Festool USA Website

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Morning,
This is interesting.  I just accessed the Festool USA site by using an alternate IP address.  Then, when I came back to my regular IP address, I was once again blocked no matter which browser I use.  Same computer, same browser, but different results based on IP address.

In other words, my IP address seems to be blocked from accessing the Festool USA site.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[MiterMaster]

Good Morning,
This is interesting.  I just accessed the Festool USA site by using an alternate IP address.  Then, when I came back to my regular IP address, I was once again blocked no matter which browser I use.  Same computer, same browser, but different results based on IP address.

In other words, my IP address is blocked from accessing the Festool USA site.

Thanks,
Matthew

Man, sounds like you've been banned?  If anyone were to be banned, I thought it would have been me over the Kapex bru ha ha.  I have noticed there is no link on the new site to the FOG group either. 

Mike

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Man, sounds like you've been banned?  If anyone were to be banned, I thought it would have been me over the Kapex bru ha ha.  I have noticed there is no link on the new site to the FOG group either. 

I don't know.  All I know is, I've tried several alternate IP addresses this morning, and all of them work.  But my "native" IP address cannot access the Festool USA site.  I'll write to Shane and ask what's going on.

For the brief time I was able to view the new site, I did notice that the FOG is no longer listed.  That's too bad.  Then again, let's keep in mind that the FOG has always been independent, providing honest but often harsh criticism of Festool tools, so perhaps it makes sense.  This is just my quick take on the situation.  I still have no idea why my IP address is blocked from the Festool USA site.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Morning,
I just wrote to Shane and Christian asking them to restore access for my IP address.  I also asked them for an explanation about why the FOG is not linked from the new site.  Let's hear an explanation from the source.
Thanks,
Matthew

 

[MiterMaster]

Good Morning,
I just wrote to Shane and Christian asking them to restore access for my IP address.  I also asked them for an explanation about why the FOG is not linked from the new site.  Let's hear an explanation from the source.
Thanks,
Matthew

Let us know what their response is.  But, to actually block an IP address seems pretty telling of what their intent was.

Mike

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Let us know what their response is.  But, to actually block an IP address seems pretty telling of what their intent was.

I've written to Shane and Christian two times today asking for a response.  So far, no answer.

But I trust they will explain both issues (my inability to access the site and the missing link to the FOG).  In the meantime, has anyone else had trouble accessing the FOG site?  Maybe I'm not the only one?

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[rwdawson]

Matthew,

If you are truly persona non grata, have you been banned from the UK, as well?

This works fine for me, as does the North America site: http://www.festool.co.uk/

Richard

 

[nickao]

This tells me that the FOG is now considered an unbiased site rather than a Festool can do no wrong site.

It's a pity,  because when the Festools are done right there is no place the accolades will be heard from higher than here.
Now I totally understand what I was told from "people" from the "other" forum. I now know why instead of the "other " forum becoming more a user protection forum that it originally was intended to be, it shut people down as soon as they voiced concerns about the tools and called them trolls. I once felt here the FOG did the same .

Festool lost the battle of the "brainwashing " here when the Kapex came out. It was just to much, to many actual verifiable problems with the tool to white wash it.

Now with the new forum Festool employees jump over there and "brainwash" MY so called "friends" and the site  turns into a " say bad things about Festools in  a way we don't like and its deleted" forum.

When I was initially contacted about the new forum and I believe I  was the initial start and cause for the new forum and was contacted first before anyone else by the administrator there to help in the new a forum, the idea was to have a forum where people did not get slaughtered when pointing out failures and issues with the Festools. As soon as  Festool employees  got involved there I immediate felt betrayed as that is the EXACT a person I would not want in a higher position in a Tool forum discussing "unbiased" views of the tools. He works for Festool! How the heck can they say a tool sucks, he can't.

The entire idea of the new forum went out the window and the guys got all excited thinking well now we will be the ones with the Festool relationship. What! That's exactly the opposite reason that I was told the forum started in the first place! I have emails, I know the administrator and most know that I dissed festool here on the FOG and was slaughtered because I only wanted a "tool problem" Section. Now Matthew makes a tool problem section and he is banned. And the Section works great!

Now it makes sense. I was right! Festool wanted to indirectly control the views on this site and skew them in Festools favor. Now  that's fine, this is a Festool site, but they wanted to gloss over any problems the tools may have had and that is where I saw a problem. Major problems for expensive tools? People need to be  told about that from actual people in the field that use these tools everyday.

I am sure the new forum has been enticed with trips to see tools, etc. I was straight out told Festool was looking at the new site as a replacement for the FOG.

Man I am MAD! That new site was made because of a HUGE fight and thread that went on here because I stated the Festool quality control was going down hill. I do not care what anyone says there, I was contacted to start that new forum, I know what went on and now I know my friends kicked me to the curb to hug up next to Festool and be  festool huggers as opposed to Festool enthusiasts..

I say keep this forum going with positive threads, but when a tool is not satisfactory lets SAY SO and not be afraid.

I can not believe what happened here and I totally blame Festool employees influence. As soon as they got affiliated with the other forum I knew I was totally misled, even stabbed in the back and the guys there can say what they want, in my heart I feel  they let some Tool spokesman interfere with friendship.

When I get hurt I get focused. Matthew lets kick up the membership and get the numbers here so high they can not ignore you. You guys know me, I will sit here and fight and come back at them with everything I have in a way that is POSITIVE for the BUYER of the Tools.

I will start by posting some tutorial on Inlay. Then some tutorials on tools. Others can help by posting more info on the Festools. And if a Festool has a problem say so in an effective way that Festool can not ignore.

Can you tell I am pissed? Festool put back up Matthews site. It is the best resource there is for Festools, just keep making great tools like the RO 150 and the Domino and you have nothing to fear from the FOG.

Nickao

 

[Brice Burrell]

Matthew, don't you think this matter should be handled privately? I can't see what you have to gain by playing this out publicly?

Nick, the other site has nothing to do with this discussion. 

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Matthew, don't you think this matter should be handled privately? I can't see what you have to gain by playing this out publicly?

Nick, the other site has nothing to do with this discussion. 

Not sure what you mean about "playing this out publicly."  At first, I was surprised when I could not get access to the new site, and wanted to know if anyone else was experiencing the same thing.  Only later did I realize that I had apparently been singled out somehow.  This is, after all, a discussion about the new site.  Someone -- anyone -- being denied access has a legitimate reason to post about it here.

The rest of the discussion has to do with the link to the FOG being removed from the new site -- certainly a public, not a private, point.

Nick's comments actually are quite relevant here.  Take a moment to think about it and I'm sure you'll see why.

Update: I still have heard no response from Christian or Shane, and I am still unable to access the new site.

I'll ask again: does anyone else have trouble accessing the new site?

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Steve Jones]

Matthew,

I'm having no problem accessing the Festool site. Just as a test you might try removing all cookies and trying with a clean browser just to eliminate the possibility that any problem is occurring at your end of the connection.

I know this is unlikely, but best to be sure before assuming problems, you know you've been on the receiving end of mysterious connection problems before (and been accused of causing problems where none existed).

 

[Matthew Schenker]

If you are truly persona non grata, have you been banned from the UK, as well?

I am able to access other Festool sites (UK, Germany, Australia, International, etc.).  I can't say I have tried every single Festool site, but so far the block seems to be specific to Festool USA.

Again, if I use the same computer, with an alternate IP address, I am able to access it.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Matthew Schenker]

I'm having no problem accessing the Festool site. Just as a test you might try removing all cookies and trying with a clean browser just to eliminate the possibility that any problem is occurring at your end of the connection.

I know this is unlikely, but best to be sure before assuming problems, you know you've been on the receiving end of mysterious connection problems before (and been accused of causing problems where none existed).

Like I said, I've tried entering the site with a clean browser.  In any case, if I use the same computer under a different IP address, I have no problems accessing the site.

Of course, I leave open the possibility that it's just a technical glitch.  That's why I wrote to Christian and Shane about it, and that's why I'm asking if anyone else has the same problem.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[chrisrosenb]

To get to the list of online dealers you enter your zip code to get a list of your local dealers.
Near the bottom of the page that lists the local dealers, there is a link to the online dealers.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Nick, the other site has nothing to do with this discussion. 

Hmm - it could well be relevant...

If Festool gave a link to FOG, then "a certain other Festool forum" might ask for a link too. I reckon Festool would have difficulty in refusing their request, so Festool could end up providing links to both forums.

Since some people will undoubtedly end up joining "a certain other Festool forum" rather than FOG, the campaign to pressurise Festool to "advertise" FOG could backfire a little bit!

Forrest

[Just noticed that Steve Jones wrote along similar lines a few minutes before in the parallel thread "The FOG should be linked from the Festool site"

 

[nickao]

I disagree! It is relevant. I believe what I believe and I said I had emails saying the other forum was planning to take over this forums position. I can put two and two together.

When the other forum is linked to the Festool site and this one is not, then what will be said?

I will take names out of my post, but again I believe what I believe and I think certain people from festool are backing the other forum to try and replace this forum. Which goes hand in hand with the Festool site banning Matthew and NOT linking the FOG anymore. Isn't that the first step that would be taken?

Is that such a stretch?

 

[MiterMaster]

I agree with Matthew, this is the perfect place and time to discuss this subject and see no reason why it would need to be a private matter between Festool and himself.  This thread was and is about the new Festool USA site, and from what I see it does in fact appear Matthew has been blocked from it.

Look at the facts, his main IP is unable to get onto the site, his alternate IP is, I'm not a computer tech & I can tell you that he's been blocked.  Let us know if and when you hear back from Festool as to the reason why.

Mike

 

[nickao]

Hi all!

I will be posting tool info and project info, so please do not say this should not be talked about here. I will equal it out with tool related posts and I always am quick to try and answer questions. I do not post just to fight, please read my posts in most I try to be  helpful and talk about the tools etc.

Lets act like a group. I think the forum is more than a dictionary or encyclopedia for information. I thought we were friends at least "internet friends" and friends back up their friends.

Banning one of our  members, let alone the site administrator who actually started the idea of a Festool forum, is a smear against this group. Some can ignore it and just look through the posts like it is an encyclopedia, but that is not all I want to do.  I like to sit and talk with friends that have a Festool interest and support the group and that should entail defending the group and doing things to make  the group and forum better.

Having a link from the Festool site to me is a plus and being taken off is a slap in the face. If you do not care that they did this great!

If you do not like me defending the group and think it is a distraction then  do not read my posts relating to this.

I just hate when people bring that up, SIMPLY DO NOT READ  POSTS if your concerns differ form the posters.

 

[BarryL]

Nikao I am with you and agree on the approach you have to show what we are made of!  I don't have half the skills you have but with that I will say I am glad you are back and posting...we all have much to learn from you and many others here.  There is a lot of talent here...and a lot of greenhorns aspiring to learn...that's what makes this a great place.  Staying objective on all counts is what will make us better.  By the way, I think it is awesome that you speak out in support of our administrator.  After all, without his efforts, this would not exist.  There was a lot of hard work and time spent to bring this about....when I first found this site after I bought my Festool tools, I felt like I found gold and was thankful it existed...many people are (unbelievably)quick to overlook that and even turn their backs on that!  Good job I say!

I should add....for all those who are in support of Matthew and this great site I commend you all the same...you see the real deal!

 

[peter halle]

Gentlemen:

Why is it that we all have a degree here in mind f___ing ourselves.  I, just like many of you, am/ are interested in what has happened, however, isn't it fair to ask the questions of the appropriate party and give them a chance to respond.  The internet is a wonderful thing, but perhaps expectations on one party's end (ours) might not be totally realistic.

I offer the following:

Why don't we wait to see if Matthew's problem gaining access is temporary versus permanent.  Glitches happen.  JUst as Matthew asks us to notify him of problems versus assuming anything, perhaps we should give the same courtesy to Festool.

Regarding the missing link on the Festool USA web page - maybe it was an innocent ommission or a corporate decison to not link to anything with the words Festool in its name.  Maybe that was a decision following up with their decision to protect their trademark.  Isn't that their decission just as it woul be mine or yours if the website if it was ours?

If you really want to get an answer from Festool why the link is not there, don't waste your time asking it here - go direct - send Festool an email.  Don't vent an ask yo9ur questions here if you want an answer - go to the source yourself.

There are many things going one that would seem to be strange - I admit that.  I don't want to debate it.  Matthew has busted his bund to set up this site and maintain it.  It appears that that in my mind that it is an invreasingly less thankful job, so

Thank you Matthew.  But more so - thank you to all the contributors who have offered time and advice through out all the thousands of pages here.

In closing - please don't read into something until you have all the facts.

Peter