V-Flyer

As some members have already spotted in this thread, the much maligned 'respect rating' and the 'membership stars' have been removed from all Member's profiles.

This is the first visible result of a meeting we held recently to discuss the way forward for the site. It was felt that the ratings, and the titles connected to the star ratings, were not achieving their purpose, and often confused new posters.

There are lots of other new developments that we intend to bring in, mostly as a result of suggestions and feedback from members. We are aiming to build on the success of V-Flyer and to continue to offer more to members.

We are always looking to improve the site, and for ways to make it self financing.

Any and all suggestions can be posted in this section of the site.

Nick

Oooh the stars have gone too. All of a sudden the user info bit looks very minimal doesn't it.

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
... and for ways to make it self financing.

Surely the method most forum-based websites use for income is through tradetracker, tradedoubler, etc type affiliate links. Now don't go chucking loads of banners across the top of the page, but you could easily have a page of links, and encourage members to use them when purchasing from Amazon, Comet, HMV, etc etc etc. Each purchase may only generate a few cents, but it all mounts up..!!

A bit like the Links Section at the bottom of the forums, you mean...?

Yes, exactly like that - except for the hundred plus retailers who offer affiliate schemes...

The DVD Forums have a zillion of them.. if you're registered, you can see their list at http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/show ... p?t=175997

From an idiots point of view I'm glad the RR has gone as I couldn't work out how to apply the damn thing even though I tried repeatedly (this I.T lark still has me flumoxed...) -so apologies to you all for not registering my "respect"- (ignorance not arrogance).
Julie

Originally posted by McCoy
Yes, exactly like that - except for the hundred plus retailers who offer affiliate schemes...

The DVD Forums have a zillion of them.. if you're registered, you can see their list at http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/show ... p?t=175997

Ack. I'm all for relevant and popular ones, but wouldn't want to completely overload V-Flyer with affiliate links. V-Flyer is about flying with Virgin Atlantic, not a retail portal.

Pete

I do think something is needed to spruce up the user info section - it looks awfully dull without the stars;)

VS.

Ack. I'm all for relevant and popular ones, but wouldn't want to completely overload V-Flyer with affiliate links. V-Flyer is about flying with Virgin Atlantic, not a retail portal.

Pete

Yeah, fair enough.. just an option if the coffers run a bit dry...

Not having any idea of the finances of the site, I'm sad it isn't self-financing from membership. How about making membership an annual thing?

Oh, and my vote goes for none advertising as much as possible outside a selected list of relevant businesses, apart from the fact that x number of links slows it all down, one of the joys of the site is that it's clean of mess and distraction, simply focussed on VS and our experiences and views.

Hope you guys and gals find a way through it.

I would be happy to pay an annual membership if it meant I stayed part of the forum, even if I wasn't flying. prehaps with some sort of visible recognition visible that I was a site supporter.

Bit sad to see the RR go, I was quite proud of my 70+ rating, never mind[:I]

I for one would happily pay a reasonable annual membership.

I must admit, I never really got my head around the philosophy of awarding 'westhpect' (in a Chris Eubanks stylee) to fellow V-Flyers. Liked the stars though, even if they did have a slight McDonalds employee of the week undertone to them.

I would be more than happy to pay an annual membership too.

Annual membership sounds like a grand idea and I'd be more than happy to cough up (as long as we're not taking "centurion" type fees! - I have a shoe /bag habit to sustain).

I'm all for helping this website, but there's no way I'd be able to keep up an annual membership until I get a credit or a debit card. I don't know when that will happen...and it took me this long to finally get a red membership!

Originally posted by VS-EWR
I'm all for helping this website, but there's no way I'd be able to keep up an annual membership until I get a credit or a debit card. I don't know when that will happen...and it took me this long to finally get a red membership!

Im sure there are ways around this - a bank transfer or getting a friend to pay on their card???

Originally posted by MarkJ
Im sure there are ways around this - a bank transfer or getting a friend to pay on their card???

It's a bit hard to do that when you're my age..

Oh, BTW, anyone else notice the new spell checker?

Well spotted. It's on the 'reply to' window, for those looking for it.