Hidden content / Members areas

[Kevloaf]

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.

I can't remember who it was either.

Might be worth whoever it was creating a post in the members area just asking anyone who wants to join to DM them though....it was set up a while back.


My only request with was/is that the information is posted on here as soon as possible.

If I feel like the forum is being REPLACED by WhatsApp groups, we'll have an issue - this hasn't been an issue so far

[Middle_Of_March]

I can't remember who it was either.

Might be worth whoever it was creating a post in the members area just asking anyone who wants to join to DM them though....it was set up a while back.


My only request with was/is that the information is posted on here as soon as possible.

If I feel like the forum is being REPLACED by WhatsApp groups, we'll have an issue - this hasn't been an issue so far

I think the original point of it being made was because there was no way of setting an alert on our phones to an update in the OFTS thread. And the stress of a non runner a fortnight before the festival.. missing out by minutes by not checking the forum is a lot of stress.

So with no way of a notification from that particular thread, the WhatsApp group was made. Just to give some people a couple of minutes head start. Which tbh I think is a really good idea. Doesn’t replace the thread, but just allows for those who would like to be notified, but physically can’t check the forum, still get such crucial info.

[Middle_Of_March]

Very last point I’ll make (I’ve made a fair few posts so far from reading the 7 pages and replying as I go along) is that I’m sure this thread isn’t trying to push lurkers or people who post less away.

Seeing people saying they feel they don’t offer the same level of knowledge so don’t post isn’t the aim of FJ. Whether you watch 100 races a week and spend 2 or 3 hours a day looking at the festival, or whether you’re a casual racing fan who doesn’t bef who just enjoys the festival for what it is, everyone who wants to post should do. Definitely don’t be intimidated! Everyone’s friendly. When I joined in January 2018, everyone made me feel welcome. And everyone I’ve seen join since has been made to feel welcome and part of the FJ community. So if you’re reading this thread with a member account or even without, log in and get involved in the discussion. FJ is a great place to be apart of.

[BigChaang]

Very last point I’ll make (I’ve made a fair few posts so far from reading the 7 pages and replying as I go along) is that I’m sure this thread isn’t trying to push lurkers or people who post less away.

Seeing people saying they feel they don’t offer the same level of knowledge so don’t post isn’t the aim of FJ. Whether you watch 100 races a week and spend 2 or 3 hours a day looking at the festival, or whether you’re a casual racing fan who doesn’t bef who just enjoys the festival for what it is, everyone who wants to post should do. Definitely don’t be intimidated! Everyone’s friendly. When I joined in January 2018, everyone made me feel welcome. And everyone I’ve seen join since has been made to feel welcome and part of the FJ community. So if you’re reading this thread with a member account or even without, log in and get involved in the discussion. FJ is a great place to be apart of.

Well said M.O.M , 100 % agree

[Vautour]

Very last point I’ll make (I’ve made a fair few posts so far from reading the 7 pages and replying as I go along) is that I’m sure this thread isn’t trying to push lurkers or people who post less away.

Seeing people saying they feel they don’t offer the same level of knowledge so don’t post isn’t the aim of FJ. Whether you watch 100 races a week and spend 2 or 3 hours a day looking at the festival, or whether you’re a casual racing fan who doesn’t bef who just enjoys the festival for what it is, everyone who wants to post should do. Definitely don’t be intimidated! Everyone’s friendly. When I joined in January 2018, everyone made me feel welcome. And everyone I’ve seen join since has been made to feel welcome and part of the FJ community. So if you’re reading this thread with a member account or even without, log in and get involved in the discussion. FJ is a great place to be apart of.

The intention may not be to push lurkers away, but putting things behind a ‘pay wall’ will do that over time. I’m firmly against making anything more member specific as I would rather see newcomers encouraged to get involved and have the benefit of their input and thoughts over trying to preserve prices. If we do make things restricted then newcomers will definitely become fewer and this place will become more and more insular over time, ultimately degrading its benefit to all. As someone previously said, quantity of posts doesn’t necessarily mean quality so we shouldn't look to restrict those who post less.

[ryanh97]

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.

Agree on the yankees MoM, I knew there was a thread I was missing. I think there's a fine balance between having stuff members only and fully open. The OFTS, handicaps, diaries, yankees and other sports being hidden would hopefully leave enough intrigue for newcomers to sign up.

[archie]

I've only got random thoughts to contribute here but...

I've been doing racing forums for getting on for 20 years now and of the 3 that I've been in before this, there's only one still going. It tends to indicate that, as FJ is still expanding, it's probably doing some things right that others have done wrong. By and large, this place is much more focussed on betting than others so some information is more useful and time critical.

I don't have an issue with paying to play but I don't think that it would be a good thing. Likewise, I'd leave most items open to public view. A forum is, by definition,
"a meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged."
This means that the meat and drink of a forum is opinion rather than fact. I'm happy with the 'facts' being members only. The same with betting diaries if that's what each individual wants even if it means that most people post them in other, open, threads as well. To be honest, since I've been sorting out my brother's affairs, I only read the threads that interest me and that would only include 3 or 4 diaries.

In essence, I don't think it's bust and you're in danger of fixing things that aren't much of a problem and causing other problems instead. Much like Microsoft.

[Kevloaf]

Thanks everyone so far. Got another question that's been sent to me (was mentioned somewhere else too)

• The reputations being displayed (the orange bars)..... do people like them? Not like them? Feel they add anything? Don't care?

[dannycraigpirates]

Genuinely had no idea what they were and hadn’t even noticed them previously

[dannycraigpirates]

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....

It definitely did lead to me delaying signing up by quite some time...too much hassle when most of the content is available without having to do so.

Tbh the only reason I ultimately signed up is because the members diaries were behind the “wall”, and I enjoyed reading them last season (more taking an interest in how people got on than wanting to be quick to get prices myself).

I’m not sure making it a paywall is to the long term benefit - all that will do is keep it a closed shop. What’s to say members will continue to post on here anyways (a la Scooby).

Ive been a member of several other racing forums, many of which have faded away over time, and it’s usually down to a handful of members thinking they’re bigger / better / more important than the rest. I’d like to think that most people can add value on this site but when it comes to the point that horses names are blanked out and kept a mystery for all but a few, it kinda defeats the point of why we’re all here

[Istabraq]

Ive been a member of several other racing forums, many of which have faded away over time, and it’s usually down to a handful of members thinking they’re bigger / better / more important than the rest. I’d like to think that most people can add value on this site but when it comes to the point that horses names are blanked out and kept a mystery for all but a few, it kinda defeats the point of why we’re all here

Very interesting/good point there Danny, I think this is one of the strengths of FJ in that contributions come from a number of members and not just a handful of elite posters so I'd be confident we will avoid the issues you bring up here.

As for the orange bars Kev I'm not a fan, I know they came with the package but I think we have some excellent contributors with very few 'recognitions', I not convinced they serve much purpose if I'm honest...

[ryanh97]

Very interesting/good point there Danny, I think this is one of the strengths of FJ in that contributions come from a number of members and not just a handful of elite posters so I'd be confident we will avoid the issues you bring up here.

As for the orange bars Kev I'm not a fan, I know they came with the package but I think we have some excellent contributors with very few 'recognitions', I not convinced they serve much purpose if I'm honest...

Agree on the recognitions Ista. I like the 'Professsional FJ, Apprentice FJ etc.' not a fan of the orange bars though

[dannycraigpirates]

Forgive me if I’m wrong but wasn’t somebody’s first post alerting us to latest exhibition @ 66/1 last season?

[Istabraq]

Agree on the recognitions Ista. I like the 'Professsional FJ, Apprentice FJ etc.' not a fan of the orange bars though

I'm not that keen on these either if I'm honest ryan but it's been years since I was a cool kid and as I don't involve myself with facebook, instagram and whatever other place people live their lives these days, I just think posters can be judged on whatever 'levels' are showing but I'm aware I'm in the minority...

[VivaSteve]

Very last point I’ll make (I’ve made a fair few posts so far from reading the 7 pages and replying as I go along) is that I’m sure this thread isn’t trying to push lurkers or people who post less away.

Seeing people saying they feel they don’t offer the same level of knowledge so don’t post isn’t the aim of FJ. Whether you watch 100 races a week and spend 2 or 3 hours a day looking at the festival, or whether you’re a casual racing fan who doesn’t bef who just enjoys the festival for what it is, everyone who wants to post should do. Definitely don’t be intimidated! Everyone’s friendly. When I joined in January 2018, everyone made me feel welcome. And everyone I’ve seen join since has been made to feel welcome and part of the FJ community. So if you’re reading this thread with a member account or even without, log in and get involved in the discussion. FJ is a great place to be apart of.

As one of the people who probably don’t have the same level of knowledge as others on here, that’s nice to read.
Thank you.