Losing many users

Bri Guy · Post by **Bri Guy** » Sat Aug 03, 2002 6:40 am

the point is that your site is serving as a playground for mindless adults with adults with
children's mental capacities

Actually, I have a home, a wife, and am a senior executive with a major Japanese electronics firm. I spoke with my wife about this quote.. she say's more like adolescent. Perhaps if you tried to have a little fun in your life, you wouln't need to walk around with that broomstick up your ass.

I detest and look down on a lot of members here

Don't worry, a-hole, our members will probably look down on you, too.

I've wanted to say that for a long time

So, you've obviously been on the message board before. What happened, find someone with a "child's mental capacity" who told you things you felt you already knew, but didn't know it at all?

I want to get into med school and become a doctor, not a psychopath.

Good, then you can have a sense of fun installed in that little pea brain of yours, and can have the broomstick taken out of your ass at the same time. Oh, and by the way, a normal person would have just let well enough alone, but no, you (the PSYCHOPATH that you truly are has shown. Only a moron would leave a post like this and hope someone would listen to them. You're the kind of idiot that drives and listens to the radio, decides that he doesn't like what's on the radio, and still keeps the station on. Then complains to the whole world about how bad the radio station is. Why don't you do something more exciting with your life then, like bowling, or golf.. then you can have all the fun in the world and leave us "childlike mentatlity" people alone.

I regret coming to this site stuffed with maniacs, and so I won't ever return.

Good riddance!****heads like you should have your mouths stapled shut, and your fingers plucked from your hands.

Oh, and by the way on your way out, don't let the door hit you, where the good lord split you.

Regards, and may 1000 fleas infest your shoes, and a dog in heat cherish your leg.

-Bri Guy
AKA Rayburn

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Sat Aug 03, 2002 7:04 am

Ouch! What an impression you have of SYM.

No lifers, well thats quite an arrogant remark to make. There is a good chance in that I've done more in life then you'll ever achieve. Have you experienced the thrill of a 1400m free fall, have you awed in amazement at the wonders of life as you stare at sharks and whales swimming around you, have you felt a sense of accomplishment from scaling a small mountain to its summit. I'm still 18 but I've done a hell of a lot so far, many more then I can remember and I still find time to pitch in a few posts on the side.

Plus a large majority of these people post from work, these aren't your usual forums too. We have formed a close knit community, I have met a member from SYM, and am looking forward to meet another one when she comes over for a holiday. A majority of these people actually have met and know each other personally.
Its not just a forum, its so much more...

EDIT- What I'm saying is that we aren't weirdo's, strange maybe

But thats it, I'd rate it more as a hobby, I like my sports, games, reading, music and SYM.

Post by **BuckGB** » Sat Aug 03, 2002 11:13 am

I'm not going to address the last few posts directly, but I am going to remind everyone that there are a set of forum rules. The first rule:

#1 - Flaming, humiliating, ridiculing, or belittling other members will not be tolerated. If you have an issue with another member, take it to private messages or email.

Continuing to insult one another (or the entire SYM community) will only get you banned.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Sun Aug 04, 2002 2:17 am

Originally posted by Buck Satan
Continuing to insult one another (or the entire SYM community) will only get you banned.

I'd be more afraid of what we (SYM Community) would do to him

Buck is right though, this is getting far out of hand, and straying quite a bit from topic. Leave the man to his ramblings, because he obvisouly does not have the same sense of community as we at GB. If he wished to move elsewhere, it is his decision, and he will miss out on a great online experiance.

Back on topic. While many of the concerns posted here are valid, there is not really much to fear. The site will not really lose many users, as the majority use the forums. It only means that the premium content of the site is now a little more difficult to access, but as has been said, it is definatly worth it.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Sun Aug 04, 2002 3:36 am

Sounds like someone needs to chill out a little.

I hope you get to become a doctor as you wish, @Andy, but in the meantime I hope you learn a bit of understanding towards other people.

To my mind, the SYM community is what keeps me here at GB, the fact that people have formed a community and are so supportive here speaks volumes IMO. I stopped playing Baldur's Gate a while back, but I'm still here because I like the people here. I have met a good friend I'd never have made had I not come to SYM already (which justifies the time I spend here entirely already IMO), and I've little doubt I'll make another when the member coming here arrives, not to mention the fact that having 2 people she knows will, when she gets here, probably make her holiday begin that much more easily. There is also at least one couple who both post here as far as I know.

As Tamerlane says, it's a hobby, a harmless past-time no better or worse than playing video games.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sun Aug 04, 2002 3:56 am

@Ode and everybody else: I think we should do Aegis suggest, just ignore Andy Stawn's post. He stated he is not returning here anyway, and his sweeping generalisation of the entire SYM population shows he is not familiar with SYM. His post is filled with invectives, he must have felt a need to vent his aggression. I understand that you are angry over his post, that is obviously what he aimed for, but please, ignore the post, there is absolutely no need to justify or explain yourselves to a person who demonstrates this level of hostility towards people he does not know a thing about. We can discuss with him should he return, but since he believes SYM is full of disturbed people (which he despise anyway), it doesn't seem likely.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Aug 04, 2002 6:53 am

First of all, Any Strawn's post was a clear effort to annoy as many people as possible. Had he meant it as seriously and respectfully as his tone and wording seemed to indicate, he would have sent it privately to Buck via PM or email. That he didn't, but posted it in clear view when it savaged other users, clearly showed he was very angry, and meant to give the finger to as many people as possible, publically.

You have to wonder why. There have been no instances of his being savaged in SYM, since GB frowns on flaming. More remarkably, his characterization of SYM seems to point to his never having truly read any of the more in-depth threads, there. Threads that involve the interchange of ideas among people of all walks of life: lawyers, doctors, artists, scientists, technicians, etc. There's an amazing amount of knowledge being thrown about--not with the intention to impress, but simply because many of the participants bring their experiences, disciplines, and vast reading to the discussion.

Which leads us back to Mr. Strawn. All I can figure is that he made a superficial judgment, and created an identity between SYM's contents and that of the vapid discussions he avoids away from the board. Sure, there's plenty of kidding around on SYM, but why can't adults take time out to be kids when occasion warrants? A forum like SYM provides a great vehicle to be both, anytime you want.

My guess is that Strawn wanted to express his disappointment as loudly as possible. Is it worth throwing rotten tomatoes after him? His opinions are hardly going to sway Buck, who clearly knows better. Let him go. Frankly, I hope he finds what he's looking for, but if he doesn't start investing the time and energy to dig beneath the surface, he's likely going to meet up with many similar experiences in the future. As I suspect he has, repeatedly, in the past.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Sun Aug 04, 2002 9:51 am

Too true. Whilst I can't say Strawn made me angry (slightly incredulous, mayhaps, but that was about it), I guess seeing his post just made it occur to me I hadn't expressed my appreciation for the SYM forum, and I want Buck to know I appreciate his having it, when it does take up a lot of bandwidth and isn't really related to any of the games GameBanshee was created for.
An apt example of bad timing, I fear.

Abbey · Post by **Abbey** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 2:33 pm

Money, money ... yack!

Well well, first of all I like to say its sad that information aint free no more on the internet as it used to be before the big e-sharks slaughtered the internet and forced even small people who just wanted to have some fun to make money on their users.

I can agree with Buck in many ways in this case like its expensive to run servers and specially if you run public servers. As you might know its not only the computer that cost money its license cost for software and other stuff.

But I dont agree to charge every signle user to pay money there is other ways like co-buisness solutions and database exchanges (wich causes alot of spam but it can be woth it). I think that is a pretty neeter way to solve the problem.

/Abbey

AntiChrist · Post by **AntiChrist** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 10:21 pm

Hey. This name is new, but I've been around these forums for awhile. My old name was GrimReaper, and I was more of a lurker than anything, but I was around. I kind of stopped visiting when I stopped playing BG2, but I still checked every now and then. And now NWN is out, so I'm back again (hurray for you all

). Anyways, I remember when buck first seriously started worrying about money, or at least the first time we heard about it. There was a big discussion on what to do, and I don't think anything was ever done. But that was about the time I was leaving. That was a good amount of time ago. Now I come back and there's a pay thing on most of the info on the site. I always supported the paying because I realize the cost of just running this site which takes so many hits a day and uses so much bandwith must be amazing. I was surprised to find that the pay part had only been implemented fairly recently. I personally do not have the money as of now to pay for it, but I can guarentee that if I do get the money it will go into this site before any, if only to support it. This community and the people here are excellent. I cannot express enough gratitude to buck for leaving the forums for all of us. It is really amazing. Basically, I completely support the decision to got to the pay-for style. If it had been me, either that would have happened long ago or the site would have just ended. So thank you buck, I hope you make some money off of all this. You certainly deserve it.

Scayde · Post by **Scayde** » Tue Aug 13, 2002 7:35 pm

My 2Cents Worth

I am Verrrrry new to the gaming community, but it is my newest obsession, and I wan't to thank/applaud/admire/and support Buck and the GB community for having the best site on the net. I have never played a game before which held my interest the way MW has and without this community I probably would not have enjoyed it nearly as much.(And that is the bottom line on what these forums are about, right?) You guys are a great community, and I enjoy stopping in each day to see what y'all have posted and what new thoughts or questions have been thrown out there.
I have searched, and still search, every MW site my SE pulls up and I promise no site out there has the info, class, or quality of people that this site has. Kudos to all the members for keeping it a notch above, and hats off to Buck or setting the tone.
Daddy always said "If you wanna play, you gotta pay" and there is nothing wrong for charging for services well rendered. I have been a member for a month now and this is the first time I have run across anything re: finances, so obviously Buck isn't being solicitous about it, but if I had known about the costs and offset I would have gladly payed my way. It's well worth it!!!
So on my last note, letme say @Buck: Thank You for hosting the BEST D*** FORUM ON THE WEB

@ The GB Community: Glad to Meet Ya !!!
&@ The Bean Counters: SIGN ME UP!!!!!!!!!

Scayde · Post by **Scayde** » Tue Aug 13, 2002 7:45 pm

WoooHooo!!!!!!!!
I'm now a PROUD PAYING MEMBER of GAMEBANSHEE!!!

YeeeeeeeeeHAAAWW

Esco · Post by **Esco** » Fri Aug 23, 2002 6:50 pm

Well I can run a website with 60gigs of info for 12 bucks for 3 years. RUN IT OFF YOUR COMPUTER AND GET CABLE SERVICE.

ReignsOfPower · Post by **ReignsOfPower** » Sun Aug 25, 2002 2:07 am

[To Gambanshee]

The implementation of this subscription thing is understandable. I know that you guys have to make money somehow or you will be running this site at a loss. It would be better to have 10 pop-ups per click, rather than this substription thing.

It is much like a blind man.
If the man were born blind he would not be as distressed as one who were born normal and then went blind.

Like the man who is born normal, so too are GameBanshee users, distressed with this curtain of subscription which is being layed over our eyes.

Alas; congratulations Gamebanshee on an ex-excellent site. Many times I have supported your work in the past. Although I don't like to say it - All good things unfortunatley must come to an end.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Sun Aug 25, 2002 2:43 am

Originally posted by ReignsOfPower
[To Gambanshee]

The implementation of this subscription thing is understandable. I know that you guys have to make money somehow or you will be running this site at a loss. It would be better to have 10 pop-ups per click, rather than this substription thing.
<snip>

I think I speak for a majority of internet users.
Pop-ups are extreemly annoying and full screen adds are even more so.
Many users that experience pop-up adds in great numbers, usually finds another place to visit.

So many sites go Pay to Use, or Pay to use "better/more" - it is the way the internet is evolving.

Tybaltus · Post by **Tybaltus** » Sun Aug 25, 2002 9:39 am

Originally posted by Xandax

I think I speak for a majority of internet users.
Pop-ups are extreemly annoying and full screen adds are even more so.
Many users that experience pop-up adds in great numbers, usually finds another place to visit.

So many sites go Pay to Use, or Pay to use "better/more" - it is the way the internet is evolving.

That is true. Comparing the two options, I would have to agree with Xandax. I would much rather avoid the annoyance of pop-up ads. A couple times, the pop-ups have crashed my connection, and if that happens, my appearence with the site that had the pop-up adds would definetly decrease. Though I cannot say that I stop going to sites with pop-up adds, I would say that this site's lack of pop-up adds is much appreciated.

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Sun Aug 25, 2002 9:47 am

In addition to what Xandax said, i think Buck made it clear that even 10 or more pop-ups would not be enough to support GB not to mention the quality of this pops-up as many of us have noticed a little while before GB went subscription based.

I for my part prefer the "ex-excellent" status of GB as you call it rather than just "ex" GB.

ReignsOfPower · Post by **ReignsOfPower** » Mon Aug 26, 2002 6:00 am

I still don't get it.

How is it that only 'now' Gambanshee can't support itself? It did it very well in the past!

Perhaps due to your excellent coverage of Bioware games, and the such, you could ask those companies to fund your work somehow? After all, you are in effect advertising their game and work.

- you guys are providing a QUALITY fan site! If you actually consider this idea Gambanshee, try and create a petition in which exhaulted members can vote to keep this site alive. [particualrly those who are unable to use a Credit Card online - such as myself]

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Mon Aug 26, 2002 6:40 am

Originally posted by ReignsOfPower
Perhaps due to your excellent coverage of Bioware games, and the such, you could ask those companies to fund your work somehow?

If you do that (get corporate sponsorship) then you look like a stooge when you say nice things about Bioware's games and they will threaten to withhold funding if you say nasty things about their products. It's the same reason why the magazine Consumer Reports doesn't accept advertisements for the products they review.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Mon Aug 26, 2002 11:09 am

Originally posted by ReignsOfPower
I still don't get it.

How is it that only 'now' Gambanshee can't support itself? It did it very well in the past!
<snip>

No it didn't.
Buck has stated he have lost a significant amount of money over the course of the last year (or so).
Reason "Pay to use" weren't put up before was that GB tried to use the donation system, where people would/could donate money to GB/Buck.

Apparently not enough people took advantage of this and thus it was Flashlink or close.

I just hope Flashlink provides enough revenue to keep this place running