10 August 2009

A farewell to Rioting

| johnboy
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[First filed: August 07, 2009 @ 14:21]

A bit over a year ago I was living on seven mile beach with a girlfriend I loved very much and a wonderful dog. I was doing interesting work building a freelance journalism and PR practice that was starting to take off.

Most evenings we’d get home from work, take the dog to the beach, take it in turns to go for a surf, throw a ball for the dog, come home and cook dinner together before settling down on the couch to watch something fun.

Then I chose to come back to Canberra to run RiotACT full time (having started it back in 2000).

In large part thanks to the pressures involved the girlfriend is now gone and taken up with someone I’d thought was a friend.

The dog is being sent off for trial stays with families that might want him. I’m living in a scungy share house.

And as of Sunday week I’m out of a job.

As life choices go, it’s hard to imagine one more catastrophically poor.

But it’s not all doom and gloom.

(More, and a slideshow)


Confessions of a blogger:

There’s a lot of wittering in media navel gazing circles about how the internet allows anyone to start a media outlet.

They’re right to an extent. It lowers the cost of distribution to the point that googleads should cover anyone’s hosting costs.

They’re totally wrong about what happens if one part way succeeds.

Lawyers, accountants, and ad reps all cost money. Lots and lots of money.

Advertisers rarely read the websites their staff are constantly clicking on, they’re too busy running a business. So the poor old ad rep has to explain to Barry’s Blinds why they should get a share of the money being spent on established mastheads.

Then there’s the cost of your own time creating the content once the work grows beyond a spare time operation. Many people don’t realise that even the simplest story linking to other sources takes time to create. In better financed outfits there are multiple levels of organisation to correct errors, moderate views, handle the photography, edit the audio etc. I’ve edited the copy of “real journalists”. Believe it or not RiotACT has, by way of comparison, been astonishingly clean for a solo operation. (With a quick cheer to our readers who kindly email in any little booboos that sneak through).

The thousands of readers a day who keep coming back every day bear testament to that.

But if someone was to start out trying to build a news website today (if I liked them), I’d wish them an early failure.

A few months of tedious slog, the realisation that just because everyone can read your words doesn’t mean that anyone is reading at all, give up, get back to life without any serious damage.

But if they’re seriously unlucky they hit a nerve, build a readership, start setting the agenda for other media, and getting a few (but not enough) advertisers knocking on their door.

And then the aspiring blogger discovers they’ve laid down the welcome mat to a howling tide of nutters and weirdos demanding the megaphone (which the throng played no part in building) be shared with them.

Some nutters are easy to spot. They’re incomprehensible from the get go. Others come in full of enthusiasm seduced by a sense of community, and then when they don’t get their way on some minor issue flare up in an incandescent display of aggrieved self-entitlement.

In a bigger organisation dealing with “problem readers” gets compartmentalised. Someone else answers the phone, answers the email.

In a one man office the screaming mass flows in without help or support.

Someone has to make decisions, there’s only one person to do it, and the maladjusted will flood in with their petty gripes, neuroses, and conspiracies.

In the last year I’ve been threatened by murderers, been the subject of multiple facebook hate groups, taken no end of thuggish phone calls, been named as part of a reptoid conspiracy, memorably had a policeman fantasise about whipping me, been the subject of graffiti, and on a bad day will take dozens of petulant emails from angry nutjobs (not to mention my personal fave, the moderated comments made as personal abuse screaming “WHY HAVE I BEEN SILENCED!?”). Readers might be interested to learn that bad days mostly coincide with full moons, sequential hot days, or sequential days with limited sunlight.

Online business is filled with mirages as well as riches. The water is always visible, just another step ahead.


The bright road ahead:

This isn’t the end for RiotACT though. While I’m off to get another job there’s lots of life in the old girl yet.

As of Monday we’re entering a reduced operations mode. All comments and submitted stories will be in moderation for more occasional clearance by the team.

With a bit of luck those who come here for conversation rather than information will head off to afflict some other place, and comments will address (as they should) the original post. That isn’t to say that when valid and relevant points are raised later comments shouldn’t refer to and expand on them. I know a great many readers will view this part, at least, as a positive and welcome development.

I will, future employer permitting, keep posting stories of interest to me, but it won’t be as many and they won’t be as timely.


The good times:

Having said all that, regrets aside, the last year has not been a waste. I’ve met amazing people, made astonishingly wonderful friends. I’ve also been to a lot of cracking parties.

RiotACT has fired the starter’s gun for a lot of issues that would otherwise have been ignored. We’ve covered more real news with our microscopic resources than many other more lavishly funded and staffed operations in this town.

We’d like to take some small part of the credit for the resurgence of interest in local original music in this town, and from that the creation of the vibrant scene so many of us love.

We’ve challenged a lot of people’s preconceptions and even changed a few minds on important issues. (What surprised me to learn along the way is that a lot of people don’t read news to learn new things, they go to the news to have their existing prejudices confirmed. These people get confused and angry when presented with new ideas. Hopefully we’ve expanded their minds in some tiny way, they seem to keep coming back for more. Although they are still angry.)

In terms of readership it’s been a phenomenal year (plus a few weeks) for a website addressing only the Canberra locality.

Visits rose 100% from the previous period: From 876,942 to 1,760,884.

Pageviews were substantially better than 100% improved: From 2,455,179 up to 5,106,374.

Absolute unique visitors were similar: Rising from 289,891 to 580,394 (obviously there was some visitation from outside the ACT and people accessing the site from multiple machines).

Average time on site also rose a stunning 26 seconds from 4:15 to 4:41.

There’s not a website editor anywhere who wouldn’t kill for those kinds of growth numbers for an established website, and with no money spent on marketing.

Exposure in other media has also been great. We’ve been treated wonderfully by ChannelVision and the ABC’s Stateline. The regular spot on 2XX has been joined by two shorter weekly spots with Mike Welsh on 2CC.

So I’m walking out the door with my head held high.

(Although I should note that I’ll still be here for the next week documenting process and getting the new regime bedded down with the other members of the RiotACT team)


And the Oscar goes to…

Beyond that there are people I’d like to thank.

First beyond equals has to be RiotACT’s Che. No sane person could hope to have a better friend next to them in a crisis. He’s been going above and beyond in his offers to help me out of crap since we were teenagers and without his intervention I’d be royally screwed right now.

Jazz and Kramer have also put in huge amounts of work for little reward, take a bow guys.

The team at Culturazi.com have been immensely supportive and made a heroic offer to keep this show on the road in the last week despite in some ways being a competitor. Sadly it was not to be. But the effort is hugely appreciated Jim and Sharkey.

The Rat Patrol have been the finest bunch it’s ever been my privilege to cut, grind, weld, drink and ride with. I’m humbled to be able to call such an amazing group of people my friends.

It’s not possible to make a list such as this without crediting Matty Ellis of the Ellis Collective. A constant source of inspiration, support, and free beers. I’m eternally sorry that my photography has been a source of embarrassment. When the howling tide has risen, knowing that you were behind me kept me laying sandbags.

I’d also like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, Velocity Internet. To my view they’re Canberra’s best ISP when you’ve got serious needs and need to deal with serious people. Without their quality hosting there would be no Riot.

A special mention also needs to go to Kieran from Adventure Paintball. He has been with us as an advertiser since the days when we sold ads for cases of beer. He’s also been an invaluable source of information for all matters paintball.

Any mention of advertisers is not complete without a hats off to All Classifieds. Unusual in our experience of Canberra business people they make rational decisions fast and execute them faster. A class act all round and we truly appreciate their unconditional support.

All of our thousands of regular readers need to give themselves a pat on the back. Not so much the wind beneath our wings as the oxygen in the fire.

[Pass me the tissues…]

Finally, at the risk of extreme cheese I really would like to thank my parents. Should I get the chance to raise children I can only pray that I’ll do half as good a job. Sorry about the lack of grandchildren but that work ethic you gave me has to date worked against it.


Where now?

So what next for me? Well I’ve got good experience in both PR and Government Relations (And the mistakes one can make in this town without both are spectacular and regrettable. Try calling the minister a bastard on TV to get your media coverage and see how you go with getting a result).

Also an old hand at executing robust IT projects under budget, and on time. Solid photography skills, along with video and audio capture and editing.

Failing that; excellent in the photocopy room, and can reliably take phone messages. Will make coffee any which way you like it.

I can’t find a source for it, but my brother once recounted the tale of when a Hollywood producer told Errol Flynn “You’ll never work in this town again”. Flynn replied “Maybe I won’t, but I will work”.

(CV available on request, just email john@the-riotact.com)


Signing off:

So… [Drum roll please, don’t want to fluff my line now…]

It’s definitely been unforgettable.

[Always wanted to say this bit…]

Good night, and good luck.

(To take us out here’s a slideshow of my highlights from the last year. Recommended soundtrack Something Vague by Bright Eyes.)

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switch said :

Did we ever find out why JB was taking an angle grinder to the bicycle forks?

a hacksaw is too slow?

bundah said :

The thing that is questionable is whether is was wise of the moderator to regularly condone personal insults and what effect it had on the demise of RA?

There’s that theme again…

Pork Hunt said :

bundah said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

dungfungus said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

You also had a metric buttload of more posters back then. I never really noticed the decline.

Fix that.

You never noticed the decline because you were too busy noticing all your own stuff, most of it being negative or dismissive.
Did you ever hear that old saying “you never learn anything when you only listen to your own voice”?
People like you have ruined this blog.

I would say it’s more the psychotics and constant abusive comments that ruined this site. Something I never did!

I hardly think that CGN’s minimalistic,flippant and at times irritating “source” remarks had any bearing on the status quo. The thing that is questionable is whether is was wise of the moderator to regularly condone personal insults and what effect it had on the demise of RA?

Bundah me old mate, where the McF#%k have you been? Thought you were dead!

Well I pretty much was as far as RA was concerned, Don’t tell me you missed my quips and innuendos….

bundah said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

dungfungus said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

You also had a metric buttload of more posters back then. I never really noticed the decline.

Fix that.

You never noticed the decline because you were too busy noticing all your own stuff, most of it being negative or dismissive.
Did you ever hear that old saying “you never learn anything when you only listen to your own voice”?
People like you have ruined this blog.

I would say it’s more the psychotics and constant abusive comments that ruined this site. Something I never did!

I hardly think that CGN’s minimalistic,flippant and at times irritating “source” remarks had any bearing on the status quo. The thing that is questionable is whether is was wise of the moderator to regularly condone personal insults and what effect it had on the demise of RA?

Bundah me old mate, where the McF#%k have you been? Thought you were dead!

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

dungfungus said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

You also had a metric buttload of more posters back then. I never really noticed the decline.

Fix that.

You never noticed the decline because you were too busy noticing all your own stuff, most of it being negative or dismissive.
Did you ever hear that old saying “you never learn anything when you only listen to your own voice”?
People like you have ruined this blog.

I would say it’s more the psychotics and constant abusive comments that ruined this site. Something I never did!

I hardly think that CGN’s minimalistic,flippant and at times irritating “source” remarks had any bearing on the status quo. The thing that is questionable is whether is was wise of the moderator to regularly condone personal insults and what effect it had on the demise of RA?

Did we ever find out why JB was taking an angle grinder to the bicycle forks?

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd4:57 pm 30 Jan 14

dungfungus said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

You also had a metric buttload of more posters back then. I never really noticed the decline.

Fix that.

You never noticed the decline because you were too busy noticing all your own stuff, most of it being negative or dismissive.
Did you ever hear that old saying “you never learn anything when you only listen to your own voice”?
People like you have ruined this blog.

I would say it’s more the psychotics and constant abusive comments that ruined this site. Something I never did!

I think the site got caught up in a bit of a bind. It took a low-bar approach to allowing user-generated content or user comments published. That meant a stream of ‘articles’ that were little more than clickbait, as well as offensive or abusive comments that might later be reined in by other comments or editorial intervention by the mods. In some cases, people now complaining about the moderators allowing abusive posting helped kick things off by their own abusive or trolling behaviours.

For me, the best parts of the site were the really-local things (like good tradespeople recommendations, local events). I’d pay for a site more focussed on that, with better standards of content and comment, but not for the current model. In particular, I’d want to see less fact-free, clickbaiting user-generated content, published to generate comment and page views only.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

You also had a metric buttload of more posters back then. I never really noticed the decline.

Fix that.

You never noticed the decline because you were too busy noticing all your own stuff, most of it being negative or dismissive.
Did you ever hear that old saying “you never learn anything when you only listen to your own voice”?
People like you have ruined this blog.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd6:25 am 30 Jan 14

farq said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

You also had a metric buttload of more posters back then. I never really noticed the decline.

Fix that.

Yeah it seems like there are less people contributing to the threads. For the last couple of years most threads seem to be mostly just you quoting someone and shitposting something useless.

Can we fix that?

Source?

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

You also had a metric buttload of more posters back then. I never really noticed the decline.

Fix that.

Yeah it seems like there are less people contributing to the threads. For the last couple of years most threads seem to be mostly just you quoting someone and shitposting something useless.

Can we fix that?

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd8:53 pm 29 Jan 14

You also had a metric buttload of more posters back then. I never really noticed the decline.

Fix that.

farq said :

REMEMBER WHEN THIS HAPPENED?

Ah the golden days.

Way to resurrect a dead thread, Farq! 😀

TheBusDriver1:10 pm 29 Jan 14

This reminds me of those closing down sales that a lot of businesses have. All doom and gloom, oh we’re broke, oh we’re closing down, come get some closing down bargains. Then a year or so later you notice they’re still around. Two years later they have another closing down sale. You consider the bargains first time around, and maybe second time around but third time around you recognise them for the crap and start not to belive them.
JB, this would be the third time you’ve said you’re leaving the Riot Act. I hope you can understand why I have my doubts.

its the second, and last time john did leave us for a while but we enticed him back.

What sort of dog is it?

Thanks and very best of luck, JB. You’ll be sorely missed.

It is with some ambivalence that this news brings particularly given that I cancelled my paid membership some 5 months ago due to an ongoing difference of opinion on selective targeting by a particular rioter and the moderation choices made by JB.

That being said I would acknowledge that, generally speaking, JB did a bloody good job and I wish him all the best in his future ventures.

Oh how times have changed!

Jazz said :

Sure will Feathergirl 🙂 Have always been here just deferring to JB’s editorial experience while i focussed on other things

Jazz: But seriously, everyone is hoping the-riotact rises again.

So am I, just trying to work out how

REMEMBER WHEN THIS HAPPENED?

Ah the golden days.

Woody Man-Caruso
You have missed the point, and twisting circumstances for unfortunate kids with cancer

I’m sure you are in line for a sainthood with your amount of self sacrifice

JB, the success of this site is testament to your management/leadership style and skill set. Sorry to hear about the girlfriend and dog, but what doesn’t kill us…

All the best in your future endeavours.

Thanks for your tireless contributions over the years JB. I’m sure I’ll see you pop up in a prominent place in the Australian media before too long. Take care.

Muttsybignuts9:13 pm 10 Aug 09

JB – Thanks for the good times…and the bad.Best wishes.

Jazz – the king is dead! Long live the king ( if you’re a bloke). Best wishes.

For those of you wondering what you can do to contribute, just click on that big blue “Post an item” button at the top of the page.

Beserk Keyboard Warrior said :
Wow. It didn’t take long for Riot Act to start sucking once JB left. Suddenly my comments are being moderated for no apparent reason. I can’t see the site staying in my favourites folder at this rate.

JB said : As of Monday we’re entering a reduced operations mode. All comments and submitted stories will be in moderation for more occasional clearance by the team.

Maybe if you read the OP you wouldn’t be getting so worked up. Its not always about you.

Sorry to see you go JB. Good luck with your future endeavours – I’m sure you’ll do just fine!! Make sure you come back to visit us!!!! You will be missed. 🙂

DarkLadyWolfMother1:28 pm 10 Aug 09

Ok, the article is still here, so it’s not my fevered imagination.

Take care, JB, and I hope the new direction works out for you. Yours will be some interesting shoes to fill.

I’m also selfishly hoping that RA will go from strength to strength anyway 🙂

The way of all things!

Thanks for everything, JB!

Sure will Feathergirl 🙂 Have always been here just deferring to JB’s editorial experience while i focussed on other things

Oh JB I just read…. who will keep me company and up to date with the Canberra goss at home now? Riotact is like good old ship and you are the captain. You’ll be sorely missed by this little Feathergirl. I’m sure if you put all the thanks and well wishes from this article in your CV you’ll get any job you aspire to.

I do look foward to finding out the future of Riotact. I started reading when Jazz was at the helm and grew fond of him too. I hope you’ll be back to guide us Jazz?

JB,

You have done a great job setting up a running this site. The RiotACT has become part of my daily routine, I can only hope that it continues into the future without your benevolent guiding hand.

I know it probably doesn’t help, but even Rupert Murdoch can’t spin a buck from his ventures on the web.

Best of luck with the future.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy8:10 am 10 Aug 09

JB, despite having disagreements over moderation, I really believe you have done something great here. You have formed a diverse community that operates without the usual politically correct restraints. And that is very special.

All the best mate.

VYBerlinaV8.

PS. Email me you cv, I’ll flick it through to our project management guys.

Master_Bates7:58 am 10 Aug 09

Take care JB – It has been an amazing ride

Wow! didn’t see that one coming. was it something I said? best of luck JB, who will Dolly have digs at now?

from little things big things grow.

may there be many more beers to come.

This site has been the primary source of ACT information for me since moving to Canberra 6 years ago and has become one of my alltime favourite websites.

As well as being a constant source of entertainment, I have become a somewhat font of information when referring friends and colleagues to here.

I hope this means that there’s good things in your immediate future JB an I wish you all the best.

sheesh, a chap sidles off to sinney for a weekend’s revelry and comes home to this news.

at least we’re romping in in the crikkut – hope everything works out for you, jb, especially with the dog (and too the g/f) and thanks so much for such a scintillating effort rioting with and for us.

godspeed… ; )

I can’t remember how long I’ve been reading RiotACT, but as my author id is 124 I know it’s been a damn long time.

The thing that always drew me back was the high standard of JB’s contributions, whether it be through the stories or in the discussions. You and the rest of the RiotACT team have built up one hell of a beast, and congratulations for that.

So JB, good luck in the future, and I’ll look forward to the occasional post from you.

As a lurker and regular poster (in several different personas), I have been grateful for what RA has provided.

Your presence will be missed but I am sure that RA is resilient enough to rise from the ashes, perhaps re-make itself, and continue to be the volks-press for Canberra in the absence of anything else worthwhile.

Good luck JB, and welcome to the expanded role for the other Overlords.

Bad luck for us because your more than full time effort was more than we deserved. Nor should anyone have had to suffer the undeserved abuse that has come your way. Best wishes for your future career. Hope to see the occasional story and comment in the future from johnboy.

Looking forward to your email fhakk 😉

Spam Box said :

Give him a job then

Who says I can’t? There’s Fairfax, Macquarie, News Ltd, ABC and SBS, all looking for people with his skills. Hell, even Crikey is an option.

Depends on how many enemies he’s made, however.

Johnboy, best of luck.

I would also like to offer my apologies if the real reason for your depature has something to do with the “WARNING: Johnboy is a reptoid. Apparently” story I posted. Where it was the kid that outed you as a reptoid in his flyers, I feel responsible for making it more widely known.

Have a nice flight home – where ever that may be.

All the best with whatever adventures your life holds in the future JB. I have been more of a lurker than a poster but have appreciated that you have put so much time and energy into RA.

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

I believe in Karma! What goes around comes around.

Yeah, it really shows those kids with cancer who’s boss in the universe.

Well said, Woody!

JB…this is disastrous news. I would never post a comment on RA at 9.30am on a Sunday morning unless it was something really important. And this (your news, not my post) is.

Let me simply say as a spokesman in this town for a long time for a number of major organisations/players, you’ve made RA the best damn community billboard — you leave the likes of the Crimes and commercial radio/TV a very distant last. And you’ve been great to work with when issues have arisen, opportunities have presented, chances have been taken and so on.

You should have little difficulty securing yourself a paying gig with a goverment/agency PR or issues management outfit (if that’s your inclination), or simply writing for some comms team in town. Bon chance.

Woody Mann-Caruso8:51 am 09 Aug 09

I believe in Karma! What goes around comes around.

Yeah, it really shows those kids with cancer who’s boss in the universe.

dvaey said :

Im partly saddened that monthly memberships werent available. While $50 is a chunk from my budget (just ask JB now, how much $50 is to an unemployed person), I would very happily contribute $5/month to keep this site going. If such an option was available, I would liked to have thought that enough people wouldve taken it up, to give those who run this great site enough of an income to at least cover their costs and a little extra for beer money.

Its on the to do list Dvaey. Amongst JB’s other pearls of wisdom he should have mentioned how difficult it is to build a beast like RiotACT while maintaining full time day jobs 😉

onya jb.
canberra doesn’t know how lucky it is to have a site like RA.

I see the Canberra Times couldn’t resist sticking the knife in one last time when reporting Johnboy’s departure.

I believe in Karma! What goes around comes around.

fhakk said :

Ye gods…

I leave Canberra for eight months and a stalwart of the city’s media fraternity is forced to make a decision like this…

I don’t know how many people lurking here are journos, but I know that Johnboy has given all of the media outlets in Canberra a run for their money (myself included) with his enthusiasm and his strong moral compass.

Your summary about the nature of the beast is spot-on, and should serve as a must-read for anyone else brave enough to replicate this experiment.

Beers and ideas are on the way.

Give him a job then

I hope the new riot act has more class then this one! Also a heart

Ye gods…

I leave Canberra for eight months and a stalwart of the city’s media fraternity is forced to make a decision like this…

I don’t know how many people lurking here are journos, but I know that Johnboy has given all of the media outlets in Canberra a run for their money (myself included) with his enthusiasm and his strong moral compass.

Your summary about the nature of the beast is spot-on, and should serve as a must-read for anyone else brave enough to replicate this experiment.

Beers and ideas are on the way.

Holden Caulfield7:36 pm 08 Aug 09

Shitballs, this news sucks quite a bit. Sorry to hear of your off-Riot issues JB.

Chin up and here’s to a better day tomorrow.

Hey fair enough and good luck to you

Personally, I found you to be an arrogant egoist most of the time and a whiny little prick at others.

That said, you ran this place well and I wish you all the best in the future

I really do 🙂

Despite being on permanent moderation I will still wish you all the best for the future, JB.

Hope everything works out for you on your new path.

Sad to see you go. Been great seeing you around here the past year.

JB, sorry to see you go, all the best for the future.

Good luck for the future – to JB, Riotact – and the dog.

Bugger!!!! Good luck.

Granny got it right again – we might be rabble, but we’re your rabble at heart.

Who now to keep the rabble roused? Granny and grundy and jessieduck and jazz and Kramer and Deadmandrinking and clownkiller and Pommy Bastard and VB_berlina and Woody Mann-Caruso and toriness and the rest of us owe it to you to keep riotACT alive for all the murmurers and howlers who’ve stumbled here like the zombies we all secretly yearn to be.

Could anyone else have built this place? Your stories and your opinions and your mild remonstrations while gently moderating have given RiotACT its foundation and its shape, leaving the rest of its wide open spaces to fill with such a diversity of characters as may only have been encountered in the Irish diaspora after the great Potato Famine.

Missed indeed…

jessieduck said :

Good question Grundy- aside from being premium members (which any of your that aren’t already should try to do if you can afford it) what can the people who really get a lot from this website do to contribute?

Im partly saddened that monthly memberships werent available. While $50 is a chunk from my budget (just ask JB now, how much $50 is to an unemployed person), I would very happily contribute $5/month to keep this site going. If such an option was available, I would liked to have thought that enough people wouldve taken it up, to give those who run this great site enough of an income to at least cover their costs and a little extra for beer money.

All the best for the future!

JB, I’ve followed RA for about 5 years, logging on daily. The CTs and SMH hit my front lawn every morning but its RA that I go to first; it’s a great community resource.

All the very best.

YYY

Thanks for the time and effort you’ve put into this forum.

And to quote an old favourite: “Let’s be careful out there.”

Good question Grundy- aside from being premium members (which any of your that aren’t already should try to do if you can afford it) what can the people who really get a lot from this website do to contribute?

All the best for the future JB. You’re a great writer!

Now the question is… What can the RA communicty do to keep the site as lively and successful as it was under JB?

🙂

I’m ready to help!

Woody Mann-Caruso11:21 am 08 Aug 09

woody wanders
weary
through the winding ways of woden
and wonders
what’s on this weekend?
what was that wailing in watson
on wednesday?
wherefore are thou walton son?
but there was only
the wind

For this news, I remembered my password and logged in. This town has farewelled some good ones – think Meninga, Daley, Gregan, Larkham (and that’s just the sports people). We get back on our feet, eventually, butthings just aren’t quite the same. JB’s departure is much the same, but for a more select audience. Whatever you do, just do it with care and passion you brought to RA and success is a given.

Like many, I read continuously, post occassionally when the story stirs my spirit. Always find RA interesting and informative, my main source of info and insight. Will seriously miss your input, but respect you, your creation, and your right to the life you would like to have. Best of luck with whatever you choose to do.

Bye JB. WE’ll miss your idiosyncractic articles and your non-partisan of the world.

Who’s gonna break the big stories now?

All the best Johnboy, you seem like you are someone who will land on their feet. Will miss your keen journalistic eye for real stories that the CT pick up later, what will they do without you?

Have to agree with post #14 – I’ve been concerned for your personal safety after shit fights here and think you’re a VERY brave and courageous man. Sometimes I’ve wondered about your disregard for the consequences of not staying more incognito. Extraordinary effort as overlord.

#45 Granny I’m Rabble and I’m not johnboy’s Rabble.

#84 I’ve also never been in moderation.

For all the doom it’s ending posters. Riotact won’t wither and die. It’s up to the hive mind now. While some might wish we could be silenced – they can dream on.

With regards to girlfriend, dog and walks on the beach – suck it up mate – there’s a lifetime of choices to make, women to meet and dogs to rescue. No regrets.

Long live The Riotact +1.

Pandy here: Have not agreed with all of your views and whims, but that’s people. We are a diverse, weired bunch. You did give Canberrans a place for robust debate which at times was useful and ground breaking. And you gave groundbreaking news. Thankyou. After hearing you speak I am certain you will have a career on radio or a quality paper. I cannot believe that there are nutters out there wanting to harm you. So take care and best of luck.

“And that’s the way it was”

Good luck with your dog

My weekend is shattered!

All the best JB.

Everything is said.

Here endeth an era.

Long live The RiotACT.

\controversy This is as bad as when Kilby and his mate left breakfast radio all those years ago \end controvesy

about time you got a real job !

Thanks for assurance on the “reduced operations mode”. All the best as the new Overlord Jazz.

Just to clear up a possible misconception i’ve read into some of the comments above. RiotACT will still be here monday, and the day after that, and pending some unforseen defamation case for someone’s ill thought out comment, the day after that too 🙂

Circumstance has conspired to force our hand.

Cheers Johnboy, local news was never this good. Pause for respectful silence…

…There it is.

Thanks for what RA is to me- a consolidated summary of all things Canberran. Sh*t, do I now have to start reading that stupid Chronicle thing that comes wrapped in plastic and thrown into the garden every few weeks! Its all primary school fetes, real estate and prostitutes with “massage qualifications”. Or the Canberra Times. Come back!

Best of luck in all you do.

JB- #1 to 102 said……….and I concur.

You have done an amazing job, on a site that only Canberrans could be so compassionate about, and hold too heart as Canberrans do so well. What will all us Pubes do instead of work now…jokes. I have managed to get a handful of like minded Canberrans interested in this site in the short time I have been a contributer, and hope they, like I stick around, as do you as the Riot Lord. We have given each other as fellow Rioters some crap,support and laughs over time. I plan on hanging around the Riotact, and I hope others do to.

So from this worldy thinking bunch of Rioters, we say salute, Ciao, Tchuss, zai jian and see ya!

JB – go back to the beginning and walk on the beach to clear your head. You’ve done more in the past 12 months than most people do in a lifetime.

If you need a CV, just copy & paste all the comments above.

Bye JB – you’ve been great and put a lot of effort into this site. Miss you already. xoxoxo

Good luck, mate.

You’ll do fine.

And so ends another chapter in Canberra’s history. Oh well, at least we’ll have another thing to talk about when there is a lull in conversation. “Hey, remember The-RiotAct? How cool was that!”.

Later JB, all the best.

Oh, thanks for putting me onto the Zierholz Brewery… I love that place.

Johnboy. I took you, and this site, for granted….
I pray that you excel, equal or beyond this, in your future.

Thanks JB, not only have I become a regular RA hanger-on during the past 12 months but I also PROUDLY signed up for premium membership. To the others that free-load the service; get real – it takes bucket loads of hard work to create the content that feeds us all. Cough up (and well done to the others that already did).

Stay away from those polluting powerstations and stay healthy. 😉
http://www.nopowerstation.com

you’ve done a great job running the site jb, good luck.

Really sorry to hear you are going JB. You made such a difference.

Anything I want to say has already been said 100 times above. I found this site and its soapbox right-of-reply style something unique and important in this day and age. You provided that service to us all, and through your tireless efforts have improved this site immensely over the years Ive been reading it.

I hope RiotACT continues in some form. What you have started John, is too valuable an asset to the Canberra region community to lose. I will continue to visit and hope one day for your possible return to bring RiotACT back to its glory.

To echo others, I feel sorry to have not had a premium membership due to budget, but partly wish youd had monthly memberships to allow more of us to contribute small amounts to our favourite website and you its centrepiece.

Seeya John and good luck. I know I haven’t always agreed with you, in fact, rarely, but that’s the beauty of the society we live in.

(And can you please stop moderating my comments now, I’ve learned my lesson)

JB, to steal a bit from the greatest tv show of all, Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.

I feel like a piece of me has been taken away. I hope you come back someday JB though I doubt you will.

canberra bureaucrat9:19 pm 07 Aug 09

Farewell (kind of), and thank you for your rioting.

I hope this represents your personal situation, and not the failure of this great model for local news and commentary.

GardeningGirl8:50 pm 07 Aug 09

Best wishes for the future Johnboy.

screaming banshee8:50 pm 07 Aug 09

A sad day indeed. All the best for the future JB, it just wont be a riot without you.

You should definitely get picked up by Crikey or some other web space. You ARE the personality of this site. Sorry (really really sorry) to see you go. Sob. And I’m so sorry your personal life took a beating as well. Maybe you should have married her while you had the chance. Next time, don’t wait! Hop on the honeymoon train. (woo woo) Wishing you all the success you deserve, professional and personal. And please, do let us know if you pick up something that we can all support you doing. Ruling the world, running a web site etc

Johnboy FTW.

RiotAct FTW.

You’ve done an amazing job, and should be immensely proud. Won’t be the same without you mate.

Mate, i’ll never forget the fun we had in Port Kembla & 7mile beach! It’s been an honour reading your work 🙂

G.

Well done on such a great job John. I started reading the site when you were down the coast and saw the improvement to the site once you came back. I just hope we get someone to keep the rabble in check as you’ve done.

It’s sad to see you go, but best of luck in whatever it is you decide to do.

…and say hello to all on the Reptoid homeworld.

AngryHenry said :

To whoever caused this, suck a turd to a point and stab yourself with it.

Straight to the pool room – that is gold.

best of luck in the future.

hope one day you come back, so i have someplace local i can troll.

I also stumbled on RA via a google search. Like so many others it has become part of my daily routine. RA introduced me to the “other” Canberra where having a balanced, logical, non leftist view did not put you in the minority. Where news was factually reported without bias or favour – unlike many other local media outlets

John, thanks for your efforts and all the best in the future.

Sorry to hear that Johnboy, you’ve been great on the Riot Act. I wish you all the best and hope that within time, your ‘ex’ will wake up one day and realise she made a big mistake. Either that, she might have done you a favour…remember, one door closes and another door opens. As for the so called friend…what a bastard. I hope he is really proud of himself. You’re better off without them both and sound like they deserve each other.

I hope you find a job but don’t give up – keep your head held high mate.

All the best….Bronto and Goose!

I’m missing you already, come back!!!

You should be very proud of your achievements. All the best with your next venture.

Thanks.

Adios jb. I’m sure there are many high class escorts and dungeons ready to pay good money for the S&M tutelage you can provide.

grunge_hippy6:46 pm 07 Aug 09

In large part thanks to the pressures involved the girlfriend is now gone and taken up with someone I’d thought was a friend.

The dog is being sent off for trial stays with families that might want him. I’m living in a scungy share house.

Well that explains why you’re a cranky bastard most of the time…

best of luck.

Good luck John. Canberra will be the poorer
AK

PS Am I allowed to go off topic and start developing a conspiracy theory for your departure?

Hells_Bells746:31 pm 07 Aug 09

Ouch! That bites!

Johnboy, I know I’m most probably (definitely in my mind) annoying to you but I can’t even put into words how much I love reading your posts and the comments that ensue. (I read everything in here, it’s sad!)

As for all the conspiracy and shit, don’t sweat it, it’s the internet, it’s rife, it controls our minds, just like telly always did (much worse in the other sites of the world than this one). It’s probably all crap but we can’t help but get taken in sometimes and it’s entertaining to some. Anyone who threatened you is a coward and has no life.

Good luck with everything you do.

I’ll still be reading your stuff any chance I’m given. (no stalker here either)

Thanks
Belinda

**Someone in this sometimes Godforsaken place somewhere had better come up with a secure enough place that nobody gets shouted at for Johnboy to have some farewell drinks! Or Canberra should hang it’s head in shame.

Bugger, Mate you made a difference to Canberra, a BIG difference, You were appreciated respected and admired as are Jazz and Che etc. I fervently hope Riot continues and all the best for the future JB.

And even a little more respect now I notice the shirt you’re wearing whilst attacking the bike

Good luck in your future endeavours. We’ve had our moments, but we wouldn’t have had them if you didn’t create the environment for it. I am grateful for that

Love your work … place won’t be the same without you JB.

Good luck wherever you end up!

old canberran6:08 pm 07 Aug 09

Good luck young fella. From what I have seen of you here I have no doubt you will survive and do it well. You have intelligence, ability and people sense as evidenced by the success of this forum. Shame about the girlfriend and the dog but that’s life.

JB you’ve done an AMAZING job. I apologise for not signing up to premium and contributing some $$$$.

moneypenny26125:47 pm 07 Aug 09

Dammit.

As a recent convert, now daily reader & occasional poster, this announcement makes me sad.

Indeed, I’ve read this post and started crying. And I don’t even know you.

See, you’ve made an impact. (Don’t worry – I’m not a cyber-stalker, just hopelessly sentimental)

Thanks very much Johnboy – for all your dedication and selfless work. It can’t have been easy.

Look forward to reading your pot-shots from the slidelines, etc.

Best of luck in your new endeavours.

Cheers to you!

JB, you need to admit the truth. The Reptoids have called you back to their mothership, haven’t they?

Seriously, though, best wishes for the future. You created something unique, and at times bizarre. There’ll be a big hole in the exchange of ideas and opinions about all matters local.

Noooooooooo! What am I going to do at work while the boss is out now!?

Best wishes JB

JB, its a shame, so near to the point when I think traditional media is going to die.(Rupert’s paywall – that will work. Not!)

You’ve had your moments but for all the times I’ve wanted to disagree with you there have been at least as many where I wanted to agree and many more that were just meh. (But who cares what I care about other then me and a select few)

You have herded those most difficult of cats, the old cranky Canberra cats (who may or may not be old or cranky)and this has been the local news source of choice for many of us for some time. You have been a service and if anyone deserved a “Arts Grant” for services to the community it is you.

Good luck in your future challenges and may the road rise to meet your feet.

Guess that means the challenge is for us as a community (or eclectic bunch of posters) to keep the value add into the future.

Thanks for your hard work.

Growling Ferret5:10 pm 07 Aug 09

JB

Thanks for returning and making the Riotact great again.

It will be poorer for your loss, and despite the best efforts of your backup team, the lack of a dedicated resource will see the quality of the site drop.

Good luck in your future endeavours

The Growling Ferret

Seems to me the ‘worst’ things always teach you the most and point you in your new and (almost always) better direction… therefore, they are the best ones. At least in retrospect. Now is the time to offer JB a job, I know I would. Yes, a very sad day for Canberra AND for the RiotACT.

Drinks anywhere in Canberra is fine but not at the Wig n’ Pen as I can’t take anyone there these days in case they get shouted at, abused or just blatantly ignored by the staff.

R.I.P. RiotACT, for without John’s moderation and hard work, it is likely to be a mere empty shell of it’s former self.

And for the weak, petty, unkind people seeking pathetic vengeance in trying to tear down another for reasons of their own insecurity, frustration, regret and fear — well, I pity such a person.

Bugger

This was becoming fun, best of luck man

dr phil said :

All stand and raise a glass, To john!

hip hip
horay
hip hip
horay

+1

(but hooray instead of horay) 🙂

dr phil said :

All stand and raise a glass, To john!

hip hip
horay
hip hip
horay

+1

Don’t be sad about Jb leaving, be happy he was here for so long.

@Jb: Fine, if I run into you at an event I will acquire a pint or four for you.
Goodbye, media man.

Thanks for everything over the years (relly apreciated the competions) You are a true legend JB

John

We had our differences of opinions, and I wont deny those.
It sickens me though to see people commenting here, crying crocodile tears, when they are the same people who were saying in other places only a few days ago that “JohnBoy is the problem, RiotACT needs to get rid of him to improve.”
I disagree, and think RA is more likely to decline than improve without the guiding hand of someone. Even if I thought your style was flawed.

Aurelius

Damn – Damn – Damn
As we saw during your South Coast jaunt JB,
this site is going to suck without you ( sorry Jazz).
Good Luck with it all.
Damn – Damn – Damn

Like an old pair of Jeans…t’was a comfortable fit. Best of luck mate.

Like an old pair of Jeans…t’was a comfortable fit. Best of luck mate.

I think I’ve learnt more about Canberra in my time reading the riotact than from my near two decades of living here. Thanks for all your hard work, I hope everything ends up well for you.

(Damn, a “goodbye” song just had to start playing as I was reading this…)

This is terrible news; very depressing to see you go JB. Boo hoo (and we really should do drinks).

John,
I hope the future holds something great for you. Thank-you for the ability to learn over the time i have been here, and to know when i have been a knucklehead. I do hope that you bounce back.

I also am very sorry about this turn of events.

Good luck, and god bless.

nooooooooooooooooo don’t leave us John boy.
good luck with your new endeavours

Thanks for running the show JB, you will be sadly missed.
If you see me wearing my ‘off my chops’ t-shirt say hi and I will buy you a beer.

Cheers
Chop

Best of luck with your next project.

Good luck with the future. You have tenacity – the best quality you could wish for when facing a difficult time.

Goodnight, John, and all the very best for the future. You can be difficult and at times frustrating, but I have always cared about you. I sincerely hope you will not be a stranger. We might be rabble, but we’re your rabble at heart. I am very sorry about this turn of events.

Take care,
Granny

Well done John, i think you have done this town a service nobody else could provide, and set a foundation for those who follow your foot steps, thanks for everything and good luck on your future ventures.

Thanks for the kind words.

Farewell drinks are something we’ll have to consider, but with the rise in the popularity of the site have come some serious personal security issues. We’ll let you know what we decide.

I know we’ve had a few beefs in the past JB but I wish you all the best and am highly dissappointed you wont be around looking after the site and breaking the monotony of my day to day…

To whoever caused this, suck a turd to a point and stab yourself with it.

I don’t know what to say except well done on a great job, and we should catch up for beers soon!

So, when are the farewell drinks?

Also, read your email.

Wo! Well, thanks JB and good luck. Your knack for digging up interesting and relevant local stories will be missed. Here’s hoping this place can survive without your considerable efforts.

barking toad4:07 pm 07 Aug 09

Cheers JB. Whatever you turn to I hope it’s a success. RiotAct has been.

I want to see you quote along the lines of that MacArthur bloke:

“I shall return!”

Best wishes johnboy and many thanks for all your support and hard work. We’ll realise how important people like you and RiotACT are once they are gone.

Trunking symbols said :

You’ll be back . . .

That is certainly my intention Trunking. JB has been by far the most valued member of the RiotACT team in making it what it is today. And besides, i suck as an editor 🙂

JB – if you dion;t already know it you’ve dne some serious good with this site, you just might not know it.

Many, many thanks and the very best of luck fore your future.

Mike.

Rawhide Kid No 23:56 pm 07 Aug 09

At least pop in and see how were fearing here……….Goodnight Johnboy…………..

Thanks for all the work you put into what I think is THE most informative Canberra website. You will be sadly missed by most(lol).

I’ve been reading for almost exactly 3 years – I remember first stumbling over the site whilst googling about one of the window washers – I remember when you went away and when you came back – really invigorated things.
This site is awesome and JB you have been a great leader.
Good luck and thankyou

Thanks. Congratulations. And best of luck.

Cracking job!

Good luck and best wishes, JB…..

Trunking symbols3:46 pm 07 Aug 09

You’ll be back . . .

Pommy bastard3:46 pm 07 Aug 09

John,

Despite our past differences I have no complaint over the way you have managed my time here on Riot Act(even though I am still on permanent moderation 🙂 )

I wish you all the best for the future, travel well, and good luck.

Best of luck. Thanks for the effort. Canberra would be a whole lot worse without your work.

This is an awfully sad day for Canberra.

Thank you for everything JB. I hope the next chapter of your life pays you back with good things because that’s what you deserve!

Couldn’t have said it better myself, Pelican Lini.

Good luck JB and thanks

wow this is terrible. a colleague and i were just discussing RA-related post at lunch, and i return to find it has taken an irreparable turn with JB’s departure. thank you so much for your work in this site johnboy. hard to believe it’s over.

eyeLikeCarrots3:26 pm 07 Aug 09

Johnboy, I’ve only been here for 12 months but RA has been a great resource. Thanks for getting it started and keeping it puffing along. If I’m ever at a pub and you meet a slighty chubby, shy blone bloke in his mid-30’s, ask him to buy you a beer. There is a 1 in a few hundred thousand chance it me.

Cheers mate!

Best wishes to all of you xx.

(And goodnight and good luck? heard that line coming a mile away in my head :p waiting waiting waiting. There it was. Thank you! 🙂

That is a great ‘good night, and good luck’ post.

Just wanted to thank Johnboy, and the RiotACT, for providing many, many hours of entertainment and so many opportunities for procrastination…crazy commenters and all.

Mate,

RA will not be the same without. I apologise if I ever played the player, not the ball, but I am just as passionate about this place as you.

All the best, and I reserve the right to buy you a beer and chat when we next meet, as I have said previously.

Best of luck John, you’ve done a fantastic job and the place will be worse off without you.

Pelican Lini3:07 pm 07 Aug 09

Johnboy,
I am saddened by your decision to pull up stumps.
I suspected this was essentially a one man show and you have certainly demonstrated a phenomenal work ethic.
I did wonder sometimes how you managed to do it.
I have very much enjoyed reading and contributing to this site, which has been my prime source of local information since finding it a few years ago.
Appreciated the fact there was no heavy-handed moderation or political bias and that contributors had a chance to say pretty much what they wanted.
RiotACT is a very valuable community resource and I hope it continues to thrive under new management.
It’s a pity that it’s so hard to make a living from the internet, especially for independent media.
I’ve got no doubt you will do an excellent job in the “real world” and it certainly won’t be the last we will hear of you.
You have done us proud with a job well done.
Wishing you every success.

Clown Killer3:06 pm 07 Aug 09

JB, thank you for what you have built here and for letting me come along for the ride.

Angel36 said :

Out with the old in with the new – Good rittens!

Yep, those rittens are pretty good.

Good Luck JB.

Awww… 🙁

I remember when JB had gone to the coast.
RiotACT was a shambles until he returned.

Even on his first day back I think people were abusing him, but JB made this site what it is today, you’ll be missed!

I was also consistently impressed with the similar opinions that JB had to me, even though I never posted them. (It was always easier seeing JB take the flak over the heated issues)

Good luck JB, take care!

All the best in your future endeavours.

Out with the old in with the new – Good rittens!

Good luck!

All stand and raise a glass, To john!

hip hip
horay
hip hip
horay

Awww, sad. :/ Best of luck, and many thanks for the effort you’ve put in.

this is sad news

Good luck in the future, John. Thanks for running such a fantastic site, crazies and all.

Thanks for everything you’ve put into the site – perhaps a good example of a public good being undervalued by the market.

I’ve enjoyed the ride, and learnt a bit along the way. I think it’s a great thing, to take a big risk like that to do something you believe in. And as any poker player will tell you, just becaues you gambled and lost doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice.

Thanks again, and good luck to you too.

Aaaaawwwwwwwwwww 🙁 most of my crap decisions/experiences have eventually led to something wonderful – have faith

Good luck
from the annoying one 🙂

Good luck from a raving loon

Deadmandrinking2:29 pm 07 Aug 09

Good luck with your future career, JB. You started a good thing here (albiet strange) and I’m sure it’ll keep going for quite a while.

what????

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