Where's the posts?

[JZap]

Maybe there should be some sort of preliminary period for new members? There are almost 250 members and the same 30 or less post? Not saying I don't value the information of everyone here that does, but after this whole picture thing, and the fact a customer told me he read many of my posts on this site (I told him nothing of it, he searched my name) fortunately I have nothing to hide, but we can't even see the member list to see who's reading our posts or apparently possibly stealing ideas here and claiming them as their own... :noidea: I'm concerned b/c I feel some members may not contribute as much as they have on here if there's animosity and uncertainty of who's watching.

[CaptainsLS]

I say make it a pay only site. 1 time fee. That ends that.

[JZap]

I couldn't agree more.

[4seasons]

that still probably wouldn't stop people if they want your picsbad enough.

[CaptainsLS]

No, but it will weed out all the fly-by-night guys that think $50 is too much for extended education and learning of the industry that supports their livelihood.

[mckeeland]

i have always said i would pay for a site that had better content and less advertising, not to mention i do not like the idea that anyone can find my posts and pics. like john said, i don't have anything to hide, but i am careful about what i post, anyone can find what you post. somethings i don't want customers to know about how our business works.

[cgland]

Let me address this. For one, we don't allow people to see the members list for fear of spamming and let it be known, that we monitor the members very tightly. Let's be realistic about this whole thing, if you use your real name or business name...you will be found via a Google search or similar. If you do not want potential customers viewing your life story do not use real names...period! In this day and age, we must all protect our identities and claims to fame. Make no mistake, we take great pride in the fact that our membership is made up of industry professionals that take great pride in their work and should we ever find that someone is either taking advantage of our memberships personal info or is just starting trouble for the sake of being dramatic...they WILL be banned no questions asked.

[Grn Mtn]

is it possible to not have guests? members only can view what is written?

[cgland]

Unfortunately, there is no way to block people from looking at your site. And there is nothing more we can do to better protect our members than what we have already done. We have many mods installed to eliminate spammers and such. Believe me, if there was anything else to be done, we would do it.

[JZap]

I understand having my name as makes me more likely to be spotted, but I have no problem with people looking me up. I have said nothing I would take back on this or any other site. But what if people had to post at least 10-15 messages before they could become a member then?

[CaptainsLS]

On other forums, I have MOD CP status, I can "mask" and "de-mask" people from viewing whatever I want them to see.....

[cgland]

John - In order to post a message you must register as a member. The only thing I can limit is the PM ability and pic posting ability to new members. To have people able to post comments w/o becoming a member would be a spammers dream. Why not make your name NorthhamptonJZ and never worry about it. The way I look at it is if you post quality info and act in a professional manner then there is nothing to worry about. Granted, I have flown off the handle a few times, but if you google my name none of it comes up. In this day and age I think we should all be a little more internet "street smart"

[MuirView Design]

Chris,

How do you change your user name if you wanted to do something like that?

[kootoomootoo]

Ditto ...make it a pay site.

[Meanix]

Name please?............

[cgland]

I think we would have to do it for you.

[MuirView Design]

I was thinking of maybe changing to something like:

mvland or
Anview Hardscapes or
Muirtoomootoo

You know....something original! LOL

[dclandscaping]

lol

you missed zedomuir

[SzotAllied]

Watermark your pics w/ your company logo.

[Andrew Hardscape]

I did not read all the responses here, so maybe I'm sayin something that someone else already stated.

I have noticed that most of the members / participants here all either use their real name or their business name as their handle. I have ALWAYS wondered why people would do so?

We're talkin business, and even industry trade secrets. If you don't want your customers reading this - don't use your real name! And don't use your business name either!

On the other hand, I have had prospective clients find me through lawnsite. They did an internet search on pavers and lawnsite came up, they saw my posts, liked what they read, found my weblink(s), and contacted me to do their work.

Most importantly -be careful whay you write. If you don't want people to know something - then leave it off the www.

I have participated at another board for many many years, and we must use our real names (till I figured out how to change my name!). And recently we had one extremely disturbed individual go out of his way to type FALSE and inaccurate statements about me. He did so, with the intent of the search engines picking up on it. Luckily, the moderator was quick to delete almost all of the crap (1 post still remains, that I know of).

With identity theft so popular now-a-days, you should NEVER use your real name!

One thing that I find interesting is this board is often refered to as "PH". That stands for "pennsylvania hardscaper", cause if you notice...most of the participants are all from the same area. I know we all have other locals participating / lurking...but I don't know why we would want to engage in continuous sharing with local contractors!!

Folks, just remember what you type here is open to anyone and everyone.

Participate at your own risk.

[GreenMonster]

I was thinking of maybe changing to something like:

mvland or
Anview Hardscapes or
Muirtoomootoo

You know....something original! LOL

I think MuirView Monster has a nice ring to it :)

[cgland]

but I don't know why we would want to engage in continuous sharing with local contractors!!

It's called bettering the industry Andrew! I have no "secrets"! I'll share any installation technique in my arsenal. All it does is level the playing field. Besides, me telling a competitor how I screed my base is not going to lose me work. I get work based on my COMPANY'S reputation and quality. They can build up their own rep.
If your not here to share ideas, installation techniques, or business advice............BYE!

[Mbella]

Andrew, as you know, a lot more goes into being competitive than just knowing how a given task should be completed, which product is best for a certain appication, which piece of equipment is more reliable, etc.

I have no problem sharing techniques, experiences with different techniques, proper methods, experiences with various products/equipment, etc. What I won't share, is my efficiencies and how I arrive at a given price.

It is definitely a fine line.

[MuirView Design]

Have you ever heard the saying - A rising tide raises all ships? The same is true for a better educated community and the reputation of the industry in general. I really don't understand the paranoia that's been sweeping the site and fueled by a few up on their soapboxes. I was under the impression that this community was based on sharing and improving the industry. Now suddenly we should all hide under the guise of anonymity be afraid to show others our work for fear of pirates....Rrrrrr! I guess I just don't understand the "risk" of just being honest and being yourself.

[Andrew Hardscape]

Guys -

That wasn't my point!

Some of you are touchy touchy!

It's great some want to share how they screed sand! Again, that was not my point!

This is the world wide web.

Not chit chat as you wait to get loaded at the local supply yard!

Again, as sit in the comfort of your cozy home, postin' away in your red slippers, while puffin on your corn cob pipe - jus' remember - not all have the same good intentions that you have. The pirating of contractor's website pictures is one example.

[cgland]

Andrew, I have to call you on this.....You say that wasn't your point, well, by the quote I highlighted it seems as if that WAS your point. Do you mind sharing your thoughts on what you meant by that quote?

[JZap]

I mainly changed my name to avoid future searches by unknowns, but I have no issues with anyone seeing what I post here including local contractors. Again, I'm not posting anything about how we arrive at our prices, what jobs I'm bidding, or most aspects of the business side of our company, but I feel that there is nothing to hide as far as techniques or anything else involving installs, how to deal with customers, new technology or even business advice, but not everyone is going to post their labor rates, and costs for certain jobs obviously. I think like has been said your reputation and commitment to quality is what ultimately is going to set you apart. There is no shortage of work for companies that set themselves apart.

[Andrew Hardscape]

yes, but I believe, that most contractors all think they are better than anyone else.

Or that contractors think they are of the same level as others.

Naturally, reputation, etc is what can make or break you.

Letz go further......EMPLOYEES!

There are some topics that pop up that we don't want our employees to read. Such as "my lead crew member wants a raise, but I don't feel he is worthy of a raise". Next thing you know charlie contractor runs into your guys at the local supply yard and says "hey, I hear your boss doesn't want to cough up more money and pay you what you're worth...."

[mrusk]

Andrew- You better go delete those pics of your company trucks with your logo on them. Or those job pictures watermarked with your logo! You might get a customer whos a good detective!


Seriously, I would pay for this site. I think we should have a special private section for people with over 500 or 1000 post to discuss sensetive topics like "My employee went back to mexico"


BTW the employee was going for 4 weeks and it has been 3 months with no calls and not even a postcard!!!

[CaptainsLS]

I think we should have a special private section for people with over 500 or 1000 post to discuss sensetive topics like "My employee went back to mexico"

I also like that idea. Its called "masking". The people who aren’t masked don’t even know the sub forum exists. It would be unique to this type of site, and provide protection for more sensitive topics.

[Mbella]

yes, but I believe, that most contractors all think they are better than anyone else.

Or that contractors think they are of the same level as others.

Naturally, reputation, etc is what can make or break you.

Letz go further......EMPLOYEES!

There are some topics that pop up that we don't want our employees to read. Such as "my lead crew member wants a raise, but I don't feel he is worthy of a raise". Next thing you know charlie contractor runs into your guys at the local supply yard and says "hey, I hear your boss doesn't want to cough up more money and pay you what you're worth...."

Unless Charlie can speak spanish, that isn't a problem.:)

It's pretty simple: Don't post info. that you consider sensitive. I consider info. like your example to be sensitive because it could be used against me. Soooo, I wouldn't post it.

[rake eye]

There are some topics that pop up that we don't want our employees to read. Such as "my lead crew member wants a raise, but I don't feel he is worthy of a raise". Next thing you know charlie contractor runs into your guys at the local supply yard and says "hey, I hear your boss doesn't want to cough up more money and pay you what you're worth...."

We are out here.....watching,reading,plotting:spy:.....be afraid,be very afraid.:evil:

[cgland]

we are, we are