Server

There are about 900 to 1k forum members who have posted at least 5 times. If, on average, each gave an additional 10 bucks over and above what ever they donate now, that's .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................wait, I have it, ...........................carry the 1...........................................................................................................................................


Ok, I called a friend, it's 10 grand. How much would a dedicated server cost? Does Walmart carry them?

Jerry Doe said:

I am looking for ideas? Cheers- Jerry

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Gooday Jerry,

Have a look at the Aprilia forum (AF1) , sponsored by a distributor who the forum tend to support.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/index.php

"The Knowledge" here is too valuable to lose.

I pledege $100.00 now (paid in full) and something every year.

Kick in what you can. Less talk more action

Cheers

Mark

Jerry,

+1 from me on either the donation, or the membership fee.

Steve

This site is long past a enthusiast participation site. Many times I've seen mention of professional builders, parts suppliers, Norton machining specialists, etc, as well as those professionals participating. These professional people benefit mightily from this site. I, for one, would not be opposed to a membership fee, two tiered. One basic annual fee for the enthusiast, one annual fee for the professional.

Jerry,

Why don't you work up a cost of what it will take to take the forum server to the level it needs to be.

Then figure that you probably have an easy 10, maybe as many as 15, vendors that frequent the site. Divide it accordingly and throw that number out there to see who you would get to step up.

This may take care of it right away.

If not, then you can look at alternatives to generate the necessary income.

The more I think about a membership fee, the less I like it. Sure, most current people on here wouldn't mind paying something since they already know the value. However it will most likely affect the growth since many new visitors will be turned off by a fee and go elsewhere.

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

I also think this site is a very valuable also.I would have never known about all the special items I have learned about my
bike without this.I will go along with whatever Jerry comes up with to keep this service going.
YING

CNW said:

Jerry,

Why don't you work up a cost of what it will take to take the forum server to the level it needs to be.

Then figure that you probably have an easy 10, maybe as many as 15, vendors that frequent the site. Divide it accordingly and throw that number out there to see who you would get to step up.

This may take care of it right away.

If not, then you can look at alternatives to generate the necessary income.

The more I think about a membership fee, the less I like it. Sure, most current people on here wouldn't mind paying something since they already know the value. However it will most likely affect the growth since many new visitors will be turned off by a fee and go elsewhere.

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

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Very good point, Matt.

If the vendors can't or won't swing it, maybe a lengthy, free, trial membership will get the newbie to participate.

let's just say there is now an individual membeship fee. ok. and that there are commercial concerns as members also. Perhaps that individual membership fee could be offset by a discount from the commercial members. How's that sit with you? Fair enough? That would work both ways, no?
All the best.

Hey Jerry and all other happy Nortoner's!

I think most forums such as this start as a "donation" in terms of systems and support by a dedicated enthusiast (and Jerry you're right up there with the best!) but, and as a great testament to the success of the forum, it reaches a point where the volume of use demands a transition to a more professional basis.

I can't imagine many folks being opposed to a membership subscription - we all gain tremendous benefit from using the forum so financially supporting it is a no-brainer.

I think that commercial sponsorship should be resisted (is he going mad!) because there is always a danger of larger suppliers dominating the forum to the detriment of the smaller guys - and having that broad variety of products, service and knowledge is one of the key benefits to us as users.

Jerry, I think you should approach the support of this forum as you would any other of your customers. As I mentioned above, we have all accrued great benefit from the advice found on this forum and we should pay for it's support.

- Nells

I for one have found being a member of this forum well worth paying for.
In order to not discourage new members from joining maybe a "suggested" donation amount that allows anyone to participate free if they wish but I know most of us who visit the site regularly will gladly pay a reasonable amount.
Once a year a friendly reminder to those who haven't contributed in the last 12 months that the voluntary donation is being again "suggested" but assuring them lack of payment would not drop their membership.
The language would be in the form of "lets join all those other Norton Commado enthusiasts that through their contributions make this site possible".
Sure there would still be some free riders but I suspect they wouldn't be active participants on the forum anyway.

An updated posting of paid in full members would also add an element of shaming to pressure active members to keep the support coming.
It could show the actual amounts contributed so that those who maybe have an extra interest in the site like CNW or OldBritts can get recognition from the general membership.

The donation button is there. Might I suggest that we all hit it with as much as we can spare and then see where we stand?

OK, just my thoughts but here goes. Leave the forum open but do a attached site with specific "How To's" that do not require searching the entire site. I many times search all over and am overwhelemed with information and get a little lost (smoke out ears kind of thing). Have the "How to" pay site and members can build the information and submit. This could be down and dirty technical, secrets of the trade, build a bike right from start to finish, modifications with technical information, so on. Unfortunately would require more work but would be a good add on. I know you can get this information on here free currently but a lot of people like to be able to just click, read and do.

I know Old Britts and some other sites do this openly but this site is essientially the Norton know all site out there.

Ad Sense would just junk up the site and probably not make that much on.

Just my two pennies.

I'm a member of the British club and I get more good useful tech info here, which is really what I need more than club news. I donate and think of it like the club dues.

While personally I would not be against paying a membership dues, I think one thing we need to keep foremost is encouraging newcomers, especially younger ones. I'm going to hazard a guess that the dominant demographic on this site is in the 50 year plus range. It's easy to forget what it was like when we trying to fix up a bike with very little disposable income. If we put an additional roadblock up, will we turn some of them away. For the health of the hobby and keeping parts suppliers in business we can't ignore these guy. Right now I see a lot of them modding old Japanese bikes for very little cash. With some encouragement I think some would move to British Iron if they could. In our little local vintage bike group we have a nice young guy in his 20's who has made a bobber out of a Kawasaki twin. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea but he is turning wrenches and he loves the old Bit bikes.
On some of the other Brit Bike forums I frequent they have commercial sponsors. I don't find this a distraction. I have never seen anyone on this site blatantly solicit business with their advice but the potential does exist. Per Matt's suggestion a "commercial" section removes this possibilty.

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

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The Firefox browser has a built in spell check and it's free. When you misspell a word it is underlined with a squiggly red line. Also, it's a more secure browser than Internet Explorer.

I take a lot of things for granted. This site being one of them. I finally found AND CLICKED the donate button. Time to pony up, guys and gals! I'd hate to lose this site. If it were gone some of us would have an awful lot of spare time on our hands.

Thanks JimC and pony up cowboys. Head um up and move um out.

Head um up and move um out.

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Says Gil to Rowdy. Rawhide!

Well; thanks everyone who has donated. I put it with the other donations received last year. We now have enough for the server & setup. I am thinking of ways pay the monthly. I think we have it covered. On our new server there will be tons of space for photos, so I will build a few layers of membership, but keep the free option open. Matt's idea is great and will do that for sure. I will allow members to upload as many pics as they want and i am still thinking of other value added things I can offer for members. I think its gonna happen. Now- I just have to find time to do this. I Will order the server next month.

THANKS SO MUCH

THANKS SO MUCH

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I think I can safely say the pleasure is ours. Good luck with everything, Jerry.