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[T-REXX]

To all the Admin

I must say this forum is one hell of a professional looking outfit and you guys have done a great job. This forum is a much better looking, better moderated and definately more WT feel about it.

I noticed on one post that the google add banner is going to be trialed to offset the cost of the new server and traffic that will prob get hit in the off season.. Personally i think these Google adds take away from the professionalism of the site and all the work u guys have done can be over shadowed by the banners. My i suggest something that has taken place on a heap of other forums that i am on.

The forum sets up a PAID members area which may cost $5-$10 per year. Serious supporters will not have a problem paying a small fee to have the forum up and running and looking its best. There is no legal requirement or hurdles needed to do this. Maybe for the people who do pay the $5-$10 for the membership get a sticker saying they are a WESTS TIGERS FORUM Supporter and in their Avatar area have a mention that they are a supporter of this forum (what ever that may say). This sounds very small but i found on most of the Car Forums that i am on they implemented this and had a huge success.

You will find that the TRUE supporters will have ZERO problem paying this.. and i for one will put my hand up to pay $10 to have a better looking forum

Just a thought

Troy

 

[innsaneink]

Whaddya reckon Kul?

Personally, the ads dont bother me one iota.

Im sure serious supporters dont have a problem with them either. True supporters also.

 

[Kul]

The server costs a fair bit to run.
The google ads - if we decide to keep them - would help cover some of those costs.
At the same time, if people want to give a helping hand by donating to the cause then they are more than welcome. Perhaps i should setup a donation link?

 

[alex]

Having a joining fee will deter new people from using the site. I know it's kind of a catch 22 but im sure we all want more people to use this awesome site, which probably means server upgrades, which means higher costs, but I reckon having a joining fee will discourage growth.

However, if there was a joining fee it'd give the site a more premium atmosphere.

I, for one, have no problem with the Google ads. Theyre only small and at the bottom of the page. I rarely see them. I didnt even know they were there until I read it in a thread.

 

[Geo]

I'd imagine the joining fee would be voluntary…..this site's for the fans . by the fans....

Free for everybody...

Kul ...Donation link would be the way to go IMO....

Ink.....We are all true supporters arn't we...We don't discriminate here....Whether you choose to donate or not....

Not a fan of the google ads myself but if they help pay the bills I can live with them....How else would I have found out about Bible College....

 

[T-REXX]

the donation is voluntary.. if u dont want to do it dont, but if u do.. that is a bonus.. 90% of people wont have issues donating it plus it gives it a chance to get rid of the google adds.

Other forums have had over 1000 members donate to specific car forums that i am on.. and it worked fantastic. with the money they made extra it paid for stickers and keyrigns for the members.

if people do donate its recognised in their avatar section as a contributing member…

Admin, if u dont want to do it and your happy with the google adds your forum and your call.. but they are options which may be able to be looked at and asked to the members of the forum.. there is nothing to loose out of trying it... while the offseason is here and the traffic is low there is a good chance to try it and get peoples opinion before the traffic increases

 

[Sabre]

I don't mind the googleAds at all. Do you think they could be moved out of the white zone though and put right down the bottom of the page, under the bit that says _Website by Ainsworth Web Designs.com.au_

 

[T-REXX]

i see the Admins have done something along these lines..

Good to see the admins are open about this…it will be a good thing for the forum.. Top job

 

[Kul]

thanks trexx

We've been working hard behind the scenes since October to try and get something like this up and running. The delay has been due to us trying to figure out the best way to have a supporter system going without putting anyone at a disadvantage. I think the system we've setup is pretty fair, transparent and simple.

It doesn't stop here though. There are some other super things in the works for this site - hold tight!

 

[southerntiger]

Kul I would love to donate but not sure how to make the payment. I dont use paypal and have no real ability to set it up whilst living in China (its a complicated story).

 

[Spartan117]

Contributions via Credit card or Direct deposit??

The Later being my Preference….

 

[AndTheKungFoSing]

Kul I would love to donate but not sure how to make the payment. I dont use paypal and have no real ability to set it up whilst living in China (its a complicated story).

You can make payment via Credit card on paypal without needing an account. Or is you don't want to use PayPal altogether?

Contributions via Credit card or Direct deposit??

The Later being my Preference….
Contributions via Credit card or Direct deposit??

The Later being my Preference....

We use PayPal to handle payments, I don't believe it is setup to use direct debit. Sorry Spartan117.

 

[southerntiger]

Kul,

I will have a look into making the payment via credit card on pay pal.

 

[AndTheKungFoSing]

Kul,

I will have a look into making the payment via credit card on pay pal.

If you do have any problems, please let us know. :sunglasses:

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

I have never noticed any google ads. I guess now that Im aware of them I'll see them.

 

[Kul]

They were taken off-line ages ago