A rant on site funding

^^ it maybe worth considering the reason for donations...
the ones that offer support too, as in, want NOTHING from ASSEMbler but just to help the overall community (usually by form of text advice) and be part of discussion!
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anther factor could be, they're NOT asking for the 'perks'..like an FTP account...
i know i'm not asking because i doubt i could add anything worthwhile to it, the site mandate is VERY clear on what can/can't be shared, and for that...i'm out!
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if money was better, i'd have no problem donating, but as a lurker (now recent poster) my capacity will be to join discussion and help in text resolution toward the community! (after all, i could be asking for help?)
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NO!
you're doing NOTHING wrong at all!
you're NOT cramming a ban down necks for not donating, it's a choice for some to take! (why you still have stoic support, even if it's a few)
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it's all about what's to offer too and what the end user wants from the site?
that's all! (members make the place, has it's differences but one game/tech forum has it's parallels with others) :friendly_wink:

 

^^ hmm!?
hopefully not?!
i understand clearly that $$$ doesn't grow on trees and sites require funding to operate!
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maybe expanding into 'other' game-like 'territories'...
but i'm not gonna get into that, i don't know SH@ there!
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i'm relatively new but an idea could be...
if the 'users' in question have shitload of A-1 success trades through ASSEMbler boards (you define number of consecutive) if they want to continue trading (after the cap) they have to make some sort of effort! ($$$ a little)
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and when the 'effort' is expended from the 'traders' the cap is reset til next time! (even offer incentives like larger caps/periods reflecting donation size?)
^^ the above is just an idea, NOTHING more!
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in any case, do what you have to do to keep ASSEMbler on the air! :friendly_wink:

 

Like most forums / websites out there, the majority of your traffic is from guests / unregistered users who have no intention of ever signing up / participating on the forums. These users have just randomly searched for something on Google, checked the page they landed on and moved on.

Currently the site has 125 members and 958 guests on-line. So why not just show adverts to guests? with a message saying register to participate in the community and remove adverts?

Only showing adverts to guests affects no one participating in the community, plus you would easily make some extra money for other site improvements.

That's my view anyway as someone who also runs a website.

 

I agree with InsaneNutter on this, Setup Adsense or something so guests have ads
Now I am not saying to go crazy with it but even just one or two image ads will be enough to make some revenue for the site, As for the people that don't want to see ads they could either signup or use adblock

People that use adblock are not the people that click on ads anyway so it makes little difference plus this way everyone wins!

As for myself tho I simply don't have any money as the Midnight Xbox crew found out last night :3

 

I'm finally going to get an international credit card again, in the upcoming weeks, so i'll finally be able to donate more often.


I'm a veteran here, like some of you guys but was only able to donate 2 or 3 times. Not enough.

 

Don't know why however I thought that donations / fundraiser was an annual thing. Not sure if the fundraiser bar is new on the front page but I like this visual prompt / reminder.

I am happy for throw a few more $ towards the costs now I know

 

i could donate only once or twice. It's a shame i know. :/

putting a "tax" on sale topics like a 1% on sales over 100$ was an idea we already discussed and i do not think that is someone have sales for 200 or 300 quids would stop selling here just for 2 or 3 dollars that help substaining the page.

and yes go heavy advertising with guests.

 

I would if I was employed...

 

Any chance of adding some other payment option than Paypal? I got horribly screwed over by them once, and I absolutely refuse to use them for anything ever again.

 

Me too. I want to donate monthly or so, but PayPal just brings me often problems.

 

Just out of curiosity how come its $120 per month. That seems exorbitantly expensive for hosting.

Im sure there is more to it though. I get unlimited data and users for $90 a year. I can add static IP's for $6 a month if i need. I must be missing something here!

 

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Dedicated, even virtual dedicated, hosting costs money. 120 is cheap, really. You really dont have unlimited data, especially if you pull in the CPU usage for 1000+ users. That would get your account suspended in a heartbeat on 90$ a year hosting (having had it happen to me).

 

I also agree with nutter, I also think it would be a good idea for guests to have ads. If they are only popping in for a couple mins it won't hurt em.

Can't really say this for me though... i've donated a few times even though it was only in 5-15$ range, i don't make much but i do try .

 

^^ you already dodged that bullet....
1, the fact a response is here. (above)
2, i could be misinterpreting your avatar text but it does have ' Site Supporter 2013 - Site Supporter 2014' so you're off the hook! (for those who DON'T have site lacky/benefactor added to avatar is where my concern lies)
if ALL registered users REGARDLESS of status get to dodge the ads (without ABP frontend) then all is well! a few sites i used to visit STILL had ads whether i was registered there or NOT, i used to moderate the boards 'xbox-hq' and it just got SO tiresome having to anticipate the owners changes to site FE (updating ABP on a daily basis) that i f*cked it off entirely! (site no longer exists at current location)
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ABP for guest will be a must IF it remains there alone!
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a good way to drive clientel away is keep shoving ads in their faces...
and ADSENSE can be configured to IGNORE ABP! (ad block plus)
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@ Druid II. agreed, sorta! (i'll meet you half way there! usually, folks don't do shit unless prompted, i'm guilty of that!)
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[edit]
typo...

 

Sounds like there musst be a change on the rules on some way. I also cant understand people selling stuff and dont donate a shit.
Im not a fan of adds, but if this helps ...

One suggestion:

5$ donation for a user selling something. Holds for 4 months. After this period another donation musst be done (when he like to sale something again). When someone donate, he dont have to donate for sale.

This need some extra work, but you have people doing this .

 

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