[2Fresh]

So from now on unless i become a supporter i can not read the old or mid school freestyle forums right? What's the "Price"? I'm curious.

[bmx2112]

huh? what are you talking about? you should be able to read those forums.

[I am the owl...]

If you are a site supporter you can read everything....

[bmxlilbit]

that's kind of strange. even if i am not logged in i can see those forums.

[S.Brothers]

One morning earlier this week, there was a simulation... suddenly everyone except supporting members found themselves denied access to Trackside, Freestyle, Mid-school, for sale and Off track.

When they tried to enter those forums a permission denied message came up:

Quote

What if everyone refused to support the site? It would be like this... nothing to read or see. No forum, no site.

Or something like that. It only lasted for a few hours, then I set things back to normal. Just food for thought... but you never know when we might serve that dish up again.

It was nothing personal 2fresh... it was just an exercise designed to illustrate the fact that this is a community. The people that support the site are paying for the services that those of you who don't support, are none the less also enjoying.

As for the details of site support... there's links on the left with the other sponsor buttons, at the top under the main logo, as well as threads pinned to the top of trackside and the starting gate and the for sale forum. The information is readily available for your perusal.

[2Fresh]

I see now, thanks for the info. I didn't take it personal, i just found it strange.

Although this is a very cool priviledge, isn't it just the members who write the stories/discussions on a forum that make the stuff we all read in the first place? Without users, supporters or not, there wouldn't be anything to read. If everyone refused to support the site, then it would be down i guess but the money alone doesn't write the sories.

I'd say refusing (to support) is a bit strong word though. In worst case it puts people in pecking order on who's better than the other where supporters are "cool" while the people who "refuse" to support are less cool. Sorry, but that's the feeling i get.

[I am the owl...]

2Fresh, on Nov 1 2008, 05:11 AM, said:

I see now, thanks for the info. I didn't take it personal, i just found it strange.

Although this is a very cool priviledge, isn't it just the members who write the stories/discussions on a forum that make the stuff we all read in the first place? Without users, supporters or not, there wouldn't be anything to read. If everyone refused to support the site, then it would be down i guess but the money alone doesn't write the sories.

I'd say refusing (to support) is a bit strong word though. In worst case it puts people in pecking order on who's better than the other where supporters are "cool" while the people who "refuse" to support are less cool. Sorry, but that's the feeling i get.

Thats a ridiculous way to look at it. I keep saying, yet never seem to get an answer from people that refuse to pay, what is wrong with Steve putting a few bucks in the bank (not that he does) with this site? Banner ads are partial revenue, WE are the rest. Do you thinks its free to run a website? That techs that help it run smooth are free? Or does anyone take into consideration that the monies raised by site support, also go to make the gatherings possible? What is it about coughing up 30 bux, that is SO hard for some people to do? Is it not worth $30 to have a place to come and spend time meeting new people, including legends of the the sport? Or to have a place that has the best database for the old school side of the sport anywhere online? A mid school section that is although new and growing, already second to none? We as paying site supporters, do have a different attitude. We are fiercely proud of being members of this site, and yes, maybe we do look down our noses at the non payers, because WE pay for the priviledges YOU enjoy. Its cheap entertainment if you choose to look at it that way, and I dont understand the attitude, that because its on the internet, it should be free....

[MikeCarruth]

I gotta fly with the Owl on this one as I, too, never quite understand why more people don't think enough of it to put $2.50 per month into supporting a site they use every day, many times a day. Obviously, I have a stake in promoting the proper "supporter behavior," but really, it goes beyond that. It's a subject I could rant on about for hours, so, in brief: Say "I'll pass" on a Pabst once a month, and do the right thing by your sysadmin.

Best,

M

[mhttnbch-ca]

"... but you never know when we might serve that dish up again."

Seriously? You really said that?

[lboorse2]

It comes down to this. I have a good feeling that Steve takes money from his own pocket to keep this place going and to organize an annual gathering. He doesn't come right out and say it, but I'm fairly certain he does. He doesnt' complain about it, but is that fair? If one day he decided it was hurting his pocket book too much, what would happen to the site?

Just something to think about...

[MikeCarruth]

Amen, brother! As someone who runs a site, and I obviously can't speak for SBros on this, but I can tell you from personal experience that there is no guessing about it, funds MUST come out of the personal pocket of the admin to keep the site going, represent at the gatherings and overall keep the community crankin'

So, the $2.50/mo or whatever really helps.

Best,

M

lboorse2, on Nov 1 2008, 03:48 PM, said:

It comes down to this. I have a good feeling that Steve takes money from his own pocket to keep this place going and to organize an annual gathering. He doesn't come right out and say it, but I'm fairly certain he does. He doesnt' complain about it, but is that fair? If one day he decided it was hurting his pocket book too much, what would happen to the site?

Just something to think about...

[S.Brothers]

Adding content is a valid contribution, 2fresh. Don't think that is not appreciated.

The problem is... when I try to pay the bills with a list of links to all the threads I've been contributing to, the accountants at the server office, and web tech's office, etc. insist that my list of contributions to the site is not legal tender.


Ideally... community members would contribute both, and as Mike points out, when you crunch the numbers, it takes so little to become a financial supporter. People spend more than that on any given weekend night in the pub. You probably drop nearly that much in change down between the cushions when you lay down on the couch in the course of a year.