Let me repeat what first brought this whole thing up. FYI, I tried to re-phrase a few things to lessen misunderstandings
The Phrase "Active Member" seems to be the cause of some of the misconception and "panic". Perhaps, some of you might have a suggestions for a name or phrase. Remember what we are talking about is being qualfied for special offers from those people or stores who might wish to offer them.
Anyway, after playing with my ideas some more, the whole thing became simpler than I thought. The reality is that I am concerned with only 2 things, how long you have been a member and how often you visit. My first thoughts are having been a member for at least 30 days. and at least an average of 1 real visit a week. Once a member has 8 weeks of longevity, then the average of visits would be for the last 8 weeks.
Thoughts, please
...... For example. I offer free website hosting to our members, if the site is woodworking related. Assume for a moment that this option is very popular(it isn't). My resources to do this are somewhat limited, so at some point I would have to stop. So, to whom should I give these websites. The person who registers, requests a site and then after it is up and running, goes away and shows no interest in North Carolina Woodworker after that.
A few weeks ago, I was visiting a store in the Raleigh area and asked about getting a North Carolina Woodworker member discount. They asked how they could verify membership and would I provide a membership list including addresses. They were also concerned about the scenario above. They even cited the Hartville Tool discount offered on WoodNet. Everyone knows about it and you don't even have to be registered on WoodNet. The comment made was something like,"Maybe Hartville doesn't mind, but we would."
Then a few days ago came the unsolicited request to provide a way to offer to sell items with very good discount, but somehow keep it confidential. Well, we figured out to do it, but again it involves definition of who should be quakified besides being just registered.
... right know the criteria will have to be something vBulletin supports now. Post count and membership. So for now, the criteria will be 30 days and five posts, which is rather arbitrary, but it is the best I can do.
The first thing to be added has been a private for sale forum. This forum will be invisible to guest and members who have not yet meet the criteria. The reason for the invisibility is so that word of the sale or special offer does not get spread out all over the web. Or in other words , keep the sale or service confidential.
The Phrase "Active Member" seems to be the cause of some of the misconception and "panic". Perhaps, some of you might have a suggestions for a name or phrase. Remember what we are talking about is being qualfied for special offers from those people or stores who might wish to offer them.
Anyway, after playing with my ideas some more, the whole thing became simpler than I thought. The reality is that I am concerned with only 2 things, how long you have been a member and how often you visit. My first thoughts are having been a member for at least 30 days. and at least an average of 1 real visit a week. Once a member has 8 weeks of longevity, then the average of visits would be for the last 8 weeks.
Thoughts, please
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