I hope everyone is enjoying the new site.  We’ve had a pretty good run, and I’m happy to report administrative issues have not been too overwhelming.

The one exception is that several users have been locked out of their accounts once or twice.  An automated message is sent out by Digital Access Pass (DAP) — the application that runs the “back office” while I try to come up with something intelligent to say.  The message informs a member that there have been too many login attempts from their email address from multiple IP addresses.

After you email me in a panic and I reset it for you, you get another automated message informing you that your account is again in good standing, but that sharing is strictly prohibited and may result in your account being shut down.  It’s written rather tersely, implying that you are a thieving scumbag (I’ll see what I can do about the wording.)  But, I’d like to avoid these issues in the first place.

DAP seems to have a pretty good memory.  So, if you logged in from your girlfriend’s computer last month, then again from your iPhone, iPad, laptop, and your mom’s desktop, this evening, it will probably shut you down.   Don’t take it personally; it’s a machine.

Likewise, if you lent a friend, co-worker or stockbroker your password so they can see for themselves why you’re doing well with your investing, the system will take note of that, too.  Again, computers have a very long memory.

If it happens to you for whatever reason, email me and I’ll reset it as quickly as possible.  If it happens multiple times due to some mysterious glitch, I’ll reset your membership and get you a clean slate.  If, on the other hand, you’ve already “shared” with friends or colleagues, just know that DAP will send you that threatening email sooner or later.

One solution would be for your friend to get their own membership.  Rates have gone up, but our “performance” has been pretty strong.  We’re up about 26% as of today’s close — in only 11 weeks.  Anyone who hasn’t made their membership fee back many times over hasn’t been paying very close attention.

Current members who refer a new annual member get an additional 3 free months tacked on to their own membership.  So, refer 4 friends and get another whole free year.  Not bad for sending an email or making a phone call (does anyone do that anymore?)

The other solution is a group membership.  Two annual members are just $500 each, a savings of $200 off a single membership.  There are other breaks at 10, 25, etc. — great for investment clubs, brokerage offices, etc.  If, like me, you have no friends, introduce yourself to that guy you always see cursing his eTrade screen at Starbucks.  And, if you don’t see a deal that works for your situation, let me know and we’ll work something out.

I’m putting in some very long hours to make this site successful.  The more members we have, the more time I can put in on the blog.  I don’t know what it is yet, but there is a magic number out there that will allow me to spend full time on the blog.  So, help me help you.

Last, and on a completely unrelated note, I occasionally get emails from folks looking for a a quick opinion on something or another.  Just so you know, I rarely look at my email during trading hours unless it’s one of those “your account has been locked” emails or it’s a day when absolutely nothing is happening in the markets.  The better chance of getting a quick response is to post it in the comments section of a post.

I know Disqus is a pain, and I’m working on finding a good alternative.  But, it’s all we have.  If I can break away to answer a quick question right away, I will.  But, if I’m in the middle of writing a time-sensitive post, my obligation is to the membership at large.  I’m putting in 18 hour days lately just trying to stay on top of what the market’s going to do next.  So, if I don’t get back to you quickly, please be patient.

I happen to know there are some pretty smart members on the site, some of whom might have an better opinion than I’d have offered in the first place.  So, talk amongst yourselves; it’s a good thing.

Thanks to all of you who have joined in these past 11 weeks.  We’re off to a great start, and I hope everyone’s having fun and learning a lot.  Once the dust settles, I’d like to explore conference calls or online educational sessions.  And, once there are more of us concentrated in various places around the world, we can look into get-togethers.

I’m putting the finishing touches on a really cool post that’s been in the works for a couple of months.  I hope to have it up tonight, but it’ll probably be early tomorrow.  Have a great evening.