This is *not* how to start a community

[finxaz]

I'm about to leave in disgust. Before I do, I want to let you know why.

I visited your site because I saw a theme I wanted to check out. It said to get it, I needed to register - fine, I'll register. Then it said I have to create 25 posts in order to get the theme. 25 posts??! Seriously?

Bribing people like this is not a good way of starting a community.

I guess I have 24 posts left before I get the theme. Can I be bothered? Take a guess.

I won't come back.

[Jeremy]

http://threadbombing.com/data/media/28/goodbye_sumo.jpg

[davemcnally]

This isn't a bribe. These are not just some low quality give aways either - they are good quality themes and if the only reason you joined is to exploit the generosity of the owner then maybe you have made the right decision ;)

25 Posts is not that much, this forum has a lot to offer. If everyone had the same idea as you, this would be a pretty empty place.

[kingjacob]

Its not a bribe to get people to the forum, its a reward for contributing members. So bye bye.

[HAWK]

It's good that they bothered to give the feedback though, I guess.

[ses5909]

Thanks for the feedback and yes, as was said, this is not a bribe. On the themes page it clearly states:

The idea behind these themes is to provide something of good value to our members, and limiting downloads to our active members helps to maintain the uniqueness of each theme.

It's a way to give back to the members here who have immersed themselves in the community while still maintaining the value of them by not handing them out to everyone who walks by.

I don't see this changing anytime soon. Sorry to see you go, but I hope you'll rethink your stance on it :)

[jMcQuarrie]

I'm not defending finxaz, or criticising TBE, but it might be worth making it explicit that the themes are a benefit only available to TBE members who contribute over 25 posts before people sign up. Making this clear up front could prevent disappointment.

[ses5909]

Thanks for the suggestion James. On the individual theme when you view it (if you're not logged in) it does say you need 25 posts. The message changes whether you are a logged in member or not and what permissions you have. But I added the text on the main WordPress Themes listing page wrapped in em tags:

To be eligible to download this free theme, you only need 25 posts in the blog forum!


I'm not sure where else I could put it. When someone registers to the forum now, I send them a pm immediately letting them know that as well.

Perhaps in the future I will release some that are open for all, but for now, this is one way to give back to you guys. Hopefully the OP can understand that.

[jMcQuarrie]

In that case, I apologise. When I'd read the pages I'd not seen the 25 posts needed bit.

*Shakes head, reminds himself to READ things properly before commenting...*

[ses5909]

Well, you wouldn't have seen the 25posts think unless you weren't logged in. I tried to change the wording to suit the audience. So no apology necessary. But I DID add the 25 posts part to the listings page anyway just to hope avoid any confusion.

[shyflower]

I'm quite surprised that you even bothered to let that person's selfish post stand. Good riddens. Even if he/she did post 25 posts, who needs a whiner?

I think it's overly generous of you to create free themes and offer them. In many forums I see questions about how much to charge, how much to pay for a blog theme.

Kudos to you Sara http://shyflower.com/temp/smileys/applause.gifand

http://shyflower.com/temp/smileys/violin.gif to the op.

[Jelena]

Oh, I know how much effort Sara put into those themes and she offered them for free to existing members. Like shyflower said, I wouldn't even bother to let people like that post here.

[ses5909]

Thanks guys, I've got your back too ;). I do appreciate the feedback whether it be good or bad and it made me aware that I may need to make the 25 posts things more apparent so someone doesn't feel like this again. I learned a long ago that you can't win them all..if only you could!!

[doorlight]

The free themes started because the admin wants to say thank you to all the members who keep on coming back here, right?

The issue here, finxaz might have misunderstood it. *nginig*

[SageMother]

I'm not defending finxaz, or criticising TBE, but it might be worth making it explicit that the themes are a benefit only available to TBE members who contribute over 25 posts before people sign up. Making this clear up front could prevent disappointment.

That is a good suggestion. Even though feedback is good, everyone has the right to create their online universe as they see fit. Perhaps someone who is unhappy with the parameters of this universe can step away and make their own. There's nothing that creates understanding quicker than having to do something yourself!

\:D/

[tater03]

I think that personally there is nothing wrong with having to do 25 posts before you get them. I mean you will have people that just want something for free. And like you stated this is a "thank you" to members that particpate in the community.

[lilmissjenny]

I think that personally there is nothing wrong with having to do 25 posts before you get them. I mean you will have people that just want something for free. And like you stated this is a "thank you" to members that particpate in the community.
That's what I was gonna say hehe

[mrs.tinsley]

http://threadbombing.com/data/media/28/goodbye_sumo.jpg

HAHAHAHHAHA!! hope you don't mind, but I stole your pic... too funny!!

[Cedric]

Uh... disgusting people... Perhaps he needs a dictionary on what "bribe" really means... But it's ok, Sara will have us backing up for her,

[goldfries]

someone was really desperate for themes I guess.

[Dan Schulz]

Suppose so.

[Jessi]

Nice ego boost, though. Your themes are great enough that someone took the time to come and rant about not being able to get them, lol.

[Dan Schulz]

Not being unable to get them, just not willing to put forth the minimal effort to get them.

[Jessi]

Way to go and get technical. I supposed I should have said "able to get them *immediately.*" I know he can easily get them if he put out the effort...that had already been stated numerous times. :p

[Dan Schulz]

Sorry. :( It just sounded to me like no effort was necessary (I've been coding a custom WordPress theme for the past week now - it's proving to be very aggrivating considering how far I'm pushing the limits of what it's capable of doing).

[adalante]

Well too bad you had to leave this is a good place to be.

[malique]

its so hard, to say goodbye~`