Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 4031 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:26 pm Post subject: Xbox-Scene trying to dominate by Slandering Xbox-HQ
If you own an Xbox and have done some modifications to it, you’ll more than likely have heard of the site called Xbox-Scene. They have been around since day one of Xbox Modding, and have a very big portion of the Xbox Homebrew Developers residing at their site. They are also a business too, receiving thousands of dollars from advertisers each month. However, with all this glory also comes a lot of shame… It is a known fact that their forums can be very rude and arrogant (flaming in other words) against people who are just starting out, making them look like complete idiots in front of their new peers.
Since Xbox-Scene started their site, there have been other Xbox sites / communities that have been born over time, one of which is Xbox-HQ. This non-business community has been around for about 4 years now, and have grown to be a very strong place for information and programs. It is also the home of the famous Xbox installer disc called “Auto-Installer Deluxe” (or AID for short). The way the community has to survive is via the VIP Membership which is offered, which gives you access to a few more sections of the site, Personal Support (meaning only you the staff see your questions), plus (hopefully) a good feeling that you helping a non-profitable site keep online.
Over the last couple of years, Xbox-Scene has really looked down at Xbox-HQ, banning links to our site(s), stopped publishing news on any of our releases (namely Auto-Installer Deluxe), and even removed posts which have information about our releases. The question is why…
After thinking about it, I’ve come to the conclusion that Xbox-Scene simply doesn’t like competition from any other sites that could be seen as a risk to their community, this is at least how it feels to me after being banned from their community a couple of weeks ago. As you all know, you can browse their forums anonymously, and so could I up until a couple of days ago when I found that my actual IP has been banned also. They really mustn’t want me on there if there are going to such extremities. They claim that our sites are completely illegal, contains warez etc. This is not the case however they still brand us like that.
Personally now I don’t care either way, as I consider this the final straw between me and Xbox-Scene. However, I feel that I should comment on their Mission Statement which was provided by an anonymous member. This clearly states how they are trying to hold total domination of the Xbox Community by stating things which are totally incorrect and false, which offcourse makes them look good and every other site bad.
Xbox-Scene considers it’s self to be the only original "Xbox Modding Information Site" that is legal and legitimate.
Well, technically, any Modding what so ever is illegal is some countries, so them claiming to be legal and legitimate is false. They are just as illegal as any other Xbox Modding Site / Community.
Any site that charges for Membership, or bribes Modders with Better Downloads if they "Purchase" an up-graded membership are exploiting the Modding Community like a "Union Organization".
From the sounds of this, they are directing it at Xbox-HQ. Well, I hate to tell these guys but unlike them (who are a business making thousands of dollars a month) some sites do have to get support from their members in order to keep the web hosting costs taken care of, and I’m pretty sure members don’t have too much of a problem donating a couple of dollars to ensure that their favourite site stays online. NONE of the Administrators or Moderators receives any pay for their work (unlike Xbox-Scene), the most we get is a small gift every now and then (an example is the Chrome Xbox 360 Faceplate I got a few months back). I’m not unhappy about this, as I know it’s a tight ship that is being run financial-wise for the site, so something small every now and then is satisfying enough.
With the exception of a few "IRC" sites run by Professional Modders such as "XBIN'S" etc... sites that offer Direct Download's of "Any" Auto-Installer's such as Eurasia.nu,Xbox-hq,Etc...should cease that practice or be shut down to avoid exploitation of those programs.
Here we have the most obvious point where Xbox-Scene are trying to say they are the only people good enough to distribute downloads. The funny thing is that XBINS doesn’t even have most of the Auto-Installers that have been released, for example you won’t find Auto-Installer Deluxe v3.10 on there because they don’t support it. It seems like they have a problem with groups distributing their own Auto-Installers too by this comment and it’s for sure we (Xbox-HQ) are not going to stop. Otherwise, no one would be able to get it and the scene would be ruled by Xbox-Scene without anyone to do anything about it.
Any Auto-Installer's other than Slayer's are bastardized versions that are based on Slayer's hard work in an effort to build a name in the Mod-Scene without "Original development of their own".
This is the biggest lie that I’ve ever read. Are they trying to say that Auto-Installer Deluxe is a rip-off of Slayer’s? I don’t think so. It was completely written from scratch using a totally different interface (UnleashX opposed to EvoX), it contains lots more homebrew software, lots more features, and most importantly it supports an Xbox which is Softmodded also. Slayer’s is old news as far as I’m concerned (even with his latest 2.7 release), it might have been the original, but it’s definitely not the best by a long shot.
90% of All Modding Tip's, Information, etc... that is on the other sites most likely gained there knowledge originally from their site at one time or another as their information is received from the original sources of the Modding developers.
This doesn’t make complete sense, but I think they are trying to say that all the information on their competitor’s sites is taken from Xbox-Scene. Well, I hate to tell you guys once again that we DO have our own brains and can work out things for ourselves. Yes, I will admit that I have learned a thing or two from the Tutorials and Forums from Xbox-Scene (just like most people have), but it doesn’t mean that they are the ONLY site allowed to have this information, or the only people allowed to write articles and tutorials on this. They are just trying to hold supremacy with this statement.
I will let you make up your own minds about this, maybe I am just being sore because of my banning, or maybe I am bringing up points which are cold hard facts about the lies and jealousy that surround Xbox-Scene.
DJB
Senior Administrator of the HQ Network
Creator of Auto-Installer Deluxe
Predtech Moderator
Joined: Mar 06, 2004 Posts: 699 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ, USA
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:07 pm Post subject:
I completely agree DJB, Xbox-scene is a stain on the pants of the modding scene, in my PERSONAL opinion. Of course i can't speak for the rest of our members in that respect, but that is my opinion of them. And yes i suppose, like you, we all, or at least most of us, have learned a few things from them but like you said we also have brains of our own and we can find news faster than anyone else on some ocasions. In fact, when you think about it, it seems to me that they never actually write any of their own articles these days, it seems like they simply get everything, or at least most of their news from other sites, just like most of us, so they're not as high and damn mighty as they think.
As far as "Gayer's" auto installer, that dude, should'a given up the ghost a long time ago. EvoX has been abandoned by many if not most of the modders in the scene, in favour of other launchers like avalaunch or my favourite, UnleashX, or even the mighty XBMC. Slayer should have been slayed long before now!
You know, maybe these guys should do a little research before opening their mouths on certain subjects, then try to do a little soul searching and realize that they are the ones "Bastardizing" the entire scene by trying to be the "bully in school". Well listen up man, there's a new kid in town. Goes by the name of Xbox-hq, and he brought his whole family with him, called the entire HQ network. You see, we here at the HQ network value the presence of our members by continually upgrading our sites, and offering more and more services to our members all the time. Last time i checked, i haven't seen a single upgrade or better service offered to the viewers of that site in a LOOOOOOOOONG time. Same shitty format, same shitty layout. Same damn shitty site altogether if you ask my opinion. And hell, even if ya don't ask for it, you're gettin it, lol.
Finally, i want to add that AID (all versions of it) is quite simply the BEST damn installer that could POSSIBLY come out of someones head and for those guys to try and trash it??? Well that just seems like a real bad case of jealousy to me. Built from the ground up, more homebrew than any other installer, user friendly interface!!!!! God damn it, how can anyone compete with AID and it's sister, SID???
Simply put......... YOU CAN'T! _________________ Predtech
HQ Network Moderator
j8994 Moderator
Joined: Feb 05, 2006 Posts: 1853 Location: Tennessee, USA
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:12 pm Post subject:
i agreee with you djb, i was part of that site for pretty much two days, then i found this place, everyone was kind, and helped me get my xbox running, thats why i decided, that this is the place to be,
so in there mind, only there members can come up with stuff, like software ans apps for the xbox, or hardware modz, i came up with a RCA mod, with no help or knowledge found on the XBOX_SCENE site, i found a pinout and went from there, no one they loose members to us, we treat our members as they were family, no just people of the streets.
thats why i will alwayz stay a HQ member, from now till i die, for each console site me produce, its another reason they hate us, i dont think they really have anysite except the xbox site, with some 360 info, kinda funny. _________________ Please post all PC Questions at PC-HQ.com
Burner6999 Xbox-Hq Genius
Joined: Aug 15, 2006 Posts: 1426 Location: Colorado
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:23 pm Post subject:
I also agree with you DJB. When I first started modding I had a problem and found their site and asked for help and they were rude and took forever to reply. At Xbox-HQ I got all the help I needed and really fast on top of that. Now as far as them saying that AID is a rip off of Slayers that is insane and for them to basically say that no one else is smart enough to create their own installer is ridiculous. Its ok though because if people are like me they find this site and never go back.
robzzombie Moderator
Joined: Jul 15, 2006 Posts: 521 Location: Lockport, Illinois, USA
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:40 pm Post subject:
Yea i agree with everyone. i asked for help fixin my xbox on other forums like llama and x-s and it took them 4 days to respond I MEAN THATS CRAZY. and AID ISNT RIPPING OFF SLAYERS CUZ SLAYERS SUX AND AID IS THE SHIZZIT. Well i found this site and i cant remeber who exactally gave me the help first but they gave me alot of help till i F***ED it up on myself then i got a chip and Hypnotix helped my flash it then it broke and then i got another chip flashed it and i was good. i still come here to help out the community in points that i know about and get me some homebrew software _________________
Greven Xbox-Hq Genius Xbox Version: Xbox V1.6 Modded: Xecuter 3 CE
Joined: Jan 19, 2006 Posts: 2755 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:32 am Post subject:
Without getting into which is better(cause if your here, you already know), the "Mission Statement" seems more like a giant boast than what X-S is striving for.
And really, if there was an "original" modding site, it wasn't X-S. It was IRC rooms used in the very early days, and were populated by the fathers of xbox modding: Andy Green, Bunnie, and many others. _________________ Hotswap|HDD Upgrade|X3 Guide
robzzombie Moderator
Joined: Jul 15, 2006 Posts: 521 Location: Lockport, Illinois, USA
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:25 am Post subject:
Thats a good point greven _________________
Nava Xbox-HQ Experienced
Joined: Sep 12, 2006 Posts: 152
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:59 am Post subject:
I must say, when I started to mod I went to Xbox-Scene. I had much trouble finding things and the people on the forums were just a bunch of flamers. I found this place looked around for a bit, signed up, and within minutes had some answers to the problems i was facing. I havent gone back to Xbox-Scene since.
So yes DJB, I agree with you 110%
dangermouse Moderator
Joined: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 972 Location: Tucson
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:45 pm Post subject:
This site definitely has a great atmosphere. What we need to do is part self promotion and damage control.
Obviously X-S is feeling threatened. They're fighting to say at the top. It certainly doesn't help to have a negative attitude. We can only hope they wont realize that the senseless banning and flaming will contribute to their demise. I know a lot of people get turned off by X-S and find their way here. I was one of them.
If there is anything you would like to see, make a post in the Errors and Suggestions forum. Invite anyone you know from other sites to visit our site. Just by browsing, they will see that all accusations are false. If you have anything to add, like game reviews or tutorials, any contributions are welcome. Let's help make this site the pinnacle of the xbox community. Let X-S attract all the negative attention and leave the positive for us.
DJB, you're a god among men! Your work and deeds are unparalleled! We will always have your back bro. _________________ Xenium Ice 2.3.1 OS
200gb Seagate HDD
|HOTSWAP|Upgrade HDD|
Pson Xbox-Hq Genius Xbox Version: v1.1 Modded: Xenium Ice OS v2.3.1
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 1155 Location: Philly, PA
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:55 pm Post subject:
I hate xbox-sence they have banned me twice now for yes putting links of write ups that I made here. Then when I stated I didn't put anything that breaks the rules in the post I was banned till 2009 for even stating that. They are all dicks and I don't even have to talk bad about them for just go join up over there and you will be banned by the end of the day. I had a mark on my account for asking if the question I wanted to ask was breaking the rules...the mod PM no the question is not, but you still posted it anyway so thats just the same as breaking the rules...screw them
Just my 2 cents _________________ The mighty V6 Passat came to chew bubble gum and kick%^* and shes all out of bubble gum!
pezzar V.I.P. Lifetime Xbox Version: V1.6 Modded: Xenium Gold OS v2.3.1
Joined: May 12, 2005 Posts: 976 Location: Seaside, England
Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 12:06 am Post subject:
F**k em, thats what i say. i quite liked the idea of paying to be a lifetime VIP member and knowing i can grab my luscious xbox downloads with no worries when i want. A lot of info on XS is actually quite usefull its just a shame its run by knob jockeys
Pezzar
hellblazer55 V.I.P. Lifetime
Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 6381 Location: Canada
Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 12:10 am Post subject:
pezzar wrote:
A lot of info on XS is actually quite usefull its just a shame its run by knob jockeys
And here I thought it was run by monkeys with a bad disposition while they fling thier feces at you LOL _________________
pezzar V.I.P. Lifetime Xbox Version: V1.6 Modded: Xenium Gold OS v2.3.1
Joined: May 12, 2005 Posts: 976 Location: Seaside, England
Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 12:57 am Post subject:
no monkeys are intelligent
DJB Administrator
Joined: May 23, 2003 Posts: 4031 Location: NSW, Australia
Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:33 am Post subject:
I still personally think it's only a few admins / mods there that have something against us, and more than like pursuading the other staff members to think the same.
hellblazer55 V.I.P. Lifetime
Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 6381 Location: Canada
Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:53 am Post subject:
its not hard to change thier minds if we bribe them the same way lol _________________
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