You can't see pictures, the message says, You have to be a VIP, what is this a porno site or maybe two fishes are mating, or maybe giving birth. I don't agree with this at all, don't borther to upgrate my status as I am happy with my class, don't have to be a VIP. I never agree with different in class especially for no reason and I don't see any justification for others to see all pictures. Can BAN me now, you have my VIP autorization.
lol!
I will paste this for those who are unwilling or unable to find the information clearly displayed on the forum front page:
Those wanting full access to the forum boards, to view/post within the gallery will need to sign up as Minimum Premium members. This is different from 2009 but we feel that people have gained alot from the Malta Fishing Forum at no charge and its time to help cover costs, with a very basic member fee of €8.
New members will have 2 days of unlimited access to view the forum so that they can see all the content and decide if they want to join, after which they will have to sign up as a premium member to continue participating/viewing everything, or remain restricted to seeing and participating in certain boards only. Existing regular members will only have certain boards availble to them to post in.
So Mr. Yanyano what we are saying is that you are free to enjoy certain areas of the forum for free but if you want to use the more advanced features and want unrestricted access then you need to sign up as a Premium member at the least. Frankly I don't think €8 per year is alot to ask for given what we are providing in return, the various discounts available from suppliers, the fact the forum costs alot of money to run each year on hosted servers abroad not to mention the hours I spend each week along with the team of moderators maintaining it.
I ran the forum for 3 years where I picked up the bill and now it's time to cover costs. Whilst I don't know you personally should I categorise you as one of the many who likes to take and never give back and then expects everything for free. In which case feel free to go somewhere else, you are not being forced to pay a membership fee.
This has nothing to do with a social class it's to do with different membership levels on the forum: Free, Premium or VIP
Ehhhh....you naughty naughty naughty naughty boy Skip...class distinction now ehh....hehehehe...I've heard it all, but this is the best yet!!!....what we really need to tell members here is that one pays 8Euros a year and gets 100's of Euros back in return in the form of discounts, information, a growing network of fishing comrades...the works.
I was talking to Skip the other day how some foreign forums operate on a membership basis (e.g. boatdiesel.com) while others run the site for free but every so often request that the members put up a donation. I waas on this forum (bertram33.com - where else) and the site admin asked for some donation from the members to cover costs. Most members posted "cheque's in the mail' and by cheque they meant 100's of dollors in donations. I'm not saying that we should contribute 100's of Euros, I'm just drawing an example that when ppl appreciate the work and sacrifice put into hosting and administering a forum of this size, then they are very happy to contribute. It took 3 yrs for this forum to be where it is today, and 1000's of posts, threads and topics....there is a mountain of information, if one searches in the right direction...and all this for Eur 8 a year!
a little contribution towards this professional and helpful forum that's the least one could do; where all of us can virtually meet at the comfort of our homes and still share our passion.
then it's up to us to start interesting topics and share information with all.
keep it up skip & co for the hard work you do everyday including weekends and public holidays.
FIRST OF ALL KEEP IT UP NICK AND CO, :D :D :D
on the other hand :o if this yanyano ??? ??? does not afford 8/20euro contribution :o which helps in growing and cultivating discussion board forum the MFF please just turn to another site.
we are happy with these regulations so get lost mate ;)
regards
kevin cuschieri 8)
Ok, personally, I am not a member that posts a lot but I feel that its time for a post on MFF. Personally I think this is a great forum which in my case, being a beginner, hobbyist fisherman I can call this a database for Maltese fishing which most of the information here I wont find on the Net! So 8EUR as a fee for me to read/learn and follow treads and look at some of the nicest catches from the Maltese waters that encourage me to keep practicing my hobby is just simply awesome! Well done MFF team and keep up the good work.
To make a fuss over 8 Euros a year is what i call a BIG QAMMIEL (apologies for being rude)!!! Come one Yanyano, in this forum you have heaps of information on the palm of your hands - what can you ask for form? I have asked for help and opinion before I buy my new boat and engine. And that's what I received - a 100% response from forum members. Apart from other interesting information regards fishing, tackle and tactics.
I agree with yanyano, skip u are being a racist and discriminating against class distinction. So i suggest that you remedy this and make the fee a straight Euro20 thus doing away with the class distinction thing.
NAAAAAAAAAAAAAA its better as it is, as those who want to contribute Euro8 are free to do so. The rest can pay the VIP which is just a title and nothing else.
Well done MFF
Oh one last comment: WHY DID I BOTHER TO ANSWER THIS POST ?!?!?!?!
Thanks for the support guys :)
We are behind you Skip. We know that the forum is growing fast and to keep it running it needs funds and time con suming, for this we thank you and your team.
Can anyone who practices this hobby really,honestly complain about spending 8 Euro's?!!! Jesus i spend them on cigs alone when im fishing....
Quote from: shanook on March 03, 2010, 19:00:45 CET
I agree with yanyano, skip u are being a racist and discriminating against class distinction. So i suggest that you remedy this and make the fee a straight Euro20 thus doing away with the class distinction thing.
NAAAAAAAAAAAAAA its better as it is, as those who want to contribute Euro8 are free to do so. The rest can pay the VIP which is just a title and nothing else.
Well done MFF
Oh one last comment: WHY DID I BOTHER TO ANSWER THIS POST ?!?!?!?!
As usual shanook sums it up best :) :)
while was writing my reply and trying to put the words in order, I choosed better not to give an answer to these kind of topic and rub everything.
Did you asked why??? before putting down that words, showing no respect to to the staff and members?
Just a note, I suggest you to use the forum while you are at work cos even the electric bill can come up and give you a bad surprice....
8€, giving you all free answers and all others expiriance, lot of staff work, all discounts.. What do you expect more?? Can you suggest a guy or a company that is not involved in this forum that gives you all this pls? Here, before going to perchise an item you can find the best for your needs.
i always tell my wife im a VIP! now with only 20 euros i can prove it!
Quote from: caldaland on March 04, 2010, 00:17:45 CET
i always tell my wife im a VIP! now with only 20 euros i can prove it!
LOL! nice one mate!!
Lol good one James....and your card is in the post so you can show her for sure now :)
i think this thread should be moved to the jokes section, lol........
thanks skip.
I ran the forum for 3 years where I picked up the bill and now it's time to cover costs. Whilst I don't know you personally should I categorise you as one of the many who likes to take and never give back and then expects everything for free. In which case feel free to go somewhere else, you are not being forced to pay a membership fee. This is you judging me, since you came to sentence me, I feel there is no need to continue this topic, I settle for the TV and watch pictures and documentaries there beside the internet. Just for your information only, I hardly use this site and if you do your homework before you use the keyboard you will find out that I used this site, maybe fifty times in three years and this when I want to buy something, as for the rest, while here I likes to have a look at the picture gallery. It not a matter of money but since you already judged me I can say one last thing, losing a member for you means nothing, for me, same, but I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the people and sponsors who were helpful is selling me what I needed and what they wanted to sell, must say they do better then others re custumer care.
Regard,
keep It Up.
I hardly think you should be surprised at the reaction you have received given what you wrote in your opening post....as you rightly pointed out you have hardly used the site but I would have hoped that you would appreciate that pictures take up space on a server and space is limited and costs money based on the amount you need.
You may not agree with my decision to restrict viewing of the gallery to at least Premium members, in life one is never going to please everyone, however this decision was taken after consultation with various members who were also all of the opinion that restrictions should be put in place.
As you rightly pointed out you came here in November asking for advice, and that advice was given to you by various people and I'm glad that it helped you arrive at a decision concerning your purchase, however I personally feel you were out of line with your choice of words, clearly in frustration about no longer being able to view the gallery.
For some bizarre reason you decided to attribute it to class, I didn't come here to sentence you, you 'sentenced' yourself when you wrote things like feel free to ban me etc etc, which I have no intention of doing as you have done nothing wrong per se. A disagreement with our policy but there's nothing wrong with that, I did check to see where you posted etc but how many times you used the site has nothing to do with access levels.
A letter of explanation about our upcoming decision along with a notice period was sent out to all at the end of last year and posted online within the forum for all to read :)
I feel I don't have to answer anyone who think I was arguing about the eight euros, more and more when I see someone (Kevin) telling me to get lost, eight euros is nothing, make it more euros and make it more serious, read and hire someone to censor the posting before they are seen by all.
May The Good Lord Blesses You And Keeps You All Safe.
One last thing for your information I knew nothing about the eight euros cause all I saw was this; Sorry, you do not have permission to view pictures! - The Gallery is for Premium & VIP Members Only! Having inserted "Click Here" and after doing so you would have given all the other addional information re fee for being given a Premium & V.I.P. wouldn't have cause all this, but don't worry, you don't have to apologize for telling me I want all for free and give nothing, one thing for sure I told you how things should have been done. ;) ;) ;) and that for free, no charge. ;) ;) ;)
Hope this make Kevin happy too now. ::) ::)
no it will not make me happier since i pay my fee to get what i need now either sand by the rules or thats it buddy.
the forum is is getting bigger and bigger so if you feel you have superior experties contact the managing board and i belive they will be more then pleased in receiving help.
that will really make me happy cos over here everyone try to help in the way he can
Thanks
I agree with sticking to the rules, that why I did not answer you when you told me to get lost, if you are one of them that helps, you didn't help much. Now read my previous posting re "Click Here" and suggest it too (If you want to help) so people who did not know will get more information before the kettle boils. And never judge others before you do your homework. My intention is not to challenge anyone or telling them what to do or "Get" Am not a bully still I have my credebility like most people here.
should you asked for help prior putting the forum in discussion the attitude would have been at a different longtitude.
personally i accept to be critisied but you came out full speed and now you ask me to do my homework ,i'm not a pc genius but common sens leads me to ask prior acting
thanks for using this site
let's stop this and leave every one enjoy in the membership level he deems right for him.
Yanyano has indeed made an excellent suggestion concerning the Click here for more information and it's definately something that can be implemented.
However it is explained here http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/index.php on the main forum page, the first page that you log on to when accessing the forum, I do admit you have to scroll down and read all so the Click here to read more suggestion is very valid.
Perhaps the replies weren't very open from us, but I think just writing this: "You can't see pictures, the message says, You have to be a VIP, what is this a porno site or maybe two fishes are mating, or maybe giving birth. I don't agree with this at all, don't borther to upgrate my status as I am happy with my class, don't have to be a VIP. I never agree with different in class especially for no reason and I don't see any justification for others to see all pictures. Can BAN me now, you have my VIP autorization. " as opposed to saying listen guys I don't seem to be able to access the gallery is a bit extreme to.
I'm sure if you had to redo your post you would do it differently and as mentioned I will certainly take on your suggestion for the Click here for more info.
Yes, I think I had enough of this.
If I did not know that one has to pay, it's beacause it was not added where it should have been added, that is, how guest have to be V.I.P. and how to obtain it, but definetely "Common Sense" is not telling someone that he is one who wants everything free without giving anything back or even more telling him to Get Lost, Nice common sense you have.
May you catch the biggest fish next time you go fishing.
to Yanyano
IGNORANCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE......and that is practiced as far as USA as well as in this small gem of a country called Malta. U didnt know that the reason for not viewing was the payment of whatever euros.......but if that is the case why not come out with a simple question 'HOW do I get to become a premium or vip member???'
you have used the forum so u should know that we always help all those who have a query.
Now the 'million dollar' question do u intend to become a premium or vip member and so be able to view the gallery.
No use complaining or otherwise. whats done is done and all that remains is for you to take a decision you either remain as you are, pay 8 euro or pay the 20 euro. ITS YOUR CALL and nobody will hold grudge against you.
Now u know its not a matter of class its a matter of keeping the forum site going for the enjoyment of all. The more posts and pictures the more money the forum has to pay. OH by the way it would be nice if you could post your suggestions to make the forum a better place, we have never ever declined an offer of help, just as much as we will not tolerate someone to compare this to a porn site......................
@ Yanyano------ > are you on your period or something ??????...... for christ's sake you've been nagging for over 24 hours now...... now you know..... get over it....... don't be such a drama queen, nobody's perfect.
would be nice to get an answer to shanook's question........ are you???
Ignorant is not an excuse, how right you are, that why you have to make thing clear cause not all are intelligent like you, had it been so WE WOULD NOT NEED THESE FORUM AND SITES.
BYE BYE MR. KNOW ALL :)
OUT
still nagging......... selili...... u prosit tal program
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwoooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
50 times in 3 years..............................
Now you logged in 100times in 24 hours..................
That's a good step forward.
Come on Yanyano, just kiddin mate.
Join in, here we are a big nice family. Stop it guys and welcome this new member. .
he's obviously more than welcome to join..... the more the merrier.....
ignorance not ignorant....
why am I bothering......geees........unbelievable.......and we joined the EU.......i wonder........oh well, as they say boys will be boys......
My last comment as I have more silly matters to attend to, like do I scratch my Nose or not? Very intriguing and much to ponder on so i will place my undivided attention to this matter........
paying the membership fee is no big deal compared to the information and tips you get here.plus the friendships you make are pricless!so if you want to get you have to give.
3 pages wasted on ...........nothing not even a tomahawk will make a dent.....I suggest that u save space skip and delete this topic.....
As Napolean said IT IS EASER TO WIN THE WAR THAN TO TEACH THE IGNORANT
Quote from: mulett75 on March 04, 2010, 21:13:17 CET
As Napolean said IT IS EASER TO WIN THE WAR THAN TO TEACH THE IGNORANT
this x100000
Keep it up nick :D
let all those who never sinned throw the first stone. come on guys simmer down.lets encourage him to become a member and welcome him.he has mistaken the first approach,lets not condemn him for that.let bygones be bygones.amen!
agreed caldaland but when I told him to let bygones be bygones and asked him his intentions of joining or not he actually called me 'Mr Know it all.........I for one agree that mistakes can be made and should never be condemned but with his attitude, I for one wouldn't like to make his acquaintance let alone share a drink with him..........
I dont think his intentions were to join just to pick up an argument......we should all learn from this (at least he served for something) which is to be polite when walking into other peoples world. He came onto this forum in a rude manner, which to me is a lack of respect to ALL MFF members, and thats not the right way to go about in a forum.
If you remember we had another member worse than him, he came on in a worse manner but with a few pms and by posting his apology where he had made a mistake, (thats what distinguishes a man from a kid, he became a contributing member where he made very valid suggestions.
I am posting again because YOU wrote otherwise I wouldnt bother to answer yanyano.
Yep I didn't appreciate his rude manner either, had he just asked a straight forward question he would have got an answer. His suggestion was very valid but the information he was looking for and explanation was easily available on the forum. He didn't even have to go searching as it was there on the forum front page, so this just tells me he was frustrated and his choice of words with his post were lousy. To me the common sense was not asking for help, or looking around a bit but wanting to find everything at your finger tips.
I have now implemented his suggestion at least something positive came out from all this, it's now easier to get an explanation. On a positive note it's clear the gallery is very popular :)
That's all folks.
agrees with both but,who knows,his attitude may change if he was given the chance.dont hold your breath thou! come on yanyano,make a move in the right direction!
pride won't let him...... unfortunately...... but i hope i'm wrong
Well i have nothing to say on this matter because he was answered by an administrator.But to say to censer this web site is a bit to much. Let me tell you something this web site is located in a freeeeeee country MALTA.
Ma tantx hu free country ha nejdlek lol.. ax issa kacca tista tajd qatawa u is sajd hemm jiprovaw kemm jifilhu
Hey guys, it's been a long time since I posted here but this matter is a bit different than what some of you are painting it to be, I personally don't agree with the blocking of the gallery section to the normal members, I happen to know a thing or two on the costs involved in running a forum (i'm on the mod team of a free 1.8million member warez forum) and it's nothing close to what 30 members paying 8eur/year would not cover let alone hundreds of members. I know many ppl who used to browse this forum purely to see the pictures since most of them are shore fisherman and do not see the kind of catches some of you do, but now they cannot, there are tons of free picture hosting websites which would have covered the big chunk of the space required. With that said, paying 8 euros is equivalent to buying a box of worms so it's no big deal but still it's something to pay and many ppl will be put off becouse of it. Don't forget that the information and pictures in here are all supplied by the actual members it's not like you'r paying to dload blueprints.
Personally I stopped uploading pictures before this membership came in place for other reasons which some of you know since we discussed about it, but the point for this post is to maybe rethink you'r strategy on how to run this place, If you'r seeking to grow as a comunity this is definetly the wrong way to do it but if you'r doing this to earn a buck than by all means I say well done.
freeman i dont know about the costs of a forum or your reason why you didnt put more photos but you weren t alone. a lot of members that used to put photos also stopped. maybe they thought how is it possible that only a few members are catching fish because only the same persons used to put photos. maybe a lot of people never put a photo so that the others dont know what they caught and since malta is a small place and everyone knows everyone it wouldn t be difficult to go after him and see his fishing places. maybe this was also your reason for stopping putting photos. i agree with them because i know people who catch a lot of fish but never put a photo. they just enter the forum to see other people catches and to see from where fish is being caught and nothing else not even writing a post and maybe with this post they help someone else. so if they have restricted posts they cant read certain posts that may contain information about fish being caught or places or photos. if they decide to pay 8 euros and still dont put a photo or write a post but only want information for themselves at least they will be helping the forum with their money.
well said busumark !!!!
Everyone comes to the forum to take ideas and learn and also spy on what others are catching but do not give their share in return.
Sometimes I keep a step back from what i post as many know me and my boat and people have seen me on my fishing spots, as soon as they know that i have caught some good sized fish thay are out on my spots
about time you lern
Quote from: Freeman on March 07, 2010, 11:11:08 CET
Hey guys, it's been a long time since I posted here but this matter is a bit different than what some of you are painting it to be, I personally don't agree with the blocking of the gallery section to the normal members, I happen to know a thing or two on the costs involved in running a forum (i'm on the mod team of a free 1.8million member warez forum) and it's nothing close to what 30 members paying 8eur/year would not cover let alone hundreds of members. I know many ppl who used to browse this forum purely to see the pictures since most of them are shore fisherman and do not see the kind of catches some of you do, but now they cannot, there are tons of free picture hosting websites which would have covered the big chunk of the space required. With that said, paying 8 euros is equivalent to buying a box of worms so it's no big deal but still it's something to pay and many ppl will be put off becouse of it. Don't forget that the information and pictures in here are all supplied by the actual members it's not like you'r paying to dload blueprints.
Personally I stopped uploading pictures before this membership came in place for other reasons which some of you know since we discussed about it, but the point for this post is to maybe rethink you'r strategy on how to run this place, If you'r seeking to grow as a comunity this is definetly the wrong way to do it but if you'r doing this to earn a buck than by all means I say well done.
Hi freeman,
I see where your coming from and i have an idea of the costs of hosting a forum,so it is fair comment..BUT how do you quantify the ammount of time spent by the admins and moderators answering PM's,queries,etc? and just generally making sure the forum is running smoothly.Time is after all,money! and im sure sometimes like everyone else they would have things they would much rather be doing!
I used to be a moderator on another local forum and one of the reasons (amongst many!) i left it was the admin used to log on 3 times a week (if that) and pretend that the moderators would do all the 'donkey' work!! Here at the very least the admin and mods are regularly online answering queries etc and at the most they are continously finding better deals,vouchers,discounts etc and organising activties :)
Personally speaking the gallery restrictions don't bother me at all, although i have also curtailed posting my catches for some of the reasons mentioned above.I agree with you that this is an online community and as such to be a part of any community you can't just take only and give nothing back,and im not refering to you personally btw mate..far from it! But it seems alot of people are content to do this,so as busu said at the very least they should be a charged for it and the money used to help imrove the forum or go towards the running costs.
Guys don't get me wrong, I'm not condamning the fee, far from it, the forum owner can do as he pleases and no one will tell him otherwise, what i'm saying is that the gallery is 90% of the reason why ppl browse the forum, some of the ppl will try to use the pics to their advantage but they are the minority, the majority are ppl who fish once a month becouse of work family ecc and seeing pictures of maltese catches is the closest they can get to fishing without actually going fishing.
For the ammount of time spent by the mod team I will not comment as i have no idea of statistics, ie posts/day ecc ecc but still it will be close to the ammount of time you spend martin explaing to ppl how to rig and what lure to use.
As for the reason why i stopped putting pictures on the forum wasent because I didn't want to show where i go fishing, I stopped because after you actually tell you don't even get a thanks from some of the ppl and manners are king to me.
Quote from: Freeman on March 07, 2010, 21:18:11 CET
As for the reason why i stopped putting pictures on the forum wasent because I didn't want to show where i go fishing, I stopped because after you actually tell you don't even get a thanks from some of the ppl and manners are king to me.
This 100% its happened to me many,many times!! but on the whole the majority of people here are curtious and well mannered...and those that aren't...well as you can imagine i def won't go out of my way to help them a second time..or even bother answering them tbh :D
We met martin u have a small idea of how i'm made, i'm not able to ignore someone who asks for something even if he's the most stupid kid in town so I opted to simply not post anything.
Some good points guys, but so many poeple have different behaviours.
If I had to condemn every single friend of mine that i, do not like a certain attitude in them, then i'd rather stay home, and not speak to anyone. Everybody has that something that you might not like. Then there are individuals that have many things that you do not like, all you need is ignore them.
I am also one of those guys which goes beyond to help someone else, as some of you might know.
I simply put pics in the galley, (even though some of them are not superb catches), but some of them are hilarious, etc etc, and we have a laugh. I simply do not mind people following me where i go fishing, since that I go nearly anywhere.
Yes its true, sometimes there are people that never comment (cause they are proud) on anybody's pics, but then when they upload a pic, they pretend that everybody bows at them.
There is also the main concept that professional people never upload a pic, and so people whom want to give the impression that they are professional (even if they are not), never upload any pic, and these people simply have no pics. to upload............ ;D
I post almost every catch I make. I think you are fed up with octopus but still I like to share as I a member of this forum but there are more members that can share their catches. I do not tell about where I go in posts. Sometimes if I want to share places I send private message as I don't like to make some kind of adverts related to good spots.
This might be a good target for commercial fishermen.
I dont post much, because i dont catch anything. How can I, mind you I tried a couple of times but to no avail. Even Busu told me that I will never be able to catch a fish. If any experts or professions want to try they are more than welcome. Hey Bigboy If you manage to catch a fish I will bow my hat to you. I tried all the methods jigging, bottom, casting nothing........that garage of mine is worthless.?!?!?!?!?!
I can only show photos filling up the boat with petrol because iam just going from one place to another wasting fuel. These last two years i even try to hide that i am going fishing because it has become a great shame or curse
jien itratti nilma il petrol nista nuri ghax hlief nahli il petrol ndur u naqad ma naghmilx.
dawn l ahhar sentejn nisthi nghid li deq mmur nistad. >:(
I try to post pictures with some of my posts but for some reason I cant find the correct format to post them in, I can get them into the Gallery so thats what I do now & tell people where they are.
How do you post a picture in a "txt" format, or "doc" format? when I download from my camera to my PC I get the option to download in jpeg or bitmap format, I cant download a photo in "txt" format, that's for text only surely? :-[
Guys, delayed posting, sorry was abroad and unfortunately not fishing.
I don't want to get into any controversy or argument. Just want to state the way I feel. I hadn't fished for ages, haven't dived for over a year, but I got back onto the forum, got my gear sorted with the help of forum members, and managed to land a fish which although might be nothing special it meant the world to me. All I want to say is thank you to Skip, the other moderators, and members for tips, advice, and assistance which really made a difference.
For example if it was not for the spinning info, Clutch-kick, MartinB and all the other who posted tips re spinning, I would have thrown it aside again cause with the gear i was using I practically broke a shoulder + my back hehe. After some good tips i got sorted and began having a buzz (just one small example).
I might not post much, and also am quite inexperienced to post advice (hence the many questions). But on a dull grey day, stuck at the office, or on the books, the forum gives me a reason to smile and hope for some good fishing. Therefore would like to say thanks to all and keep it up to the moderators and admin.
jean
p.s. hope i make it to the next drinks and also maybe we organise some spinning or fishing together.
8 euroes, for all the friends i have made, priceless. ;D ;D ;D
I have been following this thread for sometime now. I am one of does that never have uploaded a pic and that's because I don't catch decent fish and practice catch and release! On the other hand, whenever I had queries, the response was always overwhelming to say the least!!!..........and all this for a miserable annual fee of 8 euros.
May I take this opportunity to thank Skip and Co for all the work they dedicate for the forum, which I'm sure is time consuming!!!
i like mike.d.'s comment === Priceless
to nick can you add a like button :)
I've been away for a week abroad but just came back and read through this topic and 122 emails I had in my inbox. I think it's fair to say that the gallery restrictions came about as a general consensus from our most active members, these are the guys posting the majority of their catches they want to share in the gallery and also the ones who turn up at the various events that are requested by you the members and organised by us and recently certain individuals wanting to help out. I can vouch that this is a very time consuming ordeal and we certainly aren't doing it for the money....I'm not about to quit my daytime job! If I had to put this level of effort into a business I would be doing very well, but now that I started it, thanks to all you guys it has become a success and therefore the show goes on. Yes I've thought about throwing in the towel a couple of times as some may know but from the member support things have continued.
When a large percentage of people ask for something I give it due consideration and discuss it with the senior moderators before implementing, I don't like playing God and whilst yes the final decision is mine, I like to go where possible with the majority vote. So we could have left the gallery open to all but the number of pictures being uploaded was decreasing, in fact we ran competitions where prizes were kindly donated (and sorry I still have to find the time distribute ooops!), but if those uploading were getting upset by the leechers and then stopped uploading you would all be viewing a very 'dead' gallery.
To Freeman who I'm sure spends alot of time moderating the forum he is involved with, the nature of a warez site in my opinion is very very different to what we are giving here on the MFF, you can all look up what Warez means so by it's very nature you're likely to have a very large number of people interesting in obtaining the content provided. But I think with our growing list of sponsors we are giving far more back than a Warez or other type of forum legitimately offers, and you are not being restricted in hosting your pictures offsite and placing a link in fact some members do that. So you can upload your catches to Photobucket or a similar site and then paste the linking code in your post.
I can confirm that the gallery was and is very popular, but again there was a period of time when new posts were virtually non existent because all people were doing was coming in to the forum, viewing the gallery, and then either leaving or sending various PMs for more information and that's it! It would then just be a photo gallery site and nothing more.
The guys who have been involved with helping to organise social events or even competitions can tell you that it took alot of their time, effort and co-ordination to make it all happen, so the cost of running a forum is not just the tangible server hosting costs they are a fraction of it all, but if you look at the intangible costs, if those involved had to 'bill' for their time however low that fee might be then you would need several hundred paid up members to cover it. Yet they do it for the love of their hobby, myself included - where I spend hardly any time fishing and the majority of my free time ensuring that the forum is running and we're putting together good competitions, increasing our member offers and and the general admin work.
So no, we are never going to please everyone, and yes our member base may not increase at the rate it was before, but I would rather have a couple of hundred happy people contributing and helping each other out, than a couple of thousand people who just want to see what's being caught by whom and from where. As I'm not regularily out fishing for the reasons mentioned above, I will allow the members themselves to reply back with the sheer number of PM's and emails they get from 'strangers' asking for more info, help and advice offline - and most of them were getting that advice because people like to help. But if you look at some of the older gallery pictures, comments like where did you catch that from and how were the only 'posts' ever made by some members.
This forum would be nothing without the content provided by it's key members hence as the forum administrator I feel it's my obligation to place more focus on their requests and use that as guidance as to how the forum should be run, at the end of the day I am no expert.
A big thanks to the guys who do appreciate what we're trying to do here, like I said I'm sorry we can't please everyone but that's the life :)
Agreed nick.
And hope you've enjoyed your holiday....If it was!!!!!! :P
your work is duly appreciated skip!
Welcome back Nick.. ;)
@ skip, I think your argument closes this chapter! ;)
Quote from: blueskip on March 08, 2010, 20:30:34 CET
I try to post pictures with some of my posts but for some reason I cant find the correct format to post them in, I can get them into the Gallery so thats what I do now & tell people where they are.
How do you post a picture in a "txt" format, or "doc" format? when I download from my camera to my PC I get the option to download in jpeg or bitmap format, I cant download a photo in "txt" format, that's for text only surely? :-[
Once you've uploaded the image, select it in the gallery and you will see a section that says Image Linking Codes (Found underneath the rating box). Copy that code which relates to the image you uploaded and then paste it in your post to have it displayed.