Getting this site used more?

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

3 hours ago, jtwalker said:

I scan the site and post occasionally.  Much of the content is repetitive, so I find myself losing interest.  I also preferred the previous forum layout.  This one has grown on me, but its not my favorite.

I think the site would be more interesting with reviews.  I'm not excited about the new review layout and doubt I'll use it much.  I've never quite understood why reviews are not just allowed in the forum.  People leave reviews or hints of reviews anyway, and I doubt that will stop.  Forcing its isolation doesn't seem to have much of a benefit other than it allows someone to vet the reviews before they are posted.  If we just allowed respectful reviews, I would about guarantee that the site would grow in popularity.

Only sharing this feedback because you asked.

Hooboy and Daddy had it right to begin with: Vetted reviews are the way to go.  It's more work, but there's quality in that standardization.

Otherwise, you end up with a shitstorm that happens when you allow every 'anonymous' anyone to post whatever they want about an escort, unchecked.

This site's reputation has never been one to tear people (escort or otherwise) down.  I don't think it needs to start down that road now.

 

 

[sjmuktop]

4 hours ago, lonely_john said:

Hiring is also seasonal

Personally, I hire all year round. Even in the dark winter months. 

I suppose since I do all of my hiring in London, where I make use of the Underground network and buses (I don't drive my car down there), going out to meet escorts even when the weather isn't great is not much of an ordeal. 

Edited September 10, 2021 by sjmuktop

[Luv2play]

Frankly, I'm of two minds about increasing the popularity of this forum to the extent people who might not understand the purpose of the forum dialogue would insert themselves with disruptive and ill-intentioned interventions. Sort of like uninvited party crashers.

The whole notion of a men's club of people of like minded pursuits would be defeated if a bunch of obnoxious intruders were to arrive on the scene. In a sense, too much democracy. I'm not suggesting we should isolate ourselves in an elitist group as it's always refreshing to get new voices added to the mix. But a few interlopers could drive away those who have been faithful participants.

I understand the moderators do their best to keep things respectful but some posts from people who are not regular or new on the site can be jarring even if not outright rude. I guess it's a delicate balance, trying to attract the right kind of new people and avoiding attracting the disrupters. I have no great advice on how to achieve this. 

I agree with those who have said that RM affords a means of contacting clients of providers who one may be attracted to and I have used it myself more than once with very useful insights freely offered on a confidential basis.

[Luv2play]

On a side note, since it has been raised, I like the current white background to the text as I find it just like a word processed page that I type on my computer. And my eyesight is not the greatest. I would not favour a dark background.

[sjmuktop]

24 minutes ago, Luv2play said:

On a side note, since it has been raised, I like the current white background to the text as I find it just like a word processed page that I type on my computer. And my eyesight is not the greatest. I would not favour a dark background.

Nobody has raised changing the background from white to dark. What was being discussed earlier was having a 'dark mode' or 'night mode' option (key word there being option) that members of the forum could 'switch on' if they so wished (Twitter and Reddit are two sites that i can think of that have this option).

[coriolis888]

12 hours ago, jtwalker said:

One more thought...

Quite a few people have stopped posting lately.  Has anyone reached out to find out why?

Speaking of "getting the site used more" brings your question to the front. 

I noticed one poster, samhexum, that formerly posted a lot of humorous information has suddenly disappeared. 

He used to post often.  However, he has not signed into this forum since July 1. 

I hope he is okay.

I just wonder why he suddenly disappeared after posting more than 7,000 posts in four years.  

EDIT - Maybe here is the answer:

 

Edited September 11, 2021 by coriolis888

[+ Charlie]

On 9/10/2021 at 10:32 AM, jtwalker said:

One more thought...

Quite a few people have stopped posting lately.  Has anyone reached out to find out why?

Since we are not identified on the site except by our handles, it is hard to find out what happened to so-and-so if they stop posting, unless another member knows them off the site. Some people announce their departures, but most just disappear. On 9/11, I am reminded how many people died suddenly and unexpectedly on that day; it was a couple of weeks before I discovered that someone I had known years earlier but no longer had a contact with was on one of the planes.

[+ WilliamM]

5 minutes ago, Charlie said:

Since we are not identified on the site except by our handles, it is hard to find out what happened to so-and-so if they stop posting, unless another member knows them off the site. Some people announce their departures, but most just disappear. On 9/11, I am reminded how many people died suddenly and unexpectedly on that day; it was a couple of weeks before I discovered that someone I had known years earlier but no longer had a contact with was on one of the planes.

good reason then to know at least one member personally  at least my email or phone

[+ Lucky]

We have several members who are a constant presence on this message board, and they keep things lively and active. Well, most of them do!

I hate to see us lose a member who has been a big contributor of content, always keeping a passion in his posts.

[Cooper]

47 minutes ago, WilliamM said:

good reason then to know at least one member personally  at least my email or phone

@WilliamM, And sometimes that isn’t enough. We have several members who live alone.

When I hadn’t heard from @Guy Fawkes, I already had his real name, his email address, his cell number, and even his address which turned out to be a PO address. I still couldn’t reach him.

We had to track down a member, who was out of the country, to get his home address. Only after that was I able to contact the police to do a Wellness Visit. 

At that time we discussed the issue of sharing contact info with one another. 

Hopefully, just contacting a member by PM will get a response. 

Right now I’m in touch with a long-time member by e-mail who’s having medical issues. He hasn’t logged in for over 2 months. I’m looking forward to his return. 

If you miss someone’s participation, try reaching out to them privately. 

[+ WilliamM]

25 minutes ago, Lucky said:

We have several members who are a constant presence on this message board, and they keep things lively and active. Well, most of them do!

I hate to see us lose a member who has been a big contributor of content, always keeping a passion in his posts.

Passion by  accusing another member through lies?

[Luv2play]

3 hours ago, WilliamM said:

Passion by  accusing another member through lies?

Ohoh

[+ Coolwave35]

On 9/10/2021 at 10:32 AM, jtwalker said:

One more thought...

Quite a few people have stopped posting lately.  Has anyone reached out to find out why?

I have no relevant answer to this question.

There is no glaringly obvious reason. 

Don’t PM me for clarification. 

[RadioRob]

On 9/10/2021 at 1:32 PM, jtwalker said:

One more thought...

Quite a few people have stopped posting lately.  Has anyone reached out to find out why?

The only way to do so would be to email past site users and ask. That makes the assumption that the email we have for them is valid and that they even respond. 

I’ve resisted emailing people, even those who have nor opted out of receiving email communications from us in an effort to maintain discretion. Even with the move to the new site domain earlier this year, I did not need to resort to email blasts instead leveraging Google, redirects, and site notifications to communicate the change. Since I don’t know who can see someone’s email, I try to minimize my use of it except in absolutely required scenarios (resetting passwords etc) and in those cases it is still discrete. 

In past conversations, people take a break from the site for many different reasons.  This has included:

- Real life taking priority

- No longer hiring and not wanting the temptations that come from the discussions here.

- Having a disagreement with others on the site and not wanting to engage anymore. 

- Having a disagreement with the staff. (A topic not open for discussion but that I’m simply noting for transparency.) 

- Less interest in forums/online discussions. 
 

Above are just high level categories that break down into many nuanced reasons.  

I’m always attempting to do whatever I can to drive more visibility to the site and encourage it’s use. This includes attracting new members, adding capabilities so that existing members get more value, and retaining the members that we have. It’s an interesting juggling act as there is typically not one clear right/wrong answer to a question. Our members are varied in their interests, technical abilities, and needs.

Literally for any decision that is made, someone will like it and someone else won’t. I’ve learned that I’m never going to please EVERYONE. Instead I try to make decisions that will benefit as many people as possible and minimize the problems for everyone else. 

Some of the changes are stepping stones as an effort to a much bigger change. This is somewhat like a chess game where you have to plot several moves ahead to be successful.

[+ Coolwave35]

24 minutes ago, RadioRob said:

The only way to do so would be to email past site users and ask. That makes the assumption that the email we have for them is valid and that they even respond. 

I’ve resisted emailing people, even those who have nor opted out of receiving email communications from us in an effort to maintain discretion. Even with the move to the new site domain earlier this year, I did not need to resort to email blasts instead leveraging Google, redirects, and site notifications to communicate the change. Since I don’t know who can see someone’s email, I try to minimize my use of it except in absolutely required scenarios (resetting passwords etc) and in those cases it is still discrete. 

In past conversations, people take a break from the site for many different reasons.  This has included:

- Real life taking priority

- No longer hiring and not wanting the temptations that come from the discussions here.

- Having a disagreement with others on the site and not wanting to engage anymore. 

- Having a disagreement with the staff. (A topic not open for discussion but that I’m simply noting for transparency.) 

- Less interest in forums/online discussions. 
 

Above are just high level categories that break down into many nuanced reasons.  

I’m always attempting to do whatever I can to drive more visibility to the site and encourage it’s use. This includes attracting new members, adding capabilities so that existing members get more value, and retaining the members that we have. It’s an interesting juggling act as there is typically not one clear right/wrong answer to a question. Our members are varied in their interests, technical abilities, and needs.

Literally for any decision that is made, someone will like it and someone else won’t. I’ve learned that I’m never going to please EVERYONE. Instead I try to make decisions that will benefit as many people as possible and minimize the problems for everyone else. 

Some of the changes are stepping stones as an effort to a much bigger change. This is somewhat like a chess game where you have to plot several moves ahead to be successful.

You do an incredible job. We owe you a debt we can’t repay. It bears repeating. Thank you for all you do to make this site remarkable. 

[coriolis888]

1 hour ago, Coolwave35 said:

You do an incredible job. We owe you a debt we can’t repay. It bears repeating. Thank you for all you do to make this site remarkable. 

Ditto to RadioRob - much obliged

Edited September 12, 2021 by coriolis888

[m4same]

Thank you to so many people giving thoughtful responses to this thread.

[Phlmuscle]

A darker background would be great and much appreciated.

Edited September 13, 2021 by Phlmuscle
Spelling error

[sjmuktop]

16 minutes ago, Phlmuscle said:

A darker background would be great and much appreciated.

Or the option of a 'dark/night mode' that could be switched on if the user wishes to have it on. 

[RadioRob]

On 9/10/2021 at 10:06 AM, Phlmuscle said:

I spend very little time here because the white background hurts my eyes. I think it needs to be toned down a bit. I get a headache every time I open the forums. I have tried adjusting my computer but it doesn't seems to help.

 

On 9/10/2021 at 12:02 PM, sjmuktop said:

Hi there @RadioRob. Do you think it would be at all possible to add a 'night mode'/'dark mode' option to the forums? 

There are those of us whose eyes don't take kindly to the very bright white background.

Cheers