Open letter to Censored

[Evan]

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I would pay nothing for it and I should pay nothing for it, that's like asking how much more I'm willing to pay for cable to get better shows; it's not how this business makes money.

As far as what the content should be, blogs, podcasts, WSOP coverage, more focused magazines...a lot of stuff that's already been mentioned. There are others that I've thought of peeviously but I can't remember at the moment and I've had a few adult beverages so I don't think it's going to come to me.

There are a lot of really smart and interesting people that feel indebted (perhaps unreasonably so) to this site. I could name 10 or 20 off the top of my head easily, just out of people that I know personally, who would be more than happy to contribute.

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So what you're saying is that 2p2 should invest a bunch of time and $$ to give you more for free?

Probably until Mason chooses to make web promotion a larger part of the marketing scheme, it's not in his interest as a businessman to do this.

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I can't even tell if this post is a joke.

[aheravi]

It's not.

[Evan]

Do you know how 2+2 makes money besides selling books?

[Madtown]

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Do you know how 2+2 makes money besides selling books?

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Not to mention, a lot of web developments would also increase traffic and visibility, and thus increase book sales. Granted this is all anecdotal, but I know that when I told my 5-10 friends that are casual poker players the best thing for them to do was read this site and get their books, they pretty much never made more than 5 minutes.

While the magazine is an improvement, as it's something distilled to browse as a new reader, having a site that is simply a massive forum makes it very very difficult for new users to get hooked. Adding additional features and a new design would not only add value to existing users (and thus increase traffic by said users, thus increasing ad revenue), but it would also increase retention of first-time browsers.

[aheravi]

My assumption is being like most websites, other revenue stems from click-thrus on advertisements. I can see where you're leaning, getting ready to tell me I don't know what I'm talking about--if we can, let's keep this civil.

What you'd like to see as far as added content may be good for the established customer--why go anywhere else when your favorite site (2p2) has everything you need? However, there is a cost (however defined) to adding that content. So, to break even, there needs to be some sort of increased revenue--more books sold, click-thrus by existing customers, or by drawing new customers for click-thrus.

This cost is more than just paying someone to write--added server expenses, overall management, etc. What 2p2 would have to decide is if the added cost is worth it--in terms of added revenue AND time commitment.

I'm just a guy who reads far more often at 2p2 than I post. Due to family commitments, I've virtually had to stop playing poker--so, in essence, I'm probably not their target audience. However, reading some of the above comments, rapid expansion of the site doesn't sound like a huge priority of Mason's.

I thought LoL's question to you was a fair one--it's a question EVERY business asks of it's customer, just not overtly--what would you pay for more service? I just left a service industry where shipping costs to the customer were a major issue. They want 'free shipping'--more service, same cost. Well, if they're not paying for it, someone is. I guess that'd be us, then.

I currently work for a company that is having quite a debate about growth--for personal reasons, I'd like to leave them out of it. Some of our customers want to move in a certain direction as far as added services. Several people at the company agree. However, "the board" has decided the investment is not worth it: no guarantee of increased business, it takes resources away from our core competencies, and it doesn't differentiate us from our competitors by becoming a jack-of-all-trades. Maybe this is
how Mason feels--I don't know. Like I said, I'm just a lurker.

Just my $.02. But just saying "add it and they will come" has sunk quite a few businesses.

[diebitter]

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Just my $.02. But just saying "add it and they will come" has sunk quite a few businesses.

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spot on. One thing I learnt quick in business after wasting a lot of time and effort with nothing to show at the end is, if there isn't a clear line to the money, you're most likely not going to get to it.

[BarronVangorToth]

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Schneids, who is perhaps the most marketable and best testament to 2p2's teachings gets shot down and BVT gets to post nonsense.

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I've said it before, but Schneids' posts are some of my favorites in poker strategy. There are many people whose writing has helped me in the forums, him included. As Ed wrote above, he'd welcome an article from him. As I wrote in the Magazine forum about my current "Over the Edge," I don't picture Ed jettisoning high-level strategy pieces in lieu of another piece of my poker stylings -- he figures out what will work in the magazine for whatever reason and posts it up.

As to the topic at hand, people should be asked to leave the forums if they break the rules -- and, if a minor breach, they should be first warned about what happened and why it's inappropriate. Setting up some poll is illogical, because if you don't want to read someone's post, 2+2's features allow you to ignore them.

[Trix]

web page

[JBB]

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OK, well I have an announcement for Censored and the mod crew. You all have your jobs as mods because you agreed to work for free.

News flash: other people were asked to be mods before you ever had the opportunity and we turned the job down because it didn't pay anything.

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Extremely childish.

[Clarkmeister]

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OK, well I have an announcement for Censored and the mod crew. You all have your jobs as mods because you agreed to work for free.

News flash: other people were asked to be mods before you ever had the opportunity and we turned the job down because it didn't pay anything.

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Extremely childish.

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JBB,

I'm writing this to you, but it most definitely goes out to many others, some of whom I've sent PMs.

What the fukk is your problem that you continue to pile on her after she's left? You are a mod on this site. Your standards should be so much higher than this. Continuing to take shots at someone who is no longer posting, especially considering that constant sniping like this is a big part of (not all of ) why Ed Miller left the forums, should be particularly embarassing to you. Mat should be asking himself if you deserve to be a mod.

Those of you that continue to pile on and take shots: why, other than an apparently chronic bout of immaturity? Elaine made a choice to leave the forums, that should be the end of it. I guaran-fukking-tee that none of you in real life would continue taking shots at the mans fukking WIFE in front of his face like this. You are all pussies of the highest degree. Arguing with her in OOT is one thing when she's there debating and defending herself. But the attacks continued once she's gone are way way out of line. Y'all need to learn something about real life, and if you seriously think it's anything other than the height of scumminess to bag on a woman who can no longer defend herself, let alone someone who is the wife of someone you respect and a very nice person, then I really pity you.

Grow the fukk up and let it be. It's over.


And microbob, do not delete, edit or touch this post.