Wow!

 

so let me understand this.... a first time newbie can pay to get "recognition"... and put themselves above those that have contributed freely for years - without any want/need of recognition?

What a slap in the face for those that help build this forum up - by donating their time and sharing their knowledge. I tell ya' guys, this "Supporting Member Program" was not thought through very well.

One of the Home Theater forums I frequent has asked at varying times for voluntery donations - but it was kept anonymous. And every time they asked - I PayPal'd money to them. And they didn't care if it was $5 or $5000 dollars.

It's about Corvette enthusiasm; and a collection of like minded people. It never was about "your name - in lights".

Many here constantly contribute... with their time. And "time" is worth more than cash. But the cash donaters get the flashing lights. even of they have only posted once - in the for sale section ???

And because of the notoriety, I have already seen some "bravery" in those with the gold stars when challenging others in posts.
I know; there will be 50 responses following mine that say "no leniency will be given to those that donated money".

yeah... right...

Can anyone start to see how smart these other forums were by keeping the names of those that donated ... secret?

Really, those that truly love this forum would contribute cash - even though there would be no recognition that any money was donated.

Free advice being given here ; but rethink the original implimentation of this program.

And let no one mis-understand my post... I have ZERO problem with the asking of donations.; it's the implimentation of "recognition" that is going to have negative impact IMO.


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mm..All I can say is that Troy has told us , that regardless of whether they are supporting member or not, everyone plays by the same rules. I certainly play no favorites,,

 

Mike Mercury,

You have made some very valid points my friend. My post obviously struck a nerve with "you" and you are not the type of forum member that I was refering to. Matter of fact it is the exact opposite, members like you who always seem to be willing to help with hard facts and not rhetoric are the heart and sole of this forum and many like it. I admit I may have went over the top a little with my rant. I was just trying to make a point about how "some" of the crowd are always complaining about how the site is working and then when they have an opportunity to help with the problems they don't pony up. And yes I do realize it is absolutely voluntary and Troy has vowed not to ever make it a pay site. Knowing this I should have never made that comment. My main point was if a member that has this great forum for free is not happy with the way it works from time to time and then has an opportunity to help fix the problems VOLUNTARILY and chooses not to then they should not complain when it acts up from time to time.

You make an excellent point of the fact that when one does choose to donate that it could be annonimous. I don't need 4 silver stars in my avatar I have nothing to prove and I am not seeking any recognition other than a more than satisfied customer of a great forum. I damn sure won't try and pass myself as a relative noobie off as someone better than the many before me that have made this such a great site.

Lastly I don't know if you were refering to me or not but I can assure you I have posted things for sale a lot more than just once and have been successful everytime but once. At that was because I changed my mind and chose to keep the items. I want a deal as much as the next person but a low-baller I am not. But that is for another rant another day.

 

no. not at all. It was just an made-up example.

And you see... but keeping the donations anonymous; even the mods can't be accused of playing favorites... because even they wouldn't know who donated - and who didn't.

I'm really curious as to who was consulted on setting up this process? Was it someone that has 3 college degrees, or a long-time personal friend, or someones teenage son, or was it someone with experience in this sort of thing?
Was a lawyer consulted about the problems associated with banning a paid "lifetime supporter" ???

Now more than ever, Corvette Forum is a business for profit (and rightfully so). So when a business-for-profit needs to make a change, they should consult people with experience in this specific business - and experience with the particular change being proposed.

 

I guess I don't see what the big issue is, whether we donated or not. I can't say I look at anyone differently because they did or did not contribute.

You attend the Cruise-In...it's reflected by your name. No complaints about that?
You donate to St Jude, it's reflected by your name...no complaints about that?

This forum has always noted the members who take a more active role in participating...be it with money, time, post counts, etc. I really fail to see how this is any different.

I don't care for the big gaudy stars myself, and hopefully they will change soon. Troy has already stated our normal stars will reappear soon...so if you need those stars to jusge the quality of a member, you can relax.

You could try to keep everything anonymous....but that likely won't attract as many people to contribute, and heck...next time I or another supporting member posts an attachment in a thread, it'll be kind of a no-brainer to figure out how we are able to do so.

 

MM,

As usual you never cease to crack me up. Seriously I appreciated your humor, I often find myself (when I see your avatar) checking to see your reply because I know I am going to get a chuckle out of it. Now with that said, not to turn this into a lovefest, these are all valid points but no one should feel obligated to contribute. If anyone took that away from my rant that is not what I wanted to express. I for one being fairly new felt obligated myself because I came on here and received a plethora of information at my finger tips and felt like I should give something back. Since I don't have the knowledge and experience that some of you do to share with others it was an easy decision for me. Just because I have 4 large stars in my avatar doesn't make me anymore a contributor than yourself on the contrary I will never be able to match your contributions. I must admit the stars are rather gaudy and in your face but I am sure that was not the intent of the administrators and I am sure they can come up with a system for those who wish to keep it annonimous.

Y2Kver4me,

You make some excellent points as well.

 

Yeah Grumpy is always on the lookout for explicit avatars
I know he doesn't favour me since I offered to buy beers at the cruise-in

 

I am glad you mention that the old star will be back I took pride with get the red white and blue stars which took me 3 long years of making post and contributions. It also can help you so that when you know when to cut some slack to newer members

 

lets not forget the forum was under attack by Big Ted a few years ago.. He threatened to sue us, take over the forum, then shut it down.

Big Turd is just the type to re-register under yet another name - pay to be a "Lifetime" whatever - then dare us to ban him. The threat opf legal action would be enough to screw things up. Think the forum is short on cash now... just wait until then.

Actually; this time around he just may "have us by the *****". Do we have to learn this one the hard way???

This forum means so much to so many; it'd be a shame to see it shut down because of an uninformed business decision.

Let the donations continue - but anonymously

I can't say anymore - already said too much. I'm out of this thread.

:

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Wow. Paranoid lately?

The funny thing is...anyone with the smarts and capability to do such a thing (IF it were even possible) would never say a word about it.

 

Who is big ted?

 

WOW'; uninformed about the world we live in today?

Big Turd was a real threat; where one forum member had to get a restraining order against him. They didn' even live in the same state. Big Ted (aka Big Turd) somehow got this members work telephone number and started harrasing him and his boss.

OK Lets hear it... "MM; I thought you said you were out of here".

 

I'm familiar with the story. Personally harassing another member is one thing.

Suing and taking over the forum is another.

 

And beyond that...how does being a supporting member affect ANY of that?

 

it has everything to do with it when one is deemed a "Lifetime" anything

Big Ted was a serious concern here to the forum owners and some long term members. It wasn't funny back then... nor taken lightly either.

How many times do I have to say "I'm not against the donation process" ????

Stop trying to make it seem I'm against asking for donations.
I've made myself very clear on that point.


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I agree with you on many levels Mike.

I'm still a n00b to this forum, to Corvettes and everything Corvette related.

This forum had provided me with untold riches in technical knowledge, and of course laughter. I want my old stars back (finally broke the 4000 barrier ) but I disagree on one thing : recognition of a donation is a GOOD thing for one reason - and one reason only. It encourages others to donate. If it's all anonymous - then everyone can say "someone else is donating - so I do not have to". And very few donate.

I think the giant stars are tacky and out of proportion, but once the initial fund drive settles down, perhaps an acknowledgement along the lines of "Cruise In Veteran" or "St. Jude Contributor" would be more appropriate.

Oh, and BTW - I'm a NRA Life Member also.

Take it easy.

EG

 

Never said nor implied you were against the fundraiser.

Corvetteforum is not a corporation, and as such corporate law does not apply. Myself or anyone else donating money does not make us officers or decision-makers of the organazation. As much as you'd like to think we could somehow be held legally resonsible for the actions or statements that occur on this site, that is not the case at all.

Whether it states we donated money in bold print or in no print at all does not change anything. If I donate to the Red Cross or Salvation Army and some whacko sues them, I will not be burdened by that in any way.

I may be a nice guy, but I am not afraid of internet tough guys and people who make legal threats. I know enough about that aspect to seperate a real threat from a non-threat. If someone chooses to personally harass me, trust me, they will get their due. Legally.

 

Me three, been one since I was 9 years old. I want a star for that too. (J/K folks) Time to lighten the mood since I got this thing started!

MM, I know you said you were out of here so keep the door open for me as well on your way out. Just a little humor my friend. I have said enough as well, but I never thought you were against the donations. I understand where you are coming from and I always enjoy a spirited debate (notice I didn't say argument there's a big difference) so I am sure your thoughts will be taken into consideration by the administrators. I must say this is a much more interesting way of keeping the thread at the top instead of those boring TTT's, don't you agree.

 

Yeah, but I'm one of them thar furrin'her types