Hello Geckophiles !

[Nathan Hall]

Marty, just prove that your intentions are to better this community. I know you, so I know that is the truth.

All, you are in very good hands now, and I'm not going anywhere.

 

[Marty]

Here's the orchid site:

http://www.orchidboard.com

I also run

www.VivariumTopSites.com and few others that I haven't had the time to get going, one of them www.VivariumForum.com/community

 

[Protean]

Marty,

I'll give it a whirl. you do darts, i import mantellas - maybe we can help each other. I've been a member on orchidforums for a few years. like it a lot.

drop me a line maybe we can talk some.

jason@proteanterrarium.com - phone number in the classifieds ads.

jason p

p.s. nathan you suck at telephone tag.

 

[Marty]

Marty,
I'll give it a whirl. you do darts, i import mantellas - maybe we can help each other.

Hey, unfortunatelly I'm one of those that doesn't do mantellas . I had a bunch of WC aurantiacas that lead to a dissaster. My tanks are also too warm for mantellas. Right now I have leucs, tincs, vents, azureus, auratus and pumilios. Also about 200 tads/froglets on the go. I'm all frogged out at the moment. I have few spare tanks, but I'm trying to reserve those for the offspring and for a few nice geckos.

 

[Afelinus]

Well,after a long night of gecko hunting in my room,....damn geckos,I will reply as to what my question was all about .Jan hit it right on the head .I wouldn't mind paying a fee as a multiple poster of classified ads .I have had this discussion with Nathan and felt it was needed,but he declined.I just can't see a fee for membership,as that exchange should not come at a price,BUT definitely charge us who use the classifieds for the true purpose of it's nature.The occasional classifieds poster should be allowed to post freely.Try to set some threshold if possible,like after 3 ads,you pay for every subsequent ad.

You paying for the site only makes you one thing in my eyes...A CONSUMER....not a bad guy.Now what you do from this point on will determine how we all see you.I have no problem with you having an interest in frogs,makes no difference to me.I KEEP ONE SPECIES OF GECKO,doesn't make me less of a geckophile,I just love one species.Oh and Nathan,you explaining yourself to me is like preaching to the choir,as I thought I made it clear about how I thought a long time ago that you should've implemented fees,regardless of how it might be perceived.A bit disappointed that you would feel you have to defend yourself ,like I was being critical.I only would've rather heard it from you,but hey,no one is perfect,and no one can expect perfection.Good luck with what you do here Marty,I too will support you until I see reason not to.Everybody deserves a chance,NO DOUBT.

 

[Nathan Hall]

Oh and Nathan,you explaining yourself to me is like preaching to the choir,as I thought I made it clear about how I thought a long time ago that you should've implemented fees,regardless of how it might be perceived

Marcus, it was more of a preemptive post on my part for everyone.

 

[Marty]

You paying for the site only makes you one thing in my eyes...A CONSUMER....not a bad guy.

hehe... I tried taking over the site for free and be all humble about it, but Nathan didn't like that idea Trust me, I'd much rather not pay for the site and be an unsuspected non-consumer.

No worries, as we move forward and improve the site, we will figure all the things out. I don't have any intention of charging anyone for basic use of the site. Access to gecko related information will always be free and unobstructed....hopefully there will be just much more of it.

For example, one thing that needs improvement badly (and that's not Nathan's fault, but the forum software) is that we're not search engine optimized. Only about 20% of the posts and pages are indexed by the search engines. I'm hoping to bring that up to 80%+ That will make this place much easier to find and be fully used as a resource. A lot of the things that will be happening won't be visible, but will add needed optimization and functionality.

another thing that hurts this place is a lot of spammers that are joining the forum (even though they can't post), they list a link in their profiles. Some of these links get indexed by search engines and since they may lead to blacklisted spam/junk sites that may lower the page rank of this site. When the rank is lower, we're not reaching our objective of being easier to find.

I think once we go through the changes, there will be few unhappy faces when the forum will look and feel different, but remember it will be all for the better in the long run.

 

[Afelinus]

Well,I completely understand the business aspect of this whole transaction,and we all need to know and REALIZE that these forums do have operating costs.I have grasped that concept many moons ago.As much as you try to keeep things at an altruistic and esoteric level,there are expenses,and that is a fact.I do feel that it would've been nice to hear it from you Satan...oops I mean Nathan(cheap shot).Hey I understand Nathan,fully,and I hope,like Shane said that you can get back to enjoying things as a hobbyist again .Honestly,you always were a good guy to me,and I still see you as a good guy who had to make a decision for his family and himself.Now send me my damn vitamin powder(LOL)and hope everything works out for you Bro.

 

[Bowfinger]

For example, one thing that needs improvement badly (and that's not Nathan's fault, but the forum software) is that we're not search engine optimized. Only about 20% of the posts and pages are indexed by the search engines. I'm hoping to bring that up to 80%+ That will make this place much easier to find and be fully used as a resource. A lot of the things that will be happening won't be visible, but will add needed optimization and functionality.

I actually almost copied this forums idea for some other ventures and this statement/fact you made on not being search engine optimized made me change my mind on this format. It is very obvious a great forum and best for geckos, but still not everyone finds us, this idea already gives you an A+ in my book for new changes.

I am excited Marty, I vouch for you so don't make me a fool or we both get wacked. :shock:

 

[cliff_f]

Well I dont like this change idea to much. Does not mean I am against it I just dont like it, but i guess I will just sit back and see where it takes us. I understand paying a little for the classifieds but I dont like that either. But the price shouldnt be to bad since you arn't buying this to get rich.

 

[Protean]

marty i was talking about your giant collection of darts and the fact that you probably know many other keepers of darts who know more people who know more people. word of mouth seems to be everything in our community.

although sometimes word of mouth doesn't always help. granted neither do payment plans either, but hey who's counting those anymore.

 

[Jan Grathwohl]

Hi Marty

I understand the concern of Marcus

If you bought this forum, you must have some intention of making it profitable - right?

Personaly i have always liked GU because it was low-profile, with only focus on seriousness - not about getting the masses, but getting the right kind of people to post. Quality - not Quantity.

I hope that you will keep the forum totally free of cost to the normal user - and make it possible for us as users to still trade freely among each others in the classifieds - otherwise i think you will see a lot of people leaving - and that would be a shame

I have faith in you keeping this forum the best - although i will seriously be missing Nathan as the Captain
_________________

Excellent post. The whole point of this forum is free information exchange. I don't think any members would be left if you had to pay to share such information. Marty will answer all of your questions. I will be working with him for a long time, and I will be able to enjoy this "hobby" more now.

I'm very glad to hear this Nathan

Was fearing that you were letting go - keep up the good work

 

[dactylus]

Hi Marty,
welcome to the forums, been reading all the comments with interest. I look forward to your development of these forums. I've not been on them for long but certainly have enjoyed the knowledge available.
May I also recommend a gecko for you, Leipdodactytlus lugubris (Mourning gecko). I have friends that keep them in with their dart frogs.

...and to you Nathan, thanks for your efforts,...hopefully others will trust your judgment in this.

 

[jaysommers]

I don't know what the bid deal is.Running a website like this professionally has nothing to do with keeping geckos.I think this could turn out to be a very beneficial move for the gecko hobby.I think the personal and emotional investment even some mods. have is too blinding and allows for biased logic (even though it may be subconscious), and unfair decision making.Some of your reactions are hard to comprehend.What are you losing by a change in management?If your motives aren't of an alterior nature than there is nothing to lose.Jumping on Nathan is inappropriate as well.Some look at him as a leader,well part of being a good leader is knowing when to pass the torch.Maybe he feels that this is the best thing for the continued success of his creation.I don't know.I can't even imagine the amount of time and money it takes to set up and run a venture like this.The strain on a marriage among other things.Just posting once in a while is a huge sacrifice of time when you have a collection like I have.How quickly your forum friends can turn on you.If you really cared you would support Nathans decision and not be negative.Think about Marty's feelings as well, everyone here should welcome him with open arms.

Try to look at this as a positive direction.Clean slate ,fresh start.Also charging for the classifieds is a fine idea.Even Kingsnake doesn't charge for their forums.Some people have made alot of money here without any investment.

Maybe Marty will have some fresh ideas.Probably clarity of unbiased and fair judgement.I think it will be great.Maybe we can all take this opprtunity to make some positive personal changes in the way we participate on the forum.

WELCOME MARTY!!

 

[Palex134]

I agree! Welcome Marty!

Personally,
I do not have a problem with this,but you'll be missed Nathan, so please stop by often. I just do not want these forums to change.
I also do not have a problem paying a fee, as I have made a good amount of $ this season off the forums, and I wouldnt mind giving back to the forums. I would like to see the forum stay solid, and like Nate said, NOT LIKE KINGSNAKE!

Welcome Marty!

 

[jaysommers]

another thing just dawned on me.It seems that the majority of complaints about the changes are in regard to it(the forum) being used for profit.It also seems that the biggest complainers are those who profit off the forum now.So is it o.k. to use this site/forum for profit if you are a member but not o.k. if you bust your butt and invest massive amounts of time running/owning it.Where is the threat here?It just seems hypocritical to complain about someone owning this site for profit when you profit and run 50% or more of your business/sales here for no out of pocket cost. :?I have seen almost all of the complainees run multiple adds for sale here, some of you are bona fide importers of wild caught animals and NOT breeders.That means you are using this free site for commercial purposes and commercial profits.

 

[Afelinus]

I agree Jay .I import and sell here on a regular basis and can't for the life of me see why people who make money here are so opposed to paying for that service .I have made some monetary contributions in the past without any action from Nathan,and I will do the same with Marty.A 100.00 contribution seems like nothing compared to some of the amount of cash that exchanges hands here.

I wish I could keep some of the collection you guys have,but with what I do,I just feel I needed to relegate myself to one species to keep and breed,because it is not far removed from my mind what it took to keep and maintain 37 species in the past,let alone a 100+(whew).You basically are a curator living at work.I have enough with the importing(in response to a PM that was sent to me,yes one species),and I think Marty deserves our support regardless of our personal feelings.Marty has done nothing but be upfront so far,and that is to be respected.I asked a simple question and he answered it.I did so because I know what some were already thinking,but for some reason don't ask.I think with some of the implementation he plans,maybe we should just sit back and watch,and see.

 

[jaysommers]

I agree Jay .I import and sell here on a regular basis and can't for the life of me see why people who make money here are so opposed to paying for that service .I have made some monetary contributions in the past without any action from Nathan,and I will do the same with Marty.A 100.00 contribution seems like nothing compared to some of the amount of cash that exchanges hands here.

I wish I could keep some of the collection you guys have,but with what I do,I just feel I needed to relegate myself to one species to keep and breed,because it is not far removed from my mind what it took to keep and maintain 37 species in the past,let alone a 100+(whew).You basically are a curator living at work.I have enough with the importing(in response to a PM that was sent to me,yes one species),and I think Marty deserves our support regardless of our personal feelings.Marty has done nothing but be upfront so far,and that is to be respected.I asked a simple question and he answered it.I did so because I know what some were already thinking,but for some reason don't ask.I think with some of the implementation he plans,maybe we should just sit back and watch,and see.

Exactly.I think everyone should be excited about the possibilites.There is room in the hobby for everyone.We all play our own part.

(ps. it's alot more than 100+) :wink:

 

[MiCh@3L]

I`d like to welcome our new admin, too. So here`s a big virtual hug for you, Marty.

I`d also like to thank Nate for his great work in the last past years! Nathan, if you are coming to Germany again, I`ll hug you in person :lol:

Ok, now it`s time for my 2 cents

Nathan did a quite good job with the geckophiles, the gecko gathering and his plans on the the geckophile journal - I still hope on the first issue! Additionally he has kept a huge number of geckos. I always asked myself where does he get all the power to handle all of this?
Sorry Marty, I guess nobody who loves geckos like Nathan is able to do this job, especially when you got other interest and two other forums running.

That`s why I guess the forums are never be the same ...

 

[Bowfinger]

I see changes already for the best. A clean slate as Jay stated (nice post), we should all support the direction the site and new ownership is going as you supported Nathan. Nothing in life comes for free, someone paid for the freeness of the site and that was much of Nathans and other mods time. We are all very professional here so why not let our site progress with the times. Lets show that professional image to the newbies so they stick around, something they can be proud to join and in turn invest their money into your geckos.