FYI, this may end up being a controversial post to some people and I do hope for a lengthy discussion in the comments or elsewhere. This part of the post was influenced by another post I read earlier written by @brandyb called: Voting bots... A problem or a resource? Good post by the way Brandy, it really got me thinking. Are they detrimental to the platform? What use do they really have? Why do I even use them and which ones?
The 'BUILD-A-BOT' Fad
It seems there are more bots out now than there are genuine profiles. Ok, that's an exaggeration. But still, a new one seems to pop up on @yabapmatt's goldenchild site Steem Bot Tracker almost every day now. Small bots and big ones. I have respect for a few, and use several. I'll list some of those in a minute. The thing that pisses me off is the fact that they are raising prices on some of my favorites and putting them out of reach for the average Steempeep. Stop being so greedy guys. Raising the cost only makes those spammers spend more and get seen more while the people struggling to get their quality posts seen suffer. Greed will eat away at you, and devour your credibility as to whether you are here to help, or if this is just a business for you. Maybe @yabapmatt needs to classify the bid bots into 'premium' and 'regular'. Food for thought there buddy.
My List of Questionable Bots
Now, some people are going to leave this post with a bad taste in their mouth, and I hope it tastes really horrible. So horrible, that you take a serious look at what you really are doing to the rest of the platform and the new Steempeeps that are trying to get a grip. This particular list has left me scratching my head. Sure, there's little bots they could use, but it seems like a principle kind of thing. IMHO anyway. If you'll notice, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM bowed their heads to the not-so-almighty @grumpycat by raising their minimum post age to at least 3.5 days. With the exception of one, they have all also RAISED their prices. In a time where STEEM and SBD are really starting to flourish? I'm sure the arguments are all the same, to keep new shitposters from accessing them. I don't really care about excuses. I'm just Shaking My Head.
I'm not sure if this is vanity at its best or maybe a joke on other bots to name it after himself. Just seems...off. I have never used this bot, but I made it number one as it has a slight edge on the others. This is the ONLY one that hasn't raised it's price. Good on ya Jerry.
He also pays interest (60% I believe) to his delegators. The reason I've never used it is, well, you named it after yourself.
This one comes in at number two because unlike the rest, it actually makes an effort via their Curation Digest to support other Steempeeps freely. But, it is also one of the most expensive bots on the list. I have to ask @themarkymark, is there some unwritten rule that says the more STEEM POWER you have, the higher you should charge for votes?
From what I can tell, this is run by @yabapmatt, though I may be wrong. Another that has raised its prices in a flourishing market and I was using quite frequently. Maybe he's trying to compete with the other big bots out there. Doing a good job so far.
I got love for ya @suggeelson, really I do, and this was my favorite bot for good chunk of last month and I still use it. But your prices keep going up? You have the strongest bot on the public market and I am questioning your motives my man. Talk to me.
Second in SP only to @buildawhale and @upme, they too, have raised their prices. This was also on my favorites list for quite a while, but I really don't take too kindly to the greedy image being portrayed. By raising prices like the others, they have ostracized a good chunk of Steempeeps that with great content, can no longer afford their services.
One I am actually shocked to see here raising their prices. They started with the lowest SP of any on this list and had tons of people buying votes. Lost my respect guys. Sorry.
Conclusion
IT'S JUST BUSINESS. Why else would they fold to some tyrant barking orders that isn't even staying on the platform? They lose curation rewards when their posts get downvoted. Plain and simple. Why raise the prices? Because they can. It's their bots and they're making a shit ton of money off of them. Why not make more? Steemit is all about making money right? I will use them when I think a post is important, but, almost not even worth the price anymore for some of those up there as they often get overused and abused - despite the changes. Maybe I need to have my own. Who wants to help with that? @inertia? @yabapmatt? Still Shaking My Head.
(Courtesy of @liberty-minded)
Witnessy Stuff
Has anyone else had to restart their feeds multiple times since @someguy123's update? I've seen quite a few in the 'red' and still see some. Maybe they haven't noticed. They were well (and are) out of the comfortable hour - 2 hour update range. But I have to thank @jatinhota for walking me through the process of correcting it. It was fairly easy, so no more hiccups. Feed is still strong and thankfully, I haven't missed a block!
More Witnessy Stuff
Some of you may or may not know, but my baby, #thealliance, has been going through some growing pains this past week. Some good suggestions came from the officers and concerns were addressed. It'll take a few weeks for everyone to get used to seeing so many new faces, but I'm sure it'll prove a good move. If you'd like to read about the changes, visit this post:🔄The New Framework 🏰 of #thealliance 👀 to learn more about our new structure.
Valentine's Fundraiser for @youarehope
We are getting behind @youarehope once again for a 3 week run to help raise funds for that fantastic and most noble cause. @sircork has some pretty amazing things going on here on Steemit. Read the You Are H.O.P.E. Valentine's Fundraiser #2 to hear about progress with the charity itself and other people that are actively invlolved.
#steemsilvergold?
I got the nomination and seconds and thirds and many more nods to join this group after I asked. Thank you guys and gals! Expect to see me touting this group a lot more as I feel they have a high integrity quotient much like #thealliance. I have a post coming soon too for you guys, I just bought my first ever 1 oz. silver bar so, it ought to be a nice shiny lust-filled addition to the fold.
Steem Poker League
The @spl has been a quiet but very interesting group here on Steemit. Initially, I wanted to sponsor a tournament, but didn't quite get the response I was hoping for so instead, we'll just support their efforts as many allies already do. They've been giving away SBD through their freeroll poker tournaments for quite some time. That's what has gained my respect. Similar to a contest where people have a chance to get some much appreciated free jingle in their jangles. They've even got livestream tournaments over there! So to @tuck-fheman, @bethalea, and @nicnas, I hope you don't mind me throwing you up for display here and there.
