Premium Membership Discussion.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Originally Posted by 37L1

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

If you want ADDITIONAL OPTIONS that come with the PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP there will be a fee.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

Don't freak out. You can still continue to enjoy TitanTalk just as you do now, For Free.

Will it ever end?

On the other hand, if it is costing more to run the site, and keep it opperational, list these expences and set up a Paypal email, make the balance known to all of us, and I think many people would be happy to help pay for the costs, but if you are trying to turn a profit. I agree I would be outta here.

You're kidding me right? Why should ekool, or any other website owner for that matter, be required to show their expenses. Personally I hope he does earn a profit, if he hasn't been already. The ammount of work and money that goes into running a successful website is huge, especially one this large. You honestly would expect someone to pay money out of their own pocket just so you and I can use it for free? That makes absolutely no sense at all. Next time you are using your email, ISP, or any other online service, think about if you were to ask the companies that provide those services to list their total expenses, and that you wish to only pay for your percent of those expenses. That type of reasoning is ludicrous.

[ekool]

The beauty in what I'm offering is that wether I am right or wrong, it wont affect anybody but me. Because, if I offer it and no one takes it... well, no big deal. If you see value in what I offer, you might elect to take it, and we'll both be happy.

Either way, it wont affect anyone that doesnt want to be affected.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Originally Posted by ekool

The beauty in what I'm offering is that wether I am right or wrong, it wont affect anybody but me. Because, if I offer it and no one takes it... well, no big deal. If you see value in what I offer, you might elect to take it, and we'll both be happy.

Either way, it wont affect anyone that doesnt want to be affected.

It's about as simple as any concept. Like I said earlier, I do a similar program for raising money on my own forum. While I don't make enough to cover everything I've put into the site, it's still nice to have some generous users help out. And hell, if I ever turn a profit, it would probably go right back into the site (upgrading hosting, software, etc.)

[37L1]

Originally Posted by sammy sandbag

Will it ever end?


That type of reasoning is ludicrous.

Easy Sammy. Remember Gambit's wise counsel?

It's been explained thoroughly,

I give up.

[Sammy Sandbag]

Originally Posted by 37L1

Easy Sammy. Remember Gambit's wise counsel?

Ha, how very true.

It's been explained thoroughly

I thought so as well.

I give up.

Funny thing is that I said that earlier, but got suckered back in. Guess I'll make it official, I'm done. Perhaps ekool should lock this thread, and start a new one with a very clear first post.

[Davink]

Originally Posted by sammy sandbag

Will it ever end?



You're kidding me right? Why should ekool, or any other website owner for that matter, be required to show their expenses. Personally I hope he does earn a profit, if he hasn't been already. The ammount of work and money that goes into running a successful website is huge, especially one this large. You honestly would expect someone to pay money out of their own pocket just so you and I can use it for free? That makes absolutely no sense at all. Next time you are using your email, ISP, or any other online service, think about if you were to ask the companies that provide those services to list their total expenses, and that you wish to only pay for your percent of those expenses. That type of reasoning is ludicrous.

Sammy,

I should have been more clear. I do not expect him to list all of the expenses, and if some profit, or surplus is made then fine. What I am saying is that I do not feel the need has been justified.

Let me explain. It seems from the way that you are talking, you have or do host one or more sites. You have an understanding of the monies involved in running a site. There are people on here though, myself included, that although somewhat computer literate, own our trucks for work purposes, because we do things like construction or building etc..., and we are not aware of what costs are involved. I am sure that there is more to it then buying a computer and registaring a domain name. But I have no idea to what level the costs rise.

On the other hand I am certain that ekool and the moderators put a large amount of time investment into running the site, but as for th cash I have no clue.

I should have explained that more earlier. But this what I am saying as far as the expense list. As for asking my internet provider, I am sure they would not provide my that information. However, as for paying only a percentage of there costs, I am sure that my $40. a month for my cable internet does not cover all their costs, so I guess that I am only paying a percentage. And that is waht I am getting at, without knowing anything of the costs involved, how can one know what a reasonable percentage is?

Take care,
Dave

[tortuga]

wow, too many posts to read through!!! anyways, when's the fun start eKool? i love options, especially when they are affordable, plus as aforementioned this site is like a drug to me, and my wife thinks i'm checking out porn anyways let the premium memberships BEGIN!!!

[ekool]

Hopefully I'll have the arcade fixed by next weekend and I can devote some time to implementing the Premium features and doing some testing. I'd guess everything will be ready to rock in about 2 weeks.

Thanks for all the feedback (positive or negative) -- It has helped me change the program slightly and I think we will be better off in the long run.

[Titan_TX]

Oh god the old days.....

I had a BBS running too. With Wildcat BBS software! Maximum Overdrive was mine. That was the good old days of the Atari with a fast 2400 bps modem. Then I upgrade to a USR 9600 v.42bis!! That was FAST!

Originally Posted by Draco_1962

That's pretty cool, eKool! The heart of my BBS was a program called BBS Express Pro on an Atari 800XL with 256K (not MB but K!) memory upgrade, 2400 bps modem, 1 20MB external HD, 3 Quad Density - Double Sided 5 1/2" floppy drives and a singel DS/DD Atari 5 1/4" HD - all available via a Supra 2400 bps external modem - of course, this was "da bomb" when talking 8-bit computing during the mid-80's... LOL!

The only controls for more access to downloads (as we had lots of lurkers and leeches that called just to download) were posting messages (10 bytes of download capacity for every 1 byte of text - very reasonable!) or a 4-to-1 ratio for those who did not post and accessed the BBS (and tied up access to it as I only had 1 phone line most of the time).

I would think that those who made frequent and quality posts to the forums should be considered to have donated, as quality users are going to drive membership and purchases via the sponsors.

-Đядсо-

[Titan_TX]

Here is what other forums I have ran in the past have done. But when I owned them I never charged a fee for service, they were 100% free. But I accepted donations or sold stickers to help pay for the cost.

Now, my old site that I made was Maxima.org and b15sentra.net.

Maxima.org now charges $20 bucks to access off-topic, search, attachments, and get a title next to their name. It has worked for a while, and the site is still very active. Truthfully, people weren't that upset about it.

I paid, but was it worth it, depends. The search engine was a important feature. So yea it was worth it for really ONLY THAT. But then you had people reposting all the time about the same stuff so it caused another problem. But it hasn't changed.

Ekool can do what he feels right. Running a site isn't cheap.

[terryu1]

ALL MY LIFE'S A CIRCLE . . . . .

H. Chapin

[titanj0hnny]

Maybe organization of some member meets or owner runs. Something that will involve more of a getting together with other Titan owners. I'm sure it would be a nightmare to organize, but it's just a thought.

T-shirts or Polo's would be awesome too!!!

Thanks, Love the sight,

John Rodriguez

[MO Titan]

Before I say anything, I would like to say I know it will not change anything for current members. I, for one, will probably pay for the extras. That said, I wonder about the new members that are coming in. For argument sake, say I am a new member coming in. I try the site out, I like it, I want to be a member. I go to sign up and I get two options, free and pay. Here is what might go through some one's mind. Ok, this is free, what am I paying for? I read the list of pay stuff and say, I don't want that. However, is there a certain stigma you get when you are not a "premium" member? Will I be treated the same? Am I getting the same experience without the membership? My point is it may throw some new would be members off. Maybe move to another site where every one is the same. Like I said before I am in for the pay thing. I am just trying to look at every angle.

[ekool]

I dont think new members will even notice a difference until they become experienced enough to recognize that a premium member has a different word under their name.

No one should be treated differently if they arent a premium member.

They may see people linking to their garage, or their photopost and send me a message like "how do i do that" -- which I get all the time. And I'll link them to the premium member page.

[Titan4x4Aggie]

I forgot another premium membership benifit that people might pay for:

****ing profanity