• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
    =====================


    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
    =====================


    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

About the Good Guy Certification Program

WebSlave

WebSlave

It is what it is, but certainly not what it was.
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Recently I asked my programmer to set up some code to check on those certification polls I set up in the Good Guy Certification program. He already had code in place to check the polls and Trader Ratings to make those threads in red that had negative values for those polls, but I needed something automated to check on the members who were in violation of participation in this program by remaining paid members of this site. He created that code and marked those threads in yellow.

Well, take a look -> http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=813

Scew it. It's too much trouble setting that stuff up if so many people are just going to abandon it like has certainly happened and not hold up their end of the deal.

So this program is now OVER WITH. I'm not wasting my time on it any longer.

And you all wonder why I am reluctant to put new features in place here... :bandhead0
 
This is so sad! What's going to happen to those who have the banner on their website and such? Will it be removed or just stay there even though the program is discontinued? I'm so sorry this happened. :(
 
Oh I just sent you a PM.

Personally, I'd really hate to see the program end all together. :( I do wonder how many of those in yellow are no longer in business at all? The years following 2006 were pretty rough on the reptile industry along with every OTHER industry, after all.

I look at that list, and I actually see quite a few people who ARE keeping up with their memberships...? Obviously far from an "ideal" percentage, but I suspect that's more to do with failure rates of small businesses rather than people just deciding not to support this program?
 
What is there will likely remain for a while. Eventually I'll get around to deleting all the yellow entries in that section, but the rest can remain until they change over. I'm just not setting up any more new ones.

It's probably partially my fault because I took a long time to set up those polls for applicants. But I guess I was just seeing the writing on the wall. I used to audit them all and check to see who had the code on their site to display the banner, and many did NOT, apparently just wanting the thread in place here as a form of passive advertising. Some applicants didn't even have web sites...... :rolleyes: So I stopped spending my time chasing after people to comply, and I guess that colored my perception of even processing new applications.

Yeah, I'm in the process of cutting out as much dead wood out of my life as I can. If something is a hassle and doesn't really benefit me in any way, screw it, I don't need it, so why put up with it?
 
Dang-it! I have finally gotten to the point where I was just about to do that certification.......oh well. I can see how if it is a waste of time and costs money/computer time, it isn't worth keeping around.
 
The last time I audited them, it was pretty bad....there were a lot of them that had let their Contributor level (or higher) membership expire, several that didn't have the banner posted on their site, and at least a few handfuls of people that no longer had sites.
I know it's been a while since I did that, so I'm not surprised that the situation has worsened.
If you aren't set on discontinuing it, Rich, a few of us could probably team up & do some notifications. In taking a quick look through the yellow, I do see quite a few names that are no longer active here, and some that I'm pretty sure are out of reptiles entirely. I think there might be a few that are using different names, now, as well (Josh Norwood is one that caught my eye). It would be a shame to trash the program just because people that have moved on didn't maintain their membership.
 
I have a proposal! Maybe you can select volunteers to handle the auditing side and report which polls to delete based off of what they find?

Speaking as a GG Certificate holder, I really do like this program and would hate to see it get cut. I'm throwing my volunteer hat into the ring to audit because I really feel like this is an effective program.
 
Rich, I know what you mean. When I had community going every one wanted stuff, I'd spent my free time setting it up or paying to get it up and then no one used it. Get's very tiring.
 
HighVoltageRoyals said:
I have a proposal! Maybe you can select volunteers to handle the auditing side and report which polls to delete based off of what they find?

Speaking as a GG Certificate holder, I really do like this program and would hate to see it get cut. I'm throwing my volunteer hat into the ring to audit because I really feel like this is an effective program.
Click to expand...

I'd be willing to help as well, if that's an alternative you'd consider?
 
HighVoltageRoyals said:
I have a proposal! Maybe you can select volunteers to handle the auditing side and report which polls to delete based off of what they find?

Speaking as a GG Certificate holder, I really do like this program and would hate to see it get cut. I'm throwing my volunteer hat into the ring to audit because I really feel like this is an effective program.
Click to expand...

Sorry if I may seem hard headed, but how exactly does that address the fact that the system itself has FAILED because so many participants have obviously abandoned it? The script my programmer put in place already shows me which ones need to be deleted with the yellow highlighting. That is the POINT of this thread. Sorry if I am missing something obvious, as this has been a rather trying day.
 
WebSlave said:
Sorry if I may seem hard headed, but how exactly does that address the fact that the system itself has FAILED because so many participants have obviously abandoned it? The script my programmer put in place already shows me which ones need to be deleted with the yellow highlighting. That is the POINT of this thread. Sorry if I am missing something obvious, as this has been a rather trying day.
Click to expand...

I am not so sure the system itself has failed. I did a random check of a few in yellow and one is actually a contributor. TheFragginDragon
Some (a lot) haven't logged in in years. :eek:
If you look, most of the newer ones are current & the ones that have lapsed are really old posts/cert #s.

I do however, see your point. You spent a lot of time on this and if people aren't going to notify you that they are no longer in the business or no longer want to participate, then why bother.

The issue is also, that too much time goes by between checks, so that the number of violators is overwhelming. Some in red, no longer have a good guy rating.

I see so many new members that are trying to get to the point of being able to apply and it would be a shame to forfeit this program based on so many factors, one of which is a mod issue.

Maybe based on the feedback you receive here, you will reconsider your decision and give it another chance. Maybe pick a few volunteers to clean it up and notify the few active users that they are in violation.
 
Crap, I was finished with my post, and my computer shut down. I'll try to recreate it...


Rich,
I understand that the GGC program is labor intensive to maintain; and if THAT is the reason you are pulling the plug, I won't argue - we can do the audits, and make the contacts, but you are the one that has to set them up and delete them (the latter also involves removing the certificate, which I'm guessing means disabling the code).
If, however, you are pointing to expired certificates meaning that the program has failed, I'll disagree. A portion of those people became paid members just to get their certificates, and likely never thought about the connection again. A fairly large group, as has been stated, is no longer active on this site. It happens - whether their interest has waned, they've chosen another site, or simply decided they were spending too darn much time on the computer - and it doesn't point toward the GGC program being a failure any more than their absence indicates that this site is a failure.
Some of the ones that are still active may renew, once it is brought to their attention. Others will not. This is expected, IMO....think about how many people opt to become paid members, then never renew. We just hope that the number of new contributors balances out (or surpasses) the number of nonrenewals.

If you are willing to give this some time, I'll put together some basic criteria, get a few volunteers, and do an audit of the yellowed name. Then - and I think this part might be best coming from members of the moderation team - we can make contact with the active members that still have sites (we'll have to talk about the criteria for that - I know the last time I audited, there were members that didn't have regular sites, but had pages on other herp sites...not sure if it was reptilegeeks or iherp).

Obviously, if you are set on discontinuing the GGC program, pursuing this is pointless; and if you are willing to consider it up for review, we should probably toss around the information obtained in the audit before contacting people. You know how people will get if they renew, and you can the program anyway.
 
Snake-Queen said:
I am not so sure the system itself has failed. I did a random check of a few in yellow and one is actually a contributor. TheFragginDragon
.
Click to expand...

I think there's a disconnect with this one, the GGC was originally issued to my old username FragginDragon (before it was somehow corrupted and I had to have it changed). The GGC banner is still posted on my website, and I'm current with my membership, so I'm at a loss as to why it's showing up highlighted yellow.
 
Just to illustrate a point - the first yellowed name, and owner of the very first GGC
#0001 - SerpenCo - Rich Zuchowski (Rich Z)

Does your name being there represent a failure of the system, or is it simply a byproduct of your retirement from the snake business?

Take a look at #s 2, 3, and 4
Ken Harbart, Dennis Thomas, and Jay Owens
Last visits 1 yr, 2.5 yrs, and 6 months respectively

The next one is still active, and has a website,
The next two show last visits of 6 months and 2 yrs.

A small sampling, to be sure, but it seems to give some credence to the problem being attrition rather than failure.

*Edit* I just looked at the last yellowed entry...just activated a week ago. Maybe it slipped his mind. He doesn't have the certificate posted on his site, though.
Also, a the next batch of yellows seem to have been activated right around a year ago. I was going to suggest that perhaps those people just expired - and that may be the case - but I'm not sure that can be considered an accurate indicator.
 
Last edited:
hhmoore said:
Just to illustrate a point - the first yellowed name, and owner of the very first GGC
#0001 - SerpenCo - Rich Zuchowski (Rich Z)

Does your name being there represent a failure of the system, or is it simply a byproduct of your retirement from the snake business?
Click to expand...

I was curious about this as well. IMO calling the system a failure is a bit steep, if the system is being used by some for the reason it was created...I don't think it should be considered a failure. If it isn't living up to the expectations you were hoping for I understand your frustration but again, calling it a failure just seems steep.
 
hhmoore said:
If you are willing to give this some time, I'll put together some basic criteria, get a few volunteers, and do an audit of the yellowed name. Then - and I think this part might be best coming from members of the moderation team - we can make contact with the active members that still have sites (we'll have to talk about the criteria for that - I know the last time I audited, there were members that didn't have regular sites, but had pages on other herp sites...not sure if it was reptilegeeks or iherp).
Click to expand...

I am willing to help in that aspect. Easy enough to check names, when last active & banner on website

TheFragginDragon said:
I think there's a disconnect with this one, the GGC was originally issued to my old username FragginDragon (before it was somehow corrupted and I had to have it changed). The GGC banner is still posted on my website, and I'm current with my membership, so I'm at a loss as to why it's showing up highlighted yellow.
Click to expand...

:)
 
TheFragginDragon said:
I think there's a disconnect with this one, the GGC was originally issued to my old username FragginDragon (before it was somehow corrupted and I had to have it changed). The GGC banner is still posted on my website, and I'm current with my membership, so I'm at a loss as to why it's showing up highlighted yellow.
Click to expand...

Although I didn't write the code, I'm sure the easiest algorithm would have been to simply take the member name and check to see whether it was in any of the paid membership groups. So if someone changes their member name and didn't notify me to change the entry in the GGC entry, then yes, that would cause this to happen. And no, it's not something I would have automatically done at a member name change.
 
hhmoore said:
Just to illustrate a point - the first yellowed name, and owner of the very first GGC
#0001 - SerpenCo - Rich Zuchowski (Rich Z)

Does your name being there represent a failure of the system, or is it simply a byproduct of your retirement from the snake business?

Take a look at #s 2, 3, and 4
Ken Harbart, Dennis Thomas, and Jay Owens
Last visits 1 yr, 2.5 yrs, and 6 months respectively

The next one is still active, and has a website,
The next two show last visits of 6 months and 2 yrs.

A small sampling, to be sure, but it seems to give some credence to the problem being attrition rather than failure.

*Edit* I just looked at the last yellowed entry...just activated a week ago. Maybe it slipped his mind. He doesn't have the certificate posted on his site, though.
Also, a the next batch of yellows seem to have been activated right around a year ago. I was going to suggest that perhaps those people just expired - and that may be the case - but I'm not sure that can be considered an accurate indicator.
Click to expand...

Points all well taken, and I won't even dwell on the issue of why my original mods just walked away from here without so much as an explanation.

Sorry, I'm still not out of that funk I fell into yesterday. I'm getting out of here and going over to the garage to kick my car.
 
Snake-Queen said:
I am not so sure the system itself has failed. I did a random check of a few in yellow and one is actually a contributor. TheFragginDragon
Some (a lot) haven't logged in in years. :eek:
If you look, most of the newer ones are current & the ones that have lapsed are really old posts/cert #s.

I do however, see your point. You spent a lot of time on this and if people aren't going to notify you that they are no longer in the business or no longer want to participate, then why bother.

The issue is also, that too much time goes by between checks, so that the number of violators is overwhelming. Some in red, no longer have a good guy rating.

I see so many new members that are trying to get to the point of being able to apply and it would be a shame to forfeit this program based on so many factors, one of which is a mod issue.

Maybe based on the feedback you receive here, you will reconsider your decision and give it another chance. Maybe pick a few volunteers to clean it up and notify the few active users that they are in violation.
Click to expand...

Took the words right out of my mouth! Thanks for laying it all out like that! :D
 
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