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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Moderators - How about starting a 'Dealers Page'
Moderators - How about starting a 'Dealers Page'
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Tweedaddict
131 posts
Mar 12, 2014
11:27 AM
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In my opinion a simple 'Dealers Page' where manufacturers,retailers,distributors can push their gear would be a good idea. It would stop some of the niggling about overposting etc at the same time and be an honest place for harp comb makers,harp amp makers/distributors to list and promote their gear.
Just a thought?
Mike
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kudzurunner
4596 posts
Mar 12, 2014
3:03 PM
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As far as I know, speaking as the webmaster, there's no easy way to accomplish what you're asking.
Or rather there IS an easy way, and it's the only obvious way: start an entirely new forum and call it something like "Blues Harmonica Products Forum." Then the folks you're talking about could start new product-oriented threads to their hearts' content.
Registration and registration approval would still be required, unless we required no approval--in which case spam would take over. So it would work very much like this forum. If you're registered for this forum, you could automatically post to that forum. Anybody who wished to post to that forum would need to register--and would then, if they wished, be able to post to this forum.
That's the only way to accomplish what you're asking, or at least I think it is.
I'm open to the idea. Selfishly, I like the idea of a new forum that might increase traffic overall to this website. What's not to like?
On the other hand, I believe we would need an additional moderator--you, perhaps?--who would keep a close eye on things over there and maintain the basic courtesies. I don't want to saddle Nate and Todd (and Peter Horrocks, if you're still around, Peter) with any more work.
Nate, please weigh in with your thoughts about this.
Everybody else, please weigh in. Please don't waste any time decrying the limited functionality of this forum. It is what it is. The forum homepage gets 100,000 hits every month. I ain't messing with it. And of course if I create a new products forum, there is the possibility that it will significantly impact the energy and vitality of this forum. That's the only real downside that I see. Some parties work best when everybody is shouting, drinking, and dancing in a big room. Other parties need darkened hallways, etc.
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Tweedaddict
132 posts
Mar 12, 2014
3:36 PM
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hmmmmmmmm. good points Kudz.
I think another forum all together would dilute this forum.
What about just another 'page' like the for sale page?
It would not work as well, would perhaps often get 'lost' down the list... But could simply be a dedicated page like 'for sale 2014' where dealers only get to show their wares and post to their hearts content..?
Positives? - If dealers stick to that page for posting about their wares, then other forum members don't get pissed off at 'overposting'
Negatives? - let me have a beer and think about it...
Cheers
M
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Jehosaphat
710 posts
Mar 12, 2014
3:39 PM
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Personally i don't mind the occasional bit of salesmanship in the present set up.Most(all?) of the guys who do it are regular contributors to normal thread conversations as well.
I don't think i'd ever deliberately log on to a separate forum for the info though.
Seems a bit like having a separate TV channel just for Ads as in " mmm bit tired of this show might just flick over to watch some ads for a change"
2 cents
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nacoran
7606 posts
Mar 12, 2014
4:26 PM
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There would be three technical ways to accomplish it, but they would all have problems. The first, is like Adam said, to create a forum for sales. The problem, of course, would be that it probably wouldn't get as much traffic, which would sort of defeat the whole purpose. The second way would be a thread. I don't know how many people use them, and I don't maintain them as much as I used to, but my Thread Organizers are threads that contain links to other threads, including, for instance, a list of harp customizers. The nice thing about that is it's fairly easy for someone to add their info. The third way would be a dedicated page on the side. The problem with that is only admins could add information. There are some links like that on the side, but in addition to being more work, it at least nominally implies endorsement, which can cause hard feelings and problems with trust issues. We don't want fly by nights listed. We could get around that with a disclaimer and some rules for getting listed (X number of recommends from members or whatever) but it's not optimal. A compromise might be to make a link to a thread that people could add to and comment on. The problem is, these threads tend to either get forgotten if they don't get enough traffic or get unwieldy if they get too much (that's why we have a new for sale thread each year!)
I'm not against any of those ideas, but they all have drawbacks. The 'For Sale' thread does give people an opportunity to sell stuff, and people are welcome to add their contact information to, say, the forum map, their profiles, etc. The left column is already kind of cluttered. I wish there was an easy way with the software to do submenus. That would make making subcategories less problematic, but there isn't and it works for what it is.
I also have wondered about some links that might lead to people's music. I'd love to see links to member's albums, or even just albums other members recommend.
Some of that stuff is stuff that is doable. There are widgets for iTunes and stuff like that. I looked into seeing if we could host a harmonica wiki at one point, and it was doable, and I've maintained lists of customizers, but the trick is, they all take time and energy to maintain. One of my favorite YouTubers says, 'Attention goes where energy flows'. If enough people say it's important, I'm game, especially if they are willing to chip in with some sweat equity.
I think all those things would be useful, and if done right, could drive traffic to the site. I'm willing to help out on any of those things, but when I get stuck on technical aspects, well, my computer skills are okay, but not professional level by any means. When I get stuck, things get stuck. I am much better at collaborative. :)
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Nate
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pharpo
733 posts
Mar 12, 2014
4:42 PM
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Isn't that what the FOR SALE page is for ?
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Procrastinator Emeritus
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Tweedaddict
133 posts
Mar 12, 2014
4:50 PM
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Pharpo, Well, kinda...
I was just thinking a place for dealers to be able to post away about their product(s) without fear of being accused of overposting might be a good thang.
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kudzurunner
4597 posts
Mar 12, 2014
7:13 PM
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Look, I'm fine with a "Dealers post here" thread. Let's try it for a week and see what happens.
Your move, Tweedaddict.
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Blocker
146 posts
Mar 12, 2014
8:30 PM
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I'm still here Blue leader. I still read the forum every day and occasionally log in to the backdoor and approve some memberships and clear out the spam folder. Not much call for active moderation these days as everyone is so polite and congenial.
I personally like a 'dealer’s post here' page where those folks can advertise to their hearts content and keep the for sale page for second-hand one off stuff.
Peter H
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Rick Davis
3065 posts
Mar 12, 2014
8:33 PM
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Just so you know, when it became clear that I would be the owner of the company that makes the Memphis Mini amp I checked privately with Adam to make sure it would be okay to talk about it on the forum.
If you scan back over the threads since that time you will see I have started very few threads about the amp. There has been a lot of interest in it and I'm happy to answer questions.
There are topics of interest to some folks on this forum that bore me, so I just don't read those threads. All of you know I have had a keen interest in harp amps for years. I tend to write about them and express opinions. I've become known for that. If you click on one of my threads it is probably gonna be about amps or blues jams.
Who exactly are the "dealers?" If we do this "Dealers Post Here" thread will we prohibited from answering questions about our products in the other threads? Can I no longer post videos of Nic Clark or other players if they happen to be playing a Memphis Mini amp?
Are gig announcements the same as dealers talking about their products? Can I no longer post about the jam? I make money from that, just like most blues musicians.
What precisely is it that some of you are annoyed by?
It's more than a little confusing. My suggestion is we devise a set of guidelines for commercial messages in the threads, just like we have for others types of decorum. Segregating the "dealers" off to a gulag thread seems problematic and uneven.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Rick Davis
3066 posts
Mar 12, 2014
8:37 PM
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If a member starts a thread about "which amp should I buy" am I prohibited from suggesting the Memphis Mini?
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Tweedaddict
134 posts
Mar 12, 2014
8:53 PM
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Rick, Relax!
I was just throwing an idea out there mate. It might not be an idea that appeals to most, might not be. Good idea for this forum...
I 'm f'ed if I know. I've seen it used on thegearpage.net to good results...
We could actually think of it as a rather positive way for manufacturers/distributors/dealers of harp gear to promote their wares on one page of this forum and not get lost in the mix... No?
Accentuate the positives Brutha.
Cheers!
M
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Rick Davis
3067 posts
Mar 12, 2014
9:04 PM
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Can you suggest answers to the questions I asked? If so, maybe your idea will work.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Mar 12, 2014 9:08 PM
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Tweedaddict
136 posts
Mar 12, 2014
9:23 PM
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"If so, maybe your idea will work"
Rick,
I don't have the answers you seek.
All I'm suggesting is a place for the many boutique manufacturers, and the distributors/dealers (call them what you will) and NO there's nothing wrong with any of this.... To have one page/place to wax poetic about their gear without fear of being accused of thread hijacking, overposting,spamming,call it what you will.
We need to promote boutique builders more...!
But Rick, It was just a suggestion... Made by me,myself,I and carries no weight... And might not be a good idea for this forum, I was just throwing an idea out there for discussion my friend.
Last Edited by Tweedaddict on Mar 12, 2014 9:34 PM
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KentuckyBlues
42 posts
Mar 12, 2014
9:28 PM
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As log as its not spammy, I don't mind people giving me advice on an amp, even if its something they sponsor.
as a new player, knowing what's what is confusing, especially when it comes to things like electronics and sound..
I would love to see a "sponsored or approved" by mbh.com thread, other forums have similar things going and it works well.
that's the only way I buy alot of my fish, through sponsor threads and forsale threads.
I'm new, so take it all with a grain of salt.
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Bass410man
11 posts
Mar 13, 2014
6:18 AM
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I say people should be able to talk about whatever they want, whenever they want, on any thread so long as its related to Blues Harp. I for one like to here about amps, harps etc. and I don't really care what started the thread. Rick didn't start the thread with the intention of pitching his amp, he didn't even pitch it, just answered a few questions. Just because a few people get there nose a little out of joint because they see someone succeeding is no reason to change everything, "If it isn't broke don't fix it" There's already a for sale page, a barter page, why do we need to more, lets talk Harp, technique, amps pedals, on one forum, that's why its a harmonica forum, isn't it?
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kudzurunner
4600 posts
Mar 13, 2014
8:55 AM
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Blocker/Peter: Thanks for checking in! Please email me when you get a moment, just to make sure I've got your current email address. You changed it at one point in the last year or two, if I'm not wrong, which is probably why I haven't been keeping you in the email chain--and my sincere apologies for that.
You're right, BTW: Forumites have calmed down. Some marriages are like that, I think. All the nasty things have been said, and there's your mate, still sipping coffee and puttering around the kitchen in the morning. Either you maintain a state of armed truce on a hairtrigger, or you decide to try a little friendliness.
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florida-trader
436 posts
Mar 13, 2014
10:23 AM
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I have been an active member of this forum since June 2011. For me it has been a Godsend in so many ways. I have been introduced to so much great music that I probably would never have discovered on my own. I have become a much better player by being exposed to recordings, instructional videos and the countless discussions about technique, tone, knowing when to play and when to be silent…….and the list goes on. I have bought a lot of stuff from the various sellers whether they are “Dealers” or guys who were just unloading something they no longer wanted. I have made a lot of good friends. Some of them I only know via emails and phone conversations, but a lot of them I have met in person at events like Hill Country Harmonica or SPAH. AND, I am also a “Dealer”. I offer custom combs, semi-customized harmonicas and other harmonica accessories.
I am not opposed to the notion of a separate Dealer’s Page but I’m not sure what purpose it would serve. If you think about it, anyone who wants to already has the ability to create their own Dealer’s Page through their Signature and User Profile. You can publish any information you want to about yourself. A lot of members of this forum offer various products and services. More often than not, our offerings are woven into the fabric of the forum via conversational responses to questions posted by those seeking solutions. To me, in order for this forum to work it has to be an interactive experience. That includes everyone. And it also includes commerce. Commerce is an everyday part of our life. You’re hungry so you look for some place to buy food. Your 5 draw reed snaps in two so you go looking for someone to fix your harp at a reasonable price. If you are a Dealer and you are visible on the forum and you contribute in ways other than being here strictly for the purpose of selling something, people will know who you are. Not only that, they will support you. Doing business with fellow members of the forum creates an added incentive to deliver excellence. It is pretty much understood that whether you do right or wrong by your fellow member, the word will get out. It is a common sight to see high praise from guys who have done business with someone else via the forum. We don’t’ see as many negative comments I think for two reasons: 1) Simply because most of the dealings are indeed positive; and 2) Most people are too polite to blast someone publicly. But we all know that the private back-channel emails start flying when we have something to say but we don’t want to post it publicly on the forum. Call it the Grape Vine or the Good Ole Boy Network. Either way, make no mistake about it, it’s for real.
I’ll tell you what I think would be a big help. It would help if everyone had their email address on their User Profile. There have been many times that I would have liked to have discretely offered my services to a fellow forum member but there is no way to contact them directly without an email address. Sometimes posting a comment on the forum for everyone to see is just not the best way to go. I’m a fairly generous guy and I’ve been known to solve a problem or two at no charge when the situation called for such action. It is hard for me to be generous to someone who I can’t communicate with directly. Just sayin.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on Mar 13, 2014 10:26 AM
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MP
3121 posts
Mar 13, 2014
10:36 AM
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I don't see a problem that needs to be solved.
once in a great while someone will start a post selling some gear. Nate is right on it; other members too- directing them to the For Sale Page
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Affordable Reed Replacement
Marks Harmonica Tune-up
Click user name MP for contact info
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Frank
4017 posts
Mar 13, 2014
12:52 PM
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Google has a crap load of dealers :)
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HarveyHarp
577 posts
Mar 13, 2014
1:18 PM
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I would think that if you just set up another forum, without any restrictions, then it will just Morph itself into what we already have, which works great for me as it is.
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HarveyHarp
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SuperBee
1751 posts
Mar 13, 2014
1:51 PM
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Guess I musta mist the niggles thing. For Sale does get a bit unwieldy by end of year but no big deal.
100000 hits a month hey? Sounds a big number, but I wonder how many people that represents. What counts as a hit?
Last Edited by SuperBee on Mar 13, 2014 1:52 PM
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Tweedaddict
139 posts
Mar 14, 2014
4:07 PM
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My thoughts were simply to get the numerous builders of harp gear all on one page on this forum. And as a byproduct of that, no-one could complain about over spamming a product.
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nacoran
7607 posts
Mar 14, 2014
8:40 PM
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Superbee, I think I calculated it out, it turns out when you subtract Frank and me (hey Frank, you hit 4000 posts) it works out to 2 or 3 hits a month. :)
Tweedaddict, like I said, I do have a list of customizers in my thread organizers thread (click the link in my signature, and there will be a link to the specific threads for different topics) but it's just the harp end of it. It wouldn't be hard for me to add another link in the list for the guys on the mic and amp ends of things to include their links.
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Nate
Facebook
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Frank
4026 posts
Mar 15, 2014
8:07 AM
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technically 8000 nate - if you look in the 'eaten posts box" there you'll find 4000 more innocent ones of mine that were viciously eaten alive and damned to eternal dissappearence :)
Last Edited by Frank on Mar 15, 2014 8:08 AM
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nacoran
7612 posts
Mar 15, 2014
1:10 PM
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Frank, only 2000 of those actually disappeared forever. I've restored at least 2000 from that damned eternal disappearing-marking-non-spam-as-spam folder. You can see the signs all over the website. Whenever there is a double post, whenever words scream out against the injustice, whenever you hear a lone harmonica singing from a lonely rooftop, somewhere over Gotham... oh no, I've said too much...
edit:
And back on topic, it's been a while since I've curated the
customizers thread much, but consider this an open call. If you are in the harmonica business, a customizer, a mic guy, a amp guy, a performer, a teacher, I'll start a new thread and I'll put together a list of who's who with links.
Where to post your info:
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/5464531.htm
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Nate
Facebook
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Last Edited by nacoran on Mar 15, 2014 1:24 PM
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