News & Announcements - New Features Tomorrow.

As of Thursday Morning, not sure what time exactly, September 18th, you will see a new Forum in the Lounge. This will be for the new Titanium Membership level. We chose Titanium because, well, this is a bike forum and Ti IS after all one of the premium materials for high end road and mountain bikes. :D We have lots of ideas and some current new features coming on stream, you've already seen a few of them. Here are the benefits of Titanium Level membership that you will get for the subscribers fee for Ti:


Bike Forums Titanium Membership:



- Access to Titanium Members only Forum

- Ability to embed video in posts

- Search Social Groups Link on Navbar Search

- Ability to create Forums inside social groups. (SocialForums 1.4)

- Custom Smilies (MySmilies VB (v3.7.0)

- Mini YouTube Video in Profile (right side block)


In the works…


Comprehensive Ignore System – for customization…ignore your friends!



We hope you like these benefits and our developers are working on other features as well.

$?

$25 per year...

I'd pay $50 a year just to be able to ban people I don't like.

Then the membership would consist of me and you and maybe East Hill. ;)


I'd pay $50 a year just to be able to ban people I don't like.

Comprehensive Ignore System – for customization…ignore your friends!




You would never know what hit you when your enemy got a blue star. Ignore lists are too much like submarine warfare. This new deal sounds like it will definitely appeal to the hardcore Foosters mostly, but I'll probably join up, too. Do we get a Ti star?

I'd pay $50 a year just to be able to ban people I don't like.

How about a 5 dollar donation to vote people off the island? If someone irritates you enough, you give 5 bucks to vote for their banning. With 100 votes, the miscreant is history.

The only problem I see with this is that soon, BF could be so rich they wouldn't bother with a forum... :rolleyes:

Oh, on the reverse, 10 dollars to bring someone back, must reach 100 votes as well. Just imagine, people like RyanF could become profit centers!!! :innocent:

You would never know what hit you when your enemy got a blue star. Ignore lists are too much like submarine warfare. This new deal sounds like it will definitely appeal to the hardcore Foosters mostly, but I'll probably join up, too. Do we get a Ti star?

This is what you get...

OK, I got stranded in the boondocks today with a dead vehicle, so the Ti Forum will go live tomorrow. :D

This is what you get...

Looked around, didn't see any info on that yellow jersey thing next to your name. Explain please

shouldn't everyone with a red star automatically be a member?

a yellow jersey? :eek: the ultimate sign of the poseur! count me out...

:notamused:

:roflmao:

I really can't see what that would mean for me, it honestly sounds like it will be used by few or if it gets crowded will outlive the benefits in short order.

I'm all over the place anyway. Go figure I guess.

Why? Seriously, why introduce this "Titanium" level? Why try and squeeze more money out of your members?

Exactly. What's the point? I have no interest in seeing video, embedding video or seeing other people's video. I don't need to ignore people, and I don't want to join some elitist club which most of my friends aren't going to be members of anyway. And while custom smiles might be sorta fun, they are not $25 a year fun.

Exactly. What's the point? I have no interest in seeing video, embedding video or seeing other people's video. I don't need to ignore people, and I don't want to join some elitist club which most of my friends aren't going to be members of anyway. And while custom smiles might be sorta fun, they are not $25 a year fun.

You can put any similie you want you just have put it in img tags.

http://www.asaecenter.org/files/images/7measures_lg.jpg

Read it. Seriously.

i get embedded video for free at zoobomb.net, and I thought all users here already have an ignore list at their disposal. squeezing people for money for what should be standard forum features is bogus; what next, a nickel a post? :rolleyes: Forum users provide free content, and I'm sure that the ad sales on this site are already plenty lucrative for teh owners.

We still haven't heard a word from either Internet Brands or their customer service representatives, our moderators, regarding why this change was implemented.

But hey, I guess that's status quo for the leadership on this forum: action without accountability or transparency.

We still haven't heard a word from either Internet Brands or their customer service representatives, our moderators, regarding why this change was implemented.

But hey, I guess that's status quo for the leadership on this forum: action without accountability or transparency.

Do you not feel that IB is entitled to make some money? IB is a privately owned company, and they are in business to make money.

Do you believe that a privately held company should be required to explain business strategy to you?

Most importantly, don't you think you might want to enjoy the camaraderie which exists here, and participate more fully in the pleasure of that aspect?

East Hill

Do you not feel that IB is entitled to make some money? IB is a privately owned company, and they are in business to make money.

Do you believe that a privately held company should be required to explain business strategy to you?

Most importantly, don't you think you might want to enjoy the camaraderie which exists here, and participate more fully in the pleasure of that aspect?

East HillWhy do you answer with questions?

OK, some definite answers here:

First off, as has been stated several times, your red star rights will be honored. If that's what has everyone concerned, don't worry. All the red stars are being Grandfathered and will continue to the end of their subscription periods.


Changes make people nervous, I understand this. How about letting this play out and see where it goes? You may really like the result.

Why do you answer with questions?

Because I like people to think.

East Hill

Because I like people to think.

East Hill

Apparently you also like to annoy people. Answering questions with questions is also a bit rude. If you don't have answers, don't answer.

Do you not feel that IB is entitled to make some money? IB is a privately owned company, and they are in business to make money.

Do you believe that a privately held company should be required to explain business strategy to you?

Most importantly, don't you think you might want to enjoy the camaraderie which exists here, and participate more fully in the pleasure of that aspect?

East Hill

not from me.

not from me.

Correct.

IB takes pains to insulate itself from its users, and the new membership is disenfranchising the "Joe era" paid members.

Margaret, the camaraderie exists here in spite of IB (a year to get the server hashed out, and the search is still second rate, insular attitude, etc.) not because of their encouragement.

Because I like people to think.

East Hill
That's ridiculous. You should, as a moderator, try to make an intelligent response.

That's ridiculous. You should, as a moderator, try to make an intelligent response.

I was asking bdcheung those questions.

How would you have responded to bdcheung, if you don't think of this as a rude question?

East Hill

I was asking bdcheung those questions.

How would you have responded to bdcheung, if you don't think of this as a rude question?

East Hill

I think an appropriate response would have been something like this:

The reason for the Platinum level membership is this…

The benefits of the membership are…

In my opinion, the charge is justified because…

This reply would answer his questions and state your opinion on why he should pay the additional fee.

Hello, Grumpy Pig,

The bennies of the new membership levels are in the very first post in this thread. For easy reference, though, here they are again. :D

Bike Forums Titanium Membership:

1. - Access to Titanium Members only Forum
2. - Ability to embed video in posts
3. - Search Social Groups Link on Navbar Search
4. - Ability to create Forums inside social groups. (SocialForums 1.4)
5. - Custom Smilies (MySmilies VB (v3.7.0)
6. - Mini YouTube Video in Profile (right side block)


In the works…

1. Comprehensive Ignore System – for customization…ignore your friends!


There will also be more in the future, but development takes capital. To get the capital, a site has to have sufficient income to pay the developer team and purchase new software additions, as well as larger servers, etc. I can't give exact figures, as I don't know the exact numbers, but based on knowledge from other sites, it's not cheap to run a site the size of Bike Forums.

OK, some definite answers here:

First off, as has been stated several times, your red star rights will be honored. If that's what has everyone concerned, don't worry. All the red stars are being Grandfathered and will continue to the end of their subscription periods.

I thought red stars were for life. Did this change?

It was referred to as "Might as well be for life". The breakdown used to be a 30 year subscription for $25, and then as a bit of an inside joke I guess since 30 years is a huge span of time for a website, a 31 year for $50.
I thought red stars were for life. Did this change?

Do you not feel that IB is entitled to make some money? IB is a privately owned company, and they are in business to make money.

Do you believe that a privately held company should be required to explain business strategy to you?

Most importantly, don't you think you might want to enjoy the camaraderie which exists here, and participate more fully in the pleasure of that aspect?

East Hill

I gave a much lengthier and more thoughtful reply to Tom, who took the time to address me personally, but am more than happy to give a CliffsNotes version here.

1) IB is entitled to make money off its advertisers and sponsors - not off the membership. Has IB forgotten that, without us (the members), there would be no ad revenue, no membership revenue, and no BF?

2) I believe that if a privately held company wants its primary customer base (us) to accept and support an entirely new fee structure for services, then it is in their best interest to answer some simple questions from individuals who have clearly shown support, over time, for said privately company and the service it provides.

3) The camaraderie is free. So is my support, if you respect me. And hey, I might even throw $25 your way if you don't disrespect me. BF is a family (exclusive of Internet Brands who, to keep with the analogy, would be the landlord). Families discuss their problems, triumph their successes, and assist each other through their failures. But you know what? Successes, problems and failures will all go unnoticed if nobody communicates.

I gave a much lengthier and more thoughtful reply to Tom, who took the time to address me personally, but am more than happy to give a CliffsNotes version here.

1) IB is entitled to make money off its advertisers and sponsors - not off the membership. Has IB forgotten that, without us (the members), there would be no ad revenue, no membership revenue, and no BF?

2) I believe that if a privately held company wants its primary customer base (us) to accept and support an entirely new fee structure for services, then it is in their best interest to answer some simple questions from individuals who have clearly shown support, over time, for said privately company and the service it provides.

3) The camaraderie is free. So is my support, if you respect me. And hey, I might even throw $25 your way if you don't disrespect me. BF is a family (exclusive of Internet Brands who, to keep with the analogy, would be the landlord). Families discuss their problems, triumph their successes, and assist each other through their failures. But you know what? Successes, problems and failures will all go unnoticed if nobody communicates.

Perhaps you would be a bit more understanding if you realised that no one told us, the 'customer service reps', why the change was taking place either.

At any rate, I doubt that there is anyone on this board who has shown more support monetarily than I have.

East Hill

Forum users provide free content, and I'm sure that the ad sales on this site are already plenty lucrative for teh owners.

I've found that - in general and not specifically on BF.net - users are often treated as a nuisance and not a resource. Yes, as you say we create the content that makes a forum site able to sell ads (along with creating the content that gives mods headaches) - yet I often see forums make user-negative decisions. "Contempt of user" is rampant. Much like corporations seeing the employees as drains of resources - and thus using lay-offs as the first step in cost reductions - too many forums see users as freeloaders, and charging user fees for "premium" services is often the first recourse for a money-grab.

As a matter of principle, I refuse to pay to access any forum that has ad revenue, with very few exceptions (e.g. professional forums, with strict moderation, where the content is worth the $$ invested). To me that's like paying $30 for a $10 t-shirt, for the privilege of walking around with a big corporate logo on my chest.

I don't see BF.net offering me anything I would want to pay for here, and I wonder what the business case is for this new membership level. When I first joined this forum it was privately owned, and I believe not-for-profit. Is BF.net losing money? Is Internet Brands trying to see a profit from running this site? What market research backs up the decision to create this new user level?

Right now it looks like they're just offering a super-sized happy meal - with no more nutrition but added profits for the owners.

Because I like people to think.

East Hill

You must be dissappointed often, then :p

You must be dissappointed often, then :p

More often than I would like to be, but I also ask questions because when I welcome people, it's a way to get people to talk about why they bike.

It's certainly not meant to be rude, by any means.

You, in turn, always make me think!

East Hill

Perhaps you would be a bit more understanding if you realised that no one told us, the 'customer service reps', why the change was taking place either.

That's unfortunate to hear, but thank you for letting us know. It goes a long way towards me not holding you all so responsible.


At any rate, I doubt that there is anyone on this board who has shown more support monetarily than I have.

If you were being sarcastic, then ignore the rest of this post and read this: I was trying to have a serious discussion with you; no need to be condescending.

I'm amazed that you actually think there's a modicum of competition going on here. Aren't we all on the same side? Does the fact that you have more money to give mean your opinion is worth more than mine? Is your traffic to this site valued at a higher $/click?

Please, PM me when you step off your high horse and we can have a serious discussion about forums, memberships, and organizational management.

You, in turn, always make me think!

That's just because I'm abnormal and more than a little weird. I am adorable, though. :love:

Because I like people to think.

East Hill

That's a wonderful idea!

I still think I'm broke though.

For at least 8 more days, then I'm broke again. I didn't think price was an issue. Just wondering how it would work.

And c'mon guys, don't go from opinions to chewing on East Hill.

It was referred to as "Might as well be for life". The breakdown used to be a 30 year subscription for $25, and then as a bit of an inside joke I guess since 30 years is a huge span of time for a website, a 31 year for $50.


Tom, is the old subscription period rule still in effect? Will the red stars be honored for 30 years? What if somebody had sent in $150? Do they get a 34 year subscription?

edit: It appears Juco answered my question with this post:


Administrator

Join Date: Feb 2008
BikeForums has launched a new premium membership – the Titanium level. Membership is annual and includes ads-free use of the site, access to the Titanium Club forum, ability to embed video in your posts, and an ever-expanding list of perks that you can see here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/payments.php

Red star membership will not be available going forward. Existing red star members will continue to enjoy the site ads-free and get all the benefits they paid for when they joined. Additional Titanium-level member benefits are available by joining the Titanium level.

Well, you COULD enter the contest going in Foo for the Free Ti upgrade........


That's a wonderful idea!

I still think I'm broke though.

For at least 8 more days, then I'm broke again. I didn't think price was an issue. Just wondering how it would work.

And c'mon guys, don't go from opinions to chewing on East Hill.

I don't recall ever being in Foo...or it's been a while.

I've been a hausmaus for much of the week, running on the the big city's newspaper site posting on footfball and politics and fixing stuff if I can. There's a Shure 55S Unidyne with my name on it if I can help it (what a grand thing for a beginner's studio!) and I'm going to eat boloney for half a month if I have to to win it!

Headlights take a minute to adjust to when I get out in the newly darkened evenings and I guess someday I will get those bifocals but I can see the new lady bartending okay when I see what's up at Rusty's.

(What's UP is I fear they may go out of business as the restaurant only serves 7 am to 3 pm!)

Finding somebody that thinks similar to me within ten years of my age (even taken) isn't a bad waste of half an hour.

Looked around, didn't see any info on that yellow jersey thing next to your name. Explain please

Yeah, what's the jersey signify?

Titanium level membership, where all the new cool features are.

Titanium level membership, where all the new cool features are.

did you take some of the old features, like the search engine, with you?

did you take some of the old features, like the search engine, with you?

Since when was search an old feature?

"BF Search Function" is a metaphysical quest like the Grail. It only exists in the minds of those who believe it was ever real in the first place.

Since when was search an old feature?

"BF Search Function" is a metaphysical quest like the Grail. It only exists in the minds of those who believe it was ever real in the first place.

So does this mean that either Indiana Jones or Monty Python's Flying Circus could actually find it?