"Supporting Membership - Price Increase? Or Membership Drive?" Topic

Inconsistent moderating? Sorry, I do the best I can, and if that's not good enough for you… nothing I can do.

Banning of members for minor offenses? Name one.

Banning of members for disagreeing with the wrong people? Again, name one.

I've never banned anyone unless I had good reasons.

Too many members with ZZZ after their names? I talk to them sometimes. The last guy told me he fell out of the hobby for a while, and is just getting back. Some are cases where the person changed to a new account. Some even are dead people. I don't think TMP has more inactive accounts than other forums – we're just honest about it and show you.

Current levels of drama? Then use the stifle and ignore tools, that is what they are for. Am I supposed to drive off people because they annoy you?

You say you're not interested in politics. Where have you seen current politics on TMP? We Dawghouse for that. If you see it, hit the complaint button.

3) I have to scroll through pages of news, rules and large pictures before I get to the 'message board' from the front page

4) The 'rules' board was added recently on top of the 'message' boards, and I really have no idea what it's for other than discussing rules systems that I don't play that require me to scroll through them all the time

I think you will be happier once you reconfigure your TMP homepage: TMP link

It seems this board's audience that are active love to go to other games they don't like and endlessly post about how we're all doing it wrong and should stop playing 40K, Flames of War or 15mm and everyone who does is a sub-par wargamer

We don't allow gamers to harass other gamers, especially based on their preferred ruleset. I've even had to ban someone who couldn't stop trolling the FOW players. If you see problems, use the complaint button to let us know.

I see a slippery slope in someone's future…sigh.

So what was the point of this?

Non-wargame advertising might be worth it. I don't know what the remuneration rates are but it pays the way for other sites. Wasn't there a trial of this before?

I already see more Cialis and Viagra ads than I care to see so I would say no to that idea. TMP is a bit of an escape from all that internet sensory overload. Just my opinion.

When do you plan on purchasing or renewing your supporting membership?

I see there are still memberships given away for free. This affects the budget and if that needs to be curtailed then that would be wise.

We still give membership credit if we use someone's poll suggestion. That's usually a month's credit, unless it's a complicated poll. I don't think it's a significant number of memberships, especially as there is a lot of repeats.

'So I've paid for a year's subscription and that's it…'

But it would be nice to sort the paid memberships a bit quicker…

The discussion on this thread shows a lot of the current problems and/or dissatisfaction with TMP that limits the purchasing of supporting memberships.

Posters have made suggestions about the editor and in most cases Bill replies downplaying the suggestion and in effect saying that the poster is wrong

For example:

"Inconsistent moderating? Sorry, I do the best I can, and if that's not good enough for you… nothing I can do.

Banning of members for minor offenses? Name one.

Banning of members for disagreeing with the wrong people? Again, name one.

I've never banned anyone unless I had good reasons."

The first thing a successful business learns is that the basis of a profitable business is customer satisfaction and buy in. Here we have customers that make what they think are constructive criticisms, even if only personally held, so a negative response just confirms their opinion and maybe those of others with similar views.

Bill I would suggest that you be less personal in responding in a counterproductive way to criticism We all know how hard you work at your joy and agree with you that a successful TMP is in all our best interests.

In conflict resolution a good way is to say something like " I see what you are saying " This just acknowledges that you have heard the opinion but in no way suggests that you agree with that opinion. Saying instead you are wrong and I am right just aggravates the situation. Sometims just keeping quiet is the best thing

'Today, if an advertiser needs something done, they know to go to Editor Gwen, and she makes it happen. Bingo Bongo.'

Could membership updates also go there in future?

Unless that advertiser is John Treadaway, the editor of one of the most widely read (and presumably quite influential) Gaming magazines in the hobby, maybe?

Another day…

I have my doubts that it is as dire as all that. My supporting membership says it will expire in 4 days, but I renewed early in the afternoon on January 5. I don't expect Bill to be at my beck and call, but neither do I expect it to take 5 days to process this if things are as bad as all that.

Unless that advertiser is John Treadaway, the editor of one of the most widely read (and presumably quite influential) Gaming magazines in the hobby, maybe?

He'd be wise to drop her an email.

The last I remember, John, you were trying to untangle what name the advertising account would be under?

Could membership updates also go there in future?

When the editors were first hired, some members were nervous about letting the editors handle membership renewals, so I've been doing those myself.

And I'll catch up on those today. My bout with flu seems to be over finally.

How long does it physically take to update a membership? 'And I'll catch up on those today.' was 2.5 hours ago on something that should be a daily priority but is taking several days.

'Would you like to become a Supporting Member of TMP today? '

That is your question. Not 'Would you like to pay for membership today and in a week or so I'll spend the 10 minutes or so to update it.'

You cannot urgently ask for new members or advertisers then not deliver when people resond.

"He'd be wise to drop her an email"

I'm sure John T can and will express his own opinion but, given the tone and content of his original post here, I'd suggest that the right response would be for an Editor or the EIC to contact this potential new advertiser and influencer as a matter of some priority rather than just sit back and expect him to try again.

That's what every good advertising sales exec I've ever dealt with would be doing, anyway.

'And I'll catch up on those today.' was 2.5 hours ago on something that should be a daily priority but is taking several days.

Sorry, but I had to pick up my wife from work and run some errands.

I'm sure John T can and will express his own opinion but, given the tone and content of his original post here, I'd suggest that the right response would be for an Editor or the EIC to contact this potential new advertiser and influencer as a matter of some priority rather than just sit back and expect him to try again.

Editor Gwen tells me she has sent him a message.

I've caught up on the memberships backlog.

If the system shuts down due to taking some time off for personal or health reasons then the system is broken You have assistants so delegate and hold them accountable to do the work to earn their salaries

Tell you what Bill you deliver on tmp 4 and I will crack open my purse and buy a membership if it lives up to my expectations.

Exactly the same as I would do buying a new model car or new ice cream blend or magazine or pretty much anything, except girl guide cookies. They don't change!

Does that sound fair?

If the system shuts down due to taking some time off for personal or health reasons then the system is broken You have assistants so delegate and hold them accountable to do the work to earn their salaries

I wish it were as simple as that.

Tell you what Bill you deliver on tmp 4 and I will crack open my purse and buy a membership if it lives up to my expectations.

Exactly the same as I would do buying a new model car or new ice cream blend or magazine or pretty much anything, except girl guide cookies. They don't change!

Does that sound fair?

And how do I get to TMP4 without your support?

What was TMP4 going to offer other than what there is now?

Eliminate lockfile errors, eliminate the nightly maintenance phase…

"And how do I get to TMP4 without your support?"

link

From time to time, the coffers run low, and I turn to our Basic Members to see if they can support us a little bit.

Right now, the budget is spent, and I still need to purchase some software to advance TMP 4.0, an internet company in the Philippines wants more money, and one of my editors needs to see the doctor again.

That was a PM in September 2015

Bill I "donate" to LAF and WAMP (note not a membership) the equivalent amount you ask for membership here. When TMP 4 is ready and is the equivalent to those fora I will readily consider a membership.

Like you I have a (in my case very tight) budget and tmp in it's current form does not warrant me breaking that budget.

So "Build it and she will come" mebbe.

The account of Captain America has been locked – another banned member trying to sneak back in.

When TMP 4 is ready and is the equivalent to those fora I will readily consider a membership.

Like you I have a (in my case very tight) budget and tmp in it's current form does not warrant me breaking that budget.

What features are you looking for?

It's a bit worrying that, several years after starting the TMP4 project, you don't know what features your customer base actually want or which would encourage them to become supporting members.

Without knowing that, how can you be confident that all the work you've being doing is headed in the right direction, other than eliminating the many bugs (which might be considered a normal part of maintenance)?

That's why I ask for feedback.

Maybe I am missing something? But isn't that a question that should have been asked a year or three ago about TMP 4.0?

But isn't that a question that should have been asked a year or three ago about TMP 4.0?

Perhaps I wasn't clear before?

TMP has been suffering from problems of growth, as shown chiefly with data failures and lockfile errors.

The TMP 4.0 project has been to upgrade the technology that underpins TMP, so that the website will be faster and more reliable.

(It has nothing to do with new features, except to the degree that any upgrade might come with new features.)

The software upgrade that went into place earlier this week appears to have significantly reached our TMP 4.0 goals. The lockfile errors appear to have been eradicated. (I haven't seen any, nor have any been reported to me.) I am aware of one data error since the software upgrade, which is a tremendous reduction in the error rate.

Ah, so TMP4 will be the same as ever but now it will work properly?

Have I got that right? Also if you have "significantly reached our TMP 4.0 goals" is this now it?

Ah, so TMP4 will be the same as ever but now it will work properly?

I would restate that as: Now that TMP is working better, we can look into other improvements and new features.

And, unfortunately, the nightly maintenance phase still exists, though somewhat reduced.

Also if you have "significantly reached our TMP 4.0 goals" is this now it?

Well, I'm still looking into the data error we had, to see what can be done about that, so I'm not ready to say "Mission Accomplished" quite yet.

I anticipate that TMP4.1 will be a further speed increase, and TMP4.2 will be further database improvements.

Bet you're glad to be able to finally take a break from it!

It's been a long hard slog!

Is it really true, that in the course of some 90 posts, the future has arrived already?

The mind boggles…

Peace is war, war is peace…

e – GADS!!!

We've been living in Utopia and didn't even realize it…

It's a Christmas miracle; TMP 4.0 dun magically arrived…and we never knew it.

This cannot be TMP 4.0 – it was supposed to be a new look, new features etc etc – look back over how many different posts and topics there have been over the last what 5 years or so about TMP 4.0 – is this really it? If so, without being rude, I am glad I didn't fund for it. I like TMP, but it's antiquated now. I'm sure Bill has other things in the pipeline and we will get a new TMP – not just a more stable old TMP. If not then, wow, and not a good wow. :-(

When TMP 4 is ready and is the equivalent to those fora I will readily consider a membership.

Like you I have a (in my case very tight) budget and tmp in it's current form does not warrant me breaking that budget.

What features are you looking for?

I guess it isn't important anymore Bill, as between asking and my replying, you have completed tmp4! Congratulations.

Perhaps I wasn't clear before?

TMP has been suffering from problems of growth, as shown chiefly with data failures and lockfile errors.

The TMP 4.0 project has been to upgrade the technology that underpins TMP, so that the website will be faster and more reliable.

Something of an understatement Bill, I suspect the overwhelming majority of members misunderstood what the tmp4 project was delivering, as evidenced by 4+ years on discussion on the subject.

I'm pleased that you have been able to deliver on your goal and look forward to reading your stated aims for tmp 5. Hopefully when it is realized I may be able to see the benefits of a paid subscription.

ps oh yes, what features…… hmmm WAMP is a perfect example, I understand from the owner that the software cost around $200 USD and is perfectly solid.

This cannot be TMP 4.0 – it was supposed to be a new look, new features etc etc – look back over how many different posts and topics there have been over the last what 5 years or so about TMP 4.0 – is this really it?

You confuse the means with the ends.

One way to achieve the TMP 4.0 goals would have been to port TMP over to a new content-management system. I spent a lot of time looking at that angle, working with different systems, had versions of TMP running on my system, but in the end I decided that route would require too much customization to be practical.

So I did it the other way around.

If so, without being rude, I am glad I didn't fund for it. I like TMP, but it's antiquated now. I'm sure Bill has other things in the pipeline and we will get a new TMP – not just a more stable old TMP. If not then, wow, and not a good wow. :-(

Features and improvements are easy to add, now that we have a stable foundation once again.

'You confuse the means with the ends.

One way to achieve the TMP 4.0 goals would have been to port TMP over to a new content-management system.'

What goals? You have asked for what people wanted with TMP 4.0 for a couple of years, discussed all sorts of things, and then have just gone with keeping TMP the same – just hopefully more stable – but no one knew that was the new goal – we were all still expecting a new TMP. No one seems to have known what these goals you were aiming for were (bar you) – certainly not what people were discussing/asking for (bar stability and no down time).

Not being disrespectful but I can't see dozens of new supporting memberships forthcoming from existing users of TMP when they discover the 'new' TMP4 is no different from the old, other than it works somewhat better – which they might reasonably expect in the first place surely?

And there's a definite risk of existing supporting members not renewing, I suggest, as the much anticipated 'almost TMP4' fails to live up to their expectations.

I've not followed the progress of TMP4 so closely but, rightly or wrongly, assumed it might include such features as easier uploading of images to posts, an ability to monitor your own posts etc, things that are commonplace on similar fora elsewhere.

What goals? You have asked for what people wanted with TMP 4.0 for a couple of years, discussed all sorts of things, and then have just gone with keeping TMP the same – just hopefully more stable – but no one knew that was the new goal – we were all still expecting a new TMP. No one seems to have known what these goals you were aiming for were (bar you) – certainly not what people were discussing/asking for (bar stability and no down time).

I'm sorry that you feel disappointed.

The bad news is that there is no new content-management system, therefore no new bells and whistles. The good news is that TMP remains its unique self, and new features and improvements can always be added.

Not being disrespectful but I can't see dozens of new supporting memberships forthcoming from existing users of TMP when they discover the 'new' TMP4 is no different from the old, other than it works somewhat better – which they might reasonably expect in the first place surely?

I suppose it depends on how much they appreciate that the lockfile bugs are gone. This is a major improvement.

And there's a definite risk of existing supporting members not renewing, I suggest, as the much anticipated 'almost TMP4' fails to live up to their expectations.

I've not followed the progress of TMP4 so closely but, rightly or wrongly, assumed it might include such features as easier uploading of images to posts, an ability to monitor your own posts etc, things that are commonplace on similar fora elsewhere.

As long as I have time to code, new features can always be added.

Are you going to fix the search function? It's currently not really working in a useful way.

I sit in stunned silence.

Are you going to fix the search function? It's currently not really working in a useful way.

I'll probably take a break for a while, before charging back into the depths of the code.

I assume you mean the forums posts search?

Yes.

Agreed, those who are happy with TMP as it is would be happy to pay out more for their membership I am sure.

Big spender there, eh, GD?

BTW, would you be kind enough to email me…

Preziosia AT AOL…you know the rest.

If I had the money I'd happily pay double.

You could buy Supporting Memberships for all of your accounts!

Or two…

Metal Guru ring a bell?