If You Were A Moderator

[RHL]

So much good stuff. I want to echo the request for more tool-kit like threads, especially inside. Everybody knows that a lot of the pain of breaking into a new business or getting started isn't the novel aspect, it's doing the crap a zillion people have done a zillion times before but nobody taught you in school. It's tough because I know with our limited resources (the mods aren't experts in every area, neither are the members) producing a consistent pot of these is tough. Andy Black's threads would be some of the gold-standard ones in this area.

Also, randomly, you know what else would really give this forum a boost?

If MJ could finish that next book.

Wink wink nudge nudge.

 

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[Kreedos Phoenix]

I'd make it possible for you to organize your bookmarked threads into lists, similar to Twitters lists.

So for example, @biophase has an ecommerce thread that I saved to my bookmarks, but it'd be cool to save it to a list/folder that I title "ecommerce/digital marketing"

Not sure if this is a feature but it'd be cool if it was.

Sometimes I forget to look at my bookmarks because there is a lot going on with new posts and I get sidetracked by the shiny new bits of info that comes out.
Thats on me though, may not apply to anyone else.

 

[Andy Black]

If You Were A Moderator

​

• ... you'd wonder WTF a lot of drive-by spammers are thinking when they drop their thinly veiled value adding POS content that ends in a signup to their low value POS offer.
  
  
• ... you'd happily swing the ban hammer whilst singing "First post spam? Delete and ban!"
  
  
• ... you'd be sooo thankful for the community that reports spam posts so the mods can remove them without having to spend hours trawling the place finding them (@jon.a in particular - thanks Jon!).
  
  
• ... you'd know that one mod spends his time volunteering for the Red Cross, another mod spent his time volunteering to mentor young first time offenders, and another spends an inexplicable amount of time railing against the stoopidity of the masses when he probably often just wants to throw his hands in the air and leave us to our own devices.
  
  
• ... you'd ROFL at the some of the behind the scenes comments coming from the other mods
  
  ...... which are sometimes: ,
  
  ...... but more often: , , , , ,
  
  
• ... you'd realise that being a "moderator" means just that. You're there to moderate the more unruly, not to force your opinions, values, or agenda on anyone else.
  
  
• ... you'd be EVEN MORE THANKFUL for what the other mods have done to make this place the safe haven online that it is.
  
  
• ... you'd realise that when cynical and jaded guys hit middle age, then just a plain old "Thank You" is totally unexpected and therefore incredibly appreciated.

Thank you mods.

Thank you MJ.

And thank you forum members for making this the best forum online.

 

[Bellini]

Hmmm...here is my 2 cents:


1) NEW MEMBERS

I would direct new members to do the following immediately upon joining:

1. Read the forum rules
2. Get the badge for reading the book
3. Make an Introductory post
4. Read the FAQ

THEN they can start posting or ask questions.

If possible, those steps / instructions / rules / link to badge should all be included in one of the auto-replies from MJ that they get when joining.


2) BUSINESS FOCUS

Members should be reminded to keep their threads and posts business related. Keep personal stuff off the forum.

When I come to the forum I have business on my mind. The last thing I want to see when I open the home page is threads about dating, marriage, sex, relationships, girls, guys, kids, fighting with parents, etc.

This is not a counseling forum and it could be a legal liability anyway if someone were to give bad advice, which seems to happen on a daily basis. Those type of volatile issues are usually the ones that have the most negativity and raise the stress level of the forum unnecessarily and people who should be working are getting sidetracked.

So to keep the forum from going the way of Jerry Springer, I think it's important to keep the focus on business.
(and success-related positive reinforcements like we already have such as books, quotes, traveling, geographic moves, inspirational videos, funnies, etc are all fine)

This will reduce a good bit of negativity and noise. The quality of the Fastlane Forum is what should make it stand out from the rest.


3) INSIDERS:

I agree with the others that there needs to be a more serious vetting process for INSIDERS.

Among other requirements (maybe min rep bank, post-to-like ratio, higher entry fee) I would have the INSIDERS section be ONLY for people who are actually starting or running a BUSINESS. Current or past Progress thread a MUST. (Or if an established business person, some kind of proof) Otherwise what is the point?

INSIDERS section should be for serious people, not flies on the wall who just want to 'hang out'. It would also be good indirect motivation for people to get off their tail and start a business and might also curb the action-faking that comes along with joining INSIDERS just so they feel like they have 'done something'.

I don't think an invite-only process would work very well because it's too subjective. That could easily turn into an elitist popularity contest or 'circle of friends'. People can do that outside the forum.


Having said all that….I really appreciate the forum and the mods rock! Thank you @MJ DeMarco !



EDIT / P.S. An IGNORE THREAD function would be awesome.

 

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[Dwight Schrute]

I really appreciate the forum and the mods rock! Thank you @MJ DeMarco !

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[marklov]

INSIDERS section be ONLY for people who are actually starting or running a BUSINESS. Current or past Progress thread a MUST. (Or if an established business person, some kind of proof) Otherwise what is the point?

Who is gonna police that process?

If software can't do it then someone has to.

What about the dozens who might want to join because of their "startup"?

Should vigilante and other mods be subjected to looking at dozens of proofs of "startups" that just bought a .com domain and just finished installing a wordpress theme?

What is the definition of starting or running a real business?

I used to be the mod of a gaming forum back in high school and had to sift through gamer's applications to ensure they had the right stats to join out "inner sanctum"...it quickly became the bane of my existence not because of the responsibility but the hordes of low rank noobs who wanted a "chance", "I can potentially" or felt their case was somehow special.

 

[Harti]

I'd add a new forum in the INSIDERS area to find jV partner and or mastermind groups.

Honestly, I'm working on my businesses for 2 years soon from home, and I'm having trouble finding people to connect to.

 

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[GuestUser140]

I wish there was a way to see people's "likes received" to "posts" ratio.

I'd rather read posts by someone who has 50 posts and 500 likes, than 5000 posts and 4000 likes.

Quality over quantity.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

I'd rather read posts by someone who has 50 posts and 500 likes, than 5000 posts and 4000 likes.

This is one of my top wishes/priorities, that and the exposure of great posts which might appear in bad threads.

 

[jon.a]

This is one of my top wishes/priorities, that and the exposure of great posts which might appear in bad threads.

What if there was a method of copying great posts into their own thread? A notable post section?

 

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[IGP]

I wish there was a way to see people's "likes received" to "posts" ratio.

I'd rather read posts by someone who has 50 posts and 500 likes, than 5000 posts and 4000 likes.

Quality over quantity.

@MichaelGrey Can't you already do that? Under your picture there is "likes received" and "messages". Or do you mean to have the threads organized by those with a certain ratio?

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Yes, this could definitely work, as well as having an official tag for such, something like [HASHTAG]#GreatPost[/HASHTAG].

I think I might give it a try and see how time consuming it is. Rep+

 

[Andy Black]

Yes, this could definitely work, as well as having an official tag for such, something like [HASHTAG]#GreatPost[/HASHTAG].

I think I might give it a try and see how time consuming it is. Rep+

Yes. A [HASHTAG]#GOLDPost[/HASHTAG] tag or something would work. We have [HASHTAG]#Landfill[/HASHTAG], so why not a good one.

It would be a pleasure to copy/paste into a "Gold Posts" thread, instead of deleting spam and moving things to landfill.

 

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[jon.a]

Yes. A [HASHTAG]#GOLDPost[/HASHTAG] tag or something would work. We have [HASHTAG]#Landfill[/HASHTAG], so why not a good one.

It would be a pleasure to copy/paste into a "Gold Posts" thread, instead of deleting spam and moving things to landfill.

So we could report catching someone doing good?

 

[Supa]

So we could report catching someone doing good?

A [HASHTAG]#GoldPost[/HASHTAG] would be cool

 

[marklov]

Wall of text posts can be tiring to read especially poorly formatted ones.

Could a message popup once a certain amount of words are reached ?
With a countdown and its unclosable so they have to read it

Something like.....

Whoa! that's a lot of words there.

Ensure to properly format your post for easier reading.

>Separate your content in to paragraphs.

>Proper use of headlines

> bullet points where necessary

>Use the spoiler feature for high resolution photos.

Not word for word but just me thinking.

 

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[Dwight Schrute]

I think I might give it a try and see how time consuming it is.

Would it be also possible to display "Contains X Nuggets" on the forum list, beside the thread name or in the thread preview?

 

[loop101]

If you were a moderator, or if you owned the forum...

What would you do differently to make this forum better?

Anything goes. Great answers/suggestions/ideas will get you rep$$.

Suggesting MJ fire me might get your IP address banned.

Go.

Vigilante, I quit contributing to this forum because you "Liked" every attack on me by Waisech and others. I went from looking forward to contributing, to never wanting to add value to it. If you want to make this forum better, I suggest you start with yourself.

 

[Guest34764]

igilante, I quit contributing to this forum because you "Liked" every attack on me by Waisech and others. I went from looking forward to contributing, to never wanting to add value to it. If you want to make this forum better, I suggest you start with yourself.

r.i.p

 

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[Vigilante]

Vigilante, I quit contributing to this forum because you "Liked" every attack on me by Waisech and others. I went from looking forward to contributing, to never wanting to add value to it. If you want to make this forum better, I suggest you start with yourself.

I thought you left with a big announcement and fanfare farewell.

The forum members as a whole determine if your posts add value or not. Don't give one person that much credit or power over your own self worth. Your post:like ratio was actually decent.

Your suggestion will be taken under advisement until MJ comes up with a way to move individual posts to [HASHTAG]#landfill[/HASHTAG]

 

[AllenCrawley]

I don't want to derail this thread but allow me to interject.

Vigilante, I quit contributing to this forum because you "Liked" every attack on me by Waisech and others. I went from looking forward to contributing, to never wanting to add value to it. If you want to make this forum better, I suggest you start with yourself.

I would highly recommend reading "Thick Face, Black Heart". If you allow it, it will change your life.

Here's the basic essence of Thick Face, Black Heart - The Shield and The Spear...

Thick Face (Shield) is having such a positive self-image that the criticism of others have no effect on you in any way.

Black Heart (Spear) is the ability to take action without regard to how the consequences will affect others. Ruthlessness (non-destructive) but not evil.

"Thick Face and Black Heart are two sides of the same coin. When one possesses the strength of Thick Face, one can ignore the criticism and disapproval of the masses. This same strength is also the source of the Black Heart; it allows one to effectively use the spear to cut through the ignorant and preconceived ideas of the masses."

 

[MJ DeMarco]

I quit contributing to this forum because you "Liked" every attack on me by Waisech and others.

Sorry to hear this. A shame really.

All us have to learn how to have thicker skins. It's almost a skill that must be practiced, like copy writing, sales, playing tennis.

Had I quit contributing because some other member "liked" a comment or attack in which I disagreed with, I would have quit contributing about 8 days after I created the forum. If everyone stops contributing because not everyone agrees, we'd cease to exist.

Not any one person on this forum represents a forum consensus.

In fact, any contributing user who is not in a banned status, is an opinion we value. We may not agree with it, but it doesn't mean it's not welcome, regardless of likes, comments, etc. If your opinion is problematic (threatening, trolling, spamming) you are simply removed. There is no gray area. You're appreciated here, or you're not.

I don't want to derail this thread but allow me to interject.

I would highly recommend reading "Thick Face, Black Heart". If you allow it, it will change your life.

Here's the basic essence of Thick Face, Black Heart - The Shield and The Spear...

Thick Face (Shield) is having such a positive self-image that the criticism of others have no effect on you in any way.

Black Heart (Spear) is the ability to take action without regard to how the consequences will affect others. Ruthlessness (non-destructive) but not evil.

"Thick Face and Black Heart are two sides of the same coin. When one possesses the strength of Thick Face, one can ignore the criticism and disapproval of the masses. This same strength is also the source of the Black Heart; it allows one to effectively use the spear to cut through the ignorant and preconceived ideas of the masses."

Thank you, a better way of saying it. And yes, Thick Face/Black Heart is a recommended forum read for building our immunity to attack, either directly or indirectly. The forum definitely strengthens this muscle.

 

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[Longinus]

I liked the last two posts. I should feel bad now...

 

[LightHouse]

I'd ban MJ and rename this place The Billionaire Jestlane and ban everyone but Ubermench and RichFace and then sell it off to Bravo Tv.


I get the idea of wanting to constantly improve, but this is the best kept business forum out there. I contribute more on very very private forums because i'm mostly pretty private, (or a private part).. but really, this is the only "forum" I am even apart of anymore. Only because MJ laughs at my jokes.

The forum is cleared of spam constantly, threads that are removed are removed, threads that seem like they need to be locked but don't, don't. All of the moderators do a pretty outstanding job... besides Vig, he is too busy trying to brush sand off his feet to make anything happen anymore.

Just keep on keepin on boys (and girls), y'all got business' to run.

 

[Ubermensch]

There are various levels of good to great.

We have "GOLD" threads.

Why not "SILVER"?

"BRONZE"?

"PLATINUM"?

 

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[GrayCode]

Just a thought, I noticed the "AMA" sticky is only given to proven people. Is there a possibility of having a "Fastlaner" Tag added under a profile pic...

Only given to actual Fastlaners (Must be proven)

While i personally think anyone can learn from ANYONE.

It would help to separate valuable advice from some others who are "Living in glass houses and shouldn't be casting stones"

Maybe even a little "road" emoji or something.

Again just a thought. Would love to hear opinions on this!

 

[Vigilante]

Just a thought, I noticed the "AMA" sticky is only given to proven people. Is there a possibility of having a "Fastlaner" Tag added under a profile pic...

Only given to actual Fastlaners (Must be proven)

While i personally think anyone can learn from ANYONE.

It would help to separate valuable advice from some others who are "Living in glass houses and shouldn't be casting stones"

Maybe even a little "road" emoji or something.

Again just a thought. Would love to hear opinions on this!

I think the longer you hang out, the more you will start to see the forum self regulate. Posers tend to get exposed. The problem we have with any form of credential is :
1. the term fastlaner is subjective, and
2. there's nobody that can take the time to physically vet everyone (we get several hundred thousand visits per month)

So, from a formalized recognition standpoint, that's not going to happen. However, your sentiments have been echoed by many over the years, and the forum's best defense is to continue to call out bullshit and self regulate. The ignore feature is also a great tool to mitigate extra noise. We stop short of the Reddit type amateur sleuthing, but bullshit tends to rise to the top. We're pretty aggressive also in the back office about managing obvious manipulation or abuse of the good will of the posters at large.

We do what we can. Good idea, but it's not likely to be anything we can realistically implement.

 

[LightHouse]

I think the longer you hang out, the more you will start to see the forum self regulate. Posers tend to get exposed. The problem we have with any form of credential is :
1. the term fastlaner is subjective, and
2. there's nobody that can take the time to physically vet everyone (we get several hundred thousand visits per month)

So, from a formalized recognition standpoint, that's not going to happen. However, your sentiments have been echoed by many over the years, and the forum's best defense is to continue to call out bullshit and self regulate. The ignore feature is also a great tool to mitigate extra noise. We stop short of the Reddit type amateur sleuthing, but bullshit tends to rise to the top. We're pretty aggressive also in the back office about managing obvious manipulation or abuse of the good will of the posters at large.

We do what we can. Good idea, but it's not likely to be anything we can realistically implement.

Not to mention the inverse effect that could have. Just because your a "fastlaner" doesnt meant people should automatically trust you or that you are here just for goodwill. People would start to listen or read only those with tags, and lets be real, that's asking for issues.

The real world isn't tagged and vetted either, so spend sometime honing your bullshit meter here before you step out and you'll be ready for anything.

 

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[Ubermensch]

Not to mention the inverse effect that could have. Just because your a "fastlaner" doesnt meant people should automatically trust you or that you are here just for goodwill. People would start to listen or read only those with tags, and lets be real, that's asking for issues.

The real world isn't tagged and vetted either, so spend sometime honing your bullshit meter here before you step out and you'll be ready for anything.

If you think about, dollars kind of look like "tags."

 

[LightHouse]

If you think about, dollars kind of look like "tags."

I don't know what kind of things you think about but i don't pin a dollar to my shirt or have it hanging out of my pocket, lol.

Along the same line, just because someone APPEARS to have wealth, doesn't mean everything they tell you is correct or you should follow them because of it. That can be the very same trap.

In fact, if you are trying to follow anyone period, you are already headed in the wrong direction.