Some changes to the forums

[Alan]

Cos we really do need more Smilies dont we Manos? I mean how do you cope with the mere 21 available on this forum!!!

John,

I joined this forum in 2000, after meeting you at LBS IIRC. Its fantastic both in the way that it has grown and the way it can consume time when I am supposed to be working. (Like now)

You are doing the right thing to keep the core part of it free - I would include PM's and pictures in this as I think they both enhance the community.

Charge for buying and selling. Absolutely do.

Charge for advertising. (& I am glad to hear that that wont include popups!)

Sell RIB.NET gear if you like. But make sure that it doesnt become a monster in its own right to control.

Most importantly, keep up the good work!

Cheers,
Alan

[John Kennett]

Originally posted by Headhunter
One idea I have is for the reference section. A glossary of Rib and other water usage terminology would be helpful especially for newcomers. Also a directory where problems previously discussed could be filed in an FAQ section. Plus an indexed section of previously posted URL's which point us to suppliers of relevant items or items of interest.

John, thanks for your suggestions. The idea of a FAQ is definitely worthwhile, and something that I have had on my "to do" list for a while. There are definitely a few topics that come up repeatedly. A glossary would also be useful.

Links pages can be useful, but unless they are carefully categorised and maintained can quickyl become unusable. I'm sure we've all seen links pages which are just a massive collection of unsorted URLs! As part of the upgrade that will see the directory relaunched I will be changing the links page to a more comprehensive system that will allow people to add links as they find them.

Any membership system that is put into place must be very simple and easy, so I think that anything involving number or frequency of posts is going to be a non-starter.

My suggested scheme keeps the forums substantially unchanged, doesn't restrict peoples ability to ask questions or give answers, but does mean that I don't have to rely on people to pay up when they sell a boat (thanks to those that have paid, no thanks to those of you who haven't when you should have!) and anyone else who wants to support the site financially can do so. It will also be fully automated and not reply on me being able to manually process registrations.

John

[Manos]

GREAT Jonh!!

[John Kennett]

Originally posted by Alan
You are doing the right thing to keep the core part of it free - I would include PM's and pictures in this as I think they both enhance the community.

I was never keen on the idea of restricting images or PMs, but thought I'd see what people reckon as it is the way that a number of other forums work. There was always a slim chance that people would say "I think PMs are worth paying for" . . .

Sell RIB.NET gear if you like. But make sure that it doesnt become a monster in its own right to control.

That is a concern. If I offer the service via RIBnet I would want it to work well, without committing me to put more time into it (I reckon RIBnet owes me something like 1500 hours to date!). I had been hoping that a UK (or european) based equivalent of CafePress would come up as the shipping rates make it a non-starter as far as I am concerned. I havan't found anything suitable so far, but I'll keep looking.

John

< edit: Actually the international shipping rates charged by CafePress have come down a bit, but with the possibility of duty and VAT to pay on arrival it's still going to make for an expensive T shirt! >

[Manos]

Originally posted by Alan
Cos we really do need more Smilies dont we Manos? I mean how do you cope with the mere 21 available on this forum!!! Alan

Alan I think that (and I believe that I speak for most of the p[people I know in this forum) we come here to unwine and relax. Serious talk is OK but having some fun is what what people are looking for.

I believe that this forum is rightly balanced and works well.

So HAVE MORE SMILIES!!

[gingercoastie]

Originally posted by Jon Brooks
Hey we do a great line in Icom branded kit
hats, bags, shirts, cd holders etc.

Check out the wesite

www.icomuk.co.uk

Bugger is that an advert?
Best get my credit card out now!

Kind regards

I've already paid for 2 Icom radios, I can't afford anything else with the Icom name on it.

[Manos]

Originally posted by gingercoastie
I've already paid for 2 Icom radios, I can't afford anything else with the Icom name on it.

Is because you bought them from the UK.
Try the USA or SAfrica

[Jon Brooks]

Originally posted by Manos
Is because you bought thme from the UK. Try the USA or SAfrica

Manos

I hope your not trying to suggest that these fine upstanding people break the law!

And you get better VFM with us.
Hell you don't get anyone from Icom US or Icom Sa on here offering help and advice

Regards

[Robert1]

Hi John,

First of all, Congratulations...

RIBnet is THE most useful internet site I have ever come across. In my humble (50 posts!) opinion, the scheme that you suggest (Buy and Sell paid advertising) is a good one because it leaves the essnece of RIBnet unchanged. People (like me) can still have their questions or worries answered with (astonishing) accuracy free of charge. I believe if this is kept in mind when reorganising the site, both to reward your effort and help maintain the site, then RIBnet will continue to grow and to be the open, friendly and knowledgable community that it is.

And what better way to express this ethos of RIBnet, than with smilies! (or a pennant for RIBnet members, so we can wave to each other out on the water!)

[Manos]

Originally posted by Jon Brooks
Manos
I hope your not trying to suggest that these fine upstanding people break the law!
And you get better VFM with us.
Hell you don't get anyone from Icom US or Icom Sa on here offering help and advice
Regards

Just joking Jon. I'm sure ICOM UK does its best for their customers. I had bought an ICOM from the UK a few years back had a problem with it and have to say that the service I received was EXCELLENT! (getting old hence the reading glasses)

[Richard B]

So, if someone were to "sponsor" RIBnet and then posted something inappropriate or inaccurate, would they be banned, I mean have their posting rights revoked?

[Manos]

Richard you are a ....

[The Jackeens]

If people are getting business directly from posting on the site (& using other facilities…e.g. signature, attachments, pms etc.) then I think it is ethical for them to contribute for this facility. It doesn’t really add up for one person to host them and meet their advert costs indefinitely.

I find popups visually crude & intrusive. I like the clean layout.

There is a significant congregation of blatantly commercial people now & while the contributions are very helpful I like to see a clearly declared vested interest. For commercial people the business & enjoyment gained from the site should be well worth any financial contribution.

If all this means the Boss is enabled to keep on running the service & even seeking to upgrade/ improve it…so much the better.

Slight caveat…

Wouldn’t like to see the thing dominated by commercialism. Or that in some way commercial peeps might be the perceived elite…I’ll speak for myself here!!!!I view boats only from a leisure point of view. Therefore they mean fun, escape from the daily drudge of work, nice spins, meeting like-minded people, stops for food, drink, stories…Some may dismiss this as ‘fluff’.

Not everyone looks at a boat & thinks what spec engine? What’s the layout? Length? (An almost uniquely male preoccupation….!!!)

So please continue to allow a little space for those of us who enjoy vaguely boat related chatter…tales from the sea…banter…funny moments…and the odd get together . None of these may add to anyone’s knowledge about engines, sponsons, ropes, anchors, consoles etc. but may be nonetheless valid for those of us with a different perspective on boating…one person’s meme (I think you’re great Meme BTW & regards to the dragon) may just be another person’s moron but I believe there’s room for us all.

Missus (I’ll shut up now).

[Manos]

Respect 2 Missus!

[Brian]

A small question that keeps an anorak like me awake at night........
It is pretty easy to categorise someone who represents a commercial interest. Let me quote that excellant man, Paul Glatzel as an example. He proudly represents his company and commercial interest when he posts here.
But.....what about someone who works in the industry, is he "commercial". Let me use the (currently, much maligned) example of Turbodiesel, or TUE who work in the industry, but are probably not officers of, nor official representatives of their company?
And does it matter?

[Keith Hart]

Following on from Brian's thoughts.

Would I be charged for having the link to my business website on my profile along with the posts? I doubt that I've ever had any business through RibNet. However I do think that it is interesting to see people's interests other than Ribs and Sibs. Also it is just another little bit of 'networking'.

JK, there can be no doubt that we all love RibNet and find it very helpful. I can honestly say that I'd never have gained the experience or had the adventures afloat if I'd never found RibNet.

I would think that it is reasonable to make a charge for banner advertising but pop ups are anoying and there are some websites I've stopped using because of them.

Keith (I've slept in RibNet) Hart

[John Kennett]

Originally posted by Richard B
So, if someone were to "sponsor" RIBnet and then posted something inappropriate or inaccurate, would they be banned, I mean have their posting rights revoked?

This is a issue which could possibly lead to a conflict of interests, but I hope that it won't!

The fundamental principle will be that no one can buy themselves out of trouble! I will continue to expect everyone who posts on RIBnet not to abuse the forums.

No one has been banned (or suspended!) for a single inappropriate or inaccurate post. Repeated misdemeanours and the refusal to accept warnings will continue to incur penalties!

As ever, I hope that this won't occur very often if at all. We currently have no one banned or suspended, and the forums are going from strength to strength. Long may this carry on.

John

[John Kennett]

Originally posted by Brian
But.....what about someone who works in the industry, is he "commercial".

Anyone can register and post as an individual, whether they work in the trade or not. No problem.

If they are promoting their business in the forums then they should join as a trade member.

It will be left largely to the individual as to whether they sign up as a trade member or not. As with most things RIBnet, it will rely on people doing the right thing. If someone abuses the forum it will be obvious to me and to the rest of the members . . .

Originally posted by Keith Hart
Would I be charged for having the link to my business website on my profile along with the posts?

You can put whatever you like as your home page in your profile, and a link in your signature is fine too. If it does turn out to be useful then you can always sign up to a higher lever of membership as a thank you!

John

PS THERE WILL BE NO POP UP ADS ON RIBNET! EVER!

[John Kennett]

For comments and suggestions about the recent upgrade to the forum software, please use this thread

Thanks!
John

[Manos]

What about the AVATARS!!!