Silver, Gold, Platinum (nahh, lets make it bike related)

[Desmogod]

I fail to see the issue here, yesterday you had nothing, now you have a tag, you have gained something.
Fair enough, voice your opinions, but I think you are the only ones viewing yourselves differently.
Stop fucking moaning and enjoy PSB for what it is.

[Aphex]

Delicious benjedo.... remember that??

[Scoundrel]

My supporter-ship has just expired and I will be renewing it soon, but I well and truly got my $29 worth simply from technical advice and 'hookups' for various things.

I know my $29 contributes jack all to the running costs of the forum, but I just see it as my way of saying 'thank you' and acknowledging the benefit I have derived from the knowledge base here.

[Quinn_11]

Originally Posted by Munky_buns

Hyosung < Honda < Ducati
L < R-E < R
< Race-Spec

+ 1

[Aphex]

Originally Posted by Rider

I come to that conclusion by reading 5 pages of this thread. I could be wrong

No one is being looked upon differently. Some members are getting their nickers in a twist and are being responded to in the same manour as would happen in any other thread for like behaviour.

[Rider]

For the record ----I am not bitching about it at all

It was just a observation

[Bendito]

Originally Posted by Aphex

Delicious benjedo.... remember that??

Sorry Schnoodle, but you've lost me...

[Aphex]

Not saying you were bitching. Your tone illudes to lack of bitching

[Kingy]

<insert 2c>

A) I HATE the new logos (but do presume they will change)

I don't like being labelled as a pillion.. and I don't think you can "label" people in bike terms. While we all know there is bronze, silver, gold etc there is no real assocaition with the person, whereas calling people Pillions or Learners means that there is a negative association to that and that those labelled as such should be aiming for better yet there is supposedly no pressure to pay a membership. Of course those that have paid and obviously feel that PSB is important enough to support are just going to pay out those that haven't.. and if you think that is not the case then just look at some of the replies above.

C) PSB is confused to whether it is a business, web forum or club. I personally think it is a business.. I have bought some stuff knowing that it is a business. I belong to many forums and don't pay for any of them and have not sure any of them even have this different "levels" of subscription. Personally I wish it was a club.. you could then charge everyone a membership and things like "runnings costs" could all be accounted for but on the flipside you would have properly elected officals. However you can then have proper organised events and even things like the number plates and stuff and still keep all the merchandise that all helps run the forum.

D) I do not know Deej and if what has been posted is true then a big f#&king pat on the back and thumbs up if you have been in a suitable financial situation and willing to prop up the ongoing costs of PSB. However with my cycnical interwebz hat on there is also nothing whatsoever to say Deej and couple of others well know PSBers are just making a mint out of merchandise and advertising or other web revenue. No visibility you see... so throw on top of that things like corporate sponsorship, and various levels of membership you can see why I think PSB is a business but to what level a business I have no idea. Those that know Deej and others high level officals in PSB probably know that this is not the case and it is all legit bit I don't.

E) Am I going to cry about it like some of the posts above suggest... nope.. had my 2c cents.. not going to stop me using and enjoying PSB, just my preference not to be labelled a pillion. I am sure as with most things over time it wont make much difference at all. Well except for the crappy logos

Feel free to flame me like you did T_B R1 if it makes you happy.

[Hewie]

In terms of supporters.

No one has ever been forced to pay. The model has been there for years, we stopped it for a while when we had alot of issues with it but it was brought back by popular demand.

The staff are very conscious of not allowing over advertising and alike to spoil the forum. We are all members elsewhere and see the impact that it has.

We monitor and mange it all very carefully.

PSB has never been a commercial venture, and it still isnt. A Pty Ltd was started to allow us more options with regards to doing things in the future - PSB Cafe, Insurance etc. all of these require a entity to be able to do it.

The name change was something that was designed for a bit of fun ... it was done to differentiate this program form every other silver/gold/platinum one out there and to make it relate more to PSB and what we are about.

[millsy]

Backpacker would be better than pillion, and tags should all be bold. It's good to show support and people who want to can but it would be a shame if people whether told or implied felt their presence was less valued based upon a forum donation.

I think Pillion and 'faded' tags implies this whether intentional or not. Backpacker will still mean the same but have less stigma attached to it. Plus it's funnier.

[Aphex]

Originally Posted by Kingy

<insert 2c>

A) I HATE the new logos (but do presume they will change)

I don't like being labelled as a pillion.. and I don't think you can "label" people in bike terms. While we all know there is bronze, silver, gold etc there is no real assocaition with the person, whereas calling people Pillions or Learners means that there is a negative association to that and that those labelled as such should be aiming for better yet there is supposedly no pressure to pay a membership.

You'll find that alot of other internet forums also lable their users hence the option in the forum software

[Brougham]

Originally Posted by Kingy

<insert 2c>
However with my cycnical interwebz hat on there is also nothing whatsoever to say Deej and couple of others well know PSBers are just making a mint out of merchandise and advertising or other web revenue. No visibility you see...

you can get the ASIC returns and forms for the company if you so desire and see exactly how much money has been lost spent on this place. there IS transparency, you just need to look for it.

[contempo]

I don't care either way but could I just say, the images look kinda horrible in PSB Black Theme haha... From a website asthetics point of view could be slightly smaller & little bit nicer looking. That's just my opinion... doesn't matter if nobody can be arsed changing it. Is all good.

Pillion... Rider... I think its a cool idea! But how do I get higher up haha (without paying, I'm poor, spend all my money on muppet helmet covers)

[Weapon_X]

Originally Posted by millsy

Backpacker would be better than pillion, and tags should all be bold. It's good to show support and people who want to can but it would be a shame if people whether told or implied felt their presence was less valued based upon a forum donation.

I think Pillion and 'faded' tags implies this whether intentional or not. Backpacker will still mean the same but have less stigma attached to it. Plus it's funnier.

i agree with you millsy, having a faded pillion tag kinda puts you on the outside, and not as high up as the others, i guess you could put it that way. i have been wanting to become a supporter for some time but my situation didn't allow it. but this will change soon. and also the pillion tag denote not a rider, i think it should be changed to a different name.

[Morgs]

Originally Posted by Kingy

Words...

Very well put mate. Sadly, well reasoned arguments are few and far between on here.

It comes close to what I think about the whole situation, although I have my own reasons for not paying to support PSB this year. Those who know me know what they are.

In fairness, I don't think the pressure to sign up as a supporter is coming from the management of the company, it seems to be more peer pressure.

my 2c

[kyliejane]

i would like to buy a whinger a supporters subscription

[Brougham]

Originally Posted by Morgs

In fairness, I don't think the pressure to sign up as a supporter is coming from the management of the company, it seems to be more peer pressure.

which is true. staff dun care if you do or you don't. they've just put in place a few bonuses for those that do (psb live, rep, etc).

[Aphex]

Are you suggesting their tag be changed to whinger KJ?

[merctom]

in my opinion i feel the forum doesn't need a tag for the people that haven't paid for a subscription