New (Feb 11) R/T Board Posting Reqs

[Chuck S]

PMs are "private messages" We do not have any way to count those, mods can not access them, and they do not contribute to the community as a whole. A poll also is not contributing anything, except a single click. It contributes nothing more that "I agree" or "I disagree," and we do not count those types of posts as being contributory.

Again, sorry, but if anyone finds our posting requirements of an average two posts per week too restrictive, there are plenty of other venues available to offer points for rental.

The mods discuss rules/policy changes over the course of several months, we consider our options and the capabilities of the board software. These rule changes/decisions are not made at the drop of a hat.

The primary goal is community participation and the way to participate is by making posts that contribute to the open discussions.

 

[mic_KY_mouses]

I guess I will start posting more. I have been a DIS member since 2001 and I visit several times a week. I love the connection to our DVC happenings. I ask questions and also answer some questions, but hesitate to post because there are many DISers more informed than I am that usually beat me to it. I have used the R/T board to transfer points in and out over the years and would miss not having the resource. I understand why the rules are in place though and don't have a problem with them. Thanks to the mods for making these boards the best they can be. It is appreciated.

 

[dvcbrad]

PMs are "private messages" We do not have any way to count those, mods can not access them, and they do not contribute to the community as a whole. A poll also is not contributing anything, except a single click. It contributes nothing more that "I agree" or "I disagree," and we do not count those types of posts as being contributory.

Again, sorry, but if anyone finds our posting requirements of an average two posts per week too restrictive, there are plenty of other venues available to offer points for rental.

The mods discuss rules/policy changes over the course of several months, we consider our options and the capabilities of the board software. These rule changes/decisions are not made at the drop of a hat.

The primary goal is community participation and the way to participate is by making posts that contribute to the open discussions.

I agree that it must be difficult to determine where to draw the line, yet I despite offers to brainstorm alternatives, I have not had any response to do so. I hate to say this, but it seems that the moderators get to set the rules and the 'community' has to live by them. Just an observation, yet I DO understand that someone has to set rules in a community, otherwise anarchy DOES rule.

My point remains that a) I'm not on these boards just to rent and that b) I'm not interested in posting just to post. As to surveys or votes, I don't feel I need to justify why I voted the way I did ... I voted, just like I do for a president, senator or governor.

One last question ... how does one become a moderator? I'd love the opportunity to learn how to contribute in role more meaningful than just posting.

Thanks ... and I think done. Don't want to wear out my welcome or over-belabor the point beyond what we've (I've?) done already.

 

[vicki_c]

I hate to say this, but it seems that the moderators get to set the rules and the 'community' has to live by them. Just an observation, yet I DO understand that someone has to set rules in a community, otherwise anarchy DOES rule.

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You don't get a vote - it's not a democracy. It's a privately owned site and the owner (Pete) sets the rules, with input from the mods in some cases, I'm sure, and perhaps no input at all in others. I don't see why you are continuing to harp on how no one is taking you up on your offer to discuss it further? The mods have posted that additional changes are not being considered at this time.

As stated multiple times in every thread on this topic, there are numerous other venues to rent your points. So either become a meaningful contributor and it won't be an issue, or check out those other avenues.

And I agree with delmar regarding the other topic - a lurker is not a contributor to the DIS in anyway - being an audience member is not contributing, other than helping the owners boast bigger membership numbers to sell to their advertisers. But it doesn't make you an active part of the DIS community.

 

[360Joules]

You don't get a vote - it's not a democracy. It's a privately owned site and the owner (Pete) sets the rules, with input from the mods in some cases, I'm sure, and perhaps no input at all in others. I don't see why you are continuing to harp on how no one is taking you up on your offer to discuss it further? The mods have posted that additional changes are not being considered at this time.

As stated multiple times in every thread on this topic, there are numerous other venues to rent your points. So either become a meaningful contributor and it won't be an issue, or check out those other avenues.

And I agree with delmar regarding the other topic - a lurker is not a contributor to the DIS in anyway - being an audience member is not contributing, other than helping the owners boast bigger membership numbers to sell to their advertisers. But it doesn't make you an active part of the DIS community.

You folks just dont get it

What is crystal clear people with thousands of posts feel one way and
those of us with a few feel another way

Im 100% ok not posting my points on here

What I wont do is post just to post just to reach a certain number , I think its ridiculous to have someone judge which one is worthy of counting towards that number and which are not.

Keep your rules in place, Im not asking you to change them in anyway.

 

[magicaldisney]

To the moderators:

I'm sorry that you are getting slammed by some for this decision. I for one, no matter how many posts I have, understand that the "DIS" is meant to be a DISCUSSION forum not a rent and trade your points forum and that you, by no means have to let anyone rent/trade here. I know that it is a benefit of the DIS that does NOT have to be offered. There are other avenues to rent and trade points including paying a service to help you with it. No entitlement feelings here. I commend you for the work you do here!!

For the record, I could care less if someone is a contributor or a lurker as far as discussions are concerned.....you just can't use this forum as your rent/trade avenue only. They want you to be a contributor in order to rent/trade and I think this is more than fair. It is the rule of the moderators of these boards.....like it or leave it.....it is still the rule. Certainly not something to complain about. There are so many more important things to complain about these days.

 

[dvcbrad]

Also to the moderators - the intent wasn't to slam the moderators, it merely was to understand the position and to present it from a different perspective. As I said earlier, I understand the need for rules, and I don't advocate using these disboards exclusively as a rent/trade forum, either.

My choice, and all of ours, is whether to modify our behavior to comply with the new requirement or whether to seek out other alternatives for renting. For me, it's been a great experience renting to others who use these boards, so to continue to do so, I may need to make time to post a bit more to realize the benefit of being able to rent within the community. As we know, things change, and usually it's discussion that is the catalyst for change, and maybe this wll prompt further discussion of the requirement in the future.

 

[Fatalbie]

First of all to the mods, I am appreciative of the work you do for the boards. My contributions to this thread are not a slam in any way. I happen to have a different opinion and have chosen this as a thread to contribute to. Thank you for the opportunity to do that.

To the moderators:

They want you to be a contributor in order to rent/trade and I think this is more than fair. It is the rule of the moderators of these boards.....like it or leave it.....it is still the rule. Certainly not something to complain about.

This is an interesting quote because I agree with it, right up to the not something to complain about. As I conjure up the "tonality" in my head it is condescending. Maybe I am interpreting this incorrectly and that is often a problem with written communication.

This thread is exactly what the moderators are asking for, contributions. I am contributing my opinion. Because it differs from yours, or what may be perceived as the majority, does not constitute complaining. It just means we do not agree on the established protocol.

Chuck S. My suggestion would be not to require any type of a post count. Since review will be a part of the process, simply review poster history for compliance with the desired intent of the community. It may be quicker and easier for the mods to see a small sample of posts to determine if that poster is a "contributor" as desired. Quality and content of post history seems applicable and appropriate regardless of post count. Again, just my opinion.

For the record, if the post count remains part of the criteria, a couple of posts a week certainly does not pose an insurmountable obstacle.

Jim

 

[Chuck S]

Chuck S. My suggestion would be not to require any type of a post count. Since review will be a part of the process, simply review poster history for compliance with the desired intent of the community. It may be quicker and easier for the mods to see a small sample of posts to determine if that poster is a "contributor" as desired. Quality and content of post history seems applicable and appropriate regardless of post count. Again, just my opinion.

For the record, if the post count remains part of the criteria, a couple of posts a week certainly does not pose an insurmountable obstacle.

Jim

Post count basically has to remain part of the criteria, or else someone with a single, quality post (or 5 or 6 posts) in 10 years would qualify, wouldn't they? We have had people on the DIS since 2001 that posted nowhere except the Rent/Trade Board, basically profiting from our community without being a part of it. Some had over 100 posts (some several hundred), nowhere but the R/T board renting their points.

We tried to get people involved by instituting the 50 post minimum in July, we had those same type of posters make 50 posts, rent their points, and they never made another post. We are simply not going allow people to "catch up" for the sole purpose of renting points. They have to have a 50 post posting history over the last 6 months, spread throughout those 6 months. An average of 2 posts per week, but there may be some weeks they do not post at all. And again, this is not being reconsidered at this time.

 

[Tamar]

I tend to post more right around the times I'm taking a trip, and much less at other times of the year. I suspect I'm not alone. I have much more to contribute at those times. Believe it or not, there are some months when I don't have time to think about Disney.

I'm glad the community is here, and I'm going to continue making contributions when I have something to say, and letting the chips fall where they may when it comes to my access to the R/T board. I'll be sorry if I can't connect with other DISers when I have extra points.

 

[wcpamotm]

I don't think the requirements to earn the use of a free service such as this are very onerous at all.

where would a book author be without an audience?

Gathering dust on a bookstore shelf.

But it seems to me that the DIS is more like a panel discussion than a book. An audience for a panel discussion may be appreciated, but it isn't really necessary for the participants to benefit. On the other hand, if the participants don't talk or contribute to the discussion much, the audience isn't likely to hang around for long.

 

[CarolMN]

I guess I will start posting more. I have been a DIS member since 2001 and I visit several times a week. I love the connection to our DVC happenings. I ask questions and also answer some questions, but hesitate to post because there are many DISers more informed than I am that usually beat me to it. ...:

I just quoted your post because I think that many DIS posters/lurkers feel the same way - they think they don't know enough to post and besides that, usually others have already provided the answer. I understand.

But there are many threads that call for an opinion or for sharing an experience. No right or wrong answers there. For example, why not share your experience at one of the Disney Restaurants?

So lurkers - we invite you to just jump in and state your opinion once or twice a week There are many opportunities on the Theme Parks Board, the Resorts Board, the Transportation Board, and the Restaurants Board to name just a few. Your posts do not have to be on one of the DVC Boards.

Please remember that the 50 post requirement only applies to those of you who want to use the DIS Rent/Trade Board to transfer or rent your points.

Anyone can reply to a thread posted on the R/T Board - no 50 post requirement to do that.

 

[kmsimone]

a lurker is not a contributor to the DIS in anyway - being an audience member is not contributing, other than helping the owners boast bigger membership numbers to sell to their advertisers. But it doesn't make you an active part of the DIS community.

How do you think this site is paying for all the bandwidth and servers for you all to enjoy this free service? Its by "bigger membership numbers to sell to their advertisers".

 

[CarolMN]

How do you think this site is paying for all the bandwidth and servers for you all to enjoy this free service? Its by "bigger membership numbers to sell to their advertisers".

Respectfully, those "bigger membership numbers" are the main reason people come here to rent their points - the DIS provides a large number of Disney fans and no charge to "advertise" to them. Where is a better place to find customers for a rental?

Again, we are simply asking those who want to take advantage of that to contribute to the community in return. Those "50 posts" also give prospective customers some idea of the person behind the screen name.

 

[kmsimone]

Respectfully, those "bigger membership numbers" are the main reason people come here to rent their points - the DIS provides a large number of Disney fans and no charge to "advertise" to them. Where is a better place to find customers for a rental?

Again, we are simply asking those who want to take advantage of that to contribute to the community in return. Those "50 posts" also give prospective customers some idea of the person behind the screen name.

I was was commenting on an earlier post implied that lurkers add no value when in fact they help support this site by helping to boost advertising revenue which pays for this free service.

 

[vicki_c]

I was was commenting on an earlier post implied that lurkers add no value when in fact they help support this site by helping to boost advertising revenue which pays for this free service.

I'm not sure I get the point of paraphrasing back what I said? That's what I said - I don't feel lurkers add value except in the case of membership / advertising. Which is what you said. So how can you be taking exception to that part? I didn't say that THAT wasn't valuable, obviously it's part of what keeps the boards financially viable. And I didn't imply it - I came right out and said it.

 

[kmsimone]

we needed to come up with something to weed out the folks who were taking advantage.

Speaking of which, when you determining advertising fees does DIS subtract the number of members who are not active, or do they lump everyone together to "take advantage" of the number of lurkers in setting DISBoard ad rates.

As I am very familiar with how brands and companies represent users, shoppers, consumers, viewers, members, etc., I am confident in my assertion that member lurkers are included in any roll-up of membership numbers which then determine rates.

More members equals higher fees equals more revenue equals added value.

More revenue equals quality site that is able to operate with no membership fees.

 

[kmsimone]

I'm not sure I get the point of paraphrasing back what I said? That's what I said - I don't feel lurkers add value except in the case of membership / advertising. Which is what you said. So how can you be taking exception to that part? I didn't say that THAT wasn't valuable, obviously it's part of what keeps the boards financially viable. And I didn't imply it - I came right out and said it.

The point was that I was illustrating your post in which you minimized the value of lurkers. Then I gave a different opinion that assigned lurkers increased value.
I was comparing and contrasting.


I am glad there are many lurkers. They help the financial viability of this site, adding much value.

 

[Chuck S]

This thread is going off topic. The topic of this thread is the Rent/Trade posting requirements. We have stated, simply, that those requirements are not being reconsidered at this time. If anyone feels that our posting requirements do not meet their needs, they are free to explore other locations and venues for renting their points.

DIS Board advertising rates and revenues, and the determination of advertising fees are not something to which the mods are privy. Nor does it matter when determining posting criteria for the Rent/Trade board. Lurkers are free to read, browse and reply to threads on the Rent/Trade board, they simply are not allowed to post their points and reservations for their own profit without meeting the requirements.

If you wish to inquire about becoming a DIS advertiser, feel free to contact admin@wdwinfo.com

If off-topic posting continue, the thread will closed.

 

[kmsimone]

Chuck S, there has been some debate above as to the value of the members who prefer not to actively post but do enjoy reading what others have to say. It could be interpreted that the rule on posting to the rent board takes a similar point of view.

My point on ad revenue is that members who choose not to post still support this site in ways that are not as obvious as someone with thousands of visible contributions. It would be interesting to see how many members there are in comparison to members who contribute on a regular basis.

I think that these posts are addressing the new posting rules and offering opinion and commentary that all DISBoard members should be considered valuble even if the do not meet a required level submissions.

Some of the comments in this thread offer a different opinion so I thought I would chime in.