Hey Nat! Over Here!

Glasshousebltr

How about a category on the main index for prefered contractors only?

I don't know if you have noticed but sometimes I have to hold back for fear of running some of your more conservative guest off.

This would be a place for the fellas to rip out the good stuff. You could password protect and name it 'Hard Hat Area'.:Thumbs:

Whats everyone think? Good idea?

Everyone pitch in your opinion, sometimes my words shed of Nat like a spring rain. I'm pretty sure every times he see's Glass on the thread he breaks out an umbrella, as well as his boots.

Bob

Mike Finley

I absolutely agree. A non-public accessable area is highly desired to discuss sensitive issues. It needs to be off limit to search engines too.

Nathan

I'm up for the idea... but how would we determin who is allowed to read/post? Do you just have to register or do you have to be approved somehow?

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

ProWallGuy

I would suggest at least 100 posts or more (with no hassles/arguing/bs/problems), and approval from you or the other mods maybe.

I probably wouldn't qualify

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

TimWieneke

"but how would we determin who is allowed to read/post? "

Simple. Whip out the tape measures.

Seriously, just have the admin and mods make the call on who they want in there. Maybe an affiliation with an outside professional organization would help...?

Tim

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As Steve the Foreman would say, "Forgive him Lord, for he doesn't know what he's doing."

PipeGuy

I don't participate much in other forums, maybe a couple of those linked below from time to time, but I've noticed the "Newbie" tag. Maybe use a similar criteria for access i.e., NO NEWBIES?

Nathan

Well, one thing is for sure. I can't just randomly give access to some people and not to others. There has to be some firm rule that regulates it.

100+ posts
Prove your a contractor somehow
etc...

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

PipeGuy

HOW ABOUT ADMITTING ONLY THOSE THAT TYPE IN CAPS AT LEAST 20% OF THE TIME. YOU KNOW, LOUD TALKERS ONLY!

ProWallGuy

I'm a membert in good standing with the NGPP, does that qualify? And only one here too!

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

TimWieneke

"Prove your a contractor somehow"

The professional association (i.e. NARI, ABC) could take care of that.

Tim

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As Steve the Foreman would say, "Forgive him Lord, for he doesn't know what he's doing."

hatchet

I think it's fairly obvious who the contractors are - contractors only. I believe there is a site you know about Nate that's setup the same way (although it's pay for use).

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Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

Teetorbilt

How about doing it the same as the business? There are enough folks here to start a core group (board of directors). Newbies are apprentices. When someone on the board feels that someone has contributed enough relative information they can nominate that person for promotion. The promotion then goes to a vote of the members.

ProWallGuy

Teetor, excellent idea.
Maybe the public shouldn't be aware of the hidden forum, only know about it when they were promoted into it. That way, no hard feelings from others and people don't feel like its a 'secret society', which breeds contempt in some.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

Nathan

What will be discussed and how can I be sure that posting in public areas wont slow down or stop?

Sorry, just need to think this all the way through.

Also, I can keep people from being able to read ore post in the forum but i'm not sure I can keep it a total secret.

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

Nathan

I'm open to name suggestions btw.

Hard Hat Area
Hard Hat Zone
Grumpy Old Men

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

PipeGuy

good point nate. maybe only open 'the bar' during certain hours on certain days?
maybe you call it the weekly 'tool box talk'.

ProWallGuy

Not sure how its done, but in the NGPP forum, there are levels of viewing. All members can see the geenral forums, but certain member, board memebers and members of committees are given permission to see forums unable to be seen by regulars, such as Communication committee forum, etc etc

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

MinConst

By the time this thread gets over everyone that frequents should know

I don't know what you guys have in mind to discuss but remember even newbees will want to have questions. I totally agree with the business minded section being unavailable to the masses and especially the search engines. I hope I make the grade. :Thumbs:

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Paul
Minichillo's Construction
Website
I will never leave you hanging!

Arizona

Maybe a secret smiley code. :Thumbs:
Teetor should have some ideas, bein a pirate and all.
I'm afraid glass is the only one who will get my humor.
Even my reply is not as crude as I would like it to be. I think a hard hat area is a great idea, but still in an open formt, if you create a forum for just certain people than they will spend time in that forum and you will lose the contributions they would make to the public forum.

Don Benham

I think it's a great idea. "Specially when we start talking about money. I hate holding back because a potential client may be reading about me wanting every penny I can get out of them. A place where we could have more business-minded talks in reletive insulation from the consumers.

I really don't think the business forums need to be open to the public.

As for authentication, a membership in some organization(I don't have one anymore) or even a copy of a business card or scan of a Yellow Pages ad, anything showing that you're not Harry Homeowner looking for an inside scoop on how to beat us down. Fakers will be quickly spotted and can be banned.

my $.02
Don

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Benham Flooring
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Look, I know the voices in my head aren't real, it's just that lately they've had some really good points.