[Space_Cowby]

yes, it would stop anything esculating really quick giving members a nautal break.

[Benster]

	Quote:
	Originally Posted by space_cowby yes, it would stop anything esculating really quick giving members a nautal break.

good idea mark, see told ya u where here for a reason lol

[Space_Cowby]

thanks, i do have soem good ideas on Saturdays. No other days of course lol

[Tom]

Let me try to elaborate on this......

As with a lot of things on VVON at the moment- Given time things WILL be sorted.

However- The chatbox will remain gone, at least for the time being.

The chat box was first added to VVON as I wanted somewhere for the 'spam' to go. But it's always being used for discussions which should be in a thread. As pointed out by space_cowby a short time ago- This info could be useful to other members in future, and if it's only discussed in the chatbox- it's deleted after a certain amount of hours.

Most of us are already aware of the 'sales chat' within the chatbox. This is another reason it's gone. Since the chatbox is 'real-time'; It's very hard to moderate. This would ideally require 24-hour moderation, which quite frankly- is not possible.

Another down side to the chatbox being 'real-time' is that in the heat of the moment- before you can take a deep breath- some people have posted something offensive, or something which they almost immediately regret posting. In a thread- fine they have 5 minutes to edit it, and also the fact that they have time between posts to think what they are writing. In the chatbox- it's all too quick. In the past week alone- I've seen 3 arguments in the chat box. Possibly- they could have been avoided if the chat box never existed.

So these are my reason for taking away the chatbox for the time being- at least whilst I sort out some other things...

At the moment- main priority is getting the rules of the forum finalised so they can be posted for ALL members to read as common sense has became too much to ask lately- there's simply too many members now to expect this. Lucky, I have Phil-h basically re-writing the new forum rules for us and that is a huge weight off my shoulders. Thank you Phil.

I also have a few things to finish coding, such as an agreement for users so that they need to agree to the rules of VVON, or they will simply not be able to view any further content. This isn't a 5 minute job.

I've also got-

• the Living Avatars project to finish off
• Get area reps sorted out so they can maintain their own areas
• sort out the calendar so area reps can post their meet dates/ allow members to RSVP to those meets
• Fix the iTrader problem that none of you are probably aware of as yet
• a lot more games to add to the arcade
• fix the small 'garage' editing problem we have
• deal with taking orders for stickers, collecting payment, mailing them out
• making the new VVON keyrings and collecting payment/ shipping them out
• dealing with the verification process day in day out
• replying to user PM's (Which at this very moment I have around 25 awaiting reply)
• dealing with general problems around the forums
• moderating threads/ posts
• Setting up the infraction/ banning system so it can backup the rules if need be

Another thing I need you to remember; VVON is not my job. I do this in my spare time. If I was able to make a wage from VVON, and do this full time believe me I would.

If I am not granted time to do my job each day without the need for being here on VVON- there's no way I could afford to pay for banners, tent(s), and insurance for PVS this year because quite frankly- small contributions added to the merchandise so far will have more or less no impact on the amount needed.

I really enjoy VVON, and I am pleased with what we have so far- But tbh, it's all becoming a little too demanding.

I have various offers of help coming at me constantly via PM and alike- But as I keep explaining to people- When I am ready to take on more help- I will advertise for it publicly on the forums.

I cannot take on new staff (mod's) at the click of a finger. It requires a lot to choose a suitable moderator, which so far- I think I have managed quite wisely. Not only this- but it also requires time to show new mods the ropes and how to do what is expected of them.

There's also the fact that our current moderators are doing what their doing all through common sense- as they have no guide book telling them what is right and wrong. I cannot praise them enough for this. They get on with it, and don't disturb me with what I do.

So guys- All I am asking is that you please remember- All these little things that I have to do soon add up- And all I am asking for the time being is that you can please respect my decision with regards to the chatbox being removed and let me deal with these things as and when I can.

....................

I would just like to say a big thanks to ALL the staff members of VVON from mods, right through to area reps. You all seem to be doing a great job, and without you- I'm not sure where we would be right now.

Members.... thank you to you too... your input to VVON is a key part of the forums.

Finally...... We're all here for the fun of it so lets chill out and enjoy it as it should be.

And give me peace to get on with my long 'to-do' list :wink_smile:

[Space_Cowby]

thanks for that Tom.

Cutting to the chase where can I / we help YOU and in turn VVON.

[Benster]

eye opener to how much work your doing there tom - thank you.

[anji-wag]

awww tom ur gunna need a holiday after that long to-do list.... i didnt realise exactley wat u have to do... u are a busy man and its all in ur spare time... and uve had man flu too.. woohoo u for soldiering on....

just wish i could do more than post...