I seem to have made a mistake on a section of HC and as a result some people are not going to be happy with me.

HC has a blog section for our users. Like the signature feature found on this site, it is suppose to be a feature that becomes available after a user has displayed a level of activity on the site. Well after I upgraded I didn't set it correctly and it was allowing brand new users to create blogs.

To fix this I have to set it how it is supposed to be set. That means I will have to remove the blogs that shouldn't be there.

Elite members and above are allowed to create blogs, while everyone is allowed to participate in current blog discussions. I had the controls backwards, so I am sorry to those of you whose blog is being dropped. (Thank goodness there are only a few.)

Once you have turned "blue", you can then go in and create a blog. I am terribly sorry. This is 100% my fault.

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Let me explain why we do it this way before anyone starts wondering. lol

Like the signature feature, users tend to abuse these features in an effort to exploit the site to advertise their own sites and to sell products. Some new users also seem to get confused and opposed to posting a thread in a forum, they ask their questions as a blog entry.

It has been the site experience that has shown that users who are active enough to reach the Elite member status are not here to just exploit Herp Center for free advertising. They have a genuine interest in the site as is displayed in their activity.

I realize that most users are not here to simply advertise themselves. Unfortunately, there is no way for any of us to know who is and isn't here for that purpose, so the access structure was created.

I hope this helps people understand why certain features aren't accessible right from the beginning.

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Don't beat yourself up Rich!
You've done so much to improve the site lately, I think people will (read: HAD BETTER) understand and not get too upset!
Thanks for the explanation about the status levels, etc. I think it's a great system.
You're a star!

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Andrea

Oh I'm glad you posted this. Thanks! I was starting to get frustrated, because I kept seeing signatures, and the option to read them with every post, but couldn't see where to "make" it. lol It makes a lot of sense, though.

Just our continuing effort to keep this place spam free!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Stay active and you will get the signature option in no time. Once you've been with us for a while a whole bunch of other options open up to you.

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Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

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