Re: [T3] Hoover's gone??!!? (snif)

[TOASTEDT3@aol.com]

Being a member of the Vintagebus list (split window buses) Let me give my
version of what happened.  Someone randomly wrote in (probably a newbie, but
that's not important) offering to Zip all of Bob Hoovers files into one
convenient file so they could be easily downloaded and viewed by others.  Bob
(who is NOT a member of the list but has posting priveleges if that makes
sense) got wind of this(people fwd him almost any mail that has to do with him
or his sermons)and wrote in a rather nasty (typical Bob Hoover fashion) reply
to this offer of zipping and distributing the sermons.  Bob's reply basically
stated that the Sermons are his personal property and could not be passed
around in that manner and if he got word that they were being passed around he
would prosecute that person under any and every possible Copyright
Infringement law.  He made it VERY clear not to "F%&$" with Bob Hoover.  There
were several follow up mails asking why it's illegal to do what this guy
offered if we wasnt going to sell them or anything and I'm pretty sure bob
sent in another nasty "I'll sue you" letter.

I personally think this was the straw that broke the camels back.  Bob gets a
lot of e-mail becasue of his sermons and if you've ever gotten a reply from
Bob, you know that he doesnt beat around the bush.  He tells you how it is and
some people didnt appreciate this.  He's not always the nicest guy (actually
I've never seen him be sincerely nice in any e-mail) and becasue of this
people started voicing their opinions and telling about personal experiences
of the guy to the list (publicly).  

Most opinions were negative but I dont think there were ever any "FU Bob
Hoover" mails, more just incidents that left a bitter taste in people's
mouths.  There were a few public list mails from Bob where I think he went a
bit too far, was a bit too negative towards the originator of the mail he was
replying, and acted in a condescending manner.

so that's where the flaming came from and believe me it came, but it was
mostly between list members and not between Bob and his "enemies".

As for the sermons, I'm sure you've all read the mail Bob Sent to Ken the T2
website webmaster.  This personally turned me off to Bob Hoover.  I think his
reasoning in this letter is terrible.  He talks of all these "FU Bob Hoover"
mails he's gotten, but fails to provide proof of any.  He goes on to say that
these mails most likely come from college students, Computer Entheusiasts
(geeks) and even goes so far as to suggest they come from one handed readers
of HVW's (jerk jerk jerk).  This Bothered me a LOT.  I had already wondered
about him after several of his mails to female list members were a bix sexist
and negative, but the college student thing went a bit too far. (really hits a
nerve with me because I am SO proud of my degree and worked hard to get it).
I also feel that if Bob has such a negative attitude towards e-mail, why was
he so easy to get in touch with in the first place.  I would think that a man
of Bob's experience and age would be able to just slough (sp?) off any "hate"
mails and go on with his VW business, but I guess not.

There has also been word that part of the reason he took his sermons off the
T2 page is becsue he has a book deal in the workings and having them on the
internet could be a violation of copyright laws (or something like that).
Last I heard (on the AC VW Newsgroup) is that his sermons are being turned
into a CD that will be for sale.  I'm sure an offer will make it thru the T3
list eventually too.

I hope this clears up some confusion.  I've seen a lot of mail from people
trying to explain what happened who arent on the bus list (No offense Toby,
yours was pretty accurate) but the flame wars that occured on the bus list
werent that bad.  The newsgroup was terrible on the other hand.  There was one
post in particular on the bus list that made its way to the NG too that
singled out 3 people (2 females) and suggested they were responsible (or the
reason) Bob took his sermons off the net.  These 3 people just gave their
personal opinions of Bob.  They based them on personal experiences they'd had
with the guy and not only do I think they're entitled to their opinion, but I
think they're very valid opinions and I happen to agree with them.  Next thing
I know, people on the NG were asking for these 3 people's e-mail addresses and
were prepared to mass mail them and make their lives hell for voicing an
opinion.  this started another whole thread that I wont go into. but the only
person to blame for Bob removing his sermons is Bob himself.

I'm sure that you can tell from this letter that I'm not a big fan of Bob
Hoover.  I personally think that any VW retaled question could be answered by
a handful of others on the T2 list and I'm sure Jim could answer ANY of my T3
questions.  I dont feel any great loss from Bob removing his sermons from the
internet.  My personal dealings with the guy have been ok, but anyone that
tries to put me in a lower class of society becsue I DO have a college
education can go take a long LONG walk off a short pier for all I care.
There's been all this talk of "the next generation VW Owners" which I happen
to be a member of.  Most recognize that they (we) are going to be responsible
for continuing the tradition and it's people like Bob Hoover that want to kill
the VW lifestyle the day they die and I think that's terrible.  They dont
realize that the mailing lists are there to help peple.  It's not a ring for
old know it alls to sit around and compare knowedge  Sure there may be some
questions that can be answered by having the correct manuals, but not everyone
knows that and if you cant handle reading a few "stupid questions" each day
then you shouldnt be a part of the "on-line" VW crowd.

OK I'm stopping now...............sorry, sensitive subject, but that's what
the internet's all about.  Practically anonymous opinions that shouldnt ruffle
anyone's feathers.  To sum it all up, Bob's supposedly making a CD ROM of all
his Sermons and it should be available soon.  As soon as I see anything about
it on the T2 list I'll be sure to Fwd it here too. 

Matt  "next generation college educated VW owner"

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