Many years (2006) ago the nicoclub forum had some pretty good giveaways. The Tacoma forum I am still (sort of) a part of, has the human centipede giveaway. It’s a bunch of guys that join. Everyone has that water bottle from the gym that’s still new, or that old _____ out in the garage. Pack that stuff up and send it. On the “go” date, everyone takes the package they put together and mails it.

So that being said, no. There is not a public forum that one can join, ad free, with no membership fees, that also has members who just give to each other. It’s like nowhere I have ever been on the internet. Most blood relatives are not as generous as many of the members here are. It’s a pretty amazing place.

Wait. What?

There are other forums?

SigForum, best place on the planet.

Thanks Para, for all you do. Thanks also to the other mods.
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quote:

Originally posted by architect:

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
Didn't member Chance pull the plug on his karma selector software? How are we even conducting karma's now?

I believe mark123 has created and published a replacement karmanator. IIRC he also offered up his code for community review. Perhaps he could comment?

Yes he did. Mark is awesome.

Here it is: Mark123's Karma Kreation Thing

Karma picker, Youtube Embedder, and SigForum Search Engine.
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I haven't been in a lot of other gun boards, but I don't recall seeing any giveaways, "karma" style or otherwise, on any of them, let alone anything as expensive as watches, firearms, gift certificates, etc. I'd have to say this one is unique.

Circa 2014, I posted that I had bought a new gun and what do I find in my e-mail but an offer to give me some magazines for it that he wasn't using. I was floored. (The member wanted to remain anonymous then so I assume he wants to now.)

It's not unique to this board, but its MUCH more prevalent on this board. I'm routinely astounded by the generosity of the folks here. It's a quality group of people.

A blacksmith group I am a part of will donate time and things we make. These get purchased, some are a silent auction. The proceeds support either the group, or a member in need.

but I have never been involved in anything like Sigforum. I have told some of my stories in other threads, but I love this place and deeply value my membership here.

Here's further evidence of the remarkably generous nature of forum members.

It seems konata88 has been quite busy these days. Today, I received a very fine watch from forum member Dave Truong at Mimi's Jewelry, compliments of konata88. This is easily the finest watch I've ever owned and probaby ever will own.

It's perfect for me- a supertough, straight-up timepiece with tritium illumination. Not even a date window and that's great. I love it. The steel bracelet will be going on it.

My sincere thanks to you, konata88, and to you as well, Dave. As I told Dave, I feel it's too much, but you ain't getting it back.

Seriously, thank you



Everyone of us who feels the world is falling apart right now should take heart- the good people are still out there, and some of them are in this forum

Hi Para, it's difficult to express how invaluable this place you provide is, at least to me. It serves many foundational pillars of everyday life. It's a place of education, of information, of entertainment, of expertise, of opinion, and of friendship.

For this, I'm truly appreciative and thankful. I'm honored to have been a guest and member here for the past 10+ years.

And a shout again to Dave for enabling such fantastic karmas, in addition to the ones he provides. Dave is absolutely good people. If anyone should require products or services for which Dave could provide, he is definitely the go-to man. My advice to the forum given multiple experiences with Dave.

Thank you Para. And thank you Dave. And thank you to the forum members.

I am a member of just a few fora, but only one has any form of karma in our sense. And that forum's members do not give items away with the frequency of our members.

I am a member on one Facebook group where the members do the occasional give a away.

We may not be unique, but are more generous than any others I know.

Okay, that gets me thinking...

I've sent a few "surprises" to my favorite members. And obviously other member are doing it as well, so that means the amount of Karmas being given are likely WAY higher than we see.

That's pretty cool to think about. He'll I got several bottle of soju alone to pass out on my road trip one members haul is looking like it might need its own checked bag!!!

I love this place.

I don’t really know about other forums.

But the kindness and generosity here in this house continues to surprise and amaze. Huge shout out to stickman428 as a recent example.

Good people. Good company. Good food. Good protection. What a great place.

I haven’t seen it. Sometimes I offer stuff up for free if the mood strikes and the circumstance allows.

When my son was born just shy of 10 years ago...a bunch of members here showered me with gifts. Not just gifts, personal, handmade, thoughtful and useful gifts. When my wife and I were going through a tough financial time about 6 years ago, another very generous member here gave us a very generous gift again...helping me to bless my wife in a rough season, beyond my means at the time.

I've seen other forums, typically verified combat veteran groups...have similar generous giftings and people looking out for the brotherhood type stuff, but honestly enough of them are a scam that it makes everyone leery. Never once have I had that impression here.

I try to give back, here, and have felt the pull to do more so. Not by any single person, or peer pressure, but rather I'm often so overwhelmed by the generosity I see constantly on this forum, that I WANT to be as generous as others have been to me and others.

I hope this is coming out right.

To answer your question, Para, yes I've seen it on other boards I'm a part of. It is simply not the same though. The culture of this forum has been distilled down to a special place. Not a perfect place, but something rare and difficult to repeat nonetheless.

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
...have similar generous giftings and people looking out for the brotherhood type stuff, but honestly enough of them are a scam that it makes everyone leery.

I can't help but be curious about this statement. Without getting into the specifics of where and who, how would a scam work when giving away things? I am not challenging your statement. I'm just curious how that would work.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:
...have similar generous giftings and people looking out for the brotherhood type stuff, but honestly enough of them are a scam that it makes everyone leery.

I can't help but be curious about this statement. Without getting into the specifics of where and who, how would a scam work when giving away things? I am not challenging your statement. I'm just curious how that would work.

Sorry for the delay in response

This incident comes to mind as a good example of what I'm talking about, it took me a while to track down a post where a link could be shared and viewed without a membership:

https://www.rallypoint.com/ans...zRF2Nr7w4s60tEn8Nk8M

The situation started in what appeared innocent enough, members of a vetted group just helping out a brother in need. Later it came out he was a professional scammer. He even got prosecuted for it. Prior to that, it was extremely common in the group to raise money, pay for food, help out with rent, even lend cars and significantly more generous outpourings. It all came crashing down when Robert Jones, and a few others, were finally exposed.

Several employees of wounded warrior project were caught skimming and scamming the groups also.

**edit: The "where" was primarily on the OEF/OIF Nation facebook group, but this particular scammer was hitting up Rallypoint, and other veterans forums also. The old Warriorpointe organization, before going bust, was one of them.

Para, that watch is a beauty. Big fan of Luminox.

Only other forum I am a member of is related to RV. Have not seen a single Karma.

This is the ONLY forum I have seen that have generous members.

Maryland Shooters has had numerous karma's. None as nice as 12131 or David Truong however.

The uniqueness of this community is built on the human element of the community. We authentically care about one another and help elevate one another. Sure we'll bust each other's balls but we are like one big family.

Gosh...when I joined I think there were only like 10k or less members.

Thank you all for all you do!

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Here's further evidence of the remarkably generous nature of forum members.

It seems konata88 has been quite busy these days. Today, I received a very fine watch from forum member Dave Truong at Mimi's Jewelry, compliments of konata88. This is easily the finest watch I've ever owned and probaby ever will own.

It's perfect for me- a supertough, straight-up timepiece with tritium illumination. Not even a date window and that's great. I love it. The steel bracelet will be going on it.

My sincere thanks to you, konata88, and to you as well, Dave. As I told Dave, I feel it's too much, but you ain't getting it back.

Seriously, thank you



Everyone of us who feels the world is falling apart right now should take heart- the good people are still out there, and some of them are in this forum

ALWAYS wear it in good health my friend