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Thank you to everyone who has helped build ActiveRain into the network it is today. In our continued effort to reward our members who have spent time, energy and heart growing our network and contributing on a regular basis, we are implementing a new policy regarding grandfathered RainMaker accounts:

Grandfathered Rainmakers who have contributed one blog post in the previous 90 days will keep their grandfathered RainMaker account. Grandfathered RainMaker members who have NOT contributed one public blog post in the previous 90 days, will lose their grandfathered RainMaker account.

This change is about:

  • Allowing ActiveRain to focus its resources and the search engine presence of our members on those members who continue to contribute great content.
  • Encouraging the members who haven't blogged on ActiveRain recently to leverage ActiveRain to reach out to the over 2,000,000 consumer visitors we get every month to the site and utilize the search engine presence of ActiveRain to increase the visibility of their personal blogs and websites.
  • Rewarding members who continue to educate consumers with relevant real estate information about their markets and who engage their peers with relevant information about the business of helping people buy and sell homes.
  • Striking a balance between rewarding our long term contributors and giving them a reason to continue to engage the community with their talents and expertise.


For a little background: In February of 2009, ActiveRain changed our policy regarding our member's ability to post their content for public consumption. At that point, we grandfathered any member who had ever written at least one blog post prior to February 16th, 2009. Those members were given free RainMaker accounts as a thank you for the effort they had put into helping ActiveRain achieve a thriving community.


From that date forward, any member who wanted to publish content for public consumption (who had not written one post prior to February 16th, 2009) would have to pay in order to have their content be made public, and indexed by the search engines.

So in order to keep your Grandfathered status, you simply need to post one public blog post every 90 days. For most of you reading this, who have grandfathered RainMaker accounts, this will not impact you at all. You have integrated ActiveRain into your daily and weekly routines. If you haven't posted to ActiveRain on a regular basis, now is your chance to re-engage the community and leverage the vast amount of knowledge present in the form of tens of thousands of experienced real estate professional on ActiveRain.

Starting June 24th, grandfathered RainMakers who have not posted a public blog post in the previous 90 days will lose their grandfathered RainMaker status.

 

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231 Comments on Grandfathered RainMaker Accounts: Rewarding Members Who Continue to Participate

MAY
25
2010
769,071 Points 60 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Contribute and be rewarded. Don't contribute and lose the privilege of having a free account. Sounds reasonable to me.

12:14pm • #3
105,673 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I came. I left. I came back. I should qualify for the great-grandfather clause. Actually, I'm Scott Bacula and I quantum leaped back into an earlier incarnation.

Kill my account ... again :-)

12:17pm • #4
106,509 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Use it or lose it!  I wish I could be one of those lucky grandfathered accounts, but even though I'm not, I am still so pleased to be part of AR!

12:20pm • #6
584,789 Points 69 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Bob - Not sure what to say or think.  I'm so glad that this rule doesn't affect me; I post regularly so I have nothing to worry about.  Not sure this will have a tremdous effect or maybe it will.  Those that haven't posted regularly will just throw something (anything) up just to maintain status regardless of how worthy (or worthless) it may be.  I guess that helps the community - right?  Hmmm...

12:23pm • #7
398,940 Points 31 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I also wish I was one of those grand-fathered accounts.  These people are might lucky to have such an awesome marketing tool for free.  I hope they don't blow it.

12:23pm • #9
152,667 Points 1 Featured Post

I'm so old - my son tells everyone I am his grandfather.

12:27pm • #10
267,645 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Contribute, and be rewarded.  That's the way it should be!

12:27pm • #11
425,375 Points Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bob this is good. I often thought ya'll were giving away a great deal here on AR.

12:29pm • #12
213,594 Points 5 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I guess I am hard-nosed.  I wouldn't give the 60 day notice.  lol 

I would also like to see folks who used to be listed as realtor and then change professions, not keep their status/points. This is probably hard to track. 

I'm just glad I'm in.  ActiveRain is the absolute bomb!  Love you guys!

12:30pm • #13
352,326 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog

hi Bob,

You folks are very generous...one blog post in 90 days isn't much at all. There's not a better deal out there!

Jo

12:32pm • #14
376,907 Points 85 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I can't fathom not blogging at least once in 90 days.  I miss a few days every now and then and get AR withdrawal!  LOL

12:32pm • #15

It's nice to be rewarded for seeing what a great resource and community AR is! 

Mary Anne Daly
12:36pm • #16
428,716 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I think this seems more than reasonable.  If someone hasn't written a post in 90 days then they probable are not too concerned about blogging anyway.

12:41pm • #17
589,597 Points 2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob, this is a good move for Activerain, I am glad to see it and hope the push to participate will bring some folks back. Or not.

12:42pm • #18
331,752 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Thank you ActiveRain! I feel very lucky to be part of the "Grandfathered Rainmakers" and I will continue to post and contribute "valuable" public information as often as I can.

12:44pm • #19

As a non-grandfathered RainMaker, I think your policy is eminently reasonable.  The free Outside Blog is a huge benefit and AR needs to watch its business model too.  You'll take merciless heat, however, Bob, the first time someone gets bounced...

12:44pm • #20
421,694 Points 76 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Bob - Sounds like a fair deal to me.  Those who haven't blogged in 90 days aren't bloggers. Thanks for providing the platform!

12:44pm • #21
117,522 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Sounds fair. It looks like some people sign up and then never use their accounts which is a waste.

12:47pm • #23

One reason for the lack of posting may be because there is no sticky feature. A blogger may want his/her best blog post to remain at the top of his/her blog.

Just my thoughts...

Stephen
12:48pm • #24
723,122 Points 47 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sounds more than fair to me.

12:49pm • #25
1,194,270 Points 89 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

It will be interesting to see if some people come back to post to keep their status.  Some of them are blogging elsewhere but come back to ActiveRain when they need ActiveRain... like when they need to promote a rebarcamp...  or their side business selling something at real estate agents...

12:55pm • #26
611,640 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I also think we should have  the same policy on points. Where if you are totally inactive for 90+ days you are taken out of the point standings/rankings. At anytime you reactivate(to rainmaker status), you could be re-ranked, with all or 50% of your original points .

12:57pm • #27

Sounds fair.  I love bloggins so this won't be an issue!

1:02pm • #28
402,750 Points 4 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob - Ahh the power of a new server or three or more ... ha ha.. A great deal still in my humble opinion.. I love it here and cannot even fathom not contributing or ever reading on a daily basis.... Keep up the good work and get ready for the wedding day my friend.... It's coming ..... faster and faster....

1:02pm • #29
151,211 Points

It seems reasonable. I'm thrilled I got in under grandfather status because I'm cheap.

1:04pm • #30
Outside Blog

60 days seems like a reasonable amount of notice. If you haven't been using it in 60 days, why keep extending the benefit to them?

1:07pm • #32
109,714 Points 8 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

OH I WISH, I WISH I was Grandfathered in.  Does it count if I am a GrandMOTHER?

1:09pm • #33
236,758 Points 5 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I can't thank AR enough for the grandfathered status I discovered after I'd been "away" for almost a year!  Now I'm back and going strong.  The rewards are soooooooooooooo worth it!  Julie

1:10pm • #34
779,785 Points 47 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob,

Sounds absolutely fair. I can't imagine any objections to this policy.

Rich

1:20pm • #35
699,136 Points 35 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bob - As a Rainmaker who usually participates on a daily basis I think this is great.  However I kind of have the same thoughts as Donne....since you are giving notice I'm not sure it's going to make much of a difference, I would assume most will throw a post together to continue their grandfathered status.

1:23pm • #36
Localism Sponsor

I'm not sure why the 90 day period was chosen.  Based on the education I've already received in my short time here on AR, blogging regularly has proved to be successful for many of the users - not blogging once a quarter.  I am sure someone will claim I'm harsh, but why wasn't one blog post per week or month selected if AR is trying to reward members who regularly contribute.  In my own opinion, blogging once every 90 days is no where near regularly contributing.

My brain is wired to think that rewards should be for extraordinary performances not mediocre second chances.  Again, many will think I'm harsh but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

1:35pm • #38
406,175 Points 34 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

OKAY by me ;-) I need to post more often anyway and there is no way you can run me off...I love this place!

1:39pm • #39
419,966 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

It looks like my stellar post on the 6th will slide me in the door once again.  Actually, I have a bunch of financial stuff that I want to contribute here soon, specifically with insurance.

Reasonable rule, I suppose.  Though I can understand comment number two.

Time to get Jennifer off her arse and on the keyboard.

1:50pm • #41
419,966 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I've got 100 Dead Presidents for anyone who runs Russel Russell Lewis off:)

1:51pm • #42
707,336 Points 24 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Blogging it is OWN reward!  AR is supporting those who support it * KUDOS for acknowledging THOSE who BLOG

1:52pm • #43
791,184 Points 47 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Wow, is that all. When Bob Stewart appears at the top of my dashboard I'm thinking we have another contest, not a memo to keep on bloggin.

1:53pm • #44
429,860 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Bob, you are more than generous. You shouldn't even give notice. If they don't post once every three months they are pretending.

1:55pm • #45
419,966 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

If I re-blog this and make it public, does that count? ;)

2:05pm • #47
194,024 Points 9 Featured Posts Hit Router

Makes sense....Chances are if they haven't posted in 60 days, they don't do much with AR in regards to promoting their business anyway...

2:06pm • #48
519,463 Points 43 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob, as you well know I find it difficult not to post every 90 minutes, no less 90 days, I couldn't imagine the horror.....

2:11pm • #49
408,192 Points 12 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I like this.  I think 90 days is too long and I wouldn't give a "heads up" after 60.  There seems to be a lot of "dead weight" around. 

2:11pm • #50
278,556 Points 15 Featured Posts

I'm just grateful that I was grandfathered in the first place.

2:12pm • #51
295,317 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

More than fair, in my opinion. If a slacker like me can post once in 90 days, I would think they can, too!

Hey, if a grandfather has a grandfathered account...does that make it a great-great-grandfathered account?

Never mind...

2:15pm • #52
440,768 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Seems like a fair policy but the 90 days maybe should be 30.  Thanks for keeping us Grandfathers free.  We need the money to pay our medicare Prescription donut hole.

2:16pm • #53
681,586 Points 130 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I sneaked in just before the new change in 2009 and I'm glad I did....but this is certainly going to be easy for me to maintain, can't imagine my day without AR.

2:19pm • #54
238,430 Points

Well, I am thankful to grandfathered in! :)

2:19pm • #55
385,813 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Bob.  AR is getting tough...

Glad I post at least one every 90 days!:)

Ken

2:28pm • #56
734,092 Points 136 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I agree with those who say 30 days... but maybe a compromise 60?   Surely you could reserve some right to over-ride something shorter if someone is ill, or traveling or just very very busy and asks for more than 30 days.  At any rate, your 90 days is more than generous and fair.  Good idea!

2:29pm • #57
1,114,838 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

What a great idea! I started freaking out when I read it because I hadn't posted anything in 3 weeks and I thought I was busted!

2:40pm • #58
728,790 Points 164 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

90 days might be a bit tight... I'm not sure if I'm going to make the cut-off.  But I like the concept of "contribute and be rewarded"... there are just too many who are not contributing...

I think you would cull the herd significantly if you said "anyone who hasn't posted a blog in the past 365 days...

2:41pm • #59
390,969 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sounds fair, no problem with most of us reading this. Some of us get 90 posts in 90 days!

2:41pm • #60
483,220 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Bob,  More than fair really !   How about some stats showing participation, paids, etc.  Keep rockin"  !

2:43pm • #61
508,464 Points 19 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

I like it also, current members being rewarded for paying attention and contributing!

2:55pm • #62
634,564 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good idea.  I just checked the list of people I subscribe to and there's a bunch that haven't posted in 90 days......hope they will rejoin us.

3:00pm • #63
462,041 Points 29 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob -- this sounds like a fair and equitable policy, and although it doesn't affect me since I post regularly (and have reaped greatly by doing so) I'm glad to see this change implemented.  Thanks for all that you do for this community.

3:01pm • #64
3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hopefully prices don't go up more.

3:23pm • #66
447,484 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

What a great incentive to get some of the lurkers back actively contributing again.

3:29pm • #68
615,509 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Sounds like a good plan -- there is some dead wood for sure -- many have left the profession and others, well who knows what happened to them. All the best.

3:37pm • #69
1,064,316 Points 156 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I thought a 90 day interval may be tight. I would have preferred 6 months or a year. Or the policy is effective for all current paying members and leave all the earlier freebie members alone.
3:38pm • #70
1,345,041 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob,

Thanks for the update and the explanation. Seems like a very fair policy for both sides. :)

Steve

3:43pm • #73
1,049,854 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Keeping us on our toes. But for those of us who continuous to stay active, it's not a problem....

3:48pm • #74
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Seems fair to me as well...However, I just upgraded to a Rainmaker account yesterday which I paid for and I have been a member and written blog posts prior to 2/09 and did not get a free account, is there any way to fix this?

Thanks,

Denise

3:52pm • #75
552,673 Points 78 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Bob,

Man, you're really raising the bar.  Now I'm going to have to get cracking on writing those 4.06 blog posts per year!

3:53pm • #76
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Ouch...well actually I just went back and checked and I joined 3/23/2009...DARN!!!  Oh well, it is still well worth the $349/year and I also agree 90 days is sure a long time not to have blogged on AR

 

3:55pm • #77
360,757 Points 36 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I am so grateful for my Active Rain account and all it has given me.  I would never want to jeopardize it.  I also have never gone longer than a few days without posting so I can't imagine having to worry about that.  Thanks for everything.

4:03pm • #78
778,609 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bob:  For those of our female members who would like to avail themselves of this... may I request that they be "grand-mothered" as well ?  Active Rain must be... of course... an equal-opportunity entity... don't you agree ?  :)

[ waving to my friend Marian above me... who, by the way... IS a grandmother.  Hiya Marian... ]

4:05pm • #79
285,915 Points 20 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

The only Offspring I have is in my CD cabinet :) so who you callin a grandparent?

Seriously, it's fine. Good Feng Shui to clear out the cobwebs. I protested about one of my agents who's had her account for years but she just doesn't like to blog. Unfortunately. Still, she's an excellent buyer's agent so I'll be happy with that.

It's not for everyone.

4:46pm • #80
754,282 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bob, this sounds REALLY fair...I think I would have cut it even more like 60 days. Just MHO!

4:48pm • #81
131,798 Points 3 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I think this is wise as you will hone in on the very best contributors while leaving the stale ones behind.

4:49pm • #82
193,909 Points 15 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sounds like a plan.  I have to agree with Karen Anne...time to lose the "grandFATHERED" term and come up with something better!

5:01pm • #83

I didn't make it to the "grandfathered" club. I believe I became a member in May, 09. Maybe earlier? Something like that. Can't remember. Started paying in July, 09. Didn't blog much in the beginning, but now you see my public blogs quite often - I think a few/a week recently. Hope it pays off some day soon. :-)

5:06pm • #84
258,379 Points Outside Blog

I prefer GRANDfather, OK I may not be GRAND but I think I'm pretty good. ;>)

I agree with a previous responder that the same rule should apply to points. If you don't post regularly, then your points should deminish accordingly causing those who post in spurts to slide down the greased pole. Those of us that post on a regular basis will benefit over those who just want to "game" the system by spending 5-6 days a month posting the max each day just to move up the ranks.

5:14pm • #85
794,467 Points 32 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sounds fair to me since I usually submit 30 to 50 posts per month--it is highly unlikely I'll ever receive one of your "warning" notices.

5:19pm • #86
516,076 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I think this sounds more than reasonable and hopefully it will tempt more of the fence sitters out there to get started!

5:31pm • #87
315,289 Points 23 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

A little thinning of the herd?  A necessary evil in today's business world.  When will AR hold a raincamp in Oregon?

5:38pm • #88
406,175 Points 34 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Cracking up at Jason who is just another of the reasons I love this place!

5:41pm • #89
313,393 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Bob,

That's kind of generous when you really look at it. And I did and I changed it to being fair. 

6:06pm • #90
108,971 Points Outside Blog

This should never effect me. Man oh man I hope i never end up in acoma for 91 days!

6:51pm • #91
425,489 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Bob~   I am a member of the "Grandfather Club", but actually, I am a grandmother and proud of it  :)  I am in activerain just about every single day, although I rarely blog, I read and visit every single day!  There's no getting rid of me!

7:02pm • #92
513,653 Points 88 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Humm..I'm not sure how I want to answer this Bob.:)

7:12pm • #93
146,061 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob - Sounds reasonable to me. AR members, whether grandfathered or not, should have no problem scaring up 4.5 posts a year. Unless, of course, we're too busy writing all those newspaper ads....

7:14pm • #94
160,351 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

Bob- Thanks for the heads up.  Your warning and the fact that I'm within shouting distance of 100,000 points, just may be enough incentive to think of something to write.

Like Vickie, I log on daily, but don't often blog.  90 Days - that sounds pretty generous.  I suffer from APWB (acute, perennial, writers block) and even I don't go that long between posts.  How do those ads go? ... if I can do it, anyone can. 

7:18pm • #95
Outside Blog

Great idea, now let's talk about having members that don't regularily post lose their ability to accumulate points on those they invited.

7:29pm • #96
381,561 Points Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Definitely sounds fair and you're giving them plenty of time and warning. Can't go very long without some Rain!

7:43pm • #97
1,103,903 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Bob.

 

Motor mouth me does not need to worry much about that one

7:58pm • #98
396,446 Points 48 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Does sound fair.  I would have to agree with the ideas.

8:07pm • #99
507,615 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob you don't even have to worry about me. I might not write a blog everyday but going a whole month without contributing a blog is very unlike me. Thank you sooo much for the great work you and the staff is doing at Active Rain. Hope I will finally get a chance to meet you at Raincamp DC next month. Great post.

8:31pm • #100
314,722 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob ~ I can not imagine not blogging for 30 days let alone 90.  I think that should be fair to those  either need to use it or lose it.  If they don't appreciate free maybe they would if they had to pay for it.

8:35pm • #101
179,456 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Being Grandfathered in, I am thankful for the 90 day time limit. I am returning to AR after putting family first - I didn't leave for another platform, I left to take care of "personal" business - and boy do I see a difference in my real estate business by not being here!

9:03pm • #102
577,905 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Glad this doesn't affect me one bit. But 90 days? Ahhh...talk about giving folks too much time...or am I being too harsh? This is too analogous to other situations that I have to deal with on a regular basis...so sorry if I sound like a curmudgeon...

9:11pm • #103
276,303 Points 3 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

If you do not post more than every 90 days why are you here anyway?

Marcy

9:22pm • #104
861,712 Points 76 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob--Thanks for grandfathering us in the first place. One post in 90 days is more than reasonable!

9:24pm • #105
1,035,523 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob  I am confident your new policy will generate more activity - that's good for us all

9:35pm • #106
553,669 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

One blog shouldn't be too hard.  I love Active Rain and couldn't do without it.  Thanks for being so generous.

9:45pm • #107
925,379 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob, good thing I wrote a couple of blogs lately.  Things have been crazy busy, and ActiveRain has contributed that that busyness.  I have a number of blogs that I need to start making more time to write.

10:03pm • #108
658,768 Points 44 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Bob, This is a great idea to get people involved. Without posting and commenting, how can you actually be a part of this great AR experience?

10:05pm • #109
214,885 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Bob, this seems like a fair and right policy that AR is coming up with.  Thanks for always making things better and better!!! pippa

10:07pm • #110
150,675 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

mmmmm wish I had a known about AR along time ago to have a free account.

10:12pm • #111
483,061 Points 46 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Hit Router Called Shot Master

As I scroll through the comments, there are an amazing amount of heavy hitters (high points) commenting!  Here is my 2 cents: I also think if you "host" a localism city; you should have to post to it on a regular basis.  I know I wanted a few of those near Indy and a gal grabbed them and now never posts to them...makes me crazy.  Want something because you will do something with it, not just because you are competitive.

Cindy in Indy

10:16pm • #113
724,374 Points 223 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I think the new rule is plenty reasonable. Use it or lose it. Nothing wrong with that policy. 

11:30pm • #114
504,099 Points 39 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Seems reasonable to me.  Clear out the deadwood.  You've got a business to run.

11:52pm • #116
982,577 Points 81 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

i agree, it seems reasonable. Who don't use it, they do not need it anyway. And there is no value for  them in it.

11:56pm • #117
MAY
26
2010
1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Sounds perfectly logical to me... now, what can be done about updating the profile on Localism? LOL

12:01am • #118
278,566 Points 7 Featured Posts

One blog every 90 days doesn't seem like too much trouble to keep a grandfathered status.  I wish I would have been on ActiveRain to have been able to receive this little (big) goodie!

12:09am • #119
579,208 Points 61 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

As part of the "Grandfathered" crowd - although I like to think I'm too young to be a Grand-anything - I'm glad that my Grandfathered status is still intact...

12:14am • #120
837,453 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob - I'm just happy to be in the "free" group.  :-)

Sardi - I'm pretty certain I could run Russell off if I really tried, but I don't need the money bad enough.....yet.

12:26am • #121
1 Featured Post Called Shot Master

So glad to be a part of the grandfathered club!!! Thanks for the generosity and courtesy.  I also think points should be deducted for not participating for so long.  Sounds mean, huh????  Sorry.  But, if you are rewarded for participating, the folks who haven't been on in 6 months shouldn't be featured in their area.  You should look at points and recent contributions.  Just MHO.  Not to worry though, I plan on making that status by the end of the year here in my area and it won't matter.  The top points people in my area are non-active, so it's just a matter of time!!!  Shhhhh . . . :)

12:28am • #122
323,509 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

completely fair - although -- let's not tell those who aren't posting, especially if they have more points that I do...  OK so I'm a tad bit competitive.  

 

Seriously though Bob, the Active Rain Power That be are more than FAIR!

12:36am • #123
1,009,885 Points 36 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sounds fair, especially since you're giving people forewarning.  I've seen many here who are no longer active.

1:56am • #125
170,964 Points 1 Featured Post

Thanks for the heads up.  Funny that I even saw this, I wasn't looking...  you may have succeeded where Mike J hasn't...  ;-) 

2:19am • #126
730,267 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob - I think your new policy is quite reasonable.  People who have not been active with the site for several years should not continue to receive the free benefits forever.

5:08am • #127
316,586 Points 2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob- Very fair policy. I can't imagine going 90 hours let alone 90 days!

Dixie

6:19am • #128
160,068 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Yo Bob......this wont affect me, but PLEASE make the email standout as I'm sure many "inactive" people get into the habit of deleting email from AR without reading them.  This is a good move BTW.  Best wishes from Clifton Park NY, Lewis.

8:29am • #129
555,624 Points 31 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob, I'm sure that it's not easy for you folks to have to make decisions like this one but we all know it's necessary.  Unfortunately some of our dear past active users have stepped away ~ I too hope this encourages them to come back. 

9:29am • #130
437,720 Points 35 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bob...boy

This is good need to know for all the ActiveRain grandpas and grandmas out there. As for me, my wife gives me points for keeping quiet as a contrast to ActiveRain giving me points for not keeping quiet. So far so good.......

Good hearing from you Bob..

10:30am • #131
497,765 Points 103 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Question Bob- What will happen to the members indexed content?  There are a ton of people who cut their teeth on this network that wrote some really awesome & outstanding content that they still are getting traffic from.  But, they have moved onto another platform or whatever the reason may be are no longer writing here.  Will the network lose all that? If so, how much content will be lost off the network?  I'm wondering if there is a way that it could be retrofitted, that everything from the day they lose their rainmaker status back stays unhindered.  What say Jon & Jorgen on this?

10:50am • #132
571,409 Points 39 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

I think I have that requirement covered!  ;)  Thanks for the heads up and continuing to improve this community!

Wake Forest NC House Chick

12:00pm • #133
1,601,805 Points 154 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I hope it gets a fire under some peoples butts to post, but I have a feeling it won't. They had something and they wasted it and now they are going to have to pay when they finally see the value of it.

12:02pm • #134

Jeremy,

Their old content will remain public, they will just not be able to publish new content public (unless they upgrade to a paying RainMaker account). So no, the network will not lose all that and the author will still have that content display publicly and in the search engines.

12:35pm • #135
497,765 Points 103 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob, that is the kinda stuff I like to hear :) Good thing cuz there are some that have really put some good stuff out there that may not be a regular around these woods anymore. 

How's the wedding planning going?

1:15pm • #136
440,708 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Trim that fat looks like it. Good thing I post on the regular basis! :0)

1:30pm • #137
550,841 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I think it's pretty generous of you.  You're even going to notify them too.

5:21pm • #138
Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I have Active Rain on my 2010 list to regularly contribute daily. But there have been so many challenges with Active Rain's Servers that has been impossible.  I have not been able to post to my Localism (I pay for Westlake, OH) & through an outside blog.  For my Localism, I look like I have disappeared from the market.  I have had to use other blog venues for SEO purposes.  Google picks up Active Rain Localism & outside blogs -- I don't want to lose my Rainmaker Status because of Active Rain's server issues.  I just posted to MEMBERS ONLY, but I really need my Localism & my ability to post outside blogs to increase my visibility & meet my Active Rain's New Rules.  Can you give all of us another update on the server issues???

Best regards,
Pat Pribisko
TEAM PRIBISKO

 

 

 

 

8:07pm • #139
708,952 Points 63 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Bob... All I have to say is "Use it or Lose it!"  I think that y'all are being quite fair about this.

10:50pm • #140
MAY
27
2010
344,487 Points 75 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hmmmm. Should I care?  I don't know.  Everybody who blogs here today benefits from the blogging (and inviting) of the site's earliest members.  Some of them, like me, do not visit here too often anymore, but without the first member's intense interactions when there was almost nothing here, ActiveRain probably would not even exist.  Is it really too much to continue to offer those people, whether they chose to use it or not, what ActiveRain promised them when they joined the site?

When I first joined (was that in 2006??) it kind of irked me that the top point holder NEVER logged on to blog.  All he did was invite.  Then I grew to understand there were different ways the site benefitted, not just my blogging.  For the people who don't like that someone who is not active has more points than they do, do something about it, like post more, invite more, etc.  Don't worry about taking away someone elses points, work on adding to your own. 

AR points.  Ugggh.

5:35am • #141
506,437 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This seems like a very fair rule.  It may even bring some people back.

6:57am • #142
883,020 Points 34 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob - It does indeed seem fair and the fact that you are giving notice after 60 days means that if they don't return, they simply don't care. I am sooo glad I returned after being gone last year for a few months!!!

7:54am • #143
781,924 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This makes perfect sense Bob. If you want to be a Rainmaker you have to put effort into it!

8:31am • #144
250,733 Points 77 Featured Posts Outside Blog

thanks for the early heads up. I have been writing to the active rain community at least once a week since July 2006 and I just lost my rain maker status. All I would have had to do is make one of those posts public.  No on ever siad they had to be public and I do contribute. . I always have. If I only would have known.  I would have chosen a post and made it public. . oh well I guess rain maker status isn't something I need for my busines . . yet  . . sniff . . now I fell unwanted. It isn't like I left AR.

6:40pm • #145
250,733 Points 77 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I put work into my posts too and you even feature them.

6:41pm • #146
548,980 Points 110 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

WidowMaker...

Please remind whoever is spear heading this...To remove me from the list. I don't post public. I've been like that for years. I'm unique and should not be penalized for it :)

TLW...ROAR!

7:13pm • #147
250,733 Points 77 Featured Posts Outside Blog

TLW - I don't make public posts any more either. Maybe we need to start our own network. . . squeek

7:41pm • #149
MAY
29
2010
865,599 Points 50 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

You guys are being quite generous to us.  Thank you.  And take care of T... she is a great contributor. 

8:35pm • #150
MAY
30
2010
608,871 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob, this is a fair policy but I don't understand why those who post members only are being affected. Teresa and TLW are great contributors. Must be a glitch?

12:20am • #151
778,609 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Frank and Sharon:  My dear... rules are rules.  Broom both of them... LOL.

1:16am • #152
MAY
31
2010
JUN
01
2010
163,867 Points 85 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Teresa,

If you don't post publicly then losing your RainMaker status will not affect you. All of your prior posts will be unaffected and you will still be able to post Members only in the future as you do now.

2:53pm • #154
163,867 Points 85 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

TLW, You are an Ambassador - that supersedes pretty much everything. 

3:06pm • #155
JUN
03
2010
333,795 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

It would be good to clean up so many of the old accounts of those who left the biz or have left the site.  They need to have 1 big clean up day.

3:48am • #156
JUN
04
2010
144,443 Points 1 Featured Post

I am very thankful for the grandfathering- as mucha s I read on here I am surprised I didn't know that was not a gimmie...  no worries about me continuing to post;)

9:19pm • #157
176,333 Points 8 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

thanks too for the early heads up. I will get cracking now and try to find worthy items to contribute.  Makes those featured posts even more meaningful now!

10:24pm • #158
176,333 Points 8 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

thanks too for the early heads up. I will get cracking now and try to find worthy items to contribute.  Makes those featured posts even more meaningful now!

10:24pm • #159
1,226,436 Points 262 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bob...

That seems perfectly fair and logical to me! I'll have to prod some of those that have been absent for a while!

10:28pm • #160
244,051 Points 9 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

No worries here.  I feel privileged to be a grandfathered rainmaker and I post frequently, I try for daily but sometimes its weekly.  I think 90 days is a fair amount of time and very generous of AR to give such a long time and a 60 day warning.  Thanks for continuing changes and improvements to the site!    

11:08pm • #161
JUN
05
2010
118,333 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Bob,

This is an incentive for me to keep on blogging!

 

Wendy

3:30am • #162
I joined too late. Congrats and thanks to all who are grandfathered in.
5:13am • #163
616,808 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I think this a very reasonable policy. I am fortunate to be a grandfathered Rainmaker. I am trying to contribute because I want to be an Ambassdor!

10:08am • #164
688,790 Points 117 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bob,

Resources are precious, and you're doing the right thing for your company and for active bloggers in the Rain!

Mike in Tucson

10:38am • #165
498,154 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bob - I also think that this is a reasonable policy, and try to blog on a consistent basis.

11:51am • #166
937,515 Points 361 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Well it doesn't affect me but I think Maureen and Teresa both have very good points. Both were instrumental with getting AR up and running. They should not lose their status. Of course both could just put up a public post every few months.

BNut waht about Jamie? Didn't he invite something like 500 members back in the days? I know he doesn't blog and may not even care but maybe some exceptions are warranted.

<!--WISESTAMP_SIG_END-->
4:53pm • #167

Bryant,

I reached out to TLW and Teresa. I'm sorry that I haven't had a chance to reach out to Maureen as well but I will. I believe that there are certainly circumstances where exceptions may be the way to go and we've never shied away from making such exceptions. Thank you for your perspective.

6:22pm • #168
JUN
15
2010
199,697 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog

 I was one of the grandfathered in guys, and one who disappeared for a lengthy time. I hope I'm back. But I must confess I probably need to return to Newby School with the changes.

2:50pm • #169
JUN
17
2010
51 Featured Posts

Will people affected be emailed about this so they can log in and make a post?

I'm not sure I agree that members were "given" anything more than they'd been promised since the begning of the network.  I know there was a great concern amongst the professionals that built this network up that they might be doing so at their peril.  It was necessary early on to guarantee that The Network wouldn't take away any of the access they already had. 

This sentiment is abundant in company posts and comments on this subject:

"When you signed up, we promised you full access to the network for free. Even as we begin to charge new agents, that promise to you has not changed. I'd rather see ActiveRain fold than be part of a company that would renege on its word to make a few dollars."

"Q:Any truth to the 1 year free rumor for founding members?

A: No truth to the rumor of founding members only getting one year free. Founding members have a free membership for life!"

"The founding members are the ones that put in the time and effort to make this place into what it is today. They are the ones that poured their hard work and their content into making this a destination for over 2 million visitors a month."

This doesn't seem like rewarding members who continue to participate as much as punshing those who haven't.  I can see charging points for not posting, or not allowing access to certain new features. Removing founding features for founding members however, regardless of whether or not they post, seems inconsistent with earlier reassurances.

10:20pm • #170
JUN
18
2010

Caleb,

Yes, they will be emailed and notified. Thank you for your thoughts.

11:47am • #171
JUN
20
2010

For the whiners that say free grandfathered accounts are not fair. Well, who do you think created all the content in the beginning to propel Active Rain to where it is now? With out content there would be no Active Rain.

I also agree with Caleb. I can remember when 16,000 members was being considered as to many.  

But hey some of us founding members have been here longer then most AR staff. 

 

PS: Teresa popplet is a collaborative mind mapping software. They also have a website where teams can add ideas.

5:12pm • #172
JUN
21
2010
472,913 Points 4 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Things change. Thanks for letting us know the new policy. I'm glad you'll be e-mailing the "grandfathers".

3:11am • #173
JUN
25
2010
881,493 Points 210 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Boy am I late to this one....I read it on a Facebook status :)

In any event...I do believe that those loyal will continue to post...because they realize the benefit...or like TLW ...here to help others...and make them laugh :)

Now....back to work :) :)

1:05pm • #174
JUN
30
2010
1 Featured Post Outside Blog Hit Router

This is all well and good, but I never got any  notification and was dealing with a dying family member for the past six months.

5:40pm • #175
JUL
01
2010
255,857 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I never got notified either...oh well I guess.Cant afford another monthly bill so I guess I should go? Dunno if I wont be able to post when/if i want or save the stuff I have. I log in daily and read stuff sometimes, comment rarely this year. Just have not had my heart in it... sort of a waste of almost 200,000 points. sorry~

 

11:56pm • #176
JUL
05
2010
228,051 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I never got that notification that I went past 60 days.

And lost my rainmaker status.

I am an Ambassador and PLATINUM SUPPORTER at raincamp.

 

 

10:54am • #177
200,475 Points 57 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

"Thank you to everyone who has helped build ActiveRain into the network it is today" - But No Thanks, I guess.

I never got a notification.  And I've lost all status.  Creating a new blog this week is not exactly what I had planned.

5:43pm • #180
1 Featured Post

Hmmm, did not lose my status but I never received notification either. I read this on a facebook status update.

Maybe a glich in the email notification system. 

6:18pm • #181
229,953 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Glad to hear I'm not the only one not receiving emails...but I was informed of this by a friend so I threw up a post.
I don't necessarily have a problem with this, but if I'm understanding this correctly, now if we don't post every 3 months, then all our past posts are no longer visible to the public.  That's not cool.

8:28pm • #182
JUL
06
2010
629,042 Points 314 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hey guys - in Bob's absence (he's getting married) I wanted to let you know that many of the rainmaker grandfathered members have valid reasons and excuses for being away and not posting on the network.  Our team will review each and every case in which some of our rainmaker status's will or have been reinstated. 

If you have a concern or have been away due to health, an accident, death in the family, or two broken hands etc., please contact me directly so I can look into your personal situation and your AR account to come up with the best possible solution for you. Thanks.

9:39am • #183
JUL
07
2010
210,375 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Brad - I've got no concern, other than I never saw this post, and a search of my email shows no "60 day" warning. Lots of folks on Twitter are saying they had no idea this was happening, as are people commenting here.

This is really a lame way to notify people. We don't all come here and read every day. There is no posting on the "official AR blog" and apparenly a lot of people didn't get an email warning.

Personally, as one of the first AR members that helped build this network, I think it's a pretty shitty thing to do. But hey, it's your site, your servers and your rules. You're free to change them at will and not really notify anyone. I'm sure that 247KB of server space my posts were taking up was just crazy expensive.

I've just deleted all my blog posts on AR, including that little bit of history I made with the first blog post ever on AR. If the rules now are that I have to continue to play to stay, and my early contributions are no longer appreciated, then there didn't seem to be any point in leaving all my content here.

How do I go about deleting my account entirely?

11:24pm • #184
JUL
08
2010
648,220 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

That is really a shame that someone like Jay Thompson has to pack his bags and leave in a huff.  WTF?  What we have here is a failure to communicate.

1:08am • #185
560,018 Points Outside Blog

Bob - Thanks for the notification. I look forward blogging more on AR community.

1:39am • #186
937,515 Points 361 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I'm HATING hearing about these long time members being deleted. Sorry...this was and is a terrible decision. 

8:12am • #187
1,194,270 Points 89 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bryant they are not being deleted are they?  They are still members.  Their pervious previous posts are still public, still showing up in the search engines.  It is just new posts that would not be public. If they have no plans for posting on ActiveRain in the future, what was lost? 

I hate hearing this too on Twitter and Facebook...  I feel bad about people who say they never heard from AR.

 

 

8:21am • #188
210,375 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

"If they have no plans for posting on ActiveRain in the future, what was lost?"

Trust.

I don't know too many people that appreciate being lied to -- "founding members have a free membership for life!" Nor do I know too many people who appreciate all their contributions now being labled as unimportant.

I still comment on AR, are those not contributions to the network? If they aren't, then AR should stop giving points for comments.

I tell hundreds of people in classes and seminars I conduct to go to AR and get an account. Is that not contributing to the network?

Apparently the only way I can contribute now (that is deemed worthy) is to add content to AR's domain.

10:52am • #189
1,194,270 Points 89 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You have a free membership for life. It's not RainMaker status, did they when they made the change on February 16, 2009 at 5 AM Pacific Time (I think that was when the first change happened) grant grandfather status for life?    Did they at that time state that the Grandfathered Members would have Grandfather status for life?  If they did, they lied....

Kinda like the advertisement for Point2 that said there would never be a charge?

Members who are no longer grandfathered can still comment on ActiveRain.  Every members comments are public on public posts.  Members get a link to their profile with every comment for what it is worth.  Non RainMakers profiles are public.  

The members who were not posting content publicly  chose not to use AR to post content.  

Asking Brad to reinstate seems like a good idea to me, if someone wants the one thing that you can not do, POST PUBLICLY. If they don't want to post publicly on AR, it probably does not matter.  Unless just the principle matters.

 

11:29am • #190
194,233 Points 15 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

So AR changes rules to affect a promise made to founding members retroactively to appease a bunch of point jealous members who are ticked off to be paying for something others got for free... What else is new. It was a reckless and stupid thing to do.  Some reckless and stupid things are done all the time to save or make money - but in this case, there is not even financial benefit that I can see for AR from yanking status already EARNED from under these folks.

Nah, stupid is an understatement.

11:55am • #191
1,194,270 Points 89 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Is that what this was about? Appeasing paying members?  I guess I  don't see how it helps them... 

I posted about the impending change on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, I sent personal emails to some of the members I'd invited. Very few responded.  I had to drag one kicking and screaming...

12:12pm • #193
629,042 Points 314 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Jay –  It was not AR’s intention to remove grandfathered members who helped build or are still actively contributing to the network and community. A large portion of the grandfathered members removed had less than 1000 points, very few posts, and in some cases, not even a photo on their profile. We felt if they hadn’t contributed in the last 90 days, they were probably no longer in the business, weren’t using the network, and wouldn’t care anyway.

Right or wrong, this was our attempt to clean out the system but not at the expense of the few who deserve and should remain grandfathered members. Technically, it was easier to reinstate the few than to try and manually go through each of the hundreds that were no longer active or participating. We have in fact reinstated quite a few members and are still doing so. We believed that grandfathered RainMakers would contact us in the event they were going to still be active or supporting the network, and we would simply re-activate their memberships.

If any grandfathered member had their membership status changed or removed, and would like it to be reinstated, they simply just need to contact us and let us know. If our attempt at getting the word out effectively was inefficient or the cause, I apologize, and hope you’ll accept that. You know how much we appreciate and value all that you’ve done and contributed on the network.

Your grandfathered membership has been reinstated, and I hope you’ll continue to participate at any level you see fit in the future. This move was never intended to penalize or punish our founding, supporting, and contributing members.

12:34pm • #194
210,375 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Maureen -

Everyone can have a free account. When Jonathan stated on Feb 25 that "founding members have a free membership for life!" that was a direct response to the rumor that the grandfathered Rainmaker accounts would only be for one year.

So yes, I would say that AR did indeed say people would be grandfathered for life. And now they aren't. Take that for whatever you'd like, but for me, it's a question of integrity.

17 months later, here we are. That's hardly "life" by any stretch of the imagination.

Sure, Point2 did the same thing. How does that make what AR did right?

"Unless just the principle matters"

Well, it matters to me. Others mileage may vary.

Did AR do this to retroactively appease a bunch of point jealous members who are paying for something others get for free? I doubt it. But judgng by many of the comments on this post, it did exactly that, whether it was intended or not.

What seems to be lost in all this is the definition of "contributing to the network". Apparently, only posts count as "contributing". Comments don't count (despite the fact AR awards points for commenting), inviting people to be members doesn't count, and promoting the network outside of AR doesn't count. Only writing a post counts. That's insanely short-sighted. Why some might even feel it's nothing but a ploy to get additional content added to the ar.com domain name. If "cleaning out the system" was the intent, why not just delete the accounts all together? Hmmm, maybe that wasn't done because deleting the accounts would lower AR's membership numbers. How would lower numbers sit with potential advertisers or someone considering purchasing or investing in AR??

1:12pm • #195
210,375 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Brad -

I replied to your comment on my blog. Here it is in case anyone else gives a hoot:

-----

Brad – You’re not late to the post. I posted this late last night.

I appreciate you stopping by. And I appreciate the reinstatement of my Rainmaker account. I doubt I’ll post to it, not because of what’s transpired recently, but simply because I chose to focus my efforts here.

AR will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you, Bob, Jonathan and others inside AR, and I’ve met many friends thanks to AR. None of that changes.

I don’t understand, at all, this decision to go back on Jonathan’s promise. But I don’t own, operate or work for AR. I’m sure you have your reasons, and the bottom line is it doesn’t really matter if I understand the decision process or not. It is what it is. My only hope is that you all can realize there are many more ways a member can contribute to AR besides writing a post. The message, to me at least, in Bob’s announcement was clear — posting is all that matters.

That I do not understand. At all.

I also don’t understand why Bob said members would get a 60 day notice, yet accounts are being downgraded less than 60 days after the announcement was made. For whatever it’s worth, I would have not been concerned with doing whatever was technically easier. I would have taken the time to do it in a way that didn’t alienate some long-time members. But again, it’s your business and not mine how you chose to handle that.

I’ll continue to stop by AR and read and comment on occasion. I’ll have to ponder how I address the topic of AR in my classes and seminars. I still think it’s of value to many, despite this (in my opinion) horrible decision. But I can not simply sweep under the rug that the rules in AR (or any public platform) can literally change overnight. What happened here is a case study of that, and that’s not something I can just ignore with my student and audiences.

1:57pm • #196
4 Featured Posts

Didn't know anything about this until reading Jay's blog - no notice received but, honestly, that's fine with me. I'll survive. Especially since I vaguely remember skipping the post once upon a time about badges and shiny things and Rainmakers and thunderstorms and don't really remember what was what.

I wasn't one of the originals per se, though I arrived here in September 2006, and I'm certainly not going to lump myself into the class of Jay, Bryant, Maureen and all the others who really made this thing go. It's easy to look back and say "kick out the deadweight" except without what those folks did, AR doesn't exist today. I think even Jonathan and Bob would agree on that part.

It's interesting reading the comments where it sounds like if you don't blog here you're not committed to the concept og blogging. Okayfine. There's a wide world beyond the doors of Active Rain where blogging exists on our own platforms, our own servers with our own audiences. This month marks four years on the outside. No points. No badges. Just hard work and a growing client base.

Anyway, you've got my blessing to take my Rainmaker status, whatever that might have meant. If you feel the need to take my points I hope you'll at least send me a check for the cash equivalent value. Actually, PayPal it because the 43-cent stamp is wasted on a check for zero dollars. Once upon a time, none of us were here for the points or the badges or the gold stars or power-ups or whatever. Not that everyone here is but there was enough of a wave that it sent me packing.

Best to the gang at AR and everyone here.

Sincerely, "The Cynical B------"

3:17pm • #197
JUL
10
2010
2 Featured Posts

I missed this post and was sent the link when I posted "Mr. Rainmaker, Send Me A Sign".  Because of personal reasons, I was not able to blog and post to Active Rain for a period of time.  Did not receive the 60 day notice, but then during my move in late June, my email address was in limbo for a few days so it could have come then.  Anyway to have my status restored?  I did use it regularly and miss being a part!

3:14pm • #198
232,314 Points 74 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

@Jay... re "I also don’t understand why Bob said members would get a 60 day notice, yet accounts are being downgraded less than 60 days after the announcement was made"...

 Like you, Vanessa, etc... I'm one of the many people who didn't get any notice about this. I’ve been away working on various projects lately and just saw that my Rainmaker status and ability to post to the outside blog was gone too.

@Georgina... re "That is really a shame that someone like Jay Thompson has to pack his bags and leave in a huff.  WTF?  What we have here is a failure to communicate"...

 I post sporadically because I'm crazy busy and prefer adding quality over quantity to AR but... my "lifetime" Rainmaker status has been revoked as well.

 Ironically, I'm still getting comments on some of my posts from over 2 years ago, go figure!

 I guess almost 4 years of contributing tech advice, marketing insights and giving AR members more graphics and blog goodies than I can count… doesn’t count for very much. Not cool.

4:31pm • #199
JUL
12
2010

Shame shame, double shame...I guess it wouldn't be so bad if the people you downgraded had actually gotten notice.  Is it unreasonable to want 1 post every 90 days? No it is not.  That's not unreasonable at all.  It is unreasonable to pull the rug out of established members of this community without due notice.

I'm completely ashamed of you, ActiveRain.  Without members like Jay and Marti and all the others who helped get you off the ground, you'd be NOTHING.  Nice way to show your gratitude.

6:59am • #200
1,017,955 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

One post in 90 days. . .that is not unreasonable to ask!

The only reason why I put 20 or so post per week in Activerain is because IT WORKS FOR ME!

Otherwise I will be posting it in my OWN WEBSITE

Collaboration is what Activerain is all about. . . . and I prefer to be around COLLABORATING MEMBERS to help me PUSH my posts and eventually get leads.

I'm not asking you to write 20 plus posts like me. . .but . .

PLEASE WRITE AT LEAST ONE POST EVERY 90 DAYS!

IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK? 

After all, my posts are helping your posts show up to get leads. . collaborating network of professional that together can at least have a chance to compete with Realtor.com. Homes.com, Trulia.com

. . one post every 90 days. . .COME ON!!!

7:52am • #201
393,129 Points 42 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I guess I don't understand how what you are doing is cleaning up your system.  You said that all of their stuff will still be up and active along with their profile and everything.  The only thing that will be different is their ability to have their new posts show up in public.  The explanation given just doesn't add up.  It sounds like there's some other motivation going on here.

7:56am • #202
410,997 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog

You're missing the point, Fernando.  The issue is about trust, going back on a promise, and due notification.  I don't think any of the dissenters think there is anything wrong with the requirement - just the way it was handled and because it was in direct contradiction to a previous promise.

I for one think keeping your word, and having a little consideration for others is important.

8:03am • #203
1,194,270 Points 89 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Karen's comment inspired a poll 9on my blog.) 

Do you really think ActiveRain DID not send out notices?

What's the drama?   Ask to be reinstated if you are a founding member who got ungrandfathered. Or don't.

 

8:08am • #204
410,997 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I didn't receive any notice about this change to grandfathered accounts (which I have...and yeah, I do post once or twice a month but still...I should not have had to find out about this possible change to my status through a random stumbled upon Facebook comment on someone's posts I don't even FOLLOW...  I certainly believe Marti and Jay and the others on here that say they received no notice...

I have no problem with the policy at all...have big problem with the execution.

8:16am • #205
JUL
13
2010
153,861 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I thought I remembered being notified but searched my email and didn't see anything (unless this was a featured post and that day I didn't read my AR highlight digest).  I must have just read the post.

The guys at AR are not part of an evil empire and I believe that this was just a boo-boo in the notification system.  There are some growing pains there.  It's great that they will email in the grandfathered agents. 

Anyone who blogs seriously has to have expected that at some point, AR would have to monetize this blog just to stay in business.  I do not have a problem with writing posts at least once a quarter.  I just hope that I don't mess up by a day and manage to lose my status.  (My bank has overdraft protection. Is there a way to have Status Protection updates?  Now that would be highly appreciated. Life gets busy.... Easy to mess up.)

8:28pm • #206
JUL
15
2010
219,012 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog

All I have to say is "OUCH" - poor communication will get you EVERY TIME!!

And to be considered "clean out" is a rough one to digest.  It's all good though....but also disappointing

10:24am • #207
629,042 Points 314 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Ines - I got your email about not getting the email notifications, I have reinstated your Grandfathered Rainmaker membership, just be sure to post something today so that the automated system doesn't reset again and see you as no longer active on the network.  I think it resets at 11:00pm PDT.  Great to have you back, thanks for letting me know and I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.  :-)

2:50pm • #208
219,012 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thank you Brad - I'm still hurt though, you and the boys will have to make it up to me - I see MOJITOS in my near future

3:51pm • #209
JUL
24
2010
172,133 Points 46 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

FWIW, this situation was hot buzz at CRS Sellabration in Las Vegas earlier this week. I'm intact, but did not receive notification either.

9:41pm • #210
AUG
04
2010
AUG
10
2010
403,623 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I didn't know about this until I read Gabrielle's post.  I had noticed on the Codger's blog that they had lost Rainmaker status, but I wasn't sure why.  Thanks for posting on Gabrielle's blog or I wouldn't have caught this at all.  Thankfully, you can't shut me up...even when I was sick....until I'm dead. 

10:14pm • #212
AUG
12
2010
128,998 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Bob,

I just noticed my rainmaker status was deactivated. I did not receive any notice from active rain at the 60 day mark as it states we will be. Any help here?

11:06am • #213
AUG
13
2010
2 Featured Posts

I just got a call asking if I wanted to pay for Rainmaker--never even saw this post until now.  More confusingly it says we have 90 days and will receive a 60day warning--none of which I've received.  Not to mention, my last public post was done on 5-14-10 so Im JUST now at 90 days!!??

1:07pm • #214
AUG
25
2010
222,420 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog

When I tried to post publicly today...I find I am no longer a Rainmaker...Never saw any of these warnings...very sad

10:56am • #215
SEP
04
2010
110,196 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hi Bob and Brad - Now that the dust has settled. Can you guys explain to me what was the logic behind this decision to remove the rainmaker account from people you promised it to? Also, why do you consider contribution to be a public blog when members contribute through other means, such as comments and member's only blogs?

I don't see it being a data, performance or content issue as the data is still there. Exactly, how does this benefit the company?

I know I am not someone that needs to be explained to you nor do I kiss anyone's butt and give them cute nicknames, but if you don't mind, I would like to know what you were trying to accomplish here. I ask as I contribute by participating in discussions on my area of expertise in real estate. This usually means leaving comments and forcing the author to support their stance. Out of that discussion, people are able to see both sides of the debate. God knows I have gotten a lot of referrals from Activerain for what I said on other people's blogs versus what I have said on my own blogs.  Although I like to keep my ability to post publicly, I don't see how forcing me to write every 90 days is going to help you any! ;)

Thanks!

5:10am • #216
SEP
05
2010
778,609 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Satar:  As every coin has two sides, here is my take on this. 

You consider the fact that you comment on other people's posts... and make an effort to make that comment meaningful.  And, that is your contribution.  But... you do not create blog posts for OTHER people to have the opportunity to comment on... just as you comment on their posts.

What if... the person on whose post YOU commented on... didn't post ?  That would obviously mean that YOU would not have your chance to comment... which you say forces the author to support their stance.  And yes, as a result, people, you claim, are able to "see both sides."

Active Rain is a Two Way Street.  Everyone write posts... according to their ability to write them.  They contain the ORIGINAL CONTENT that makes up a large part of what Active Rain IS.

Trying to "force" you to write one post every 90 days... is simply an effort... even though it appears to be coerced effort... to get you to where you contribute original content... rather than just attach yourself... and ride along on someone else's efforts.  Writing your own posts benefits AR, but it also benefits our AR members as well.

Does that make sense ?  Two-way streets usually go somewhere.  One-way streets often end up a dead-end.

12:06am • #217
778,609 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Satar:  As every coin has two sides, here is my take on this. 

You consider the fact that you comment on other people's posts... and make an effort to make that comment meaningful.  And, that is your contribution.  But... you do not create blog posts for OTHER people to have the opportunity to comment on... just as you comment on their posts.

What if... the person on whose post YOU commented on... didn't post ?  That would obviously mean that YOU would not have your chance to comment... which you say forces the author to support their stance.  And yes, as a result, people, you claim, are able to "see both sides."

Active Rain is a Two Way Street.  Everyone write posts... according to their ability to write them.  They contain the ORIGINAL CONTENT that makes up a large part of what Active Rain IS.

Trying to "force" you to write one post every 90 days... is simply an effort... even though it appears to be coerced effort... to get you to where you contribute original content... rather than just attach yourself... and ride along on someone else's efforts.  Writing your own posts benefits AR, but it also benefits our AR members as well.

Does that make sense ?  Two-way streets usually go somewhere.  One-way streets often end up a dead-end.

12:06am • #218
110,196 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thanks Karen. yes, it makes sense. However, have you seen my God awful public blogs?? ;)

I am still trying to learn how people have such nice blogs and what software, if any, they use.

1:09am • #219
778,609 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Satar:  I don't know if you like any of my posts or not, but I just write them.  I do NOT use any special kind of software.  I guess mine could also look better than they do, but it works for me. 

I write them in the Active Rain boxes, I add pictures, I add links to stuff, and once in awhile, I add a video.  That is all I do.  I am NOT a techie... and I suffer for it, but I just bump my way through it, and it works.

I will take a look at your public blog posts, and tell you what I think.

3:51am • #220
SEP
07
2010

Satar,

Thank you for the question. I emailed you privately with a short explanation. I believe the phrase I could have used in my email but didn't is opportunity costs.

4:33pm • #221
OCT
01
2010
Localism Sponsor

Hi Bob,

Thanks for letting me know what happened (ie. That I got put out with the trash). I have 45,000+ points, attended two RainCamps and been a member since the real early days have purchased advertising from Active Rain on several occasions and rank 11th in our county.

AR grandfathered us in to thank us for helping AR become what it is today. Then you do this which effectively pulls the rug out from under our feet. Our team has struggled like almost every other agent and over the past several months our social networking has taken a back seat to other urgent priorities.

Maybe you sent one or more emails out along the way but I am sure you can guess how many emails I get a day and since I get at least one a day from Active Rain I have been conditioned that if time does not permit that those emails are not critical. Some of the AR email ends up in my outlook junk folder or maybe AR didn't send a warning at all. Even if we take as agreed that one blog post every three months isn't much to ask there is no way you can make sure that the charter members find out about that policy before getting dumped and although I don't have time to read all 200+ comments tonight, a quick scan seems to indicate that I was not the only one who was trashed without notice.

I went to post a blog post today and was "invited" to pay $300-something a year so I could continue supporting Active Rain.

If you don't remember, you guys built your empire on the backs of early members like me and I can't believe that we wake up today and find out that a week or so ago our AR blogs now and forever became invisible unless we pay for what we were told was our thanks for helping AR.

The first AR camp was awesome. The second was Okay. The difference, you guys replaced valuable content with ways of monitarizing the captive audience who had paid to be there through sponsorships. Still good content but there was significant content which had been dropped in your ever increasing focus on making $$$ as opposed to helping Realtors.

Frankly, I don't care if AR has value or not I doubt we will pay due to the perceived inequity. Nor, do I think we will probably purchase any further advertising from AR and don't count on any more recommendations.

I am guessing the rest of our team who had had "grandfathered accounts" lost those as well as none of them told me they had discovered what AR is doing. Bad policy resulting in a lose-lose if you ask me.

Sorry to find out that you feel this way about us,
-Howard

3:05am • #222

Howard,

We are very open to reinstating the accounts of members who put in a significant investment in helping ActiveRain get off the ground. Please email me directly. Thank you for assuming the absolute worst and acting as if we are total jerks with no appreciation for anything. Nothing could be further from reality as we fully understand the value of our early contributors.

2:21pm • #223
Localism Sponsor

I was wrong. First of all to not ask questions before making assumptions and second for assuming the worst. I did email you and despite my lack of tact you did reinstate my account. Thank you for doing that even in light of my initial reaction and please accept my apology.

Active Rain and us members have traveled a long way together and I my response was totally inappropriate. For that I appologize. Thank you for your understanding and I am glad to have been given the chance to continue being part of ActiveRain.

I hope that down the road at some point we can both look back and be happy with the results.

4:05pm • #224
410,997 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Well the OBVIOUS solution to this dilemma is to NOT automatically disable grandfathered Rainmaker accounts.

Seriously.

9:01pm • #225
OCT
04
2010

Yes Karen, you are probably right. We are working on unwinding this poorly executed decision. Stay tuned, I'm pretty sure we'll be announcing something about this soon.

Sometimes what's obvious to an outside observer isn't always obvious to the people in the middle of something. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time for something to become obvious. It took us some time for that to become obvious. We now realize this may not have been the best decision and are trying to determine how to unwind it and restore Grandfathered accounts for those that were promised them.

7:32pm • #226
110,196 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hi Bob, it should be an easy thing to reverse. You simply need to do a simple query to find out what accounts were created before disabling the rain maker account. Then you check to see if those accounts have the rain maker account (this can be a single query). You then can create a simple update script to re-enable those accounts. Worst case scenario, you can restore a backup from a period in time before you disabled the rain maker accounts and use a DB link to compare the data.

 

 

11:46pm • #233
OCT
08
2010
1,194,270 Points 89 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Watching to see how  ActiveRain handles this.  What about those who deleted their content?

With members who took the approach of taking down their content based on not wanting to participate, shouldn't they come off?   Or should they?   They helped build ActiveRain...  but have no content.

Why in a county where #1's or #2's mug is showing as number 1 or #2 in the county but clicking on their blog shows:

Member took down their content

I would think for those currently contributing content it would be a turn off to participation.

 

10:37am • #234
OCT
26
2010
2 Featured Posts

Bob I've wondered for several months now why I can't publish public content through my activerain account. One of my colleagues explained the changes you've made and said he thought I should be grandfathered in since I'm a long-time member. Have you made any progress in "unwinding" the grandfather clause debacle? The least several posts I've made would have been made public if I had the capability. Thanks for your help.

12:57pm • #235
NOV
17
2010

My status was taken away too. No alert sent. I am even under the 60 day window.. I guess I can quit A|R too like Jay and many others.

7:03pm • #236
JAN
19
2011
3 Featured Posts

Well I did comply with this new rule by accident (NEVER saw this post)last year, but since I gave birth July 22 and have been on maternity leave since then and just last week learned of this after wanting to rev up my new year with blogging much much more, I believe that I should be grandfathered still.  I've been with you guys since 2007...I will call tomorrow.

1:28am • #237
MAR
29

Same here.  Pregnancy/maternity leave and taking care of my buyers and sellers put my blogging on the back burner.  Once I returned to start actively posting  I'd been scrubbed.  No notice received.  I'll just be blogging on my own sites now.

3:24pm • #238
JUN
06
1,194,270 Points 89 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hey are Ambassadors still automatically grandfathered?  Or did I imagine that?  I thought it was here I saw a conversation where TLW said she never posts public and she was assured that was OK, she would not be unGrandfathered because she was an Ambassador? 

Still true in 2011?

11:42am • #239

If TLW ever wanted to post something public, I would grandfather her account at that point. Since she never posts anything public, her account doesn't need to be a grandfathered account. At this point, her account is an Ambassador account.

so yes, still true in 2011

9:55pm • #240
JAN
30

So I guess it is not worth it to post on here anymore if you lost your grandfathered status.  See ya, it's been nice, but guess I will take up a relationship with someone else now.

3:26pm • #241

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Bob Stewart - Community Evangelist - ActiveRain

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