[Fjamming]

blue "supporting member"

Recently the blue forum has added "supporting member" into the board use plan. I feel a little confused about the incorporation of this marketing. It is my understanding that the supporting vendors paid a lot of money to have forum space. The forum also generate a good amount of money with ads from google and other sources. I guess it just did not occur to me that those revenues can not sustain the quality of the board. I do love the board, but I'm not sure what to make of the new marketing. Am I wrong to think that the forum can sustain itself in it's current form? I suppose if they threaten to cut me off if I don't pay then I will, but isn't it the members that make board? Am I just a cheapskate that doesn't appreciate what the forum creators are doing? I don't get it.

 

[WESBC]

Re: blue "supporting member"

The ads aren't a big deal to me right now, and the fact that I am currently broke makes forum membership unnecessary.

 

[FunJunkie]

Re: blue "supporting member"

I was completely against it but I decided for a couple bucks i dont have to empty my PM's for about a month or two now. lol

 

[Guest]

Re: blue "supporting member"

Tony, you are not alone. I'm broke....EVERYONE knows that. But I was under the impression that the members make the site. I am not sure, but I am thinking (this is my opinion only!) the Admins are getting some income off the site. Yeah, it's their site. I am a Super Mod on the www.mach1registry.org/forums site. It's larger and older than this site, And we run it just fine with the revenue from sponsors and paid advertisers. If we asked the members to contribute, there would be a revolt.

I'll stick it out until they tell me to pony up, then I'll just be here full time.

 

[boboso]

Re: blue "supporting member"

I paid up a year... figured it was a small price to pay as that forum gave me plenty of info, lots of reading and research as well as got me to this place. I frequent here more than there, but have had a couple of forums (mountain biking, motorcycle) recently ask for "support" money. The asking price is a bit steep, and others have asked for far less...

 

[poker]

Re: blue "supporting member"

Business is not about being sustained....it's about profit and ROI.

I don't think the free aspect of the experience is changing.

 

[skersfan]

Re: blue "supporting member"

In honesty I am at a loss for the request.

The expense on this and any sight is the bandwidth. Bandwidth is continueing to fall in price on daily basis. We just got a 155 meg pipe for just a little over 17 dollars a meg. Something sound fishy to me. But maybe someone just wants to make more money off of it. Who knows. Matt is the one to ask about it is my guess. I just supply bandwidth and use very little of it.

 

[FJVP]

Re: blue "supporting member"

As a Business Owner I can tell you first hand that if you do not show a positive cash flow, good EBITDA numbers and both RONA and ROTNA or ROI, you will not be in business very long. Its a viscious cycle, to sustain longevity you need the aforementioned.

May not make a difference on a Forum but in my line of work it's critical for survival, especially when you have 40 employees counting on you, when decisions are made, to keep a roof over thier family's heads.

And yes, the blue room does not require a mandatory fee. I did it because I could and if it helps great, if it was a waste for me then sobeit. I have pissed away more money on beer in one night at the Angel Game.

 

[Guest]

Re: blue "supporting member"

You gotta take me to an Angel game!!

I love the Blue Room. More importantly, it's the members that make the site for me. I like how the site is physically laid out, good forums, logical manner in which they are arranged. The Admin is great - they are VERY responsive to the members, and the needs of the site. They are quick to stop a problem before it becomes a HUGE problem. My hat is off to them. Who knows - when money is not an issue for me (better yet LACK of money....grrrrrrr) I will probably contribute. $25 is not a lot of monet these days. But for me it's about 2-3 days worth of food at work. Priorities, gents....priorities.

 

[WESBC]

Re: blue "supporting member"

Maybe if the sticker is cool looking, maybe I'll save some money to support That forum has a vast amount of info that has surely helped me and others. It helped formed the base of the FJC community that led to the growth of the SoCal community.

 

[DominicG]

Re: blue "supporting member"

Recently the blue forum has added "supporting member" into the board use plan. I feel a little confused about the incorporation of this marketing. It is my understanding that the supporting vendors paid a lot of money to have forum space. The forum also generate a good amount of money with ads from google and other sources. I guess it just did not occur to me that those revenues can not sustain the quality of the board. I do love the board, but I'm not sure what to make of the new marketing. Am I wrong to think that the forum can sustain itself in it's current form? I suppose if they threaten to cut me off if I don't pay then I will, but isn't it the members that make board? Am I just a cheapskate that doesn't appreciate what the forum creators are doing? I don't get it.

Tony , I think what has happened sucks.

Yes, i did pay them, $25. Why, well, i don't know.. i've been there for over 2 years now, and just felt inclined to do it. (Plus i get 500 PM's now!! wooo!!.. i fill up in inbox pm's weekly if not twice a week).



I do believe the vendors are getting screwed though. Turning off the forum vendor banners was a horrible business maneuver. from what i understand they are coughing up $70 a month for those, and now the paying members don't even have to see them. Thats just wrong, IMHO.

I'm all for shutting down the stupid google adds, and etc., but not someone's way of business.




I think this honestly will be the downfall of the forum.. for Christ's sake there has been 4 bans due to this since yesterday! It's insane!

Why the downfall though? Well, if you have ever checked out the other boards that el calor and ekool run, you may see the neon srt-4 forums (not sure the exact name.. but for that car). They went from free membership like us, to optional pay, to full pay membership only. Membership is dropping and the forum is turning to crap from what everyone is saying in the SuperOffTopic forum.

 

[Acetechno]

Re: blue "supporting member"

Whatever the blue room's bandwidth is, is not enough. I would be interested to know what they have. All I can say is that, that site for me is very depressing. It is hella slow anymore and it is not the settings in my computer(s). Office or home computers are as slow as a snail on that site. This site is 20X faster on all my computers. Upgrading for me would be a waist of money. I don't need 500 PM's. I am lucky if I get 1 every other month. And of the ones I get is usually a member asking for audio advice on what kind of speakers they should get for there doors. Again for me the only benny would be no adds. I can see that as a plus. I personally don't think anybody will think any less of me for not being a suporting member. I am member 4098 anyway. Not to sure how many other members here have been a member longer than me over there. I know there are a few. I am all for someone making money. Hell, I even owned a business for 15 years and had 3 employees. So I know business management. You also have to know that the owners of that site also run like 30 other sites. So figure if they are offering the same amminities to those member. Lets say if FJC forum has 1000 people off the bat pay $25.00 times that by 30 other sites and you get to see that someone(s) is making some serious bank. Regardless of that I am not knocking anybody for giving up your hard earned money. You have your reasons for being a "Supporting Memeber" for your cause and that is great. For me, what they are offering really offers me nothing I am interested in. I may in time decide to partake of the offer. But for me the deal they offer will have to be sweetin' a bit more. maybe have a "Alacart" Where for a small price you can buy the features you feel that you would use the most. FJC is a business and is ran as such. If Matt and Arien were to say guys we need money to keep the site here up I would donate. Matt and Arien do this as I believe because they have a passion about this site and there FJ's. If the blue room was to loose 2000 members in one day. Life over there would be business as usual I think. It is great that the site is so large and so many people are great over there and lots of great information has been learned also. Thank you to all over there and here for the great information. Cheers!

 

[Guest]

Re: blue "supporting member"

I agree with you Dom and Ace. I had no idea that the other sites went from free, to optional pay, to pay only sites. If so, then the Blue Room is going to be short lived.

Who the F got banned and for what? I missed that!!

 

[DominicG]

Re: blue "supporting member"

tnegiet, chris 2 (dumbass), i think more.. not sure though.

 

[Guest]

Re: blue "supporting member"

Yeah, I finally read that thread front to back. Chris2 was being a total ass, complete with crap. He got what he deserved. Tgneit, well, I'm hoping it's a temp ban, as he's usually been a good member.

 

[Fjamming]

Re: blue "supporting member"

Exactly. I too run a forum so I know the costs involved.

In honesty I am at a loss for the request.

The expense on this and any sight is the bandwidth. Bandwidth is continueing to fall in price on daily basis. We just got a 155 meg pipe for just a little over 17 dollars a meg. Something sound fishy to me. But maybe someone just wants to make more money off of it. Who knows. Matt is the one to ask about it is my guess. I just supply bandwidth and use very little of it.

 

[Fjamming]

Re: blue "supporting member"

I hope it doesn't turn into a pay only. It's not the money, it's the principle. While they provided a platform, the members provided the content. What would the site be if it weren't for the members? If it did someday turn into a pay only site, the quality will drop and another site will rise up out of necessity. I understand the business model, but I just don't feel the forum should be run the same way. What made the forum great is the sense of community. If starts to feel like there are divisions. The supporter and the non supporters. The supporting members and the lifetime supporting members. What's next? I wish the forum success as it's truly one of the best forums that I've been involved in. I'd hate to see it go down hill because the owners wants to milk it for all it's worth.

 

[FJVP]

Re: blue "supporting member"

Until it goes to a full pay site, we are all speculating....If it does, it could weed out some rif raf. I look at it this way, the hardcore members will continue on. With that being said, business wise you can reduce your total population or downsize and still be as profitable.

And Dave, no Problem about the Angel Game....Are weekends better for you or weeknights?

 

[Guest]

Re: blue "supporting member"

Thurs, Fri or Sat are the only nights I can go.

I agree with Tony. I see divisions coming up. I see little tiffs where, when the usual outcome would be apologies and misunderstandings, someone will throw out the "Well, I'm a LIFETIME member" card and expect that to trump all other arguments or niceties. I also foresee a member only site that the content will quickly go downhill. Fewer members = less content, regardless of how "hardcore" the members are. The sense of community will degrade into a sense of ownership.

Of course, this is me being pessimistic. Speaking of cups half empty, I need more coffee.

 

[jeshua]

Re: blue "supporting member"

I see it being all about making a buck. I really doubt they need that money to keep the site up and running but I bet they would like that money to line there pockets. I really don't see the need for the membership. I don't see any adds at all over there with FireFox and the add block plug in. The extra PM space would be nice but still not really needed I can keep it clean and under the 75 limit with out to much work. Don't care about the stickers.


If it went to a pay only site I don't think I would continue, its not a lot of money but its money that I need / want to spend in other ways. There is good info there but nothing I couldn't figure out on my own or on other sites. The members make the site not the owner(s).