The House of Blue

Sarge,

I wasn't trying to speak for you specifically. I can tell you that we received dozens and dozens of cancelations citing the fact that there was no reason to pay because almost everything was free.

If you were/are a VIP then having premium posts mixed in wouldn't cause the flow to be messed up, so I'm not sure how canceling would have helped solve that problem for you. I can see that it might be a small issue for free users.

If something is out there for the world to see, I can see why that would/should be free. However, if we have something to add that isn't common knowledge in that thread - that is exactly why folks pay for this site.

We want as much interaction as possible - with other users and with staffers.

One of the great features of this board is the green envelopes. That lets you know that there is a new post in a topic you have viewed. You can be away from the site for hours and come back and know exactly where to go and which threads to open because of that indicator.

The orange man/silhouette also lets you know which topics you have posted in on the board.

Frankly, I'm not sure how we lived without these features in the past.

I know I can do a better job with topic titles. Maybe that will help those fans that are only interested in hoops or football but not both.

1) Yeah, but you didn't have to delete ENTIRE forums to accomplish that... you could have simply changed the accessibility of a few bells and whistles, so that only VIP's could use/enjoy them. For example... Star Ratings, Up/Down Voting privileges, FB and BB Recruiting Board Updates... could all be available for VIP members only. That way, you appease ALL members... not just VIP's.

2) No one said segmenting would guarantee more activity, but the point is... having more features and board options may be EXACTLY what is needed to ATTRACT more newcomers to stick around. It's about marketing your product and showing surfers that 247/TCP has ALL they could possibly "want" ... so no need to surf elsewhere.

3) No, but at least it will make newcomers and nonpaying members feel more welcome or like they have a place on this site. It will show that we care about the needs/wants of ALL members and that our goal is to make ALL members happy... not just VIP'ers.

4) I doubt anyone has a problem with that... it's a VIP privilege. However, I think all VIP info should stay in the HOB (as originally intended). Why should a VIP thread/post be made in an open FB or BB forum... other than, to unnecessarily frustrate and stir things up with non-VIP's? There's no need for it. You can appease the VIP's all you want, but if you're going to allow the VIP members, as well as, Staff site decisions, to run off a large number of nonpayer's and newcomers... then, you're just shooting yourself in the foot and in the process, may very well be sinking this TCP ship.

5) Understood, but why alienate the nonpaying members in the process... that's not what I would call "balance". We have to understand that ALL members are a valuable asset to this site... in some way, shape or form. The more board options, features, bells and whistles... the more new members are attracted to the site. The more new members attracted to the site... the more forum activity, traffic and participation. The more forum activity, traffic and participation... the more site growth. The more site growth... the more "PAYING" VIP MEMBERSHIPS!!!

6) Again, I doubt anyone has a problem with that... common sense is a beautiful thing (when applied). VIP'ers should know when and where to exorcise that privilege. I just think things could be done in a way where ALL members are respected and made to feel perfectly content.

7) I respectfully disagree... it's the exact opposite. I think we should create separate boards (NOW), so we can enhance our chances and start growing (NOW)
There's an old saying... "Build it and they will come". With that in mind, the right time is NOW... that's the feeling most of us get. (even us VIP'ers).

Kevin, you keep emphasizing what is best for the paying members... and how decisions were made to appease "their" wishes. You even suggested that we lost the BB and FB forums as a direct result of VIP'ers feeling like too much was given away free on this site... and because VIP'ers didn't feel like they were getting their money's worth. How does taking away ANYTHING add to the value of their VIP worth? Personally, as a paying member myself, I feel like I lost something in that deal.

If you go back and read this thread, you may find your intentions (as great as they were) for making changes, was based on false assumptions... because the majority of those in favor of a separate BB and FB forum, are, INDEED, VIP members. In this thread, you will find a majority of members (from BOTH sides) who are in favor and completely agree on the issue (mostly being VIP'ers).... that should tell you something.

If the idea is to keep paying members happy and at the same time, attract new ones... bringing back the forums that were stolen would be a great first step.

Wow....a lot of posts on Forums? Somebody has way too much time on their hands....IMO. I joined this site for the "Insider Information" that it brings. I don't give a damn how the post are sub-divided, alphabetically by birth month, or the phase of moon. Just the good stuff please.....without the teenage girl drama.

Staff... is anyone still working on this idea, so we can get a definite answer one way or another.

TIA for the followup.

There are no plans currently in the works to change the existing format.

bmac, I dont post repeats I on purpose and can see why some criticize me for doing so. I try to put different thread topics but they do overlap sometimes but the reaction of a few people are just plain crude and hurtful. I have grown to really enjoy this site and the interaction between myself and others but am truly confused about how some posters take advantage of the opportunity to debase me and thats ok if they say it once and go on to another thread but they seem to return to a thread and repeat the same debasement which is ironic considering they found the thread to be annoying b/c of the repetitive topic. I welcome disagreement with my points of view and have no problem with people stating their disagreement b/c thats what sites like this are about differeng points of view as well as those who agree. I will try in the future to not repeat the mistakes of the past but I cant guarantee that it will never happen again.

The VIP issue is the reason that I don't visit other schools' sites on the 247Sports network and I do visit them on competing site networks. It is extremely frustrating to find an interesting topic and invest some time in reading through several pages of the threads and then suddenly not be able to read VIP comments.

Unfortunatley, I won't buy a membership here becasue the football and basketball boards are mixed. I love UK but want no part of our basketball forum immediately before, during or 2 days after a basketball game. Like driving 600 miles with my 4 kids in the car. I believe the football fans on this site are more knowledgeable, but I am not going to pay to be annoyed all the time. Good luck.