Server

Hi All happy Norton people.
This morning we experienced some serious load on the server/forum. Just got busy. While I was reviewing server logs to see why this server was under so much load, I realized the accessnorton site no needs it's own dedicated server. At this time the donations no where near cover the costs for a server and my time to manage it. I am posting this, asking if you members can think of a way I can generate some income from the site to cover the new server. I am looking for ideas? Cheers- Jerry

I don't know what kind of funds would be needed but how about a basic membership fee. I doubt any serious forum member would object to a signup fee if it was relatively inexpensive. May be add a free 30 day membership for the hook. Jim

Ugh, similar occurred with the England based original Norton Owners Club NOC, which until 2 yr ago was free email list but had to drop that to paid membership only. Maybe if still in tax system to configure as an expense write off. Fair way would charge per key stroke. ugh.

Another train of thought: I'm sure companies like Google, Facebook,CIA,IRS etc etc etc upgrade their servers to bleeding edge technology at regular intervals. There's a gov. surplus place near where I live that gets a fair amount of this stuff in fairly regularly. Any members work in IT that have access to some decent used gear that could be donated or who could assist in setting this equipment up?

In the mean time I'll click the "DONATE" button later today when I get home. Thanks for keeping your site so neat and clean and free of advertisements Jerry, it's always pleasant and relaxing surfing this site. It's like a little refuge or sanity sanctuary compared to the rest of the net.

Jerry,

I would like to see a dealer/shop/vendor specific area where the members can ask specific questions to the dealers and where the dealer can offer up information such as new parts and services being available. That way it doesn't interfere with the general discussion area.

The dealers/vendors (anybody selling anything Commando related, parts or services) that wanted to be actively involved would have to pay a yearly fee for this. Essentially a sort of advertising. No banners or things like that. Keep it clean like it is now.

What that fee would be can certainly be discussed but considering the membership size and activity it seem like it would be very valuable.

I also like what Jim said about a reasonable member ship fee. There is so much good information available and knowing that its just to keep the site alive as opposed to making a profit for someone, I cant imagine that many current readers would have a problem contributing.

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

Sell t-shirts? :mrgreen:

So the load was strictly from users? I sent an email about how my avatar image had recently been massively viewed and I couldn't see why there would be a recent spike. I suspect there is some abnormal loads that you might not have discovered yet.

For example there are (as I write this) 24 users online. There is no way 24 users or even 240 users should bring down even a basic server.

If the traffic really is that high there is no reason not to engage in advertising.

I support a membership fee - just not a mandatory fee just to see the site. Even sent just a few bucks earlier today based what I perceive as a return on investment for the very short time I've been a member.

What I have seen on other boards is a tiered membership - say 25 - 50 -100 with some suitable recognition below the user name, e.g., silver member, gold, platinum. I have then seen members go up and down in the member "level" as finances waxed and waned.

Might have a members only section, but I would hope you could avoid hiding tech info like on the NOC site. Perhaps just a place for off-topic rambling.

Matt at CNW posted about commercial/vendor section. I second that one. Allow them to have sub-forums or a stickie thread for each vendor. I would love to see a place where they perhaps offered deals from time to time, or photos/how-tos on their product(s) - whatever they wanted within their section. In conjunction with the silver/gold/platinum thing above, vendors such as CNW could have "Contributing Vendor" below their user name.

Allow all to see the "for sale" section, but only members can sell?

I personally don't like flashing commercial banners and such.

In terms of your time, maybe more sub-forums but ask/assign mods to cover them. Keep the work load managable for all involved.

Is it a Windows server? They are attacked by more viruses than a $20 hooker.
Might think about a Mac server.
Membership fee? Sure, why not.
How many users does this site have anyway?

Hey all,

Thanks for the feedback. First it is on a cPanel linux server. This is what I do for a living, so I know about servers and admin of them. Earlier today there were around 3 hundred users looking at the forum. Not sure how many were logged in doing stuff. The site resides on one of my production servers, so although the server is not that loaded when other services on the server get busy and we are busy on the forum it throws things over the edge. I don't want to give away too much info here, but the forum is SQL intensive- In crisis mode I would have to temporarily shut the forum down so my customers sites stay up (That has never happened before today and is not good). The bottom line is I am not about to use a windows server, and will stick with Linux and need to do something. I will probably get another server up in my data center and move this over to it. I like some of the ideas especially Matt's. I think I will try that next and see how we go.

Cheers

Another brain wave?

I recall some time ago Jerry, you offered up for grabs about 4 or 5 Norton crank shafts and various crank parts for free to members who wanted them. Similar cranks are advertised here in classified for hundreds of dollars. Many of us are cash strapped these days but may also have extra parts laying around that we could donate to the cause. They could be sold in a special classified section or a special title could be used to identify this as a donation to the site. Buyers pay you and the seller or donator would ship to the buyer after they receive confirmation of the payment. Of coarse donators would need to be responsible in describing the condition of the parts carefully so buyer members know exactly what they are getting and junk is not being passed off as a "donation" to some poor unsuspecting buyer who really is in search of good useable parts.

Actually a simpler system may be that the donor simply lists the item but states in the title - eg:

"Used 750 Commando Crank Shaft needs 1st regrind $100.00 DONATION 100%"
or
"Fullauto Cylinder Head only 100 miles $1200.00 DONATION 30%"
or how about this
"CNW Build #100 $30,000.00 DONATION"

Opps! sorry Matt, .....I forgot to mention there's a percentage ; ) Lets say 1%

This way the donor can be covered for shipping costs and recover what ever money he needs from expensive items. Jerry can post a thank you in the thread once he receives the donation.

I, for one would be more than happy to pay a yearly subscription to be a member of the family . $25.00 would be a good starting point. The final amount would depend how many take up. Jerry you know what the costs are let us know. This site is too important to fold for the sake of a few $'s

marinecommando said:

I, for one would be more than happy to pay a yearly subscription to be a member of the family . $25.00 would be a good starting point. The final amount would depend how many take up. Jerry you know what the costs are let us know. This site is too important to fold for the sake of a few $'s

Click to expand...

+1...I'm all in to help!

The problem with Memberships is not in getting all of us to pay the annual fee. It's recruiting new members and continuing to grow the site and gain new members to account for the regular attrition.

I have never been on the NOC site BECAUSE it's an annual fee to get access. Never bothered. It could be an amazing site with great resources. I just wouldn't know. And a "30 day trial" although a good idea is still a deterrent.

I like Matts idea a lot. Between Old Britts, Norvil, CNW, Rocky Point, Fair Spares etc. There should be no problem generating the necessary income to fuel this site. Half of the questions on the site are "Where do i find _______" in which swooshdave makes a joke (which is usually very funny).

Adding a new "sponsored" area could add a ton of value to both the users, market and the site. Sounds like the opportunity is really having someone manage / account for the site Jerry. LAB does a GREAT job moderating. Someone should be managing future advertising, Site Shop (With shirts, buttons, patches etc.) and growth of the site.

This is THE BEST motorcycle forum on the internet. No question. There is a way for it to grow, generate income and still be great resource it is.

My... 2 cents.

I think a general membership fee would probably kill off 80-90% of the current members, but that's just my guess which is ignorant. A vendor fee would be good if the bulk of them would agree and that would include the UK, NZ, OZ and GE vendors. Don't know how they would like that either. I would be glad to pay a fee for access, but like I say, it would probably kill it off to a few hardcore members, kind of like the NOC. What ever someone comes up with, I'll go along, but I hate to see it disappear from what currently exists, despite some of the issues. Best forum on the web (must be the Norton fever).

Dave
69S

I don't think a membership fee is the way to go for a variety of reasons. Even though I'd be willing to pay for a membership based on years of great information I've got from this forum, I doubt if I'd have been willing to pay a membership fee several years ago when I picked up my Commando and was looking for information. A membership fee will stifle new membership and kill off a good number of current members so I hope there are alternatives...

I like both Matts and Rennieks ideas.
I also agree that maybe charging a user fee could detract from attracting new members to the forum.
How about running Google Ad Sense or one of those banner sites?

i am ready to donate now!!!!!!!

perhaps if it is not mandatory there would be enough donations to help out? the ability to just join does bring in lots more people. once you really use the site you know that it is worth some fee. my two cents. oh i would send in more than that. i don't know what a pay pal type button costs or the fees but is great for my little purchases.

How about a Photobucket type of approach?

Assuming (and I have almost no knowledge on this subject), that it takes very little server space (bandwidth?) to run the basic forum, then adding a premium or full membership which could say, allow for avatars, items for sale, search, etc, could perhaps generate the necessary income while allowing the casual onlookers entry into the forum. A commercial section could also be created allowing commerce for British bike products on the forum and generating additional income.

Also, I would pay $5 a year extra for a spell checker.

I am Happy to donate or pay membership fee, site is to invaluable to let it slide off the inet!!!
Just my 2cents worth.
Regards mike

Maybe someone who enjoys this forum and website and who is bucks up could just take it over and buy a server for it and find a volunteer who is tech savvy to manage and moderate it?

Send a notice to all the Norton businesses and see if they want to advertise on the site for a fee.

My two cents.