looking for feedback

[LBmtb]

Making STR is always an ongoing thing for me so here's an opportunity to spew out any and all comments or questions you may have no matter how minuscule it might seem.

Just some areas that I'm curious about:

• Has the site seem faster/more reliable in the last month or so?
• any comments about the google ads?
• Do you like or dislike the forums are moderated?
• Has exchanging the post count for thanks earned counter made any difference for you?
• Chat box - what are you thoughts on it now that it's been there for awhile?

But again, feel free to speak your mind about ANYTHING.

thanks!

[TURNERob]

Gouge, as I'm sure you can tell from my signature I don't think deleting the post counter accomplished anything. In fact I see it now being used as another contest for popularity reasons to see who can get the most thanks. If you haven't noticed I've gone way back on the number of posts I've been making. Reasons for this are basically the number of newbs coming in have sort of made STR loose its "homely" feel for me. I've met a great group of riders from the site and continue to use STR to communicate with them and meet up for rides.

The whole post counter being deleted just seemed very pointless to me. Yes STR is growing which is a good thing......but in a way it makes fishing through all the B.S that the internet provides much harder to do now so therefore I'm becoming more of a lurker. You have done a good job with the site, but as the site grows you aren't going to be able to please everyone.....just stick to your roots and follow your gut feelings and the site will be fine

[SAR_boats]

The site does seem more reliable and faster.
Don't care about the google ads
I like how the forums are moderated
No difference.
I don't use the chat box

Thanx George for maintaining the site

[guero]

Originally Posted by TURNERob

Gouge, as I'm sure you can tell from my signature I don't think deleting the post counter accomplished anything. In fact I see it now being used as another contest for popularity reasons to see who can get the most thanks. If you haven't noticed I've gone way back on the number of posts I've been making. Reasons for this are basically the number of newbs coming in have sort of made STR loose its "homely" feel for me. I've met a great group of riders from the site and continue to use STR to communicate with them and meet up for rides.

The whole post counter being deleted just seemed very pointless to me. Yes STR is growing which is a good thing......but in a way it makes fishing through all the B.S that the internet provides much harder to do now so therefore I'm becoming more of a lurker. You have done a good job with the site, but as the site grows you aren't going to be able to please everyone.....just stick to your roots and follow your gut feelings and the site will be fine

Very well said, those pretty much sum up my thoughts as well.

I know everyone doesnt always see things eye to eye on here, and that is great (of course we are entitled to our own opinions), but it seems to me that some sides/favorites have been taken when certain issues have arisen as of late. Like Rob said, remember your roots.

[ShinKen]

One of my main beefs izz that the site is turning into a freaking roadie hang out!!! it sucks going trough all the lame treads to find something I like!! ohh well enough of that but hmm yeah!!!

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by ShinKen

One of my main beefs izz that the site is turning into a freaking roadie hang out!!! it sucks going trough all the lame treads to find something I like!! ohh well enough of that but hmm yeah!!!

I told you when we first made that forum - I can make it completely disappear for you if you want. A few people have it this way.

[tkblazer]

i've noticed the speed of the site is better, or it could be that i'm on here at work which has a T1 line.. I don't really notice the google ads, but if it helps pay for the site then keep it! Moderating a site is very hard to do as people will always trash how it is done. Keep it the way it is and dont change a thing about it. chat box is cool as you can just leave random messages that come to mind.

[Chaos]

Even before I registered I was a long time lurker... still am, so I could care less about the post counter or thanks earned. I think you've done a great job on all accounts though. But I do agree with Bret, that there seem to be some favorites here and there. I spend a lot of time on here when I'm at work and read almost every post.... well except for the all the roadie content

Originally Posted by LBmtb

I told you when we first made that forum - I can make it completely disappear for you if you want. A few people have it this way.

Dood, can you make that happen for me?

-Rodel
The Real Slim Shady

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by LBmtb

Just some areas that I'm curious about:

• Has the site seem faster/more reliable in the last month or so?
• any comments about the google ads?
• Do you like or dislike the forums are moderated?
• Has exchanging the post count for thanks earned counter made any difference for you?
• Chat box - what are you thoughts on it now that it's been there for awhile?

But again, feel free to speak your mind about ANYTHING.

Yes, the site does seem faster. I seem to remember it having some issues doing unread post searches for some time there. But, it seems a lot more spritely lately.

I didn't really notice the google ads. I mean, I read them from time to time, but they never really seem relevant to me. I liked the Jenson ads 'cause I could click on them and see what Jenson had on special very easily. I always try to remember to click on ads, though so that you get $. You deserve it.

Post counts... I don't know if I'm one of the whores or not. I mean, honestly, I post when I feel like I want to say something. That may be more often that others feel like reading and I apologize. I know I'm annoying sometimes. I try not to be but sometimes I can't help it. But, I was never doing it just to get my count higher. If anything, I've tried to make posts that were worth thanking more lately. I like the thanks button, though, because I like to be able to thank people that make posts I like. I think it's a good system.

I've been using STR for over a year now. STR has grown a lot in that time. I think that the site has, and will continue to experience growing pains. The thing is that when you put something into the public arena it doesn't really belong to you entirely anymore. You know? Like if you write a song or paint a picture, it goes into the public and belongs in some ways to the fans of that picture, too. Now, I know the history, more or less, of STR and I realize there are people that started this thing as a group of friends. But, when you opened it to the public then you have to accept that people will change it. Shoot, there's even stuff that *I* don't like that has changed and I've only been around a year. For example, it bugs me that some of you are so closed-minded about road riding, as if mountain biking, or to be more specific, dirt riding, was so totally different. I don't really mind being teased, per se, but after a while it doesn't seem like teasing, it seems like bigotry and harassment. But, the bottom line for me is that I still like riding mountain bikes with a lot of you so I just suck it up. But, it still bums me out. I still don't get the big issue about it. I love riding my bikes wherever. And, I get to focus on fitness on the road so that I can be a better mtn biker and keep up with you guys. Mostly. All of the anti-roadie stuff is getting old, though. We get it already. You aren't gay, okay? You will never wear spandex and you like women. Yes, stop telling us. You're so cool 'cause you only ride fat tire bikes on dirt. We know. Everyone is totally aware of your complete manliness. And, I realize I'm a total f@g because I have a road bike and spandex. I know. I can't forget it because you keep telling me. You're right, the only reason I ride road bikes is because I'm queeer. I just hope my wife doesn't find out because then whose underwear will I wear?

So, as I've said many times, I respect that I'm a "newcomer" to this site and that I didn't help create it. I really like it and am grateful to have it and I would never have met such amazing people and would probably still be riding the fireroads in Fontana if it weren't for this site. I would never have gone to Kernsville and taken The Plunge, or ridden Strawberry Peak or Zion or SART without you guys. So, thanks for all of that, very sincerely.

I think the moderation is fine in as much as I have never noticed it so it must be working very well. I love this site and use it to the exclusion of nearly every other bike site out there. I hope it remains the great site that it is and I hope the veterans can get over their disappointment over what it has become to see what a great site it really is currently. And, I guess if saying that means that you won't ride with me anymore or something then I will just have to accept that. I've ridden with a lot of you at least once and I really enjoyed it. But, I think that it's worth saying and I hope you hear what I'm saying for what it is.

The greatest thing to me about biking is that once you get on the bike and hit a great trail, none of this sh*t matters anymore. So, let's forget it and ride.

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by Chaos

Dood, can you make that happen for me?

-Rodel
The Real Slim Shady

yeah same here I guess!!

[Winston]

You have done an excellent job with the website. It has surpassed the Socal Forum on MTBR in my opinion.

Love the "Thanks" option.

There is a chat box? LOL. I see it now, but never realized it until this thread.

[LBmtb]

Jose and Rodel, I'll do that later tonight. After today you'll never even know the roadie forum exists!

I'll respond more later (going to lunch in a bit) but to gurp's comments: this site didn't start out as a private one. It was always public and I built it with the intention of "uniting Southern California riders" because I felt that MTBR's socal forum wasn't cutting it.

Thanks for all the great feedback so far, I really appreciate it!

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Site loads faster since going to the new server. I don't mind the Google ads if it helps pay the bills to keep the site up. I don't use the chat box so maybe you can use the space for more ads or ride announcements.
Getting rid of the "thanks" counter would be a good idea since it's useless. If going back to the roots means getting rid of the roadie forum, I'm for that too.

Can you make it disappear for me too?

[Chaos]

Originally Posted by MTBRacer

I don't mind the Google ads if it helps pay the bills to keep the site up.

I totally agree here George. Have you considered CPM Advertising [Banner Ad Revenue]? I know most people hate banner ads but whatever you can do to monetize this site to help with the cost [or turn a profit] I think you should do.

Did you see how peeved Fracios [sp] MTBR was when users were discussing how they disable banner ads in Firefox... there by affecting his revenue. it's a fine line when it comes to this.

Originally Posted by LBmtb

Jose and Rodel, I'll do that later tonight. After today you'll never even know the roadie forum exists!

Thanks!

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by TURNERob

Gouge, as I'm sure you can tell from my signature I don't think deleting the post counter accomplished anything. In fact I see it now being used as another contest for popularity reasons to see who can get the most thanks. If you haven't noticed I've gone way back on the number of posts I've been making. Reasons for this are basically the number of newbs coming in have sort of made STR loose its "homely" feel for me. I've met a great group of riders from the site and continue to use STR to communicate with them and meet up for rides.

The whole post counter being deleted just seemed very pointless to me. Yes STR is growing which is a good thing......but in a way it makes fishing through all the B.S that the internet provides much harder to do now so therefore I'm becoming more of a lurker. You have done a good job with the site, but as the site grows you aren't going to be able to please everyone.....just stick to your roots and follow your gut feelings and the site will be fine

I have noticed your posting go down. The jury's still out on the thank/post counter so I'm just gonna give it time to see if it's helped or not. In theory it's supposed to encourage people to made good quality post but only time will tell.

The STR we remember with under a hundred members did have a homey feel because we knew just about everybody on the board personally and that was awesome but now we're closer to 400 active members.

However, that's not necessarily a bad thing. We have a ton of different types of people on here who share some good knowledge and information with everyone else. New friendships are constantly being made through this website (take gurp's post for example) and I still receive a lot of 'thank yous' from people about STR which makes all the work feel really rewarding. Yes, there are more 'junk posts' and that's kind of a side effect of simply having more members.

If anyone has an idea of how to keep more of a homey small-site feel without resorting to bans and blocking new registrations - I'm all ears. But STR's purpose has and will always be to 'unite southern california riders' so the website growing is something that I consider a very good thing, not a bad thing.

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

The site does seem more reliable and faster.
Don't care about the google ads
I like how the forums are moderated
No difference.
I don't use the chat box

Thanx George for maintaining the site

Thanks

Originally Posted by guero

Very well said, those pretty much sum up my thoughts as well.

I know everyone doesnt always see things eye to eye on here, and that is great (of course we are entitled to our own opinions), but it seems to me that some sides/favorites have been taken when certain issues have arisen as of late. Like Rob said, remember your roots.

Thanks, Bret. Not sure if you're referring to me but I've always tried and will always try to be as unbiased as possible when it comes to STR. But then again, I'm only human.

Remember my roots? How can I forget?!

Originally Posted by tkblazer

i've noticed the speed of the site is better, or it could be that i'm on here at work which has a T1 line.. I don't really notice the google ads, but if it helps pay for the site then keep it! Moderating a site is very hard to do as people will always trash how it is done. Keep it the way it is and dont change a thing about it. chat box is cool as you can just leave random messages that come to mind.

Thanks Nam for the ad comment. It's nice to know you don't want me to go poor. The ads actually don't generate much - they usually have about a click rate of <0.5%. But thanks to some awesome donations and some Jenson funds, the hosting costs have been pretty much covered. I think I just broke even on the shirts too so if they keep selling it'll also help out.

Originally Posted by Chaos

Even before I registered I was a long time lurker... still am, so I could care less about the post counter or thanks earned. I think you've done a great job on all accounts though. But I do agree with Bret, that there seem to be some favorites here and there. I spend a lot of time on here when I'm at work and read almost every post.... well except for the all the roadie content


Dood, can you make that happen for me?

-Rodel
The Real Slim Shady

Thanks for the info, Rodel. Took care of the roadie thing for you, Jose, and Frank.

Originally Posted by gurp13

So, as I've said many times, I respect that I'm a "newcomer" to this site and that I didn't help create it. I really like it and am grateful to have it and I would never have met such amazing people and would probably still be riding the fireroads in Fontana if it weren't for this site. I would never have gone to Kernsville and taken The Plunge, or ridden Strawberry Peak or Zion or SART without you guys. So, thanks for all of that, very sincerely.

That's what STR is all about, eh!

Originally Posted by Winston

You have done an excellent job with the website. It has surpassed the Socal Forum on MTBR in my opinion.

Love the "Thanks" option.

There is a chat box? LOL. I see it now, but never realized it until this thread.

yeah it's kind of down there. Gets kind of random sometimes. Thanks for the kind words, winston. Nice to have the guy with the legendary socal vids on here.

Too bad I haven't ridden with you yet, though.

Originally Posted by MTBRacer

Site loads faster since going to the new server. I don't mind the Google ads if it helps pay the bills to keep the site up. I don't use the chat box so maybe you can use the space for more ads or ride announcements.
Getting rid of the "thanks" counter would be a good idea since it's useless. If going back to the roots means getting rid of the roadie forum, I'm for that too.

Can you make it disappear for me too?

Did the roadie thing. Thanks for the thing about the thanks counter. Like I said the jury is still out on it so any input I get about it will be helpful.

[mtnbikerdude87]

no more post counts? Well whats the point of posting anymore... jk

Seriously though the site seems much faster now keep up the good work george.

[OTHRIDER]

Yes, the site runs quicker for me.

Google ads & chat box - no opinion

Thank you's - a nice alternative

Moderators - don't notice 'em, so they're working well.

I'm a moderator on 2 other forums that have nothing to do with bikes. I was part of the group that started a site back in '03. The site had that wonderful "everyone knows everyone" feel for about a year. Newbies were welcomed. After 500 members, little cliques started and the friendly joking got a little heated at times. We hit two-thousand members and I think I spent more time in the private mod's forum than I did reading posts. Some people take this forum posting way TOO SERIOUSLY! Around 5K, there was a serious split and many of the originals (not the founder) started a similar site. Both sites survive to the day. The original is now at 11K members and #2 is at 900. #2 is a little rougher and has a permission-only "honey hole", but there's room for all......

I like STR and it really reminds me of my first site a lot. I'm sure there will continue to be defections, time-outs and life-time bans. As the site grows, so do the headaches, complainers and fortunately so do the friends.

George, it's a great site. Stay the course and all is well.