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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on November 3, 2005, at 9:24:50
You've given the newbie board plenty of time to see how it works with restricted posting. How about giving it some time with unrestricted posting, to see how it goes. It doesn't have to be permanent, if your worst fears come to be true.
What about requiring some sort of ID or payment to register to post? Or to register to post off the newbie board, or something like that? Does anyone have any other ideas to stop duplicate poster names? What about requiring a non hotmail or Yahoo email address? Can checks be automatically made at registration to see if it's likely the poster registering is already registered? And if so to put in a message to contact you for the ok to register? Lots of groups require approval to register, and while that may be difficult for you given the size of Babble and that you're one person, if the number of people who needed to be approved could be reduced by automation, it might be worthwhile?
And to send up a trial balloon for a new idea. How about a board for work related issues? Mental health issues often have some sort of impact on employment.
Posted by Racer on November 4, 2005, at 18:59:16
In reply to A few old ideas - Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on November 3, 2005, at 9:24:50
> You've given the newbie board plenty of time to see how it works with restricted posting. How about giving it some time with unrestricted posting, to see how it goes. It doesn't have to be permanent, if your worst fears come to be true.
Makes sense, since there are a lot of old reliables who probably would greet newbies now and again, if it didn't require signing up, etc. Plus, and I just love this, it doesn't have to be permanent. (Dinah, somehow that made me smile. Guess it's just me.)
>
> What about requiring some sort of ID or payment to register to post? Or to register to post off the newbie board, or something like that? Does anyone have any other ideas to stop duplicate poster names? What about requiring a non hotmail or Yahoo email address?I've registered for a couple of 'non-excite/yahoo/hotmail' sites, and think it's probably the easiest solution. One thing, though -- make sure that the BabbleMail still allows us to use those free accounts for everything beyond registration? (Here's a clue, for those other sites: I have a free account solely to remain 'safe' online by protecting my identity from people I don't know. If I wanted strangers to know my email address, I'd rent a billboard...)
Also, I like the part about a lesser registration process for the Newbies board, if that's possible. That way, people could see if they wanted to stay before having to use their 'real' email address.
>
> And to send up a trial balloon for a new idea. How about a board for work related issues? Mental health issues often have some sort of impact on employment.YES! I vote yes. I think it's a great idea.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 6, 2005, at 14:30:03
In reply to A few old ideas - Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on November 3, 2005, at 9:24:50
> You've given the newbie board plenty of time to see how it works with restricted posting. How about giving it some time with unrestricted posting, to see how it goes.
OK, thanks for suggesting that again.
> What about requiring some sort of ... payment to register to post?
That's something I'm interested in trying, but will take some time to set up...
> Can checks be automatically made at registration to see if it's likely the poster registering is already registered? And if so to put in a message to contact you for the ok to register?
Hmm, that's an idea...
> How about a board for work related issues? Mental health issues often have some sort of impact on employment.
That's interesting, too, let's see what others think...
Bob
Posted by alexandra_k on November 6, 2005, at 15:02:05
In reply to Re: A few old ideas, posted by Dr. Bob on November 6, 2005, at 14:30:03
> > What about requiring some sort of ... payment to register to post?
> That's something I'm interested in trying, but will take some time to set up...well thats me gone then
thanks for that
Posted by rainbowbrite on November 6, 2005, at 17:34:53
In reply to Re: A few old ideas » Dr. Bob, posted by alexandra_k on November 6, 2005, at 15:02:05
I read that as for 'new posters' and not applicable to current posters??
Posted by alexandra_k on November 6, 2005, at 17:40:25
In reply to Re: A few old ideas » alexandra_k, posted by rainbowbrite on November 6, 2005, at 17:34:53
> I read that as for 'new posters' and not applicable to current posters??
Ah... Well he said something further up the board about everybody going through registration again...
I think... I understand why this would be a good idea. It would keep better tabs on people to stop blocked posters posting under different names. And also... Well... He has funded the server and donated his time here for years now.
I'm sorry.
I just worry about the people who may be prevented from posting because they cannot afford to pay. And / or because they do not have a credit card.
I'm wondering whether there could be a standard thing (requiring credit card details and payment) and whether... Maybe some alternative verification of identity could be used for people who may be prevented from posting due to the former?
I don't know...
I'd just hate to see people be prevented from posting because of that...
Sorry.
Posted by rainbowbrite on November 6, 2005, at 17:46:07
In reply to Re: A few old ideas, posted by alexandra_k on November 6, 2005, at 17:40:25
ah as usual I did a quick over view and missed all that. I agree with you, a lot of people would not be able to post :-(
I dont like that Idea.
come over to students Alex :-)
Posted by Dinah on November 6, 2005, at 19:36:41
In reply to Re: A few old ideas, posted by alexandra_k on November 6, 2005, at 17:40:25
I notice that he ...'d out the rest of my suggestion. :)
I worry about that too, and also that requiring a permanent email address might discourage people. I just thought it might be a good idea to get a discussion going on how it might best be possible to solve some administrative problems with the least impact to participation.
Posted by Dinah on November 6, 2005, at 19:38:22
In reply to Re: A few old ideas, posted by Dr. Bob on November 6, 2005, at 14:30:03
> > You've given the newbie board plenty of time to see how it works with restricted posting. How about giving it some time with unrestricted posting, to see how it goes.
>
> OK, thanks for suggesting that again.I've posted my first howdy. :)
And thanks for listening to my suggestions.
Posted by gardenergirl on November 7, 2005, at 7:35:52
In reply to Re: A few old ideas, posted by Dr. Bob on November 6, 2005, at 14:30:03
>
> > What about requiring some sort of ... payment to register to post?
>
> That's something I'm interested in trying, but will take some time to set up...
>I'm not overjoyed at the prospect of having to pay to use Babble, and I don't know if I would have joined when I did if that were required then. Still, I do understand that this must cost some chunk of change. And I can probably afford it. I know not everyone can.
If this comes to pass, I wonder if when registering and paying, a person could choose to pay a nominal "extra" fee, solely at their discretion. This could support "scholarships" for those who wish to join but are unbable to pay due to financial or some other hardship.
Also, a work-issues board sounds pretty good. Although the self-esteem board is an interesting idea, too. And I know ClearSkies, among others, has been waiting patiently.
gg
Posted by ClearSkies on November 7, 2005, at 8:37:41
In reply to Re: A few old ideas, posted by gardenergirl on November 7, 2005, at 7:35:52
> Also, a work-issues board sounds pretty good. Although the self-esteem board is an interesting idea, too. And I know ClearSkies, among others, has been waiting patiently.
>
> ggNot so patiently!!!
Posted by verne on November 7, 2005, at 9:47:50
In reply to A few old ideas - Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on November 3, 2005, at 9:24:50
Some sites have solved the problem by remaining free, while at the same time offering extras and frills to paying members. Pogo.com for example has a huge free area but certain games, rooms, and features are for club members only.
Using that model, most of babble would remain free but certain luxuries like babblemail and extra rooms would be set aside for club members. The problem with posters using more than one name would be limited to the free area - which could be renamed the "Rumpus Room".
The cost could be minimal like $2.50 a month or even less. It's hard to brainstorm this by myself (which amounts to me groping around in a dark cave looking for my lost sock) but there are lots of possibilities. Lifetime memberships, student discounts, waivers, sliding scales, tenure, eminent domain, mineral rights, manifest destiny, and horse etiquette - especially after they are dead.
Verne
Posted by gardenergirl on November 7, 2005, at 17:04:49
In reply to Club Babble » Dinah, posted by verne on November 7, 2005, at 9:47:50
Posted by thuso on November 7, 2005, at 19:42:13
In reply to Club Babble » Dinah, posted by verne on November 7, 2005, at 9:47:50
> Some sites have solved the problem by remaining free, while at the same time offering extras and frills to paying members. Pogo.com for example has a huge free area but certain games, rooms, and features are for club members only.
>Exactly what I was going to say. For example, on this guitar forum I'm a part of, there was the same issue of the administrator paying for everything. People wanted to help out financially, so he set up this membership deal. For like $15/year you get access to a paying members only forum (where there is more freedom in discussion), you get extra space for pictures (of your guitars), and a few other frills.
On here, we could have it so that a person can have 2 forum names (in case they want to make sure no one knows they posted something embarrassing or private) or something like access to paying member only forums. I've read that since PB has gotten bigger, Dr. B has participated less and less. Maybe he'd be willing to be more active in these private forums since there wouldn't be nearly as many people or traffic. There are so many things that could be offered here. I will tell you though, that only a very small fraction of current members would pay, but I'm sure it would be enough people to at least put a small dent in the yearly upkeep costs.
Anyone got any other ideas for frills that a paying member could get?
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 7, 2005, at 23:08:25
In reply to Re: A few old ideas, posted by gardenergirl on November 7, 2005, at 7:35:52
> If this comes to pass, I wonder if when registering and paying, a person could choose to pay a nominal "extra" fee, solely at their discretion. This could support "scholarships" for those who wish to join but are unbable to pay due to financial or some other hardship.
I like that idea. And a committee would decide who got the scholarships?
Bob
Posted by Jen Star on November 7, 2005, at 23:49:45
In reply to Re: A few old ideas » alexandra_k, posted by Dinah on November 6, 2005, at 19:36:41
I'd be OK giving a permanent email address or paying a small fee, as long as I could feel comfortable that the information would not be used against me in any way...
for example, that my email would not be sold or "lent" to any junk mail or other organizations. And that it would be safe from the prying eyes of anyone other than Dr. Bob. Or that the people hired to register emails & take payments would not sell/give away/etc. the emails.
This is a sensitive site, in terms of stuff we reveal here to each other, and being anonymous is a privilege I don't want to lose. Any time I have to give my "real" identity, I feel that it could become public knowledge, even accidentally.
I worry more about that than I care about making a small payment.
Of course, I wouldn't want to pay a LOT. I'd rather have it be a yearly charge than a monthly charge...easier to handle, I think. And it should be small, like in the $10-15 range per year. Is that reasonable?
I don't know about perks. Maybe babble mail should only be for paying/registered members? Ability to post pictures? But I don't want the site to become graphic over-intensive, because to me that detracts from the words. I tried out Doc John's site, and found it difficult to get used to, b/c SO much space was taken up by cute formatting and cutesy graphics and smilies & emoticons & stuff. I like the "plain and simple" method -- it appeals to me more, I guess. :)
JenStar
Posted by sal0805 on November 8, 2005, at 11:55:47
In reply to Re: A few old ideas » Dinah, posted by Jen Star on November 7, 2005, at 23:49:45
Would unfortunately see the last of me (well, I am being hopeful that it would be unfortunate).
With the rate of exchange being as it is, the minimal dollar amounts suggested would become exhorbitant for me. And totally unaffordable, let alone justifiable.
Kind of makes me want to careful about making friends I might lose.
Sabrina
PS - I don't mean to sound ungrateful either - I realise the hard work that goes behind a site such as this!
Posted by NikkiT2 on November 8, 2005, at 11:59:01
In reply to This payment thing, posted by sal0805 on November 8, 2005, at 11:55:47
I don't think its being suggested that the entire whole of PB becomes payment, just that some of the bells and whistles (like babble mail, maybe some extra rooms etc) would be available to those that paid.
This is similar to how another website I use works.. Anyone can use it, but those that pay get added extras (private message rooms, ability to set up their own boards or chat rooms, being able to post inline pictures.. that kind of thing).. Its worked for 10 years there so far!
nikki x
Posted by sal0805 on November 8, 2005, at 13:08:25
In reply to Re: This payment thing » sal0805, posted by NikkiT2 on November 8, 2005, at 11:59:01
Well, that sounds ok. I still would not be able to afford it (exchange rate thing), but at least you have let me look at it from a different perspective.
Thanks Nikki
Sabrina
Posted by NikkiT2 on November 8, 2005, at 14:32:57
In reply to Re: This payment thing » NikkiT2, posted by sal0805 on November 8, 2005, at 13:08:25
Yeah, but you would still be able to use the main part of babble and stay in touch with everyone.
I don't have a credit card, so its unlikely I would be able to pay either.
Nikki
Posted by sal0805 on November 8, 2005, at 14:47:54
In reply to Re: This payment thing » sal0805, posted by NikkiT2 on November 8, 2005, at 14:32:57
I have some cheques (I know it is spelt differently in the US).
Ok - anyway - point is - these cheques have sound effects. They go "boing boooooiiiing boing boooing bouncy bob will you accept?"
I don't suppose I could use them?
:)
Sabrina
This is the end of the thread.
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