Gentle Reminder.

[Ken Weaver]

This has been a great thread - as a long term patron (this year's check in the mail Sam), and after all the posts - I'm convinced that we need to stick to our basic operating philosophy. If you like having the site, contribute to keep it running; and you get your name on the patron's list as your perk. No other restrictions, no other costs - its called "community." We're glad to have you.

I have never been involved with a better bunch of people who are self-policing, infinitely caring, and willing to help without making anyone feeling unwanted, Just ask the members who found a check in the mail because it was mentioned in the community that they were having difficulties. Unsolicited, just because the "community" cared. We clean up pretty good and if things get posted in the wrong place, or if a lurker shows up with untoward motivations, it doesn't take the community long to spot it and its taken care of, quietly and effectively. If this is the kind of community you want to be associated with, welcome, and together we'll figure out how to keep things running. If not, thanks for stopping by - but you wouldn't like it here anyway.

Let's stay an "open" forum in all respects and show the world how its done.

Just my $.02.

[JimK]

This is the first time I've created a message where I was extremely self conscious about my post count showing. It's also the first time that I was concerned that someone may look up whether or not I'm a patron. It's the first time I wondered where I stood and where I fit in. The point is, it's the first time I felt that I would be judged while part of this community.

I'm one of those who have benefited tremendously from BA, and all the other forums here. I also just happen to not have many posts. Not by design, or by lack of caring, or lack of appreciation, just because it happens to be that way, for any number of reasons. It makes me that much more thankful for all the contributors out there who are able to dedicate their time and knowledge.

I care about this site more than even I knew. I was on edge last night, and woke up lying in bed this morning thinking about this exchange. Mostly because I've heard some opinions that I didn't know lurked under the surface out there. But also because I feared that something that has worked so well, with a spirit that you can't find elsewhere, seemed to be open for change.

I have benefited so much from this site that I feel compelled to contribute to the fund out of an immense sense of gratitude. That's been on my list for the last month. In the traditional spirit of this site, it's the right thing for me to do. I won't judge those that can't or don't, and I'm thankful to the others that have given more than I can. I wasn't aware of any sense of urgency since it says 2007 fund drive. Since last night I've been scrambling to get my PayPal account revived because I started feeling that I should get that taken care of before I post. So that maybe I would be more "legitimate". I never felt that way here before.

I want to believe, and I know, that this one thread will eventually end, things are going to go back to normal, everyone will be reminded how thankful they are for how things have always been, and a few more of those that can contribute will, for all the right reasons. I can't say enough how much I appreciate what I get out of this site, and I want to say thanks to Sam and all you guys for all your help, and the unique personality of this site.

Jim K.

[Ken Massingale]

After reading the input to this point, it seems, although not intended, that even considering restricting any section of BT3 has created a feeling of 'us' vs 'them'.
I am now firmly convinced that the forum should stay as it is, open to everyone in every respect.

[Sam Conder]

Everyone,

You all have once again amazed me. Somewhere in one of the posts on page 5 or 6, it was mentioned that "this is the most heated debate" they had ever seen at BT3Central. If that is the case then my original vision for an online woodworking community has been realized! Except for a couple of post that seem to only exist to "stir things up", this has been a civil exchange of opinions and ideas. BRAVO!

Somewhere along my upbringing, I was taught to "always go with your gut". I guess that is because I was raised with a firm understanding of what is right and what is wrong. I spent the night with my mama last night and we discussed my youth. I asked her if I was "easy" to raise or if I was "hard' to raise. She said I was the easiest of her three because I never intentionally broke the rules. I told her that I never broke the rules because she and my dad did a good job of laying out the rules and explaining why they were important. I understood their concern and therefore chose to abide by the rules. This is not a pat on my back, but rather a pat on thier back for being good parents.

When I first created what is now BT3Central.com, I was not a parent. BT3Central.com was "my baby". I applied the same methods and ideals to "raising" the forum as my parents did when raising me. I laid out my vision, rules and intentions at the very begining and was dilligent to enforce the rules and steer the forum in what I thought was the right direction. I was also very fortunate to attract some great individuals who helped me in my "parenting" of the site. I now feel that the site is maturing and therefore takes very little "parenting". BRAVO!

In conclusion, I must say that I firmly believe that my "gut feeling" is the way to go. We are a community. That community includes Patrons, members and lurkers alike. There is no "us" and "them" around here, and if you feel that way then you obviously have not paid close attention to the spirit of this community. The original post and the initial reply are prime examples of the tremendous leadership that exists here outside of my "reign" as Admin. Both the MOD who delivered the "gentle reminder" and the forum member who challenged everyone to think about the value of this community displayed great leadership. The dialog that resulted from it brought to the surface the true personality of what we have all built here, and I couldn't be more proud of what we have built.

I did not go home last night as Thursday night is my night to spend with my homeless buddies at church. I have not been able to calculate the Fund Drive total but this discussion no doubt resulted in a surge in funding. We probably arn't quite at our goal yet but I have no doubt that we'll make it.

Finally, in a rare "supreme decision" move on my part, I have decided that the Bargan alerts forum will remain open to everyone. That is the spirit of BT3Central.com. Please accept my most heartfelt "thank you" to everyone who has contributed to this discussion and kept it on par for the civility and mutual respect that makes BT3Central what it is.

[crokett]

Well said, Sam. I figured the community would come around to this.

[messmaker]

I support your decision. This Foum has the feel of a family and to seperate into us and them, no mater how good the intention, would send the wrong signal. Making B.A. a restricted site hints to the thought"I got mine, now you get yours".We would get less input and may end up with everyone missing out. This is not what this place is about. I have always appreciated how kind and helpful everyone is here. Nobody takes theirself too seriously. That is a good thing and somewhat of a rarity. I think a lot of credit goes to Sam who seems to steer this ship while staying under the radar. I am sure this is no accident.
Thank you Sam.

[LarryG]

This Foum has the feel of a family and to seperate into us and them, no mater how good the intention, would send the wrong signal. Making B.A. a restricted site hints to the thought"I got mine, now you get yours".

Having slept on it, and having read the many more posts that were added to the thread since my last look at it yesterday afternoon, I am now in agreement. From the outset I was sure, and I remain sure, that Greg's intentions were nothing but honorable. His suggestion to make Bargain Alerts a patron perk was in no way an attempt to create a "private" or "exclusive" club, nor -- worse yet -- to set up an "us" versus "them" climate.

But it's clear that some people would perceive it that way, and that perception alone is enough to make Sam's "supreme decision" the correct one, IMO. As I said to close out my last post yesterday, there were some excellent points being made on both sides of the discussion, and I'm now better able to see the other side, and to appreciate viewpoints other than my own.

Above all, I'm just grateful for having had an opportunity to participate in such an exchange without it turning into an e-slugfest. This truly is a great place, and threads like this one ultimately serve to strengthen it.

Yes ... thank you, Sam.

[gad5264]

First off let me say "THANKS" Sam.

Secondly, BT3Central has been and should always be a "WE" site.

[Adele]

I just want to echo what Sam has said. I have followed this thread closely and wanted to put my two cents in several times. However, because I sleep with the guy who makes the final decision I held my tongue. Sam said it perfectly this forum is a family. You all have been there for us and many members of this forum through thick and thin.

I am also very proud of the decision Sam has come to. I think this is a community and if we want to add people we need to leave it open to all who would want to come. If you can afford to help support BT3 that is great, if not that is fine as well. Sometimes we need to get gentle reminders to remember what we appreciate the most.

Thanks for such a wonderful place to hang out.

Adele

[Russianwolf]

This is the first time I've created a message where I was extremely self conscious about my post count showing. It's also the first time that I was concerned that someone may look up whether or not I'm a patron. It's the first time I wondered where I stood and where I fit in. The point is, it's the first time I felt that I would be judged while part of this community. Jim K.

Oh we judge everybody, everyday. It's just we are judging them on the "crackpot" scale.

I can tell you that I made a big leap in my status when I started a topic about "Belly Button Lint" (seriously, I did). I won't say which direction the leap was in.

None of that stuff you mentioned (post count, patron level) matters. Just the "crackpot" scale.

[Sam Conder]

I can tell you that I made a big leap in my status when I started a topic about "Belly Button Lint"...

By the way, did you ever finish crocheting that area rug?

[JimK]

I can tell you that I made a big leap in my status when I started a topic about "Belly Button Lint" (seriously, I did). I won't say which direction the leap was in.

Hey, if I would have known that a topic like "Belly Button Lint" was open for discussion, I could've had about 100 more posts by now...

Thanks,

Jim K

[Russianwolf]

By the way, did you ever finish crocheting that area rug?

No, but I've stuffed three doggie beds with the stuff. I figure by year end all 9 pups will have belly lint stuffed beds.

[Russianwolf]

Hey, if I would have known that a topic like "Belly Button Lint" was open for discussion, I could've had about 100 more posts by now...

Thanks,

Jim K

I'm sure it's in the archive somewhere (unless one of the mods deleted it for humanity's sake). It has more info on belly lint than I ever thought was out there. Including some scientific stuff, if you can believe that.

[Thom2]

I'm sure it's in the archive somewhere (unless one of the mods deleted it for humanity's sake).

You're not THAT lucky

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=18972