Yep, the board's done got so big I've had to divvy it up. I've been considering it for a while because posts get bumped to page 2 and beyond very quickly and it's pretty common for people not to go beyond page 1 or 2. Fact is there could be a post on page 3 that has info that someone is looking for/or is of general interest and was only posted 4 or 5 days ago. I have found that a lot of posts get missed or passed over and many of them have good stuff.
Indeed some of that is due to the forum software I use. It's inclusive in the package from the provider I use; I could go to an outside provider and have a board very much similar/same as those you see commonly (with stickies, icons, emoticons, search options, etc., etc.) Aside from additional expense I have some "issues" with going to that type board (which I'll be happy to share with anyone who gives a shit.)
So, I've worked with the system I have to create 5 additional forums. My only intent is to make it easier for everyone to find stuff. If it becomes more difficult, cumbersome, or everyone hates me for changing it, we'll change it back.
This--the main message board--remains the same and right here where it's been. Anything that doesn't pinhole into one of the other boards goes here. I expect at first for there to be a little confusion (I wake up confused every day and then it's all down hill from there); I'll move a post that's in the wrong spot if need be. Don't freak out if I move your post! I'm not trying to single anyone out or scold you or nuthin. (Unless you're into that sort of thing.)
I can't start a new thread under someone else's screen name so if I have to I'll have to re-post your post under mine but I'll indicate that it's yours...right??...you'll see what I mean.
Comments are always encouraged! Email box is open too: clay@mofrofans.com
More...forgot to talk about the actual forum divisions.
I don't think it would surprise anyone to learn that people come on the site looking for different things. The daily analytics for the site show how many people came onto the site via a search engine, which one, and what keyword/phrase that they used. On any given day the site gets, on average, 20 new visitors via search engines. (We get site visitors from a variety of sources but search engines lead the way.)
Here's a peek into the most popular keywords and keyphrases that people use in search engines and find their way to the site:
(Keep in mind that those are the most used keywords/phrases. I've included some, but not all, of the variations of the phrases used. Many others are used to find the site too.)
So in addition to the main msg board I've created 5 more:
SHOWS Forum: This is now the place to start your pre-show roll calls, and post your show comments/reviews, pics, videos, etc.
MUSICIANS Forum: For the many of you on the board who play an instrument(s) here's where you can go to discuss tabs/chords, etc. (and the rest of us can chime in with really stupid questions.)
TAPERS Forum: And why shouldn't our tapers have their own forum to discuss all things taping related and where they can use all them secret code and acronyms they like to talk in so the rest of us don't undertstand what they's talkin' bout? And for fun, even non-tapers may jump in and make shit up and the rest of us will think you know what you're talkin bout.
PRESS Forum: Here's where we can put any posts with links to any online articles, interviews with JJ, stories about the band, etc.
OFFTOPIC Forum: If it ain't Mofro this is where it go (go). Other band show announcements and archive posts, birthdays, special occasions, etc.
I think (hope!) that all of us regulars who post or look on a semi- to regular basis, as well as our new folks that find us every day, will find it easier to not miss anything. (Or, of course, you can always tell me to go blow it out my ass.)
Last Edited by on Nov 11, 2009 4:35 PM
I don't really understand all this, but what I do know is that I trust you Clay. Do what you believe is in the best interest of MOFRO FANS & I will support you 110%
---------- "throwin' pennies on the tracks and playin' in the rain...oblivious of the world around us that was going insane"
No worries Dude! Thanks for your support (boy do I have you fooled; check's in the mail.)
The above is more explanation than many people will want. It's more for anyone who's curious about how I arrived at the decisions and forum selections I did.
Bottom line is, in web terminology, the site is now more horizontal than vertical, which generally makes it easier for site visitors. You now have a choice of 6 forums on which to post, and 6 forums to check (if you desire.) I think what we'll end up finding is that in addition to the main board (this page), the SHOWS board will busy with posts, but the other 4 less so.
Last Edited by on Nov 11, 2009 7:36 AM
It's kinda fun to see the stuff people type into search engines; sometimes people will just type in a specific lyric but often don't get it right (last week there was one "I can smell those cherry blossoms"). And the misspelled ones...moffro, jj gray, jj grey and the mofro, are 3 of my favorites. Of course I get a kick out out of the last 2 on the list in the above post. Sometimes they get long like "does jj grey have a wife?" or "is jj grey married or single?" Not a day that goes by that we don't get a couple those. (Geez...you girls)
Well, if this isn't a sign of how well Clay has put together this website, how much it's grown, and another addition to the website to make it better and better everyday, I don't know what is.
I've always asked Clay as to whether or not the site was getting to big for him or if he had the capabilities, bandwidth/server space to keep up. Well, I learned right away that he knows what he is doing and I'm surprised that he didn't do this a while ago, but then again, we all know if he had the time, he would have. Every message board that you go to now and in the past has or have gone to this format of splitting it up to meet thier members needs and make it easier to access and filter the posts for both the ones posting and it's readers. I think this is a great idea and great addition to the message board and website as a whole. Granted, skotdee is right, more boards to obsessively monitor, but if you look at it in the way you monitor this board obsessively, it's really much better with it defined individually and makes it easier for everyone to get out of it what they want to get out of it without obsessively monitoring the single message board. ---------- Delerious Tyme
Mofro for life in Arizona The Rhythm Room is exactly that when the boys are kicking it here. "Walking on Moonlight in the Day."
With that, the split gives you access to the specific information you are looking for or interested in and will make finding it much more effective and less time consuming. Better to go to one of the individual boards to find an old post about say taped show that was in a thread you are looking for than to cycle back through the what, 40+ pages of the original message board hoping to get lucky in finding it. And if you monitor the board obsessively like Skotdee, myself, and I know alot of you others out there (too many to name) if there is a board that doesn't pertain to you, isn't a part of your interest, or not what you are looking for, it will save you the time of clicking through those threads and topics which you most likely would have having it combined with all the others on here. Good idea Clay and great move on your part I think. The site just keeps getting better and better. I'm forgetting what it was like before this when I use to obsessively search for Mofro info just on Google and would come up empty handed pretty much everyday. Then you came along and gave us quite the tool indeed to feed those addictions. Good thing it's not against the law or unhealthy to do so or we'd all be in jail or dead a long time ago.
---------- Delerious Tyme
Mofro for life in Arizona The Rhythm Room is exactly that when the boys are kicking it here. "Walking on Moonlight in the Day."
Hey Clay, one question for you though, you're not gonna cycle back through the main message board and filter each thread into the respective new message board are you? If so, probably time to hire a few hundred people to help you or if you dare to do it yourself, I guess we will hear from you again when you are done in 2-3 years?
---------- Delerious Tyme
Mofro for life in Arizona The Rhythm Room is exactly that when the boys are kicking it here. "Walking on Moonlight in the Day."
As long as this doesn’t make ticket prices climb- and get harder to get…and as long as no dickhead internet bullies don’t start joining this board….I’ll stay :) ---------- ~Music is what feelings sound like~
Thanks Clay! You know I'm just givin ya the bizness, you old curmudgeon! (word of the YEAR by the way) Seriously though, I appreciate all you do to make our Mofro world a better place!
Hey Kimberly, you think the ticket prices are too high already or just speaking in terms of a large hike in the prices? To me, I don't know how they do it for just $20 a ticket. I remember the first show I bought tickets to were $15, I kept having to take a second look to make sure it was right. I think the band is the one being ripped off by the ticket prices, especially for the show they put on and travelling they have to endure. Hell, most shows these days, you're lucky if the parking or service charge is no more than $15. I can't comprehend the fact that you can go to a Mofro show and spend more money on booze throughout the night than you spent on tickets to get into the show. In California, Kimberly could probably attest to this, you probably spend more on gas to and from the show then tickets to get in.
Obviously, I have already purchased my tickets for the show in Tempe. Shooter, Mofro, and JT and the Northern Lights - Tickets are $21.00. Amazing. If JJ plays a song or two with JT or JT comes on for one with Mofro, even more Amazing. Any chance I buy 4 tickets for myself and they put on the equivalent of 4 shows? 2 shows? Just play a little bit longer than they are intending to? 10 Tickets? Ok, I'm getting out of control now...
---------- Delerious Tyme
Mofro for life in Arizona The Rhythm Room is exactly that when the boys are kicking it here. "Walking on Moonlight in the Day."
cool clay, whatever you think. works for me ---------- "Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." -Nietzsche
No DT- god no- the price of admission for Mofro is uncomfortably low right now- Obviously I would pay whatever I had to… I’m used to paying a standard 60 bucks …then add ticketbastards fees…your up to 75. I was being a little facetious about how our board is expanding…
But I am serious about dickhead internet message board bullies- I hope the day never comes that there are assholes on this board
skot...I know you. I know when you're being serious and when you're kidding. Bitch, bitch, bitch...that's all you ever do. (Aint curmudgeon a great word?; and Andy Rooney ain't got nuthin on me.)
Now see how nice DT is skot? He gets it. DT, no I won't be going back and moving posts from the main board to one of the new ones. You're right, that would require a staff! That said, I will be moving a particular few when I have the chance.
I've been toying with doing this with the board for quite some time. Aside from it being something that required a lot of my time to accomplish, I went back and forth with myself because...well, I have a bad habit of wanting everyone to be happy all the time.
What put me over the top was when I paid a visit to the JamCruise board last week. Holy shit. There are so many off-topic posts, many with subject titles that are so non-descript you have to click on the thread to see what it's about. I spent about 20 minutes on the board and got zero, zip, nuttin for info that I was looking for. They could REALLY stand to segment their board.
That exercise in futility opened my eyes. I imagined a new person just discovering the fansite (every day apx 20 new people find the site via search engines and another 20-50 via other sources.) We have tons and tons of info on the board but, as DT said, it may require going thru page after page of the board.
FF, Gigs...y'all are too nice.
Kimberly, no dickhead internet bullies allowed. Anyone like that comes on and I can blow up their computer with a click of my mouse. BOOM. Really though it's a crying shame to see the shit on other boards. A bunch of insecure people that have the inter-personal skills of a cow, who can hide behind the anonymity of the internet and instead of simply expressing their opinion in a polite way they have to pound away that not only is their way the only way but anyone who disagrees is an asshole.
I speak seldom of it (because I've seldom needed to, but as the board grows obviously it becomes more of a possibility) but I still hold anyone to a 2-strike rule. A first time offender is given a public rebuke on the board, for all to see, that their behavior is considered inappropriate (and why.) A second offense results in their password being rescinded and a ban from the board. And I can be mean. Just ask the trophy wife. When I'm challenged by an asshole and put to the test, I can be one of the biggest assholes that you've ever seen.
To paraphrase Forrest...and that's really all I have to say about that.
Last Edited by on Nov 12, 2009 7:14 AM
Many Thanks to Clay for this board. Having spent most of my life in the computer industry I know the amount of time Clay must spend on this and it is much appreciated.
Ref comments by Kimbery & DT on ticket prices I thought I'd throw a little perspective on the matter. WAY BACK in 1968 I saw Jimi Hendrix at the Cleveland Music Hall (Still one of the best concerts I've ever seen). Are you ready for this? Ticket prices were $3, $4, and $5. I still have my ticket stub. We didn't have a lot of money so we settled on the $4 tickets. Adjusted for the current rate of inflation those same tickets today would be $18.62, $24.82, and $31.03. Just a bit of interesting trivia.
Mr. D, I believe that you always have the best interest of our board at heart. For those of us that obsessively monitor this board, and we know who we are, what is a few extra clicks?.......a bit o finger excersise!!
Carry on!!
:o) ---------- "If you've never seen us before, don't be bashful - sing along from start to finish........and dance & feel good.....there's enough shit in the world, let it all out...........Brighter Daaaaays...."
well, I just "made the rounds" and it didn't take me any longer, and VERY easy to access and move around in, not like a mummy sleeping bag that when you try and roll over you get awl tangled up in, noooooo. But like and extra large sleeping with plenty of room to move around in. Good Work webby!! ---------- "If you've never seen us before, don't be bashful - sing along from start to finish........and dance & feel good.....there's enough shit in the world, let it all out...........Brighter Daaaaays...."
Ticket prices are one reason I boycott shows here in South Florida at the Hard Rock. Yes, they get some kill bands there, but I am not paying $100 to see ANYONE!!!
not even if it was for a intimate show off 100 or less - with JJ and Our Boys.....at the venue of your choosing? ---------- "If you've never seen us before, don't be bashful - sing along from start to finish........and dance & feel good.....there's enough shit in the world, let it all out...........Brighter Daaaaays...."
Nope, because I have seen them several times at the Bamboo Room with less than 100 people...and that would be my venue of choice for Mofro (well, maybe Tipitina's...seeing as how it is my favorite club).
SoFlaDave- that is quite the perspective on tickets…and wow- Hendrix?(BTW- I was 2 in ‘68…ha ha ha…)
I have to admit- I will pay whatever I have to see my music…I have no limit rules- if I want it….and I cant find them cheaper….I get it. I don’t buy designer 5-600 dollar purses or outrageous priced clothes…that not my passion…but music and travel is.
And Thanks Clay for the asshole deterrents…..and shit-I better be good…I don’t want you blowing up my computer if I piss ya off.
well....arlighty then :o) my work here is done ---------- "If you've never seen us before, don't be bashful - sing along from start to finish........and dance & feel good.....there's enough shit in the world, let it all out...........Brighter Daaaaays...."
Sunshine, your work on this board is never done. Especially with that camera you have and the stories you have to tell, keep em coming.
Kimberly, now worries on the internet punks that even try to mess with us or anyone else, Clay's on top of it and has it locked down. Even when he's away partying in NOLA or wherever Mofro is playing, during one of his 5,000 shows attended, he has someone watching the site in the off chance they show up then so he can take care of it. Yes Clay, I am overexaggerating with the 5,000, but not by much, not by much....
And as for ticket prices, to me, I just don't see how the guys make money or very much with those prices. You think about travel, paying each member/road crew, what the venue takes, what your booking agency takes, and then splitting it between Shooter and JT&TNL of late, $20 a ticket does not go very far. And that's going on expecting upwards of 500+ people attending the concert, much less when they have venues that we've all been to that only hold a 100 or so like Swkelley was talking about.
---------- Delerious Tyme
Mofro for life in Arizona The Rhythm Room is exactly that when the boys are kicking it here. "Walking on Moonlight in the Day."
I use to always say, just buying a new saxophone or new reeds for Art after he blows it apart every show would take care of any profit! I remember talking to JJ about Harmonica's around the time this site got started and he told me he was buying Herings as of late because they were the best tone and value for the money. It was just too expensive to keep buying harmonica's on a weekly or monthly basis to keep up with the tour.
You compare the ticket prices to any other band out there with even a quarter of the dates or miles traveled that Mofro does and it doesn't even compare. Especially when you look at the bigger acts that charge well over a $100 a ticket and sell out a 10,000 or more capacity arena? That's not a 300 person show at $20! You couldn't get Ozzy Osbourne to accidentally go on stage and mumble for something like that!
Down here where I'm at in Tucson, my girlfriend has always been a Journey fan her whole life and after going to numerous Mofro concerts with me, it was long over due to take her to a show of her choosing, so we went. They played a venue that held about 10,000. The tickets were $130 for ours, granted, we were up close and going back the next section was $90, and $50 for lawn seats. The place was sold out, so I would say around 2,500 people had $130 tickets, probably 3,500 had $90 tickets, and the rest in the lawn with the $50 tickets. They played for no more than an hour and a half. Granted it was a pretty good show for how old they are, but they definitely have a history. They even did a jam with a harmonica and mandolin to jump into Wheel in the Sky, which was pretty cool. But just think of how much money they made on that stop alone. I'm not saying our boys should be charging that much for tickets, but with it only being $20, I can definitely see why they tour and have been touring so much, to make ends meet.
---------- Delerious Tyme
Mofro for life in Arizona The Rhythm Room is exactly that when the boys are kicking it here. "Walking on Moonlight in the Day."
Well let's see...from top to bottom: thanks Dave, I appreciate that all the more coming from someone who knows.
Yeah Sunny it don't take any longer, just takes some getting used to. Uhhh Ash, see what happens when you stay away too long?
DT, 5000 is a little high, but I have eyes. And it's not just the penis heads, but spammers too. I get about 100 spam sign-ups to the board every week. They're spambots that come in from sites based in Russia, China, and some of the small former Soviet-bloc countries. If I don't go into the database and delete them every week, they'll spam the board. It's happened 3 times thus far; I usually delete them pretty quick. They always come in the middle of the night.
That said, if you ever see a post that has a bunch of sentences strung together that don't go with each other or make any sense, about 2 or 3 paragraphs long, with 10 or 20 links in each paragraph, don't click on any of them. Suffice it to say that bad things may happen to your computer.
The only way that I can completely prevent it is to change the settings to where a new board person must be approved by me before they can post (speaking of communism.) I'd rather go in and delete 100 fake members every week than do that (although deleting them takes time because I have to discern between real people and fake ones.) Unfortunately it's a widespread problem that anyone who runs a board has to put up with.
I gotta go with Kimberly on the tix prices. Since my trophy wife and me don't have kids (nor none with the Evil Ex of Akron) we don't have that extra expense that a lot of people do. Our "childcare" money goes to music/travel. Well, so does our money we're supposed to save, and our emergency funds, and our grocery money.
But to spend $100 p/p to see someone, it has to be pretty special. On top of that you got drinks and parking and shit, with 2 people going you'll drop $300. They better have a nice babe that'll come down off the stage and give me a...a...a...kiss, yeah a kiss, for $300.
That said, when I was younger, stupider, and made a lot more money than I do now, I think I popped $100 at a "gentlemen's club" (Thee Doll House, if you must know) on more than one ocassion. I did walk away with a kiss and a...a...a...limp, yeah a limp, but looking back on it now I think maybe I'd rather have the $100.
I remember seeing Jimmy Buffet and the Eagles (during the Hotel California tour, with Joe Walsh) in 1977 and I think it was $12. Goes to show what DT's saying. I don't know how the guys do it. Well part of why is because they love it and they're natural-born entertainers. But given the all the money it costs in travel expenses, management fees, booking fees, hell...even the venues take a percentage of the merch sales...the money has to get real thin.
Using Dave's rate of inflation from above, a $20 ticket in 1968 would be apx $60 today. Unfortunately the market won't allow for a $60 tick but the cost of living has not slowed down.
Last Edited by on Nov 13, 2009 7:39 AM
I meant to say thank you DT for your kind words!! I haven't been on the board a whole lot the last week, guess I had the flu - was out of work 4 days last week and the NEVER happens.........back today but weak.....
---------- "If you've never seen us before, don't be bashful - sing along from start to finish........and dance & feel good.....there's enough shit in the world, let it all out...........Brighter Daaaaays...."
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