|
Post by rihia2k on Mar 9, 2011 4:58:23 GMT -6
Sooo ... just me or was it mentioned somewhere that Marketplace forums are unavailable to members with less than 50 posts? I understand & am not too concerned about the actual market/trade side of things, seeing as I'm located all the way away in New Zealand anyhows. (shippin' shippin') But I thought the ID aspect alone was great incentive for a lot of new people to get hooked onto this site, plus it's just a really interesting, "educational" feature. Was it being abused or outta' control? Seems like a shame for a guest not to stumble across it. Always looked a positive forum to me. But exlusive now? Someone set me straight if'n I'm just talkin' crazy talk or ... (shrug)
|
|
|
Post by figurecollector on Mar 9, 2011 7:45:28 GMT -6
There are a combination of things leading to this decision.
I am not going to go into all of the thought process, but one factor is that the information posted seemed to be taken and used by members who joined and do not contribute to the site. There are plenty of reference sites out there for those who want to know something about a particular line of toys. We would like users to supply their knowledge for the benefit of the members who use the site and make it a two way street.
You may not remember, but you could not see the ID or Market sections before joining anyway. We would rather have you come and stay rather than come in once, or a few times, and leave forever.
|
|
|
Post by mrjayberry on Mar 9, 2011 12:57:01 GMT -6
.Right now it's toy, toys, toys here, and I'm alright with that because I have other boards I frequent but I hope this new 50 post rule will encourage more community here at Action Figure Archive. As people will come and stay and open up a bit to get their posts bumped up.
|
|
|
Post by rihia2k on Mar 9, 2011 15:05:00 GMT -6
Groovy, I appreciate the input. Sorry if I sounded critical, I was genuinely curious more than anything. It makes sense. Ah, I dig this site. All it needs is a coffee vending machine.
"Stay a while... stay forever!! (insert evil laugh here)"
|
|
|
Post by figurecollector on Mar 9, 2011 19:52:20 GMT -6
I did not take it as critical, it was a legitimate question.
We would rather make it more like The Eagles' song Hotel California:
"You can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave."
Five more posts and you will have it back again. Please don't spam to get them.
|
|
eerik
Guest
May 5, 2024 20:20:13 GMT -6
|
Post by eerik on Mar 10, 2011 22:17:42 GMT -6
So I guess my first post (and perhaps my last post) will have to be a complaint. I've been a member (lurker) for a while now and like to read the posts, check out the ID marketplace, and learn about vintage action figures. I received an email about the changes “all for the good of the site.” Now I come to find out that, "The Marketplace section of this forum can now only be accessed by members who have a post count of 50 or more." Honestly I don't feel like, or have the time, to post intelligent dialog 50 times. It might take me a year or more! Or my other option is to post a bunch of crap such as, "Do I like Kirk or do I like Picard," so I can gain access to the Marketplace (which could get my account suspended anyway if my posts are deemed to be ‘flooding’). I understand trying to get more participation but I just ask you look at it from my perspective - I'll post when I want to post and though it might take me 10 years to get to 50 posts, I'm still an active and interested member who will voice an opinion when it truly seems necessary. And thus, I feel it is necessary to ask, how about a grandfathered in clause for current members? Newbies won't know what they are missing but I do! And on a side note for figurecollector - you wrote, "but you could not see the ID or Market sections before joining anyway" though I'm pretty sure (almost 100%) I could see the link to the ID marketplace section but when I clicked on it, it said I had to be a member which is why I joined in the first place. Thus, I agree with rihia2k, the ID Marketplace link helps the site attract members. At least it did for me. Please take my comments into consideration. Thank you.
|
|
|
Post by figurecollector on Mar 11, 2011 8:21:08 GMT -6
Thank you for your post and hopefully it is not your last. I see that you have been a member since last July, but this is your first involvement formally in the Forum. We try to encourage participation. Not every wants to be the leader of the pack, but we have little way of knowing who is following the boards except by way of the last login date. With over 2,500 listed memebers, that is a daunting task. Some, like you are here to read (and let me say that I was of the impression that when I looked previously, I was almost sure that I remembered that the ID and both the Vintage and Modern toy sections were not available to those who had not signed up as members), but we have almost 1/2 of the listed memebers (1,217 at present) who have signed up and have never made a single post. Another 457 (your category) have made a single post.
You are correct, we do not want the spam comments just so someone can see the entire board, but we would like participation by those who are obtaining knowledge from it. You may very well have something in your collection that is of interest to others. It is your right to post when you feel it is necessary, but unless you post, at least periodically, we have no idea if you actually do have any interest in the Forum. We have not formalized an opinion as to what actually constitutes an "active member", but I do believe that one who has been a member for 8 months and has not posted likely would have been a candidate for elimination. I would imagine you are safe presently since you have now posted a comment.
I am not sure if there is a setting for "grandfathering" specific members. I am sure you want to continue reading the boards and I will bring it to the attention of the Admin.
|
|
|
Post by planetaryte on Mar 11, 2011 13:57:59 GMT -6
Not allowing those with less than 50 posts to see the Marketplace thread does also have a negative effect on those established members selling things here. I would imagine that excludes a large number of potential customers / traders for those folks - myself included.
|
|
geomagno
Guest
May 5, 2024 20:20:13 GMT -6
|
Post by geomagno on Mar 11, 2011 19:31:48 GMT -6
I have to agree about this new 50-post rule limiting activity. I haven't been a member very long but since joining, I visit the sight everyday mainly to see what people are looking for or what's available. I can't do that now so the sight has lost a lot of its appeal.
Hope you'll reconsider this change.
|
|
|
Post by figurecollector on Mar 11, 2011 20:18:40 GMT -6
This change was put in more to allegiate problems with people coming in to peddle their wares or advertise their Ebay sales and leave than to prevent acccess by active members. We are not placing the restriction to hinder you.
The old adage "Anything worth having is worth waiting for" applies.
|
|
eerik
Guest
May 5, 2024 20:20:13 GMT -6
|
Post by eerik on Mar 14, 2011 20:26:57 GMT -6
Well I've been coaxed into my second comment. Only 48 more to go! Yeah me! First off, "We are not placing the restriction to hinder you" It is hindering. I think that is why it is called a restriction. Secondly the old adage "Anything worth having is worth waiting for" DOES NOT APPLY. We are not waiting for anything. We are being forced to participate! Remember in school the teacher that required everyone to talk a certain number of times or else we would lose participation points? She would make a tally mark every time someone spoke even if it was the stupidest comment ever? We would roll our eyes in disgust. That is an example that applies! We don't talk, we get punished. Did you like that teacher? Did it make the class or your learning experience any better? I liked math because we didn't have to talk as much. So thirdly, I did some quick math on our global moderator. He has a grand total of 285 posts and has been a member since September of 2005. Almost 5 and a half years. Sixty-six months to be exact. Therefore, he has posted an average of 4.32 posts a month. That equals just over 50 posts a year. THE GLOBAL MODERATOR!!! Where did the magic number 50 posts for the rest of us come from? Based on the global moderator averages, it will take us a year to get to 50 posts and I know I am not on this website as much as a moderator, nor have the responsibility a moderator has to interact in the forums. As long as we are into restrictions, I propose that all moderators must be required to post at least 2000 times to show the rest of us their active leadership, participation, and dedication to this website. That seems fair too! I'm sure it wouldn't be much of a hindrance.
|
|
|
Post by 10incher on Mar 15, 2011 8:55:14 GMT -6
The 50 post marketplace restriction is something we decided to initiate to encourage more participation on the forums by new members. What its meant to do is encourange members to give something back to the site as well as receive. It was also done to increase trader safety as most of the bad traders/sellers that have surfaced over the years have had well under a 50 post count.
It isn't a perfect system but we do believe the positives out-weigh the negatives. We are open to discussion on it as things aren't always set in stone, but we are going to stick with this for now. I am interested to hear what others thoughts are on this new rule, as well as from some of our more established members?
|
|
|
Post by planetaryte on Mar 15, 2011 13:46:04 GMT -6
I think the new rule sucks. I'm with imakireosity - Why not make it a minimum of 15 or 20 posts?
There is another saying that comes to mind...something about shooting yourself in the foot. The Marketplace is one of the things that attracted me to join this site in the first place. Now that people who stumble on the site can't even see it, fewer may be inclined to join.
Or, why not just make a rule that those with fewer than 50 posts can not sell in the Marketplace? I've seen other forums like that. It's an easily enforced rule, both by moderators and by experienced members who can notify moderators of violations.
That way all members still have access to the valuable information the Marketplace provides, and also established members can still trade and sell with newbs.
|
|
|
Post by BoogDoc7 on Mar 15, 2011 14:30:18 GMT -6
Not that I strictly oppose the 50-post rule, but I DO think that it may need some tweaking down the road - maybe to 25 posts or even positive feedback on trades, though that may be a hassle to keep track of.
I WOULD like - and I think there are many in this boat - for people to at least be able to view the marketplace and ebay sections, even if they cannot post there.
|
|
|
Post by figurecollector on Mar 16, 2011 6:14:33 GMT -6
I will discuss the last two opinions with Chad when he is on here next, but that may or may not be until next Tuesday, so don't think we are ignoring you.
Relative to a portion of Boogdoc's comments, I do not have access to all of the setting available, but I do not think you can stop someone from posting if they can see a particular part of the forum.
Other comments are welcome. Chad and I can discuss them based on his availability.
|
|
inorder2
Guest
May 5, 2024 20:20:13 GMT -6
|
Post by inorder2 on Mar 16, 2011 23:47:38 GMT -6
well .... that sucks! if this post (i'll probly need 49 more) helps me get back in to the heart of this site then yay!
thank you all who post your bootlegs, ID help, latest scores... for me just to lurk and envy for hours on end!
|
|
|
Post by Ghouldrool on Mar 17, 2011 10:49:51 GMT -6
Indeed, a little participation won't hurt most lurking members here. And you know, many of us who do this as a hobby and actually take the time to post THRIVE on some acknowledgement of their effort or a compliment about something here or there. I mean, it's a FORUM - it's dead without participation!
|
|
|
Post by Ebessan on Mar 17, 2011 13:56:26 GMT -6
The Masters of the Universe & Fantasy Cartoon Figure Lines forum is just as helpful, if not more so (in my opinion, definitely more so) to lurkers and sellers alike in them not having to post much to find out a great amount of info. And in that forum's case they don't even have to register.
|
|
|
Post by skullbooska on Mar 17, 2011 17:12:39 GMT -6
Yeah, Im not terrible thrilled with this rule. I joined a month or so ago and at first had access... but it was taken away in the middle of a few back and forths with other memebrs about trades. I also was gonna post a bunch of stuff and got everything ready, and again, told other memebr that i would be posting. only to find out that i couldn't. I understand the reasoning. Posting insures someones intent to be part of the community, but 50 is a relatively high number of posts. 25 is a pretty good amount I think and would deter random people from joing/trading/ and causing trouble. But despite this rule, this is a great site. And I'm glad there are rules in place to build the community, even if this particluar one could be cut in half.
|
|
|
Post by skullbooska on Mar 17, 2011 17:14:36 GMT -6
Also, the ID section is super important for newbies. Infact, its the main reason I joined, since I have a sh*tload of weird random things that I havent a clue what they are, but now I'll have to wait to find out,
|
|
geomagno
Guest
May 5, 2024 20:20:13 GMT -6
|
Post by geomagno on Mar 18, 2011 9:58:40 GMT -6
Even at 25 posts, some people (like myself) join so they can see what's for sale and won't become active members if they can't view the marketplace. On the other action figure sights I belong to, it's the marketplace where I've met other collectors which formed relationships and encouraged me to be a more active member. That's also where I was drawn into collecting other lines figures...snowball effect.
Maybe you could use another means to verify a new member like their feedback on an ebay account. I would think everyone here has an ebay account.
|
|
|
Post by mrjayberry on Mar 18, 2011 11:24:32 GMT -6
Nope, I don't have an ebay account, I did at one time but canceled when they started to only take pay pal to stick us coming and going. The rare time I need to use ebay I have a family member or friend bid for me.
|
|
geomagno
Guest
May 5, 2024 20:20:13 GMT -6
|
Post by geomagno on Mar 18, 2011 15:41:11 GMT -6
But you don't need to be verified - you have the requisite number of posts.
|
|
|
Post by mrjayberry on Mar 18, 2011 17:44:48 GMT -6
That's true, and good looking out by suggesting an alternative, though a mod will have to tell us if it is even feasible. Also having an ebay account wouldn't stop people from coming to make a cheap buck and not giving back to the community which sounds like a large part of the problem.
|
|
|
Post by The Riddler on Mar 18, 2011 19:44:09 GMT -6
I don't think restricting the I.D. section is a very good idea. It takes away from members who enjoy I.D.ing. There are a bunch of people who don't have enough posts and could be putting up things to be I.D'd by members who do have the posts... 50 posts for the marketplace is an ok idea IMO though, it kind of gives you a little more reassurance that the person you are dealing with is just as dedicated as you are. If you like collecting toys then you probably like talking about them or showing off your stuff. You could aquire 50 posts in a pretty small amount of time if you just participated in a few conversations and posted a few pictures of your collection. If you have the time to lurk around, you have the time to post a few. Its a tough subject and each side has good points. This is just my opinion.....maybe there could be a marketplace for people with fewer than 50 posts!
|
|
|
Post by 10incher on Mar 22, 2011 11:38:28 GMT -6
After some discussion, we have decided to lower the posting limit to gain acces to the Marketplace section to 30 rather than 50. We will see how this works as we don't want to make access seem unachievable , but do want to encourage new members to participate in discussions outside the marketplace.
I am also looking into a way to possibly make the section visible to members with less than 30 posts, though they won't be able to post/reply until they hit the limit. Proboards currently doesn't have a feature that can do this, so trying to find a mod that will let us set this up.
|
|
geomagno
Guest
May 5, 2024 20:20:13 GMT -6
|
Post by geomagno on Mar 22, 2011 12:19:56 GMT -6
I appreciate the change and I do think it's a good idea to try to make the Marketplace viewable to everyone. Thanks for listening to our rants.
|
|
inorder2
Guest
May 5, 2024 20:20:13 GMT -6
|
Post by inorder2 on Mar 22, 2011 17:30:09 GMT -6
so . . . 30 posts isn't so bad, Marketplace & ID access? that's doable thanks
|
|
|
Post by planetaryte on Mar 23, 2011 11:47:57 GMT -6
Thank you for taking our rants into consideration. This rule does seem a lot more fair to me. I wholeheartedly agree this place needs a kick in the rear as far as participation goes.
|
|
|
Post by rihia2k on Mar 24, 2011 0:31:49 GMT -6
Reason no. 459 to love this site! I can hear Sade singin' 'Smooth Moderator' out there somewhere... Or is it the theme song from Cheers playing? Either way, I think this site is run very well, two way communication is the key harmonic. It's comfortably laid out (sure beats the chaos that passes for some 'official' sites) And as far as I discern the only Trolls welcome here have Russ stamped on their bums. Hats off to all that make this what it is.
|
|