Email sent out to members on 14Aug2010 Options

[Tasco]

Did you forget about us again? I hope not because for the past couple of weeks I've been really busy updating the website to give it a more user friendly feel to it. Some of those updates include rank changes, skin changes and the removal/addition of forums and categories. But my major update maybe the removal of 281 members who have zero posts. I don't want to do this but its getting to that point. If you are removed and want to come back, just re-register and pick up where you left off. But this time try to stay a bit more active.

As I mentioned above, I was able to get around to changing the rank structure. The old ones were based on military ranks. I have no idea why we used military ranks when we have no military affiliations. Since I changed the ranks, I've also changed the post count for each rank. Its now a bit easier to move up but please no rank posting. Other changes where made as well; and honestly I couldn't keep track of them all. Some other changes that stick out are the name change for the Swap House and the Organizations Forum. The Swap House now has its original name of Buy Sale and Trade. The Organizations Forum is now know as Meet n' Greet. However, it was brought to my attention that the Meet n' Greet forum should be removed. I don't want to do that just yet but if the lack of activity continues, then I will remove it. I also done edits, merges, deletions and moved more topics as well.

One of bigger change that sticks out is the merge of the website description (who and what we do) and the rules. I merged them for one reason, to create the new TOS. The old TOS is what you agreed to when you joined. The new one will be for new users. The intent behind this is to limit the - I didn't see any rules. Its now set up so that new members have to agree to them to join. If they don't, then they don't use the forum. Easy enough right? So for our 499 members, consider yourselves grandfathered in.

So, how many skins would you say is a good number to have and use? Well if you say 3 - 5, your guess is correct. We currently have five with one being designed as a special YCD only skin. That one will remain top secret for now, so what until I reveal it. Do you guys remember when I was able to get a hold of some new ones and put them to use here? Well it turns out that the current IPB board we use doesn't mesh well with those skins, well the majority of them anyways. I tried my best to fix them but in the end, it was to much for me too handle. I may rotate the other skins once I understand the basic coding involved but until then enjoy the current ones.

So there you have it, another board update in hope of bring back members along with getting new ones. I'm almost out of ideas and patience. I don't want to give up but the more I come here and see no new posts, the more I don't want to come back. But its not about me; its about you, the members. I haven't giving up hope on you. Its you guys that will make or break this website. I just hope its make it rather than break it.

[admin]

...I've been really busy updating the website to give it a more user friendly feel to it. Some of those updates include rank changes, skin changes and the removal/addition of forums and categories. But my major update maybe the removal of 281 members who have zero posts. I don't want to do this but its getting to that point. If you are removed and want to come back, just re-register and pick up where you left off. But this time try to stay a bit more active.

some of those improvements sound great. The only one I have a problem with is deleting members. I don't think that's a very good idea. having the "appearance" of a large member base can often attract new people. people want to be apart of something big and the more you have the bigger it may appear. Granted many of those people don't don't post anything, but dies their email address work?

If their email address works, and there ever is some sort of a disaster, I bet an email to them on the issue from this website could inspire them to pay attention. Also, I think we need to give people a reason to come around. We have to inspire them to take action and post something even if it is nothing more than thought provoking topic that they can't sit still unless they answer it.

...As I mentioned above, I was able to get around to changing the rank structure. The old ones were based on military ranks. I have no idea why we used military ranks when we have no military affiliations.

Yes it is true that we have absolutely no affiliation with any sort of military and neither do we profess or claim to be starting one... The reason for those military ranks were because many of us that comprise this website are ex-military / law enforcement and we understand that structure. it is familiar and respected as opposed to some of the more childish rank titles I've seen on other website.

...Since I changed the ranks, I've also changed the post count for each rank. Its now a bit easier to move up but please no rank posting. Other changes where made as well; and honestly I couldn't keep track of them all. Some other changes that stick out are the name change for the Swap House and the Organizations Forum. The Swap House now has its original name of Buy Sale and Trade. The Organizations Forum is now know as Meet n' Greet. However, it was brought to my attention that the Meet n' Greet forum should be removed. I don't want to do that just yet but if the lack of activity continues, then I will remove it. I also done edits, merges, deletions and moved more topics as well.

Well my thoughts on that are as follows. First the biggest problem we have is not so much needing to reinvent the wheel here. What we need are useful posts and useful content that will inspire people to log in and post a reply. We have to motivate them to action. So the fault lies mainly with us as administrators and moderators because we are not making the topics and posts thought provoking enough. Again we really need to come up with interesting information to motivate people to comment on it as opposed to re-arranging the furniture so to speak.

"The Organizations Forum" was there for existing organizations and existing groups to hook up with one another. We're not trying (or at least that wasn't my primary intention)... we're not trying to create one large organization here (we could), but the goal was to help smaller local groups unit and stay organized nationally. Changing it to a "Meet n' Greet" IMO sounds more like a social gathering - sort of a free for all or party where there is no structure or organization.

...One of bigger change that sticks out is the merge of the website description (who and what we do) and the rules. I merged them for one reason, to create the new TOS. The old TOS is what you agreed to when you joined. The new one will be for new users. The intent behind this is to limit the - I didn't see any rules. Its now set up so that new members have to agree to them to join. If they don't, then they don't use the forum. Easy enough right? So for our 499 members, consider yourselves grandfathered in.

I'll check on that but another thing to consider is that people don't really like to read a ton of crap before trying to post something. We need to first give them a reason or motivate then TO JOIN, but then make sure we don't fire hose them with too much "boring details" to send them away. - it's a fine line sometimes.

......Do you guys remember when I was able to get a hold of some new ones and put them to use here? Well it turns out that the current IPB board we use doesn't mesh well with those skins, well the majority of them anyways. I tried my best to fix them but in the end, it was to much for me too handle. I may rotate the other skins once I understand the basic coding involved but until then enjoy the current ones.

I can get other skins to you if you want. I can also upgrade this forum so that skins from ASF also work here. What I would do though is... I can give you a link to a source for IPB skins and you can look through the available ones too if you like.

...I'm almost out of ideas and patience. I don't want to give up but the more I come here and see no new posts, the more I don't want to come back. But its not about me; its about you, the members. I haven't giving up hope on you. Its you guys that will make or break this website. I just hope its make it rather than break it.

Hang in there... you nailed the very reason why very few (if any) others are returning to check the board....

We must provide thought provoking topics to give them a reason to return and post comments. If we don't keep it interesting, then as you said, there is no reason to return. Hang in there though. I have some ideas we can talk about on the phone.

[Tasco]

Thanks for the phone call. I'm glad we can start working on YCD together. Secondly; I want to say I'm sorry for taking a 'this is mine' attitude with YCD. You may have seen some of the changes that were made but it was my intent to better the site. But since we agreed over the phone that we will be working together, I see no problem with 'meeting in the middle' over some issues. Again sorry for the take over attitude.

[Tasco]

Now with a few days; what do you guys think. Can we (as a community) bring back YCD. I'm very interested on your guys thoughts.

[Feeny]

Im back! Didnt post much here in the first place, just stopped in from time to time. Ill try to come by more often, be more active, that kinda stuff.