Changes to forum functionality

[Glenn]

During the winter, I implemented upgrades to the forum software.  Most of them were bug fixes, but it also included a design change as well as some enhanced functionality.  Keep in mind the updates come from the manufacturer – I do not “code” the forum software.  I merely implement it and make a few tweaks.

There are a few changes you may have noticed that are designed to reduce spam:

You have to log in to see links and pictures.  

Many spammers post links to their site across hundreds of forums, regardless of how relevant the forum is to their site.  They do this because search engines will boost a site's rankings if it has a lot of links pointing to it.  Spammers post massive amounts of links to their sites in forums with the hopes that it will boost their search rankings.

By placing the links behind a login, the search engines cannot “see” the links and will not index them.  Therefore, there's no benefit to their search rankings.  Therefore, there's less incentive for spammers to post links on the forums. In addition, if only members can see the links, that's less people clicking on them, which further reduces the incentive.

Some of them post banners instead, so the images are blocked behind the login too.

There's a small minority of people who think advertisers wanted to see more members logged in.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Advertisers don't care about that.  All they care about is whether or not their ad can be seen – and it can regardless of login status.  The change above had everything to do with reducing spam, and absolutely nothing to do with advertisers.

New members cannot post links until their 11th post.

This was also done to reduce spam.  Many spammers login and then post their spam on the first post and leave (for the reasons mentioned above).  This restriction prevents that from happening by making it more time-consuming and difficult for them to do their deed.

It's a little more difficult to register.

Yes, this is true.  Again, this was done to reduce spam.  Many spammers use automated programs, called “bots” to register and post spam on unsophisticated forums.  This enables them to post their spam in thousands of forums quickly. The new registration process effectively blocks these bots – very well.  8-)

All of these changes were designed to reduce spam.  I know you don't realize it, but we were getting spammed almost daily (sometimes several times a day) before implementing these changes.  You didn't see it because the moderators stayed on top of it.  But since implementing the changes, the spam has been drastically reduced to a small handful per month.

In addition to the changes above, a more recent change was implemented; namely the removal of the post count.

This was due to numerous arguments and fights over post counts.  Some members even left because they felt criticized about their post count.

It seems some members were placing far too much value - and reading too much into - a person's post count.  A few members wouldn't trust somebody with a low post count; others felt somebody with a low post count meant they had little bass fishing experience; while still others felt that a high post count meant that they had “earned” more latitude to bend the rules of forum conduct. None of this could be further from the truth.

And then there were those that felt segregated and shunned by members because they had a low post count.  This led to “races” to get more post counts in order to avoid scrutiny.  However, they were then criticized for “padding” their post count!

Needless to say, it got way out of hand.  None of this behavior is representative of the conduct I expect from our members!

Anything that divides the membership this much has to go, so I removed it after consulting with the moderators and receiving their approval.  

However, please note that you can still view one's post count by viewing their profile.  Also note the designation for “Newbie”, “Junior”, “Full”, “Senior”, and “Been posting a long time” , which you can all still see today, are all based on post count (see the FAQs for more info).

That said, it's been brought to my attention that some members liked the post count because it helped them know who to welcome (a low post count meant they're a new member that needs to be welcomed).  To that end, I have reduced the number of posts that it takes to become a “Junior” member.  A “Newbie” now has less than 25 posts.  Hopefully this will encourage everyone to welcome our newest members – anyone with a “Newbie” designation.

Keep in mind, however, that some folks just don't post much, even though they come here all the time.  So it may take them a year or so to become a “Junior”.  Yet another reason why post count is irrelevant, and why it's gone.

As you can see, all of these changes are designed to support the members.  It's the membership that is most important to the moderators and I.  We want your stay here to be as comfortable and as trouble-free as possible.  Our job here is to ensure that you feel at home here and enjoy coming back. These upgrades to the forums were designed to move us in that direction.

I hope you can now see why they were implemented and can see how they are benefiting you.

Enjoy!

[Bassnbrett101]

Thank you for lowering the post count to become a junior member!  It helps with knowing who to welcome

[skillet]

Thanks for what you have done and continue to do !!!

                        As Ever,

                         skillet

[Daniel My Brother]

I appreciate the time and thought behind the changes.  

Thanks for the update.

Dan

[roadwarrior]

Improvements as we grow...

[Popeye]

Glenn: you and the Mods make GREAT decisions with regards to the well being of the fantastic BR Forums (all of them). I can honestly say that the BR forums are the BEST I personally have EVER belonged to. I have learned SO MUCH and daily enjoy reading all the posts of the other great guys and gals!! ALL of you folks are AWESOME, IMO!!! Many THANKS go out to you, the Moderators, and the members of BR!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Glenn: you and the Mods make GREAT decisions with regards to the well being of the fantastic BR Forums (all of them). I can honestly say that the BR forums are the BEST I personally have EVER belonged to. I have learned SO MUCH and daily enjoy reading all the posts of the other great guys and gals!! ALL of you folks are AWESOME, IMO!!! Many THANKS go out to you, the Moderators, and the members of BR!

That means a lot Popeye.  The basic and consistent mission statement at BR has not changed however.  Probably never will.  Sometimes, we go through rocky periods though where we have to be the bad guys.   it's good to know that other members still "feel the love".  

[fishfordollars]

Thanks Glenn

[Masshole Mike]

as always a great job keeping this site top notch. i know lots of work goes into keeping this site running smooth, so big ups to glenn and the mods.

[Tokyo Tony]

I'm always feelin' the love  8-)

Seriously, I freakin' love this site, I don't know what I'd do without it. I've learned so much about bass fishing, and it's awesome to go out and apply the stuff I've learned. Also regarding equipment: with the knowledge I've retained about bass equipment and tackle, I think I could be a pretty decent salesman in the fishing industry  

Thanks Glenn and mods - those really sound like some great anit-spam updates. I'm sure it makes your job much easier too.

[abelfisher]

Good job Glenn and all the moderators.....!  Even LBH!

[senile1]

Excellent post, Glenn.  Your changes are well-thought out and based on sound reasoning.  Thanks for keeping us informed.

[crazy4bass1]

great job glenn

[daviscw]

Thanks for everything, ya'll!

[srv1990]

Job well done... ... and appreciated!

[MALTESE FALCON]

Thanks for the update Glenn. I've visited a few other forums that friends have recommended, and because of your hard work and dedication, and that of the mods, BR is the CLASS ACT of them all.

Thanks for all you do, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of this great family.

Falcon

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Thanks for all you do, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of this great family.

Falcon

A house is just a structure, the people make it a home.

The funny thing about all this is that We hate being the bad guy, ever,well....not RW, but for the most part, you know what I mean,

Y'all know me by now, I'd rather celebrate life than be a cop but the guy that started this thread has brought more GODD into my life than I can put into words. His formula works and the above replies are testament to it. It's an honor and priviledge for me to be given the responsibility to help maintain that, although it can hurt sometimes when we see friends drift from the family, like Avid and Muddy in particular, 2 of the stronger friendships formed here that I value greatly. Those 2 hurt, and many feel the same.

But, through trials and tribulations, as a board staff, we learn and continue to grow in a positive direction.  Without your direct and honest input, this is much tougher.  Luckily, you guys and gals are pretty good at assisting us (we know many of you have our backs) and letting us know what you think through PM's and moderator alerts.

We got a good thing here, have since day 1, if we all work together and keep these lines of communications open, there is no telling where Glenn could lead us. All I know is I'm along for the ride, unconditionally.

Well, not "uncondionally",...1 condition,...as long as I can be myself (That's asking a lot,l lol)

[Joel W]

Glen, Excellent updates to the forums.  I'm a member of a few other Bass

fishing forums, and post counts have always been a sore point that rears it's ugly head every so often for many of the reasons you've mentioned. The ability to see post counts by viewing the persons or your own profile is there for those who need to know.

[paragon]

As a some what new member I would just like to thank everyone that keeps this site up and running. The knowledge and dedication that is shared on this forum is second to none, and is a testament to the heart and sole people put into bass fishing. The members here are the cream of the crop and none of us would be here if it wasn't for the tireless efforts of everyone involved.

Thank you again and again

Paragon

P.S. one more post and I won't be one of those annoying newbies ;D ;D

[wagn]

This is the best forum that I have ever been a part of. I have learned so much from this site, met new friends through this forum, and grown in a fisherman in ways that I would not have without the wisdom and the help from countless members. I truly appreciate this forum and the people who do the work to keep it running smoothly. As I said in another post. Even though we have thousands of members. I consider this forum to be my fishing family.

[clipper]

Thanks to Glenn and the other moderators for all the hard work you do and keeping the site clean and friendly.  I have seen terrible attacks on people on other boards and it makes me feel good knowing that will not be tolerated here.  

I haven't been able to fish much lately, and coming here at night and reading the posts helps me stay into the fishing frame of mind.