I'm no complainer but I want to see TCC thrive so I felt I should put my suggestion out there to Bob that he delegate some of the responsibility to his team to be able to authorize access for new members to post on the site.

Everyone gets busy so it's understandable with Bobs job responsibilities changing he's as swamped as many of us out here... but I fear that we're losing the chance to add valuable members to TCC by not being on top of this. I try to bring in new members from "other locations" to TCC for my Boxbreakers groups as often as I can. This month I had 2 new members join me but they have been waiting for access to be able to post for over 3 weeks now and are getting frustrated and ready to leave the site.

Again...understandable that people get busy with their own "real lives" as this site doesn't employ anyone (including Bob) but it's frustrating to see us lose potential contributors because we're so limited in the scope that only Bob can authorize this access to participate on TCC.

it is something we have discussed previously!

That particular function usually becomes Bob's priority when he does get site time!

I feel like this has been discussed before and feel like Bob likes where the site sits right now, and feels like it is fine the way it is,and there is no reason to shift any authority at this point. I at least feel that way.

Why not assign one person (aside from Bob ) to take care of it. That way Bob can concentrate on the other stuff he needs to.

I thought this was Jethro's job

Such as?

I hear you but if this was you... don't you think after 3 weeks you'd give up and move on to another site? I hope they won't but I'm just trying to put myself in their shoes as they are emailing me asking if I can help and all I can tell them is that I have PM'd Bob to see if he can get to it. It just gets frustrating so I needed to at least mention it.

And we all KNOW how that little venture went!

Last I heard Jethro was holding out for a pay increase and better office?

I think we agree with your points, but unfortunately this process resides with Bob currently. Maybe his latest work changes will help him release the reigns or he will find the time. The CZT will see if we can assist.

He needs a reality check during these economic times!

In reality, I think it would possible be beneficial if a couple of CZT members had the ability to do things like right now only Bob can (approving members, editing the links along the left of the main page).

His job, and his regular life aside from the forum.

I meant who...

One thing I really don't understand is that if Bob is so busy, why is he at least not willing to delegate responsibility to improve the forums? It doesn't seem too hard of a concept. I don't think many, if any, things will done to improve the forum that much until TCC actually loses a good amount of its members and they go to other, more developed forums. Currently, TCC still has a market. Realistically though, who knows how long that will last if this site stays the way it is.

Agreed, proper delegation needs to take place to keep this place on the up and up. Bob_TCC is a great leader here but we all understand he is swapped with "real life." But this is also part of that "real life" this is somewhat of a small business for him as I'm sure money is made off ad spaced sold on the site. Yes the price of ad space directly corresponds with the amount of traffic a site gets.

I honestly would hate to see this site fade from the leaders among online trading communities and I will do my best to keep it on and up and up as each of us members should do as well.

Things here need to be updated obviously...the TCC home page is covered in news and links from 2005! People Bob_TCC trusts need to be delegated to take care of things like that. I know for one Finestkind always seems to be on the up and up when it comes to hobby news... he would be a great prospect for updated hobby articles and links within the site.

Bob_TCC, man we all know you are busy and it's understandable, but please don't loose your passion for the hobby or this site! Let's keep it atop the rest of them out there!

Did you ever think that maybe this is Bob's version of a Porsche? We all can look at it but nobody and I mean nobobdy gets to be in the drivers seat other than Bob??

Then I would say it's time to get the wax and give the Porsche a good shine!

i agree

As people have said it is up to Bob. IMO I think that sort of thing would fall into the hands of the "Membership Team". At least Bob should grant them the ability to give new members a beginning trial period during which time the new member can post (within reason and perhaps maybe be limited to a few areas) and Bob can evaluate the new member and then decide if they can be granted full access.

I'm not sure what all goes into verifying new folks, but I think he checks IPs to make sure it is not someone who is trying to rejoin after being removed. Doubt folks in Membership would have access to such a database or information.

I believe there is more to it than a "trial membership". Not sure what all is involved, but I would imagine if it were as simple as giving a trial period, everyone on the team would be able to do it. I do know that for minors there is a coppa form that needs to be done, and that is probably the tip of the iceberg. I also agree with Dwight's assessment, but again I am not sure of the complete process.

I spoke to Bob a few days ago via email and he said he has been working through the current new member accounts and that he will be looking to delegate some of this to the team when his time frees up in the very near future.

As Dwight alluded to we likely don't have the ability (not power, but actual ability) to due the kinds of things that need to be done to grant new members access. IP checks, possibly background checks on the IP....who knows - all kinds of things that would require a lot of responsibility to undertake. I for one know that that is something - college or not - that I would not dream of trying to do.

The Membership Team's goal is more involved in recruiting/welcoming members as well as making them feel "at home" here.

i AGREE WITH ALL POINTS ABOVE, THAT NOW TELLS ME WHY FRIENDS I REFERRED HAVE NOT YET BEEN TAKEN OFF THE BENCH.
ANOTHER THING ,THESE DAYS WITH PROXY SRVERS, A PROGRAM CALLED HIDE MY IP, ALONG WITH OTHER TACTICS, IT IS ALMOST A WASTE OF TIME TO CHECK AN IP. JUST MY OPINION, ALL TOO EASY TO GET AROUND!

It's likely that some "bad" users don't have knowledge of those programs though. If IP checking can weed out one very bad member I think it's worth it.

I agree with you on that point but the time spent should be focused on habitual offenders as well!

I think that when you're dealing with new member "names" there's no way to tell if he/she is a habitual offender unless you do an IP check....so you would have to check every new member to prevent something like that.

Is it possible to get the Programming Team to generate a script that can cross reference a database of e-mail addresses, ip addresses, names and home addresses with the corresponding data from a new member. The script could be initiated when they hit the register button, and then they could be instantly approved.

I think it is plausible.

A mistake sites often make (I'm not sure if TCC does this) is only checking the sign up IP address. Repeat offenders will often go to a library, or computer lab, and sign up there, and then log on from their home computer. We should be checking existing members, as well as new people, for repeat offenders.

as long as the perimeters of the swrver can handel this type of load, while preforming the systematic functions of the site, not to mention the bandwidth associated with running such scrips. it is plausable though.

I was refering to ones that continue to plage the boards and/or are always under restriction for their trade habits!

Ah, got you now.