anthony
Founder
Now I have already read some disgruntled comments regarding the placement of this banner, however; I must add that members must take into account two things:
Whilst at first it was effective for me to help people, the numbers were low. Now the numbers are growing, and I can no longer help as many people, the posts are getting longer, the issues more in-depth, etc. For me to offer more to people, I need to look at how that can be done. Reading and typing a response is not it now, not for the growing numbers. The most effective means for me will be to simply watch a video or listen to an audio recording from a person, then respond in the same manner. What can be said in 10 minutes via video takes hours via typing.
This forum initially cost me under $2000 per annum to run (first year), now its expanding and members are more, members need systems in which to communicate effectively, quickly, and with all this comes the behind the scenes issues in order to achieve all these things. People use the web every day, but the majority will never comprehend the extent and cost behind the scenes to run the web. Small business, small sites, don't cost much money per annum (maybe US$150 to host and purchase domain). Interactive websites cost the most, have no doubt. Forums, social networking, video communities, interactive costs money, and lots of it. The users just never really know, but the costs exist, and this is why on most of these sites you see "advertisements", the same as TV works, being advertisements pay the costs.
I do not and will not allow advertisements here, thus I look for donations instead. If any person feels they can run it more cost effectively and give members the same functions, then please tell me and I am all ears. Otherwise, the banner serves a purpose, not only for members, but for all those browsing the forum, who read only, never join, and they still make donations. The little button at the top of the forum just doesn't do much I'm afraid, compared to putting something in peoples face.
I am all ears.
- I will not sell out this forum to external sources for advertisement, and they have offered me a shitload of money already, though I have promised that I will not allow this to occur whilst I am running things; and
- The majority of members here are not paying the ongoing costs of the forum, I am. The simple fact is that by placing this in-house banner within all threads, after the first post of each page, members and non-members view it, and thus people know they can donate to help the forum for helping them.
Whilst at first it was effective for me to help people, the numbers were low. Now the numbers are growing, and I can no longer help as many people, the posts are getting longer, the issues more in-depth, etc. For me to offer more to people, I need to look at how that can be done. Reading and typing a response is not it now, not for the growing numbers. The most effective means for me will be to simply watch a video or listen to an audio recording from a person, then respond in the same manner. What can be said in 10 minutes via video takes hours via typing.
This forum initially cost me under $2000 per annum to run (first year), now its expanding and members are more, members need systems in which to communicate effectively, quickly, and with all this comes the behind the scenes issues in order to achieve all these things. People use the web every day, but the majority will never comprehend the extent and cost behind the scenes to run the web. Small business, small sites, don't cost much money per annum (maybe US$150 to host and purchase domain). Interactive websites cost the most, have no doubt. Forums, social networking, video communities, interactive costs money, and lots of it. The users just never really know, but the costs exist, and this is why on most of these sites you see "advertisements", the same as TV works, being advertisements pay the costs.
I do not and will not allow advertisements here, thus I look for donations instead. If any person feels they can run it more cost effectively and give members the same functions, then please tell me and I am all ears. Otherwise, the banner serves a purpose, not only for members, but for all those browsing the forum, who read only, never join, and they still make donations. The little button at the top of the forum just doesn't do much I'm afraid, compared to putting something in peoples face.
I am all ears.