Important... your feedback needed on a possible way to defray BB costs

[Snork]

I don't think i've ever posted pics (don't really have any yet), but, yes, if i wanted to post them, i would be happy to pay a fee.

-snork

[Lily]

lillodawg, I completely agree about the feet pictures thread. Perhaps if there's an educational thread like that in the future, someone with a membership or website could offer to host the photos. Just a suggestion- because I'd hate to lose the really helpful pictures as well.

I definitely don't want to see any pop-up ads! Banner advertisements are fine by me, but the pop-ups drive me bonkers.

[Anne FS]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Erin:
Yes, banner advertisements are also under consideration, as are a whole bunch of other things.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If banners have to come, they have to come, but I LOVE the fact that this board is so uncluttered from that (as you point out, ineffective) crap. It's so great.

I agree with Lily - pop-up ads are hideous; I don't know one person who ever bought stuff from them.

[Erin]

I've said this before with regard to pop-up ads, but it bears repeating... OVER MY DEAD BODY!

[Lily]

Whew!

[GatoGordo]

I'm with Lily on the pop-up ads; I think the ppp subscription idea is a good one and would definitely like the classified forums.

Life is short; make fun of it.

[Coreene]

Erin, you GO girl!

____________________
The jangling curb chains worked for Cactuskate AND for Dublin. They did not make their cancers go away, but they were the music for their most remarkable lives. xoxoxo

[His Greyness]

It would appear, from the nine pages of discussion, that the two practical alternatives in the present cost control situation are:

(1) Pay to post pictures

Erin appears willing to add to her daily aggravations by administering such a system.

(2) No picture posting

Links (URL's) can be provided to pictures hosted elsewhere. This set-up requires no additional administration.

Many other alternatives are theoretically possible but require additional time and money that isn't available.

The last figures I saw for rates for on-line advertising were from $1 to $2 per thousand views. Since there are less than 1,000 active members of this BB, many of whom are claiming poverty (an undesirable advertising demographic) and an inability to pay for access to the BB, I would not believe that advertising is the answer.

As far as I am concerned it would not bother me not to see another picture of a spindly legged thoroughbred nor cute doggie in the snow!

[CrossedWings]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>So, what I am thinking of doing is making the ability to post photographs part of a "premium" BB membership of some kind. And yes, the premium membership would be a PAID membership. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Sounds fine to me! I think this is both reasonable and fair, it allows those that want to post pictures directly, to be able to post them (per paid membership), and those who cannot still have the option of signing up with a free web service, putting their pictures on them, and then providing the URL for readers - everyone can still have fun and enjoyment on this BB without running your costs so high!


I would not, however, agree with some of the posters that suggested having a paid membership just in order to post. While I might think it's worth it to pay, when you are a working student still going to school, and living on a very mediocre budget you have to choose where your money goes, and the BB really isn't as important as food and transportation for myself!

"The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer. " - Henry David Thoreau

* * * "To wherever it may lead." - Orlando Bloom (Legolas)

[HFSH]

I have a BB and I do not allow people to upload photos. They can link to them to display them, but they have to find a host, which isn't that hard.

Maybe just get rid of the option to upload photos? How many times do we find someone has posted the same photo in 10 different threads?! That is ridiculous, IMHO.

[DMK]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by His Greyness:
Since there are less than 1,000 _active_ members of this BB, many of whom are claiming poverty (an undesirable advertising demographic) and an inability to pay for access to the BB, I would not believe that advertising is the answer. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's probably worth mentioning that the reason we all claim poverty is because we are all possessed with an uncontrollable urge to BUY things for our horses (starting with the feed order and ending somewhere around a very expensive show). Therefore we are a highly DESIRABLE demographic. You know, that demographic that is easily parted with its money?

But I worship the Goddess that keeps out pop-up ads. Bane of my existance.

"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." Albert Einstein

[lilblackhorse]

Yes, I vote a yes on the pay to post photos. However, I do think that people who are thrifty might find a different way to post them, which is fine, as it reduces the bandwidth (which is the result you want anyway)

If you are after some money making, I VOTE FOR SELLING COTH HATS!....Mwhahahahaha ..think of what good advertising that would be when we all wear them to our barns and to "outings"

Elippses Users Clique........
Co-Founder Occularly Challenged Equine Support Group

[JenL]

I don't know how much this would actually help or how feasible it would be, but what if we started a sticky (at the top of the forums)list of threads to be deleted, and everyone contributed a few. Just brainstorming.

[free]

I don't care what we have to do as long as we keep it going. I have learned so much here that I will do whatever it takes and would gladly pay.

Some people view a glass as half full - some view it as half empty ... I spill it!

[Adelita]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Anne FS:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Erin:
Yes, banner advertisements are also under consideration, as are a whole bunch of other things.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If banners have to come, they have to come, but I LOVE the fact that this board is so uncluttered from that (as you point out, ineffective) crap. It's so great.

I agree with Lily - pop-up ads are hideous; I don't know one person who ever bought stuff from them.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Norton Internet Security does a GREAT job of blocking pop-ups and banners.....and I do believe there are some free programs you can find on the net that do the same.....

&gt;^.,.^&lt;
~~Linda
(Poster formerly known as BlueGreenBlue)

"My treasures do not clink or glitter; they gleam in the sun and neigh in the night"

[just for kicks]

I want a COTH hat! Other than that I would have no problem with a paid account if you want to post pics directly (you can always use a free online photo album), I would have no problem with banner adds, and I would have no problem a classified forum. I'm pretty much a happy camper.

The revolution is coming. Muhahahahahahaha!!!!!

[Kirsten]

I don't know if anyone's mentioned this yet, but at equiman.com (the Canadian version of our beloved BB), they stopped allowing people to post pictures. Instead, people can post links... that way, everyone gets to see pictures, but the BB doesn't have to host them.

BB members upload their pics to their personal websites, or a photo site of some sort (there are a number of free ones available), and shares them without costing equiman server space and money.

[inmotion]

How about a fund drive like PBS does? I'd feel much happier donating to the COTH keep our BB alive fund than paying by pic. I enjoy reading the comments on pictures and feel that I learn alot....others see things I don't. I was one of the first Towerheads and when they went pay to use I was really angry and went off all BB's for a while. I understand expanses and I understand profit....I know you are trying to make and keep this board active and painlessly affordable....but I'd still rather have a fund drive..it'd be fun too! How about Coth caps for donations of 50 or more?

[Jane]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Erin:
I've said this before with regard to pop-up ads, but it bears repeating... OVER MY DEAD BODY! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't recall your saying that before, but I'm glad to hear it now! (not that it surprised me, mind you! )

I will not visit any sites with pop-ups, not even if you pay me.

"I loathe being annoyed. It makes me feel angry and malicious" -- Lestat de Lioncourt

[Tiramit]

Erin, I think your plan is a good one. And if it helps your argument as to the worth of the BB, please tell whomever needs to hear it that at least one poster just renewed her long-lapsed subscription to the COTH. Afer all the BB has given me, it was important that I give something to you all (plus it's a darned good read!).