[Marty]

Hate google ads between posts? Now you can remove them! I received few PMs and E-mails from members looking for the donate button. If you like Geckos Unlimited and you would like to support the growth of this community, now you can by 'upgrading' your account to a GU Supporter. Donate buttons are grossly overdone, plus I hate asking for donations, and I'd like to give the loyal supporters few perks in return for your contributions.


Geckos Unlimited is and always will be free, however running GU costs money, especially with a dedicated server and premium scripts (not counting the time). GU is mainly funded out of my own pocket with some help from Google Ads and Sponsored advertising. GU related expenses are measured in thousands and not hundreds annually.

If you would like to support the growth and development of Geckos Unlimited community, please become a Forum Supporter. As such, you will not only be actively aiding in continuing GU growth, but you'll also be able to enjoy some additional perks:

• Symbol next to your name in recognition of your generosity
• No Google Ads in between posts
• Double the Gallery Space
• Access to special VIP Lounge (Visible only to Supporting Members)
• Ability to set custom titles
• Unlimited Private Messages
• Larger avatars (130x150)
• Can open and close own threads
• Can move own threads
• Can send Private Messages to 25 members at once
• Can set itself to invisible mode
• Can View what other members are reading on the forum (except invisible users)
• Increased Profile Picture size from 100x100 to 160x160
• If you have an online Gecko venture, you can now have a blog page set to have all your available FOR SALE Items. Instructions are in the private supporter forum.
• Ability to set the title of your FOR SALE page. See private supporter forum for instructions.
• Ability to post unlimited classified ads (at no cost, normally ~$1/ad)
• Full use of the Sponsor Update forum to notify the GU community of new things. Perfect if you have a business. This is also available for active advertisers.
  
• More to come

This list will grow as functionality is added.

To become a Supporting Member, click HERE

Fee Structure:


NOTE: 1 month, 3 month, 6 month and 1 year are all one time contributions. $9 is a recurring monthly contribution. Since GU is an international site, you can contribute at your comfortable level in the currency of your preference.

by the way, you DO NOT need to have a PayPal Account. You can just check out with a credit card.

Big Thanks to all members that upgraded their accounts in order to support Geckos Unlimited!!! Your loyal support and generosity is truly appreciated. GU cannot continue to grow without you !!!

EDIT: Still working on the functionality, but for the most part it should be OK.

[Riverside Reptiles]

I'm all for the idea of forum supporters as I know that it takes money and time to keep the wheels turning around here. And I'm 100% for giving added features to those supporters. However, "Ability to see invisible users" and "Can View what other members are reading on the forum" just seem invasive on the level of basic privacy. I get enough of that from the current U.S. federal gov't. When I'm on here and what information I read while I'm on here is really nobody elses business IMHO. My privacy shouldn't be for sale.

[Marty]

Good point. That can be easily removed. However remember that almost all the forums out there have this enabled by default often times even to guests that aren't logged in. I doubt that anyone will be pressing refresh to track who does what, but sometimes it's a useful tool to see where the action is and to see what others find of interest...I often click on a thread that someone else is reading. As for invisible users, no one can use that feature but Forum Supporters & Admin & Mod groups. Anyone else doesn't want that turned on? One more vote and I'll gladly turn it off.

[GeckoTom]

Hi

I feel like Marty! I sometimes use it like he does in other forums.
I can find nothing in that particular feature that disturbs my privacy, otherwise I wouldn´t post anything, because that could also be used to find out something about me!

I can understand your bad mood, because of the missusing of the government!

I think all the features are nice!
Thanks for that

I would have nothing against it if there are some regulations and if some features are cancelled because some useres are feeling offened, too!

Cheers
Tom

[Marty]

You guys decide... doesn't bother me...for me that feature will be enabled if you guys want it on or off let me know. I guess if you find it offending I can turn that off...

Ethan, your wish is my command - ON or OFF ?

[Riverside Reptiles]

It's not really that it "offends" me. I just think it's a simple privacy issue. If I'm in invisible mode, it's because I want to be invisible...for whatever reason. And it seems odd for someone to be able to purchase the ability to see me despite my wanting to be invisible and/or to track what posts I read. It's certainly not the end of the world. It just seems odd. I would prefer that those features not be included. But I'm not going to pout about it either. Just wanted to give my opinion. It's your forum Marty. You make the call.

[Marty]

I tweaked it here a bit...I think a good compromise here is this:

• as a supporter you can set yourself to invisible mode (no one can see if you're logged in)
• as a supporter you can see what others are reading (except, users in invisible mode)

[Riverside Reptiles]

That sounds perfectly fair to me. Thanks!

[Marty]

Added a feature for Supporting members that have online stores. You can now have a price list link, that's visible under your name that points to your pricelist blog entry. See top post for instructions or click "My Price List" under my name.

[mat.si]

Thanks Marty. Good idea.

Matjaz