Premium Members Lounge - what it is and what it isn't

[Nemo14]

As a person who frequently posts in Chit-chat, I guess I need to address this:

First of all, I really appreciate this forum and all the hard work that has gone into making it what it is. I kind of stumbled onto this accidentally, but it's by far my favorite site on the internet - just ask my DH! The information here is so good, and in general most of the people here are so clever and so helpful that it's definitely a privilige to be a part of it. I don't begrudge there being a PML for those who have paid memberships, nor do I care to know what is discussed in there. It's when it boils over into other threads that it becomes an issue, not unlike two people whispering in front of a third. Or when a signature makes reference to a "private joke" or situation from the PML - it's just inconsiderate, and naturally can breed resentment.

That being said, thank you Steve for clarifying the policy to everyone.

 

[DDuckFan130]

As a person who frequently posts in Chit-chat, I guess I need to address this:

First of all, I really appreciate this forum and all the hard work that has gone into making it what it is. I kind of stumbled onto this accidentally, but it's by far my favorite site on the internet - just ask my DH! The information here is so good, and in general most of the people here are so clever and so helpful that it's definitely a privilige to be a part of it. I don't begrudge there being a PML for those who have paid memberships, nor do I care to know what is discussed in there. It's when it boils over into other threads that it becomes an issue, not unlike two people whispering in front of a third. Or when a signature makes reference to a "private joke" or situation from the PML - it's just inconsiderate, and naturally can breed resentment.

That being said, thank you Steve for clarifying the policy to everyone.

I understand where you're coming from...but I think a lot of us are guilty of the "inside jokes." Did you guys not have the "I miss Connor" sigs going on...or the wafflefest in their sigs going on. The only reason I mention these two particular instances is because people actually made threads or went out of their way to ask about them. :veryconfu

I don't think PML has done the inside joke thing in a long time (at least, I know a lot of us haven't). Like it has been said, it just takes $5 to find out what is going on. I don't consider it to be a big secret. But maybe it is just me. *shrug*

 

[Nemo14]

I understand where you're coming from...but I think a lot of us are guilty of the "inside jokes." Did you guys not have the "I miss Connor" sigs going on...or the wafflefest in their sigs going on. The only reason I mention these two particular instances is because people actually made threads or went out of their way to ask about them. :veryconfu

I don't think PML has done the inside joke thing in a long time (at least, I know a lot of us haven't). Like it has been said, it just takes $5 to find out what is going on. I don't consider it to be a big secret. But maybe it is just me. *shrug*

Not trying to start a flame war here - but the Wafflefest and I Miss Connor things were not "inside" jokes - just random if anything....they referred to topics that anyone could read.
I think we all have a healthy respect for each other and for this forum, so let's not turn this into nit-picking - just trying to show the other side of the coin.

BTW, did I mention how much I appreciate the new mods? Great job you two!

 

[DDuckFan130]

Okie dokie :wave:

 

[Uponastar]

As a person who frequently posts in Chit-chat, I guess I need to address this:

First of all, I really appreciate this forum and all the hard work that has gone into making it what it is. I kind of stumbled onto this accidentally, but it's by far my favorite site on the internet - just ask my DH! The information here is so good, and in general most of the people here are so clever and so helpful that it's definitely a privilige to be a part of it. I don't begrudge there being a PML for those who have paid memberships, nor do I care to know what is discussed in there. It's when it boils over into other threads that it becomes an issue, not unlike two people whispering in front of a third. Or when a signature makes reference to a "private joke" or situation from the PML - it's just inconsiderate, and naturally can breed resentment.

That being said, thank you Steve for clarifying the policy to everyone.

Perfectly put! It's what I've been wanting to say but I couldn't find the right words! Simply stated, what goes on in PML should stay in PML.
Steve and the Mods - you all do an amazing job keeping this site the best of its kind on the internet. I respect and admire you all for that.
Thank you, sincerely.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

It's when it boils over into other threads that it becomes an issue, not unlike two people whispering in front of a third. Or when a signature makes reference to a "private joke" or situation from the PML - it's just inconsiderate, and naturally can breed resentment.

I agree completely.

 

[Nemo14]

Okie dokie :wave:

:sohappy: :sohappy: :kiss:

 

[DDuckFan130]

Perfectly put! It's what I've been wanting to say but I couldn't find the right words! Simply stated, what goes on in PML should stay in PML.
Steve and the Mods - you all do an amazing job keeping this site the best of its kind on the internet. I respect and admire you all for that.
Thank you, sincerely.

I can completely agree with the "what is said in PML should stay there." Unfortunately, some people have not followed that rule in more ways than one. *shrug*

 

[Uponastar]

I can completely agree with the "what is said in PML should stay there." Unfortunately, some people have not followed that rule in more ways than one. *shrug*

There will always be those.
I share your *shrug*
By the way, Hello Regina! It's been a long time! :wave:

 

[DDuckFan130]

There will always be those.
I share your *shrug*
By the way, Hello Regina! It's been a long time! :wave:

:wave:

 

[unkadug]

They were inside jokes to anyone who did not read those peticular threads. With almost 80,000 threads on this message board and almost 1.8 million posts, you cannot say that everyone has the time to read each and every post and thread. Therefore, searching for a peticular thread for one or several posts that refers to a signature is nonsense.

All it boils down to is a "have" VS "have not." And those that "have not," always want to be part of the "have" crowd usually without paying for such.

Would you complain to WDW because someone was walking around the parks with a button that says, "I'm saying at the Grand Floridian" because you staying at All-Stars?

The only thing that Steve does not allow in signatures is links to outside sites. So unless that changes there will always be links to "private jokes.' Even jokes that not even PML members nor non-PML members are privy to. And, if you go into your User CP, you can uncheck a box to not show signatures at all, if it bothers you so much.

 

[Eeyore]

As a person who frequently posts in Chit-chat, I guess I need to address this:

First of all, I really appreciate this forum and all the hard work that has gone into making it what it is. I kind of stumbled onto this accidentally, but it's by far my favorite site on the internet - just ask my DH! The information here is so good, and in general most of the people here are so clever and so helpful that it's definitely a privilige to be a part of it. I don't begrudge there being a PML for those who have paid memberships, nor do I care to know what is discussed in there. It's when it boils over into other threads that it becomes an issue, not unlike two people whispering in front of a third. Or when a signature makes reference to a "private joke" or situation from the PML - it's just inconsiderate, and naturally can breed resentment.

That being said, thank you Steve for clarifying the policy to everyone.

I understand where you are coming from, but I'm not really sure what to do about it. I think inside jokes are just going to happen. There are many people here who are couples, friends, and family in real life. I think inside jokes are bound to pop up from time to time.

I think threads like this are good so that all members can look at their own behavior and see how they can contribute to the community rather than detract from it.:wave:

 

[Tim G]

and cannot reply to every single PM I receive. This is the case for both PML and non-PML members. However, all are read, and where required action taken.

Sure you can... :lookaroun :lookaroun

But you won't... :lol: :lol: :lol:

One could do with 4 hours of sleep each night, which IMO should be enough... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Pongo]

All it boils down to is a "have" VS "have not." And those that "have not," always want to be part of the "have" crowd usually without paying for such.

Would you complain to WDW because someone was walking around the parks with a button that says, "I'm saying at the Grand Floridian" because you staying at All-Stars?

I must disagree with this. I know that as an 18 year old about to enter college in a year, I can't afford a premium membership, and I'm okay with that. I'm not jealous of the PML, and I know that many other people aren't as well. To be honest, I must say that some recent events have slightly turned me away from the concept of the Premium Member's Lounge. Jealousy is not a factor. It's just that things that happen behind closed doors should stay behind closed doors.

But that's just my proverbial opinion

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I must disagree with this. I know that as an 18 year old about to enter college in a year, I can't afford a premium membership, and I'm okay with that. I'm not jealous of the PML, and I know that many other people aren't as well. To be honest, I must say that some recent events have slightly turned me away from the concept of the Premium Member's Lounge. Jealousy is not a factor. It's just that things that happen behind closed doors should stay behind closed doors.

But that's just my proverbial opinion

Right. Not everybody who criticizes PML does so because they're just dying to get in there and see the sterling silver toilets (or whatever is reputed to be there). The PML deserves some (but by no means all) of the criticism lobbed its way.

I personally think it's obnoxious to put things in your sig/location/avatar that flaunt PML and the discussions that go on there. We all have our shiny badges, we all have our keen custom titles. It's no secret who is PML. It's not necessary to rub other people's faces in the fact that we have (for the most part, rather pointless) conversations that they can't read.

 

[Legacy]

Right. Not everybody who criticizes PML does so because they're just dying to get in there and see the sterling silver toilets (or whatever is reputed to be there). The PML deserves some (but by no means all) of the criticism lobbed its way.

I personally think it's obnoxious to put things in your sig/location/avatar that flaunt PML and the discussions that go on there. We all have our shiny badges, we all have our keen custom titles. It's no secret who is PML. It's not necessary to rub other people's faces in the fact that we have (for the most part, rather pointless) conversations that they can't read.

So... should this be limited to the PML or to cliques in general?

I'm sorry BJ, but all the PML is is a clique. The Prems who have the links/comments/etc regarding the PML is the exact same thing as non-Prems having references to their non-Prem cliques in their sigs. Just because it's in Chit Chat or in the PML doesn't make a difference, because both are the exact same thing. There is no difference between Chit Chat and the PML other then the fact you have to pay to get into one. Anyone can get in (it is only five dollars... thats a drink from Starbucks that you don't need...), and the people who participate choose to or not... the exact same way as in Chit Chat.

Cliques are going to happen on a message board, and there are plenty here. There's the PML, the VMK clique, the Imagineering Board Clique, the Universal clique, the MJ clique, the Wafflefest clique, the parents clique, the 20 something clique, the high school clique... and the list goes on.

If ONE clique cannot have stuff in their sigs, then none of them should. To be honest, just like life, if someone pays for it, they have an entitlement. That's not being mean... it's a fact. So if anyone should be allowed to have "inside jokes", it should be the Prems.

Chit Chat has plenty of inside jokes that most members don't know about. Everything in my sig was in the public forums... and every single one is an inside joke. Why people just can't leave the PML for what it is is beyond me... and it makes them seem really petty.

This post went longer then I was anticipating... but I hope it at least gets people to think.

 

[Legacy]

I must disagree with this. I know that as an 18 year old about to enter college in a year, I can't afford a premium membership, and I'm okay with that. I'm not jealous of the PML, and I know that many other people aren't as well. To be honest, I must say that some recent events have slightly turned me away from the concept of the Premium Member's Lounge. Jealousy is not a factor. It's just that things that happen behind closed doors should stay behind closed doors.

But that's just my proverbial opinion

Have you ever gotten a meal from a fast food resturant when you had food at home?

 

[DDuckFan130]

Ok, as much as I LOOOVEE posting in here :lookaroun, I have one more thing to say. If the possibility of paying $5 is just for PML, then we are losing perspective. I'm not saying we all are, but I kinda have gotten that feeling. Anyway, my purpose in becoming a premium member was to support the site and inevitably to get my videos and/or sounds of WDW I knew about the PML, but that wasn't my main reason for joining. It's a nice perk, and I've formed good friendships through PML. Nevertheless, I had nice friendships formed from Chit-chat or whatever. I agree with BJ that PML has sometimes been responsible for its bad reputation, but again that shouldn't deter anyone who is considering becoming a premium member.

My 2 cents

 

[DDuckFan130]

So... should this be limited to the PML or to cliques in general?

I'm sorry BJ, but all the PML is is a clique. The Prems who have the links/comments/etc regarding the PML is the exact same thing as non-Prems having references to their non-Prem cliques in their sigs. Just because it's in Chit Chat or in the PML doesn't make a difference, because both are the exact same thing. There is no difference between Chit Chat and the PML other then the fact you have to pay to get into one. Anyone can get in (it is only five dollars... thats a drink from Starbucks that you don't need...), and the people who participate choose to or not... the exact same way as in Chit Chat.

Cliques are going to happen on a message board, and there are plenty here. There's the PML, the VMK clique, the Imagineering Board Clique, the Universal clique, the MJ clique, the Wafflefest clique, the parents clique, the 20 something clique, the high school clique... and the list goes on.

If ONE clique cannot have stuff in their sigs, then none of them should. To be honest, just like life, if someone pays for it, they have an entitlement. That's not being mean... it's a fact. So if anyone should be allowed to have "inside jokes", it should be the Prems.

Chit Chat has plenty of inside jokes that most members don't know about. Everything in my sig was in the public forums... and every single one is an inside joke. Why people just can't leave the PML for what it is is beyond me... and it makes them seem really petty.

This post went longer then I was anticipating... but I hope it at least gets people to think.

Great post!

 

[Pongo]

Have you ever gotten a meal from a fast food resturant when you had food at home?

Honestly? I avoid fast food. Usually I'm the one that eats all the food in the house anyway :lol: