boys you won't get this here

[Lcjudge]

Russell, I haven't tried to log on to the TOMM Forum for a bit and haven't kept up on the happenings. Can you fill us in on what's going on?

[Russell Gilbert]

Hi Tommy, mate it's all a bit hard to really get a grips on the whole issue. This is only a real kinda brief story of a bit of whats been going on. I am only speaking of how I see it from an outsider to the real story. But none the less the bulk of the TOMM forum members find it quite a joke and I'm sure will be much happier knowing this site (smokstak) is more member user freindly.

They (the tomm crew) have been coping a reasonable amount of flack from various issues which others have joined in on; (one would think normal to an open forum) which they have taken offence to. Not really knowing how it started but there was an article published about the sale of the rare crossley in oz. The story was not really all that flattering to the new owners who mentioned that some of the mistakes to the artical be fixed. Behind closed doors there were some strong words exchanged which prompted the new owners to publicaly ask the tomm to fix the story in the mag. At the same time to this all happening, the TOMM crew made it so members could not place links to any other web sites. So if I was to say to some one "you should check out Tommy Turners web site" and post the link. It would then be removed. What for we all ask! If I wanted to post the link to my webshots pictures of my engines. I could not! (this was changed again by the way due to public out cry) I have just posted my shearing plant for sale on ebay! Dare I say that on the TOMM forum; mate I would be hanged without trial.

(heres the link by the way: 300313315183 )

Just before the National rally in oz we (the members of the tomm forum) decided it to be a good idea to get together for the TOMM group photo (just like the smokstakers and SEL do at Portland) Anyway a couple of handy pc gurus thought we should have name badges. One memner went on to show how we could use the TOMM logo at the top of the badge to show we are from the same group and easy to recognise. Well A REAL BIG PISS OFF was quick to come letting the guy know all about who ownes the logo etc. I would have thought it to be some pretty good promotion. Anyway at the end of the day the TOMM crew mentioned more than once that enough bitchin was had by all, and if it kept going they would shut the site down. I know dad was was of the last to post! So we should all go around his place now and kick him up the arse ! :-0 hehehe are it's all to much

cheers Russell

[Oldsiron]

stof

[WilliamInOz]

O ok... i thought it was down to mainatence but yeah, gut feeling i thought something was wrong...
Arwell.... Looks like the group picture from the nation rally might not be going into the magazine then.

Cheers, Will

[Patrick M Livingstone]

Has anyone heard anything from TOMM about what is going on? It is all very mysterious.

[Craig A]

I don't know what the heck is going on down THERE.....I DO know we are happy to have you HERE.......

[Lcjudge]

Sad this has happened but happy that Harry has a great site that all can join in! Thanks for the info Russell.

[Eric Schulz]

Just a bit of an update on the TOMM forum. I phoned the office and was told that a statement is being prepared and we need to check back until it appears. I would not expect anything until Monday at the earliest.
Although I have nothing against the SmokStak forum, I would like to see the home-grown one continue, and I am fairly certain that this will happen.

Eric

[Ray Freeman]

I didn't post on it much but I dropped in most days to check it out.It would be a shame if it was closed down. There's a need for a good Aussie based forum.This is about the third time Tomms have had a go at it and its high time they got their act together and sorted themselves out.

[wjcoll]

It's a shame that the hobby in OZ isn't served by another home-grown publication. If there was a viable alternative to TOMM maybe they'd treat the hobby members with a little more care.

This "dummy spit" is an insult to all the forum members who were just sharing information. And by the way, if the publishers of TOMM can't take a bit of heat then maybe they shouldn't be in the business.

Bit of a jackboot response if you ask me!

[Ironsides]

A bit of a pity that all of us are going to be punished for the postings of several members who thought they had a grievance,they are entitled to their opinions.TOMM must now be very careful how they handle this as members who consider they have been punished unjustly or worse ignored are hard to woo back.I have been a member on Smokstak for a while now and robust discussion is part of the scene with no apparent problems.If you are reading this you have already found this site and are probably enjoying your new found freedom.TOMM's be careful how you handle this one it could hurt you financially,Norm

[Walky]

Hello All

Nice to catch up with the rest of the TOMM forum refugees!!
There was someone on TOMM who was interested in the steam licence training coming up in Melbourne, have they made it across to here?

Walky

[john gilbert]

Hi Walky, not sure if any of the locals in our Sunny Sunrasia area of OZ want to do your course, but, we have members who are also in the local Steamies Club. Can you advise the date etc and, as I do the local cllub newsletter ,I could include it in the next issue. Too bad about TOMM taking so long to advise us what is going on , but, I suppose they will get around to it when they are, good ready to.
cheers, John

[Oldsiron]

Hi Walky, nice to here from you, thought you drowned with 6 or 7 hundred others! who knows whats going on, after 3 weeks of nothing
Our refo status seems to be very stable here anyway I dont think Harry will pull the plug with no explination.

[Chester]

Hi Guys, i mailed TOMM and they emailed me back saying the forum will return shortly?, no reasons given, so we will wait & see, cheers,
Chester.

[WilliamInOz]

I wonder if the forum picture of the members at the South Australian National Rally will be published?

Cheers, Will

[Walky]

Hello John

The training is planned for the last two weekends in June 09
- 20th, 21st and 27th, 28th (4 days) . Not far away!!

If we pass the course we will have Reciprocating Steam Engine, Boiler Basic and Boiler Intermediate competency.

Should all be confirmed this week re venue, dates and times.
Costs will be up around $800 for the course, WorkCover fees and passport type ID photo.

I will post the details as soon as they are locked in.

Walky

[Patrick M Livingstone]

By the looks of things the TOMM forum is not coming back for a while (if at all). We need a few more Aussies (and Kiwis) posting here to give this forum a bit of local life.