The Key Players Club is officially open. There was a soft-open over the weekend after I pushed a bunch of new code live and it accidentally made its presence somewhat noticeable on TKP. For the twenty of you that dropped by, how was the decor, music and service?
All the information about The Key Players Club is on its membership page. In short, it's a new focused financial support system baked right into TKP, and one of the perks for joining is TKP's keychain bottle opener.
Don't let Umansky's hand distract you from TKP's gorgeous keychain bottle opener. He was a last minute fill-in for George Costanza.
Thank you to BilldozerVT for brainstorming The Key Players Club name, and to mstrawther for the original logo design that Tim Vasnelis transformed into a functional bottle opener.
The Key Players Club was my focus for the last 5 months. Coding the module to handle payments in-house was straightforward. The journey take a Virginia-shaped keychain bottle opener from conception to completion was arduous and rewarding. It involved many phone calls from me to machine shops asking, "Do you make all the things?". Also, Tim cut and test plenty of prototypes out of scrap steel.
"Oh sh--, it actually fu----- worked," I gleefully exclaimed after I was notified the first prototype opened a bottle.
I sincerely hope you enjoy it, TKP. And thank you for your support.
(And not to go all Steve Jobs, but if you haven't noticed, slick new mobile commenting navigation was rolled out too.)
Comments
Will be joining shortly!
And is that a Freaker coozie in the video? Love them.
Currently have 3 of those. Is it possible to get a TKP Freaker coozie in the woks?!
If it's something the mods would like to pursue, I know the owners of the company pretty well - I live in Wilmington, NC where they started and still run their operations out of. They will do custom Freakers if you go over ~100.
For those of you not familiar with "Freakers" check them out here... http://www.freakerusa.com/. BEST COOZIE ON THE MARKET - HANDS DOWN!
And for a good laugh, here is their original kickstarter video. The founder is quite a piece of work to say the least! Great guy. https://vimeo.com/23171460
Those very well could be the thank you for those who are still chilling in The Key Players Club next year.
I'll be here. So I don't get fined.
See, now I'm debating - wait patiently for 'TheKeyPlay' freaker or buy a set of VT ones for the next season.
It is a Freaker coozie, yes.
The decor is wonderful. After joining, colors became brighter, food tasted better, and my physique improved noticeably. It was a wonderful touch when the High Techs showed up to deliver me my embossed membership card that read simply, "#1." In short, it has been a magical experience, and all for the low price of $0.23 a day.
Can't wait for the bottle opener. I hope to use it for many more celebrations than consolations. Go Hokies, and stay thirsty, my friends.
Can confirm. I turned into Sam Rogers.
I have gained weight...
(*results not typical)
On the subject of the bottle opener, how shitfaced does Joe think his readers are that we need a demo of how to operate it? :)
After reading all the posts here over the last 3+ years...
I can understand it.
Really? Damn! Mike Myers just left my card next to a flaming bag of poop on my porch and drove off screaming "Who does #2 work for?!?!"
As soon as my kids birthdays are done in the next 4 weeks I'm in.
Hey joe i have some major expenses coming up when can i join this? Will this be up for a while?
Yes. It's a core part of TKP's codebase. Join whenever you're motivated and able.
Completely off topic, but the geek in me has to ask: what's your tech stack? You already mentioned a MySQL database. LAMP?
LAMP and TKP's CMS is Drupal 7 (although it's heavily optimized and tuned with a bunch of custom modules).
Just curious, where did the $84 value come from?
7 points for TD and pt after.
$7 x 12 months = $84
Solid question. TKP is priceless so it was hard to quantify with a value.
Honestly, I tried to find the sweet spot between what the greater community could potentially afford, and what would impact TKP the most. It's a bit presumptuous, but my hope is something that equates to $7 / month is manageable for those who value what we do here.
On a side note, I'm one of those people who would rather donate monthly instead of all up front. I'm sure you've thought about it already, but I'm sure some of us would rather donate $8 monthly to cover the extra costs associated with the additional payment processing.
It was definitely a consideration that was debated plenty. Ultimately, I made the call to keep it simple.
Gotcha. I'll definitely keep an eye out for if you offer it in the future!
Who's going to be the first one to point out that it's a twist off?
I had a very limited supply of skunked beers that were sacrificed for the greater good.
(the greater good)
Shame
Can't wait to join when I graduate in May!
Locked and loaded. Time for the bottle opener!
Will be joking today. Is their club music (I.e. Debbie Debb)?
20 members in 2 days! Not too shabby!!
Lucky #13 onboard
I was so taken with masterpiece that is the bottle opener I would never had noticed the uneven flush lines in the thumb, the over trimmed and under polished nails, or the non-stock looking keys if not for the George reference. We have a collection of magnetic bottle openers on our basement beer fridge door from our travels (about 30 so far). Is it acceptable to attach a magnet to this opener and feature prominently, or is that abusing the intent?
Thrilled to be able to support TKP! But really, it was all about the bottle opener. That thing is sweet!
via GIPHY
I'm in. Number 25 sounds good to me.
I'm in too. I guess that makes me 26. I wish.
32 reporting in!
Don't know why this just hit me, but isn't "The Key Players Club" also a great name for a Swingers club? Just sayin...
You must hang out in some very strange corners of the internet.
Yeah, hopefully it doesn't show up on your credit card statement as "The Key Players Club," otherwise those with significant others might have a few questions coming their way.
My wife said I could join, but she wanted the key chain. Now we're in a stand off.
sounds like you need to join twice
THAT'S WHAT I SAID!
Yeah, do it. One in her name, one in yours, and then encourage her to join in the comments. I have a feeling she'd be fun to read. I can't join right now, but I gladly encourage you to spend YOUR money!
It will show up as "THEKEYPLAY.COM".
Time for a Lasagna party?
Is there a super cool *First Fifty* flair for the initial 50 people to join?
I think there should :D
Damn hipster.
So I'm already giving $10 a month through PayPal. Is that canceled now and I need to sign up for this?
I think you need to go manually cancel it yourself, but you can e-mail TKP for assistance.
Yes, you have to go to Paypal and cancel the monthly payment.
I had a little trouble figuring out how to cancel it but if you also are having trouble, use the following steps:
1. Log into Paypal
2. Expand the details of one of the Key Play payments, in your "Completed" section, on the home page
3. There should be a section called "Manage Orange and Maroon Media, LLC payments". Click this link
4. It'll bring up the recurring payments details and there's a cancel selection in the top section.
Hope this helps.
The reason I was asking is cause the key club is less than what I'm giving. (Albeit by a small amount) I doubt joe wants to make less money
Understandable but I believe that Paypal also takes a small percentage of the amount and I'm assuming it's easier plan your fiscal year with once a year lump sums, as opposed to recurring payments. Kinda why some sites have different deals for subscription like $10/month or $84/year. The full year payment is always cheaper than monthly subscriptions.
This is just speculation from my end. Joe, or whoever, please feel free to correct me if my assumptions are incorrect.
I'd suggest accepting PayPal moving forward. I'd be willing to pay a service charge paid by the sender (e.g. Ticket Master fee). I think account maintenance and service charges for these platforms (i.e. PayPal, Square, etc.) have become normal costs of doing business.
There are some TKPers that previously supported via PayPal at a higher level than the price of The Key Players Club, and there were others who did at a lower amount. (A few even joined and kept your recurring support via PayPal intact which is insane.) My hope before the launch was over time they'd balance each other out. Thus far, more of the higher level folks have opted into The Key Players Club.
I don't think that's a bad thing for TKP. I'm happy to see we continue to deliver content and an experience our longtime supporters still value. Hopefully more and more of you will continue to join. In the end, TKP is only going to get better as a result.
Oh heck, I'd have kept my Paypal donation running had I known you were still accepting via them. The impression I got was that we needed to cancel it.
My hope was folks would cancel their recurring PayPal support and join The Key Players Club instead. However, some TKPers decided to keep their PayPal active and join The Key Players Club, others did the former because they wanted to support at more than $84 / year.
I went against the old adage "I would never join any club that would have me as a member" and just signed up. Thanks, Joe, for running such a great site, and I'm happy to support it!
Where do you see what # you are after joining?
here
you are #42. That's a good number!!!
Okay "here". What number am I? Thanks.
Sorry. Figured it out. It's early and I'm old. Mine is 23. Wish I could remember that.
You were No. 23 — so the Michael Jordan of The Key Players Club. If anyone else is wondering what number they were signing up, just page through this link: http://www.thekeyplay.com/the-key-players-club-members.
Thanks Joe. MJ perfect. Now I will be able to remember.
just remember: 23 is #1!!
YES - Finally made the top 25 on this site for something (pure luck strikes again)
via GIPHY
Posting "it's early" at 9:30 made me jealous/curious. Checked your profile. Leg for favorite Hokie moment. Congrats on retirement. Hard to be jealous when you earned it, but looking forward to 9:30 being early in a Tuesday.
Ha. Retirement you will love. Days, dates, hours and minutes all run together. Early always relates to when you last went to sleep. Not bed, sleep which can be sofa, lounge chair, church, or yet to be determined. Probably should just have put a /s.
I am number 3. I'm currently the Greg Stroman of TKPlayersClub
Makes sense, we're both from Manassas
I'm the Kendall Fuller. You jelly bro?
Not next year you won't be.
It's okay, we don't have a #14.
you're not gonna claim our most famous TE turned QB?
I do love the Logandozer.
But I think number 3 should have been Leal.
gosh its strohman get it right.. /S
43 checking in. Food here is awesome. Just not very filling.
You have the six reps of Sonic?
I am waiting to be number 1000. Get off your butts, people!
Personally, I am hoping that we overflow that unsigned int. Joe will be all:
Joined.
Don't add to much to the board, just a devoted lurker and occasional meme poster. Glad to join your ranks once again!
I'm stoked to put the bottle opener to work. Has anyone gotten theirs yet?
I have not.
They were delivered to me on Friday, I hope to mail them all out next week.
Thanks for the heads up. I'll grab something good to to have on hand for de-viriginization this week.
Look what just arrived.
Mine showed up today as well and I have successfully field tested it 3 times already...
Mine as well and I have successfully tested it on a couple 22 oz Legends Golden IPA's.....at 8% by the time I get to #4 I'll be needing some operating instructions! Go Hokies!
Got mine today too. Confirmed for making my keys louder.
Noise enhancement was one of a few reasons why they were cut from stainless steel.
ooooooooo.....I can't wait!!! I haven't gotten mine yet. I also haven't checked my mail recently. I assumed it would come common carrier like FedEx or UPS but I guess it's small enough to be stuffed in a mailbox by the USPS.
Check your mail. They were sent USPS.
Got mine today. Looking forward to christening it tonight.
WAIT GUITARMAN YOU CAN'T OPEN A GLASS LIKE THAT
Mine arrived yesterday as well and it has been used five times. Heavy duty stuff.
What do you expect? He's a biochemist, not an engineer.
Wait, you mean I wasn't supposed to use the steel TKP opener to just smash the bottle open and pour it into my glass? No wonder my wife was so pissed.
You should tell her it was either that or you would have had to use your wedding ring.
I'm holding out for the Key Player's Club Chainsaw.
Mine came yesterday. Looks and works great. I highly recommend the Devil's Backbone collaboration 12 pack sampler. Several very good beers from breweries I'd never heard of, and the opener worked first try on all of them.
I got mine yesterday. This thing is BAD ASS. Dunno if Joe has freakishly large hands or what, but it's about twice the size and weight I was expecting. Makes a grip for fishing my keys out of my pocket and this thing looks like it can take a beating. That's a good thing, since considering its intended usage, it will be guaranteed to take a beating.
Got mine earlier this week and echo that sentiment. That thing is substantial in weight. If I need to use it to cut my way out of a dense jungle, I'm fairly certain it's up for the job.
Thanks Joe!
...I'm still waiting on mine. I'm super jealous of all you guys. I really hope it comes in the mail today. I have been less than impressed with the mail system in Arlington. Some stuff just gets lost. I really hope that didn't happen with my Key. That would be super sad
So, Joe..I still have not received my key :(
is there any chance that if I still don't have it by this time next week you could send another one? (or maybe, since we're both in NOVA, we could just meet up??)
The mail in my building is unreliable. My dad has sent some stuff that never got here. I know you have my address correct because I've received shirts from you...I wouldn't be surprised if the key just got lost.
I got a notification today regarding a returned package. I'll be able to swing by the office on Friday to see if it's yours. Sorry about that.
okay. just let me know. Like I said, the mail system for my building is sketchy.
I'm working on an "unboxing" video using iMovieSucks and iAmAMacAndDon'tHavePaint. In the mean time, here's a short trailer made using iMgurInstead:
Finally joined!! I have been wanting to but was holding out in hopes of being #87 to honor Beamer's 1st year as coach and my birth year. Can't wait to get the bottle opener.
Welcome! I just saw the ticker flip from 86 to 87 and
stalkedtracked you down to give you a leg.I wanted to be member # 69. Missed my shot.
You mean your money shot?
I got my key/bottle opener and sticker!! The look on my wife's face was priceless as she wanted to know where/how I got it. Cats out of the bag! Time to sport TKP stuff!
...sticker?
You didn't find yours? It took some digging through the envelope to find it, but it now adorns my fridge of many stickers.
Do you like fencing or something?
It's pretty good.
They send stickers out every year after you re-up membership.
If they made a broadsword division I would totally pick it up.
I don't keep tabs on the Historical European Martial Arts crowd. That's where you'd go for broadsword.
I can tell you that if that's something you're actually interested in, you might like saber fencing:
I actually have a loose understanding of fencing and it is a favorite "nontraditional" sport of mine to watch along with handball. I have no where near the balance or footwork to be a fencer so props. Has there ever been a successful 300 Lb fencer?
Only one I can think of is a 7 foot heavily built guy out of Washington named Justin Meehan.
The one that's probably in your trash right now.
I was actually really pleasantly surprised to get a sticker as well. I know it's a small gesture but I really, really like it. Just have to figure out where exactly to place it.
I know who hasn't ordered a shirt lately...
j/k, I was also surprised, but only because it's sticker number 3.
The one that WAS in my trash.
Kudos on not skimping on the envelope, sir.
I made the mistake of asking my wife about joining and she OK'd it as long as she got the keychain for her keys. You don't see a little key beside my name do you now?
savage
We got ours the day we were leaving for Spring Break (today). So, we're taking him on an adventure.
We've dubbed him "Tool."
Our first pic for Tool is as we are passing the site of the Battle of Bristol. There are lots of advertising all over Bristol. He found a comfy spot and settled in for a nap before his workout begins.
We are headed to Asheville for a few days of research and meetings.
Laying down on the job at White Duck Taco.
Oh man, my wife and I ate at the Biltmore Ave location back in November on a one night stay - great food there, and we can't wait to get back to Asheville to try even more.
We also stopped at Biscuit Head for breakfast in West Asheville on our way out... amazing stuff. Ate so much I napped for about 2 hours in the car afterward.
Biscuit Head. Ok I'll look it up.
Thanks.
don't know if you're heading back via 26 but Stoney Knob Cafe in Weaverville has great food at a reasonable price and the place has an interesting atmosphere. I used to live just up the road and I loved taking people there for brunch when they visited. If you're heading out of Asheville that way I would say it's definitely worth stopping there to fuel up your gut before heading over the mountains.
Biscuit Head--get a gravy flight.
The only way to go IMO.
You're still about 3 miles away from the track at that point. There used to be a Hills department store near there. I miss Hills.
Well, he's a tool taking a nap. What does he know.
Met some girls already.
Check out the hoops on her.
Hangin' at Green Man.
Gettin' Funky.
Love the Funkatorium...
Looking for Emma.
She needs to sort out herpriorities.If only monks did not have to be celebate.
Got some in public at Wicked Weed.
Thought it was a hot tub.
NOT!
Good news to report from a product testing standpoint.
No shrinkage.
Almost heaven.
Become a Key Club Member and you too may find yourself reclining among glasses of beer many times your size.
IT'S HERE!!!1!!!! :D
Holy crap I had that same mouse pad when I was at VT. Bought it at the bookstore my first day on campus.
Nice! I have to confess, though, that it actually belongs to my Fiance. I'm not sure how long she's had it..
also, OT, but for those astute observers who may notice this: I am aware that the Union Jack on the label is incorrect. It's tough to see in the photo.
Haven't seen this topic for days...
Egbert...upvote
Egbert...upvote
Egbert...upvote
Egbert...upvote
Oh fer fucks sake Egbert...
...
...upvote
Hey, I left out the pics of Tool laying on the floor, looking up skirts....
What a tool.
Tool is on a new trip.
He insisted on going to the Craft Brewer's Convention in Philly with me.
He bought me a coffee on the train this morning.
I swear I saw him laughing
There was a guy at the station platform in Charlottesville wearing pants that were a cross between Salmon and Watermelon pink.
He was college age.
Tool is asking if I'll take him to a locksmith.
His idea of having some fun while we are out of town or somefink.
We made it. We are real early.
I had to remind Tool last night that this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Long hard day talking about beer distribution.
Testing the info.
Tool says,"Join the Key Club and enjoy the fruits of life. "
Or somefink
don't take this the wrong way, but could you please use the "width" and "height" tags with these? After you create the img tag, you can just add them at the end
For instance "img src="http://i.imgur.com/3qKErlX.jpg" width=216 height=384" yields
An even easier option (for those who don't want to enter the HTML) is to use imgur's thumbnail options. It's as simple as putting s, m, or l at the end of the image name for small, medium, and large thumbnail versions of the images. For instance, a medium version of http://i.imgur.com/3qKErlX.jpg is just http://i.imgur.com/3qKErlXm.jpg, a la:
Medium is generally the perfect size for embeds in forums like these.
I like the big pictures. I can almost taste the beer.
I think they're saying they want LESS beer. That's some UVA strategy there.
they take forever to load. I'll start reading a comment then it will jump down the page over and over as each massive picture finally loads. #firstworldproblems #TKPproblems #couldbeworsecouldbelesabre
I'm so glad this is still happening.
The goods have arrived. :D
That reminds me, i really need to check the mail when i get home...
Waiting for my KPC package to arrive reminds me of this:
Aw man, it hasn't arrived yet.
Oh, Tool.
I told you, it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Misbehaving Dock Street brewery last night.
Leaving on a new trip today.
Started out very good, my daughters got to talk to a VT men's bball player while in line at the airport.
Very nice gentleman and very tall.
You know what goes great with bye weeks and watching highlights?
The Key Players Club.
I certainly feel like I've gotten my money's worth with the articles and analysis
Just look at all the content just this week: ECU preview, game thread, game weather report, game pictures from BC game, game thread, post game coaches and players interviews, other game thread, article on special teams PRIOR to ECU game, news on Liberty, ACC network list for ECU Game, number analysis about ECU, card stunt preview. That's just a sampling of the content the last 5 days.