SNOWEST FORUMS: Member Comments on "Letter to All Members"

[jacksonholebc]

back.countryrebels.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pms4j9dA8CA

I was listening to this tonight and decided this is out of hand!

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I am gonna paste this here..its a remark I made to a post by Himark..
Himak...as of now..I am taking a wait and see attitude....but I would hope that harris publishing...christopher, big darrin, and all of our mods on here would hear what so many on here are saying...1..its not the money....2.. most....far more then I think snowest wants to admit...dont like the new toys or the new layout on here...3... We want mods with self control.... and fairness.........Humor those on here..do an official poll service of all members...allowing polls for everything from layout, content, modules, to acceptable and non aceptable mods...let the majority of members have a real say in this forum....If snowest really want this forum to grow..to be the best sled site on the planet....listen to what the majority of the members want.........do it just as christopher is doing the open letter...except do it as a set of polls, listing every conceivable complaint that has been brought to light recently.. one thing I think that may help is for mods to have to have 2 in agreement before a post/thread can be deleted/censored/or modified..this way no one allows either personal or business interest to affect post/threads..it would require 2 mods to disturb a thread/post other then for moving it to its proper place in the forum....some of the current toys that have been added I doubt many members even use..but it does sound like some very good ones are coming... why cant we have a subforum for the next 6 months that is nothing but polls on everything to do with snowest forum..bring out the changes, new toys , new ideas and allow members to use and experience them and vote..on what they want..at the end of the 6 months..tally the results..majority wins..the majority of the members will have spoken...and overall it should do more to bring peace and contentment then anything else will...........I dont know...just an idea.......

 

[snowmobiler]

im thinking i need to start charging for my professional snowmobile knowledge tech questions now..$.99 a minute.pm me.ill be in the free section.

 

[suitcase]

You guys do know that when signing up to pay those who are here to exploit you, you're also actively participating in not keeping the internet free, right?

Think about it. There are forums with a s h i tload more traffic than this one that stay free.

The people in charge of this site are either-

a) incompetent in finding sponsors who don't see the value in the specific target group that posts here

OR, clearly in my mind

b) charge the people who make this site valuable WHILE keeping the advertising dollars. They're turning this into a business. Now is your time to show them YOU and the people who post on this forum ARE the value.
They haven't paid you to post and make this place what it is.
These forums can go anywhere.
Don't be a corporate TOOL. Speaking of which, I'm positive somebodies tool boy on here will respond with the typical blah blah blah. Save your breath, and post the numbers here. You know, like hits per day, bandwidth, who and what you're paying for hosting, storage, etc.

They won't though, that's your sign.

PS-you people saying you'd pay make me SICK.

With what I do and what I try to do for the sport, I don't mind being exploited. What makes me wonder is why when a site of this size and large number of members and such a great voice for our sport, has a fair number of you that are upset (for what ever reason), and I think you are missing the big picture. If this becomes a pay site for 10 bucks a yr. and we all stick together. What can snowest and all its members do for our sport.

Example: We are all losing the battle against our right to our access of our public lands, and that my friends WILL NOT change with out a lot of support and some BIG DOLLARS.

I'm not sure that is part of snowests agenda. But who better than someone of this size with a very large number of members, to do something like that for the sport that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US HAVE A VERY DEEP PASSION FOR.

So what I am saying is that I would hate to see people move off this site and get spread out, You lose the volume of you voice.

Just my two penny's

 

[blurredelevens]

Well worth it for me... Sign me up.

And for all those belly ache'n out there, maybe you would be happier starting your own forum and forking over cash out of your pocket so people can save thousands of thier dollars for free.

Join date: August 2009

Posts:3

Lol

Since when do people who have never contributed to this place think they have a say in the matter? lol

 

[hivoltagesledhead]

I thought the site was fine the way it was BEFORE any of the recent changes were made.I am not that compuiter literate and cant find a lot of the stuff that was there 2-3 mos ago. I work way too much and dont have time to get used to new forums all the time...its been nice getting free helpful info and making connections and possible new lifelong friends...but it seems that nothing is free anymore.Thank-you to everyone that has been helpful in the past and Thanks to those who made me laugh. It is indeed disappointing........

 

[catmando44]

Snowest is a great site,Will be interesting to see how the pay as you go policy you set up for premium memberships work out for you.
Good Luck!
The information will still be there,just may have to look elsewhere if you want it for free!
catmando!

 

[Tree Killer]

The site might be slow at night,but I think if you charge for the site use, the 100 people that ***** about it will be all that cruse the site.The kid's that use the site for it's purpose need the money for gas and up grades.So my vote is leave it the way it is,it's fine If they don't like it then go to my space.

 

[IFlyEm]

-------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd rather pay for another tank of gas and get one last ride in than for site that is moderated.

Come on......seriously. If you can't afford that "last tank of gas" because you would have to pay and extra $0.83 a month then you should really consider another hobby. Dig the change out of your sofa. I am sure you can get $10/year out of it.

I find it funny that people are whining over the price of taking a date to McDonalds ONCE A YEAR!!! Come on. Think of all the other crap you will spend $100's on a year that you really get nothing for.

We have no problem buying a $12,000 sled, $50,000 tow vehicle, $10,000 trailer....but the end of the world is upon us when we may have to pay $10/yr

Now I am not going to lie. When I heard there was going to be a fee I was ready to bail. If it was a fee inline with what they charge for sports forums ($9/month) I probably would have. But $10 a year is like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic. Do you REALLY think its going to make a difference?

 

[blurredelevens]

With what I do and what I try to do for the sport, I don't mind being exploited. What makes me wonder is why when a site of this size and large number of members and such a great voice for our sport, has a fair number of you that are upset (for what ever reason), and I think you are missing the big picture. If this becomes a pay site for 10 bucks a yr. and we all stick together. What can snowest and all its members do for our sport.

Example: We are all losing the battle against our right to our access of our public lands, and that my friends WILL NOT change with out a lot of support and some BIG DOLLARS.

I'm not sure that is part of snowests agenda. But who better than someone of this size with a very large number of members, to do something like that for the sport that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US HAVE A VERY DEEP PASSION FOR.

So what I am saying is that I would hate to see people move off this site and get spread out, You lose the volume of you voice.

Just my two penny's

What you seem to be missing is this....

You have demonstrated having zero power by not taking the entire group elsewhere.

Why not go to that "other place", run it for the members by the members, and use the advertising dollars you'll receive to fight for your cause instead of padding the pockets of a corporation that doesn't give 2 ****es about your "access"?

Yes, you do have power as a group, but you'll never be able to take advantage of that power while a corporation does.....this is pretty simple stuff, I'm still amazed as people keep stepping forward, bend over and say "please pass more lube"......it's astounding.

 

[snowmobiler]

funny how most people will spend 10 to sit on there azz in front of a putor.but wont send SAWS the 10 bucks to save our riding areas

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

With what I do and what I try to do for the sport, I don't mind being exploited. What makes me wonder is why when a site of this size and large number of members and such a great voice for our sport, has a fair number of you that are upset (for what ever reason), and I think you are missing the big picture. If this becomes a pay site for 10 bucks a yr. and we all stick together. What can snowest and all its members do for our sport.

Example: We are all losing the battle against our right to our access of our public lands, and that my friends WILL NOT change with out a lot of support and some BIG DOLLARS.

I'm not sure that is part of snowests agenda. But who better than someone of this size with a very large number of members, to do something like that for the sport that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US HAVE A VERY DEEP PASSION FOR.

So what I am saying is that I would hate to see people move off this site and get spread out, You lose the volume of you voice.

Just my two penny's

great idea suitcase..but here is my problem with that..for the 10 bucks spent to join the forum..we get to pick which sled enity we want a portion of our money to benifit(saws, blue ribbon)..but..what percentage..if it is all of the proceeds..I have no problem with it..is it 75%?..and the other 25% goes to pay for the equipment for this forum(and not for other forums that are part of harris)..or is it a more realistic set of numbers as in 2% goes to equipment cost for all harris publishing, 2% goes to who we pick as a benifiter(saws,blue ribbon) and 96% goes in the pockets of harris as profit.....along with all the advertiser dollars collected...I am quite sure it cost a pretty penny for these >>>>>>> advertisments.........I will stick around for now just to see what happens..but I am willing to bet over the course of the next year alot of the really good people on here will spend less and less time here and more and more at other ..free forums.......

 

[m7cat]

Ride cowboy ride

Just saddle up and ride it out. They have already spent their money. Just wait until things are put in place, try the new site and if it suits your needs pay the fee and play, if not get the hell off here and SHUT UP!!!!

 

[suitcase]

What you seem to be missing is this....

You have demonstrated having zero power by not taking the entire group elsewhere.

Why not go to that "other place", run it for the members by the members, and use the advertising dollars you'll receive to fight for your cause instead of padding the pockets of a corporation that doesn't give 2 ****es about your "access"?

Yes, you do have power as a group, but you'll never be able to take advantage of that power while a corporation does.....this is pretty simple stuff, I'm still amazed as people keep stepping forward, bend over and say "please pass more lube"......it's astounding.

So those free sites will be willing to donate money to make a diffrence?

 

[94fordguy]

I personally will be glad to pay when the time comes. I have read so much good info from this site that pertains exactly to what I have and how I ride that I couldn't imagine finding a better source.

I find it strange that people say they are planning to leave the site "based on the principal of the thing".... Basically you are saying that all the info you have gathered from this site over the length of time you have been here is literally not worth anything to you? That's surprising, to me the information is quite valuable. Should HP be penalized by losing money on this site just so that the members will have a free place to exchange information? I would think that you would be thankful to have this resource at your disposal any time you care to look at it.

I have also noticed that many people have forgotten about a portion of that money going back to supporting the sport... A website that helps fight for the rights of sledders, I think that would be a great idea, don't you?

Keep in mind, there is a LOT more being proposed here than just asking everyone to help out, there will be real benefits, for example: When was the last time you saw the dreaded "Database Error" pop up that we have been experiencing for the better part of the last year? Last time I checked, that problem has been resolved. The speed issue will be put to rest for good also, no longer will we be on a 'community' server that hosts a dozen other forums.

I think there will be some real good coming to the forum in the near future and everyone will get to experience what it has to offer before being asked to make that commitment should you wish to participate with all the premium benefits. If not, much of the forum will still be free for those who wish to not buy into it.

There are choices and advantages to be had, nothing is without options. I will be glad to pay my way when the time comes, and I will be glad to know a portion of my membership will be donated to fight for our riding areas.

 

[pullhardr]

IMO...if we all used our man hours plus time on this thread... we could have built one cool azz mountian sled!!

 

[bigbadjohn]

go to http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/ a free forum with over 14.000 members

 

[suitcase]

great idea suitcase..but here is my problem with that..for the 10 bucks spent to join the forum..we get to pick which sled enity we want a portion of our money to benifit(saws, blue ribbon)..but..what percentage..if it is all of the proceeds..I have no problem with it..is it 75%?..and the other 25% goes to pay for the equipment for this forum(and not for other forums that are part of harris)..or is it a more realistic set of numbers as in 2% goes to equipment cost for all harris publishing, 2% goes to who we pick as a benifiter(saws,blue ribbon) and 96% goes in the pockets of harris as profit.....along with all the advertiser dollars collected...I am quite sure it cost a pretty penny for these >>>>>>> advertisments.........I will stick around for now just to see what happens..but I am willing to bet over the course of the next year alot of the really good people on here will spend less and less time here and more and more at other ..free forums.......

I can understand why people don't want it to become a pay site. I just think we as smowmobilers would be better of with a forum that has the revanue to make a diffrence. And if Harris Publishing just wants to line there pockets them it will be there lose, and one big mistake.

 

[cumminsusa]

Chris this just my opinion as a user. I think you guys are trying to hard to make a forum site something it isn't. Reading of what you posted at the beginning. Sounds like you are wanting to turn this into another Facebook or MySpace but for sledders. The problem with that is they are free. Don't get me wrong i think that you guys have the best intentions in mind. Their are things that you're planning to do that i like. For instance:

11. New Search Engine
We’ve created a proprietary search technology specifically for our forums that allows you to take advantage of advanced search features (include, exclude, put items in quotes, etc.) – it’s a quicker, more accurate way to find the content you’re after.

17. Emergency Alerts
A new automated emergency alert will send a text to your cell phone alerting you of any emergencies in your specific geographic area. We hope to use this to generate more interest and participation for search and rescue operations, as well as a service to help keep you safe.

18. Club Forums
Would you like to see your local sled club represented on SnoWest with their own dedicated forum? We will be adding a new section to the state forums for each of the state snowmobiling associations, and for your local organization as well. We can even offer discounts on memberships to members of your club, and your club will have full control and full moderator capabilities in your section.

The last two i consider fluff, but those are the ones i would like to see more then the others.

As for the argument that people keep using, "I got so much info and advice off of here why not pay for it now." Never once did i get advice from SnoWest, it was the other users that helped me. As for the saying nothing is free. That would mean that I owe them something not SnoWest.

I think this the worst time to make such a big change. People are tightening the belt, as am i. All that said i have yet decided if i will stay.

 

[suitcase]

I can understand why people don't want it to become a pay site. I just think we as smowmobilers would be better of with a forum that has the revanue to make a diffrence. And if Harris Publishing just wants to line there pockets them it will be there lose, and one big mistake.

I also donate to all of my groups that support the right to keep our public access, just that PUBLIC.