Due to the rapid growth of the forum, I have been forced to reduce the running cost by disabling various functions in which, I very much want to provide them to our members (e.g. Online Photo Album, Upload Attachments, Custom Avator and Title, Online Chat Room etc.). But still, it have been very difficult for me financially to keep up with the increasing usage (cost) from the addition bandwidth and storage space.

I would like to introduce this Premium Membership option to our members. Hopefully this can help me keep this place active. The addition functions will serve as a thank you from me in return to your kindest support!

As a Premium Member, you will enjoy:
1. Online Photo Album (5MB)
2. Upload Attachments and pictures (5MB)
3. Custom Avator
4. Custom Title
5. Real Time Chat Room (Coming Soon)

Please scroll to the bottom of the forum homepage for further details.

Thanks, Ed

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ed,

I think this is a good idea, Ed, but I think you need to explain a little more about what a Premium Membership buys. Are only Premium Members allowed to upload photos, mp3s and such? What does that $15/year buy someone above and beyond the default signup membership?

Allen

I reread your post, Ed, and I believe what you are saying is that the Premium Membership does buy the additional services like uploading files. Is that correct?

You are correct Allen, as a Premium Member, you will enjoy in return:

1. Online Photo Album (5MB)
2. Upload Attachments and pictures (5MB)
3. Custom Avator
4. Custom Title
5. Real Time Chat Room (Coming Soon)

I want to treat the additional functions as a thank you to our contributors for their kindest donations instead of treating it as a higher level of membership.

Everything in the forum will remain unchanged for everyone and I want to emphasize that not joining this Premium Membership doesn't mean you are not supporting the forum, your participation in helping others, answering questions or evening viewing and appreciating the effort here were also a form of contribution that encourage me to keep going!

In fact, a lot of our members still donated the old way via paypal. The Premium Membership is just an option and is totally voluntary!

I hope the donations can help me cover the increasing running cost of the forum, if we end up having a lot of surplus, I shall have the money donated to support Steve McCreary's daughter. (Hopefully!)

hi ed:

you mentioned something about paypal being the 'old' way. i followed your order link to something called ?infopop? which seems to want and additional $2 as a processing fee or something.

being always reluctant to spread my personal data around any more than necessary, and not being familiar with this outfit, is there any way to pay with paypal? or did that prove problematic or expensive in the past?

thanks,

/guy

Hi golftango, if you wish to donate via paypal, you can simply click the "Make a Donation" button at the bottom of each forum page.

Infopop is the company where we host this forum and they act also provide this payment gateway for us as well.

I just noticed that they need you to register as part of their Groupee Account and theres a $2 transaction fee. It also seems a little to much, I think I will just postphone this Premium Membership idea until I can find better solution.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ed,

hi ed:

no problem. i would have gone ahead with infopop, but wanted to ask you if there was a simpler way first.

/guy

I decided to offer the addtional function again and cancel this premium membership option for now.

Please refer to this thread here:
http://collingsforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/97660426/m/3171059202

Ed, I think the premiere membership is actually not a bad idea. I think offering the additional items to premiere members is a good way to help fund the forum.

Whether or not we have a premiere level of membership to help fund the forum, I think we need to have a discussion here about how folks think we should solicit contributions to help pay for the forum. I'd hate to see us resort to constant pressure on people to contribute, but we can't expect you (Ed) to carry the load completely. Should we have a fundraising drive on the forum a couple times a year? Should we encourage more contributions from folks selling on the forum? Should we sell sponsorships to dealers in exchange for a banner on the forum advertizing their website? What do y'all think? How should we go about soliciting funds to run the forum?

Thanks,
Allen

I like Ed's original idea about premium memberships or different donor levels eg. 1, 2, 3, or CW level. I don't think forums should charge but Ed has provided an invaluable service that deserves to be recognized and continued. This can only come about through contributions. I just made mine today. I'd like to propose an additional premium service. Sort of like pay TV so you don't get the ads- those obnoxiuos ads! How about the no "H" button we talked about earlier. I am sure you would get quite a few donations! Just kidding! Really.