The power of the internet

[Simon TorbayFishing]

I'm going to be a little careful what I post here because I don't want this thread showing up when he searches for his web site.....

A number of years ago I designed a web site for a client which was also combined with a very high spec database our database designer created. This database was as powerful as you could get and was an amazing piece of work. The owner of this site then wanted to add JavaScript after JavaScript, popup after popup and basically made the site unusable. We told him so but he wouldn't listen so we parted company because we didn't want to be associated with a site so user unfriendly. Since then I've seen him try a couple of other database companies and both of them failed to do what we achieved and today the database is gone and he's just a commission based web site.

Fast forward to 3 weeks ago and I get an email from him saying that I must remove his company name from my online cv because it's a registered tradename.

I then email him back saying although I don't have to (classified as nominative use) I have done so and did he realise his web site was now illegal under the new UK disability rules (because of the popups and java etc). I give him the links to check his site so he could see. He then emails me back saying why doesn't my personal site validate then? He was correct. I added a commission banner and I didn't check it validated so I planned to give it a week to see if I made any money out of it and then remove it.

A few days later I get an email from w3c saying 80% of my site doesn't validate and to remove the button from my site. Strange timing huh?

Because I use a template it was simply a 20 second job to remove the banner from all my pages to make it pass again. I didn't want him to get away with this so I created a worst web site of the week page and ripped his site to shreds. Because part of my job is search engine optimisation within 2 days the page is now directly above or below his for any keywords you type in associated with him. I give his link on the site but don't hyperlink directly to his site because that would be illegal (Bet not many of you knew that!).

Today I get an email from him grovelling to remove the page. I know he's had legal advice and they've told him there is nothing he can do about it. There is no way on earth he would have sent me this email unless he had no other choice. For him to grovel must drive him totally nuts :)

Motto of the story. Don't upset someone by threatening trade name legal action and attempting to get them in trouble when they can achieve top 2 positions on all search engines in a matter of days :)

He really annoyed me and my site must be driving him nuts being directly under his with a title tag heading of worst web site of the week.

When do you reckon I should remove it or should I leave it there to teach him a lesson in manners and courtesy?

[Ben]

i donno, leaving it could be funny, but if he is reling on his site for an income it might be a bit harsh

[Fishing Forum Admin]

When do you reckon I should remove it or should I leave it there to teach him a lesson in manners and courtesy?

I would leave it , treat people as you want to be treated that my moto — but It will cost him £10 for someone top pop in and press delete

New UK disability rules - Is that a law that will involve prosecution if so it new to me as I thought it is only guidance

[kiwimarty]

Give it a week mate

[Simon TorbayFishing]

Originally Posted by Fishing Forum Admin

New UK disability rules - Is that a law that will involve prosecution if so it new to me as I thought it is only guidance

Nope it's now law and some big companies like the RNIB have already stated they will fund any civil actions from indivual people against web sites that are not accessible. This law came in 5 years ago but they gave a 5 year grace period for sites to get fixed which ran out on Oct 1st this year.

In most cases (not e-commerce, even worse for them) it's simply adding alt tags to things like link buttons but a company must show they've made an effort. only 1 in 100 have so a lot of firms will have a rough ride ahead of them.

[pingu]

wish i understood half of that technical jargon, but i say leave it there if you cant be done for it, keep you happy if nothing else