Upgrade Your BP.net Experience!!!

Whens the $5 "Fake cheap Platinum" coming out? You know, that lets you change your Avatar and also lets you have it a little bigger.

Hey so I'm just curious. I know everyone is all about supporting Bp.net which I'm not against but what exactly is this money going to cover? If we're expected to donate our hard earned money for the right to change our avatar and post classified ads I'd like to see something showing the actual monthly/annual expenses that bp.net has to cover and also would like to know what is going to happen with the extra money.

It's a great site and I wouldn't be where I am with my collection today without it but you'll have to understand I have issues with throwing out money when I have no idea what it is being used for.

Isn't that like asking your cable/satellite provider how the "extra money" you are paying for HBO/SHOWTIME/PAY PER VIEW is being spent? Or your cell phone provider how the "extra money" you are paying for text messaging is being spent? I wonder how they'd respond?

Running a website of this size has costs associated with is and 99.99% of what the site offers is completely free ... not a bad deal in my opinion.

I would think that if you don't see value in paying extra for an upgraded Bp.Net experience, then don't? ... no?

Not trying to bust your ball pythons here, but asking to see the sites balance sheet just strikes me as a little odd ... but hey, if it works let me know ... i'd love to see what my local video store is spending all of the money I pay them in "late fees" on ... I suspect it's pizza, but maybe I'm just paranoid. :rolleye2:


-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Isn't that like asking your cable/satellite provider how the "extra money" you are paying for HBO/SHOWTIME/PAY PER VIEW is being spent? Or your cell phone provider how the "extra money" you are paying for text messaging is being spent? I wonder how they'd respond?

Running a website of this size has costs associated with is and 99.99% of what the site offers is completely free ... not a bad deal in my opinion.

I would think that if you don't see value in paying extra for an upgraded Bp.Net experience, then don't? ... no?

Not trying to bust your ball pythons here, but asking to see the sites balance sheet just strikes me as a little odd ... but hey, if it works let me know ... i'd love to see what my local video store is spending all of the money I pay them in "late fees" on ... I suspect it's pizza, but maybe I'm just paranoid. :rolleye2:


-adam

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Hey I agree with you to a point Adam. I'd just like to know that when I donate money for something that's always been free it's being used wisely.
I don't think it's relevant to compare it to a brick and mortar business at any rate, server space is cheaper than it's ever been and traffic for the site is down 40% for the last 3 months so I'd just like to know what costs are being covered by my money before I send it off.

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Originally Posted by anendeloflorien

If we're expected to donate our hard earned money for the right to change our avatar and post classified ads I'd like to see something showing the actual monthly/annual expenses that bp.net has to cover and also would like to know what is going to happen with the extra money.

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First your not expected to donate, its not a donation is a purchase of a service. Not unlike any other service you purchase. Your not buying stock or shares in the site your purchasing ability's and operating freedoms with in the site.

Don't think of it a something that is being used to manipulate or swindle people. You Pay $XX.XX you get XXXXXXXX thats as far as the transaction goes.

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It's a great site and I wouldn't be where I am with my collection today without it but you'll have to understand I have issues with throwing out money when I have no idea what it is being used for.

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Its being used to run the site.

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Originally Posted by anendeloflorien

Hey I agree with you to a point Adam. I'd just like to know that when I donate money for something that's always been free it's being used wisely.
I don't think it's relevant to compare it to a brick and mortar business at any rate, server space is cheaper than it's ever been and traffic for the site is down 40% for the last 3 months so I'd just like to know what costs are being covered by my money before I send it off.

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But it's not a donation ... it's payment for services.

This site isn't a non-profit organization.

I don't think that I've ever spoken to any of the staff while they were traveling on their private jets or vacationing in Bali, but if that ever happens I'll be sure to stop paying for anything "extra" around here. :salute:

-adam

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Originally Posted by anendeloflorien

and traffic for the site is down 40% for the last 3 months so I'd just like to know what costs are being covered by my money before I send it off.

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For what it's worth, it's down for every reptile related site that you check on Alexa (since that's where I saw that figure posted elsewhere when people were discussing this Supporter program), because babies aren't hatching right now - there's no real "buzz" this time of year. This has historically been the slow time of year for ALL reptile related forums.

I bet if you check this summer - traffic will be UP exponentially.

Did you also know that BLBC traffic is also down 40% in the last three months, Fauna is down 23%, Kingsnake down 33%, RDR down 30%, etc.?

Being a monetary supporter is not a requirement for being a member here, it's completely voluntary. For years we've been approached by members asking how they can give back. We know that not everyone is interested in doing so, nor can afford to. But for those who can and want to - it's here for them.

With 10 THOUSAND registered members, we will continue to pledge to make the best decisions for this site. Not everyone will agree with us - hard to get 10K people to all agree unanimously on anything. ;) But either they trust us to make the best decisions possible, or they don't. I don't believe the staff has ever done anything that would cause someone to question that we would do otherwise?

Ok. I'm not disagreeing with anything you've said there Robin. I guess there's just a part of me that tends to think a little bit more than most about how my money is being spent and I kind of want to get people to think a little bit so I'm playing "devil's advocate".

Bp.net was and still is a great resource but I just feel like the atmosphere has changed quite a bit around here lately. Good or bad take that how you'd like.

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Originally Posted by anendeloflorien

Bp.net was and still is a great resource but I just feel like the atmosphere has changed quite a bit around here lately. Good or bad take that how you'd like.

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A site with the amount of growth that we are experiencing (200 new registered members a month on average) with over 10,000 members will always change and evolve in atmosphere when you add that much layer of personalities to the mix.

We can only strive to continue to serve you - the membership the best way that we know how. :)

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Originally Posted by anendeloflorien

Ok. I'm not disagreeing with anything you've said there Robin. I guess there's just a part of me that tends to think a little bit more than most about how my money is being spent and I kind of want to get people to think a little bit so I'm playing "devil's advocate".

Bp.net was and still is a great resource but I just feel like the atmosphere has changed quite a bit around here lately. Good or bad take that how you'd like.

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It's not small anymore. And if anyone starts hanging out at a small site....then compares the "feeling" they get there to the "feeling" they get here...of course it's going to be different. I guarantee you any forum started this past year will also feel different five years from now if they continue to grow and thrive.

As for how your money is spent....spend it however you wish. We're not expecting you to anything differently. If you don't trust us to use it wisely, then we don't want it. Seriously! If we've ever done anything to cause you or anyone to mistrust our integrity on how the site is run, I'd really like to know. I'm not talking about disgreements on methods or rules...but serious issues about integrity and honor. Please...let me know.

Another viewpoint -

I am a "Super Mod" on another forum/site, totally unrelated to reptiles. The owner of that site decided from day one to absorb all of the costs - no advertising, no subscriptions, no donations. She did this to retain complete control and while she does read the feedback from the over 10,000 members and advice from the staff, hers is the final word. You accept it or you leave. To her credit, she is very fair and does not "rule" with a heavy hand.

That said, it took a lot of courage for the Admins here to open the subscription window. You can see from the posts that there's a lot of questions as to why and how and where... I'm glad to see that those that have subscribed have done so to give back to the community and are not, AFAIK, looking for a say in how things are run.

The Admins didn't need to rock the boat with this new program. They could have just splashed a few more ads or charged everyone a small fee. I'm sure there was a lot of thought put in to this, more than most people here would imagine. Forums always seem to run themselves and anyone that has participated in a vBulletin software upgrade knows that this is far from true.

I applaud them for their efforts. I know how difficult it is to walk that fine line. I hope they reach their target and achieve their goals. We all benefit from their hard work.

JohnNJ

I don't think the atmosphere has changed, other than the extremely minor annoyance I have that the left hand post column is a bit wider when a contributor posts now due to the silver/gold/platinum image. =)

Having said that, I'd love to contribute, but my finances don't have wriggle room at the moment, so I can't. But...I don't feel pressured to contribute. I know I'm still loved and accepted for just who I am. =)

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

We all benefit from their hard work.

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Ahem brother.

I haven't been active the last month or two but I think its a great idea. As soon as I get home I will be showing my love for the bp.net. This place has been invaluable as a source of information and networking for me since I entered the hobby. Rock On BP.net staff and members!

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Originally Posted by cassandra

I know I'm still loved and accepted for just who I am. =)

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You know I love you girlfriend:)(and my boa loves you too)

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Originally Posted by anendeloflorien

Hey I agree with you to a point Adam. I'd just like to know that when I donate money for something that's always been free it's being used wisely.
I don't think it's relevant to compare it to a brick and mortar business at any rate, server space is cheaper than it's ever been and traffic for the site is down 40% for the last 3 months so I'd just like to know what costs are being covered by my money before I send it off.

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I think they are spending on off shore stuff that is against the TOS and they are partying like Buffett on a margarita binge, or they are just paying to keep up the site.

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Originally Posted by anendeloflorien

Ok. I'm not disagreeing with anything you've said there Robin. I guess there's just a part of me that tends to think a little bit more than most about how my money is being spent and I kind of want to get people to think a little bit so I'm playing "devil's advocate".

Bp.net was and still is a great resource but I just feel like the atmosphere has changed quite a bit around here lately. Good or bad take that how you'd like.

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There needs no avocation here... Those of us that can and want to will those who don't or disagree will not.

I love this site and I am fortunate enough to be able to support it.

If they said "hey we need $5 a year from every member to keep this up and running" I would have been peeved (I don't really know why $5 aint nothin) but they said "hey here is what we have to offer" so I gave them $75 I hope they all have a nice dinner and some wine off my $75 I don't care what they spend it on. These are great people and a great site.

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Originally Posted by Beardedragon

Whens the $5 "Fake cheap Platinum" coming out? You know, that lets you change your Avatar and also lets you have it a little bigger.

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I wasnt kidding mods BTW

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Originally Posted by Beardedragon

Whens the $5 "Fake cheap Platinum" coming out? You know, that lets you change your Avatar and also lets you have it a little bigger.

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http://ball-pythons.net/forums/profi...?do=editavatar
This is where you can change your avatar. As for making it bigger, the size for right now is 120 by 150.

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/profi...?do=editavatar
This is where you can change your avatar. As for making it bigger, the size for right now is 120 by 150.

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In a few days that will be disabled and we can only change it again either if we buy a subscription, become a vet, or use one of the preset Avatars.

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Originally Posted by Beardedragon

In a few days that will be disabled and we can only change it again either if we buy a subscription, become a vet, or use one of the preset Avatars.

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ummmm it is not that much....

If you can not donate I am sure the staff understands you aggravation...


But ummm.. with membership purchases come certain abilities if you wish not to subscribe to said membership you can always enjoy your free stay here....

It is always free to use this forum... there are perks... perks that many of us have paid for to get said perks... why make a "cheep" plan when others have already paid more to get the same perks you want to "cheapen"

Not trying to be rude or argumentative just giving my point of view on the matter. Hope you do not take this as a personal attack because that is not what it is meant to be. If BPnet tried to make every one happy... well this site would not be a very good one in my opinion.

Happy to say that I'm finally able to support this site that I love so much. Thanks for keeping it around guys!

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Originally Posted by JLC

https://ball-pythons.net/images/memb...ship-chart.jpg

Canned Replies: This is a new feature in which you can type up certain answers, phrases, groups of questions...whatever you find yourself typing over and over again. You save them and give them a name, then whenever needed you can insert them right into a post without having to type it all out again.

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Can I get an explanation of the canned replies and how to use? It says veterans get 2?

It should be in your User CP down the left hand side. You can save 2 replies that you use often so you don't have to type them out each time.

I dont see the Canned Replies either.

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Originally Posted by Patrick Long

I dont see the Canned Replies either.

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You have to save your canned replies.

Go to your user cp

It should be around here
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...morphs/5-1.jpg

Then and time you go to reply or even Pm someone all you have to do is select it from a list

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...morphs/6-1.jpg

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

You have to save your canned replies.

Go to your user cp

It should be around here
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...morphs/5-1.jpg

Then and time you go to reply or even Pm someone all you have to do is select it from a list

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...morphs/6-1.jpg

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Yeap, NOT there at all. Don't know what to say. Does any other veteran have the canned replies button?

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Yeap, NOT there at all. Don't know what to say. Does any other veteran have the canned replies button?

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Sorry about that...

Try now ;)

**Looks**

Well, there is the option now right above the quick reply. Woot! :D

I was like...THAT WAS NOT THERE EARLIER!!! lol