Force Fins forces Rodale's Scuba Diving to pay for scuba equipment ratings scam

Force Fins forces Rodale's Scuba Diving to pay for scuba equipment ratings
scam

http://www.cdnn.info/industry/i031113/i031113.html

In article <3fb390ee$0$27693$45beb828@newscene.com>,
"Dive News" <always@on.topic.always> wrote:

> Force Fins forces Rodale's Scuba Diving to pay for scuba equipment ratings
> scam
>
> http://www.cdnn.spam/industry/i031113/i031113.html

Paging Greg on line two.

Nice article..I wondered.
interesting..at first, I thought the CDDN site was an "angry-hippy" site
after following several handy links. But once I made it to the home
page--which is at the end of the bar---I saw that they have many informative
articles.

But, am I the only one who noticed that all of their sponsors are also
listed in the "Editors Choice"?

I could be making a mountain out of a molehill---but sponsor means "paid".
Editors choice implies an honest preference. Perhaps they were lucky enough
to have every one of their sponsors as providers of the highest quality
services. Not many companies are wealthy enough to make that distinction.

Also, I found an article on there that trashing PADI like it wasnt worth
anything, (given that the "dive in 15 min" book sounded odd).


"Dive News" <always@on.topic.always> wrote in message
news:3fb390ee$0$27693$45beb828@newscene.com...
>
>
> Force Fins forces Rodale's Scuba Diving to pay for scuba equipment ratings
> scam
>
> http://www.cdnn.info/industry/i031113/i031113.html

"belt" <lightertack@nospamearthlink.net> wrote in message
news:tbOsb.9274$nz.7419@newsread2.news.pas.earthli nk.net...
> Nice article..I wondered.
> interesting..at first, I thought the CDDN site was an "angry-hippy" site
> after following several handy links. But once I made it to the home
> page--which is at the end of the bar---I saw that they have many
informative
> articles.
>
> But, am I the only one who noticed that all of their sponsors are also
> listed in the "Editors Choice"?
>
> I could be making a mountain out of a molehill---but sponsor means "paid".
> Editors choice implies an honest preference. Perhaps they were lucky
enough
> to have every one of their sponsors as providers of the highest quality
> services. Not many companies are wealthy enough to make that distinction.
>
> Also, I found an article on there that trashing PADI like it wasnt worth
> anything, (given that the "dive in 15 min" book sounded odd).
>
>
> "Dive News" <always@on.topic.always> wrote in message
> news:3fb390ee$0$27693$45beb828@newscene.com...
> >
> >
> > Force Fins forces Rodale's Scuba Diving to pay for scuba equipment
ratings
> > scam
> >
> > http://www.cdnn.info/industry/i031113/i031113.html
>

Make no mistake, CDNN is just as prostituted and controlled by special
interests as is the typical print rag in diving. If anything, they have more
agenda's than other magazines, including lunatic fringe groups, which few on
this NG could stomach.

In this case, it looks like the urge to hit Rodales where it hurts, caused
CDNN to actually report on something that needed reporting. Its almost like
snow in Florida

Regards,
Dan V

> > Force Fins forces Rodale's Scuba Diving to pay for scuba equipment
ratings
> > scam
> >
> > http://www.cdnn.info/industry/i031113/i031113.html
>
> I have always considered Rodales to be among the most prostituted and
> deceitful of all scuba magazines, in gear discussions.
>
> Congratulations to Bob Evans!
> Dan V

Dan, I totally agree with you. I"m not a big supporter of Bob Evans or
ForceFins but that's just my preference. I am happy to see someone
challenge Rodale's.

As far as I'm concerned the only dive magazine worth keeping is Fathom's.
When I moved about a year ago, I contacted Fathom's to change my address all
the rest of the dive mags, I just let the subscription run out. I wasn't
worried about them following me to the new address <g>.

Wade

"Dan Volker" <dvolker@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:rDOsb.109$oo.107@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
>
<snip>

> Make no mistake, CDNN is just as prostituted and controlled by special
> interests as is the typical print rag in diving. If anything, they have
more
> agenda's than other magazines, including lunatic fringe groups, which few
on
> this NG could stomach.
>

The only truly objective magazine online or off that I'm aware of is
Undercurrent. It's a Not-for profit org.

Dan, you seem to know a lot about fins so I'll ask you directly, if you
don't mind. I want to replace my fins. Solid swimmer and in good shape, only
dive 4-5 days per year. I'd like a powerful fin that works well on drift
dives and my current fins are hard as rocks and old. Suggestions and
recommendations are appreciated.

Cheers!

Dan Volker left this mess on Thu, 13 Nov 2003 11:06:47 -0500 for The Way to
clean up:
>
>
>"Dive News" <always@on.topic.always> wrote in message
>news:3fb390ee$0$27693$45beb828@newscene.com...
>>
>>
>> Force Fins forces Rodale's Scuba Diving to pay for scuba equipment ratings
>> scam
>>
>> http://www.cdnn.info/industry/i031113/i031113.html
>
>I have always considered Rodales to be among the most prostituted and
>deceitful of all scuba magazines, in gear discussions.
>

Question: what is the better alternative then?

I agree, and Rodale's obviously does, as well, that ad dollars drive their
reviews, however, they are also about the only game in town and so if you want
factual information, as sparse as it is, you have to go to Rodale's and read
between the lines.

Consumer Reports don't do dive gear.

Tao te Carl
"It takes a village to have an idiot." - Carl (c) 2003

(Kudos to Cap'n Jim Wyatt for this link) BEFORE you ask a dumb-ass question
here...http://www.speakeasy.org/~neilco/bart.gif

Dan Volker left this mess on Thu, 13 Nov 2003 11:44:10 -0500 for The Way to
clean up:
\>
>Make no mistake, CDNN is just as prostituted and controlled by special
>interests as is the typical print rag in diving. If anything, they have more
>agenda's than other magazines, including lunatic fringe groups, which few on
>this NG could stomach.
>
>In this case, it looks like the urge to hit Rodales where it hurts, caused
>CDNN to actually report on something that needed reporting. Its almost like
>snow in Florida
>

You're giving Scuba Booby an awful lot of credit by calling it "reporting".

This was posted on 10/27. It even appears in Rodale's own discussion group on
that date!

Tao te Carl
"It takes a village to have an idiot." - Carl (c) 2003

(Kudos to Cap'n Jim Wyatt for this link) BEFORE you ask a dumb-ass question
here...http://www.speakeasy.org/~neilco/bart.gif

"Schmoe" <jschmoeleg@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:uSQsb.12348$p%6.3409650@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.n et...
> "Dan Volker" <dvolker@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:rDOsb.109$oo.107@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> >
> <snip>
>
> > Make no mistake, CDNN is just as prostituted and controlled by special
> > interests as is the typical print rag in diving. If anything, they have
> more
> > agenda's than other magazines, including lunatic fringe groups, which
few
> on
> > this NG could stomach.
> >
>
> The only truly objective magazine online or off that I'm aware of is
> Undercurrent. It's a Not-for profit org.
>
> Dan, you seem to know a lot about fins so I'll ask you directly, if you
> don't mind. I want to replace my fins. Solid swimmer and in good shape,
only
> dive 4-5 days per year. I'd like a powerful fin that works well on drift
> dives and my current fins are hard as rocks and old. Suggestions and
> recommendations are appreciated.
>
> Cheers!

I would say try Picasso Black Teams ( around $130 ) if you can find them.
If you have the budget ( $around $300+), the Omer Carbon C4's would be the
most awesome---they would be like using a Lamborgini instead of a Rent a
Wreck ( ie., normal scuba fins). But with the C4's, you will need to do
head first entry's, or do a giant stride with a half twist in mid air to end
up with a back flop--not so hard really. You won;t want to overflex fins
that cost as much as the C4's. They return far more thrust per kick than
anything you can imagine.

The number to the distributor in Virginia beach is 1-800-853-1911.




..


>

In article <5tRsb.758$rV.671@bignews5.bellsouth.net>,
"Dan Volker" <dvolker@bellsouth.net> wrote:

> "Schmoe" <jschmoeleg@optonline.net> wrote in message
[snip]
> > Dan, you seem to know a lot about fins so I'll ask you directly, if you
> > don't mind. I want to replace my fins. Solid swimmer and in good shape,
[snip]
> I would say try Picasso Black Teams ( around $130 ) if you can find them.
> If you have the budget ( $around $300+), the Omer Carbon C4's would be the
> most awesome---they would be like using a Lamborgini instead of a Rent a
> Wreck ( ie., normal scuba fins). But with the C4's, you will need to do
> head first entry's, or do a giant stride with a half twist in mid air to end
> up with a back flop--not so hard really. You won;t want to overflex fins
> that cost as much as the C4's. They return far more thrust per kick than
> anything you can imagine.
>
> The number to the distributor in Virginia beach is 1-800-853-1911.


Ha, I remember, back in the day, when Volker and I were the only ones on
the boat with steel cylinders and long fins. 'bout 1990, I think...

Still good choices

Dan
dan@scuba-training.net
http://www.scuba-training.net