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A couple of notes on Rafters

MattJones

MattJones

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Just so folks know, the decision to get rid of the other free boards was not mine or Justin’s. On3 is getting rid of all free boards on its site for moderation issues and I think virtually all of their new sites have none. They also have a strict policy of no “general discussion” boards bc they devolve into politics and on3 has a “100% no politics” policy. Justin and I both convinced the powers that be to keep one due to historical purposes and they agreed. My guess is that within the year, it will be the one of the last ones left in the entire on3 network

I know it’s not ideal for some people and it is a change. But Justin has agreed to keep moderation of this board under his editing and it will continue. It’s not a “KSR” decision and it certainly isn’t my decision. It’s just the way they do message boards and it’s why when KSR+ started theirs, no free discussion board was part of it.
 
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Anon1759768907

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MattJones said:
Just so folks know, the decision to get rid of the other free boards was not mine or Justin’s. On3 is getting rid of all free boards on its site for moderation issues and I think virtually all of their new sites have none. They also have a strict policy of no “general discussion” boards bc they devolve into politics and on3 has a “100% no politics” policy. Justin and I both convinced the powers that be to keep one due to historical purposes and they agreed. My guess is that within the year, it will be the one of the last ones left in the entire on3 network

I know it’s not ideal for some people and it is a change. But Justin has agreed to keep moderation of this board under his editing and it will continue. It’s not a “KSR” decision and it certainly isn’t my decision. It’s just the way they do message boards and it’s why when KSR+ started theirs, no free discussion board was part of it.
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nice, when are we getting a commit for the 26 class
 
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fs-ripcord65

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MattJones said:
Just so folks know, the decision to get rid of the other free boards was not mine or Justin’s. On3 is getting rid of all free boards on its site for moderation issues and I think virtually all of their new sites have none. They also have a strict policy of no “general discussion” boards bc they devolve into politics and on3 has a “100% no politics” policy. Justin and I both convinced the powers that be to keep one due to historical purposes and they agreed. My guess is that within the year, it will be the one of the last ones left in the entire on3 network

I know it’s not ideal for some people and it is a change. But Justin has agreed to keep moderation of this board under his editing and it will continue. It’s not a “KSR” decision and it certainly isn’t my decision. It’s just the way they do message boards and it’s why when KSR+ started theirs, no free discussion board was part of it.
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I have not heretofore been particularly enamored with the On3 board ... but this news - that On3 has a “100% no politics” policy - will keep me on Rupp Rafters for now. I'll be interested to see how long it takes the political voices that are so loud and unbending to drive On3 to do away with its "general discussion" board on RR. It's only a matter of time.
But ... nevertheless ... Go 'Cats ! ! !
 
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Ash Williams

Ash Williams

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fs-ripcord65 said:
I have not heretofore been particularly enamored with the On3 board ... but this news - that On3 has a “100% no politics” policy - will keep me on Rupp Rafters for now. I'll be interested to see how long it takes the political voices that are so loud and unbending to drive On3 to do away with its "general discussion" board on RR. It's only a matter of time.
But ... nevertheless ... Go 'Cats ! ! !
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Political thread is already behind a paywall. I'm done with it. Not paying so I can read lefty troll trash.
 
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JPFisher

JPFisher

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Why the heck isn't it possible to continue moderating like when it was CatsIllustrated? Trained volunteers would gladly patrol the board.

I understand nuking the Paddock – that place sucked. But the basketball board? The Lair?

Just seems like an excuse from folks higher up to send us to paid boards, despite that not necessarily being the case. I feel like everyone is understandably pissed, and that we would've loved some warning.

The communication issue has been a huge concern and is about as reliable as reporting on UK pursuing an NBA player.

I just don't understand how anyone can think that this is an okay way to run anything.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

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BlueWorldOrder74 said:
Just want to go on record of saying no me gusta. It is what it is. I’m sure this one will die a slow agonizing death.
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Agreed, everything is driven by money. I miss the days of HOB being the driving force with the free boards for those who can’t afford it. Sad times. I’m sure RR being as popular as it has been a long time will get paywalled shortly.
 
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MattJones

MattJones

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This is the basketball and football board combined. That is the way on3 asked KSR to do it. I understand it’s not what everyone loves but it is their policy

And as for why it’s the policy, there are likely a few reasons…one is headache over moderation, two is liability and three I am sure is hoping to convert to paid subscribers

as folks know who know my history, I am a big believer in free websites. The problem is that the ad rate businesses pay for free websites is about 1.5 times less than in was 6-7 years ago. And for message boards it’s about 3-4 times less. The economics of it now require the addition of paid options. It’s the world we live in. Advertisers simply don’t pay for traffic as they used to. They pay for video, social media and large brands….in that world free message boards aren’t really economically as viable as they once were
 
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J

JMcClinton slaps like a grl

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Dec 4, 2008
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MattJones said:
FYI you don’t have to pay for this forum and it’s about UK sports
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No you are right but this still feels like another downgrade that may lead to complete removal of all general discussions boards. I guess the current state of the UK athletic department, along with moves like this, really emphasize the corporation feel to UK and its affiliates. And I get it, we need money and this is just a part of it, but it still feels weird. From JMI owning our athletic department, to the dissolution of one of the best sports online forum fan bases in the country, this place feels like a Metallica record in the mid 90s. I probably sound dramatic but I have been around the University of Kentucky for 20 years, as a student and employee, and the evolution into a sold out corporate cash cow has been difficult to swallow.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

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JMcClinton slaps like a grl said:
No you are right but this still feels like another downgrade that may lead to complete removal of all general discussions boards. I guess the current state of the UK athletic department, along with moves like this, really emphasize the corporation feel to UK and its affiliates. And I get it, we need money and this is just a part of it, but it still feels weird. From JMI owning our athletic department, to the dissolution of one of the best sports online forum fan bases in the country, this place feels like a Metallica record in the mid 90s. I probably sound dramatic but I have been around the University of Kentucky for 20 years, as a student and employee, and the evolution into a sold out corporate cash cow has been difficult to swallow.
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Agreed, the NIL landscape sucks. It’s a bunch of semi pro teams now. They should totally seperate from the universities honestly. It’s not about school anymore whatsoever. Even for those who don’t have legit pro aspirations.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

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JSquad0070 said:
I mean, we’re all adults here. (Hopefully). If words and opinions make you want to kill yourself or think bad things, how about not go onto a message board? Why are adults not allowed to express opinions and politics? Corporate America is killing free speech.
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Just like banning stuff, don’t blame those who use things for nefarious purposes, just ban it.
dynastydreamuk said:
Also of note...there is a rupp rafters discord we could migrate too

Join the Rupp Rafters Discord Server!

This is a spin off from Rupp Rafters Forum on Rivals. Please join to continue talking about Kentucky sports. | 444 members
discord.gg discord.gg
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Discord was awesome for awhile, not much traffic lately but glad it’s there in case. I’d advise everyone here who loves this board to join even for a rainy day.
 
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MarvinHagler89

MarvinHagler89

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*Fox2Monk* said:
Agreed, the NIL landscape sucks. It’s a bunch of semi pro teams now. They should totally seperate from the universities honestly. It’s not about school anymore whatsoever. Even for those who don’t have legit pro aspirations.
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Yeah why can’t they just be franchises with University affiliations and sponsor. They have to actually get in the school like a normal person to get the “free rooming, free books, free meals” scholarships for athletes should go out the window unless they have the grades to get in.
 
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JPFisher

JPFisher

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MattJones said:
as folks know who know my history, I am a big believer in free websites. The problem is that the ad rate businesses pay for free websites is about 1.5 times less than in was 6-7 years ago. And for message boards it’s about 3-4 times less. The economics of it now require the addition of paid options.
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I don't expect a response because I know it's over your pay grade... Just postulating and venting frustration. Is it that the economics now require the addition of more paid options or that On3 sees this as any other "underperforming" asset at a company and wish to cut it off? If the funds to maintain the board are there from even meager ad revenue, there has got to be some way to keep the boards as they were for the sake of the fans.

I know we're just numbers on a spreadsheet, but as I said in my post that (understandably) got deleted, we've got to save some things for the good of having them around. There's intrinsic value to having a board with the classic internet camaraderie and quips and jabs. Hell, I bought a paid subscription when Pope first got hired because I loved my experience on the Lair and Rafters so much that I just had to let go of that $10 a month. I only unsubbed because of the merger and refused to renew my membership because of the uncertainty of the new system. As of now, given the On3 quality, I feel like my hesitation was justified.

MattJones said:
It’s the world we live in. Advertisers simply don’t pay for traffic as they used to. They pay for video, social media and large brands….in that world free message boards aren’t really economically as viable as they once were
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As long as we think on the margin, we can bolster those poor shareholders. Society's gone so far to hell that the average Joe can barely afford a game ticket. In a world of crunched numbers and consumptive value, it'd be nice to maintain some marginally viable assets for the folks who like hanging around. Just a bit.

Again, not a shot at you. I know this is above your head. I'm sure you share some similar sentiments. It just sucks. Plain and simple, it sucks, and we'll all get to watch as the public boards die a slow death after the initial wave of departees.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

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MarvinHagler89 said:
Yeah why can’t they just be franchises with University affiliations and sponsor. They have to actually get in the school like a normal person to get the “free rooming, free books, free meals” scholarships for athletes should go out the window unless they have the grades to get in.
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The NCAA already has no power so they may as well go to a pro style league where a commissioner has actual power to regulate the rules. Given power by the power 4 AD’s.
 
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DraftCat

DraftCat

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*Fox2Monk* said:
Just like banning stuff, don’t blame those who use things for nefarious purposes, just ban it.

Discord was awesome for awhile, not much traffic lately but glad it’s there in case. I’d advise everyone here who loves this board to join even for a rainy day.
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Discord still has a lot of potential. It is an adjustment though I'll admit.
 
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