My suggestions for a good website...:)

1.Keep it as non denominational as possible. Dont ever make it about one club, group, organization or individual.
2. Dont ever let sponsors dictate "the rules".
3. Dont overcommercialize the site. See #2
4. Be sure to make the prime focus of the website the Spearfishing community. Dont let anyone ever make the spearfishing community look bad with their posts.
5. Listen to what your members and supporters are telling you.



Anybody got anything else?

My suggestions for a good website...:)

1.Keep it as non denominational as possible. Dont ever make it about one club, group, organization or individual.
2. Dont ever let sponsors dictate "the rules".
3. Dont overcommercialize the site. See #2
4. Be sure to make the prime focus of the website the Spearfishing community. Dont let anyone ever make the spearfishing community look bad with their posts.
5. Listen to what your members and supporters are telling you.



Anybody got anything else?

Sounds good to me.

When policies and rules are enacted for the good of the board, they are applied without favoritism or prejudice to ALL members of the board including the owners and moderators.

When policies and rules are enacted for the good of the board, they are applied without favoritism or prejudice to ALL members of the board including the owners and moderators.


Yeah, good one Rich!

Also... we need more emoticons but please dont put one with a cowboy hat.:D

$?? We have a limited budget and just dumped most of it on photo gallery software.

Good post Rich.

Another good idea is to make some money off of it so it at least pays for itself. The easy way is using Google Adsense.

http://www.google.com/adsense/

Take the money, reinvest it into the site, donate it to the FRA, use it for beer.... whatever. Your work should not go uncompensated. And don't feel guilty for making money off your site, that's ridiculous.

The cool thing about adsense is that you don't have to deal with one advertiser, so you will never have to worry about them influencing your board.

You can probably make more by having relationships with individual companies, but that will take time, and again you run into the fact that they aren't going to like what people say about them on your forums.

Affiliate Programs are similar to the adsense deal in a way; you make a percentage of each sale. You should check into SpearfishingGear.com and LeisurePro's affiliate programs.

Good post Rich.

Another good idea is to make some money off of it so it at least pays for itself. The easy way is using Google Adsense.

http://www.google.com/adsense/

Take the money, reinvest it into the site, donate it to the FRA, use it for beer.... whatever. Your work should not go uncompensated. And don't feel guilty for making money off your site, that's ridiculous.

The cool thing about adsense is that you don't have to deal with one advertiser, so you will never have to worry about them influencing your board.

You can probably make more by having relationships with individual companies, but that will take time, and again you run into the fact that they aren't going to like what people say about them on your forums.

Affiliate Programs are similar to the adsense deal in a way; you make a percentage of each sale. You should check into SpearfishingGear.com and LeisurePro's affiliate programs.

I always wondered why the other board never signed up for google adsense. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Another idea is to just stay away from the commercial stuff all together. Make this place stay independent by letting people join for free for thirty days or so then require a donation to pay for the site.

When policies and rules are enacted for the good of the board, they are applied without favoritism or prejudice to ALL members of the board including the owners and moderators.

Absolutely. And above all - use common sense when enforcing said rules.

When policies and rules are enacted for the good of the board, they are applied without favoritism or prejudice to ALL members of the board including the owners and moderators.

That is the most important way of thinking right there, whatever the rules are, enforce them equally across the board.

Inletsurf followed the rules on the other site, yet he was censored for it, when others complained about his treatement, their posts were deleted as well.

It would also be cool to *not* to add 200 different categories to the site. Some other site I know of did that and now the people in the "Upper Gulf Coast" don't know the people who post in the "Pacific Northwest" section.:confused:

Although one day one of these stupid sites needs a Louisiana section:D

Agreed. Honestly, I always hit 'new posts' when pulling the site up anyway.

I just put a button on the bar which goes to this http://www.spearfishingplanet.com/search.php?do=getdaily this link will display in chronological order all post for 24 hours (be sure to right click it and copy short cut)

the easiest way is to just paste it to a link you already have by right clicking on the link the properties and put it there.

Also... we need more emoticons but please dont put one with a cowboy hat.:D

I also just noted that we are limited to 4 images per post. The software considers emoticons to be images. Perhaps this can be loosened up.

I know that I don't have any control over what gets done with this site but I would try to stay away from advertisers that aren't part of our sport as well as places that will try to put out pop-ups, banners and other things. That can get ridiculous and frustrating. Also some weather links would help.

Also is there a way to turn on a spell checker in the quick reply box?

I see that the weather links section is in the process. I figured someone would be getting it together.

Also is there a way to turn on a spell checker in the quick reply box?


http://www.spearfishingplanet.com/showthread.php?t=57&highlight=spell

I also just noted that we are limited to 50 messages in my PMs. I keep all my PMs so that I can mine them later for phone numbers and other information. I've already used up two thirds of my allowable space.

Grauwer and I just had a working lunch and we review the posts on this thread hourly. We have a list of things to get to. Keep the ideas and suggestions coming, we are listening and discussing each and every one of them..

http://www.spearfishingplanet.com/showthread.php?t=57&highlight=spell

Roland there is no ABC check in the upper right corner of my compose message box. could it have something to do with my HTML being off or possible my browser?

Roland there is no ABC check in the upper right corner of my compose message box. could it have something to do with my HTML being off or possible my browser?

OK try this.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/bug-zilla/leon.jpg

Not there Roland.

Ok it does appear to be browser based. I normally use Firefox as my browser to not get pop-ups and it does not appear in that browser. If I use Internet Explorer 7 it does show up.

The spell checker is designed for IE7

Is the version of the forum software newer or older than spearboards? The spell checker works automatically there, with firefox.

I see that the version is much newer than spearboards.

I've handled advertising sales for several forums. I can speak with you guys about making this very profitable without it effecting the posting whatsoever.
40k a month is easily doable.

It would be nice to be able to filter all the politics/religion/complaining about Tony threads to get to the reports without having to weed through them every time I hit "new Posts." maybe there is already a way to do this and I'm not utilizing all the tools properly.

A calendar feature of all upcoming spearfishing events would be cool.

I've always thought a "trophy" thread would be cool...have guys post pictures of their trophy fish.

LSUbigL, we are working the bugs out of our new photo album software. Of course when I say "we", I mean grauwer.

I see that the version is much newer than spearboards.

Yes, this is the latest greatest in Vbulletin software. I think the "other" board was running a version that is a few iterations old.

I don't know if you guys figured it out yet, but you can multi-quote several posts in your reply now. You could not do that with the older version.

Yes I saw that, very nice. The spell checker seems to be working now. At least on my home pc. I'll check it out on my work pc tomorrow. It wouldn't have been a biggie anyway, just look a bit smarter with a spell checker.

Yes I saw that, very nice. The spell checker seems to be working now. At least on my home pc. I'll check it out on my work pc tomorrow. It wouldn't have been a biggie anyway, just look a bit smarter with a spell checker.



:DDon't we all;)

How do we get rid of the Junior member text under our names?

How do we get rid of the Junior member text under our names?


Edit profil in the user CP.
first line, dont check the box, fill in the blank.


Dago.

Just signed up, for probably most of the same reasons you guys did. In my opinion here are a few ideas, the posts should not be removed, edited ect. There needs to be something set up as to what we can post. If it meets the rules it can stay. Idiots, like PArgo shouldnt be givin muliple chances, so many strikes and your out. Just my .02 cents. Glad to be here!

Just keep the personal attacks off the site. Nothing wrong with differences of opinion, but the "other B/S is what chases people away.

I was thinking of more ideas to make the site better (in my opinion.) This one may or may not be better, but I'll throw it out there.

I go to the board for advice on gear a good bit. I figure that if I need to buy something new, chances are that someone else has already been through the exact same decision process and I could benefit from it. I try to pass on any tips I learn as well. As "the other website" got older and older and clogged with more and more threads, inevitably people would come on and post the exact same question that someone had posted in previous months, and 3 or 4 people would rag on them for not using the search function. While the search function is nice, it would often return so many threads that it became a hassle to click through all the threads trying to find what you need.

To alleviate this issue, I think it would be cool if separate forums were created for all types of gear, delineated as minutely as they need to be, then it would be easier to search for gear info. For instance, maybe there should be a "BCD" forum, a "Fin" forum, a "regulator" forum, and so on and so on. I realize that this might add so many forums that the first page is too long, so that's the downside...however it would be nice to know exactly where to go to look for information. For instance, right now I need to buy an EPIRB, and I'll probably spend several hours on "the other website" looking for information that should only take a few minutes.

Just a suggestion, and kudos to the guys for creating their own site. I haven't followed the drama but a lot of the posters I respect have migrated over here so i figured there must be good reason for it.

I remember a few years ago I was on a forum that had a "Business Exchange". I actually consulted this thread when I needed some work on my house. I would much prefer to give the business to someone that shared the same interests and hobbies and I also stood less of chance getting an over-priced quote and crappy work. It would be nice if there was a 'permanent thread' that always stayed on the top to help promote spearfishingplanet.com users' businesses.

And please. If a thread/post must be closed, deleted, a PM to explain why will definitely help.

Get rid of all the off topic stuff. There is no reason to get into those types of discussions here. People who would be best friends if they met at a party / bar / beach become bitter enemies because they start talking politics / religion / or other crap. This just serves to create animosity in our community, and fractures us into less powerful groups. Everone here is your friend and ally, don't forget it.

BTW, if you guys really give a shit, create a Corporation, have everyone invest a couple hundred bucks and buy SB back. How much is it worth?

Back to lurking.

NS

BTW, if you guys really give a shit, create a Corporation, have everyone invest a couple hundred bucks and buy SB back. How much is it worth?

Back to lurking.

NS

Who even wants SB?

I doubt the grogette would sell Spearbored, that and spearfishing magazine is the only thing he has to boost his ego, that and buying escorts.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=grogette

Get rid of all the off topic stuff. There is no reason to get into those types of discussions here. People who would be best friends if they met at a party / bar / beach become bitter enemies because they start talking politics / religion / or other crap. This just serves to create animosity in our community, and fractures us into less powerful groups. Everone here is your friend and ally, don't forget it.

BTW, if you guys really give a shit, create a Corporation, have everyone invest a couple hundred bucks and buy SB back. How much is it worth?

Back to lurking.

NS

If you can't handle discussing politics/religion/or other crap without getting upset and considering other people with different opinions as "enemies"...don't engage yourself in the conversation and/or don't read it. It's really that simple. There are plenty of channels on the radio that might disgust/piss me off and that is the reason I don't listen to them. Why this concept seems to escape a lot of people eludes me.

We have had the conversation about the Politics thread before we put it up. It serves the purpose of keeping off topic conversations out of the spear threads. It is not necessary, but right now is causing no problems. There are many people here that stay up to date on fisheries management and political issues sometimes tie into that. We will continue to serve the spearfishing community for the good of the sport. Right now, it seems to be working out pretty good.

My suggestions for a good website...:)

1.Keep it as non denominational as possible. Dont ever make it about one club, group, organization or individual.
2. Dont ever let sponsors dictate "the rules".
3. Dont overcommercialize the site. See #2
4. Be sure to make the prime focus of the website the Spearfishing community. Dont let anyone ever make the spearfishing community look bad with their posts.
5. Listen to what your members and supporters are telling you.



Anybody got anything else?

Agree 100%. I would expand the first statement to include "regions".

I think that we should rework the order of the regions into alphabetical order or something along those lines......I'd like to see Cali near or on the top, for example. Don't forget Australia and International areas. Maybe in order of traffic?

I would like to see us rework the regions so that they are larger......we tend to get to know more people that way.

And Howie, take that "Co-founder of the worlds fastest growing spearfishing forum" s..t off your signature. :nono:Nobody gives a f**k. :D

If you haven't already, create a free google analytics account and put the code in the footer of your pages. Analytics is by far one of the best tools for analyzing site traffic. From there you can easily see what countries are visiting your site the most - all the way down to the cities your visitors are coming from. At the rate Google is going, by next year, you'll be able to pull up analytics and see a picture of inletsurf hacking the keyboard in his underwear while he's on spearfishingplanet.com.:eek:

Best of all it's free. You can use that to help determine if you need another category for a region.

Excellent suggestion Chris. Much better than Screen Name's.

I was thinking of more ideas to make the site better (in my opinion.) This one may or may not be better, but I'll throw it out there.

I go to the board for advice on gear a good bit. I figure that if I need to buy something new, chances are that someone else has already been through the exact same decision process and I could benefit from it. I try to pass on any tips I learn as well. As "the other website" got older and older and clogged with more and more threads, inevitably people would come on and post the exact same question that someone had posted in previous months, and 3 or 4 people would rag on them for not using the search function. While the search function is nice, it would often return so many threads that it became a hassle to click through all the threads trying to find what you need.
To alleviate this issue, I think it would be cool if separate forums werecreated for all types of gear, delineated as minutely as they need to be, then it would be easier to search for gear info. For instance, maybe there should be a "BCD" forum, a "Fin" forum, a "regulator" forum, and so on and so on. I realize that this might add so many forums that the first page is too long, so that's the downside...however it would be nice to know exactly where to go to look for information. For instance, right now I need to buy an EPIRB, and I'll probably spend several hours on "the other website" looking for information that should only take a few minutes.

Just a suggestion, and kudos to the guys for creating their own site. I haven't followed the drama but a lot of the posters I respect have migrated over here so i figured there must be good reason for it.


Instead, maby the "seasoned veterans" could just offer their informed advice to the newbs instead of just yelling "Use The Search Function Moron".

This is just an observation from the other site though. It hopefully wont pertain to this site....

Get rid of all the off topic stuff. There is no reason to get into those types of discussions here. People who would be best friends if they met at a party / bar / beach become bitter enemies because they start talking politics / religion / or other crap. This just serves to create animosity in our community, and fractures us into less powerful groups. Everone here is your friend and ally, don't forget it.



If that stuff doesn't interest you, it may be hard for you to believe this, but discussing politics and religion can actually strengthen relationships. Even when a person disagrees with me on those subjects, if he seems intelligent and can express himself and defend his positions without calling me names, I gain respect for him and actually feel some affinity for him. I'm just happy to find the minority that care enough to spend time worrying about things other than spearfishing or getting laid.

If he calls me names, then I doubt I would have ended up enjoying a day on the boat with him anyway.

Another idea is to just stay away from the commercial stuff all together. Make this place stay independent by letting people join for free for thirty days or so then require a donation to pay for the site.

I would be willing.

FYI, Bill and I discussed the politics room a few days ago. It looks like the ones using it are happy with it for now. I'm sure we will hear the yelling when things get crazy. Bill, how are we doing with getting more CA divers onboard?

Is there a way to block the Politics/Religion threads from showing when I log in...even if I use the "new posts" link? I respect everyone's right to discuss those topics but I don't care to read it and it would be nice if the website would filter it out for me.

Is there a way to block the Politics/Religion threads from showing when I log in...even if I use the "new posts" link? I respect everyone's right to discuss those topics but I don't care to read it and it would be nice if the website would filter it out for me.


http://www.spearfishingplanet.com/search.php?do=getdaily&exclude=56 <----- Right click this and select copy shortcut then just paste it to the properties of your link to this site or set it to you home page.

You will never see the politcal section.

http://www.spearfishingplanet.com/search.php?do=getdaily&exclude=56 <----- Right click this and select copy shortcut then just paste it to the properties of your link to this site or set it to you home page.

You will never see the politcal section.

That should take care of any issues regarding other forums as well!!

If you don't like a certain forum, just chose never to see it again!! POOF!

Nice find, Roland!!!

:smthumbup:

I have read and taken note of you suggestions. Please keep them coming
Chris

Get rid of all the off topic stuff. There is no reason to get into those types of discussions here. Looking at chicks in bikinis and laughing at good jokes are as vital to man's survival as air and the ability to go fishing. Air is pretty much free and if a website has all the others covered then I am sufficiently entertained. It looks like you guys have all that covered here.

I think a really good FAQ section is needed to keep the newbie posts in check. It is one thing to do the proper thing and search the forums, but sometimes the search terms you want don't come to mind.

A FAQ for each section (updated by the section mod, not some endless thread) would help a lot in this regard since it would be the top post for each section.

Examples:

Tournaments:
- a link to each tourney website and a summary of their rules

Gear:
- a section for spearguns, with a short blurb about wood, euro, pneumatic, etc. guns.

As to people yelling "use the search before asking!". On another board I frequent people always say that also, yet every time something is asked that has been covered before new information comes up. Either from new members or someone just learning something new since the last thread.

Plus if everyone just used the search and viewed past threads there would be a heck of alot less posts to read.


First time poster long time lurker follower of the herd
Scram Bulleggs

As to people yelling "use the search before asking!". On another board I frequent people always say that also, yet every time something is asked that has been covered before new information comes up. Either from new members or someone just learning something new since the last thread.

Plus if everyone just used the search and viewed past threads there would be a heck of alot less posts to read.


First time poster long time lurker follower of the herd
Scram Bulleggs

if you would have used the search function you would have got your answer;)

welcome to the board:smthumbup:

As to people yelling "use the search before asking!". On another board I frequent people always say that also, yet every time something is asked that has been covered before new information comes up. Either from new members or someone just learning something new since the last thread.

Plus if everyone just used the search and viewed past threads there would be a heck of alot less posts to read.


First time poster long time lurker follower of the herd
Scram Bulleggs


Good points. Things do change.
Welcome to the board BTW.:toast:

I have a good one, keep the known trolls and troublemakers from joining this site. dont need to mention any names we know who they are. Just my .02 cents. Its sucks to have your threads derailed by somebody just looking to stir the pot.

I have a good one, keep the known trolls and troublemakers from joining this site. dont need to mention any names we know who they are. Just my .02 cents. Its sucks to have your threads derailed by somebody just looking to stir the pot.

If they really are a troll, they'll just rejoin under a new name. Heck, even some CEO was trolling Yahoo Message boards about his stock under a fake name.

Best thing is for trolls to be ignored- if a thread goes off topic, lock it down.

The "other board" has a little check mark next to threads where I have previously posted. Its not a big thing, but I find that kind of handly when scrolling through new posts. Someone might have replied to something I said, and I might forget to check that thread without the checkmark.

Is it possible to have that feature here?

Good idea Bill, I will have Chris check it out.

Good idea Bill, I will have Chris check it out.

Since I asked about that, I see that someone else pointed out a check mark in the little envelope on the left. I guess that works too if I can train myself to look there.

I have a good one, keep the known trolls and troublemakers from joining this site. dont need to mention any names we know who they are. Just my .02 cents. Its sucks to have your threads derailed by somebody just looking to stir the pot.

You trying to get me kicked out of here already?;)