Now that most of the ducks are all lined up in a row, let's see where the real chips lie. This is in it's most simplest form and gets right down to the heart of the issue.
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Posted 12/19/2024.
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I am still waiting on my developer to finish up on the Classifieds Control Panel so I can use it to encourage members into becoming paying members. Google Adsense has become a real burden on the viewing of this site, but honestly it is the ONLY source of income now that keeps it afloat. I tried offering disabling the ads being viewed by paying members, but apparently that is not enough incentive. Quite frankly, Google Adsense has dropped down to where it barely brings in enough daily to match even a single paid member per day. But it still gets the bills paid. But at what cost?
So even without the classifieds control panel being complete, I believe I am going to have to disable those Google ads completely and likely disable some options here that have been free since going to the new platform. Like classified ad bumping, member name changes, and anything else I can use to encourage this site to be supported by the members instead of the Google Adsense ads.
But there is risk involved. I will not pay out of pocket for very long during this last ditch experimental effort. If I find that the membership does not want to support this site with memberships, then I cannot support your being able to post your classified ads here for free. No, I am not intending to start charging for your posting ads here. I will just shut the site down and that will be it. I will be done with FaunaClassifieds. I certainly don't need this, and can live the rest of my life just fine without it. If I see that no one else really wants it to survive neither, then so be it. It goes away and you all can just go elsewhere to advertise your animals and merchandise.
Not sure when this will take place, and I don't intend to give any further warning concerning the disabling of the Google Adsense. Just as there probably won't be any warning if I decide to close down this site. You will just come here and there will be some sort of message that the site is gone, and you have a nice day.
I have been trying to make a go of this site for a very long time. And quite frankly, I am just tired of trying. I had hoped that enough people would be willing to help me help you all have a free outlet to offer your stuff for sale. But every year I see less and less people coming to this site, much less supporting it financially. That is fine. I tried. I retired the SerpenCo business about 14 years ago, so retiring out of this business completely is not that big if a step for me, nor will it be especially painful to do. When I was in Thailand, I did not check in here for three weeks. I didn't miss it even a little bit. So if you all want it to remain, it will be in your hands. I really don't care either way.
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Some people have indicated that finding the method to contribute is rather difficult. And I have to admit, that it is not all that obvious. So to help, here is a thread to help as a quide. How to become a contributing member of FaunaClassifieds.
And for the record, I will be shutting down the Google Adsense ads on January 1, 2025.
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In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.
Final poll on the membership fee program
- Thread starter WebSlave
- Start date
cthulhu77
New member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2004
- Messages
- 861
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 0
- Age
- 60
- Location
- welding in the Beaverworks...
I think that having them available to be read serves the communitie's needs quite well. Paying ten bucks to post seems fair to me also.
greg
greg
lizwinz
New member
i think "$10 yearly fee to POST on the BOI, viewing still allowed. Same as above for the classifieds." seems the most fair and reasonable
i think new people would be really unlikely to pay a fee for something that can't see beforehand...without being able to read it first they wouldn't have any real understanding of what the boi is all about and why it is worth their money
--liz
i think new people would be really unlikely to pay a fee for something that can't see beforehand...without being able to read it first they wouldn't have any real understanding of what the boi is all about and why it is worth their money
--liz
Alone Again
Well, so far I am the only one to vote that $10 should be paid to view or post on the BOI. I too am worried that new viewers won't get here, but we can't let this die! Maybe there is a way for new viewers to get 7 days free or something like that when registering. I am all for paid classifieds w/free viewing. Rich has provided us with something really good here, but everyone needs to ante up now.
David Scarboro
Dahlonega, Ga.
Well, so far I am the only one to vote that $10 should be paid to view or post on the BOI. I too am worried that new viewers won't get here, but we can't let this die! Maybe there is a way for new viewers to get 7 days free or something like that when registering. I am all for paid classifieds w/free viewing. Rich has provided us with something really good here, but everyone needs to ante up now.
David Scarboro
Dahlonega, Ga.
Mark and Aimee
AussieDragons.com
I'll gladly pay to post classified ads. But I'll cease using the BOI if I have to pay for it. No biggie to me. 
dwedeking
Member
I have to agree with Mark and Aimee on this one.
MGReptiles
Registered User
Same Here...
Matt Graybeal
Matt Graybeal
Mike and Erica @ MotherGecko
New member
I am all for alievating some financial stress for Rich as he has obviously made a mountain out of a mole hill here. In fact I feel bad for not contributing anything money wise for sometime now, as I surf this site DAILY and not only for the important aspects to my business, but for my own entertainment. So will I pay $10 for a year to continue coming here?, you better believe it. Although I think it is a valuable site with a plethora of information all should be privy too. The only thing that bothers me is that if someone were to post negative things about someone especially if it's unfounded, the person defending themselves may have never heard of the BOI and will now be forced to pay cash just to defend themselves when they may have never been here in the first place. I'm just thinking about the little guy here as $10 to most of us isn't by any means a huge amount of money. Many of us here have made hundreds times that off sales alone, as well as good business generated by the BOI, not too mention the hundreds saved by not sending your hard earned cash to outted scammers on the Board. So do I think it's fair to charge for the site? Yes. Do I feel that veiwing BOI should be charged? No. I realize that what I am saying is the perfect catch 22 but what can you do?
akaangela
New member
I picked the second one for the simple reason I was here a while hearing about the BOI but took me forever to figgure out what it was. I like the idea of being able to be free to view but have to pay to post. That will also cut down a bit of the "junk" post, just posting to post. I love this site and have no problems paying now that I have had a chance to get a feel for it. I love it
Ditto with Mark and Aimee and others. My choice isn't on the poll. A small fee for posting on the classifieds (as long as its less than kingsnake) but viewing free, and the BOI must be FREE FREE FREE to function properly.
Mike and Erica @ MotherGecko
New member
What about possibly allowing newcomers 10 free posts or something ont he BOI alone. I just feel like someone being forced to pay cash to 'defend themselves' in a thread that they didn't originally start themsleves is too much like the real government. just has a tendency to leave a bad taste in your mouth... Kind of like when it says on you license 'Driving is a privilage not a right'. The BOI should always be a right, not a privilage. This is only my most humble opinion as I very much respect you Rich and I personally will go with the flow your provide either way.
Hmm, maybe I should have added another option on the poll:
Charge no fee for viewing or posting on the BOI, but PULL all moderation out of it as a result.
Heck, I guess that would make it just a YES or NO poll, then.
Basically, you can't have your cake and eat it too. To quell the complaints of credibility and abuse within the BOI, I believe that something needs to be done to at least head in that direction. If people are not willing to accept the step that I feel is most fitting and appropriate at this point, then why should I and the moderators here continue beating our heads against the wall trying to play clean up after the abuses are made?
In a nut shell, I am saying at this point that you have the opportunity to put up, or shut up. If I do not implement the fee from the results I see in the poll, I WILL be pulling the moderators out of the BOI completely. And I personally do not want to hear even one little peep out of anyone about it, either. Will the BOI become another **HELL** forum? Maybe, but you have the seeds in your hands. So you can sow them, or eat them. You will have the results to contend with afterwards.
Charge no fee for viewing or posting on the BOI, but PULL all moderation out of it as a result.
Heck, I guess that would make it just a YES or NO poll, then.
Basically, you can't have your cake and eat it too. To quell the complaints of credibility and abuse within the BOI, I believe that something needs to be done to at least head in that direction. If people are not willing to accept the step that I feel is most fitting and appropriate at this point, then why should I and the moderators here continue beating our heads against the wall trying to play clean up after the abuses are made?
In a nut shell, I am saying at this point that you have the opportunity to put up, or shut up. If I do not implement the fee from the results I see in the poll, I WILL be pulling the moderators out of the BOI completely. And I personally do not want to hear even one little peep out of anyone about it, either. Will the BOI become another **HELL** forum? Maybe, but you have the seeds in your hands. So you can sow them, or eat them. You will have the results to contend with afterwards.
Mike and Erica @ MotherGecko said:
Mike, please read the other threads in this section. This has been covered at length, and I really don't want to repeat myself any longer.
And as for the BOI being a "right"? So now I am being forced into servitude? Over my dead body......
Thanks.
Mark and Aimee
AussieDragons.com
Webslave, do what you feel is most appropriate. It is your baby, anyway.
Although I'm now confused. Did you want people to reply to this poll, or just vote? I would have voted, but I don't agree with any of the choices.
Although I'm now confused. Did you want people to reply to this poll, or just vote? I would have voted, but I don't agree with any of the choices.
Mike and Erica @ MotherGecko
New member
I apologize for all the horrible typos there, my coffee machine has been broken for the past few days and I havent been the same since, chewing and sucking on the beans really seems to affect typing...
Sorry to beat a dead horse on that end there Rich, on the suggestions.
The BOI being a right was only meant metaphorically, no offense was offered. It seems that you are pretty intent on implementing this plan and I personally don't blame you one bit. You have put in countless time and energy to make it what it has become, and probabaly and justly feel it's time for a break. I will send my $10 now, if the plan is implemented i'll be happy to be the first one paid, if not, consider it a long overdue donation.
Sorry to beat a dead horse on that end there Rich, on the suggestions.
The BOI being a right was only meant metaphorically, no offense was offered. It seems that you are pretty intent on implementing this plan and I personally don't blame you one bit. You have put in countless time and energy to make it what it has become, and probabaly and justly feel it's time for a break. I will send my $10 now, if the plan is implemented i'll be happy to be the first one paid, if not, consider it a long overdue donation.
leaftail said:
A great thought, but not many good things are truly free. Bandwidth, Servers and other equipment, not to mention Rich's time must be considered. Why would the BOI have to be FREE FREE FREE to function properly? Also, Mark and Aimee; I have read your posts with interest on the BOI. Surely it would be worth $10 per year to continue the discourse?
David Scarboro
Bringerofdoom
New member
one question though. if somone was to contribute the normal $35 a year does it bypass the $10 yearly fee?
Bringerofdoom said:
Yes. Anyone currently having a Contributor membership will be considered as an "Endowment" member if I implement my plan. This will be the top level membership offered. Matter of fact, let me try an experiment to see how it looks here:
Addendum: This membership level will be in effect for the duration of your current Contributor's Membership. If this place goes into effect, this level of membership will be a LOT higher then the current Contributor's Membership.
Attachments
dwedeking
Member
Because of the appearence of impartiality. If you have a requirement or hurdle for a post on the BOI then it carries the appearence of an arena of a "select few". It will keep the smaller transactions out of public view (good and bad). I'm not concerned about the people with a 1,000 posts not using the boi but rather the newcomer that wants a reference to purchase a $30 corn snake.
I know the reasoning for the charge on the boi is to decrease the ones kicked off from returning but frankly I"ve watched them and they rarely last long on this site as people start to ignore them, so I don't feel it's enough of a problem ... especially at the cost of new visitors.
Point Taken
Good answer Daniel, I definitely see your point. My question would be, How do we pay for Rich's time and expenses to keep this running?
David Scarboro
Good answer Daniel, I definitely see your point. My question would be, How do we pay for Rich's time and expenses to keep this running?
David Scarboro