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[Dandrew99]

Just to throw in my two cents...

I really like the idea of some sort of Fat Jockey VIP. I'd happily contribute towards the running of the place, it's surprising how much time and effort to into running a forum. I think regardless of what happens, this should be done.

There does need to be more beyond the wall I think. I'm a fairly recent signup and most of what I read is something I could have read before. OFTS is a no brainer for me.

I do think the majority of threads need to stay open, but there also needs to be a place to post the dark horses. Your mystery horse is a perfect example of something that shouldn't be posted on an open forum...

[Our_Duke]

As a long time lurker who has barely ever posted just wanted to say what an awful idea all of this is joking aside, this forum is definitely a big part of the build up to the festival for me. Horse racing is a sport where i struggle to find any actual fans amongst my own age group so this forum is much valued. I may try to post more going forward as working from home has freed up some time, but even as a lurker I've mentioned this place to people so think lurkers have their benefits too. But I'm biased!

[Quevega]

I'm quite happy to leave things as they are.

But can people stop mentioning horses that I want to back (in my own time, when it suits me).

And can people let me know ASAP when one of the horses I've backed has had any sort of issue.

That's all I ask.

Thanks in advance,

[Kevloaf]

Kev "or a big cheese"

I think you under-estimate my involvement



Mystery Changes in the Forum

[Kevloaf]

Sorry Kev, how do you mean.

To the Teetee's forum - is it still going?

You're saying it worked well, what do you mean by that? Why have you left it?

Genuine open questions... how other forums run is vital to the decision making process. Whether it's advice to take or avoid

[Kevloaf]

I'd be interested yo know how many so called "lurkers" (I really don't like that term) view the forum on an average day at this time of year.

Why not?

It's a term I'd have referred to myself as, it's not meant to offend.

This is a forum, and an online community of people who will genuinely connect with each other.

You don't have to get involved in that, but if you don't, and watch from the shadows, you're lurking.

Whether you like it or not, from the dictionary:


lurker

/ˈləːkə/

noun
noun: lurker; plural noun: lurkers

• a person who lurks, in particular a user of an internet message board or chat room who does not participate.

I haven't made that up...it's the actual term

[Kevloaf]

Kev

I agree with the suggestions already made to put the Out Of Festival and Forum Yankees in the members area, along with the Handicap plots, members diaries and the outstanding upcoming race lists produced by Saxon Warrior.

Overall though from a Forum technical admin perspective, I'm assuming you need to keep things fairly simple.

Finally on a more light hearted note.

If you are looking tor something which really differentiates a genuine FJF member from the crowd then how about....

Making all prospective members take and pass a straightforward FJF enrolment questionnaire.

4 No's and a Yes and you're in.....

Question 1: Were you pleased when Western Warhorse won the 2014 Arkle ?
YES / NO.

Question 2: Are Presenting Percy and Min two of your favourite racehorses ?
YES / NO.

Question 3: When the tapes went up for the 2020 Martin Pipe Hurdle, were you cheering for Indefatigable to win ?
YES / NO.

Question 4. Is West Virginia tobacco one of the key ingredients in a Cheltenham roll-up ? YES / NO.

Question 5. Can you keep a secret ? YES / NO.

Hahaha, fantastic

[Middle_Of_March]

Kev. I said a long time ago that the yankees should be members only as in the past the price has changed after i got home from work to place it.

I personally agree

[Kevloaf]

There are some absolutly brilliant points so far.

Really appreciate everyone taking the time to put their points forward, from people that don't post that often to the ones that do.

I want to do what is best for us all going forward and I know that'll mean we get things wrong along the way, and that ultimately not everyone will be happy... but getting a feel for what is important for everyone is important, so please continue to throw the opinions out there.

It can only help!

[Middle_Of_March]

I'd be interested yo know how many so called "lurkers" (I really don't like that term) view the forum on an average day at this time of year.

That would give us an idea of the scale of the problem - if indeed it is a problem.

As some of the Cheltenham threads are for members only - and there seems to be a general view that the handicaps should go the same way - I think it makes sense to move all the Cheltenham Festival threads to members only viewing.

Let's have them all in the same place.

In order to attract new members - which is desirable - we could then go one of two ways:

1. Make only the Gold Cup thread available for casual visitors (lurkers) as a taster of what the forum has to offer.

2. Start a new thread in the visitors section championing some of the posts made on the forum that gave an early recommendation for horses who have shortened up considerably. There are no doubt countless examples but one that springs to mind is the Lobos post way back in the summer which highlighted Galvin for the NH Chase because of the way Gordon has campaigned previous horses for the race.
Someone (presumably Kev or a Big Cheese) would have to take editorial control and place ten or 20 posts made in different threads on the forum which show the sort of top class punters info available on FJF.
Obviously, the posts used on this visitors taster thread would have to be at least a few weeks old rather than up-to-the-minute sensitive stuff.

It would be possible to run 1 and 2 side by side as a taster.

It strikes me - after only 10 months as a member - that we are basically all on the same side despite our daily disagreements on which horses make a betting proposition. I thought the thread where people detailed some pretty sobering covid experiences provoked a very heart-warming response which showed a very caring attitude towards fellow members.

The forum seems to be very much a case of give and take. I sometimes feel guilty that many of the horses I've backed for Cheltenham have been flagged up by members here who are a fount of racing knowledge. But it strikes me that people also try to give others the benefit of their endeavours too. Think Happy Diva and Lisnagar Oscar in my my case - my generosity knows no bounds!!!!

Personally, I have no problem with another member who hasn't posted a diary having a look at where my money's gone.

But I think if we move the handicap threads to a members only viewing platform then we might as well go the whole hog and move the rest of the Cheltenham Festival threads as well.

I assume daily NH tips/flat tips. golf and football bets etc could still be assessed by visitors - and again I wouldn't have a problem with that because the Cheltenham Festival threads are the jewel in the FJF crown.

Having said all that, I'm not desperately thinking a move to more member only viewing is urgently needed - it just seems logical that if we do it let's move the entire Cheltenham Festival show while finding a method to promote the site to visitors who want to take a peek.

I think the other sports bets are hidden aren’t they? Which tbh I like.

The NFL thread is very very successful and is a specialist subject affectively for some on here and the thought of a lurker coming in, taking some of Istas value and the spread changing quicker before the rest of us has even managed to see the post or take a position is abit unfair.

[Middle_Of_March]

Completely agree about being against closing off the forum. A short term fix that'll harm the site long term. I guarantee in a years time there will be at least 1 or 2 new members not yet on the site which bring added value to the site. Imo you run the risk of the forum going stale

I think that’s an excellent point. Haven’t got much to add to it but thought it was worth highlighting that it’s a very good point well made.

[Kevloaf]

I think that’s an excellent point. Haven’t got much to add to it but thought it was worth highlighting that it’s a very good point well made.

On that, how would people feel about relaxing the joining criteria again, so that anyone can sign up without me personally vetting them myself?



Vetting might be a bit strong, a brief email coversation is what happens.... depending on how much detail people give about why they want to join.... but still, it takes time and we will and have lost a few people because of this process.

The process does keep out some weapons though....

[Middle_Of_March]

I didn’t know there was!

I didn’t make the group, although I am in it.

one thing I’ll say is it’s typically less than half an hour between the message going onto the WhatsApp group before then being put onto the OFTS thread. So you’re not missing out anything properly. It’s just half an hour earlier I guess before the forum lurkers alert the bookies by having dozens of people cash the same bet in minutes and the cash out become suspended.

[Middle_Of_March]

On that, how would people feel about relaxing the joining criteria again, so that anyone can sign up without me personally vetting them myself?

What is the joining criteria? I can’t remember what process I went through when joining back 3 years ago

[Middle_Of_March]

Personally I feel its over the top to just throw everything cheltenham related as members only. I just feel like that will heavily restrict the pearls of wisdom that encouraged me to sign up a few years back. Surely that can be a last ditch measure if people are really worked up about prices getting a bit shorter. Starting with the OTFS and handicaps is the most logical for me.

Just to throw out there, even as someone who became a member nearly 4 years ago and lurked for a bit before that, I'd be dead against having threads for a select number of members and nobody else. Having a small cabal of the high and mighty goes against everything good about this forum and would be the beginning of the end.

I feel the forum yankees should be for members only.. as that’s the point of them, diaries members only, OFTS members only and other sports members only. The rest open. If a change is needed because of the cuts occurring from lurkers taking prices, start worth the handicaps thread perhaps and go from there.