So Talkbass Has A Store Now...

[Bryan R. Tyler]

You may be a 14 year member, but you're a member of the TB staff. You are supposed to be uphold the standards of behavior here. One of those rules is to treat everyone with respect. Because you are staff you can't expect that you won't be held to a higher standard. Your years of membership don't count nearly as much as your status as a staff member.

Good point, and very true. My speech can be too harsh at times to sensitive people. It is not meant to be though. My above comment to mephisto was merely pointing out that there's no way anyone who's used the internet for any length of time is going to honestly get an ad in their email and be taken aback as if someone was knocking on their door. My sarcasm that I added to it though was unnecessary. TalkBass is a large part of my life as well and seeing some of the posts and reactions here have been very disrespectful, so I apologize for responding emotionally.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I'm responding as a 14 year member here as well. It's just saddening to me that a number of people who use the site freely clearly by their responses show no respect to the amount of time and investment that goes into it.

I do appreciate it. I ran a little gaming forum.
I stated a moderate annoyance at the form of introduction to the store, and was met by an insulting rebuttal.
and to be clear. I don't give a crap that the store exists. I may even buy something. Sell whatever you can to make a buck, no worries.
You could probably fill a warehouse with the carrots I have about the stores right to exist.

But having an admin openly behave like that in public, does give me pause..

 

[BadJazz]

Man yall are super sensitive haha
Yall need folks on an Internet forum to listen to your opinion and consider your feelings? Haha man up. Serious.
Cause yall pay a few bucks a month? some of you folks with these opinions don't even contribute monetarily...now yall talk like should have a say so because you been bumming around here for years haha
I'd be a horrible businessman. I'd be telling all you chumps to kick rocks. It's this man's business

Correct.

 

[neckdive]

I'm responding as a 14 year member here as well. It's just saddening to me that a number of people who use the site freely clearly by their responses show no respect to the amount of time and investment that goes into it.

I won't argue that the amount of time it takes to build and maintain a website such as TB is quite hefty. But even folks who are not paying members still contribute their time and more importantly, their content, without which, TB would not exist.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I won't argue that the amount of time it takes to build and maintain a website such as TB is quite hefty. But even folks who are not paying members still contribute their time and more importantly, their content, without which, TB would not exist.

Clearly. My objection isn't to people who freely use the forum (that's what it's for). My objection is to those who use it freely then think they should be telling the site owner that he shouldn't be making a small side business to help support his family.

 

[sissy kathy]

I do appreciate it. I ran a little gaming forum.
I stated a moderate annoyance at the form of introduction to the store, and was met by an insulting rebuttal.
and to be clear. I don't give a crap that the store exists. I may even buy something. Sell whatever you can to make a buck, no worries.
You could probably fill a warehouse with the carrots I have about the stores right to exist.

But having an admin openly behave like that in public, does give me pause..

Com'on man he apologized, graciously I might add and with apparent sincerity. Accept it and move on; don't pick at the scab.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Com'on man he apologized, graciously I might add and with apparent sincerity. Accept it and move on; don't pick at the scab.

I was typing while he posted.
Noted retraction, and considering it dead issue. Still tastes bad.
Oh and just to be really clear I am FAR from sensitive. Look up my posts regarding female bassist thread, or perhaps the debate about the word guitar***

 

[neckdive]

Clearly. My objection isn't to people who freely use the forum (that's what it's for). My objection is to those who use it freely then think they should be telling the site owner that he shouldn't be making a small side business to help support his family.

I've always considered TB to be a real community of diverse thinkers barely bonded together by one thing, the bass. People should freely exchange ideas regardless of their particular 'class' (ie Free, Supporting, Gold) up to and including opinions of the website's content, layout, UX, etc.

Regarding your objection, just because I'm a gold member, it doesn't follow that my opinion is more or less valuable than someone who isn't a member.

But then again, I think it's just time for those of us in EST to just go to bed already.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I've always considered TB to be a real community of diverse thinkers barely bonded together by one thing, the bass. People should freely exchange ideas regardless of their particular 'class' (ie Free, Supporting, Gold) up to and including opinions of the website's content, layout, UX, etc.

Regarding your objection, just because I'm a gold member, it doesn't follow that my opinion is more or less valuable than someone who isn't a member.

But then again, I think it's just time for those of us in EST to just go to bed already.

"Freely" didn't refer to having a supporting membership. It meant come and go to the site with no investment of time and money in the site. I'm basically included in that too- Paul's the one who shoulders that burden. If he has an idea to help support his family (after providing all of this to us for free for almost two decades), which he made clear in this thread, then he should.

 

[MJ5150]

Man yall are super sensitive haha
Yall need folks on an Internet forum to listen to your opinion and consider your feelings? Haha man up. Serious.

This website/forum has been part of my life for over 15 years. I have met people on this forum that I maintain friendships with in 'real life'. I've shared good times and bad with the men and women of TBOT.
So for me, yes I care and hope my opinions are listened to. At times, I will turn to my friends here for validation or advice.
It's unfortunate you think that's funny or that I should 'man up'.

-Mike

 

[flojob]

Sounds like Paul should consider you for mod / admin duty - you'd fit right in with what I'm seeing from Bryan!

You're totally banned.
Unless you got 4 bucks a month.

 

[Selta]

You're totally banned.
Unless you got 4 bucks a month.

How much money I've got per month doesn't really matter - talkbass is not going to get any from me via membership or a store. If that would get me banned, please, by all means, ban me.

 

[flojob]

How much money I've got per month doesn't really matter - talkbass is not going to get any from me via membership or a store. If that would get me banned, please, by all means, ban me.

It's cool. Some can, some can't.

 

[flojob]

This website/forum has been part of my life for over 15 years. I have met people on this forum that I maintain friendships with in 'real life'. I've shared good times and bad with the men and women of TBOT.
So for me, yes I care and hope my opinions are listened to. At times, I will turn to my friends here for validation or advice.
It's unfortunate you think that's funny or that I should 'man up'.

-Mike

Haha where did you come from?! It's like folks come out of the shadows to get offended haha sorry man, I have no idea who you are, but since you insist...
Your posting opinions and knowledge for 15 years on the site doesn't give you skin in the game. Right? You know I'm right.
You can have whatever opinion you wish, but you better bring a lot more to the table than rounds vs flats, or where on the string to pluck in order to get a certain tone if you expect to be consulted about decisions regarding the business side of things.
Sounds a little self important to me.

 

[Ox Boris]

Com'on man he apologized, graciously I might add and with apparent sincerity.

My speech can be too harsh at times to sensitive people.

Saying that sensitive people are the problem would seem to obviate the rest of the post.

 

[paul]

But none of them come as an alert, which emails me.

Ahhh... I've been bewildered by the talk of emails in this thread, but just now realized that some of you have user prefs set to email you whenever you get an alert. I'm very sorry, I never meant to email spam you. I sent out an alert to all Supporting Members because I thought a little alert blip with a coupon code would be appreciated, a way of saying 'thanks for supporting' type of thing. I never made the connection that it would end up in some of your email boxes. I would never intentionally send email spam. Again, my apologies to you and anyone else who has alerts set to send you emails, and got an email spam from me. Won't happen again.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Where are you getting the idea that it should be a level playing field? This is Paul's site that he has invested countless hours and thousands upon thousands of dollars into. You guys have no idea how much work goes into keeping this place organized and orderly, and Paul does even more than we mods and admins do. And he lets commercial users post here and gain a huge amount of visibility and customers. Make no mistake that it is free advertising to post here, and can bring in a lot of money. And with all that investment, something that could bankrupt his family if something went wrong, people are freaking out that he put up a little side business that literally sells a few items that doesn't interfere with the forum at all? How much free advertising should he allow the commercial users to level the playing field? Should he write them a check each month too?

People are looking at this incredibly selfishly. This is Paul's business and is a massive investment. Saying he shouldn't use the site he worked so hard for to make a little side business that doesn't affect anything because it doesn't fit your ideals is disregarding that completely. Nothing is being changed in the forums. Nothing is being censored or promoted. You can have threads explaining why every one of the few items he sells are garbage and the threads will stay up. The site is as unbiased as it ever was.

It's his site, and he has every right to open a business, but not in anfettered manner:

1. Unlike many sites, TB is a venture for profit. As written here, many people become supporting members because they thought the money was going for site support, not to help fund another business venture. There may have been dollars invested by the owner, but many more have come back. They have added knowledge in many areas as well, also unpaid.

2. Sites like this have to keep an appearance of neutrality. Another example is Bass Player Magazine, once thought to be the #1 source for knowledge.

3. Many people have stated their opinions/preferences on things like strings, both in discussions and in profiles, as a discussion to add to the collective set of knowledge, not so it could be mined.

Had TB sold hats/shirts/etc., no one would have an issue. But this crosses the line. IMO.

 

[Fat Freddy]

It's his site, and he has every right to open a business, but not in anfettered manner:

1. Unlike many sites, TB is a venture for profit. As written here, many people become supporting members because they thought the money was going for site support, not to help fund another business venture. There may have been dollars invested by the owner, but many more have come back. They have added knowledge in many areas as well, also unpaid.

2. Sites like this have to keep an appearance of neutrality. Another example is Bass Player Magazine, once thought to be the #1 source for knowledge.

3. Many people have stated their opinions/preferences on things like strings, both in discussions and in profiles, as a discussion to add to the collective set of knowledge, not so it could be mined.

Had TB sold hats/shirts/etc., no one would have an issue. But this crosses the line.

What he said

 

[blue4]

Haha where did you come from?! It's like folks come out of the shadows to get offended haha sorry man, I have no idea who you are, but since you insist...
Your posting opinions and knowledge for 15 years on the site doesn't give you skin in the game. Right? You know I'm right.
You can have whatever opinion you wish, but you better bring a lot more to the table than rounds vs flats, or where on the string to pluck in order to get a certain tone if you expect to be consulted about decisions regarding the business side of things.
Sounds a little self important to me.

He's not the only one coming from the shadows with a little self importance.

 

[blue4]

Where are you getting the idea that it should be a level playing field? This is Paul's site that he has invested countless hours and thousands upon thousands of dollars into. You guys have no idea how much work goes into keeping this place organized and orderly, and Paul does even more than we mods and admins do. And he lets commercial users post here and gain a huge amount of visibility and customers. Make no mistake that it is free advertising to post here, and can bring in a lot of money. And with all that investment, something that could bankrupt his family if something went wrong, people are freaking out that he put up a little side business that literally sells a few items that doesn't interfere with the forum at all? How much free advertising should he allow the commercial users to level the playing field? Should he write them a check each month too?

People are looking at this incredibly selfishly. This is Paul's business and is a massive investment. Saying he shouldn't use the site he worked so hard for to make a little side business that doesn't affect anything because it doesn't fit your ideals is disregarding that completely. Nothing is being changed in the forums. Nothing is being censored or promoted. You can have threads explaining why every one of the few items he sells are garbage and the threads will stay up. The site is as unbiased as it ever was.

What happened to the mods staying neutral and not getting involved? Insulting the customers doesn't seem like not getting involved or staying neutral. For the record, I don't care if he starts a store or not. But it would have been wiser to start with TB branded items first. I don't see how the responses you're getting could not have been anticipated given the facts that

1. Musicians are notoriously uptight about who they "support" with their money.

2. They've been incredibly taken care of by a current popular forum user who's now in direct competition with the store, no matter the size of it.

The responses seem as obvious as the sunrise to me.