New Major Feature: CF User Customizer!

[BigToe]

Ok, I have noticed in other threads that this is causing a sort of separation between members. Mainly between those able to donate money and those that aren't or don't. Some are saying that since others aren't site supporters they don't have the right to complain or dislike the feature you implement. And while I understand their sentiment, I don't think it should be yet another thing people use on CF to divide the body of Christ. There are enough things that do that in the real world to worry about one's participation on a site online.

Also, as for the naming of armor and stuff. Perhaps we can change the names of the most expensive? As it stands now there seems to be the implication among some members that its saying only the most weathly can truly follow God. Now, I know that isn't your intention at all- but maybe you can change the names so as to not imply that to others? Because even if you donate 50 bucks, you only get 50k blessings and still can't afford the best armor.

 

[MQTA]

Ok, I have noticed in other threads that this is causing a sort of separation between members. Mainly between those able to donate money and those that aren't or don't. Some are saying that since others aren't site supporters they don't have the right to complain or dislike the feature you implement. And while I understand their sentiment, I don't think it should be yet another thing people use on CF to divide the body of Christ. There are enough things that do that in the real world to worry about one's participation on a site online.

Also, as for the naming of armor and stuff. Perhaps we can change the names of the most expensive? As it stands now there seems to be the implication among some members that its saying only the most weathly can truly follow God. Now, I know that isn't your intention at all- but maybe you can change the names so as to not imply that to others? Because even if you donate 50 bucks, you only get 50k blessings and still can't afford the best armor.

Reminds me of the Arcades on the boardwalks of New Jersey. You have to save for YEARS and spend a lot more than their value to get anything of value. When it goes from having fun and collecting those coins, to pulling out $20s so you can "win" a good prize, it's no longer FUN.

I can see charging blessings for the fun stuff, but what were the standard vbulletin options, I'm not sure that's a benefit.

 

[Breetai]

I really can't afford to donate to this site. I've done it a couple of times in the past when i've had a few extra pounds, but i can't do it on a monthly basis. Paying using blessings for things like armour is great - a bit of fun for those who want to do it, but currently i'd have to make at least 1500 additional posts in order to make my username and user title look like they did before. There's a difference between enhancing the site for dedicated users, and making the site less accessible for those who don't spend quite so much time here, and to be honest these recent changes move it towards the second option. Don't get me wrong though- i love these recent changes and am saving blessings up in the bank for perhaps one or two cool items...or maybe a pet, but it is too much asking members to make either hundreds of posts or donate to the site in order to change the colour of their username. It's a good job i asked for my username to be changed a couple of days ago- otherwise i would have had to make 100000 posts just to change it.

EDIT: Also just a thought, but the reason i always loved the blessing system was that it was on the whole pointless. I could give my blessings freely to whoever i wanted and not really care cause they didn't matter- they were something i could give anomonously and hopefully make the receiver happy for just a moment. Now everyone seems to be saving or banking there blessing to buy cool things to supplement their posts. Is that really what CF is about? I would be intrigued to see figures showing how much people have actually blessed other people over the past few days

I've got to say that I'm in complete agreement here (of course I don't mind donating some, but other than that). I don't like this CFshop thing in the least. My name was a neat green colour with some glow (sometimes a shadow). Now, not only to I have to pay 'blessings' to get it back. Not only that, but the 'items' are sold out!!! That's no good at all. At least have infinite 'quantities' of these different 'items'.

Ga, why Do I open my mouth, you don't listen to anyone anyway.

Erwin definitely DOES listen to us. Just look at our faith icons for proof.

So far, I think that the new features have been very well taken...except for the CFshop. At least, that seems to be true judging from this thread. I don't really mind having to use up some blessings in order to change our custom options around. I just don't think that these options should be unavailable because they are sold out. As well, I think that there should be a 'preview page', in order to see how your username would look before using up the blessings in order to make the changes (like in the signature). This may be already like this, as I have not played around in the CFshop yet.

 

[LynneClomina]

wow, i'm glad you have the money you can donate like that. i donated a while back when i ended up having extra money at the end of the month, but thats a RARITY. working for a nonprofit means i have no income really. but power to you for donating your money to cf and your blessings to other people!

actually, i'm not well off, i'm well below the poverty line, but i'm led to give here. as opposed to a restaurant or a theatre or whatnot. if i spend in one area, i have to cut another, y'know?

 

[BigToe]

true, but i like to be able to go to the grocery store so i can feed myself and my doggie

 

[Breetai]

All of CF is still FREE.

I like how the word 'still' is in that sentence. Maybe I'm just reading a little too much into things... I do encourage donations. Because of the high bandwidth that I'm sure that this site uses as well as the hardware required, money is needed. Still, that phrase 'still FREE' scares me a little.

 

[Erwin]

I like how the word 'still' is in that sentence. Maybe I'm just reading a little too much into things... I do encourage donations. Because of the high bandwidth that I'm sure that this site uses as well as the hardware required, money is needed. Still, that phrase 'still FREE' scares me a little.

I used the words "still free" because some members are talking as though I am charging money for username features. I'm not. Blessings reflect a member's posting and interaction with the site. You do not need to donate to get blessings. People can give them to you too. Donations obviously mean you do get blessings, but that is one way of showing appreciation to members who support this site financially - if not for these people, CF would be offline by now due to the costs of running the site.

As you correctly stated, CF is free, but running it is not free - people forget that I do not have any banner ads or sponsors paying the bills - I pay all the bills by myself. It's not cheap, but I do it because I believe that this site does help extend the kingdom of God into the area of the Internet.

However, CF will always remain free - there will be no restriction for members who cannot afford to donate.

Also, do remember this whole system is still beta and new - I'm still adjusting everything, so don't take what we have as the final system.

 

[BigToe]

eeek i accidentally sold some veggie pet food instead of using it. is it possible to have something ask to confirm that you want to sell it so this mistake doesnt happen? you buy the food for 60 blessings but it only sells for like 22 blessings. while its not a big deal at this point, i have a feeling eventually the blessings people spend on accidentally selling food at a lower cost will add up. just a thought!


and thanks for all you're doing and listening to our feedback, we appreciate it.

 

[Erwin]

There are not many Christian forums out there that do not have ads or banners or sponsors. This is the LARGEST Christian forums online in terms of number of posts and members, and it is still AD-FREE and BANNER-FREE. Remember that, and I pray that we keep it that way.

 

[oldrooster]

Erwin, you are truly a blessing......

 

[Ceris]

There are not many Christian forums out there that do not have ads or banners or sponsors. This is the LARGEST Christian forums online in terms of number of posts and members, and it is still AD-FREE and BANNER-FREE. Remember that, and I pray that we keep it that way.

And for that we are very greatful Erwin.

I believe that the general consensus of what I have heard from others is that the Armor of God icons are fun and neat to have, same with the pets, bank, and job. What I believe people are not so happy about is that when the new CFshop was added, everyone's name was set to plain text and now people have to use blessings to get their custom name colors & fonts back.

Perhaps as a suggestion in the more final version you make it so that there is a preview option for the name color and fonts (the same way you have a preview sig option). I believe this would be a sufficient compromise.

Once again I would like to thank you Erwin for starting and maintaining such an awesome sight. I know it has helped me grow in my faith more than I can say.

God Bless,
Ceris

 

[Breetai]

I used the words "still free" because some members are talking as though I am charging money for username features. I'm not. Blessings reflect a member's posting and interaction with the site. You do not need to donate to get blessings. People can give them to you too. Donations obviously mean you do get blessings, but that is one way of showing appreciation to members who support this site financially - if not for these people, CF would be offline by now due to the costs of running the site.

As you correctly stated, CF is free, but running it is not free - people forget that I do not have any banner ads or sponsors paying the bills - I pay all the bills by myself. It's not cheap, but I do it because I believe that this site does help extend the kingdom of God into the area of the Internet.

However, CF will always remain free - there will be no restriction for members who cannot afford to donate.

Whew... I've just seen too many sites suddenly become pay-sites after they get too big. Anything will scare me.

Anyway, I've got no problem donating to this site at all. I think that anyone that can afford to here really should (is this what a broken record sounds like?). Isn't it ironic that one of the reasons that this site is so successful is because it's free, but one of the reasons that it is still here is because people donate money to it...thereby making it not free (at least to everyone)?

Also, do remember this whole system is still beta and new - I'm still adjusting everything, so don't take what we have as the final system.

Which is why we like to voice our opinion. Well, thanks and God-bless Erwin. You can't please us all... or can you?

 

[Erwin]

I managed to import some of the old font settings (font color and glow color) into the new system.

Also, the username effects are seen in the homepage and forums.

 

[Sephania]

Shalom Erwin,

May I suggest that you don't start charging blessings for the priveledge to have a pretty name until after all tweeking is done? Yesterday my name was plain, black lettering as well as most other members, which threw me at first. . Now I come in today to find that You can't even see my name on the members online, or in the forums "who's online" as well as my posts. Now in order for anyone to see my name I have to take the time and 200 blessings is it? and go and change it . And that will last how long? Till tomorrow? Thing is, some may consider having fun with the effects for the name a frivolous act, while others ( myself included) use this as a way to locate certain posters in a thread as well as myself while scrolling down through it. Now everyones name has changed and coming here and trying to read even, let alone post has become very confusing.

I understand that the old way made the "armour" a buyable item, but someones name and identity should not be, ( nor have I found where it ever was here) esepecially if it has been already established as a free perk when joining and thousands are used to recognizing other members by this visual aid.

For example, if I was looking for one of your posts I would scroll until the big bold italic Orange with blue/purple shading "Erwin" came up. Now I can't even find myself unless I look for the "invisable poster".

OK, I'm done thank you for listening and please don't be upset by my expressing my feelings.


Z~

 

[Erwin]

Shalom Erwin,

May I suggest that you don't start charging blessings for the priveledge to have a pretty name until after all tweeking is done? Yesterday my name was plain, black lettering as well as most other members, which threw me at first. . Now I come in today to find that You can't even see my name on the members online, or in the forums "who's online" as well as my posts. Now in order for anyone to see my name I have to take the time and 200 blessings is it? and go and change it . And that will last how long? Till tomorrow? Thing is, some may consider having fun with the effects for the name a frivolous act, while others ( myself included) use this as a way to locate certain posters in a thread as well as myself while scrolling down through it. Now everyones name has changed and coming here and trying to read even, let alone post has become very confusing.

I understand that the old way made the "armour" a buyable item, but someones name and identity should not be, ( nor have I found where it ever was here) esepecially if it has been already established as a free perk when joining and thousands are used to recognizing other members by this visual aid.

For example, if I was looking for one of your posts I would scroll until the big bold italic Orange with blue/purple shading "Erwin" came up. Now I can't even find myself unless I look for the "invisable poster".

OK, I'm done thank you for listening and please don't be upset by my expressing my feelings.


Z~

I've imported the settings from the previous system - that's probably why your name is not showing up properly.

The new system is better than the old as I can make it show up everywhere in the forums, not just in posts.

 

[Erwin]

Oops - I made a mistake in the settings import - I made the font color and the glow color both the old font color.

Let me fix this now...

 

[Erwin]

The script is fixing this now...

 

[Erwin]

When the script finishes, all the member's usernames will have the same font color and glow color as before the new system came in.

Better yet, the font color, and bold and italics (both of which are new) will show up everywhere in the forums for the usernames.

 

[Erwin]

I will try to port over the font face as well. The size I would like to keep unchanged, mainly to keep consistency and ease of reading.

This way, no one has to waste blessings getting their username just like it was before the change.

 

[Erwin]

Zayit, the reason why your username cannot be seen on the homepage is because you chose white as the color. You can see it in posts due to the glow color which is darker, but we can't use glow elsewhere as the font is too small for glow to work.