I think the place has such a small audience that it's more prone to external factors such as individuals being skint.Its almost at the point where I don't think I'll list anything on here, hardly worth it for the interest these days.
horses for courses personally I think the new rules have hindered newcomers having access to cheap upgrade kit.
they browse the kit ask questions then can't buy it, hey ho.....
Usual thing on a specialist forum, not just photography. Theres a difference between what people perceive as the value of their kit, because theirs is special, and the price someone is willing to pay. Usually there's a middle ground.If there were fewer over-priced "no offers" listings things might pick-up again.. over-pricing is the biggest problem at the moment.
Everything is quiet here recently.
Not much longer to wait, besides its not the holy grail that some people seem to think it isI'd love to use the classifieds but due to restrictions I can't have access yet.
It's going to take me a long time to reach 25 posts as I'm busy reading the forums and currently have no input to give and I don't want to just drop a quick one line post just to get the numbers up.
You don't even have an opinion you could share in out of focus/general discussion?
There is also a 60 day waiting period, besides the 26 posts, you are 1/4 way there in 13 days, so plenty of time to post an opinion here and thereIt's going to take me a long time to reach 25 posts as I'm busy reading the forums and currently have no input to give and I don't want to just drop a quick one line post just to get the numbers up.
horses for courses personally I think the new rules have hindered newcomers having access to cheap upgrade kit.
they browse the kit ask questions then can't buy it, hey ho.....
I fall into this category
If you struggle to find something to say about photography without a camera, how is a camera going to help you find something to say?Without a camera I'm going to struggle to make 25 'meaningful' posts though
Dave.. the rules give you 60 days to find your feet, gain some observation skills, research cameras (potentially saving yourself a hurried purchase mistake) and find twenty-five things to say.Hi Alistair, in defence of JimM169 I can see his point and don't class it as being dumb at all
You mention critique, but no need to always be so serious.. sometimes a simple "I really like the way you've captured the colour of the sunset" is enough. As long as you avoid "Don't think much of this one" most comments will be appreciated.
Part of the reason it sounds such a daft thing to complain about is that the classified section is about 2% of the forum, complaining about lack of access and not being able to fine twenty-five posts to make comes across with the message that the classified section of 100% of what you want from the forum. That's not a very clever thing to admit to, even if it's true. And once you do get access, you're going to struggle with the 50% rule anyway. At least with 25 posts under your belt you've built up a bit of a margin before you go blow your post ratio.
Part of the reason it sounds such a daft thing to complain about is that the classified section is about 2% of the forum, complaining about lack of access and not being able to fine twenty-five posts to make comes across with the message that the classified section of 100% of what you want from the forum. That's not a very clever thing to admit to, even if it's true. And once you do get access, you're going to struggle with the 50% rule anyway. At least with 25 posts under your belt you've built up a bit of a margin before you go blow your post ratio.
5 posts in 2 weeks isn't a bad average.Same problem for me, I want to buy my first camera and ideally off the forum rather than the auction site. Without a camera I'm going to struggle to make 25 'meaningful' posts though
Would it not be possible to allow newbies access to the Classifieds but restrict them to replying to ads only ie it will have the same effect of stopping those joining the forum just to freely advertise their gear but those wishing to buy will have somewhere that is hopefully more trustworthy than other sites
Well that's encouraging, my third post and already being called a lazy, dumb whinger (Couldn't find a tongue in cheek smilie)
"meaningful posts" are open to interpritation, and to stop people being here 60 days, and no posts, and then posting "nice shot" 26 times in less minutes.
You can add mifsuds to that list.For newer members looking for trustworthy places to buy second hand equipment, there is always MPB photographic, London Camera Exchange or Wex (as well as others) who also supply warranties with the sale of the equipment.
If a member here has no kit then it seems logical that they would want to look at the classified section as it's likely they will be able to purchase some equipment from a trusted source to get them going. Again I don't see anything daft in that, more a sensible option. I'm not saying or even asking that the rule be changed, it has after all been set up for a reason and that's fair enough but that doesn't mean others cannot comment on the fact they find the lack of access frustrating.
I think that's fair as classifieds are a member benefit rather than a right, perhaps a gradual reduction so that it pushes people to get involved more rather than pushes them away. There were a number of people that upped and left on the 50-50 change, to be fair some of them were only here for the classifieds and were never going to get involved in the forum so that was no big loss.Haha, yep there have been loads of those.
TBH, I reckon the ratio should be changed to 75%/25% (tougher, not easier! btw)
Even though comments might be a bit longer than `nice shot`, there's still the odd member who posts nothing until their 50% is reached .......... then makes 5 or 6 comments specifically so they can buy & sell.
Loads indeed CarlHaha, yep there have been loads of those.
It very nearly was TBH but after checking "stats" it was decided that the classifieds would be all but redundantTBH, I reckon the ratio should be changed to 75%/25% (tougher, not easier! btw)
Indeed they do, and we know who most of them are, we do allow a little lee-way as long as they are better than "nice shots"Even though comments might be a bit longer than `nice shot`, there's still the odd member who posts nothing until their 50% is reached .......... then makes 5 or 6 comments specifically so they can buy & sell.
Very true Rob, We've even had people with massively biased posts in the classifieds, and absolutely no chance of "recovery" start up a new account., to be fair some of them were only here for the classifieds and were never going to get involved in the forum so that was no big loss.
If its habitual, then posts do get deleted ( did I say that out loud? )
I dunno some people eh? TBH its difficult to keep track, with over 60,000 members,Haha. a certain person's ratio went up to 51% last night, ............. so fired a dozen quick comments on today in readiness for the classified access.
I can't understand how someone could come to be even close to 50%, I would suggest around 5% classifieds activity would be reasonable and 20% would start me thinking someone was taking the **ss and not fully participating.Haha. a certain person's ratio went up to 51% last night, ............. so fired a dozen quick comments on today in readiness for the classified access.
I guess if someone has been a member for quite some time, but not necessarily contributed a lot, I could maybe understand if they were selling off a system & changing over to something else.I can't understand how someone could come to be even close to 50%,
Maybe that could be a bit on the low side, but I do feel 50% is way over the top. imhoI would suggest around 5% classifieds activity would be reasonable
and 20% would start me thinking someone was taking the **ss and not fully participating.