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Random Quote: Fishing: A jerk on one end of a line, waiting for a jerk on the other end...
Hey all, just checking in as some have reported I’ve been kidnapped.
Actually I took a much needed week away from the computer only checking in without posting. The past 6 months since the sale to IB has been a lot of work for me and like every other working person I was entitled to some time away. I didn’t go anywhere or do anything spectacular, just took a break.
If I’m still allowed I would like to address some forum issues.
First, many forum members are complaining that since the sale of THT it is doomed and the tone of the posts have all turned sour. Others remain positive and feel the change will indeed kick up some dust but then settle back to normal. For the doomsayers I feel I know part of the reason for thinking the overall tone has changed. IB has made the decision to have THT pretty much be an “all discussion” forum without continuing the extra things I used to do such as contests, get-togethers, power buys, and other events. It’s not that they don’t find value in these things as much as they aren’t focused as a business to organize such features. Thusly, if you leave the forum to just a bunch of talk without much diversion or direction then your members will tend to create their own version of fun, which usually means off-topic posts, jabs at other members, and anarchy against the leadership. In the past I had both a financial and community building incentive to offer these bonus features and they were almost always very successful. Even the t-shirt sales for as little profit they generated were a nice diversion. IB is putting together a team of Moderators to monitor the sour-toned posters and assist in the problem.
Secondly, I feel my brief time away last week made IB step up and start taking a leadership role with the forum. On a good note it appears Ryan has been very attentive to the concerns of forum members and is actually giving very detailed replies to member’s questions. Good job there. What I wish Ryan would begin doing differently is stop using the “well, that’s how Wiley did it so you should accept it” type responses. Even I often changed “Wiley’s ways” to adapt to the growth of the forum. IB’s “not do anything” approach with the forum might not be the best philosophy. IB also needs to make a quick and firm decision on the fate of the Bilge and Sand Bar. I have already offered them advice on this but do not want to overstep my bounds until they make the commitment to either keep or eliminate them. Regardless, the decision is 100% theirs.
Thirdly, stop whining about Captain’s Club refunds. The majority of CC Members purchased their membership to either post in the classifieds, receive logo items (which also added wheels to your username) or support the operating cost of the forum. If you only purchased a CC membership for entry into the Sand Bar forum then you did so for the wrong reasons. The main reason I made the Sand Bar a part of the CC benefits was due to age verification. A CC member had to be 18+ in order to purchase a “wheel” and thus made them legal age to view the R-rated section of the site. There was no other easy way to control access of this area.
And finally, I do not believe THT is going to crumble anytime soon. No, it’s not the same as it used to be and probably never will be, but I built too solid of a foundation and there are just too many great forum members for this forum to fade quickly. I made IB very well aware that THT is a different animal form their other acquired web forums and it should be treated that way. There were countless amounts of emails and phone discussions between us where I explained the forum philosophy in great detail.
People, I recommend giving IB a chance before declaring and type of doom to our community. Now that they are finally in the leadership position to you can judge their performance from this point out. After all, without youze guys there is no THT!
Hey, I got some Haitian voodoo connections down here, but its gonna cost a couple bottles of rum and you gotta find him and ship him down pretty soon....
IMHO THT has been in a constant state of change.....and that's a good thing. People come and people go...and that's a good thing. Yes, you have built a well known brand and hopefully IB can continue its value-added contribution to the boating industry. As to the whining.......when haven't there been whiners on THT?
What I do find hysterical are the crocodile tears being spilled about the Sandbar. Geez, since when did it become difficult for people to find pics of naked women on the internet?
I am confused about one of your comments...........where is this place you call the Bilge? Never seen it before!
Best of luck in your new adventures.....let some of us know if you try your hand at another web site (and I will completely understand if you try to keep that a secret from me.........remember the saying "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me").
EDIT - keep an eye on that weakfish fellow.....he's a sneaky bastard when he wants to be.
Gringo - 9/17/2007 1:32 PM Oh, you're so RIGHT about that Bilge! Its horrible down there. Every time I stop by just to say "Hi" they call me names and throw things at me. I think you should spank them and make them stand in the corner.
Thar you go again ya prevert......
__________________ Rich
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
Gringo - 9/17/2007 1:32 PM Oh, you're so RIGHT about that Bilge! Its horrible down there. Every time I stop by just to say "Hi" they call me names and throw things at me. I think you should spank them and make them stand in the corner.
Wiley Checking In 
photob
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