Do we have too many vendor threads in B/S/T? -- Poll --(New option added 4Sep14)

[PL1]

Malenko brought up this valid question here.

We previously had vendors in their own forum - everyone complained loudly. I'm happy to do it either way, would need a pretty good consensus vote here to change it.

What do you want to do?


Scott

[Malenko]

you'll likely crack the double digits in voting if this thread was in another section, like main or BST

[PL1]

Agreed.  Not enough traffic in Forum Discussion for this.

Moved to Main to get a larger sample of views/votes.


Scott

[Le Chuck]

I'm with Malenko!  We need more vendors!

[Rick]

I'm a small vendor, looking to become a larger vendor. In which drawer are you planning to put me?

[lilshawn]

there is quite the sticky thing going on in BST. but if you note, some haven't had a post in years. they should be culled.

the remainder should be scruitinized for content and see if they are offering new updated products/services/etc, or if they have just turned into a customer support thread of people asking where their stuff is... they could be moved to a customer support forum (subforum)


these things would likely cut the sticky threads by 1/2.

[yotsuya]

I'm a small vendor, looking to become a larger vendor. In which drawer are you planning to put me?

We should have a forum for Large Vendors, then one for Small Vendors, then one for Canadian Vendors. You'd be like Tony ---smurfing--- Montana in there, Ricardo.

[PL1]

I'm a small vendor, looking to become a larger vendor. In which drawer are you planning to put me?

Depends.   


Scott

[BadMouth]

Are there any stickied that aren't in business anymore?
You could cull those without anyone complaining.

[sharpfork]

The B/S/T forum always felt like a place intended for hobbyists to sell to a community of hobbyists.  As a small vendor, I never really felt right posting in there with everyone's used parts and leftover project stuff, so I didn't.  I think B/S/T should be one off deals of parts someone has or super short, limited runs.

- Vendors should have their own section.
- There should be a space where the community can openly discuss the vendors.
- There should be a suggested way vendors announce new products or projects.

If we do split Vendors off, do we split them further by "full-time occupation" and "sideline"?  Bonus interweb points if anyone can point to the thread I pulled that from.

[yotsuya]

I'm fine with whatever you guys do as long as I can still browse by unread posts. That way, forums don't matter.

[Malenko]

If we do split Vendors off, do we split them further by "full-time occupation" and "sideline"?  Bonus interweb points if anyone can point to the thread I pulled that from.

Howler thread....

posted by Andy Warne:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138790.msg1434835.html#msg1434835

[PL1]

I'm fine with whatever you guys do as long as I can still browse by unread posts. That way, forums don't matter.

Only problem with that approach is when someone edits their post -- you won't see that unless you click on the forum page.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,141132.0.html


Scott

[yotsuya]

I'm fine with whatever you guys do as long as I can still browse by unread posts. That way, forums don't matter.

Only problem with that approach is when someone edits their post -- you won't see that unless you click on the forum page.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,141132.0.html


Scott

Haven't missed anything worthwhile yet......   

[sharpfork]

If we do split Vendors off, do we split them further by "full-time occupation" and "sideline"?  Bonus interweb points if anyone can point to the thread I pulled that from.

Howler thread....
posted by Andy Warne:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138790.msg1434835.html#msg1434835

[jimmer]

I don't use that forum, but I'll just comment that I've never before seen a buy/sell forum that has a whole screenfull of crap at the top before you get to the classifieds. 

[jimmer]

Second from the top, along with all the other butt plugs.

The only reason I read BYOAC is for pbj.

[Le Chuck]

Second from the top, along with all the other butt plugs.

The only reason I read BYOAC is for pbj.

Unsurprisingly that's PBJ's reason also.

[TorgoHiggins]

I never checked out the b/s/t forum until now, but yikes that's an awful lot of stickies. I'd make a sub forum under b/s/t/ (if the forum software allows for it) or just make a separate section for them. Stuff's an eyesore.

(My personal rule of thumb is that if I have to scroll down to see the first actual thread, it's too many stickies.)

[Rick]

- Vendors should have their own section.
- There should be a space where the community can openly discuss the vendors.
- There should be a suggested way vendors announce new products or projects.

I like the way you think. I would go for each of the above ideas.

If we do split Vendors off, do we split them further by "full-time occupation" and "sideline"?

This, I don't agree with. I think the argument would be made that there are probably only one or two "full-time occupation" vendors in our industry who advertise here - maybe even less.

[sharpfork]

If we do split Vendors off, do we split them further by "full-time occupation" and "sideline"?

This, I don't agree with. I think the argument would be made that there are probably only one or two "full-time occupation" vendors in our industry who advertise here - maybe even less.

I was mostly kidding with this part.  I was trying to find a good line between folks doing a one off project or limited run and folks who intend to sell items longer term thinking the two shouldn't get mixed.  While hashing through this, I remembered the spectacularly horrible moment when it became clear that some vendors are hobbyists solving niche technical problems and making products available to fellow hobbyists and others "have no choice but to compete as strongly as possible."

[Rick]

I support moving the threads to a specialized vendor forum, and would also ask if it would be possible to make those Vendors Moderators of their own threads. This way, we could edit out commentary that is unnecessary, and keep the thread as clean as possible.

If this is not possible, maybe we (as Vendors) need to change the way we update our information, putting more info into the Wiki pages, and less into the threads themselves.

[yotsuya]

I support moving the threads to a specialized vendor forum, and would also ask if it would be possible to make those Vendors Moderators of their own threads. This way, we could edit out commentary that is unnecessary, and keep the thread as clean as possible.

If this is not possible, maybe we (as Vendors) need to change the way we update our information, putting more info into the Wiki pages, and less into the threads themselves.

While I agree with you in part, it gets kind of sketchy then if you get a negative review that is honest but gets deleted. I would agree in instances like when 404 acted like a petulant child, but what about an honest disagreement over a fact?

[pbj]

Or when someone has a bad experience and the vendor pays them hush money?

[Rick]

While I agree with you in part, it gets kind of sketchy then if you get a negative review that is honest but gets deleted. I would agree in instances like when 404 acted like a petulant child, but what about an honest disagreement over a fact?

You're absolutely right. Perhaps having the Vendor-Moderated Vendor thread with a non-partisan discussion thread linked in the main post? I'm just spitballing here, but I've seen this done on other forums.

[Rick]

Or when someone has a bad experience and the vendor pays them hush money?

This happens?

[yotsuya]

While I agree with you in part, it gets kind of sketchy then if you get a negative review that is honest but gets deleted. I would agree in instances like when 404 acted like a petulant child, but what about an honest disagreement over a fact?

You're absolutely right. Perhaps having the Vendor-Moderated Vendor thread with a non-partisan discussion thread linked in the main post? I'm just spitballing here, but I've seen this done on other forums.

What about the "Talk" pages that Wikipedia has?

[PL1]

What do you guys think about this option?
* Leave all vendor threads in B/S/T
*  Unsticky all vendor threads
*  Add one sticky at the top that lists and links to all vendor threads and provides a short summary of products/services

This option would leave the following 5 stickies:
* List of Vendor Thread Links
* Free Items - Official Thread
* Bad Traders List - Please keep it clean- thanks-
* -MUST READ- LINKS: Rules, Trader Lists, Byoac Vendors, Free Items
* TO ALL: LOCATION NOW MANDATORY IN SUBJECT OF *ALL* B/S/T POSTS!

I support moving the threads to a specialized vendor forum, and would also ask if it would be possible to make those Vendors Moderators of their own threads. This way, we could edit out commentary that is unnecessary, and keep the thread as clean as possible.

If this is not possible, maybe we (as Vendors) need to change the way we update our information, putting more info into the Wiki pages, and less into the threads themselves.

Having vendors as moderators can give the appearance of impropriety no matter how honest they are.

I don't see Saint going for that, even if it was possible to do single-thread moderation.

I DO like the idea of more people updating the wiki.   

The talk pages on the wiki are more for behind the scenes notes on where the page should go instead of reviews.

Anyone with wiki access can edit them for better or worse which is why I monitor all wiki edits.


Scott

[yotsuya]

What do you guys think about this option?
* Leave all vendor threads in B/S/T
*  Unsticky all vendor threads
*  Add one sticky at the top that lists and links to all vendor threads and provides a short summary of products/services

This option would leave the following 5 stickies:
* List of Vendor Thread Links
* Free Items - Official Thread
* Bad Traders List - Please keep it clean- thanks-
* -MUST READ- LINKS: Rules, Trader Lists, Byoac Vendors, Free Items
* TO ALL: LOCATION NOW MANDATORY IN SUBJECT OF *ALL* B/S/T POSTS!

I think you're on to something, Scott-Bot! 

[Rick]

Having vendors as moderators can give the appearance of impropriety no matter how honest they are.

Umm, you do realize Haruman is a moderator of the B/S/T Forum, right? I have nothing against the guy, personally - we've talked offline here and there, and he's a stand-up guy -  but are you saying you're planning on revoking his privileges going forward, just to stave off any future questions like this?

[HaRuMaN]

Having vendors as moderators can give the appearance of impropriety no matter how honest they are.

Umm, you do realize Haruman is a moderator of the B/S/T Forum, right? I have nothing against the guy, personally - we've talked offline here and there, and he's a stand-up guy -  but are you saying you're planning on revoking his privileges going forward, just to stave off any future questions like this?

I'm a mod for the whole forum, not just B/S/T.

Not to mention, anything I do as a mod gets recorded on the moderator log. 

[Malenko]

What do you guys think about this option?
* Leave all vendor threads in B/S/T
*  Unsticky all vendor threads
*  Add one sticky at the top that lists and links to all vendor threads and provides a short summary of products/services

This option would leave the following 5 stickies:
* List of Vendor Thread Links
* Free Items - Official Thread
* Bad Traders List - Please keep it clean- thanks-
* -MUST READ- LINKS: Rules, Trader Lists, Byoac Vendors, Free Items
* TO ALL: LOCATION NOW MANDATORY IN SUBJECT OF *ALL* B/S/T POSTS!

Heres the only caveat with that idea, if vendors bump their threads with updates they go right back up to the top.  I think a vendor section AND a vendor sticky at the top of the non vendor BST is the best overall solution.  It allows the vendors to have exposure in the non vendor section, significantly lowers the number of stickies in the BST section, and keeps vendor threads from dominating the non vendor BST.

Must read links can include location mandatory, and that'd reduce the stickies even more.  The bad seller thread , other than an ebay seller and some ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- about RandyT/GGG it hasnt been used in 5 years. Thought the feedback system was the replacement for the bad seller thread.

[yotsuya]

Having vendors as moderators can give the appearance of impropriety no matter how honest they are.

Umm, you do realize Haruman is a moderator of the B/S/T Forum, right? I have nothing against the guy, personally - we've talked offline here and there, and he's a stand-up guy -  but are you saying you're planning on revoking his privileges going forward, just to stave off any future questions like this?

Well, if you get banned in the next 5 minutes, we'll know what happened. 

[HaRuMaN]

Having vendors as moderators can give the appearance of impropriety no matter how honest they are.

Umm, you do realize Haruman is a moderator of the B/S/T Forum, right? I have nothing against the guy, personally - we've talked offline here and there, and he's a stand-up guy -  but are you saying you're planning on revoking his privileges going forward, just to stave off any future questions like this?

Well, if you get banned in the next 5 minutes, we'll know what happened. 

Saint still won't let me change people's custom text....  I wonder why?   

[Rick]

I'm a mod for the whole forum, not just B/S/T. Not to mention, anything I do as a mod gets recorded on the moderator log.

I get that, and I'm definitely not saying anything negatively against you. (In fact, if you read any comment I've ever made about you in this forum, you'll find I'm infinitely nicer to you than you are to me.)



I'm saying that Scott's comment could be construed by some to be a conflict of interest against you holding such a position.

[Malenko]

I'm saying that Scott's comment could be construed by some to be a conflict of interest against you holding such a position.

I know Im a dick and I joke around a ton, but no I don't think that's what could be rationalized by Scott's comment. To imply such a thing, even in jest, is quite a disservice to Haruman, Saint and all the other mods (even Scott).

[JDFan]

Perhaps have a sub forum for vendors with locked stickies with perhaps 5 posts by the vendor ( Have a moderator open new threads with a form setup for vendors that request a stickie where each thread has the same layout setup for that vendor and then locked) to detail products\ services that were then locked (not open for responses) that way they could have a thread to advertise their products\services with enough editable posts for adding\editing products\services offered and not need to have moderating access since they would be the only ones that could post edits to the existing posts within the thread. Which would also keep it clean so those looking for a vendor could browse each vendor without having to sift through discussions\ rants etc.

Then have a the non stickied threads in that sub forum for discussions of the vendors (ie. good\bad feedback) etc. that were open for posting and discussion about the vendors that had stickies.

[HaRuMaN]

^ that seems a bit complicated to implement...  Locked stickies with discussion below would be fine, but to require a certain format? 

[Malenko]

locked threads?   Why not just add to the Wiki?  you guys are starting to overthink/over engineer this stuff

[yotsuya]

 I vote for Scott's suggestion. Works for me.

[HaRuMaN]

locked threads?   Why not just add to the Wiki?  you guys are starting to overthink/over engineer this stuff

Meh.  I never go to the wiki. I'm sure a lot of other users don't either. 

[yotsuya]

We have a wiki? 

[Malenko]

We have a wiki? 

and it works with Tapatalk

[Rick]

and it works with Tapatalk

Just had to open that wound, didn't you?

[yotsuya]

We have a wiki? 

and it works with Tapatalk

 

[JDFan]

^ that seems a bit complicated to implement...  Locked stickies with discussion below would be fine, but to require a certain format?

Not really require a certain format but was thinking there might be need for more than 1 post in the sticky that the vendor could edit (since the thread would be locked to new posts) so to allow for that there would need to be a few posts created before locking so much easier to implement if there was a ready made form that just needed to be linked to a user when created and thus could be created and locked by a mod as new vendors requested a thread - then the vendor could go in and make edits and set it up however they wanted without having to create new posts by using edits instead.

[PL1]

Having vendors as moderators can give the appearance of impropriety no matter how honest they are.

Umm, you do realize Haruman is a moderator of the B/S/T Forum, right? I have nothing against the guy, personally - we've talked offline here and there, and he's a stand-up guy -  but are you saying you're planning on revoking his privileges going forward, just to stave off any future questions like this?

The key word here is appearance.

IMHO we mods should try to avoid this appearance when possible.

For example, I'm a contributor to and beta tester for KADE and have received four encoders (2 microArcades, 1 miniArcade, and a maxArcade prototype), a prototype miniArcade board (without AVR) and a t-shirt as thanks for my contributions to the project.

If Randy or Andy were to start posting disparaging comments about the KADE, I would use the "report to moderator" button rather than moderate it myself.

I have no doubt that Haruman is an honest, stand-up guy    -- even if he did mess with you a bit, Rick.   

If Saint had any doubt about him, I'm sure he would remove his mod privileges.

The reason I suggested leaving the vendors in the same thread is to simplify searches and it makes less work for Saint and the mods.

If we move SlammedNiss' stickied vinyl thread, do we also need to find and move Pongo's now unstickied vinyl thread to keep noobs from bumping it?

In the last two weeks, only 5 vendor threads have been posted to/updated -- not many to scroll past IMHO.
(Only 9 vendor threads posted to/updated in the last month)

Also, I think we *might* be able to merge the "location mandatory" and "must read" stickies, but the "location mandatory" title is a bold, if often overlooked, reminder.   


Scott

[PL1]

I vote for Scott's suggestion. Works for me.

Then go update your vote in the poll by using the "remove vote" button and voting again.   

If people change their mind but don't update their vote, Sain't won't know which option represents the current consensus.   


Scott

[yotsuya]

I vote for Scott's suggestion. Works for me.

Then go update your vote in the poll by using the "remove vote" button and voting again.   

If people change their mind but don't update their vote, Sain't won't know which option represents the current consensus.   


Scott

Naw, I'm fine with my vote. My method works for me. I don't think it needs to be changed, but if it does, I like your idea.

[pbj]

Getting awfully complicated up in here. 

When do we start charging membership fees and rolling dice? 

[Le Chuck]

Where's the option to replace all the stickied threads with threads full of celebrity hot shots stolen from the cloud?  I'm changing my vote. 

[wp34]

I hate to beat a dead horse here but if Tapatalk was working I don't think I would care either way.  In other forums where I use Tapatalk most of the time I have no clue what sub-forum the post is in.  I just look an the new unread posts.   

[JDFan]

Where's the option to replace all the stickied threads with threads full of celebrity hot shots stolen from the cloud?  I'm changing my vote.

[PL1]

Any more votes, comments, or suggestions on this topic?


Scott

[Malenko]

I think these other options have stalled and diluted the discussion.   Less than 25% of the people like it how it is (using the poll as my citation source), so will anything get done?

[saint]

Yes. We'll give it a try and see if praise > complaints. Will tackle shortly.

[Rick]

Yes. We'll give it a try and see if praise > complaints. Will tackle shortly.

Captive audience: Tapatalk?

[saint]

Yes. We'll give it a try and see if praise > complaints. Will tackle shortly.

Captive audience: Tapatalk?

Heh. Tapatalk just plain doesn't work. Don't know why. Have uninstalled/reinstalled/tweaked/configured several times.

[Hoopz]

Saint - Not trying to be difficult, but did you see this post?

Have you tried Tapatalk's site to see if they can help?  This page shows the options available for SMF:

https://tapatalk.com/activate_tapatalk.php?plugin=smf

And I like the new board for vendors.  Thanks for doing that.

[saint]

Saint - Not trying to be difficult, but did you see this post?

Have you tried Tapatalk's site to see if they can help?  This page shows the options available for SMF:

https://tapatalk.com/activate_tapatalk.php?plugin=smf

And I like the new board for vendors.  Thanks for doing that.

Thanks Hoopz - I have, it installs and uninstalls just fine, *it* thinks it's working - it just doesn't I will give it another go with the newest release.

[Rick]

Thanks Hoopz - I have, it installs and uninstalls just fine, *it* thinks it's working - it just doesn't I will give it another go with the newest release.

[pbj]

Looks good, I think it will be a good change.  I'd still love to see an "ignore thread" feature.

[saint]

Looks good, I think it will be a good change.  I'd still love to see an "ignore thread" feature.

Merci! I will look to see if there's a mod for that.

[yotsuya]

See if there's a "PBJ Gotta PBJ" mod, as well. 

[Le Chuck]

I'm interested in ignore thread as well. It would be nice to ignore that upload photo thread among others.

[pbj]

I'm interested in ignore thread as well. It would be nice to ignore that upload photo thread among others.

Yep, that's one I had in mind.  There's a few others I find to be of high traffic and no personal interest and it'd be nice to hide them.  I'm sure we'll manage either way.