Scheduled outage for 11/22/02 & Search, Avatar information

Eric_Draven,

That is another possibility. We could opt to keep the old files intact and shut down the current feature set until the server is upgraded. I guess my first priority is to protect the old data.

BTW, how many paying members do we have? Is sounds like it might be the right time for our first annual year end membership drive.

n2s
 
Originally posted by not2sharp
Is sounds like it might be the right time for our first annual year end membership drive.
Click to expand...

It sounds like it's way past time for a membership drive.

I respect Spark for trying to keep this a full featured Free Site for Basic Members, but it seems to me they're the ones that are sucking up all of the resources. I've paid up every time I was asked, and gladly. Now we're going to lose one of my favorite parts of this forum, the pictures from old threads. I don't envy Spark and the work and tough decisions he's going to have to make, but it looks like he's trying to swim against the tide.

I'd also like to know;
How many Paying members there are?
How many Active members there are
What exactly is everyone's fair share to keep the features without losing the wealth of information and images that has been built here?
 
I'd also like to know;
How many Paying members there are?
How many Active members there are
What exactly is everyone's fair share to keep the features without losing the wealth of information and images that has been built here?
Click to expand...


Exactly. I mean if all It would take is the "active" members all kicking in $5,,then it's time that happened.
Could we auction stuff for the "cause"?


Phillip
 
We've got rougly 1800 registered users who visit the site in a 24 hour period.

The paying members that we do have barely cover hosting fees & bandwidth. It doesn't cover anything else. Certainly not another server - or the costs of the current server.

We'd have to double our gold memberships to cover a new server. Heck, we'd have to double them just to cover labor. That isn't going to happen anytime soon.

Kevin
 
I agree that a membership drive is past due.

I noticed that some other forums have a start page, explaining some of the costs associated with that forum, and ask for a small ($5 or $10) registration fee. Maybe that would help in getting the server replaced?

Spark, the bottom line here is that you need dollars to solve the server problem, and I know you don't want to ask the membership to pony up, but don't you think it's way past due?

Let's do a membership drive, or something, so you can go buy that new server, and keep this place running smoothly.

I'll help in any way I can. Just let me know.
 
Originally posted by Spark

We'd have to double our gold memberships to cover a new server. Heck, we'd have to double them just to cover labor. That isn't going to happen anytime soon.
Click to expand...

Well not with an attitude like that!
Spark, I think you need to lose this reluctant virgin attitude regarding membership and let the people that care about this forum know it's time to ante up. You're not going to have any success with the Newbies or the people who don't care about this place staying open.

First of all, why isn't this on Page One in General? So far only 313 vuews of this thread means people are not getting the message.

Second doubling the membership isn't that hard if you consider it would mean that every paid member has to recruit one other paying member.

Third people react to two things, the carrot and the stick, and people will do more to avoid pain then they will to gain pleasure. So adding features to entice members don't work, it's time to break out the stick. I would first of all change the title to all none paying members to GUEST and remove their post count, avatars , signatures and right to post picks. Stop treating these people like an asset to the forum when they're really a liability.

Spark, you've sadi before that you would prefer to have one member that wanted to be here rather than 100 people who don't. Don't you think it's time to cul the herd and find out who really wants to be here?
 
Seems to me it's not the basic members sucking up all the bandwidth.Pics take a heck of alot more bandwidth than text, and I don't know about you but I have seen an awful lot of stupid stuff posted that sure could be gone without notice.
 
Look, as much as I'd like to, we don't have the capability to limit signatures, avatars, smilies, etc just to paying members. It's not possible right now. We've limited attaching pictures and private messaging and selling to them and that's about all I can do at this point.

When the next version of the software comes out, then we should be able to make more comprehensive changes. Until then, we're kinda stuck with what we've got.

Second, regarding membership drives, we get enough people complaining about having to pay $30 per year already. I'm extremely reluctant to again turn to the membership for more money without offering anything else in return.

I *have* gone to the manufacturers and asked them to contribute. Thus far, we've heard from Spyderco, ATC, Rob Simonich, Bobby B, Bill Martino and a possible yes from Buck. That goes a long way to helping, but doesn't quite go the distance. I'll discuss more of that later.

In short, we're working on it, and trying our best to continue to maintain the community as best we can.

Kevin
 
"In short, we're working on it, and trying our best to continue to maintain the community as best we can.

Kevin"


And it shows. This is by far the BEST forum of all that I have been on, not just knife related forums. Your hard work and dedication to the community show through.
I for one support the idea of a raffle or other fund raising campaign. As far as " to again turn to the membership for more money without offering anything else in return" is a bit misleading. What you will be offering them is the history of Bladeforums. Keeping history is not cheap. Every museum and collection asks for donations or paid memerships. The members of all ranks need to understand that this site does not operate on free magic. Time, effort, equipment, bandwidth, electricity, etc. all take money.
Heck, my membership costs less than my cheapest knife! (err...except for my Opinel!) Come on people...

-SB
 
Kevin,

Can this thread be moved to a higher traffic area? I think people need to see this.

-SB
 
I agree that the membership needs to see this. I would think that there would be a tremendous amount of support from the ones that care.
 
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