Is it just my imagination...

[Pierre]

or, does the site seem very quiet lately...

[Bman409]

THat's what I thought too

I was excited to start posting here a few month ago as there was always a crowd

now it seems kinda dead :(

[Mad Girl Investor]

Mad Girl feels the same as Pierre and Bman feel...

Mad girl is sad too, as she likes her friends here...I believe it may be due to Thierrys opening the OT section....I think he wanted to keep this forum related to stock pick disucussion only...I dont like it tho and Im wondering how ya'll feel too?

Maybe if members drop off, he would change it back?

[Psampson]

I think its your avatar MG. Its scaring people away!

[Hanger]

Hate to say it as I like the penny plays every once n awhile-

But perhaps this is the problem...this forum is getting closer and closer to the other forums. I would hope that it is not, but you never know.

[aiki14]

I think its your avatar MG. Its scaring people away!

Attracting werewolves as well.

[Mad Girl Investor]

Now dont go blaming it on my buttocks.....what have they ever done to you??? All theyve done is just smile at ya every day, and you know your smiling... :)

[Psampson]

lol I do give you credit though, it's better than some of your past ones. I would hate to see them in that position.

[Bman409]

Hate to say it as I like the penny plays every once n awhile-

But perhaps this is the problem...this forum is getting closer and closer to the other forums. I would hope that it is not, but you never know.


I like to post news articles and start discussions about non-penny stocks but have to admit, its discouraging if you put in a big post and you get like one or two replies..

Meanwhile the penny stock threads are the most active...

I suppose that's the nature of the game

[Thierry Martin]

The traffic is steady, even up most days, and it certainly isn't going to the Off Topic Forum, it doesn't get very many views.

When the weather gets nice, people spend less time writing posts, so the actual posting may seem to be diminishing. I have seen this before, and you should see it swing back. I'll give the forum a boost by upping the advertising budget also.

And don't forget that BOO, as irritating as he was to some users, was the most prolific poster here. Until we get another loud mouthed trouble maker, it is going to seem calmer here.

Mad Girl - you may be turning off new customers, your avatar is very funny, but someone who doesn't know you or this forum may be frightened into thinking that we are all a bunch of deviants or perverts here. I have seen less visitors become new members, on a percentage basis. Could be other things as well.

Why don't you archive your avatar by including it as an image in one of your posts, and bring back a more family friendly picture? I think most of the users here would appreciate it!

[Mad Girl Investor]

Yeah...thats it...its my avatar thats driven people away.

I wonder why I have only gotten compliments on it then?

Sure I will change it....Im beginning to think i might need to relocate too.

Sad.

[MoMoney4Me]

Mad Girl - you may be turning off new customers,,,,,,,,,,,bring back a more family friendly picture,,,,,,, I think most of the users here would appreciate it!

No disrespect MG, but Amen Thierry !!!

[Mad Girl Investor]

Ya, amen...this is church after all, isnt it?

Interesting how my avatar was accepted and approved by management several days ago...but then today its not.

Guess life really isnt fair after all.

[sportsmadness80]

Mad Girl - you may be turning off new customers, your avatar is very funny, but someone who doesn't know you or this forum may be frightened into thinking that we are all a bunch of deviants or perverts here. I have seen less visitors become new members, on a percentage basis. Could be other things as well.

I cant believe people were scared of her avatar. I hope we dont need sensitivity classes.

http://www.fadzter.com/smilies/laughabove.gif

[Mad Girl Investor]

Frightened?

Are you kidding me?

And to think someone started a seperate thread dedicated to the offending avatar, saying how much they enjoyed it?

See ya'll!

[Thierry Martin]

This is a forum about stock trading, not big fat asses. Everybody is allowed to have an opinion, and some people were offended by your buttocks. Nobody forced you to change it, and I'm sure many enjoyed the view. I have never, ever banned an avatar on this forum. We don't "approve" or "disapprove" avatars.

[Luc1Grunt]

Awwww stick around MG, I enjoy your sense of humor......

I have, however, placed a sticky note on the screen where your avatar normally appears. Hey, I sometimes eat at my desk and since your avatars, have lost unwanted pounds!!!!

:arrow: .............................8O

[Thierry Martin]

Yeah, Mad Girl, you are really overreacting - some people love your big booty, some people get indigestion. If you are going to contribute to a thread about why this forum isn't busier, I don't think it is unreasonable to suggest that a different avatar would perhaps be less likely to throw new visitors for a loop.

Nobody said you have to change it, but do you really think a picture like the one you were displaying would increase traffic at, let's say, theStreet.com?

Something I learned a long time ago is that when it comes to money, although a sense of humor is always appreciated, in the end (no pun intended) it is a serious subject.

Big fat almost naked asses used to represent the posters on this board may conribute to this forum being taken less seriously. Just my opinion - I never intended to make you feel like you were being pushed around, because you aren't.

[Thierry Martin]

Just to clarify - I always loved Mad Girl's original avatar -always made me smile. Quite disappointed to see the series of gigantic naked butts that replaced it, although, as the father of 2 young boys, I understand how these images may be amusing to some.

Made a couple of suggestions that the original was missed. And although I always felt the forum's success would be better served with more conventional imagery, I also felt that not stifling the free speech or expression of the posters here was far more important than getting more traffic.

Never forced the issue, but now I feel like I have become the bad guy in this because I expressed my opinion truthfully. Too bad I can't get the same respect from others that I give them. Quitting because of encountering different opinions than one's own would be like me banning someone every time I don't agree with them.

[Bman409]

Just to clarify - I always loved Mad Girl's original avatar -always made me smile. Quite disappointed to see the series of gigantic naked butts that replaced it, although, as the father of 2 young boys, I understand how these images may be amusing to some.

Made a couple of suggestions that the original was missed. And although I always felt the forum's success would be better served with more conventional imagery, I also felt that not stifling the free speech or expression of the posters here was far more important than getting more traffic.

Never forced the issue, but now I feel like I have become the bad guy in this because I expressed my opinion truthfully. Too bad I can't get the same respect from others that I give them. Quitting because of encountering different opinions than one's own would be like me banning someone every time I don't agree with them.



Thierry,

I think you've got a great site and you do a great job. Don't let them get you down.. this site has alot of great things going for it!

[Bman409]

Yeah...thats it...its my avatar thats driven people away.

I wonder why I have only gotten compliments on it then?

Sure I will change it....Im beginning to think i might need to relocate too.

Sad.


nahhh.. stay here.. you're one of the more consistent posters!!

This is just a little misunderstanding. That happens alot on internet boards.. They say something like 50% or more of our ACTUAL REAL LIFE communication is nonverbal.. That is lost on the internet, unfortunately. I think that leads to a lot of misunderstandings

[Hanger]

I am going to attempt to do my own part here-

Going to start talking about more quality stocks. I think this may be adding to the lack of new members.

Mad Girl- Don't go...while I thought it was a cute and funny avatar, I can see what Thierry is getting to. I suppose you have to look at the average investor, and right now they are 35-50 men, who may not find it as funny as I do. With that said-Keep on truckin Girl!!!

[Thierry Martin]

This is just a little misunderstanding. That happens alot on internet boards.. They say something like 50% or more of our ACTUAL REAL LIFE communication is nonverbal.. That is lost on the internet, unfortunately. I think that leads to a lot of misunderstandings

I agree with that - I used to get into spats with business associates, and even a quick phone call would clear things up immediately.

Maybe I should take a close-up wide-angle shot of my butt and use it as an avatar to straighten things out with Mad Girl.

[Luc1Grunt]

Thierry, would have to really disagree with your last post.......no more @sse$!!!!!! Except of course Tekbubble.

[Katibel]

Well, as a woman I think I can respond to the A$$ debate. It really didn't bother me. I am certain (I really hope I am certain) that it wasn't HER a$$ and done all in fun.:::sheepishly admits:::... I always looked forward to the next "Big girl photo". It was very original. I think the only turn off for me would be a site that WASN'T informative,educational, or helpful. I have learned ALOT by just reading the posts and then researching what I read. It has been very practical OTJ (in a virtual kind of way) training for me :)

cheers,
Kati

[madcowdisease]

Thierry, in the time I've been here you've given away a host of books and now the contests are rolling in where players can win money. Lastly you're talking about upping the advertising budget. I'm cognizant of the small ads here and there but it's nothing i thought generated much money. So, if i might ask, what does this site bring in? Is it self-sufficient or even better, does it turn a profit?

[Thierry Martin]

The site makes some money from advertising but I plow all the money back into expenses and advertising in order to grow traffic and software and hardware improvements. We're not on easy street yet.

[Pierre]

Ummmmmm... what I'd miss?
M.G., you knows my feelin's... Thierry, you're the best... let's say we all jes kiss & make up...

[jeffblacktn]

I am a relatively new visitor to the site. I find the dialog interesting, informative, and refreshing.

As a person with 42 years under my belt, it has been my experience that prude's are not as open-minded and thoughtful about a great many topics, including politics and societal issues, which as we all know, influences the markets.

If a person chooses not to return to this site because of another person's avatar, I don't know how valuable their contribution would be to the conversation.

Best,

jb

[financenanc]

I missed this entire thread. Mad girl leave? That's ridiculous.

And speaking as a woman within the 35-50 yr. old age range, who has many male friends within that age range, I don't believe that specific demographic would find her avitars any more offensive than men within any other age ranges. People, in general, might be offended, as some people, in general...are conservative/business-like...and can't mix finance with fun (or don't consider fat-ass pictures funny. HOW ODD??)

Anyway, I did love the original MG picture of the little scared girl!

I, for one, would hate to see MG go as You, Mad, have a lot to contribute along with your great humor.

[oldboldpilot]

Yeah, great humor like ...."have to blow out the phlegm from between my cheeks". Guess I belong to the conservative group. Maybe you should post photos of Down syndrome kids, paraplegics and Alzheimer's victims as well as the morbidly obese. That would be REALLY funny. Humor is one thing ....exceptionally bad taste is altogether something else.

[NATHAN LLOYD]

There is an ignore option, so people don't have to be booted from here.

I agree that MG's avatars were very disturbing. She was original and brought spice to this place though. Is she gone? :(

I did end up selling because Booyahoo was too negative, but I didn't get angry about it. Boo seemed to just spit utter nonesense; his posts were still amusing and original nonetheless.

Don't tell me Mad Girl was booted. Please don't let this place to get too boring. :(

[oldboldpilot]

Nah...she's still here Nathan.........I'm gone !

[Thierry Martin]

Don't tell me Mad Girl was booted. Please don't let this place to get too boring. :(

Mad Girl was not booted, but she said she might relocate because her big-ass avatar was criticized by me as possibly contributing to the number of visitors turning into new members being on the decrease. She is still posting, and I would hate to see her leave, no matter what her avatar is. I thought my opinion about how to make the forum more popular (which was the the theme of the thread) might be interesting, but I inadvertantly offended her, and anyone else who enjoyed the big bum humor.