Changes to the forum-discussion thread

[Administrator]

I am still failing to see what the issue is here. Noone is telling you that you are required to post images on here and the issue is being overinflated.

[SCraig]

Originally Posted by Administrator

I am still failing to see what the issue is here. Noone is telling you that you are required to post images on here and the issue is being overinflated.

You are right. Nobody is telling me that I am required to post images in my posts, I have done it by choice in the past.

The issue is that the TOS specifically states:

You also grant us global nonexclusive adaptation and resale rights over any content and material submitted to the Site.

and I am not willing to grant anyone nonexclusive resale rights to photographs that I have taken or any other information that I feel is "Mine".

Don't worry about it though. As I said above, perhaps that line has always been there and I just never noticed it, but now that I have, and as long as I know what the ground rules are, you can bet your bottom dollar I'll watch what's in my posts.

[tmcgee]

Originally Posted by Administrator

I am still failing to see what the issue is here. Noone is telling you that you are required to post images on here and the issue is being overinflated.

The issue is that some folks have no intention of granting you resale rights for anything. If it's no big deal to you, change the wording.

And no, I don't use social networking sites either, for precisely the same reasons as scraig.

[Black Lab]

Originally Posted by Administrator

I have updated the TOS

If you have updated the TOS from what was stated when we all registered under the forum's ownership of Mr. Kearns, then would it make sense to have a new registration, with a new TOS, for the "new beginning" of Stromtrooper being VS owned?

I am sure that the original database has some "deadwood" that could be removed, (I am referring to, "dead" accounts, or ones that have been inactive for a year or more.), and a new registration process could give a better, or more accurate feel for just how large this community is. It would also give the "new" members a starting point to figure out and make decisions regarding the new Terms Of Service.

I also recognize that this could also be a nightmare to try and do. However, the forum site is now under new management. Wouldn't it be nice to know just how many "customers" you actually have?

As I mentioned in a previous post, my main interests are the "How To" section and the "New England" section of this forum. I like to challenge myself to learn new things. A big part of my life is my DL-650. I am no mechanical whiz; I am just an "average guy", (who really can't afford to pay others to work on my bike.).

I tackle my own maintenance and modifications and take a whole bunch of photos along the way. If I am successful in the work that I do, I take the time to resize my photos, organize them, try to thoughtfully put together some written text that "connects" the photos together, (and to also fill in the gaps between the photos where the pictures can't tell the whole story.), then upload the whole project to the forum.

My philosophy behind doing all of this work, (it can be very time consuming!!!!), is again, I am an "average Joe", if I can do this work, other riders can too. They just may need a little nudge, or inspiration to boost their confidence level to try and tackle a project or a ride for themselves. Hopefully, they succeed and build off of that experience to try another project, (I am doing exactly the same thing at the same time.).

It's kind of a cool thing to be working and sharing this way; communicating with folks from around the world.

It is all being done, (or, has been done), on a volunteer basis.

As you have mentioned previously, VS is a business. A business needs to make money to stay in business. VS has the financial and the technical resources to keep Stromtrooper alive and moving ahead; securing its future viability. I appreciate that and recognize that this business decision had to be made by Mr. Kearns, as the growth of the forum, as he admitted, was consuming his life.

The word "viability" is linked to business, which is then linked to "revenue" and "profit", (for a business to stay in business.). Would you be kind enough to explain, how VS makes a profit out of the volunteer efforts of other individuals?

Thank you.

Barry Buchanan

(PS; Although I am registered on three other, very popular, motorcycle forums, I rarely ever visit them. I rarely read any posts at these other forums and I don't post anything. I would be considered "deadwood" at these forums and wouldn't mind having my entry into their databases removed. I also don't belong to any social networking sites. Stromtrooper is the ONLY forum that I particpate in; in both reading and posting.

I currently have a couple of "How To" tutorials and ride reports to finish up and upload, but these discussions are having the cause upon me of reflecting a little about what I am doing, and taking a step back from the M.O. of my usual participation on the forum.)

[greywolf]

I like this site and my intention is to continue to use it as I always have. I'm not going to live in fear of something bad happening because it is the fear that is the main cause of changes for the worse. Regardless of ownership, it's what we posters do here that is the main ingredient in the makeup of the site. I don't see any good reason for us to change what we are doing. I'm going to have fun playing with the dog and figure playful dogs don't bite. If I get bit, it's not going to kill me and I'm already friends with other dogs I can play with. If I let fear run me, I wouldn't ride a motorcycle.

[Black Lab]

Originally Posted by greywolf

I like this site and my intention is to continue to use it as I always have. I'm not going to live in fear of something bad happening because it is the fear that is the main cause of changes for the worse. Regardless of ownership, it's what we posters do here that is the main ingredient in the makeup of the site. I don't see any good reason for us to change what we are doing. I'm going to have fun playing with the dog and figure playful dogs don't bite. If I get bit, it's not going to kill me and I'm already friends with other dogs I can play with. If I let fear run me, I wouldn't ride a motorcycle.

woof, hahahaha, woof.

Would you mind scratching my belly for me?

As always Pat, you are correct. However, with the "changing of the guard", (for my own personal edification), I feel it is a great time to learn how this whole thing works. How the heck is money generated out of this site to run a business, (pay for the hardware, software and personnel to keep it all going)? I don't expect to have actual number$ revealed, but, learning about the "flow" would be interesting to me.

B.

[Administrator]

Fatalerror there has been no demotion of anyone, I have responded to the PM.

The other answers I do not have off the top of my head. I have spent the weekend trying to get out of the city. Toronto where I live is hosting a G20 summit and there has been protesting and riots all over the downtown core near where I live. I will try to be on as much as I can to answer questions you may have but some of these questions I will need to look at when I am back at the office on monday and can have real answers. I do apologize but this has been an exeptionally stressfull weekend with just trying to pick up my girlfriend from work. I will check back in soon.

[ozart]

Originally Posted by Administrator

I do apologize but this has been an exeptionally stressfull weekend with just trying to pick up my girlfriend from work. I will check back in soon.

Whatever you're getting paid for this, it probably ain't enough.

[maxblack]

Originally Posted by greywolf

I like this site and my intention is to continue to use it as I always have.

Greywolf, do you now receive any renumeration (of any kind) from VS?

I think it is very important the membership knows who is being paid (and hence has a bias).

[Qrius]

Big tip of the helmet to BK. You are responsible for me and probably scores of others who now ride Vees or Wees. Indirectly, you and the other posters have piqued the interest of some non-riders who I've had contact with that are now either on bikes or looking at getting their licenses, my wife among them.

Welcome, Phil. I Hope the work is enjoyable and rewarding. Best of luck.

When I was researching bikes, I checked out several forums but this one had a sense of family to it. Advice and admonishment have been doled out sparingly and for the most part in a constructive manner. I hope we retain that feeling under the new site management.