Moderators needed,\

Justin,

I believe you are way out of line on this. I can tell you haven't spoken to Ron much. I'll let Ron do his own talking for himself. He is not running the show, Mike is. Ron stepped up a bit ago to try and get things moving here. He can't "make" Mike do something he doesn't want to do. Ron has kept this site on his server, and has paid for and put money out of his own pocket to support this industry and this BB that you like to frequent. Because Ron didn't spend money with you isn't a point. Did you ever think that Ron has another avenue for buying that he has had in place for sometime and buying from you just wouldn't make sense? I honestly think you are very unfair in your post, as I have been with Ron and he often dips into his own pocket to help others. I honestly can't believe you have made this post. If you have a problem with how the Board is run, or not run, that shouldn't play into a personal thing. If you operate day to day based on what others are doing for you then you are headed down the wrong road, in my opinion. My question would be if you don't agree with how the administrators have run this board or conducted themselves and you have such great ideas why did you close your BB? Before you you get too hot under the collar, I agree you have been helpful with advice and have respected your advice and insight. I simply feel you are off base on this one.
 
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Everett,

You are correct about not talking to Ron much. I also don't have a lot of time to talk to talk on the phone. I have only talked to Ron on a couple occaisions. I really don't know Ron's intention or exactly what is going on with this board and that's why I asked. I want to understand and that's why I made the post. I'm sure others on here want to know the same thing. There are alot of unknowns and Ron should post about it.

I don't feel I was being unfair about the purchase thing. The administrator had asked if there were distributors that would donate something for a contest. What's unfair about that? I wasn't trying to beat up on Ron or Mike, I was simply stating a known. I don't totally understand the deal between Mike and Ron or what Ron does or pays out of his pocket for the board or it's hosting. These are unknowns.

The things I do know is that the server is slow most of the time. I also know that's why we've lost people because it's been complained about over and over and very little has changed with it. Look back at the posts. Another thing that I feel is a known, is that I like this board because there aren't a bunch of immature whine asses like some of the other boards... I won't name.

This post wasn't a personal attack whatsoever and shouldn't be construed as such. I was simply stating some knowns. That's all. There was no attack and no ill-will involved. However, I don't just sit around reading posts without answering and answering honestly.

I closed my board because I can't devote the time to manage it. It's actually still there but at this time I cannot devote the time to it. I'd rather post on one board to help some others in this business but I don't have the time to sit around and kick the bobos with everyone, nor is that my interest. I honestly like to help with this business because I believe in this business and believe that anyone can do it.

Truth be known, I don't hold any grudges toward Mike or Ron. I don't care where they purchase their parts from but the asking for a donation rubbed me the wrong way. I believe that this is a community of individuals are involved in the same type of industry and business and it's important that we continue to grow and be supportive of everyone involved. Is that happening... Not really.

Everett, I pay for a server and have paid for a server every month for quite some time. It's chicken feed. The server, whatever it is this site is on has been slow- ongoing. It's been complained about again and again and it's known to be the slowest board out there. What's going on?

Anyway, I don't want to argue about the small things. We all should be supportive of Ron and Mike if they are intending on keeping this thing going. This place is falling apart, look at the PWN and all it's rules.... because it's faster, people go there. They can look posts up effectively and post speedily without a bunch of lag. Let's all be supportive and move on. Please don't mistake my post as a personal attack because it wasn't and that wasn't my intention. My intention was to simply find out exactly what Ron and Mike are doing. I apologize if I don't put sugar on my posts. If you knew me personally you'd understand. I don't beat around the bush and I'm not to sit around doing the small talk thing. It's just me.

In my opinion we need to address the very first problem with this board and that's the speed. If it's an issue, I'll pay for it each month to be held on my FAST server, not a big issue. But it's been an ongoing issue and people are wanting to go elsewhere and I don't blame them. What's been done about the speed issue?

Everett, thanks for you post and your opinion. Hope you understand my position here.
 
Justin,

Thank you for being professional in your reply. I agree with much of what you have stated. I really believe the speed of the board as caused much of the issues. It basically has given others the reason to check out the other boards. The basic idea and principle of this board is/was great. I think the problem(s) went on too long and people now call other places home, so to speak. I think reading much more into it than that just creates more angst. I know that Mike has bought from many folks from this board and really do not see your point, I understand it though. I think it is difficult in that position to try and make everyone happy.

Let me give you an example outside of the BBS. My cousin is a mechanic and bought a house. He tried to make all the customers he had happy by giving them the work. Rewarding the customers that made him successful. I did some and when it came ot the Pest Control he had another do the termite inspection. Well, when I went to do my work I asked my cousin how he bought the house without the inspection. He told me who did it and why. I then pulled out the monitoring stations out of the ground that the "inspector" didn't touch. Guess what, major termite problem! Now the sale is past, settlement over and no recourse. Moral is that if you have someone you have a relationship with and it works why change? I don't have a problem with loyalty either. Going further, I am only saying that there may be other good reasons why they haven't used you or another vendor. I personally will pay more for loyalty and a good relationship with a vendor, that is me though.

I also agree with you on the cost factor. A BB is really more the investment of time to which you alluded too. If I am not mistaken I thought you gave a reason before about spending time with your family and/or reallocating time which I respect. I wish that if time wasn't going to be spent here that somebody would have empowered others to take up the slack. I really think it would have helped. Guys like Grant and the Kitchen Exhaust guys would surely have helped.

I don't have all the answers but would be willing to help in a solution, if there is one. Thank you for being direct, as you can tell I can be as well. Beating around the bush and sugar coating issues can be a great waste of time. I have no ego so nothing bothers me anyway, makes it much easier to accomplish that which I need to without all the hang ups. I respect your opinions and perceptions as well, thank you.
 
Thank you also Everett. Now let's save this board and together, make the necessary changes for the good of all.
 
Good responses by you guys. Very professional and straight to the points which is what I like to see. The sugar coatings are for the birds.

Speed is a very serious issue here and the lack of it is killing this bb. I like Justins Idea in a different thread about having a computer wiz to help run this board. Between the Wiz kid and the Administrator maybe that could be the magic Combination that could propel this bb back to its glory days.
 
Sorry to chime in so late here. I was on the board Thursday night but somehow missed the new posts in this thread.

I intended to do office work and view the bb on Friday night, but instead fell asleep early...........which I rarely do. I guess it caught up with me.

A lot has been said here, and I feel I wouldnt be doing this post justice if I shot out a quick answer. I need to reread the thread, and digest it before I respond.
 
Mike are you back?
 
Yes, but today is my birthday and tomorrow is a holiday..........I don't envision spending much time on the computer.

Have a great weekend.
 
Hi,

I'm new to the board and saw this subject and I was just wondering what credentials were required of a person to be a moderator? I was asking because how can I be reassured anyone posting on this board is ligitimate? I would think that the individual in charge would take the time to actually check out a persons background and experience before making them a moderator. Seems like just asking if onyone was interested is asking for trouble. Afterall, I would assume that a moderator is actually an important job.
 
Hi Jacobe,

In some ways your correct, we do want people with experiance in power washing but at the same time, most of the time we just move out posts that don't belong in the forum and help out with questions when we can.
This and most all other bulletin boards are usually contractor run. Meaning that the contractors ask and answer each others questions. On the internet it can be difficult to guarrantee who someone is but on boards like this one if someone is giving out wrong advice were quick to straiten out any misunderstandings.
None of us is perfect but we do our best and with our combined knowledge, there isnt much that we can't do or give suggestions on.

Welcome to the boards
 
Jacobe,

You are correct. We wouldnt want a situation where we have "the blind leading the blind". Just because we were soliciting moderators, does not mean that anyone that steps up would become one. It's just like a store posting a Now Hiring sign......not all applicants are right for the job.

A bulletin board requires a lot of time to run properly, and moderators help foster discussions and keep things flowing smoothly. Not all aspects of the board need the input of someone with power washing knowledge. My point is, if someone new to the business wants to help out with the bullein board, that person can simply moderate less technical areas of the board......and move up as their experience grows.

You have pointed out the biggest fault of online bulletin boards. You need to consider the source of the information. Basically, you need to try things for yourself based on others recommendations. You need to do your own due dilligence to be sure it will work for you. I have had great luck with information I have learned from the people on these bulletin boards......and especially the one on one conversations and relationships I built by joining and participating in the PWNA. ( www.pwna.org ).

I thank you for taking the time to comment on this. I look forward to your participation in the board. Please post anything that comes to mind.....but just try to post it in the appropriate forum.
 
Hi Henry and Mike,

Thank you for responding to my inquiry. I will assume by your responses that although you can't control the backgrounds of people posting to this board that you do at least check out the credentials of those whom are asked to be moderators. I mean, you or someone does check into the claims made by the moderators? I would assume the person in charge would ask for information like tax identificaton numbers, registration qualifications, number of years in business and a sample client list that could be contacted for verifying services provided and length of time in business. I would think that the person that owns this board would want to be able to reassure all the board participants that at least the moderators are who they claim. If no-one could answer yes to this question, at least in my opinion, this site is useless. A simple background check on the moderators would establish confidence that this site is a legitimate site for pressure washers to swap information. Without that confidence why would I want to share information at this site? Not that you need me to or even would want me to. I've only been pressure washing for about 11 years. I mean, how do I know that the moderator that is trying to help me isn't just some "good ole boy" with a broken down washer in his garage that he drags out once or twice a year to wash his complaining wifes car. I've been around the block a few times and seen alot of talkers and very few do'ers. A lot of people are just trying to get their kicks on highway 66, if you know what I mean?

I hope I haven't offended anyone with this question. I 'm just trying to establish a little confidence about this site before I start committing time to it. If you don't back ground check moderators just say so.
 
Hi Jacobe,

I don't own the board here by any means so I can't really tell you all that's involved in choosing moderators. I can say that I'm a moderator on a few boards and I'm also quite established as a company in my area of expertise. Your questions and comments have quite a bit of buckshott in them though. You said that if moderators weren't checked out well a bulliten board would be worthless. Now take this into consideration before you judge too quickly. I looked at your profile for example and it says nothing about you, your company or your 11 years of experiance. Going by your rules of judgement, that would'nt make you look very good either.

The best thing I could suggest would be to sit back, read the posts and see for yourself if this or any other board is something your interested in. Judging any board (or anything for that matter) without watching how it works for a while could cost you a valuable source of information. I started my company 15 years ago and I had no other recources like these bbs's to use. I've managed to make my company quite successful over the years in my area. Even though I operate under different ideals than others. I'm not in business to be rich for example. As long as I can pay my guys, support my family and have a good life I'm happy.

If you would like to find out more about this board I'd suggest that you look at the people posting on the board. Every board should be judged by it's content, it's members and the answers it can give you. Not just by the moderators or how they are chosen.
I don't know how many members this board has or how active they are at all times but as far as I know, this board has been around the longest, or close to it.
By all means, check me out and see if you consider me to be a good source of information. I've been helping out companies all over north america and a few over seas on occasion. My Companies website is www.henryshousework.com
 
jacobe said:
I would think that the person that owns this board would want to be able to reassure all the board participants that at least the moderators are who they claim. If no-one could answer yes to this question, at least in my opinion, this site is useless.
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I agree that those backround checks and such would be a good idea, and most likely improve the board...........but keep in mind most sites such as this one are run either by volunteers, or generate little or no revenue. Because of that, its difficult to devote a huge amount of resources to the things you are describing. Not to mention, most people would consider that to be rather invasive, and probably would not want to be a moderator then.

Most of the bulletin boards on the net, and not just for power washing, are run this way.

I suggest what was said above...........take a look around and make yourself comfortable.

Thanks,
 
These bb's are all about volunteering and helping out other Powerwashers. Yes in a perfect world all Powerwashers that post here especially the Moderators, there backgrounds should be checked out. But Considering that this bb doesn't generate any revenue who would want to spend the time to do this labor intensive search??

Do like Henry say's by checking out the people who post here. As for me this is my 9th year owning my powerwashing company. With 9 yrs experience I'm still learning new things about this field all the time. A ton of things I've picked up came from bb's just like this.

Also if you visit here often enough you can tell who the serious ones are and who is full of bull. You'll find that at least 90% here are the real deal.
 
Like John just said, It is easy to tell who's full of knowledge and who is full of it!
90% is a good guess and fairly representitive of the mix. I would like to see some credible evidence of the 10 % having a legit business.
 
I'm not sure who the 10% are thats been mentioned. I do see someone make a comment once in a while that I don't agree with but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Most of the time it's due to not proofreading what you type or something simple like a misunderstood question. Trust me, I know because I do it myself..lol
The bottom line is no one that I know of on this board is out to cause anyone else a problem. Most of us operate so far from each other that we would never compete against each other anyway. In my situation, I've got 5 other pw companies within 2 miles of me. Sometimes we get involved in spirited debates and sometimes we agree and support each others comments. Either way it doesn't harm any of us in any way. If you have been doing power washing for 7 years your going to know who has no idea about what they are talking about. Most of the time though we get people who are starting out power washing and ask about equipment or how to do a job or what chemicals we use to do something.

Ask a question and see what kind of answers you get. If they are knowledgable and insightful then you can see for yourself who knows what they are talking about.
You might be suprised and hear about different ways of doing things that would save you some time. For example, X-jets. I'd never heard of one until I got involved on the bbs's. Now I've got 3 of them and they allow us to do jobs about 40% faster than before. Even after 15 years I don't know everything about power washing!
My company also offers gutter cleaning, roof repairs and nuisance wildlife trapping to keep us busy ALL year round. How many other power wash companies work all year unless they don't have cold winters of course.
 
Wow, Thanks everyone for responding. I've completely enjoyed reading everyone's response. I will continue to hang around and see if I can figure everyone out. Also, I will provide more information about myself as I get more comfortable with the board participants. I sincerely apologise for stating the board may be worthless. My wife tells me I'm slow to warm up so please be patient with me. However, I do have more loaded questions. So here it goes -

1) Is this suppose to be a vendor board or is it a contractor board?

2) If this is a contractors board how many of the moderators and forum leaders peddle products on the board and how many of them receive kick-backs and or discounts for pushing products?

I realize that question number 2 might imply mis-use, abuse and/or corruption but I think it is a fair question to ask and could be another good reason for background checks and, if there aren't any, a good reason to have guide-lines of business ethics and proper business conduct for the board moderators and forum leaders. I'm hoping that there are guidelines in place addressing such activity. I don't know about everyone else but it sure would make me more comfortable.
 
Hi Tim,

This is a power washing board so we tend to have contractors and distributers on here. The reason why is so the distributers can see what we think of their products and so we can ask them questions about it. Were all out to make money, either power washing or selling products. Being in the PW feild we all want to know about new products and what works better so we ask for anyones input on everything to do with power washing.

As far as who sells products? I don't but I'm not really sure of the percentages on this board. Some boards are loaded with distributers but I don't think we have as many as other boards.
I also only reccomend products that I use and like, I don't recieve any money from anyone to do so either. On occasion, we all like to tell about a particularly good distributer or product we run accrossed but it's only to help each other out. Not to boost sales. (just speaking for myself)

Someone else may be able to give you more information on these questions but we've never had any major problems here that I know of.
 
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