[Pam]

OK, I got the notice today that we need to renew the license for the software that runs the board.

They've apparently raised the prices this year, so the renewal is about $150 rather than the $70 we paid last year.

They've also come out with a slick new version (more administrative tools than stuff that will be noticeable here, in the front end) but we can't upgrade until the place I bought the skin from upgrade it, or the board will break.

Anyway, to that end, we have a couple of choices.

1) Continue with donations. This will maintain the status quo but the increase in license fees will mean more money out of pocket for those of you who choose to donate.

2) Text based keyword ads from Google that require no purchases or money out-of-pocket, just using the mouse to click. The way I do this on my other board is to make the ad appear as the 2nd "post" in each thread. It doesn't disrupt from the appearance of the board and since they're text based, no flashing or ugly pictures. This option has worked well on my other board and has allowed us to purchase add-ons and modifications - the ones that I would like to see on this board are the blog add on and the picture gallery that integrate with the board. Those cost more money than we would likely get via donations, in my experience.

3) The third choice is pretty clear in the poll choices but in the end is an option that I am prepared to live with; I knew going in that it could happen.


Example of Google text ad:




Anyway, I want to leave this open for a week and then I will go with whatever the majority decides.

Thanks,
Pam

[rachinaz]

The Google ad shows up as a second post in every thread? In theory, that might annoy me (and we wouldn't want THAT, would we? ). But it doesn't bother you on the other board?

I'm more than willing to donate. I've never tried collecting $$ from this group so I don't know how many people would contribute. If you are skeptical we could get the full $150, then I'd vote for the Google ads.

I don't see #3 as an option, even if it's something you considered an option going into this. I'll vote for voluntary contributions but if we feel like there won't be enough I would call Google ads my second choice. Not sure how we would know until we started collecting, though.

ETA: If people only go to the MM or other forums, they may not see this post. I use View New Posts all the time so I saw it. You might want to post a note on the main forums to send people over here. Thanks for handling all this for us, Pam. You totally ROCK . . .

This post has been edited by rachinaz: 07 January 2007 - 06:08 PM

[brenintx]

I'm happy to donate money. I can't do a lot but I would hope that everyone could donate something and you would have what you need. I'm not opposed to the adds but I see enough every where else I visit and it's nice not seeing them here. If it goes to that I have no problem with it.

Thanks for everything you do Pammy!

[Rachel]

I am really strapped for cash right now. But, that being said, I depend on this board and group, I would NEVER expect you to shoulder the cost alone. I would rather see ads than have you pay it alone.

1st Choice is we all pay. I could throw in $20 or so.
2nd Google ads

There is no 3. PERIOD

[TiffanyLeigh]

Well, my 1st instinct was to say Donations b/c I'll donate in a heartbeat to keep this board up.

But after I saw how the Google ads work, I'm not so against it. That may be a nice way of dealing with this if you think we can get a lot more extras.

So I'm not voting yet...I want to see what others think of the Google ad idea.

[Elizabeth]

I agree, #3 is NOT an option.

I will be happy to chip in. If 15 people throw in $10, we're there.

How quickly do you need the money and what's the best way to get it to you, Pam?

ETA: The Google ads look okay too.

This post has been edited by Elizabeth: 07 January 2007 - 06:28 PM

[Rachel]

Yeah, the google ads would be easy to get used to. Especially if we get extra bells and whistles.

[mom2emnkate]

I agree. #3 is not an option. I can throw in $20 or so...but if everyone wants to go with the google ads that's fine too.
K

[nikkicz]

I did NOT donate so far (no reason why - just too lazy) but feel if this place is important enough for me to spend as much time here as I do the least I can do is put my money here as well

Nikki

[TiffanyLeigh]

I guess I want to know what YOU want to do, Pam. I think we can get the $150 easy. But is it worth doing the google ads to get the added features?

[catybarra]

I think the Google ads are fine! If it's just one ad per post that's not a pita! I am up for that or $!

This post has been edited by catybarra: 07 January 2007 - 07:14 PM

[Pam]

rachinaz, on Jan 7 2007, 05:57 PM, said:

The Google ad shows up as a second post in every thread? In theory, that might annoy me (and we wouldn't want THAT, would we? ). But it doesn't bother you on the other board? No, I don't even notice Googie anymore. He's become like a beloved poster. A lot of it is because he looks just like every other post - as unobtrusive as possible. As an example: http://creditboards....howtopic=225660

I'm more than willing to donate. I've never tried collecting $$ from this group so I don't know how many people would contribute. If you are skeptical we could get the full $150, then I'd vote for the Google ads.

I don't see #3 as an option, even if it's something you considered an option going into this. I'll vote for voluntary contributions but if we feel like there won't be enough I would call Google ads my second choice. Not sure how we would know until we started collecting, though.

ETA: If people only go to the MM or other forums, they may not see this post. I use View New Posts all the time so I saw it. You might want to post a note on the main forums to send people over here. Thanks for handling all this for us, Pam. You totally ROCK . . .

The announcement is posted in all of the forums, not just the MM forum, the thread is in the Ask the Admin forum

[mom2kylenkatie]

Not voting yet.

I could go with either Google Ads or Donation.

If everyone donated $5 even we could make it......especially if other boards participate then maybe we can pay for more than one year at at time.

I will go with majority.

NO for #3

[shmode]

I'm going to say donations, but ask to beg out at this time for donations from me. I know that sounds so bad, but I am not in a position right now to donate because we're going to be adopting (although lawyers fees are free, beds, clothing and criminal record checks are not ). My second would be Google ads, but I know those things are seriously annoying, but would accept it if others are like me and can't donate at this point in time (most likely in the future though). #3 isn't an option, I'm serious, I don't think you should even donate cashola considering all the work you do for us! You rock woman!

[Pam]

I should add a couple of points -

The ads wouldn't be in the MM forum itself, but in the other forums. Since the MM forum is private, it makes the keyword thing go a little wonky - it does strange stuff when it can't read the page to which it's serving

I'm more in favor of the ads, honestly. I think having the bells and whistles would be a big perk for the Pilates board, especially the blog. And the Gallery would be an awesome perk for all of us, but they cost money, and they cost money every year.

If we all participate in making Google successful, we could build up a little nest egg to ensure that financial troubles don't ever become an obstacle to us staying together as a group

[shmode]

Pam, on Jan 7 2007, 05:14 PM, said:

I should add a couple of points -

The ads wouldn't be in the MM forum itself, but in the other forums. Since the MM forum is private, it makes the keyword thing go a little wonky - it does strange stuff when it can't read the page to which it's serving

I'm more in favor of the ads, honestly. I think having the bells and whistles would be a big perk for the Pilates board, especially the blog. And the Gallery would be an awesome perk for all of us, but they cost money, and they cost money every year.

If we all participate in making Google successful, we could build up a little nest egg to ensure that financial troubles don't ever become an obstacle to us staying together as a group

Well shoot, then the ads don't sound so bad, just shift it off to the other bbs and we're ok . all kidding aside, if the bells and whistles are better, then maybe we should do it. But I have to ask how the google ads pay off, meaning do they pay off per click, per post, how? kwim?

[TiffanyLeigh]

I have the same exact question as Jody. How does this work & how would we build up a nest egg?

[Pam]

shmode, on Jan 7 2007, 07:18 PM, said:

Pam, on Jan 7 2007, 05:14 PM, said:

I should add a couple of points -

The ads wouldn't be in the MM forum itself, but in the other forums. Since the MM forum is private, it makes the keyword thing go a little wonky - it does strange stuff when it can't read the page to which it's serving

I'm more in favor of the ads, honestly. I think having the bells and whistles would be a big perk for the Pilates board, especially the blog. And the Gallery would be an awesome perk for all of us, but they cost money, and they cost money every year.

If we all participate in making Google successful, we could build up a little nest egg to ensure that financial troubles don't ever become an obstacle to us staying together as a group

Well shoot, then the ads don't sound so bad, just shift it off to the other bbs and we're ok . all kidding aside, if the bells and whistles are better, then maybe we should do it. But I have to ask how the google ads pay off, meaning do they pay off per click, per post, how? kwim?

It depends on the ad being served. Some are per impression, which means that every time it shows up, we get a few cents. Those are not as common as per click, which require a click.

As an added bonus to the other forums if we're all making an effort (and I use we, but I mean you guys, since I think I am prohibited from clicking) to go to the other forums to click, the other forums that are not as active may benefit from having us go peek in, because we may see something we want to reply to, and the other forums may become more active.

[Pam]

TiffanyLeigh, on Jan 7 2007, 07:21 PM, said:

I have the same exact question as Jody. How does this work & how would we build up a nest egg?

Re: the nest egg....

If Google generates more revenue than we need, then any extra can be put aside to cover expenses in the future. (future software expenses, or any other goodies we may decide to incorporate into the site. Or as an emergency fund should the unthinkable happen and we have to secure new hosting for the site, although that is pretty unlikely.)

[Corra]

I would like to vote for #1 AND #2. I have no problem donating a little whenever we need it, but if the google ads can generate more money to buy those perks I think it's worth it. I suppose we could always opt out of the google ads if people are finding them too annoying and rely soley on donations, but number 3 is not an option as so many others have mentioned.

FYI, my vote went to number 1, but I like #1 and #2 equally.