I have to agree with Mikes comments on this site. It is utter garbage, once
more an example of presentation winning over content. It is unconcievable
that someone capable of building such a technically competent website could
be happy to include such poorly researched text.
The question of copyright material being used without permission or
acknowledgement is very serious and in a case like this where no contact
address has been included it may be possible to take action against the
Internet Service Provider (in this case Softnet who are run by the Software
Warehouse chain). When you subscribe to an ISP the terms and conditions
usually state that you cannot use web space for offensive or illegal
material so the site authors may be in breach of their contract.
The question of incorrect facts constantly being regurgitated is all too
common. Raistrick sold a lot of books therefore his work is more accessible
than most. The casual (or inexperienced) researcher will often go no further
once they have found a book which conveniently contains most of the
information they require. Easily accessible works therefore tend to be
quoted more often and incorrect facts quickly become accepted truisms. Just
look at how often Raistrick refers to bell pits, and then note how many
professional incorrectly use this term probably because they have read
Raistrick's Industrial Archaeology.
One final worrying point about this web site is the inclusion of links and
contact details for other sites. The result is that it looks like these
other organisations approve of the website and therefore it is given a
legitimacy. Clearly from the discussions here Mike Gill and Northern Mines
do not approve.
I would certainly support an attempt to get this website closed down.
Martin Roe
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