The Question and Answer Board

[Mattu]

Re: Private Boards

Based on the survey results,

http://www.investorshub.com/boards/board_survey_results.asp?board_id=504&Survey_Num=1

It appears the majority thinks that we should *NOT* implement the private board compliment.

And even more interesting, some that voted *for* the private board also voted it would *fail* ultimately. That, is even more interesting to me.

So, where does that leave us....

Apparently, where I was leaning before -- we have a set of rules, it works for most of the community, we will continue to have pro and con discussions with the help of the Board Moderators (who do a heckuva job, btw), all are welcome to participate as long as they play by the rules. If you don't like it, go back to RB or go put your blinders on by using Agora and ride 'er into the ground.

That's my philosophical and Admin view.

Now the flip side, what most folks who run a message board won't say, I'll mention the financial end of this. (I can see Bob cringing now) Bottomline is that it does not come down to the clicks. Especially not on the OTCBB boards. Quality is of utmost importance there (and anywhere, actually). There's no money in advertising. Whoever thinks that has never run a site before. Money is in subscribers. And they are simply rare among the one-stock BB posters. Note I said one-stock. People that *trade* multiple BB stocks and don't subscribe to just one religion will subscribe to the premium membership. They are also the ones who contribute the most. That's what it's all about. Does that mean I don't care what goes on, on the EDIG, NVEI or other OTCBB boards? Absolutely not. I have a major problem with personal attacks or aliases no matter where they happen, and fully understand that it is possible to breed some premium subscribers there. I'm simply pointing out that it does not bother me when someone threatens me with a mass exodus of people if I don't do as they demand. I actually just find it annoying and read the next message. Do I have a problem with changing the way I Admin? Absolutely not. Offer constructive suggestions and criticism. But don't threaten me with mass exoduses of people if I don't boot someone for not breaking any rules.

That said, there are a lot of folks that you guys never even see that get booted. For example, I don't know who this putz is, but I delete him every day and night. He signs up for an account posts the same 3 messages, and then he's toast. Everyday on the EDIG board. There are *many* like this. They just copy and paste some stupid collabortion of jibberish. That's a basher and they don't belong here. They don't offer any commentary and can only spew sewage. They get booted. I've booted literally hundreds like that from the EDIG board. That Jack ripper guy, whoever this new dude is, friendlyfred is about to go, etc. THe list goes on that I've weeded out of that board. Multiple aliases on EDIG are slim to none. Packers had a run-in. Look at what *has* be done for the board, guys! We've worked hard to keep spam and multiple aliases as low as possible. Those are the true vermin who infest RB/Yahoo.

Based on my experience and trying to get a grasp for this stuff, the vast majority of the folks who say "Just get rid of the bashers!" are folks who have never got burned, have yet to sell because they still utter the word "Hope", or are just flat naive, new investors to the penny markets. Get burned one time and you'll turn off the filters to all those "bashers" who attack just the company and not the posters, with welcome arms. (Note, that I do have a problem with *anybody* who attacks other posters or uses multiple aliases -- this is a violation of TOU) If you want to really see a board out of whack, go to RB or Yahoo. iHub EDIG is like swimming in a clear spring compared to those places. And it will continue to be, as long as the discussion stays on EDIG and not the personal attributes of people who talk positive or negative about an equity.

Furthermore, a debate/discussion can not exist without a negative view. Like politics. You can't have a debate without someone who disagrees with you. If you pay attention and argue the messages and not the person, you'll come out a more intelligent and stronger person (mentally and financially). Information is power. You need it from both sides. It's healthy. Again, for a board to exist, you need *some* balance to it. Why do you think RB lasted so long? Because people crave debating the points. Why has Agora never gained any steam? You can't debate with anybody. You just get patted on the back while thinking "Why in the heck is my stock going donw?! #$#!" As I've repeated a bajillion times, multiple aliases and spam do nobody any good. But a debate conducted regarding the merits of a company presenting both positive and negative aspects does nothing but improve the folks who read both sides. It provides them with a balanced view to evaluate their investment. Or, then again, that could be why some folks complain.

To sum up a diatrabe: Folks who stay within the TOU will be tolerated. Anybody who breaks it won't. This applies to longs, shorts, non-investors, bashers, KKD-haters alike. If you don't like it, and can't offer anything constructive outside of "Just boot the bashers!" I encourage you to leave. After leaving, do yourself a favor and liquidate your account *now* and cancel your Internet connection.

MB