Hey guys, I realize that some of you younger Vacuumlanders are disappointed that you might not be able to keep all of these fancy upgraded features of Vacuumland once the 45 day trial period is up. At the same time us adults want to have an area of the site to discuss topics that might not always be appropriate for underage members. So I think I came up with a plan that might work to make almost everyone happy (I've learned over the years that's nearly impossible lol). Here is what I'm thinking.
I'm going to create a special entry in the database to mark anyone who is between the ages of 13 and 17 as a "Youth Account". You have to be at least 13 to sign up and post on Vacuumland. That is the law and it's a good one at that.
I'm going to create a new private off-topic forum, just for the youth participants, which will be another clickable circle in a new color at the top of the screen. I would like you guys who are youth participants to come up with a fun name for this new forum and pick the color, you can talk among yourselves and come up with some fun ideas. This new youth forum will only be able to be accessed by the youth participants and the adult moderators. No other adults will be allowed in there, just as no youth members will be allowed in Miscellanea. You guys can discuss what ever you want in there as long as it doesn't break the forum rules that are posted. I'd like to make a safe space for you guys, because friends that you make here now could last the rest of your life. Fred and I are lucky to have many friends who share our passions and I only hope the same for you all. There is nothing like being around people who share your common interest, especially when the interest we share is quite fun but unusual. I certainly realize that it's hard to meet other people who enjoy vacuums and appliances. When I was a kid if I would have given anything to meet other guys my age who liked washing machines and dishwashers. Instead people just thought I was crazy lol. The internet has changed all that and I hope you appreciate how lucky you are to have the internet and a place like Vacuumland. For many of us when we were your age, the closest thing to the internet was the reference section of the public library.
Youth memberships will be completely free, I'd rather see you save that $12 for a new vacuum or something else you'd like buy. Once you turn 18 you'll have to become an adult member and at that point you'll have to upgrade if you wish to stay on with the extra features.
Now I want you guys to understand that to do this is going to take many hours of programming work for me to do this, but I think you all are worth the effort. The only thing I ask in return is that you treat guys treat Vacuumland with the respect it deserves. There has been some issues in the past with the underage participants getting on the nerves of some of the adult members due to a few younger members having what some might consider lack of respect for Vacuumland. Such things as using text-message talk in making posts, posts that aren't even one full sentence and not making any attempt to proofread what you've typed before you post it. I'm not one to talk as I make typos all the time, I'm sure there a some in this post, but I do try to get it right and that's all we are going to ask from you all. I also ask that you respect the adults on the site, if an adult Vacuumlander asks you not to do something or to behave better, I expect you to listen to them as you would one of your teachers at school (or else and I do mean or else). So if you guys can make the effort to keep your posts tidy, be polite and respectful, I will make the effort as well and let you keep all these fancy features and give you your own space here. Deal?
I've done my homework and gone through the database with a fine tooth comb and figured out most of who is underage here, but I would like all of you who are youth members to be honest and check in here in this thread and let me know the following things:
#1 Your birthday (month-date-year)?
#2 what you favorite vacuum is?
#3 what your absolute dream machine to find would be?
#4 what you might think a good name for your own forum would be?
#5 what color should we make this new forum?
Ok guys put your thinking caps on and come up with some creative names!
[this post was last edited: 4/5/2013-21:00]
I'm going to create a special entry in the database to mark anyone who is between the ages of 13 and 17 as a "Youth Account". You have to be at least 13 to sign up and post on Vacuumland. That is the law and it's a good one at that.
I'm going to create a new private off-topic forum, just for the youth participants, which will be another clickable circle in a new color at the top of the screen. I would like you guys who are youth participants to come up with a fun name for this new forum and pick the color, you can talk among yourselves and come up with some fun ideas. This new youth forum will only be able to be accessed by the youth participants and the adult moderators. No other adults will be allowed in there, just as no youth members will be allowed in Miscellanea. You guys can discuss what ever you want in there as long as it doesn't break the forum rules that are posted. I'd like to make a safe space for you guys, because friends that you make here now could last the rest of your life. Fred and I are lucky to have many friends who share our passions and I only hope the same for you all. There is nothing like being around people who share your common interest, especially when the interest we share is quite fun but unusual. I certainly realize that it's hard to meet other people who enjoy vacuums and appliances. When I was a kid if I would have given anything to meet other guys my age who liked washing machines and dishwashers. Instead people just thought I was crazy lol. The internet has changed all that and I hope you appreciate how lucky you are to have the internet and a place like Vacuumland. For many of us when we were your age, the closest thing to the internet was the reference section of the public library.
Youth memberships will be completely free, I'd rather see you save that $12 for a new vacuum or something else you'd like buy. Once you turn 18 you'll have to become an adult member and at that point you'll have to upgrade if you wish to stay on with the extra features.
Now I want you guys to understand that to do this is going to take many hours of programming work for me to do this, but I think you all are worth the effort. The only thing I ask in return is that you treat guys treat Vacuumland with the respect it deserves. There has been some issues in the past with the underage participants getting on the nerves of some of the adult members due to a few younger members having what some might consider lack of respect for Vacuumland. Such things as using text-message talk in making posts, posts that aren't even one full sentence and not making any attempt to proofread what you've typed before you post it. I'm not one to talk as I make typos all the time, I'm sure there a some in this post, but I do try to get it right and that's all we are going to ask from you all. I also ask that you respect the adults on the site, if an adult Vacuumlander asks you not to do something or to behave better, I expect you to listen to them as you would one of your teachers at school (or else and I do mean or else). So if you guys can make the effort to keep your posts tidy, be polite and respectful, I will make the effort as well and let you keep all these fancy features and give you your own space here. Deal?
I've done my homework and gone through the database with a fine tooth comb and figured out most of who is underage here, but I would like all of you who are youth members to be honest and check in here in this thread and let me know the following things:
#1 Your birthday (month-date-year)?
#2 what you favorite vacuum is?
#3 what your absolute dream machine to find would be?
#4 what you might think a good name for your own forum would be?
#5 what color should we make this new forum?
Ok guys put your thinking caps on and come up with some creative names!
[this post was last edited: 4/5/2013-21:00]
