New Private Forums? Why ? whos this for?

[26.2]

My view is that private forums create an "elite" group

I like the concept.  At any given time look how many lurkers have perused this site and the forums,  gathering free info but not giving.  The private postings [which I don't see] will do a few things.
1.  Encourage lurkers to join and contribute.
2   Allow us to share info among a group that also contributes.
3   Excludes the general public that are still learning.
4   Encourage all of us to contribute more.
Perhaps eligibility should not be based on volume alone.  Some provide quality info and thoughts which is reflected in their karma.
So the question is when are you eligible and allowed to view the private forum Rob?

[Rob]

The level of posts required to see the private forum is 200. 

Karma plays no part at the moment.


Back in the old days before the internet, most BBS required a post before people could play games or access downloads.  Although it would seem to produce lower quality posts, it actually did the opposite because more people participated and the conversations were richer.  Everyone's quality of post increased because they had more practice participating in discussion board conversations.


This is a slightly different concept where everything remains how it always was, but for those older members who may have information to share but are considered about sharing it with everyone, this area gives them a new place. 


Why did I use only post count to determine who should be part of the private area?

- It's accessible to any member, regardless of popularity to reach that number of posts
- It doesn't require me or a group of people to determine who should be part or not
- It encourages discussion and it gives people a reason to partipate
- It's free and doesn't require a credit card



I understand members who feel they should have access to this forum and will stop taking part in all discussion activities because they are not part of this forum yet.  You are free to choose your level of participation.  The more you participate the more opportunties and avenues you'll have to participate.

[netpred]

Rob:

I see by your recent karma that you are on your way to becoming one of the most unpopular members of this board.

The truth is that this was not entirely Rob's idea. I sent Rob an email about this a while ago. I also understand that this sort of thing was discussed a longer while ago but the board was too small to make it work.

There are a combination of factors that have resulted in this situation. First, if you look back one year ago, the record for most users on line at one time was around 160. It is now well over 500. The forum is maturing.

Second, I research (and visit) several properties during a year. This is an enjoyable hobby for me. I only bid on a few. I have posted information about some of those where I have no intention of bidding. Some regular members do the same. Most members (and all lurkers) contribute nothing. Why should those who don't contribute get the benefit of receiving free and endless info from those that do contribute? I do not mind passing on tips, but have only done so via private post (although I will post public warnings where warranted). For example, a while ago there was an attractive property for sale that OTS said was not buildable. According to OTS, there was no permit available. That municipality was in the process of changing the Official Plan and the property might become unbuildable, but it was presently buildable. I researched the issue (it cost me some $), made a site visit and determined that this was not where I wanted to build my dream cottage. I exchanged this info via pm with a senior member of this board who had earned the opportunity to bid on this property. That person now owns this property. If I posted for the whole world to see, the property would have gone for double at least. So, is it wrong to reward those that put in the most effort?

Third, there may be things that we want to say that we don't want the world to see for other reasons. This is a place where I can have those discussions.

Finally, and most important, this is a free site that has been set up and is run by Rob. He is free to do as he wishes. It was in fact a suggestion of mine that he charge a small fee to enter the private area. Rob decided against doing this. So, I fail to see how anyone can complain when they are provided with a free service but want more. If you want more, join OTS.

Rob, thanks for running this forum. It is a great place with interesting characters and discussions. Very few of us understand how difficult it is to put something like this together and then to run it. Even fewer realize that there is no money in this for Rob based on his business model. Perhaps, Rob, if you spoke with OTS Jeff, you might get some really good advice on how to turn this into a profitable venture for you.

The level of posts required to see the private forum is 200. 

Karma plays no part at the moment.


Back in the old days before the internet, most BBS required a post before people could play games or access downloads.  Although it would seem to produce lower quality posts, it actually did the opposite because more people participated and the conversations were richer.  Everyone's quality of post increased because they had more practice participating in discussion board conversations.


This is a slightly different concept where everything remains how it always was, but for those older members who may have information to share but are considered about sharing it with everyone, this area gives them a new place. 


Why did I use only post count to determine who should be part of the private area?

- It's accessible to any member, regardless of popularity to reach that number of posts
- It doesn't require me or a group of people to determine who should be part or not
- It encourages discussion and it gives people a reason to partipate
- It's free and doesn't require a credit card



I understand members who feel they should have access to this forum and will stop taking part in all discussion activities because they are not part of this forum yet.  You are free to choose your level of participation.  The more you participate the more opportunties and avenues you'll have to participate.

[Les Pisrael]

 
 I got a better idea,why not have an exclusive members site ,on the condition  members pay for access to a site that gives the locations,ownerships, recent sales. MOST IMPORTANT--site gives  layouts of bounderies and aerial photos and neighbours lots ect. This a Price proposal,however if we treat it like condo fees,the charge can be managed. just imagine the savings, Few weeks ago, a buddy of mine bought(tax sale) a vacant land in Napanee--- he still can't locate it. now if we had access to MPAC's  computers--no problem.
 here is my proposal, it cost $2500 per year for acces to this site. One of us has the account and once tax sales (pin#s  and addresses a must only) produces/posts the info on this site. Just imagine--250 members--thats $10 per year.That is a bargain. One individual is a must--can be abused.
 Wanna hear a sad story? Ontario spent billions of dollars to computerize all lands in the registry offices under Mike Harris.Once they turffed him out the NDP sold the whole affair to his buddy for peanuts. Today that company charges hefty fees at the registry for searches and MPAC pays $100+ million for usage. Same bastUrds charge the $2500 fee mentioned above.
 Ontario citizens got the raw boot,just as they did with the 407.  Most don't know that Spain now  ownes 407- Bought it at-5 cents to the dollar purchase-shamefull? 

[26.2]

I fail to see how anyone can complain when they are provided with a free service but want more. If you want more, join OTS.

Rob, thanks for running this forum. It is a great place with interesting characters and discussions. Very few of us understand how difficult it is to put something like this together and then to run it.

I agree, good job Rob

[Bruce289]

I'm not complaining.

[ErnestBidder]

  For reasons I wish to keep private, I've been out of the bidding side for a few years, but keep up with this forum and with the tax sales postings in the Gazette. I really think that the members of the private section would probably confine their posts to that section, for the most part, which would hurt this board overall. I like the fact that a number of members, that have a broad knowledge of the process, have helped the newbees. I have no problem with members using the PM function to keep certain things private, but, again, would like to pose this: why would members strive to post 200 times, when they have no idea of the benefits of the private section, since they cannot acces it; as well, what sort of quality would run with trying to attain that number? I think it would make this forum (the public part, at least) a huge waste of time for the average member, and, as I failed to point out in the previous post, this is what would probably make me drop out.

  When I read "I see by your recent karma", I thought netpred was refering to me, and, just now, paged up to see that I have 73 postings. but am afraid I cannot come up with another 127 comments. Maybe I can post 1 sentence at a time.  ;>))

  I just read Dave2's comment that "I will continue to try and help people private forum or no private forum. I reserve the right in cases where I want the property to help others less". BRAVO! Wish I'd thought of saying that.

  I'm still wondering how Les' buddy bought vacant land in Napanee: how did he know what he was bidding on?