TexAgs

Infobox Website
name = TexAgs

url = [http://www.texags.com/ www.texags.com]
commercial = Mixed
type = Online community
language = English
registration = Optional
owner = Collegiate Commons, Ltd.
author = Peter Kuo
launch date = July 22, 1998cite news|title=College football fans zone in on the Web|author=Griffin, Tim|accessdate=2007-09-16|date=1999-07-31|publisher="San Antonio Express-News"]
current status = Active
slogan = We Know Stuff.

TexAgs is an independent Texas A&M University fan website. It features articles, chat, forums, and recruiting information about Texas A&M Aggies sports. Receiving an average of 500,000 hits per day,cite news|url=http://www.kbtx.com/collegenews/2922551.html|title=The TexAgs Internet Explosion|publisher=KBTX|accessdate=2007-06-24|date=2006-10-28|author=Fullhart, Steve] as of June 2008, TexAgs is currently the sixth most-visited college sports website [cite web|url=http://www.alexa.com/browse/general/?&CategoryID=30288&mode=general&R=True&Start=1&SortBy=Popularity |title=Most Popular In College and University|accessdate=2008-06-04|publisher=Alexa Internet] and the most visited NCAA Division I-A website. [cite web|url=http://www.alexa.com/browse?&CategoryID=108124|title=Most Popular In NCAA Division I-A|publisher=Alexa Internet|accessdate=2008-06-04] From May 2006 to June 2007, the website received an average of 196,000 monthly unique visitors. [cite web|url=http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?topic_id=905750&forum_id=30|title=WatchOle|publisher=TexAgs|accessdate=2007-07-09|date=2007-07-09|author=Jones, Brandon]

TexAgs was created by Peter Kuo in July 1998 and sold to its current operators in December 1999.Citation| last =Buckley| first = Christopher B.| title = Cyber Fanatics: TexAgs.com fans commune online| newspaper = The Battalion| date = 2008-06-23| url =http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2008/06/23/News/Cyber.Fanatics-3384275-page2.shtml] When it first debuted, TexAgs only had 2,000-3,000 members, and forums only discussed Aggie football. In February 2007, The Association of Former Students announced a marketing partnership with TexAgs.com. [cite web|url=http://www.aggienetwork.com/release.aspx?p=492|title=TexAgs.com and The Association Announce Strategic Marketing Partnership|date=2007-02-01|acceessdate=2008-07-12] Presently, there are more than 30 different forums and 60,000+ users. The website never used any form of advertising for promotion, as it grew popular via word of mouth.

Notable forum posts include one that disclosed that former University of Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar received payment for non-worked hours from a local auto dealership seven months before the University kicked the player off of the team and reported the infraction to the NCAA. [cite news|url=http://select.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/sports/ncaabasketball/15roberts.html|title=Internet Whistleblowers Go Where N.C.A.A. Fears to Tread|publisher="The New York Times"|accessdate=2008-07-12|date=2007-07-15|author=Roberts, Selena] [cite news|url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2006/08/29/Sports/The-Wonderful.Web-2249757.shtml|title=TexAgs' Brandon Jones turned a hobby into a career|author=Steele, Michael|date=2006-08-29|accessdate=2007-06-24|publisher="The Battalion"] Former University President and current U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has posted as "Ranger65". [cite news|url=http://www.sportsline.com/columns/story/9866661|title=Our best defense shouldn't come from a message board|publisher=CBS Sports|accessdate=2008-09-04|date=2006-12-12|author=Doyel, Gregg] [cite web|url=http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=5&topic_id=768382|title=Dr. Gates breaks cover|accessdate=2007-06-24|date=2006-12-07|publisher=TexAgs] [cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/texasam/stories/120906dnspogates.2afb538.html|title=Anonymous posts on TexAgs.com came from Gates|publisher="Dallas Morning News"|date=2006-12-08|accessdate=2007-07-15|author=Cohen, Rachel] [cite web|url=http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=5&topic_id=946806|title=Post on Texags by Secretary Gates|publisher=TexAgs|acceessdate=2007-09-17] [ [http://www.statefansnation.com/index.php/archives/2007/07/20/i-doubt-that-nc-state-has-a-ranger65/ I doubt that NC State has a Ranger65 at StateFans Nation ] ]

TexAgs has four full time employees, including the owner, Brandon Jones. [cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/07/11/0711webhoax.html|title=UT employee, a Nebraska fan, posted bogus story about OU quarterbacks|publisher="Austin American Statesman"|accessdate=2008-07-16|date=2008-07-10|author=Riggs, Randy] Message boards are moderated by twenty volunteers. [cite news|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA.051708.WEB.InternetSports.en.109c07912.html|title=UPDATED: Spurs supporters use online message boards to meet people, blow off steam|publisher="San Antonio Express-News"|accessdate=2008-05-17|date=2008-05-16|author=Bragg, Roy]

Criticism

Some current and former members have criticized the operation of the message forums, particularly its moderation policies. Such criticisms include a policy of anonymous moderation by a staff of twenty, led by Brandon, who are allowed to post alongside regular members. [cite web|url=http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?topic_id=590894&page=1&forum_id=12|title=* Some of My Thoughts on Moderation - Please Read *|accessdate=2007-07-23|date=2006-03-09|publisher=TexAgs] [cite web|url=http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?topic_id=590894&page=3&forum_id=12|title=* Some of My Thoughts on Moderation - Please Read *|accessdate=2007-07-23|date=2006-03-09|publisher=TexAgs] This is in contrast to similar websites that list their staff and moderators in an open fashion. Further, such moderation is sometimes seen as inconsistent. [cite web|url=http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=16&topic_id=258346|title=Why posters need multiple aliases?|accessdate=2007-07-23|date=2003-09-23|publisher=TexAgs] [cite web|url=http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=12&topic_id=824875|title=Hey Staff|accessdate=2007-07-23|date=2007-02-28|publisher=TexAgs]

References

External links

* [http://www.texags.com/ TexAgs official website]
* [http://www.theeagle.com/bonfire/storyarchive/june2000/061700webreax.htm "The Eagle" article]