Here, let me help you out. I even highlighted some parts since you said you couldn't find them. After all, I wouldn't want to be accused of being unhelpful to someone who just wants to snipe the classifieds.
Why do I have to have 50 "quality" posts to be able to send a PM to a member or to post in the Classifieds section of the forum? What is a "quality" post anyway?
This is really two separate questions, but they frequently get asked together, so it's a little easier to answer them together.
For the first question: the short answer is "to reduce spam." We created this forum to be a community of firearms enthusiasts in the state of Indiana. It is first and foremost a place where like-minded people can get together and chat about a topic that is relevant to them and that they are passionate about - firearms (of all types). We added the Classifieds section as a perk to our contributing members so that individuals could buy, sell or trade items (not necessarily firearms related) within the Indiana firearms community.
We do not intend for the Classifieds section to become another "Craigslist" or "eBay" for guns. We're also not interested in boosting our membership numbers with people who are here to grab a deal out of the Classifieds and then vanish forever (something that happens all too frequently). We require 50 "quality" posts because many of our members do not like to do business, especially in regards to firearms, with people they do not know. Posting in other places in the forums can give members an idea of what kind of person you are (in general). You do not have to necessarily post about firearms. You can spend all of your time posting on the silly threads in the Break Room. The idea is to show us a little bit of your personality. You don't have to give us your life history. A small blood sample will suffice.
As far as "quality" of your posts goes, we just want to see something more than a "one-liner" in response to a thread. In some contexts, a "one-liner" is appropriate. For example, if the topic is "What do you carry?" a response of "G19, 3:00" is entirely acceptable. However, 50 "Thanks for the info!" posts may not be construed positively when you yourself are brand new to the forum and then you subsequently head straight to the Classifieds section. In other words, we would like to see a post that actually contributes to the thread and not something that just takes up space.
You will find that once you get past the initial water-testing phase, INGO actually has a very welcoming community around here. In fact, one of our members created a whole thread giving a proper welcome for our new members: https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/break_...r_newbies.html. Be sure to check it out!
In short, the idea is to encourage you to participate and contribute to making INGO a great site.
Please remember that INGO is a discussion forum with a classifieds section, not a classifieds with a forum. Our members like it that way and we intend to keep it that way.
Originally Posted by INYooper
Actually, for some people it might be easier to avoid the "50 quality posts" rule by:
I may be missing a few steps, but ...that's the general idea, I imagine.
- invest in bulletin board software
- invest in computers, routers, servers, etc
- invest time learning about how all the software and hardware work
- invest time putting everything together
- invest time reconfiguring everything when it doesn't work the first time
- put the word out that you've got this fantastic gun forum and that everything is free to anyone who would like to post anything
- discover the concept of online anarchy after you realize your forum has no guidelines ...or FAQ
- come back to INGO and realize that having a "50 post rule" really isn't so bad after all
And, if you'd really rather read than write (nothing wrong with lurking), consider that the average gun magazine (the kind on the news stand, not the kind you load your gun with) runs somewhere around $4-5 or so, and consider that you probably buy at least a few of them a year ...springing $15-20 a year for something you can read every day that offers:
Really, if that ain't a deal, I don't know what is!
- direct access to several firearms, knife, training, and related equipment retailers
- personal and professional reviews of firearms and related gear
- updates, trends, and general discussions on issues concerning Indiana firearms laws and policies
- all manner of topics that aren't necessarily firearms related (though, categorized nicely in there appropriate forums).
- announcements and discussions of regional happenings, opportunities, meet & shoots (and eats), etc.
- the opportunity to participate in NFA Day!
- posts on all things bacon!
- at least a dozen or two other things
- ...and, even, classifieds!
I joined for the intent of using the classified section but because of the 50 post rule, I am much more informed about the gun that I actually want to buy (which is different than when I joined), my 2nd amendment rights, holster options, and more. I for one am thankful for the 50 post rule.
On a lighter note, read this thread and watch the videos in the OP!not gonna lie i came for the classifieds and have stayed around much longer for TONS of helpful info.
https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/break_...ed_before.html
Here's another great thread in case you missed in it the book above:
https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/break_...r_newbies.html
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ3I6SDjmsE"]You Tube[/ame]
Your "50 post rule" is stupid! You're losing out on a sale because you jerks won't let me into your classifieds! You bunch of elitist idiots! (Yes, this is really how the angry PM generally reads)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. They all say that until they've got their 50 posts and then suddenly the rule makes perfect sense. Look, if you just can't deal with the fact that we aren't interested in trading with you when you're not a member in good standing, then we recommend trying Armslist, Gunbroker, or Hoosiertopics. Clearly INGO isn't for you. Furthermore, you're obviously under the misapprehension that INGO gets a cut of all sales, which just isn't true. We're not a gun shop. Even if it were true, it still wouldn't change the rule.
50 posts?! REALLY?! You've gotta be kidding me. There's a gun I want to buy RIGHT NOW, not in three weeks! That'll take FOREVER! NO ONE talks that much! Certainly not me. I just like to read!
Recently, Fenway has decided to offer a way around the 50 post requirement, and that is to become a Site Supporter. His feeling is that becoming a supporter will give you a vested interested in helping the site and reduce the likelihood that you will spam the board. See this link for more info:
https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/site_s..._are_here.html
When you say we need 50 posts to participate in the Classifieds, what does that mean exactly? I can still buy from people even though I don't have 50 posts yet, right? That's not really participating because you mean I just can't sell in the Classifieds, right?
There's a reason we chose the word "participate."
We didn't say you have to have 50 posts to sell in the Classifieds section.
We didn't say you have to have 50 posts to trade in the Classifieds section.
We didn't say you have to have 50 posts to buy in the Classifieds section.
You have to have 50 posts to participate in the Classifieds section.
