Clutch
03-31-2006, 09:13 PM
This is a long overdue post -- I wanted to make it over a week ago.
For those that don't know (and I'm sure there are very few of you by now), I opened up "free registration" for a limited time about 5-6 days ago. If memory serves, it's been over 2 years since that was the case. I planned on posting about this sooner to let everyone know my reasoning for doing so, but wanted to make it available at the same time as the <a href="http://www.clutchfans.net/nbadraft/lottery">Lottery Race</a>.
Before doing this, I had considered creating a referral system where contributing members could recommend someone that they thought would be a good poster (and still may go to that at some point), but didn't really have time to get that set up. When I got the Lotto Race back running and prepared for draft coverage soon, I wanted to open a more strict version of free registration on the chance that we would gain posters with strong college player insight, or ideas/thoughts on the Rockets draft/future.
It's been so long since registration was open that I want to see what solid posters can come of this experiment.
As for when a user registers, they are prompted with this message from me:
IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE REGISTERING
<table border="0" align="left" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><img src="http://216.157.146.180/images_cfans/misc/navbits_start.gif"></td></tr></table> For over 2 years, ClutchFans has closed off free registrations to the public due to explosive growth and overwhelming traffic. Not only were the financial costs great, but the surge in users was re-shaping our community. A minimum financial contribution via PayPal to register has been very effective in helping both areas.
However, we do not want to lose a potentially valuable contributor to the forum. <strong>For that reason, we are opening free registration for a limited time on a trial basis to people who are looking to join the community</strong>. Upon registering, a member title of "Rookie" is given, and by following the rules and making solid posts, you will become a full member of ClutchFans.
Think you have what it takes? Here's what we're looking for:
- Rocket fans with a sense of history about the team, a strong view on where they are now and a willingness to post intelligent takes.
- Houston sports fans of the Astros, Texans, Comets or Dynamo.
- Non-Rocket fans who are willing to respect the Rocket-focus of the community, but can contribute to topics in other forums of the BBS, such as the NBA, Lottery/Draft, basketball on any level, the city of Houston or any topic relevant in the BBS Hangout.
"Lurkers", or people who just want to read, can certainly apply for registration, but their accounts will eventually be removed.
Thanks for your support of ClutchFans and I look forward to meeting you on the board.
- Clutch<BR>
<a href="http://www.clutchfans.net">http://www.clutchfans.net</a>
<a href="http://bbs.clutchfans.net">http://bbs.clutchfans.net</a>
They also are required to fill out why a textbox on why they want to be a member of the site. I am personally reviewing and reading each registration before "approving it". No "free email" accounts are allowed to register with ... there are 13,000+ blocked upon registration and I'm adding new ones daily.
For those concerned about having contributed earlier to get an account, there is a huge difference between your account and the free "Rookies" you're seeing now. "Contributing members" can search and edit their posts, lurk all they want and are never blocked from the board unless there is server downtime. During very busy, peak times, all others can be (and usually are) blocked.
So, in a nutshell, every new registration is put in to a group called "Rookies". There's no escaping this group unless you prove yourself to be able to solidly contribute to the forum, which is why I opened registration in the first place.
I'm open to feedback on it.
This will cost ClutchFans about $150 - $300 a month towards hosting costs, so I hope it pays off in the form of acquiring new, solid members of the board. I think there have been a few already.
Please remember though, the board now is living off of the text advertising.
For those that don't know (and I'm sure there are very few of you by now), I opened up "free registration" for a limited time about 5-6 days ago. If memory serves, it's been over 2 years since that was the case. I planned on posting about this sooner to let everyone know my reasoning for doing so, but wanted to make it available at the same time as the <a href="http://www.clutchfans.net/nbadraft/lottery">Lottery Race</a>.
Before doing this, I had considered creating a referral system where contributing members could recommend someone that they thought would be a good poster (and still may go to that at some point), but didn't really have time to get that set up. When I got the Lotto Race back running and prepared for draft coverage soon, I wanted to open a more strict version of free registration on the chance that we would gain posters with strong college player insight, or ideas/thoughts on the Rockets draft/future.
It's been so long since registration was open that I want to see what solid posters can come of this experiment.
As for when a user registers, they are prompted with this message from me:
IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE REGISTERING
<table border="0" align="left" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><img src="http://216.157.146.180/images_cfans/misc/navbits_start.gif"></td></tr></table> For over 2 years, ClutchFans has closed off free registrations to the public due to explosive growth and overwhelming traffic. Not only were the financial costs great, but the surge in users was re-shaping our community. A minimum financial contribution via PayPal to register has been very effective in helping both areas.
However, we do not want to lose a potentially valuable contributor to the forum. <strong>For that reason, we are opening free registration for a limited time on a trial basis to people who are looking to join the community</strong>. Upon registering, a member title of "Rookie" is given, and by following the rules and making solid posts, you will become a full member of ClutchFans.
Think you have what it takes? Here's what we're looking for:
- Rocket fans with a sense of history about the team, a strong view on where they are now and a willingness to post intelligent takes.
- Houston sports fans of the Astros, Texans, Comets or Dynamo.
- Non-Rocket fans who are willing to respect the Rocket-focus of the community, but can contribute to topics in other forums of the BBS, such as the NBA, Lottery/Draft, basketball on any level, the city of Houston or any topic relevant in the BBS Hangout.
"Lurkers", or people who just want to read, can certainly apply for registration, but their accounts will eventually be removed.
Thanks for your support of ClutchFans and I look forward to meeting you on the board.
- Clutch<BR>
<a href="http://www.clutchfans.net">http://www.clutchfans.net</a>
<a href="http://bbs.clutchfans.net">http://bbs.clutchfans.net</a>
They also are required to fill out why a textbox on why they want to be a member of the site. I am personally reviewing and reading each registration before "approving it". No "free email" accounts are allowed to register with ... there are 13,000+ blocked upon registration and I'm adding new ones daily.
For those concerned about having contributed earlier to get an account, there is a huge difference between your account and the free "Rookies" you're seeing now. "Contributing members" can search and edit their posts, lurk all they want and are never blocked from the board unless there is server downtime. During very busy, peak times, all others can be (and usually are) blocked.
So, in a nutshell, every new registration is put in to a group called "Rookies". There's no escaping this group unless you prove yourself to be able to solidly contribute to the forum, which is why I opened registration in the first place.
I'm open to feedback on it.
This will cost ClutchFans about $150 - $300 a month towards hosting costs, so I hope it pays off in the form of acquiring new, solid members of the board. I think there have been a few already.
Please remember though, the board now is living off of the text advertising.