PlaymoFriends

General => News => Topic started by: cachalote on January 22, 2009, 21:37:27

Title: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: cachalote on January 22, 2009, 21:37:27
in collectobil's homepage, http://www.collectobil.com/index.html, the one that we quickly ignore when we click in the "cataloge" link,  :-[ there is a new and mysterious announcement:  :hmm:

"Since Collectobil has not been updated for three years,
COLLECTOBIL IS NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT !
Do not send any email to this site.
Post all questions at playmofriends.com"

does this means that playmofriends is taking over collectobil?  8}
what happened to bart de smet?
for those who don't know how important he is, please read richard's quick and "abbreviated" history of the Playmobil community in the "where are they thread" - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=2210.0.

please sylvia, richard, tell us what's happening...  :wave:
please...
  :wave:
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Sylvia on January 22, 2009, 23:03:05
I have no idea, cachalote.  ???

Hopefully Richard will be able to tell us what is going on. :)

Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: CountBogro on January 23, 2009, 07:46:54
... what happened to Bart de Smet? ... 

Bart has gone off and joined the Great Master. In other words: he's found employment with Geobra.
That's probably why Collectobil stopped being updated: conflict of interests.
There were rumours that Collectobil would be integrated into the site(s) of Playmobil. But apparently something else has happened.
IMHO - this is the most exciting news in a long time. Collectobil was the place for information, up to three years ago. Hopefully it will be able to reclaim it's rightfull place.

Bogro
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Gustavo on January 24, 2009, 17:30:31
Bart has gone off and joined the Great Master. In other words: he's found employment with Geobra. (...)



Oh, I thought somebody had died, here! :lol: :lol: :lol:

What a start! 8}


Gus
:blackhair:
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: cachalote on January 24, 2009, 20:39:41
come on richard, tell us what's going on.  :yup:
we promise not to tell anyone...
  0)
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Indianna on January 26, 2009, 18:15:44
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Cachalote - you always have the "scoop!"

This is very intriguing.  A bit of investigation revealed that the domain name "collectobil.com" is currently owned by a gentleman whose address is in a Texas town near Houston.  The gentleman's name is not familiar to me but the Texas location is very suggestive!   :toot:
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Gepetto on January 27, 2009, 00:32:59
Well, Bush would need to find something else to do with his time now!! :D



Gepetto
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: cachalote on January 27, 2009, 01:16:01
in who.is the domain is registered to a company named "career management international inc." with a "(retired) director called  "richard silvano".
 ??? could this "richard" be our "richard"?
 ??? could it be that collectobil is now owned by the greatest playmofriend ever?
 ??? can we expect some news on this subject from him?
 ??? will he let the plot thicken?
 ??? will he tell us all about it?
 ??? could it be that bart, the original owner, now working in playmobil, is actually responsible for all the un-fantastic new design trends that so much disappoint so many of us?
 ??? will richard follow the same path and be playmobil's new design director, bringing back the infamous steck-system?
 ??? is there a god?
 :hmm: ... there are so many questions still unanswered!
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Gustavo on January 27, 2009, 02:00:06
 :lol: I can't help laughing at you, mate! :lol:

Easy on the man! If it is so (possibly, because this Richard Silvano happens to be the Richard we know here ...), he's probably very busy to even get to know what is going on here ...

So, take it easy with him, be playmofriendly, cachalote! :lol: 8}


Gus
:blackhair:
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Indianna on January 27, 2009, 02:31:12
in who.is the domain is registered to a company named "career management international inc." with a "(retired) director called  "richard silvano".
 ??? could this "richard" be our "richard"?
 ??? could it be that collectobil is now owned by the greatest playmofriend ever?
 ??? can we expect some news on this subject from him?
 ??? will he let the plot thicken?
 ??? will he tell us all about it?
 ??? could it be that bart, the original owner, now working in playmobil, is actually responsible for all the un-fantastic new design trends that so much disappoint so many of us?
 ??? will richard follow the same path and be playmobil's new design director, bringing back the infamous steck-system?
 ??? is there a god?
 :hmm: ... there are so many questions still unanswered!


Cachalote, you are a better detective than I was!   (http://fc48.deviantart.com/fs27/f/2008/035/4/6/Emoticons_02___Sherlock_Holmes_by_Kopanitsak_C.gif)

I think I am not giving away a state secret when I confirm that Richard Silvano is indeed "our Richard." 

I am sure he is watching us and chuckling right now and I am sure that soon, we will know all there is to know.  After all, it must be Richard who put the notice on collectobil.com and I am sure he will be happy to see our curiosity about this development.
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Gepetto on January 27, 2009, 02:35:05
Deep breaths cachalote, deep breaths, all will be revealed in time! ;)



Gepetto
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Rasputin on January 27, 2009, 03:04:25
Ah who cares  ???  Collectobil is so out dated  ::)  Do you know how much effort will have to go into it to bring it up to date  8}

;) :lol:

Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: CountBogro on January 27, 2009, 08:41:16
...  Do you know how much effort will have to go into it to bring it up to date  8}  ...

That depends on how many people are willing to cooperate in bringing it back up-to-date. And I know of no better person then Richard to lead that task force  ;D

Bogro
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on January 27, 2009, 23:30:05
Well, Bush would need to find something else to do with his time now!! :D
Gepetto

I would like to see Collectobil become successful again, not reduced to shambles  >:(!!
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Gepetto on January 27, 2009, 23:45:35
I would like to see Collectobil become successful again, not reduced to shambles  >:(!!

NO, NO Bill, you just have to give it time! Stay the course! Eyes on the prize (okay, now I am getting nauseous). :lol: :lol:


Richard will let us know what is going on in good time, remember we are in a new era! A time for growth and renewal, a time to seize the initiative and move forward!!



Gepetto
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Timotheos on January 28, 2009, 00:01:11
http://www.cmi-lmi.com/outplacement.html

Quote
Outplacement / Career Transition Counseling is an affirmative and humane approach to organizational change that allows everyone to emerge a winner. It is typically a no-lose proposition for the organization that's separating employees, for the executives charged with the unpleasant task, and for the people being separated. In most instances, there are actual savings in finances, reputation, and business friendships as well as the preservation of company morale, good will and trade secrets.

And the euphemism of the week goes to Richard's old company!
How to fire people and not feel guilty about it!

But seriously, glad to see Collectobil is back up...

-Tim 
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Tiermann on January 29, 2009, 01:48:06
Interesting development.
Things have changed quite a bit since Collectobil became inactive. PlaymoDB is here now and has most of that sort of information available in far more detail. The one part it doesn't have are the years of production, and of course it relies on Collectobil for many images of earlier sets. My assumption is that Richard and Heather of PlaymoDB are in touch.
My own interests have drifted a bit the last year or so but Animobil is still being maintained and updated a few times a year as information becomes available or I get my hands on an animal to photograph.
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Gepetto on January 29, 2009, 02:57:01
Interesting development.
Things have changed quite a bit since Collectobil became inactive. PlaymoDB is here now and has most of that sort of information available in far more detail. The one part it doesn't have are the years of production, and of course it relies on Collectobil for many images of earlier sets. My assumption is that Richard and Heather of PlaymoDB are in touch.


I didn't realize that PlaymoDB was that new, I thought it had been around for years and years. that is even more amazing! 

          :wow: :wow: All hail Heather, keeper of the sacred tomes!! :wow: :wow:



Gepetto



Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: sbblabotw on February 02, 2009, 18:11:12
(blush) You'd think I was in this business for the praise. Oh, wait...

Depends what you call years and years... PlaymoDB opened its doors April 2nd, 2004 (http://www.playmoboard.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=7317), taking the bulk of its set information from Collectobil, which is why I still link back there. Tiermann's right: I haven't touched the timeline at all, except to note when instructions were printed, so that's an area Collectobil could expand on and provide good useful information.  I'm more than happy to link back and forth with other information sites (like Animobil), and designed PlaymoDB so that could be easily done.  As for what's happening with Collectobil, that was a surprise to me too; I won't speculate, but leave it to Richard to expound when he's ready.
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Timotheos on February 03, 2009, 00:56:42
I won't speculate, but leave it to Richard to expound when he's ready.

Well, Richard instructed us to post questions to Playmofriends...
But, he ain't answering...

OK!
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Richard on February 15, 2009, 16:32:14



... As for what's happening with Collectobil, that was a surprise to me too ...



Heather, it would seem that some members might suspect that you and I know what's happening with Collectobil (http://www.collectobil.com/) ...  :klickywink:

As far as I know (regardless of what was posted yesterday, 14th Feb), I think that someone by the name of Bart is still the webmaster ...  :klickygrin:

All the best,
Richard






Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: playmofire on February 15, 2009, 16:38:19


As far as I know (regardless of what was posted yesterday, 14th Feb), I think that someone by the name of Bart is still the webmaster ...  :klickygrin:

All the best,
Richard








What was posted yesterday, 14th Feb?  I can't find a post in this thread for that date.
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Martin Milner on February 15, 2009, 16:47:07
The post is not here in this thread, Gordon, it's on Collectobil itself, if you follow Richard's link.

However the post says that the site was last updated on 17th Jan 2006, but if you follow the link to the list of site updates, the last update is shown as 21st May 2005.

I must say Richard when people here speculated it was you, your lack of a denial and slim number of recent posts here convinced me it might be true. 

Whoever has taken it on, I wish them luck, and lots of patience, time & energy, in getting things in order, if that is their intention.

The post on Collectobil also mentions it is temporarily under new management, so that may not be the new manager's intention.

 
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: cachalote on February 15, 2009, 17:36:37
collectobil still has the same contact information:
Address: Career Management International, Inc., 235 W 18th St
Houston, TX  77008, US 
i guess richard doesn't want to talk about this.
he's not obliged to do so.  :yup:
but nothing obliges us to refrain our curiosity.  ;)
come on richard, tell us wht is happening. please.
  :wave:
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Martin Milner on February 25, 2009, 12:06:08
If the person currently managing Collectobil reads this, please could you change the line:


Post all questions and suggestions at playmofriends.com

to something like


Post all questions and suggestions at playmofriends.com or Playmoboard.com

because the current wording has sparked a lot of anti-Playmofriends feeling over at Playmoboard (amongst people who see us as elitist and exclusive), especially as there seems to be nobody here taking responsibility for the changes so even members of Playmofriends are left in the dark, and the last thing we need is another inter-Forum feud.
 

cheers,  Martin
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Rasputin on February 25, 2009, 15:28:25

because the current wording has sparked a lot  ??? of anti-Playmofriends feeling over at Playmoboard (amongst people who see us as elitist and exclusive), especially as there seems to be nobody here taking responsibility for the changes so even members of Playmofriends are left in the dark, and the last thing we need is another inter-Forum feud.
 

It is not this that has a minor amount of members over there felling like this . They always have, not just because of this Collectobil change . People will always dislike something about everything ( similar to the Airport Security ) we can not go around catering to some minority just because they have a problem with some aspect of how other people do things. The tiny group also has a problem with paying on this site , and on and on . 
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Indianna on February 25, 2009, 23:32:23

If the person currently managing Collectobil reads this, please could you change the line:
Post all questions and suggestions at playmofriends.com
to something like
Post all questions and suggestions at playmofriends.com or Playmoboard.com


:eh?:   The wording on collectobil.com now reads:

"Hopefully, Collectobil will be updated again someday. Until then, please enjoy what Bart has created here. And, be sure to visit Playmobil's official Archive at Produkt Archiv."

I wish we could finally know what is going on.   :(


because the current wording has sparked a lot of anti-Playmofriends feeling over at Playmoboard (amongst people who see us as elitist and exclusive), especially as there seems to be nobody here taking responsibility for the changes so even members of Playmofriends are left in the dark, and the last thing we need is another inter-Forum feud.


Martin, I am curious what you mean by "another inter-Forum feud."  Was there an actual feud or just the original schism?  Possibly I missed something as I was not active on any of the boards for a while (from mid-2006 until early 2008.)  It had seemed to me that things had settled down and that there are many common members between Playmofriends and Playmoboard. 

I have breezed through Playmoboard over the past few days and there are several comments in different areas (from one individual) that would appear to be intended to cause trouble.  That is just my opinion and I must say that I have not followed Playmoboard closely for some time so I may be missing something.    ???

- Anne
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: gloobey on February 26, 2009, 03:02:02
I used to be a member over at Playmoboard until I found Playmofriends. There seems to be a genuine love for the toys and concern for fellow collectors here at Playmofriends. It's a positive community with only good will toward others that I haven't found anywhere else.
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Martin Milner on February 26, 2009, 06:46:43
:eh?:   The wording on collectobil.com now reads:

"Hopefully, Collectobil will be updated again someday. Until then, please enjoy what Bart has created here. And, be sure to visit Playmobil's official Archive at Produkt Archiv."

I wish we could finally know what is going on.   :(


Martin, I am curious what you mean by "another inter-Forum feud."  Was there an actual feud or just the original schism?  Possibly I missed something as I was not active on any of the boards for a while (from mid-2006 until early 2008.)  It had seemed to me that things had settled down and that there are many common members between Playmofriends and Playmoboard. 

I have breezed through Playmoboard over the past few days and there are several comments in different areas (from one individual) that would appear to be intended to cause trouble.  That is just my opinion and I must say that I have not followed Playmoboard closely for some time so I may be missing something.    ???

- Anne

Just a schism so far. Some people were worried that Playmodb might become a pay to view site, because of the perceived link via Collectobil to this site. Paranoid maybe, but people are working on very limited information from Collectobil's new management, a lot of speculation, and if they imagine monsters under the bed, I can understand their concerns. I was trying to avert an all-out feud with the suggested changed wording, and hopefully that danger has now been avoided. Thank you whoever is responsible for your prompt action.

Yes, there are many members here who are also at Playmoboard, usually with the same usernames, and there are PB members who read this forum but aren't members here. Very occasionally people lose focus on the fact that Playmobil is a toy aimed at children (and the young at heart) and meant to be fun. I hate seeing these public arguments, they diminish my pleasure in reading the forums and Playmobil generally, and I don't imagine many other people enjoy them unless they're rubbernecks of the "oh look, a gorgeous train-wreck" mentality.

PlaymoFriends, Playmoboard, Playmodb, Collectobil, the Product Archive at Playmobil.de and Garden Wargames comprise much of my internet Playmobil universe, and I don't like to see unpleasantness because of any of them.
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: CountBogro on February 26, 2009, 08:05:58
... , and if they imagine monsters under the bed, I can understand their concerns. ...

IMHO that says more about the person imaging the monster as to the situation.
But you are right that preventing is preferable above firefighting.

Bogro
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Indianna on February 26, 2009, 15:30:54
Just a schism so far. Some people were worried that Playmodb might become a pay to view site, because of the perceived link via Collectobil to this site. Paranoid maybe, but people are working on very limited information from Collectobil's new management, a lot of speculation, and if they imagine monsters under the bed, I can understand their concerns. I was trying to avert an all-out feud with the suggested changed wording, and hopefully that danger has now been avoided. Thank you whoever is responsible for your prompt action.

Yes, there are many members here who are also at Playmoboard, usually with the same usernames, and there are PB members who read this forum but aren't members here. Very occasionally people lose focus on the fact that Playmobil is a toy aimed at children (and the young at heart) and meant to be fun. I hate seeing these public arguments, they diminish my pleasure in reading the forums and Playmobil generally, and I don't imagine many other people enjoy them unless they're rubbernecks of the "oh look, a gorgeous train-wreck" mentality.

PlaymoFriends, Playmoboard, Playmodb, Collectobil, the Product Archive at Playmobil.de and Garden Wargames comprise much of my internet Playmobil universe, and I don't like to see unpleasantness because of any of them.

Thanks for the reply, Martin.  :)  I completely agree with your distaste for public arguments - disagreeing in a civilized manner is one thing while fighting for its own sake is quite another.  I am relieved that there does not appear to be any real trouble brewing between PF and PB - the Playmofan community has proven to be large and diverse enough to support many locations for all of us to share our common interest in a wonderful toy that is meant to be fun, as you pointed out.  Even though I haven't posted at Playmoboard for a very long time I do look in occasionally, just as I am sure that folks from PB look in over here as well.  Nothing wrong with that!   ;)

After taking another look at PB, it looks to me as if the "anti-Playmofriends feeling" and the concern about Playmodb turning into a fee-based site emanates from a single source.  In my own experience with this type of individual, he/she sets out "bait" in the form of statements that one cannot let go unanswered and then turns the ensuing discussion into an unpleasant argument.  In my opinion, such a person is just looking for a fight.  Playmoboard has a particular feature which I found very useful during my time there:  a button on the member profile page which says "add [member name] to my ignore list."  It makes viewing very calm and peaceful!  :yup:  ;D

It is unfortunate that the postings on Collectobil have generated so much confusion and so little real information.  I guess we just have to wait and see what happens.   :help:

Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Rasputin on February 26, 2009, 16:38:55
Well somebody around here knows and is just biting their tong. After Martin asked something happened so they must be reading these posts. Perhaps they have such big plans they do not want to let the cat out of the bag  :hmm:

Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: The_Mad_Hadder on October 17, 2016, 19:58:55
What ever happened to collectobil and why did it stop being updated in 2006?
Title: Re: collectobil is now under new management! a playmofriends management?
Post by: Hadoque on October 18, 2016, 00:09:20
why did it stop being updated in 2006?

The then owner of Collectobil (Bart) went to work for Geobra Brandstätter (= Playmobil) in Germany.