whirlpool (website)
{{Short description|Australian website}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox website
| name = Whirlpool.net.au
| logo = Whirlpool.net.au_Logo_2015.svg
| screenshot =
| caption =
| url = {{URL|https://whirlpool.net.au}}
| type = Internet forum
| registration = Free
| language = English
| owners = Simon Wright, Phil Sweeney
| programming_language = CFML, JavaScript
| author = Simon Wright
| launch_date = December 1998
| current_status = Active
| revenue = Google AdSense
}}
Whirlpool is an independent{{Cite web|url=https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/wp_repcoc|title=Representative Code of Conduct|publisher=Whirlpool|access-date=2016-04-05}} Australian website founded in 1998. Since then, it has grown significantly and has over 931,623 registered accounts.{{Cite web|url=https://whirlpool.net.au|title=Any Whirlpool page with the metrics sidebar|date=28 April 2025|publisher=Whirlpool|access-date=28 October 2022}} Primarily a discussion forum, some extra functionality such as Broadband Choice was included, although this functionality has been removed from the site.
History
Whirlpool began as a community resource for users of Telstra's BigPond cable Internet service, the name Whirlpool being a parody of BigPond.{{cite web|url=http://junkee.com/whirlpool-forum-weird/132576|publisher=Junkee|title=An Ode To Whirlpool: Australia's Weirdest, Greatest Online Forum|date=2017-10-27}} However, it soon expanded to cover Optus' Optus@Home (now known as OptusNet) cable internet service, ADSL-based services, and other forms of broadband ISPs in Australia, as they became available.{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/21/1058639715909.html|publisher=The Age|title=Caught in the Whirlpool|date=2003-07-22}}
=2Clix controversy=
On 11 September 2007, it was announced that 2Clix Software was commencing legal action against Whirlpool founder Simon Wright for posts made by users in the Whirlpool forums that 2Clix claimed were "false and malicious".{{cite web |url=https://whirlpool.net.au/article.cfm/1753 |title=2Clix sues Whirlpool founder |publisher=Whirlpool |date=2007-09-11}}{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/web/whirlpool-fury-at-legal-gag/2007/09/12/1189276778252.html |title=Firm sues forum to silence critics |last=Moses |first=Asher |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2007-09-12}} 2Clix claimed it had lost approximately A$150,000 income per month between January and July 2007 and sued for that amount plus legal costs.{{cite web |url=http://www.itnews.com.au/News/61037,whirlpool-in-a-legal-spin-as-founder-gets-sued.aspx |title=Whirlpool in a legal spin as founder gets sued |publisher=iTNews |date=2007-09-12}}{{cite web |url=http://www.efa.org.au/2007/09/12/efa-condemns-whirlpool-lawsuit/ |title=EFA condemns Whirlpool lawsuit |publisher=www.efa.org.au |date=2007-09-12}} Whirlpool users responded immediately by sending PayPal donations to assist with the site's legal costs, with some users claiming they had sent donations exceeding A$1,000.{{cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/2clix-scores-own-goal-with-whirlpool-case/ |title=2Clix scores own goal with Whirlpool case |publisher=www.zdnet.com.au |date=2007-09-13}}{{Cite web |last=Dilanchian |first=Noric |date=2007-10-12 |title=A whirlpool of legal risk |url=https://dilanchian.com.au/10/2007/a-whirlpool-of-legal-risk/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Dilanchian Lawyers & Consultants |language=en-AU}} The co-founder of PIPE Networks personally pledged a donation of A$10,000 towards the cause.{{cite web|url=https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=819685&p=2#r25|title=2Clix sues Whirlpool founder (Part 2)|publisher=Whirlpool|date=2007-09-12}}
On 19 September 2007, solicitors for 2Clix stated that they had received instructions to discontinue the case.{{cite web |url=https://whirlpool.net.au/news/?id=1755 |title=2Clix claims case withdrawal |publisher=Whirlpool |date=2007-09-19}}{{cite web |url=http://www.efa.org.au/2007/09/19/efa-welcomes-whirlpool-lawsuit-back-down/ |title=EFA welcomes Whirlpool lawsuit back-down |publisher=www.efa.org.au |date=2007-09-19}}{{cite web |url=http://www.itnews.com.au/News/61535,2clix-backtracks-on-whirlpool-lawsuit.aspx |title=2Clix backtracks on Whirlpool lawsuit |publisher=iTNews |date=2007-09-19}} 2Clix entered voluntary liquidation in late 2007 and its director was subsequently declared bankrupt.{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/christopher-dene-mills-director-of-2clix-declared-bankrupt/story-e6frgakx-1225940350759 |title=Christopher Dene Mills, director of 2Clix, declared bankrupt |work=The Australian|date=2010-10-19}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023}}
Broadband Choice
Broadband Choice allowed a user to find options available to them and to filter them by features such as price, speed and usage limits.{{cite web |url=http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=104170&p=2 |title=Setting up broadband internet (archived) – Availability and choice|publisher=Australian Consumers' Association |date=February 2004 |accessdate=2008-05-19|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524191214/http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=104170&p=2 |archivedate=24 May 2011 |df=dmy-all}} In most cases, details about internet service providers (ISPs) and their plans were maintained by staff of each ISP, which were then editorially approved by Whirlpool.{{cite web |last1=Warne |first1=Dan |title=BroadbandChoice gets major back-end upgrade |url=https://whirlpool.net.au/news/?id=1118 |website=Whirlpool |accessdate=2003-04-18}}
Broadband Choice was retired on 29 June 2015{{cite web |title=Farewell Broadband Choice |url=https://bc.whirlpool.net.au/|website=Whirlpool |accessdate=2015-06-29}} with the link redirecting to a page outlining the reasons for closure.
Whirlpool forums
The primary purpose of the forums is to provide a venue in which to discuss broadband and related areas (such as networking). Representatives from many Australian service providers, hardware vendors and merchants use Whirlpool as a strictly non-official support and communication channel.{{cite web |url=https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/user/?action=online |title=Notable Identities |publisher=Whirlpool}}
Whirlpool uses custom forum software. Some features present on other message boards such as signatures, avatars and in-line images are not provided. When threads and posts are deleted or moved, placeholders are left allowing users to see the alleged moderation that has occurred. This is different from other common forum software where deleted material may simply disappear from view.
The forum also has areas for discussing more general topics, known as "lounges". Some of them are only available to long-standing or highly active members of the community.{{cite web |url=https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/WP_NormalUsers |title= Normal User Titles and Private Lounge Access |publisher=Whirlpool |date=2008-02-23}}
Knowledge base
Whirlpool has its own Wiki.{{cite web |url=https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/wiki_FAQ_TOC |title=WIKI FAQs and Guidelines |publisher=Whirlpool |date=2006-04-26}} It is an accumulation of information put together by forum users in "sticky threads" over time, with the hope of cutting down forum clutter, while also allowing more collaborative content development. It includes information that is difficult to find aggregated in one place elsewhere, such as the Australian Exchange Guide (a guide to the locations of Australian telephone exchanges), a list of Australian computer shops and a list of Australian VoIP providers.{{cite web |url=https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/Australian_Exchange_Guide |title=Australian Exchange Guide |publisher=Whirlpool |accessdate=2012-12-28 |author=Various}}{{cite web |url=https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/Australian_PC_Shops |title=Australian PC Shops Guide |publisher=Whirlpool |accessdate=2012-12-28 |author=Various}}{{cite web |url=https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/VOIP_Providers |title=VOIP Providers |publisher=Whirlpool |accessdate=2012-12-28 |author=Various}}
History
Simon Wright, as founder and main developer, developed the site in CFML. Phil Sweeney assists by writing news and by keeping Broadband Choice updated, when it was online.{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/next/new-media-hands-power-to-the-people/2005/10/17/1129401172151.html |title=New media hands power to the people|work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2005-10-17}}{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/breaking/isp-threat-to-whirlpool-over-posting/2005/08/09/1123353303794.html |title=ISP threat to Whirlpool over posting |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2005-08-09}}
Previously, Whirlpool existed with no revenue stream. Unlike many forums, Whirlpool had no banners or paid advertising. However, in 2008, the owner began using Google AdSense in pages that result from Google searches, for users who are not logged in.{{cite web
|title = Forum Feedback – Advertisements
|publisher = Whirlpool
|date = 2008-10-04
|url = https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1063924
|accessdate = 2008-10-06 }}
Most day-to-day administrative tasks are conducted by a team of unpaid volunteer members, who have been given varying degrees of moderation privileges in the forums.{{cite news |url=https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/WP_ModFAQ#wp_modtypes |title=Whirlpool Moderation Team| publisher=https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki |date=2011-07-12}}
Awards
In its first few years, Whirlpool was nominated for several awards:
- Best Technology Media Website, IT Journalism Awards
- Nominated, 2003
- Winner, 2004 {{cite web|url=https://whirlpool.net.au/news/?id=1469|title=Whirlpool takes top awards|publisher=Whirlpool|date=2005-04-10}}
- Winner, 2005 {{cite web|url=https://whirlpool.net.au/news/?id=1621|title=Whirlpool wins again!|publisher=Whirlpool|date=2006-04-30}}
- Finalist, 2006
- Best Technology Title, IT Journalism Awards
- Winner, 2004
See also
References
{{reflist}}