| a notice perhaps?
Posted: 4/16/2009 7:06:19 PM | If you pay for something you have the right to complain, if something is free.............. it's called a gift.
Anyone think of that ? If they did I apologise, I didn't want to read pages of rant 
Keep on keeping on Markus   | |
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| Why does everyone have their IM turned off?
Posted: 4/16/2009 7:12:17 PM | | How do i get the serious member thing off, same as with others why do they have im off ? also i think it mayb a vip isssue problem, cant contact IN MANAGEMENT ON pof AS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM | |
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| a notice perhaps?
Posted: 4/16/2009 8:08:51 PM |
If you pay for something you have the right to complain, if something is free.............. it's called a gift.
You have the definition of a gift a little incomplete. A gift is an altruistic gesture that entails giving something with no expectation of anything in return.
What we have here is not a gift, but rather a business/service. POF/Markus provides us with a service comprising of various enticements to keep us coming here. In return for our use of the services and enticements Markus makes money from advertising revenue.
In order for this symbiotic relationship to flourish there has to be a balance. It cannot be all take and no give. What we are seeing here is a developing imbalance that threatens the delicate nature of the relationship between the users and the site.
Site users cannot be expected to continue to visit the site when functionality is being reduced. Unfortunately for POF they are no longer the only free dating site out there. There are a number of growing, developing and feature rich free dating sites out there. Subsequently POF users have alternatives. The days of being able to provide an admittedly spartan website and rake in members and money are rapidly dwindling. | |
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| IM turns me off.
Posted: 4/16/2009 8:11:03 PM | I agree..I like to 1 on 1 ..if I can choose to.
And "who" says the site is so much more effective without IM anyway?????
hell..that puts your back to the wall to email or just sit there - and lots just sit there!
pls..come back "IM" | |
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| Why does everyone have their IM turned off?
Posted: 4/16/2009 8:56:17 PM | I'd have to find a new one, but since the site is so much more effective without an IM I doubt i'll bring it back. - Bigfish
More effective for whom? I have only read 2 pages so far, but I am apparently not the only person who is unhappy at this change. If AOL has
stopped making userplane available, there has to be other options. I know of several free sites that have setups for free chat rooms. I don't
have that kind of technical knowlegde, but you do, Big Fish. And I have to agree with the above poster^ I have seen MANY free sites & they
all have IM's.
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Wow. That sucks if you are permanently disabling IM! I always heard complaints for POF's IM system but I always had great luck. Plus, the webcam feature was VASTLY superior to yahoo. - diffthanmost
Well, as a woman I would NOT agree with that sentiment. With Yahoo &MSN, the person has to send an invitation, to use webcam. Here, any
open window, might be some d*ck-head who wants to cyber Yuck!!
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Msn has web msn so there's no execuse no program to install ;)
http://webmessenger.msn.com/ - OpenBSD
Thank you for that information, OpenBSD. I never knew about that & I am probably not the only one. It'll be very useful the next time I am at
the library.
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You say there is a reason no other major dating site has an IM feature. Since when are you building any other major dating
site? The beauty of POF is that it has flown in the face of the norm. You were free in the age of pay sites. You offered more for less. You were unique
in a sea of sameness. Do you really want to lose the things that differentiates your sight from all of the other growing free sites? Will the forums be gone
next in order to further save costs?
Despite what you may think there are a good many intelligent people on this site that can clearly see a pattern here. Why not be upfront about your plan to further develop the site? Are you going full pay? Are you going to a tiered membership where paid member gets functionality that non-paid members do not? Or are you cutting cost and increasing margin in an attempt to position the site for sale? I guess as members of a free site we really don't have the right to know or ask this. But many of us are curious. - Optimistically_Cynical
I am assuming that "increased usage" means that people are spending more time on the site. Did it occur to you Markus, that this does not indicate
more interest per se, but more time being wasted writing emails, rather than IMing people? It's quicker, more efficient & much easier for people who
are shy. And as theskinny pointed out in post #103:
One could also make the point that an increase in traffic is thanks to a bunch of folks eagerly awaiting the return of instant messaging. When a site has a "problem," users to tend to periodically check in more often to see if it has been fixed. I doubt they've been in the forum to find out what's up. I haven't seen a site wide notification of the change. Nothing like a little panic and intrigue to generate a little traffic. - theskinny
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TRUST ME in the US alone, there are 4 TOTALLY FREE SINGLES SITES where you can IM and do all the things you USED to be able to do on POF - crazymomnmilw
There's a lot more than 4, crazymomnmilw . I have a list of free dating sites on one of my websites, not all of them are US based, but the last time I
counted there was 197 sites on that list. Plus a short list (I think 8) of free sex sites. And most of the new ones do advertise having IM. | |
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| Why does everyone have their IM turned off?
Posted: 4/16/2009 9:11:25 PM | Is this the beginning of the end of POF...it was fun while it lasted. Without IM this site is worthless to me. Especially when I can't send a message to anyone further than
75 miles away. I live 70 miles away from the closest population center, and without
the ability to IM, I'm in lake with no fish!!! I heard that the person that started this
was receiving checks of 1,000,000 dollars per month...that's one million dollars a
month...twelve million dollars a year....and no employees...maybe it would just make
sense to contract someone to figure out how to write a program to handle the
chat portion...mine time is limited here...maybe even shorter once he reads this :)
Have a awesome day, week, month, year......LIFE!!! | |
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| Why does everyone have their IM turned off?
Posted: 4/16/2009 9:15:54 PM |
There's a lot more than 4, crazymomnmilw . I have a list of free dating sites on one of my websites, not all of them are US based, but the last time I
counted there was 197 sites on that list. Plus a short list (I think 8) of free sex sites. And most of the new ones do advertise having IM.
could you PM them to me please? | |
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| Why does everyone have their IM turned off?
Posted: 4/16/2009 9:22:01 PM | The thing is, POF is a great site and most of us do like it because we can establish relationships here, whether they be friendships or something more significant. We enjoy the forums, we network, we connect friends with other friends.....and sometimes, we like to have that one-on-one connection between TWO people via IM conversation. I can chat with buddies here as easily as I can on any social networking site, but I don't IM on any any of those sites. I IM here where I can possibly connect with somebody. There is no comparison between sending emails back and forth and having a conversation on IM. With IM, the conversation is fluid and much easier....
I think Admin has made up his mind anyway. IM is gone and according to him , because of AOL discontinuing Userplane. Like when the special paid memberships came into being and I asked him what benefits were going to be given to them and which, if any would be taken away from us, long term members of the site, he had said there would be benefits to the paid members and did not answer the other question. When the second question was left unanswered, I determined that the second question would be answered....eventually...and, evidently, it has been.
I have a feeling the IM feature will be back shortly...to those who are willing to pay for it. | |
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| Why does everyone have their IM turned off?
Posted: 4/16/2009 10:27:35 PM | it took me a day to figure out why the IM wasn't working...lol. now i know
Please bring it back...it made POF better than most site...i am also a Match member and POF IM was 5 x better. PLEASE BRING IT BACK. Thanks for listening. | |
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| Why does everyone have their IM turned off?
Posted: 4/16/2009 11:25:31 PM | | i hate to be a **** and complain about a free website but, the IM made it so easy to connect with people and get into a conversation imediatly. now you have to wait and see if the other person gets the message and it wastes so much time. conversations through email are broken and take so long to get through. if its to expensive to have the IM on the website at least keep the option for it open and have a small fee for it. | |
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| this stinks
Posted: 4/16/2009 11:44:18 PM |
Oh ya ... it was useful alright ... for the guys who wanted to show us their "tools".
never ever did I experience that here.
the facts remain that a lot of users used the feature with success and would like (a better version of) it to return and that without IM the site is less functional and useful.
and admin it would still be helpful for you to either send out a note or make a notice on the front page. your users would like to know what's going on. | |
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| this stinks
Posted: 4/17/2009 12:45:35 AM | I believe in life, everyone has a right to do whatever they feel like. Markus wants to take off the IM, let him have his way. Instead of complaining, I suggest you move on to another site. There are several free dating sites out there. One in particular, is more sophisticated than this but doesn't have as many members. But with Markus intent on driving his members to that site, that will change very quickly.
I personally didn't care for the IM but I don't understand how a business can basically tell it's customers that regardless of what you want, this is what we're going to sell. That to me is a business destined to fail. I know you're going to say, it's a free website. That is very true. But the site's purpose is still to have people on it so it can make money off advertising. I don't understand how you can give your customers less at a time when you have more competitors. It's mind boggling!
On top of all this, this site has always been very rude and condescending to it's members. It's also a Nazi like environment where you get booted off for voicing any displeasure. Truth is, the site has been successful in spite of Markus' lack of people and business skills.
The site's mistake is assuming that it will always be the largest free dating site. Look at Myspace, look at Friendster. The internet crowd is very finicky and POF will soon join the ranks of the has-been websites. Mark my words. | |
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| this stinks
Posted: 4/17/2009 12:54:07 AM | | I will probably quit using this site as much as it is way easier to chat with IM, yes it didn't work for some, but overall it was a real nice option to have | |
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| this stinks
Posted: 4/17/2009 3:47:22 AM |
Markus wants to take off the IM, let him have his way. Instead of complaining, I suggest you move on to another site.
as soon as i have done my homework and ironed out the details, that is exactly what i am planning to do, and can vouch for others who are doing the same
everything about this is FUBAR........first, to give no notice in advance, then as it is happening not to put something on the web page to tell everyone; instead we all go crazy for a day or two trying to figure out what is going on
a poor decision, poorly handled
you've lost at least two members, pof
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| Where is Marcus ??
Posted: 4/17/2009 4:44:07 AM | And why hasn't he responded lately ?
Again I say if it was a service to be discontinued they would have given you ample warning, Not just shut it off..
Come on Marcus you Owe us at least the truth
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| Where is Marcus ??
Posted: 4/17/2009 4:50:30 AM | Plentyoffish dating forums are a place to meet singles and get dating advice or share dating experiences etc. Hopefully you will all have fun meeting singles and try out this online dating thing... Remember that we are the largest 100% free online dating service, so you will never have to pay a dime to meet your soulmate.
THINK HE NEEDS TO CHANGE THAT BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE! Shame he will find out in the end.. his site is no different than any other and there are MILLIONS who will refuse to pay to meet friends/chat. I have never been more disappointed in a BUSINESS MAN than I am with him.. Funny what money does to someone. Just go on the thousands of sites that do charge for receiving mail, (oh that will be next I am sure) all we will be able to do is view unless we give him money!
It's okay I have had HUNDREDS of people attend the events I have hosted and still have ALL their contacts.. that's all I need. One more event thats already scheduled and IM OUTTA HERE! FOR EVER.
Good luck Marcus. | |
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| Where is Marcus ??
Posted: 4/17/2009 4:58:53 AM | c'mon CanYouHelpMe...
He doesnt owe us anything....in his books
havent you read message # 12 ????? "Evidently userplane is being discontinued by AOL, or so i'm told by june 15th. Site usuage is far higher and less idiots when the IM is disabled so i'm going to leave the IM off. .............................. "
Where he calls IDIOTS to all those members that use IM.
I guess we are children of a lesser God in his book. So we deserve nothing
Talk about respect!!!!!!!
If anyone is kind and daring enough to give list of free sites that are good...... or PM me privately
I will appreciate | |
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| IM turns me off.
Posted: 4/17/2009 5:20:53 AM | | pls leave the im on this is what your system made u number 1 dont be like the rest u will loose heaps , we need it , i like to im keeps me in touch | |
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| Userplane
Posted: 4/17/2009 5:49:36 AM | Here is an interesting web page I found since everyone is up in roars about the im function disappearing:
http://www.userplane.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=casestudies.casestudy&id=plentyoffish
The real reason people are upset is because of the changes on plenty of fish. First, we have the serious member function showing up. Plenty of fish has changed from being 100% free to being a partially paid site with benefits. In order to be free, plenty of fish must display ads on EVERY page, but with the serious member feature, it is negated. Now we have lost a resource many people utilized to facilitate communication. People can live without the im, but what potentially affects us all is that the consistency standard was broken. Now, people are probably wondering what this site is going to do next.
Also, there are people on here that are very happy with their relationships. I'm glad that the site is able to help people find matches. So, instead of ranting about other people, perhaps it is best to spend time with your loved one. Negativity may drive your relationships away. | |
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| Userplane
Posted: 4/17/2009 5:58:23 AM | I found this interesting
He is committed to making sure that everything the site offers is “100 percent free” – including instant messaging. Plentyoffish began deploying Userplane Webmessenger in 2004 as its IM platform. Today, the site generates more than 100,000 IM sessions and millions of text and audio/video messages every day.
[B]“Our members demand IM and refuse email,” said Frind. “It’s the primary way singles want to communicate. With Userplane, they can use Webcams to make their messages come alive.”[/B]
Well we are [B]Demanding it [/B] | |
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AceVII
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Joined: 1/6/2009
Msg: 175 | |
| This Sucks!
Posted: 4/17/2009 6:27:36 AM | First of all, after three days it would have been nice to see a bulletin on the login page, explaining the problem; so that I wouldn't have been scouring the FAQ's and wondering what the hell the problem was.
Since this is a free site, maybe you don't care...but I predict that without this feature your membership will steadily decline...and drastically.
To the women who chime in, saying that they were bothered by unsolicited IM requests....that it is impolite or bothersome is only YOUR opinion. You always had the ability to turn off the feature, disabling unsolicited IM's.
Lastly, this is all about sales....personal salesmanship. I'm an average guy with my share of issues...I don't own a Corvette or a Harley-Davidson; I don't make oodles of money; I don't look remotely like Fabio, and I have a slight weight problem I can't hide in a profile photo. I believe that many women have a conscious or subconscious impression that men are a "dime-a-dozen." 99.9% of the emails I send are ignored or generate no response. "Cold-Calling" by sending an IM with a friendly greeting and humble request to "Check out my profile when you have time." is the ONLY WAY I GET RESPONSES, FEEDBACK, AND RESULTS!!!!
Without an IM feature I will be deleting my user account. | |
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