Your input is requested!

[Flash]

I don't do Dye-Sublimation printing, I might do in the near future! Do I get kicked off now
I see this Forum has other sections though ( to which I feel I have contributed to) I would like to see these sections increased to see this Forum cater for ALL types of garment printing. It would also be nice to include printing of other promotional items.
I used a Forum based in the States for quite a while but sadly the U.K section of that Forum was not too strong. This Forum is a massive resource and totally free, I believe they fund themself through advertising.
I think the information contained in Forum(s) should only be visable to Registered/Active users.
And the reason I don't put my Web Address on Forums is that I don't want potential customers who search for me on Google knowing that I have had a bad day or my 16th Epson Printer has 'bit the dust'!

Phil

[Justin]

I would like to expand he forum to cover other topics, just need to be careful that the layout stays clear and not over-complicated. There are limitations as to the layout and the current layout is pretty much the clearest.

With regards to changing platforms. We would have to start the forum from scratch, zero postings. Forumotion who host this forum don't supply the databse to enable the information to be swapped over

Justin

PS We don't mind if you don't use dye-sub. Just make sure you do in the future! LOL.

[JSR]

I would like to expand he forum to cover other topics, just need to be careful that the layout stays clear and not over-complicated.

Yes, that's quite important. There's a forum I used to post at that went for "quality over quantity". They had sub-forums for practically any topic under the sun (it was a TV forum), even though most rarely got posted in. They claimed a membership of some 50,000 names - yet only a very tiny fraction of those names ever posted. In short, it was a sham trying to big itself up. What's the point of that?

With regards to changing platforms. We would have to start the forum from scratch, zero postings. Forumotion who host this forum don't supply the databse to enable the information to be swapped over

I think that this is a subject that needs addressing sooner rather than later. Having your data being held effectively hostage by the host is not a good foundation to start up on. What if they lose all your data - particularly if they don't allow you do make a local backup? At least a forum you install yourself on your own webspace is under your control, and not left at the whim of someone who won't allow you access to your own data.

It also begs the question of what they intend to do with the data if they don't let you get hold of it? Makes you think.

[JSR]

I don't want potential customers who search for me on Google knowing that I have had a bad day or my 16th Epson Printer has 'bit the dust'!

Well, so long as you have a 17th Epson printer to carry on the workload, they haven't got anything to be worried about.

If this is a concern, though, perhaps the forum should be accessible only by people who have signed up, and not just a casual surfer or a Google robot?

[mrs maggot]

i agree with flashes points about accessible forums, the other problem, is customers finding their way onto websites, where they see trade prices, cost prices - i know of a forum that gives you profit margins etc - and that was a bloody disaster, as people just looking around the net - suddenly found out a little too much information about the business if you see what i mean

[Stitch Up]

So what do these people trawling the net discover when they end up on a site like this? That we buy a mug for £1 do a bit of work with it and sell it on at a profit?

Don't most businesses make a profit? If I buy a shirt from M&S and pay a tenner for it, would I really be that concerned if I discovered M&S only paid 80p for it? I don't think so.

I'd have no problem explaining why I charge £4.95 for a personalised printed mug or £10 for a heat pressed T.

[Flash]

So what do these people trawling the net discover when they end up on a site like this? That we buy a mug for £1 do a bit of work with it and sell it on at a profit?

Don't most businesses make a profit? If I buy a shirt from M&S and pay a tenner for it, would I really be that concerned if I discovered M&S only paid 80p for it? I don't think so.

I'd have no problem explaining why I charge £4.95 for a personalised printed mug or £10 for a heat pressed T.

I too have no problem explaining to people why I get up for work in the morning, most people understand why we have to work!
But I would rather NOT have to explain to a customer why Justin had to print my Transfers as my printer ground to a halt!
Look at your 'Profile', I know where you Trade & how old you are and that's before I start delving into your personal posts! I have no problem with people I choose to converse with knowing, but all and sundry, i'd rather not! This information needs protecting!

I think that this is a subject that needs addressing sooner rather than later. Having your data being held effectively hostage by the host is not a good foundation to start up on. What if they lose all your data - particularly if they don't allow you do make a local backup? At least a forum you install yourself on your own webspace is under your control, and not left at the whim of someone who won't allow you access to your own data.

It also begs the question of what they intend to do with the data if they don't let you get hold of it? Makes you think.

If this is a concern, though, perhaps the forum should be accessible only by people who have signed up, and not just a casual surfer or a Google robot?

I agree with both of these two 'well made' points

Phil

[The Phoenix]

Hi - some interesting points raised there. I have a website of my own which I am developing, which is related to my graphics interest. It is depicted on my profile. Some members here may not have a website of any kind, which may be why they are not showing one. I do not suppose that everyone on this site is a 'professional' mug/mousemat/t-shirt decorator. I do not currently do any of my graphics work in order to earn a living, and I would certainly say that what I do does not earn me a fast buck. My equipment has cost me considerably more than I have made.

The sharing of information between each of us hopefully benefits us all. Clearly, registration should entail benefits compared to non-registration. I found this site during a browsing session, and came from one of my suppliers sites. If I can be of any help I am willing to impart some of my knowledge and experience - most of which has been gained through trial and error.

Apart from you guys on here I do not know of other persons interested in what we do, so word of mouth is tricky. I am willing to include a link to this forum from within my own site, although currently my site does not have a vast amount of traffic.

Money - It is always a tricky subject - if a financial transaction is made then usually the payer wants something tangible in return. What to one person is good value for a fiver is a con to someone else.

Regarding advertisers to approach, initial ideas could be to approach ones that members personally recommend. We all use certain suppliers on a regular basis, who we wouldn't if we had bad experiences.

Mal