wateroftyne

Was there any research done with the user base?

Pop your feedback on the thread posted above - try and keep it all together.

Generally stage left. In one of my bands, the drummer sets up stage left, facing across the stage. It's fab.

If you're a fan it's worth getting, as is Beyond The Lighted Stage.

He's been around forever, so he's clearly found a model that works for him. Personally, I think these multi-band showcases are a hiding to nothing anyway. One of the original bands I'm in did a couple with him, and we realised pretty quickly there was no point.

Neck looks like an original defret. It might be a good project, assuming it goes for a sensible amount.

[quote name='mart' timestamp='1354956086' post='1892278'] As an event, I can see that it would have been fantastic. But why buy the DVD? Ok, for nostalgia if you were there. But otherwise? I can't really see the point myself, but then I'm not a big Zep fan. [/quote] You've answered your own question.

The DVD is incredible. The bass is a bit subby but as a performance, an event, it's fab.

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1354887444' post='1891630'] It'll have to be compulsory. If you look at TB, it's compulsory there, and if you donate the minimum you get extra benefits, all of which you get here for free anyway. In the future we may be able to offer extra benefits for a larger fee but all in all I don't think it would be fair to expect some to pay and others not to. Anyone can use the forum as they wish, but if you're selling something worth more than £100, it's fair enough to expect some payback for that. If that puts some people off then we'll have to accept that, but I wonder where else would represent such a good chance of selling their item. [/quote] I've just realised that TB's classifieds were restricted to supporting members - didn't know that...! I suppose the classifieds thing has never been a driver for me to contribute either here or TB - I just do it because I'm grateful.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1354885077' post='1891590'] So my idea is:[list] [*]Decide an annual subscription level (£20 has been suggested) [*]Make it easy to pay [*]Make it [u]optional[/u] (then you won't lose members/passing traffic) [*]Find a way to display to [u]everyone[/u] if a member has contributed or not (an icon next to their avatar or something other than the "Members" group under their name) [/list] [/quote] This would be my preference too, but Ped has said they don't want to create any sort of membership 'hierarchy'. I'm not sure it would be a problem - it works fine elsewhere.

Ped - any initial feelings on wether a voluntary contributing member scheme (a la TB) would work? A big donate button, a star or two contributor's avatars, occasional posts every now and then reminding everyone how nice it would be if you got a few more donations... It might just work. I'm not sure paying to use the classifieds is the way.. BC is more than that.

If The Who got away with it, I think the sobering truth is... none of us are irreplaceable.

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1354705343' post='1889280'] I have a friend who owns the original Promethean and plays a epiphone thunderbird through it. It's more than loud enough to compete with a full drumkit. From what you say the new promethean sounds more like a practice amp to me. [/quote] Yep - mine can handle a rehearsal or open mic with a drummer with fairly light touch.

Change the filters on the left-hand side. Select 'in the last week' or something.

I also have no problem with owners making a few quid along the way. It's their site, their idea. No reason why not.

I've bleated on too much elsewhere, but I'll put my thoughts here just to keep it all under one roof. :-) I don't like the new system. They're less visible to experienced users, never mind the newbies who might not know they're there. More importantly, they've been taken out of the flow of the community. They don't drive discussion any more, and given that BC is a discussion forum... this is a shame. As for the 'problems'... No thumbnails, excessive bumping, not stating prices, lack of detail in ads... are these [i]really[/i] problems? The community is pretty good at self-policing, and it's usually sorted pretty quick. I've never noticed it to be a big issue. Yep, the mods have to get involved sometimes, but that's why we - and all other forums - have mods. I honestly think some members are confused as to the purpose of BC. Unless I'm wrong, it's primarily a discussion forum, not a marketplace to facilitate the buying and selling of bass gear. We should be paying as much for the former as the latter. I don't buy and sell that much on here, but I'd still pay a few quid a year to help keep the lights on. I'm sure plenty other users would, too. Those that don't want to or can't afford it... don't have to. Maybe do as they do on TalkBass, and restrict avatars & other bits and bobs of functionality (off-topic?) to those that donate? I'm grateful to Ped & co. for trying to improve things and keep it viable, but I don't think this is the way to do it.

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1354567364' post='1887555'] Dog years is a terrible song- but is it as bad as Tai Chen (hold your fire)? [/quote] I'm the person who likes Tai Shan... Half the World, on the other hand - tripe.

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1354531171' post='1886939'] I can't think of a better place to sell a bass, regardless of the selling format. [/quote] I agree with you - we know it's true based on experience. But...would a new user? Seeing the classifieds off in another room, with no chat going on? IMO... probably not. With a bit of luck I'll be wrong. :-)

[quote name='XB26354' timestamp='1354530254' post='1886925'] But how many users does a site really need? I can think of hundreds of people that post here regularly, and probably up to a couple of thousand people whose names I at least vaguely recognise. I feel that there are already plenty of people on here and enough turnover of users to prevent stagnation. How much real value is there to either us or BC if someone joins, posts a for sale ad a very high price and then vanishes, never to be seen again? [/quote] It's vital! If part of your revenue stream is from clickable banners, you need to make sure as many people see them as possible. Also, if someone signs up, posts and ad and then disappears, they've still contributed relevant content to the community which someone might find useful. Your aversion to these people, and having to PM them to find out where they're based, is a bit odd, IMO. Basschat still has to draw people in to keep our tide-pool vibrant. Some of them will be one-post wonders, Others will stick around and join in. You have to keep them coming, though - throw enough, and some will stick. Anyway - it sounds like I'm sniping from the back, and offering no suggestions. I'm not, honest. For the record, I'm in favour of a contributing member system like TB and the FDP use. It seems to work well for them.

[quote name='XB26354' timestamp='1354529880' post='1886921'] Neither do I, but, just like with eBay, if someone joins, has no feedback and lists something for £2500 the alarm bells ring immediately for me. [/quote] 'Buyer beware' should always apply, though...? IMO, this is such a small drawback if the benefit is a vibrant, growing community.

I try and shift stuff locally first anyway. I can't remember the last time I looked at the new classifieds. I keep forgetting to click it. I think the buying and selling aspect is part of the heartbeat of BC, and I'm guessing it's the entry point for a huge chunk of users who then get involved in the wider community. Splitting it off is like cutting off part of the water supply and diverting it elsewhere.

[quote name='XB26354' timestamp='1354527261' post='1886875'] I'm not so sure. People still want to flog stuff and it's clearly a buyer's market at the mo. My only worry would be a reduction in activity from those that post outside the classifieds and contribute. I'd be happy to lose the one line from a phone listings with no location, price or photos! [/quote] But this is a huge aspect of it. Passing traffic drives the growth. Without it, it'll stagnate.

[quote name='XB26354' timestamp='1354525126' post='1886847'] I'm not really a fan of the classifieds approach but my main gripes at the moment are no photos, having to look in two places for ads while the switchover happens, and a lack of discussion on the classifieds. There is a Questions option but I haven't yet seen a single question posted. Once the photos are appearing and the old forum closes to new posts and replies I'm sure we'll get used to it. Personally I'd be happy to pay a fee to list something for sale here because I think it is a superb resource for bass and far more pleasurable to deal with BC members than eBay or Gumtree. [/quote] The problem is though, regardless of whether the new system cuts down on the issues you've mentioned, the activity and traffic is going to plummet. ...unless the devs have something under their sleeves.

You'll find after you've spent hours pressing every other button on the remote, with snazzy-but-ultimately unrewarding results, pressing the P button will do exactly what you need. From then on, it's the only button you'll use.

What is it? The O2 gig?