• 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....

Tentative list of membership options.

As for the spell check option, heck, I'm not sure that would work. Anyone who isn't going to bother to use correct spelling and punctuation, and posts habitually in ways nearly impossible to decipher, is certainly not going to bother with a spell checker nagging them about those discrepancies.

Yeah, I do them too here and there, but honestly the best course to take is to take the time to proofread your post BEFORE you hit that "submit reply" button.

I am just leery of something like this that could put even more loading on the server for every post made here. Spell checkers can be VERY resource intensive programs.
 
WebSlave said:
I am just leery of something like this that could put even more loading on the server for every post made here. Spell checkers can be VERY resource intensive programs.
Click to expand...

If someone was that worried about thier spelling, they could copy and paste thier post into word or some other program and then spell check it. If there were corrections to be made to thier post they could always copy the corrected post out of word and back to the post box.
 
JJFOUTZ said:
If someone was that worried about thier spelling, they could copy and paste thier post into word or some other program and then spell check it. If there were corrections to be made to thier post they could always copy the corrected post out of word and back to the post box.
Click to expand...
Thats a great idea wish I would of thought about that Thanks Jeff
 
It's not that they worry about their spelling

that is the problem some write post that are hard to get through because of the poor spelling etc... The idea would be to give them an easy way to spell check. Maybe if they set it up so that you had to preview your post before posting it some would see just how poorly they have done. then again it probably looks fine to them ;)

Don't get me wrong I couldn't win any spelling bees but some here are terrible !!

Randy
 
JJFOUTZ said:
... they could copy and paste thier post into word or some other program and then spell check it.
Click to expand...
That’s exactly what I do and it works great. :)
 
A couple of questions came to mind...

They probably aren't important concerns, but thought I would toss them out for discussion.

1. Do you think a "free basic ($10) membership" to those who post at least 500 times would be enough incentive for some trolls to go crazy with silly posts just to make the 500 mark for a freebie?

2. One of the more expensive catagories had a provision to edit your own posts. Do you think any disruptive types would pay the extra money just to change, muddy, or generally "stir the pot" with that ability?

Maybe I am thinking too much about it, but if there are people with too much time on their hands, you never know.

Also, what about the possibility of tying one of the more expensive memberships with banner advertising, similar to how the cheaper ones can offer classifieds? You might tempt more people to help out if they feel the banner ads are not quite paying for themselves, but they get both banners AND a higher membership level with one payment. Or maybe some other variation of that theme.

Just a few stray thoughts.
 
I don't post much unless I have something relevant to say, but I have followed this thread and have not heard mention of how you are going to pass this info on to the general memebership (ie- those who don't log on every day). There is already a thread that I look at to see what's going on. It's titled "Stay on top of what is going on on this site". I look at the date. If that hasn't changed I figure there is nothing new going on on this site.

If I hadn't seen your new "rant" column for "stuff that no one will read unless it is in the BOI" I would never have found this thread at all. Perhaps I am blind and it is posted somewhere, but if I am not macular degenerate in my old age I would indeed like to know how this info is going to be passed out. Mass e-mails or what?

Thanks for your patience, Rich. I am going to contribute just as soon as all the "bugs" are dead! :)
 
KathyLove said:
They probably aren't important concerns, but thought I would toss them out for discussion.

1. Do you think a "free basic ($10) membership" to those who post at least 500 times would be enough incentive for some trolls to go crazy with silly posts just to make the 500 mark for a freebie?
Click to expand...

Possibly. I'm still mulling over this option. On one hand, it does bypass the "credibility check" that I want the minimum payment option to be. But on the other, 500 posts is a LOT for someone to do just on a whim to bypass that $10 fee. On the other other hand, having a steady income from a number of people paying that yearly $10 fee will help with a LOT of expenses throughout the year.

So yeah, I'm trying to look into the crystal ball to see which choice will be the best when I am looking back in hindsight at all of this.

KathyLove said:
2. One of the more expensive catagories had a provision to edit your own posts. Do you think any disruptive types would pay the extra money just to change, muddy, or generally "stir the pot" with that ability?

Maybe I am thinking too much about it, but if there are people with too much time on their hands, you never know.
Click to expand...

This will only allow members to be able to edit their own posts, and not within all forums. The BOI will NEVER be in that category where members can edit nor delete the posts made there. This generally only really applies to the general discussion forums. So no, I don't expect this will have any real negative effect.

KathyLove said:
Also, what about the possibility of tying one of the more expensive memberships with banner advertising, similar to how the cheaper ones can offer classifieds? You might tempt more people to help out if they feel the banner ads are not quite paying for themselves, but they get both banners AND a higher membership level with one payment. Or maybe some other variation of that theme.

Just a few stray thoughts.
Click to expand...

Well in some other thread in this discussion it was brought to my attention that some advertisers (and/or people NOT advertising here) would rather not have the appearance of supporting this site, but instead just have it a black and white advertising relationship. So I decided to disassociate the banner ads with any reference of "support".
 
Hi Kathy,
Not to speak for Rich, but I know he's really busy, and I might be able to answer some of these, if not I'm sure Rich will correct the info.

KathyLove said:
They probably aren't important concerns, but thought I would toss them out for discussion.

1. Do you think a "free basic ($10) membership" to those who post at least 500 times would be enough incentive for some trolls to go crazy with silly posts just to make the 500 mark for a freebie?.
Click to expand...

I believe this is a one time thing, to take place during the initial changeover. Those of us who are already contributers, will still be contributers. Those who are not contributers, but have shown to be participating for some time ie. 500 posts, will get a first tier membership. Anotherwords, I suppose someone could join and go troll crazy posting, to hit that 500 mark in the short time till implementation of membership fees, but probably not a real concern.

KathyLove said:
2. One of the more expensive catagories had a provision to edit your own posts. Do you think any disruptive types would pay the extra money just to change, muddy, or generally "stir the pot" with that ability?.
Click to expand...

You can already edit many of the forums, as well as ads, I believe. You cannot edit the BOI. So the only real change, unless I'm mistaken is that the ability would actually be taken away, unless you are one of the higher tier members (not sure which tier that kicks in). There would be no ability to edit BOI post either now or after.


KathyLove said:
Also, what about the possibility of tying one of the more expensive memberships with banner advertising, similar to how the cheaper ones can offer classifieds? You might tempt more people to help out if they feel the banner ads are not quite paying for themselves, but they get both banners AND a higher membership level with one payment. Or maybe some other variation of that theme.

Just a few stray thoughts.
Click to expand...

Can't answer that one, because I don't believe it's been actually addressed in any of the many :crazy03: threads. I think that sounds like a good idea. Hope we're not adding to the confusion.
 
Draconis said:
I don't post much unless I have something relevant to say, but I have followed this thread and have not heard mention of how you are going to pass this info on to the general memebership (ie- those who don't log on every day). There is already a thread that I look at to see what's going on. It's titled "Stay on top of what is going on on this site". I look at the date. If that hasn't changed I figure there is nothing new going on on this site.

If I hadn't seen your new "rant" column for "stuff that no one will read unless it is in the BOI" I would never have found this thread at all. Perhaps I am blind and it is posted somewhere, but if I am not macular degenerate in my old age I would indeed like to know how this info is going to be passed out. Mass e-mails or what?

Thanks for your patience, Rich. I am going to contribute just as soon as all the "bugs" are dead! :)
Click to expand...

Well there really is no easy way to do that. I could send out a general broadcast email to all registered members who have not opted out of it, but I would probably get 5,000 bounced emails from people who have let their email address info go out of date on this system.

So yeah, I am probaby going to get a LOT of emails after implementation from people who don't have a clue about what has happened.

Oh as for your waiting for the date on that "Stay on top of what is going on on this site" thread to change, that would only happen if THAT particular thread is modified. The date there has no relationship at all to the dates actually within the Feedback forum.
 
But on the other, 500 posts is a LOT for someone to do just on a whim to bypass that $10 fee.
Click to expand...

One weekend I said to myself, "I'm going to make 100 meaningful posts to fauna this weekend." I read nearly every forum of even the slightest interest. I think I posted 30 posts! I think that a "super troll" would be incredibly obvious, and if this were pointed out to Rich, he may end up having to come up with something. If it was obvious trolling, my thought is that he would end up suspended and fined before he reached 500 posts.... having to pay $10 just to get back on to go on his/her rampage of trolling... to bypass paying the $10 membership fee. Basically a troll is a troll is a troll. YES... someone WILL try it at some point. I doubt it would be successful.

I believe that the 500 posts thing is a good way to give kudos to those who are already avid users of this site (obvious by the amount of posts they've made) and avoid kicking them just because they choose not to pay the fee. I think that the end result is a fair and equitable system.
 
I agree..

Both possibilities I mentioned are probably not very likely - just wanted to see what anyone else thought of the chance of them becoming troublesome.
 
Someone do me a favor please: When all this is set in stone - please send me an email at [email protected] so I will know if I want remain as a registered and contributing member or not.

I cannot see reading another many multiple pages pages in this thread, and another many pages in another thread about the "Final Poll", and another many more in a thread yet to come. I give up.

Rich good luck whatever you decide. I hope there is some type of big announcement and maybe an email to all the current registered users about whatever the fee schedule winds up being.

Thanks,
GlennB
 
KathyLove said:
They probably aren't important concerns, but thought I would toss them out for discussion.

1. Do you think a "free basic ($10) membership" to those who post at least 500 times would be enough incentive for some trolls to go crazy with silly posts just to make the 500 mark for a freebie?
Click to expand...


It takes way too much effort to post 500 posts - even in a short time period - just to get a freebee. If a troll is willing to waste several days or weeks doing that in order to have access to some stuff he could not have under the free catagories, he has by all accounts earned it LOL. Money is not going to deter the true trolls or problem individuals - they will either pay it and have their fun or work around it and have their fun.

The ones being taken advantage of in all of this are the members who come to the site but don't necessairly spend their lives here on this one site making post after post hoping to be considered one of the "in-crowd" or that looked-forward-to-the-latest-antics-troll.

I have been coming to this site for almost as long as it's been in existance, but only recently felt the need to bother register (the BOI for example switched gears and required registration to view). I can take all of the posts I've made on this site and add them in with posts I've made on forums from other websites from the last 2 years and STILL not be able to reach the "500-post" mark. I honestly prefer to read more than post, but I like having the option to post when I feel the need for it. It will take several years for me to come by this freebee "honestly" and chances are it will never happen because the only forums a "registered" member will have access to are the forums I don't have a need to use or post on (and I am sure there are others like me out there). The forums that draw my attention to this site - enough so that I am even willing to post once in a while - are the ones I'll be locked out of posting to, but not viewing. So in effect I'll be one of many people who gets lost by the wayside due to a capricious nature of hopping from website to website and posting here and there when the urge hits.


Adrian
 
OK, I tried to put all of the options into a table so all of the options and how they are enabled or disabled for each user group will be easier to understand (I hope!)

<table width="100%" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" bordercolor="#AEAEAE" style="border-collapse: collapse" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><tr bgcolor="#A7D67A"><td align="center"><strong><font color="#686868"></font></strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Visitor/Guest/<br>Not logged in</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Registered<br>member</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Participant</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Contributor</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Benefactor</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Endowment</strong></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2" bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="left"><strong><font color="#686868">Yearly Fee</font></strong></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">none</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">none</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">$10.00</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">$25.00</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">$100.00</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">$250.00</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2" bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="left"><strong><font color="#686868">Can view threads on BOI</font></strong></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2" bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="left"><strong><font color="#686868">Can POST threads and replies on the BOI</font></strong></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Can view posts in other restricted forums<br>(Lonely Hearts Club, Web Watch, Consumer Reports, Police Blotter, and HELL Forums.)</font></strong></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td> <td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2" height="12"><strong><font color="#686868">Can post threads and replies in other restricted forums</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2" height="12"><strong><font color="#686868">Can view threads in ALL other non-restricted forums</font></strong></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2" height="12"><strong><font color="#686868">Can view, post threads and replies in ALL other non-restricted forums</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2" bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="left"><strong><font color="#686868">Ability to have avatars and profile photos</font></strong></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2" bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="left"><strong><font color="#686868">Abiltiy to participate in Fauna Fund auctions</font></strong></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2" bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="left"><strong><font color="#686868">Ability to give positive reputation points</font></strong></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2" bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="left"><strong><font color="#686868">Ability to give negative reputation points</font></strong></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2" bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="left"><strong><font color="#686868">Can display signature area</font></strong></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center"></td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><td bordercolor="#B2B2B2" align="center">X</td><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#575757">Avatar size limit in pixels</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">50x50</td><td align="center">160x160</td><td align="center">160x160</td><td align="center">160x160</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#575757">Avatar size limit in kbytes</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">20</td><td align="center">40</td><td align="center">40</td><td align="center">40</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Profile picture size in pixels</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">100x100</td><td align="center">160x160</td><td align="center">160x160</td><td align="center">160x160</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Profile picture size in kbytes</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">20</td><td align="center">40</td><td align="center">40</td><td align="center">40</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868"># of allowed stored private messages</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">20</td><td align="center">50</td><td align="center">75</td><td align="center">125</td><td align="center">250</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Upload attachment (photos) limit in forums in megabytes</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center">unlimited</td><td align="center">unlimited</td><td align="center">unlimited</td><td align="center">unlimited</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Upload photos limit in photo gallery in megabytes</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center">5</td><td align="center">10</td><td align="center">50</td><td align="center">unlimited</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Can post, edit, and delete public calendar events</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Can vote on polls in the BOI Good Guy Certification Forum </font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Can be accepted as a "Certified Good Guy" in the BOI Good Guy Certification Forum </font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Can view and post in the Steering Committee Forum</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Registered user name changes permitted</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Can view members name who left reputation point comments</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Can view other member's info</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Can create custom member titles</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Can edit and delete own posts in discussion forums</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Ability to view IP addresses on posts</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">Ability to move and open/close their own threads in discussion forums</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#E2E2E2"><strong><font color="#686868">*FREE* FaunaNet website hosting</font></strong></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center"></td><td align="center">X</td></tr></table>
 
Last edited:
Intense Herpetoculture said:
Do you have a date yet when you're going to set this all into place?
Click to expand...

I had thought it would be this past weekend, but that didn't happen. Perhaps I should send a broadcast email to all registered members about this and let those people who rarely come here know what is going on. But heck, if they do show up here that rarely, then does it really matter? No matter what I do, I am certain I am going to get inundated with emails from people who suddenly find that they can't do something they used to be able to do yesterday.... And I am sure they aren't going to be happy about it now costing them $10 for what used to be a freebie.

So I guess the most accurate answer I can give at this time is "as soon as I can".
 
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