Andersp: It is one more perk to get people to want to be an eternal member...

rednaz23: Ok, ill "buy" that til someone comes up with something better

Andersp: The other thing that I feel is important for black rooks, is for all of us to take an active participation in this site in making it better. I feel that my black rook is an investment, and if I do not make sure my investment (BK) succeeds, I will lose it. So, I must do everything I can as a black rook to make sure people still see this as a great place to play so it stays afloat. This discussion board is one place where we can facilitate such discussion where every black rook can discuss possible solutions to better this site. I think that is a great reason for this discussion board to be available only to black rooks. Does that seem like a good reason for this discussion board?

Andersp: I guess for the same reason there is a "Members only" discussion board.

But I would love to see some more information from Fencer on what he is working on & developing - maybe getting some input from us - the users who have decided to help support this site with out lifetime memberships.

Of course we would not hold him to anything he tells us - but would be a good place for him to get some input from some users.

That is what I would like to see this board used for.

Andersp: Well yea... I'm not saying get rid of Feature Request or anything like that - just a place to give extra value to the black rook membership - to possible know a little more in advance of others what is being worked on or may be coming up soon and such is all I'm talking about.

Normal rooks/knights - and even pawns can still have their input on the Feature requests board.

Andersp:  Everyone can give imput on the BK board.  This is just a special board for lifetime members.  A perk like the extra fs we can have  ;)  I think this board has multipurposes. 

Andersp: the short version is that the original intent of the BR FS became skewed and was more like a regular FS - people were being banned, and such. So the purpose of the public board - and it is actually restricted from my understanding to only black rooks was to regain the original purpose of the BR FS - but without anyone that is a black rook being banned or made feel unwelcome....

I think the FS is going to fade away except for the games and such still running. But I am not sure of the long term plans - I know the BB is open for suggestions on what to do with the FS...

My opinion is that the black rooks should have never been an FS - it should have always been a public discussion board for black rooks - and always open to all black rooks - no one that is a black rook should be banned from such a titled group...

I know many people are confused, but I also know that messages are being sent to keep people informed on the change itself

Andersp: Well, when it was an FS, the only way to join (as with any FS) is to be a paying member. And if the idea of the FS was originally for all those who decided to pay for life time membership and become BR's, then it stands that the only way to be in the BR FS was to be a paying member...

So it is no different now - except it is now a public discussion board where you must be a BR to participate - no different than other discussion boards ike mod squads where you must be a member of the moderators group to be in there...

So it really is not different other than people cannot be banned or kicked out from a personal dispute. All BR's are welcome to post, and no one of a BR status can be banned - I think this really should have been the way the original BR FS should have stayed...

Besides - now a BR does not have to join another FS just to talk to other BR's

dhaas70: I agree no BR should be banned from the fellowship.