Keeping the Forum Alive

[timberdoodle]

I am concerned about the future of the forum from the financial standpoint based on the announcements and stickys recently posted. I would like to float an idea for comment.

Perhaps the forum could become a subscription-based website. If you paid x amount of money for the subscription (whatever it would take to make it financially viable) that was renewable annualy, you would receive a password that would allow you to read and post on the forum.

Another website I visit (http://www.professorchess.com/index.html) uses this approach in order to access certain areas of the website. You can pay for your subscription through amazon or paypal or otherwise and then receive your password.

As one who has contributed in the past (back in March), I am willing to pay for such a subscription as this website literally has helped me more than anything else in my struggle with CPPS. Let's consider alternatives before shutting it down!

Thanks for your consideration.

[budgie]

I am concerned about the future of the forum from the financial standpoint based on the announcements and stickys recently posted. I would like to float an idea for comment.

Perhaps the forum could become a subscription-based website. If you paid x amount of money for the subscription (whatever it would take to make it financially viable) that was renewable annualy, you would receive a password that would allow you to read and post on the forum.

Another website I visit (http://www.professorchess.com/index.html) uses this approach in order to access certain areas of the website. You can pay for your subscription through amazon or paypal or otherwise and then receive your password.

As one who has contributed in the past (back in March), I am willing to pay for such a subscription as this website literally has helped me more than anything else in my struggle with CPPS. Let's consider alternatives before shutting it down!

Thanks for your consideration.

I fully support this. I am a member of a car forum that recently did the same and I pay just £10 (GBP) for 1 years 'membership'. The membership allows me to see extra forums within the site that I wouldn't be able to see otherwise. I would be happy to pay $10 per year for access to this web site as, although I am feeling much better these days due to Bill Taylor's fantastic trigger point therapy, I do sometimes post to give support and advice to other sufferers.

Neil

[Pelican]

I'm also a supporter of this, I would gladly pay a membership fee.
Neil, I've been thinking of visiting Bill Taylor for a while. I live in sweden though so it would be like a one time instruction of how to work at least the external triggerpoints and general tips in how to get better. Do you have like an e-mail or some way to get in touch with him and what has he done for you.

Thanks

[MastCells]

Thanks for your concern and donations, guys! The idea of making this a subscription-only forum was discussed by forum management a few years ago, but there were serious questions about whether there would be enough subscribers to make it a viable forum.

[budgie]

Thanks for your concern and donations, guys! The idea of making this a subscription-only forum was discussed by forum management a few years ago, but there were serious questions about whether there would be enough subscribers to make it a viable forum.

MastCells,

Rather than making it totally subscription based, an alternative would be to allow users to access some forums free, but then have some extra forums only available for those who subscribe. People will then feel that they are missing out on something by not being able to access the 'paying' forums and this may encourage them to subscribe. As I said before, I am a member of a car forum which does exactly this and that forum was saved from ending by using this method.

Just a thought for the future maybe?

Neil

[webslave]

Thanks, Neil. We'll keep your suggestion in mind and consider it in 2006.

[grover]

Hi, this is just a thought - not nescarily a good one, but I'll throw it out there anyway. There's a tendancy everytime the scary thought of the forum being closed is suggested that a burst of donating occurs. Unfortunately it seems after the burst, donations die down.

What might prompt myself & others physcologically to donate more frequently would possibly be this change to way donation Thank yous are presented....

Donation Thank Yous - March
Donation Thank Yous - April
Donation Thank Yous - May

I find the way they are currently presented it can appear that there's been lots of donations when in reality perhaps there's very few recent ones. This sort of format would make it painfully obvious that little has been donated lately; ie. the month of May (1 post). Perhaps you could have 3 months up, and prune one off at the start of each month. Perhaps this would promote/remind people to try and donate each month. The downside is this will occupy 3 post lines right at the top - but maybe that repetition is good marketing too - Sale! Sale! Sale! Who knows?

Anyway, the reason I suggested this is because it wasn't until the latest announcement that I even realized little had been given lately. I certainly don't want to see this forum disappear, it is totally the most useful thing on the internet for people with our condition. Thanks Mark.

[webslave]

That's a very good idea. The moderators and I will discuss it. Thanks!

[MastCells]

Hi, this is just a thought - not nescarily a good one, but I'll throw it out there anyway. There's a tendancy everytime the scary thought of the forum being closed is suggested that a burst of donating occurs. Unfortunately it seems after the burst, donations die down.

What might prompt myself & others physcologically to donate more frequently would possibly be this change to way donation Thank yous are presented....

Donation Thank Yous - March
Donation Thank Yous - April
Donation Thank Yous - May

I find the way they are currently presented it can appear that there's been lots of donations when in reality perhaps there's very few recent ones. This sort of format would make it painfully obvious that little has been donated lately; ie. the month of May (1 post). Perhaps you could have 3 months up, and prune one off at the start of each month. Perhaps this would promote/remind people to try and donate each month. The downside is this will occupy 3 post lines right at the top - but maybe that repetition is good marketing too - Sale! Sale! Sale! Who knows?

Anyway, the reason I suggested this is because it wasn't until the latest announcement that I even realized little had been given lately. I certainly don't want to see this forum disappear, it is totally the most useful thing on the internet for people with our condition. Thanks Mark.

I think this is an excellent idea, and I would recommend to Mark that this new system for honoring donations be implemented immediately.