bikejournal premier member fee increase!

[snapdragen]

I will say, it is disappointing to read that there are folks who mis-use the system--though I'm completely boggled as to why they would do it?

Yes, it is sad that some people exaggerate their stats, there are folks that see life as a competition.

[SadieKate]

i won't even dignify the comment about me not riding the miles i post...

Cali, I have now dug and dug through this thread to try to comprehend your upset. I think I found it but apparently we are supposed to remember each and every word you say on various threads. I still do not see where anyone has identified you as posting phony miles. The point is that you can use BJ for motivation anyway you want but some of us do not compare ourselves to others without personally knowing that person and their credibility. This is not to say that you are not credible, it only says I have not ridden with you and am, therefore, no judge of your credibility.

[SadieKate]

But like others have said, the tool works for me because my greatest competitor is myself...

Ditto, ditto, ditto. Did I say ditto?

[bikerHen]

I like BJ and will continue to support the site. The entertainment I get is worth another ten bucks. I am in a serious competition with myself. Logging those miles everyday and creeping up the mileage list is what gets me out of bed and on the trainer every morning. I don't care what number I'm at, as long as it's higher than the day before. I figure I've got another month, maybe two to keep my high(er) placing because once spring gets here everyone will be leaving me in the dust. But if I COULD crack the top 1000 this year I would be one happy hen. If not, well at least I have fun trying. BikerHen

[tatormc]

I like BJ and will continue to support the site. The entertainment I get is worth another ten bucks. I am in a serious competition with myself. Logging those miles everyday and creeping up the mileage list is what gets me out of bed and on the trainer every morning. I don't care what number I'm at, as long as it's higher than the day before. I figure I've got another month, maybe two to keep my high(er) placing because once spring gets here everyone will be leaving me in the dust. But if I COULD crack the top 1000 this year I would be one happy hen. If not, well at least I have fun trying. BikerHen

I completely agree with you BikerHen. BJ really helps me get up and on that trainer. My only complaint about BJ is the forum. I don't know if there is a way to find the new posts. Like here at TE I log in click New Posts and then I click the little check box thing next to each thread and it takes me to the first new post. I don't see this feature on BJ and it's too hard to keep up with what I've read. If I'm missing something ladies please let me know.

[Trekhawk]

I completely agree with you BikerHen. BJ really helps me get up and on that trainer. My only complaint about BJ is the forum. I don't know if there is a way to find the new posts. Like here at TE I log in click New Posts and then I click the little check box thing next to each thread and it takes me to the first new post. I don't see this feature on BJ and it's too hard to keep up with what I've read. If I'm missing something ladies please let me know.

Im with you. I glance at the forum sometimes but after using this one (I think we are spoilt here) it all seems a little confusing so I just give it a miss. Probably a good thing really as I would never get anything done if I was to start yacking on another forum.

[SnappyPix]

I've been reading this thread with some interest.
I originally started using BJ because of the call for TE members to join and boost the mileage for the club.
Apathy initially kept me from becoming a premium member - together with the fact it's not my primary method for logging my stats. Being a complete nerd at heart, I took the time to devise my own spreadsheet, which can give me all the statistical functions I want and it's easier for me to log all the relevant info I want/need.
I was also unemployed for several months on arriving to NZ and had other priorities for my spare cash.
I continued to use BJ to log my mileage, but no other data - and it's been fun to watch my place go up in the list and keep track of the team mileage/goals, but as others have said, it bears no relation to reality because it means nothing by itself. 100km of hills are different from 100km of downhill/flats - and ultimately I only care about my own performance and improvement.
As I understand it, Slantz provides two levels of membership - free and premium. I'm absolutely incensed that I'm being branded as a "freeloader" for using a service that someone is seemingly happy to provide free of charge. I understand the principle that paying for premium membership is supporting development of the site, etc. etc. but if the guy doesn't want people to use his service for free, it's HIS perogative to ask all members to become premium and charge a fee for membership - I don't see why others are taking the moral highground just because premium membership is something they choose to take advantage of.
Because it's not my primary method of logging, I see it as an additional useful feature, but certainly don't feel compelled to pay premium membership - whether $10 or $100 - to simply log my miles.
This is probably coming across as very arrogant and selfish - but the point I'm trying to make is that at the moment there are two levels of membership which he makes available - because I'm using it as a secondary and haphazard tool, I choose the basic free membership. Why does that make me a freeloader? If Slantz were to charge for membership then I would simply revert to using my own spreadsheet.
I salute all those people who take full advantage of the site and are happy to support Slantz, but don't appreciate being lambasted for using a service that is being willingly provided free of charge.
Again, the primary reason I joined was to contribute to the TE miles, goals - if this isn't welcome as a free member, then I'll happily withdraw my contribution.
Obviously I in no way condone abuse of the system, ie duplicate memberships, etc. etc.

[mary9761]

I completely agree with you BikerHen. BJ really helps me get up and on that trainer. My only complaint about BJ is the forum. I don't know if there is a way to find the new posts. Like here at TE I log in click New Posts and then I click the little check box thing next to each thread and it takes me to the first new post. I don't see this feature on BJ and it's too hard to keep up with what I've read. If I'm missing something ladies please let me know.

it depends on how long it's been since you read a thread, but if you go in daily, click on the numbers next to the post and it will get you to the closest newest post. If there have been a LOT of posts it may not be that easy, but I do believe you can click on show all posts at the top of the particular thread you're check and scan through like we do here.

[SadieKate]

Slantz' rules allow BJ to be used for no charge and even have duplicate memberships. I don't have a problem with people who use it based on his rule and don't pay for premier membership as long as they don't expect much and I am always surprised when I see non-premier members ask for changes. I think the vast majority of basic members do respect this.

Someone has to pay for the servers, growing support demands and programming costs; it's a tough act to balance attracting people and then giving them enough extra features to motivate some to pay. For those that are motivated by features, I think the differences between basic and premier membership are not clear enough and have caused some of the upset. I think he will be working on making the differences more apparent. Some folks are simply motivated by the less tangible value of the community interaction. Here at TE we only have the community aspect but the site is supported by our retail purchases. I can't imagine that Susan hosts this forum solely out of the goodness of her heart and, obviously, the software that runs this forum is a licensed cookie-cutter application so there are little to no custom programming costs. Basic members can support BJ in a small way simply by making purchases using sponsor links which are becoming more available. For those who then want to complain that there shouldn't be a lot of advertisements, I think slantz is adding them in a tasteful way and either he brings on sponsors or the fees will be higher. Basically, it just comes down to playing within the slantz's rules not imposing your own rules on someone else's play.

Regarding the forum, posts that are red are the current day's active posts and are always at the top of the forum. If they are grayed out, the post hasn't had any activity since midnight the night before. The forum does not track an individual's activity - such as whether you, the user, read a post. It's not difficult just a different way of running a forum.

[jobob]

I appologize for any offense my post, and my callous "freeloader" comment, has caused.

jo " took a chill pill " bob

[pkq]

Well, slantz has really caused a furor, eh?

People are arguing about change. Even the complaints about the advertising are stemming from change. The advertising complaints are different expressions about the change in the premiere fee.

It is silly but that's human nature and we all have it, to varying degrees.

SnappyPix, from those of us who have been at bikejournal for awhile, ignore the negativity and keep logging your miles there for free. The site will take care of itself with paying and non-paying members. The long timers at bj have been through this issue a few times before. It took time to get the negativity ironed out but we did. We are better for it. We long-timers want everyone there to participate and enjoy the site. I was very disappointed in the use of "freeloader" but looking at the sign-up date of the user, it was more understandable. That individual doesn't know the history of this issue. We really aren't "high and mighty" or endowed with anything special. We are just ordinary people. I am very sorry you were offended in such a manner.

[snapdragen]

I appologize for any offense my post, and my callous "freeloader" comment, has caused.

jo " took a chill pill " bob

Bad day at work jo?

[pkq]

Yes, it is sad that some people exaggerate their stats, there are folks that see life as a competition.

You mean it isn't?? Holy cow! I've been wrong 46 years! Guess I'll have to add it to the list.

[jobob]

Bad day at work jo?

Oy, break out the Hangar One !

Actually, I just returned from Pilates, so all is well with my little world. A bit of extra-dark chocolate would not be out of order either. Anyone got some?

[Veronica]

Didn't I give you some?

V.