Cliff, Although I'm new here to your forum, I have found your service to our Fiero community an valuable asset and will support any decision you make. Maybe we could donate our parts vehicles and parts to the PFF Auction? Thank You, and whatever you decide upon will be agreeable. Randy
I can see a small problem that may develop, we need to look at this from all perspectives so please don't think I am being overly negative.
Let's say (Sorry Arch, I am using you as an exmaple because the I am trying to avoid using another), V8 Archie has an ad.
Some guy had a problem with Archie, now Archie decides he's getting bad mouthed and pulls his banner ad.
As long as guys don't start yanking their ad or try to influence the forum by saying
"I paid for that banner ad Cliff so delete that thread saying bad stuff about me"
As long as the banner doesn't impede on our free speech ability here (which cliff gives us MORE than enough latitude) I am happy.
PayPal Donations would be easy, mailing address, PFF Wares would be GREAT!
I will contact my Laser Cutter guy today and see if I can get him to laser cut some PFF Keychains... Anyone interested? PM me so I can get a count... All proceeds to cliff. See my new thread in Gen about it if you want to comment.. Don't reply here.
Originally posted by grinthock: As long as guys don't start yanking their ad or try to influence the forum by saying
"I paid for that banner ad Cliff so delete that thread saying bad stuff about me"
I see your concern, but that will not happen. If a vendor threatens to pull an ad because they are bad-mouthed on the forum, I'll actually pull the ad for them. Advertising on the forum doesn't give them more rights.
DON'T CHANGE A THING. IF YOU NEED TO ADD BANNERS TO PAY THEN DO SO. I AM A NEW FIERO OWNER AND I RECENTLY HAD A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE CAR(YOU CAN READ MY POSTING) IF IT WSN'T FOT THIS OPEN FORUM THEN THE CAR WOULDN'T BE FIXED YET. BECAUSE THE MECHANIC HAD NEVER SEEN MY PROBLEM BEFORE ...THANKS I WILL BE BACK AS NEEDED ...AGAIN KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
The bottom line is.. it's your bottom line. Go for it, but you might consider text only to cut down on the bandwidth. That would hurt those that have a need to post pictures and don't have a place to host them, but it would also cut out the large picture sig's that we've seen over and over again.
Sounds like a good game plan to me Cliff! Just keep it all simple enough for yourself so it doesn't turn into an administrative nightmare!
Have you gotten any feedback from any vendors on whether they are interested in putting up a banner? (You don't have to name names, but I know there are a number of Vendors here)
Are you sure all the bandwidth is from the forum? If I down load PIP and upload pictures what stops me from linking them from other web sites? http://web.tampabay.rr.com/jakedragon/test.htm Right click on the picture and it is from your https://www.fiero.nl/uploads/ directory. RoadRunner and other ISPs don't allow other domains to link from their sites. Tripod is another example. Might be worth looking at.
Thanks for being so kind as to consider giving us visitors the priviledge of giving our input. I say do what you have to do to keep the "machine" going.
2. You can do the advertisement thing, it looks decent, and its how juno use to do it when it was free.
3. Only people who have paid membership,(an affordable $10 a month), are allowed to post.
4. Cut off internet people from viewing the forum, and only limit to the people who come here now.
5. Sell your soul to the devil
Cliff, this happened to another guys forum http://www.turboford.com that i go too, and he is telling everyone to really really limit posting and use the search function, and only specific things can be posted.
Cliff , good luck, and i dont want to lose U and all these people on here, and this forum. Theres a lot of info here.
Originally posted by Jake_Dragon: Are you sure all the bandwidth is from the forum? If I down load PIP and upload pictures what stops me from linking them from other web sites?
That will only work for a few days. I wrote a program that periodically removes images that are not linked to from the forum.
I'm not sure if it's been mentioned or not, but...
Instead of just doing ONE thing here to 'fix the problem', why not do several?
First thing is to identify the actual problem: usage of bandwidth.
Solution one: eliminate the uploading of pictures here - serve your own, or post them elsewhere. Solution two: eliminate sig's that use graphics. Sure, they're not big, but when they get re-transmitted a zillion times a day that's GOTTA add up! Solution three: Your ads. Post 'em up. Bring 'em on. We've been enjoying a free ride till now. You all know the bumper sticker from the 60's (so I won't repeat it here, ahem).
If you/we treat this board like a person and give it a 'budget' you/it should be able to come out OK. Little bit here, little bit there.. cut, trim... done. As am I.
What ever you decide is fine by me. You've done a great job with this forum and you'll continue to do so. I have no doubts in my mind this is one of the best forums on the net.
Cliff another question, why not just require a login to view the forum and pictures posted? I would not be opposed to putting in a user ID and password every time I come here.
I've been a member here for almost 2 years. I would be more than willing to make a donation, if you choose that route, not for the right to continue using it but as payment for the use and help I've gotten from it. I visit this forum on a daily basis. I do not care what type of banners you put up. If they are the type that pay you per click I will be more than happy to click on them every time I visit to help you get money.
I'm just a rookie looking for a Fiero but the volume of info in this forum is so awesome, I'd pay for it. Or put up with Banners, pop ups, or whatever. Just my 2c
When you first said that you were gonna put banners on I thought that was cool, do what you have to do as long as there are no pop-ups, but then you said they would only be Fiero related, now that wouldn't bother me 1 bit. Go for it Just my 2 cents.
hey there Cliff. how're things here at the Fiero Forum? I see you're runnin into the same problems we are now. :-/ Bandwidth/storage 'n all. You might try collaborating with Bill Strong on our BBS for some ideas. I'm pretty sure he would be willing to share options with you. Maybe even know of some people who would want to advertise. I duno, figure it's worth a shot? ::shrug::
------------------ 1962 Cadillac Deville | My back seat ownz joo!
I think that fiero related banners are fine and its totally reasonable to have them especially if your paying out of pocket, regardless do what you need to do I will always go to this forum.
Boy, reading thru this all takes a long time. I know that everyone has had a lot to say and I guess I'll add my 2 cents to the din.
quote
Originally posted by grinthock: Let's say (Sorry Arch, I am using you as an exmaple because the I am trying to avoid using another),
I'm glad you used me for example.... because I'm gonna use me for an example too.
Cliff, I'm with you on whatever you decide to do. I think any banners is a bad idea (I'll explain why in a minute) but if you decide on banners, I'll be the 1st in line for a few.
Why am I against banners?.... Let me explain it like this.... Let's say I'm Joe Blow average Fiero owner & Let's say I'm a dedicated fan of 3.8 Fiero engine swaps. Let's say that one day I happen upon the Forum page and it happens that Archie's banner is being displayed. My immediate reaction would be that the site is owned by Archie or that Archie has influence to that site. We all know that wouldn't be try, BUT the PERCEPTION to the outsider is what counts. I've been to several other Forums and have considered joining a few of them but Advertizing banners etc. have kept me away from them. REMEMBER, the outsider, doesn't know that the banners don't signal influence until they have been here for a while.
Ok, so what do I think could be an answer to raising some funds or lowering costs?
Two things can be done to lower costs... immediately eliminate the O/T section and for the people that have more than one PFF screen name charge a $25/year membership fee for each additional screen name.
Since Cliff won't charge membership dues, (even though many would happily pay them) then I think that Banners are something that HAS to be done. However, to try to limit the potential negative impact that banners could have on the open style of this Forum, I advocate the following funding method.
We know that Cliff will not accept membership dues, I suggest that PFF'ers get together and make donations to a fund.... (We'll call it the "PFF Underground Members Fund" or "PFF u MF") this fund will inturn purchase as much banner space on Cliff's forum as it can. Simple as that..... I can see banners that say something like "This banner paid for by the members of this forum".
Another option for those who claim that they would be willing to pay yearly dues would be for a couple of members to get together and jointly buy a banner. It could say something like.... "the following 3 members of PFF, in an effort to keep this Forum free of advertizing bought this banner..."
Ok, that's my ideas.
Archie
[This message has been edited by Archie (edited 04-14-2002).]
Just brain-storming here, but have you considered making a new section for commercial vendors? Maybe make a section so that only they(paying "advertisers", I suppose) could initiate threads in that section, but once the thread has been opened all PFF members could add comments. This would add a forum dedicated to what people out there are marketing. I'm not sure the idea has any merit, but maybe it's something you can build on.
Originally posted by Archie: We know that Cliff will not accept membership dues, I suggest that PFF'ers get together and make donations to a fund.... (We'll call it the "PFF Underground Members Fund" or "PFF u MF") this fund will inturn purchase as much banner space on Cliff's forum as it can. Simple as that..... I can see banners that say something like "This banner paid for by the members of this forum".
Archie,
You are a scholar and a gentleman. Billiant ideas, both of the ones you listed. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that Cliff won't go along with them - he said vendors afterall. But if he will go along, I want in to one or the other!
Hell, I offer to co-ordinate the fund. I would offer, however, that people would be more comfortable to send their money to a better known forum member. Whatever...perhaps someone else will step to the plate who is better known and trusted.
Andrew
------------------ Andrew - 85SE - AKA Fieroless in Newfoundland :(
Archie, that's a great idea! I'm still shaking my head and laughing. Reminds me of public TV. And unlike public TV, I'd be more than happy to buy or pitch in on a banner.
I owe Cliff for his services, and I would gladly buy a month to place a banner of me and my car, and I know the perfect place to take the picture.... Right in front of the street sign that says "Pennock Ave", in Kennett Sqaure, PA
I just need someone with good photoshop skills to make the banner. we could all do this... a little $ to offset his costs.
Originally posted by Back On Holiday: personalized ads!?!
I owe Cliff for his services, and I would gladly buy a month to place a banner of me and my car...
Also sounds like a good idea. Then those people with the huge signatures would be satisfied when they can have their car at the top for all to see for a few weeks. I'd do the same thing; sounds like a pretty good idea too!
Cliff, I have an idea. This may not be for everybody, but wouldn't it be cool if you were cruising around in the Fiero and you saw another Fiero with a 1"x3" "Pennock's Fiero" sticker on the back windshield. It would be nice to notice other members while driving around town. I saw another Fiero this morning and wondered if they participate in the forum. Kinda like a car club. You could charge a minimal amount, and recoup some of those fees. Just an Idea. chris
I've been a member for quite awhile and I think that anything that Cliff decides to do is fine with me. I wouldn't mind banners or a monthly fee at all. Cliff shouldn't have to pay for something we all enjoy.
"If you want to blend in, take the bus!"
