Big Mike 

All, I am contemplating a major / drastic change to the behavior of all downloads on the site. The change would be to make all downloads Elite Only. I mean all downloads, in posts, threads, downloads section, everywhere globally. The only exclusion would be images (screen shots), but all other file types would be available only to Elite Members. I have mixed feelings on this, so wanted to get some feedback from the users to consider as well before making any decisions. The main reason for the desire to change is to protect the work and to protect the value of the community. Right now, too many "bots" are downloading our indicators and posting them on other sites as their own. Right now, too many real people register "fake" accounts because they can't even be bothered to spend 30 seconds to type in correct info when they register, all because all they want is to download something and likely never participate further in the site. I previously tried enforcing a 10 post minimum for downloads, but all that did was have people create 10 junk posts. So that isn't going to work. It seems the best way to protect the collection of downloads the users have worked very hard on, is to restrict access to only those who are serious about trading. It certainly doesn't have to be Elite only, but the only other realistic option to implement is the minimum post requirement. If I change it to say 50 (instead of what we tried before, 10) then maybe it would prevent people from creating 50 spam posts just to download something, but still allow people who are serious about trading - but for whatever reason aren't Elite members - to still download. But the problem is, 50 posts is far, far more than what most people have (unfortunately), so such a requirement is likely to just piss off a lot of people. The desire to change is not about increasing Elite sign ups. In fact, lately I have been wondering if futures.io (formerly BMT) is getting "too big" as we've started to attract some of the trolls from other sites and sometimes some of the posts are getting unfriendly lately. I am fighting this very hard as I am sure you are as well. We all want futures.io (formerly BMT) to remain a unique place, a place where everyone is truly here to help, and not start arguments, call each other names, or other troll like behavior. So this might mean making futures.io (formerly BMT) a more exclusive place where only serious traders are welcome. Now obviously, just because someone pays for Elite membership does not automatically mean they are a serious trader. But they are probably far less likely to be a trouble maker while paying for the privilege to be here. So a move of making all downloads Elite only might stunt our growth in terms of new user sign ups to the site, but that is fine with me if it means that what growth we have is of a higher quality and caliber user. I don't want to make the requirement solely based on post count, because there are far, far too many people who do not post much but are still working very hard to improve their trading. These people have signed up for Elite status to help support the site, and I think that entitles them to receive the downloads without a minimum post requirement. Anyway, so there it is. Some of my many thoughts on the matter. Please share yours. I'm hoping to get a good mix of replies from both Elite Members and non-Elite Members. Mike

Mike,

I am voting "Go ahead".

In terms of expense. An Elite Membership for a lifetime is only equal to some webservice one month's subscription fee. There is another site about thinkorswim scripts charge $75 lifetime and I still think worth it(no names, as futures.io (formerly BMT) policy). And this forum is worth miles more than the one I mentioned.

In terms of value. I have been studying many weeks from the futures.io (formerly BMT) forum. The time I put in really reflects the value the forum has. I am really enjoying spend the time in reading thread, and watch webinars. This is gradually become my No. 1 trading education resource, at least for now.

If people are serious about trading, spend sometime in the careful reading and thinking, then some moderate expense in education is a must. A Elite membership is a good way for filtering the noise from the web.

I often read in the threads, that some indicators are "elite only" and people have to go through the hassle to remind this to each other or relocate the file locations. That could be a time wasting procedures for all of the elite members. As elite member, we all want to have a smooth navigating experience. Overall, we want this to be a nice trading home/lounge, (I believe this is also one of your original purpose to set up futures.io (formerly BMT)), then setting up this elite filter is good way to protect elite members "home feelings".

Hope this could help.

Peter

Big Mike 

The main reason for the desire to change is to protect the work and to protect the value of the community. Right now, too many "bots" are downloading our indicators and posting them on other sites as their own. Right now, too many real people register "fake" accounts because they can't even be bothered to spend 30 seconds to type in correct info when they register, all because all they want is to (1) download something and likely never participate further in the site. ................................................................ Now obviously, just because someone pays for Elite membership does not automatically mean they are a serious trader. But they are probably far (2) less likely to be a trouble maker while paying for the privilege to be here. Mike

Well Mike,

your proposed change, i think is not going to help in the context of above desires.
As u pointed out "Protection" is prime concern. Lets assume...i am a XYZ vendor and i steal hard work
from here and sell in multiple times....can any increase in elite minimum donation or shifting download
in elite only, stop me...?....simply no...i will pay higher and will continue silently....cant be protected. And in
fact doing so will simply magnify effect of point (1) and (2)....it sounds like.." Ok , i hv paid, nor disturbing any one...niether posting any thing...just downloading...thats what for i paid..."...how can this way stealing stop
and participation increase....?

It will simple change the meaning of "elite" tag from "elite" to "buyer"....nothing more.

Might need different solution...IMHO.

:bmt-rocks:

Tiberius 

the download function doesn't work until someone clicks the "thanks" button first. The lack of manners on futures.io (formerly BMT) is .................... well, gee wiz your momma................

I am also voting for this. Tiberius. Very good way to make the community better.

I thought this was a good idea about two years ago.......at which time I moved all of my donated indicators AND new threads that I started to the elite section.

MWinfrey 

Yes downloads should be elite only. I like that idea. It really bothers me when I see my stuff show up on other websites and people have to pay for them and the gall of it...they don't even change the name or description. I don't even have a commercial website selling my stuff and they theoretically make money off my work. I know making downloads doesn't protect us 100% but it would sure make it harder for the unscrupulous.

MWinfrey,

Appreciate your work and feel mad that people abuse it. Is there anyway to put in a tag in the script, that only futures.io (formerly BMT) user could use? I am not a programmer, but guess this is doable. Also could use it to trace any abuse.

As a new member who is still deciding what to do, my thoughts might be useful.


I have downloaded Big Mike's futures.io (formerly BMT)_Trading_Journal and some .pdf's. Much thanks!

I have no interest in downloading indicators.

Perhaps very important: I have been watching the active threads and have not seen ANY interesting elite trading threads go by. Does not seem to be much going on in there. Of course, that may also be because I am a price action FX trader who probably does not belong here.

I do not want my handle highlighted in red or yellow or any other special color. I will get a new handle if mine turns red.

I like the idea of not having my posts on Google.

$50 and the means to send it is not a problem for those of us in the developed world, but it may be a problem for many outside.

I'm on Google..............................wow........................

as far as indicators created by futures.io (formerly BMT) members, sure good idea.

but what about those indicators "stolen" from somewhere else? I'm "guilty" of that. a friend found a good indicator, he gave it to me and I posted it here. stuff like that. and that person (who created the indicator) could say the same thing: I made that indicator and now futures.io (formerly BMT) is selling it (through elite membership).

anyway I believe the opinion of people like @dorschden, @Fat Tails and @gomi etc would really help.

Tiberius 

I'm on Google..............................wow........................

Great work gets recognized.

Thank you,

Rick