Anchor
- Thread starter jeffk
- Start date
Capt. Bill1
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 2017
- Messages
- 6,127
It ain't about the wait for an anchor. At least for me.
It's the attitude that even after years of contribution to this forum, or even buying from BoatFix, if you don't have an anchor you are considered a second class member. And not worthy of the same consideration as those who have one. That some how we are moochers because we "have been using it (BoaterEd) for free" all this time.
Which is why I was against denoting who had "donated" $20 and who had not. Way back when the issue was first being discussed.
But in the long run I guess having or not having an anchor really doesn't matter. Because the powers that be will know who has and who hasn't "donated" to the cause one way or the other and can treat them accordingly.
Much like how our government works today.
Capt. Bill1
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 2017
- Messages
- 6,127
Bill, no one gets treated any differently if they have an anchor. First of all, I had to be coerced into accepting subscriptions from the beginning. And it was the ROs here who set the guidelines and rules. You had the opportunity to say your piece as did everyone else. The "majority" ruled. Yes, there are features that subscribers have access to when they get an anchor. But no one gets treated any differently.
Capt. Bill1
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 2017
- Messages
- 6,127
"First of all, I had to be coerced into accepting subscriptions from the beginning. And it was the ROs here who set the guidelines and rules. You had the opportunity to say your piece as did everyone else. The "majority" ruled. Yes, there are features that subscribers have access to when they get an anchor."
I'm well aware of the history behind the anchor.
So one more time, it's not about the "features". It's the attitude that those of us who don't choose to buy anchors are some how using the site for free. You can't have it both ways. On the one hand claiming the $20 is a donation but then calling the ones who don't donate free loaders. Maybe I'm thinned skinned but after years of contributing content and answers here I find that more than a little insulting.
"But no one gets treated any differently."
Sorry, but your words and actions have and do indicate otherwise.
I'm well aware of the history behind the anchor.
So one more time, it's not about the "features". It's the attitude that those of us who don't choose to buy anchors are some how using the site for free. You can't have it both ways. On the one hand claiming the $20 is a donation but then calling the ones who don't donate free loaders. Maybe I'm thinned skinned but after years of contributing content and answers here I find that more than a little insulting.
"But no one gets treated any differently."
Sorry, but your words and actions have and do indicate otherwise.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2001
- RO Number
- 3655
- Messages
- 1,800
>
Not trying to start a pi$$ing contest, but I disagree completely. Where does it say that buying a subscription to the Forum is a "donation?" Nowhere that I can find.
Secondly, you ARE using the Forum for free. It costs a lot of money to keep the Forum going, with equipment costs, buying bandwidth, paying the electric bill, maintaining the equipment, doing backups, troubleshooting and upgrades - and simply monitoring what's going on, on the site, to keep things civil. That doesn't come free!
Simply adding a comment here and there, or offering a helpful suggestion now and then, and calling it a "contribution" is fine - but that doesn't help to pay the bills to keep the Forum operational and "on the air." That takes money that has to come from somewhere. If not from willing subscribers, then from where? If you own two other Forums, then you know quite well how expensive it can be.
So as we all saw with the dearly departed Bob Louderback, resentment does sometimes arise between those who financially support the efforts to keep the Forum going, and those who don't.
And no, I have no financial stake whatsoever either in BoaterEd or in BoatFix, and am not a paid employee of either one. I have a full time job elsewhere, and do what I do here for the enjoyment of it, and to try and use my experience to help fellow boaters.
I think everyone will agree that BoaterEd is the absolute BEST Forum on the internet, regardless of topic or category. So let's try and stay friends and keep it that way, anchor or no anchor.
Not trying to start a pi$$ing contest, but I disagree completely. Where does it say that buying a subscription to the Forum is a "donation?" Nowhere that I can find.
Secondly, you ARE using the Forum for free. It costs a lot of money to keep the Forum going, with equipment costs, buying bandwidth, paying the electric bill, maintaining the equipment, doing backups, troubleshooting and upgrades - and simply monitoring what's going on, on the site, to keep things civil. That doesn't come free!
Simply adding a comment here and there, or offering a helpful suggestion now and then, and calling it a "contribution" is fine - but that doesn't help to pay the bills to keep the Forum operational and "on the air." That takes money that has to come from somewhere. If not from willing subscribers, then from where? If you own two other Forums, then you know quite well how expensive it can be.
So as we all saw with the dearly departed Bob Louderback, resentment does sometimes arise between those who financially support the efforts to keep the Forum going, and those who don't.
And no, I have no financial stake whatsoever either in BoaterEd or in BoatFix, and am not a paid employee of either one. I have a full time job elsewhere, and do what I do here for the enjoyment of it, and to try and use my experience to help fellow boaters.
I think everyone will agree that BoaterEd is the absolute BEST Forum on the internet, regardless of topic or category. So let's try and stay friends and keep it that way, anchor or no anchor.
I'm the one who owns the two other (non boating) forums.
Here is the deal. If you have an online store and want to sell things, one way is to link a forum to it. As much as I hear the forum and the business is two separate things, they are still connected.
For me having an anchor does absolutely nothing for me. The reason I got it is because I wanted to donate to the forum as I appreciate it.
But lets not forget that if your looking for customers and your offering a forum then of course you want anyone that is interested in your theme (boating) to show up and get used to hanging out.
Non anchored members hang out and they see other members talk about buying stuff, and eventually they may look at the product line. If they really like the forum and feel passionate about it they may not donate or buy an anchor.
The non anchored members are of the same value as anchored members if you look at it from the potential sales aspect.
Both anchored and non anchored members will be exposed to the BE world and either buy something or not. You have to be a non anchored member to become an anchored member even if your a non anchored member for only 2 weeks.
The attitude from the anchored members toward the non anchored members should not be resentment but should be happy that maybe someday the NAM's (Non anchored members) may get an anchor.
The reason "nams" are not required to get an anchor is because hopefully someday with the exposure and time spent here they will be moved to either get an anchor or not.
If you were to ban all "nams" the site would still continue on but with less forum activity and less potential to sell "anchors or products".
sooooooooooooooooooooooooo saying a "nam" is using a site for free is like being mad at people looking at billboards all day while driving for free.
On my sites we eventually ban lurkers, members who just take info all day and never post. Also I'm not selling anything so the lurking is more critical to a information based site like mine.
But if I had an online store that sold a product and had a forum "related" to it, I feel it would be prudent to let members be there no charge as long as they registered, contributed and followed the rules.
I think here, the anchors seem to divide the membership a bit. In the end, the division (if there is one) may hurt the overall mission statement of BE.
Here is the deal. If you have an online store and want to sell things, one way is to link a forum to it. As much as I hear the forum and the business is two separate things, they are still connected.
For me having an anchor does absolutely nothing for me. The reason I got it is because I wanted to donate to the forum as I appreciate it.
But lets not forget that if your looking for customers and your offering a forum then of course you want anyone that is interested in your theme (boating) to show up and get used to hanging out.
Non anchored members hang out and they see other members talk about buying stuff, and eventually they may look at the product line. If they really like the forum and feel passionate about it they may not donate or buy an anchor.
The non anchored members are of the same value as anchored members if you look at it from the potential sales aspect.
Both anchored and non anchored members will be exposed to the BE world and either buy something or not. You have to be a non anchored member to become an anchored member even if your a non anchored member for only 2 weeks.
The attitude from the anchored members toward the non anchored members should not be resentment but should be happy that maybe someday the NAM's (Non anchored members) may get an anchor.
The reason "nams" are not required to get an anchor is because hopefully someday with the exposure and time spent here they will be moved to either get an anchor or not.
If you were to ban all "nams" the site would still continue on but with less forum activity and less potential to sell "anchors or products".
sooooooooooooooooooooooooo saying a "nam" is using a site for free is like being mad at people looking at billboards all day while driving for free.
On my sites we eventually ban lurkers, members who just take info all day and never post. Also I'm not selling anything so the lurking is more critical to a information based site like mine.
But if I had an online store that sold a product and had a forum "related" to it, I feel it would be prudent to let members be there no charge as long as they registered, contributed and followed the rules.
I think here, the anchors seem to divide the membership a bit. In the end, the division (if there is one) may hurt the overall mission statement of BE.
Capt. Bill1
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 2017
- Messages
- 6,127
"Where does it say that buying a subscription to the Forum is a "donation?" Nowhere that I can find."
Back when we first discussed it that was the way it was presented, as I recall. But I guess you could call it a voluntary contribution if that term suits you better.
"If you own two other Forums, then you know quite well how expensive it can be."
That was not me Vic. But I contend that without good content and contributions you could collect all the money you want from members and you would have a site with few users and low traffic.
"Bill, please accept my challenge to find one post of mine in the past 10 years where I called anyone a "freeloader.""
Well that's not going to happen.
Because I'm not going to go back over 10 years of your posts and perhaps I should have said "implied or implying" instead of using the word "calling".
Back when we first discussed it that was the way it was presented, as I recall. But I guess you could call it a voluntary contribution if that term suits you better.
"If you own two other Forums, then you know quite well how expensive it can be."
That was not me Vic. But I contend that without good content and contributions you could collect all the money you want from members and you would have a site with few users and low traffic.
"Bill, please accept my challenge to find one post of mine in the past 10 years where I called anyone a "freeloader.""
Well that's not going to happen.
Because I'm not going to go back over 10 years of your posts and perhaps I should have said "implied or implying" instead of using the word "calling".
Oh...and I forgot to say (in my long winded rant) that its a proven fact in retail that the last thing you ever want to do to a customer who has cash in their hand ready to buy....... is to make them wait in a line to pay, or make them wait for the product.
This site may be better served having an assistant process the anchor thing if the main man is two busy. Impulse buying is today's theme and in this world of online stores, shopping carts and instant check-out, well its the way it is now.
If you want $$ then make it easy for them to spend it. Instant gratification man, let me have it!!
This site may be better served having an assistant process the anchor thing if the main man is two busy. Impulse buying is today's theme and in this world of online stores, shopping carts and instant check-out, well its the way it is now.
If you want $$ then make it easy for them to spend it. Instant gratification man, let me have it!!
- Joined
- May 10, 2002
- RO Number
- 8527
- Messages
- 66
I finally bought an anchor after 6 years of freeloading, so I could lurk in the NBR forums 
Eric
Eric
Capt. Bill1
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 2017
- Messages
- 6,127
I wonder if I can by an anchor but not display it so I could go in undercover.
Capt. Bill1
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 2017
- Messages
- 6,127
No, my problem is my boating season hasn't started yet.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2001
- RO Number
- 3655
- Messages
- 1,800
Bill and JLC, I got my Forum owners mixed up - my apologies.
And I agree that without good information, conscientious answers to legitimate questions, and the like, the Forum will turn out like many others on the web, and be a bunch of wise guys flaming each other, and it will go nowhere.
The legitimacy of this Forum has already been established, and as I've stated, I think it is the best Forum on the internet. I don't think anybody can question its legitimacy.
But the actual point I was trying to make, is that it costs money to keep the Forum up and running. RO's subscribing with their $20 a year help to "pay the bills." Those who don't subscribe, don't help to pay the bills. That's all I was trying to say. You can hate me if you want, but that's my feeling about it.
I wasn't around when the debate took place about whether or not it would be a good idea to know who were subscribers and who weren't, and issueing anchors for those who were. All I know on that topic is that ol' Bob used to flaunt the fact that he wasn't a subscriber, and had no intention of ever becoming one - and that ticked more than a few people off. So I suppose how you view the whole thing is strictly subjective.
And I agree that without good information, conscientious answers to legitimate questions, and the like, the Forum will turn out like many others on the web, and be a bunch of wise guys flaming each other, and it will go nowhere.
The legitimacy of this Forum has already been established, and as I've stated, I think it is the best Forum on the internet. I don't think anybody can question its legitimacy.
But the actual point I was trying to make, is that it costs money to keep the Forum up and running. RO's subscribing with their $20 a year help to "pay the bills." Those who don't subscribe, don't help to pay the bills. That's all I was trying to say. You can hate me if you want, but that's my feeling about it.
I wasn't around when the debate took place about whether or not it would be a good idea to know who were subscribers and who weren't, and issueing anchors for those who were. All I know on that topic is that ol' Bob used to flaunt the fact that he wasn't a subscriber, and had no intention of ever becoming one - and that ticked more than a few people off. So I suppose how you view the whole thing is strictly subjective.
The mix on this forum is just about right in my unasked for humble opinion. I look at this forum from an angle of how much activity it has and how well it runs. Its a pretty active place and things get asked and answered.
But don't forget that the formula is working because there are anchors and non anchors.
And...... every forum needs some drama or its just plain boring. I'm a member of another forum that is just 100% technical information and it is fine, but mostly boring. Its nice to be able to have a few laughs, read interesting posts, look at pictures and when you need something important its there.
Forums are kinda like Yacht clubs, there is business and there are events, In between those times you need to put your feet up and hang loose.
Hopefully more guys will see the value of supporting a place they like to hang, thats open 24/7/365. For the price of 2 Mudslides a year you have a thousand other people that may have had the experience your having a problem with.
I think the cure for the anchor vs non anchored debate is to switch the access areas around to be just about opposite of what they are now. Think about it... You get into all the technical stuff for nothing and you pay to get into the non boating area....
If it were mine, I would have non anchors in about 1/2 of the forums, and then they can graduate up into the other levels if they want to pick brains all day for information. There would be a general group of category's that everyone can hang around in and then there can be the nest level where membership gets you the whole ball of wax.
JMHO
But don't forget that the formula is working because there are anchors and non anchors.
And...... every forum needs some drama or its just plain boring. I'm a member of another forum that is just 100% technical information and it is fine, but mostly boring. Its nice to be able to have a few laughs, read interesting posts, look at pictures and when you need something important its there.
Forums are kinda like Yacht clubs, there is business and there are events, In between those times you need to put your feet up and hang loose.
Hopefully more guys will see the value of supporting a place they like to hang, thats open 24/7/365. For the price of 2 Mudslides a year you have a thousand other people that may have had the experience your having a problem with.
I think the cure for the anchor vs non anchored debate is to switch the access areas around to be just about opposite of what they are now. Think about it... You get into all the technical stuff for nothing and you pay to get into the non boating area....
If it were mine, I would have non anchors in about 1/2 of the forums, and then they can graduate up into the other levels if they want to pick brains all day for information. There would be a general group of category's that everyone can hang around in and then there can be the nest level where membership gets you the whole ball of wax.
JMHO
Capt. Bill1
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 2017
- Messages
- 6,127
"But the actual point I was trying to make, is that it costs money to keep the Forum up and running. RO's subscribing with their $20 a year help to "pay the bills." Those who don't subscribe, don't help to pay the bills. That's all I was trying to say. You can hate me if you want, but that's my feeling about it."
Of course I don't hate you Vic. Nor do I totally disagree with your opinion.
It's just as a long time contributor to this forum I don't like the implication that the contributions that I, and others who haven't bought an anchor make, are some how worth less then a twenty dollar bill. And there fore we are using the forum for free and thus freeloading.
Of course I don't hate you Vic. Nor do I totally disagree with your opinion.
It's just as a long time contributor to this forum I don't like the implication that the contributions that I, and others who haven't bought an anchor make, are some how worth less then a twenty dollar bill. And there fore we are using the forum for free and thus freeloading.
Actually, there shouldn't be a need for any kind of "membership fee" or "donation" or whatever you want to call it. You would think that BoatFix would assume the costs of running the BoaterEd forum in exchange for the advertising and networking provided.