Well...XS11 needs to UPGRADE our HOSTING PLAN!

[JP]

Also JP has elected to keep the site BANNER AND ADVERTISEMENT free all of these years. GoDaddy does provide for $$ credits for the allowance/use of things like Google, Facebook, and Bing ads/words....but I like not having that crap on the site/pages....but they are substantial savings/credits...but that still be JP's decision. But with the Ultimate service pricing at only twice as much as the middle level, I think we can easily generate the $$'s to cover that level of operating cost.

This is kind of a key point.

One of the first things the tech guy said was "With this kind of traffic, you should run ads."

I'm resistant to that for several reasons:

1. I don't like ads
2. I think (possibly mistakenly) that the revenue is not greater than the hassle
3. I think the site can continue to be self supporting without ads

Here's another key point - I've only had to come out and asked people to donate a couple of times in the entire history of the site. I'm glad I haven't needed to. We're all happy about that, right?

My philosophy has always been, if folks feel like they get some value by coming here then maybe they will donate a few bucks to cover the costs.

I just did a little math (crazy, right?) using the traffic stats I posted earlier. If each of the unique visitors per month donated $1 per month, I would quit my day job and hire a full time programmer or 2. We would probably have the slickest MC site on the web.

But that's a fantasy. Here's the reality. A $20 donation works out to only 38¢ a week. That's about the cost of a . . . well, I don't know anything that only costs 38¢. Some folks will donate more than $20 (thank you), some will donate less (thank you), and some folks won't donate at all.

The bar I've set is really pretty low. I'll be happy if we can pay the bills on time.

(How's that for a no pressure sales pitch?)

[Prothec]

It might be a good idea to get all of the methods the site can generate revenue in one highly visible place. For example, the donate form that goes direct to the site and indirect purchases that support site (patches, fuse block, etc) to help us all know what our options are to contribute.

[DiverRay]

Thanks, TC. I was just trying to put out a thought on a "second source", as we ALL know ISP's can change, or go downhill with their Customer service. As I've had InMotion for a few years now, and I have been happy with them, I figured I would put forth what I think is a "good" second source.
Oh, and I DID send in a little money, so you can count two of that as the "add on" for the fuse blocks I picked up.

[natemoen]

If we are talking about server upgrades we should have some mobile app services (i.e. Tapatalk, etc) added to the server since a good number of people use phones now to access the site.

[TopCatGr58]

Just because I have my own page, I'd like to know if my $130 per year unlimited is close to what you are looking at? It can be a PM, but I use InMotionHosting for my site. Not sure, but I think it IS a shared server for that price. And no I don't have close to the traffic this site has.

Hey Ray,

I was pretty sure that JP said that we were using GoDaddy.com. Reviewing their specs for use, the cheapest rate which is ~$6.00 month is for 1 web site, allegedly unlimited bandwidth, but only allows 10 databases. I think our vBulletin forum software uses more than 10 database...so that would put us in the middle service of ~8.00 a month. And even though it's supposed to be unlimited bandwidth??....I guess there IS a limit....and so the highest "ultimate" tier is ~$15.00 a month.

The Ultimate DOES give us Premium DNS service...and Website Accelerator which I would think allow FASTER page display and access...I know it can sometimes take a few seconds or more before a page will display now!

I, too, made a donation last night, and I'll be sending in more as part of the small amount of funds generated thru the sale of the patches. I don't have any $$ extra with the sale of the fuseblocks....but perhaps I could add just a $1.00 more for them, and that could also provide the ability to generate some extra $$'s, especially from Newbies just joining since many of them acquire a fuseblock as part of their initial repair processes on a new find!

Also JP has elected to keep the site BANNER AND ADVERTISEMENT free all of these years. GoDaddy does provide for $$ credits for the allowance/use of things like Google, Facebook, and Bing ads/words....but I like not having that crap on the site/pages....but they are substantial savings/credits...but that still be JP's decision. But with the Ultimate service pricing at only twice as much as the middle level, I think we can easily generate the $$'s to cover that level of operating cost.

I hope JP is still going to be visiting/monitoring this thread for the next few days, I received a PM from an IT experienced and knowledgeable member with the following comments/questions:

Just saw the post about the hosting and thought I would send you a message while you're in contact with the owner.

Does he have any plans on keeping the forums updated? Not only the software level but things like mods and mobile viewing?

There are several good mods that many people find useful nowdays such as embedding videos.

Also a mod called Tapatalk which transforms the forum for people on a phone or tablet making it much easier to view and participate in discussions.

We had a vBulletin uprgrade performed a couple of years ago, but of course the NEXT level/upgrade is the one that then allowed easier overall upgrades and MOD upgrades, but our current version doesn't, and would require and involve a big process to get done. Wes/JWSanders was the fellow that performed the latest upgrade, with the help/assistance of other members for the graphics work and such. I haven't spoken with Wes in quite a while, he was very busy last year with his REAL JOB installing a system for a Hospital and such! SO....we'll have some more behind the scenes work to do aside from just getting our hosting put on a dedicated server. Gotta keep up with the times.....just like when this site was created after moving it from the Yahoo Email List groups.

T.C.

[tarzan]

I'm on a few different boards.And ride a different brand As my daily driver. I still love the old Xs's.So I still usually have one or two around. This site is the best resource for XS's I've found.I would hate to see it gone. I just chipped in too.
Thank you JP for keeping it alive...And of course, thanks to TC and Steve

[Wildkat]

I think we should maybe have an annual drive/reminder for us that can't seem to remember the last time we did donate.

I usually try to send in something on JP's birthday.
I figure it appropriate since he started the site... JAT

[jjz28]

This is a great site, has helped me so much. Just donated, thanks.

[Radioguylogs]

Would it help or hurt the cause to publish a budget? I imagine members would chip in when they see a nudge periodically.

I felt a little strange after I donoted money to the XS750 site and then it was sold....not for a huge amount of money, but it made me wonder.

I hope I'm not saying anything out of line.

[crazy steve]

How do I donate ?

Click 'home' at the top left of this page, then look for the 'donate' box at the right side of the screen....

[DiverRay]

Just because I have my own page, I'd like to know if my $130 per year unlimited is close to what you are looking at? It can be a PM, but I use InMotionHosting for my site. Not sure, but I think it IS a shared server for that price. And no I don't have close to the traffic this site has.

[donebysunday]

[QUOTE=JP;409835]I don't see it going away. I have faith that enough people will decide to step up. It's a good group.

A few folks have already made some donations tonight. Thank you!

If donations continue tomorrow then I think I can authorize the upgrade when the hosting company calls me back tomorrow.

Of course, monthly donations will need to be a little bit higher than they have been in the past. If that happens (and I think it could/will happen) then we shouldn't have a problem keeping it running.

How do I donate ?

[GLoweVA]

I just donated. Without this site I wouldn't have been able to keep my G on the road and never would have thought to get another! I now love my SG and I am forever an XSive.
Plus I now have at least 3 friends here in the local area that also have XS-11's!
I think we should maybe have an annual drive/reminder for us that can't seem to remember the last time we did donate.

[JP]

Yep, time to pony up guys; this is a great resource and it would be a shame to see it go away for the lack of a few $$....

I don't see it going away. I have faith that enough people will decide to step up. It's a good group.

A few folks have already made some donations tonight. Thank you!

If donations continue tomorrow then I think I can authorize the upgrade when the hosting company calls me back tomorrow.

Of course, monthly donations will need to be a little bit higher than they have been in the past. If that happens (and I think it could/will happen) then we shouldn't have a problem keeping it running.

[CRXSi90]

That was my first question too.

It appears to be mostly legitimate traffic.

Cool, that's great! I figured you had already looked into that!