What to do about the forums? What changes need to be made?

Bugs,

My suggestion to buy from 1SKS as a means to say "thanks" for this site is in lieu of BF.C charging a "Membership Fee" as so many people here are discussing. In the case where you support a dealer that advertises with BF.C, then indirectly you are doing the same thing. It's all good.

My main suggestion was that if you feel an overwhelming need to throw some cash Spark's way to help out for this site, then support his business. If you do that by supporting a dealer who supports this site, just as good IMHO.

Brandon
 
Mundele,
Stifling the growth of BF is not a bad thing. It was much homier, friendly, and there were much fewer bad deals or ripoffs.

Alan2112, Cold Steel had a forum here that lasted a few days. If I remember correctly, they left after the first criticism of their knives. Good companies listen to complaints and evaluate to see if they can improve.

Bugs, without 1SKS, there is no Bladeforums. They tried auctions, a paid magazine, and 1SKS is the only thing that has worked so far at giving any kind of support. We have to remember that BF is privately owned and costs money to run. The best part of BF is the freedom we have to speak our minds. There have been other forums where people got banned for stating unpopular opinions, or moderators would edit your posts as they felt like it.

Spark, you guys do a great job and I appreciate it. Now just get software so I can chop the @aol.com off my user name. I have been reminded over 1600 times that I don't follow directions well when registering.
biggrin.gif
 
While I can appreciate the need/desire for some of the International forums, would it help to save system resources to condense them down to one or two? They get very little traffic but there is quite a long list of them. There might be just an "International knife Knuts" forum to discuss non-US country specific issues, and other forums like knife laws can/are taking up much of the rest of the posts.

While it might not be popular, clearing out the membership database might also help resources. i'm sure saving the profiles of nearly 11,000 members takes up some drive space. But if 200-300 of them have not posted in 1 year+, or if there are duplications from members re-registering under new names, etc. maybe a little house cleaning might be in order? But again, I don't know how much these would improve things re: system resources.

But then free advice is worth what you pay for it...

Tom
 
Actually, guys, disk space is cheap, so that isn't a concern.

I'm looking over the ideas right now, and I'll add my two cents later today.

Kevin

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
Owner, BladeForums.com
 
I think we should remove one of the REKAT knife pics. from the top left corner of this screen and replace it with a picture of Kevin in his Pink Tutu.
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i would gladly pay a fee.dont have a problem with that.plus,it would cut down on some of the trolls and troublemakers that inhabit the net.

about the for sale forum i think some thing like this would work..
.01 cents - 25 bucks pays 2 or 3 bucks,
25-100 pays 5 bucks
100-200 pays 7 bucks,etc etc.

i wouldnt have a problem with any of this.
 
I like it just the way it is.

I think mandatory fees to sell stuff will just cause people to sell at Ebay instead (which has a much larger buying audience) and many Bladeforums members will miss out on really good deals on stuff from other members.

Just my opinion. JRF.




[This message has been edited by jrf (edited 05-09-2001).]
 
If it comes down to paying for the forums, I don't think the "for sale forum" should foot the entire bill.
 
too much a newbie to venture much on this, except as you all know on a good subject the posts pile up quickly, which can make finding the response to your post or responding directly to a question maybe a little hard, is there a way to allow a mini bookmark somehow, to let a poster know you have an answer directly for him, even if post was days or weeks ago..a little icon he can click on that will take him to the post in question..having typed this I can imagine the possible labyrinth that could be dug..anyway maybe something there..and very glad this forum is here..a mini University of the Air i figure
 
Kevin,

What a great forum this is. I am a newcomer, frequent few forums only: Balisong, Blade Discussion, sometime FS and the Tactical Practical.

Want to share some improvement wishes:
  1. Ability to change name
  2. Moderator with forum name attached (same as CODE 3's suggestion)
  3. Splitting FS to custom/production/fix/folding
  4. trim the archive and sell separately
  5. a general knife pricing index
  6. membership fees: waived. many might not be able to as I think this forum gets really global and the more heads are in, more ideas and richer experiences
  7. Knife Maintenace Forum
  8. Separate forum just for reviews by selected reviewers. This can help new comers to decide which knife is best suited for them.
  9. Expanded FAQ, with pictures of blade sample along with the discussion, folder lock mechanism with diagram, history, list of custom maker, list of manufacturers with the website (I got problem looking for Gerber as it went always to baby food
    smile.gif
    ), list of world records, i.e. smallest folder, etc. [/list=a]
    Last but not least: You don't have to fix that isn't broken, but you surely can mirror polish it
    biggrin.gif


    Again, it has been a great forum with great people.

    ------------------
    Chris
    "To use or not to use your Balisong - that is the question"
    Code: 
    '^'  .   . .'^'
\ []\ \ / /[] /
 \ ()\(o)/() /
  (BALI-SONG)
   {0 / \ 0}
    )'   '(
    Indonesian Baliswinger


    [This message has been edited by Chris Anagarika (edited 05-11-2001).]
 
Spark, I would be more than willing to pay a fee for membership here, but experience has shown that it frustrates growth and pisses people off. It's also a resource drain to administrate. Maybe just credit guys with a different "status" of membership if they have purchased from the 1SKS ever, this month, past 90 days, whatever.

Break up FS/T into Custom/Production and Fixed/Folder

Do NOT delete the sold knives as they are a good resource but have a way for "SOLD" to be inserted into the header. Alternatively, all SOLD items could go into a SOLD archive.

No temporary memberships, (if a fee based plan is activated) as it will only incourage the wrong people to keep changing their name/email and having perpetual "temporary" memberships.

Hit Counter would be cool for each post.

An encyclopedia, of sorts, with a pic of the KIQ (Knife in Question), link to manufacturer, specs, etc. and, of course, a BUY NOW link to the 1SKS.



[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 05-11-2001).]
 
Well know that you have given me more time to think.... here are two more:

1) If the software can support it; I would like the inidividual forums to float to the top of the list based on the number of posts (e.g. when I look under Makers/Mfgrs the forum on the top should be the one with the most posts).

2) I would probably order more from 1SKS if you would use the USPS. UPS is a real hassle in my area. I don't understand why 1SKS has to favor UPS.

 
OK, just though of another one.

How about a "text only" version, to let the pages load faster, and make it a little les obvious to cubicle passerby.
wink.gif

 
Adding a fee might "disinfranchise some" and elimiate some who have good ideas but no money. More fees = less knives = less knife lovers = less forum input.

Agree archives can be scrapped/sold. Agree splitting into custom and non custom is okay, but things are okay is they are as well.

Do not add fees, or, too many moderators as they will stiffle free speech and therefore independant thought and possibly keep a good idea from reaching our knife-loving minds.

------------------
Baddogdave says "Life is
hard,so carry a good knife"
 
Get a forum on here about ANAL SEX!! LOL

No what we need are more manufacturer forums.

------------------
RayField Clement Jr.
rayfclement@yahoo.com
 
Spark,

First you do a great job here and I am continually impressed.

The solution to curb expenses is VERY simple.

Charge manufacturers, retailers, etc. a FEE for having their forum here. Allow any manufacturere, or custom maker for that matter to-purchase-their commercial forum and run it as they please.

Any healthy company would pay 500-1000 bucks per year to have this excellent test bed and marketing tool at their disposal.

Bladeforums has "made" quite a few smaller companies and even custom makers.

Manufacturers do realize this. MY suggestion is that the amount of traffic should denote the fee of either $500, $750, or $1000.

Thats plenty cheap for the service offered, and the sales generated from this medium.

Manufactueres could also trade for the fees with product at their wholesale prices, in turn, BFC could sell or auction to generate even more $$$ than just a cash payment alone.

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"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb
 
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