Flare Sci-Fi Forums: Money and other associated topics

This is topic Money and other associated topics in forum Incoming Hail at Flare Sci-Fi Forums.

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Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

An uninvited friend has come along with the new Forums, ladies and gentlemen.

The new format takes up a good chunk more space than the old one... And it's only going to get bigger from here. That meant that a few hours ago I bumped us up from the $30 a month account to the $60 a month. This, combined with the bill for the two (and soon three) subdomains has put me deep into the red.

I'll be blunt.

I need money, and it doesn't look like I'll be getting any signifigant income any time soon. What does this mean?

I'm about THIS --> II <-- close to signing up for a banner ad system. $.12 to $.15 a click...
All ads would go on the VERY bottom of every page, and therefore, wouldn't effect load time. Assuming that one-third of the registered users clicked one ad a day and explored the site a bit, that would provide a good deal of income, more than enough to keep my parents happy and me out of the red. *L*

Thoughts? Is this a good idea? Are there viable alternatives?

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Person One: "LOOK! Charles has changed his sig!"
Person Two: "Quick, call a doctor!"
the solareclipse network

Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :

Perhaps you should put them over on the right side there.

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"It's not my birthday, it's not today. It's not my birthday, so why do you lunge out at me?"
--
They Might Be Giants

Posted by Deep6 on :

AAHHHHHHH!!! NOT ADS!!!!

But seriously, if thats what it takes to keep this place up and running, I'd do it. I wouldnt like it, but I'd do it.

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"The brocolli must die!"

-Stewie, The Family Guy

Posted by Jubilee (Member # 99) on :

*blunt mode on*
The banners will look shotty on the page. People may hate them, and that's bad.

*blunt mode off*

That being said, I think it's still a good idea.... you being bankrupt is obviously NOT a good thing. If we can stick them in a place where we can ignore them, then I guess they'll be tolerable. And i'm all for clicking the banners to raise ya money. *L*

But isn't there something else we can do to help you out? ... Okay, I mean, I know that _I_ currently am over 1,000 dollars in debt myself, but SOME of the 180 members here have got to have spare cash lying around somewhere.....

I say, if it's a last resort, do it... and if we can do something else, let's do that instead.

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Cherish your visions; cherish your ideas; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for if you remain true to them, your world will at last be built.

Posted by Antagonist (Member # 76) on :

First of all I'd like to know what makes this format take up more space than the previous.

Second, I don't mind a banner add, though when it affects the overall look of the forums I hate it with a passion.

Ultimately I don't care, as long as it's not a popup window, and it isn't stupid stuff.

If it means the preservations of the forums, why not?

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I shall smite Sternbach with my SpoonSaber!

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

The ads will be suffeciently below the rest of the forum structure as not to be disruptive. I've looked through the banner ad display, I don't think too many of them will be that bad, and those taht I don't like I can stop from displaying.

In addition, I'll be SELLING banner ad space... Prolly something insanely cheap ($5 a month) to get people to sign up.

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Person One: "LOOK! Charles has changed his sig!"
Person Two: "Quick, call a doctor!"
the solareclipse network

Posted by Deep6 on :

*grabs the penny jar*

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"The brocolli must die!"

-Stewie, The Family Guy

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

The Deed is done. They'll be looking around here within 10 business days.

BTW, guys... The ads are there not just for money - when you click, do look around the site a bit. I find that more often than not, clicking an ad will lead ya into a few interesting sites.

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Person One: "LOOK! Charles has changed his sig!"
Person Two: "Quick, call a doctor!"
the solareclipse network

[This message has been edited by Charles Capps (edited June 25, 1999).]

Posted by Jay the Obscure (Member # 19) on :

So, were we to take a couple of minutes and click through on the banner ads....click through on one or two of the links (paying attenion or not to the material on the page) we get money for the Forums and everyone is happy??

Where do I click?

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That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college!
~Homer Simpson

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

Jay: Not quite.
You click on an ad a day, and explore the site that comes up. I suggest choosing the ad carefully, as you actually might want to check them out... *grin*

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Person One: "LOOK! Charles has changed his sig!"
Person Two: "Quick, call a doctor!"
the solareclipse network

Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :

Hmm.

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"It's not my birthday, it's not today. It's not my birthday, so why do you lunge out at me?"
--
They Might Be Giants

Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :

CC, can I make a suggestion - can you replace the bottom - 'eclipsed sun' pic - with the ad and move the text that is there - above the ad!?!

cause - really - we do see the solareclipse at the top anyway... - and I guess it'd take up space...

just a friendly suggestion!

heh heh

Andrew

oh also, is the extra space caused by the hop-to's if so - they aren't really necessary

Andrew
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"Ooh, FASA." - The Shadow, aka Frank G - June 1999

[This message has been edited by AndrewR (edited June 25, 1999).]

Posted by Elim Garak (Member # 14) on :

*is trying to figure out the big deal of clicking a banner a day to keep these Forums alive...*

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Doctor: "Run along. I'll reattach any severed limbs. Just don't misplace them." (Voyager: "The Killing Game")

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

Andrew: I put that there as a filler for buttons in future versions of the UBB...

This time I actually documented all my modifications, so bringing this place up to date with more features will be easier.

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Person One: "LOOK! Charles has changed his sig!"
Person Two: "Quick, call a doctor!"
the solareclipse network

Posted by RW (Member # 27) on :

I don't care how many ads you put into each page, as long as they don't pop up.

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

There will be NO POPUPS... I recieved the activation letter earlier this morning, and I'll put up the ads in a few minutes.
*eyes RW, notes bug, will fix it later*

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Person One: "LOOK! Charles has changed his sig!"
Person Two: "Quick, call a doctor!"
the solareclipse network

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

Ladies and gentlemen, the ads....

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Person One: "LOOK! Charles has changed his sig!"
Person Two: "Quick, call a doctor!"
the solareclipse network

Posted by Deep6 on :

*click*

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"The brocolli must die!"

-Stewie, The Family Guy

Posted by LOA (Member # 49) on :

*goes to check out and add and click on the site*

*Stops dead in her tracks*

Charles. No. I can NOT click on that add. *crosses arms and taps foot* Remember how you said you can pick and choose the ads you post? I think you said that, anyway.... well, DO! *glares* That add is for the BAD MOVIE!

Yuck. Not even to save the Forums can I bring myself to click THAT. No way, no how... I'd rather send you a personal check that do that.

So here. Now you know my feelings on any ads pertaining to that... *shudder* Movie....

*gack!*

~LOA

PS~ You DO know, I'm sure, that all of that was in fun (kinda) and that I don't hate you.... I just hate that ad.... but I'm not homocidal... really... *twitch, twitch*

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I hate men. I truly do. But it's okay... I'm not bitter.

Posted by Elim Garak (Member # 14) on :

*clicks on the ad he thinks LOA is boycotting*

Checks again... No, thanks. I don't want a VISA...

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Doctor: "Run along. I'll reattach any severed limbs. Just don't misplace them." (Voyager: "The Killing Game")

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

A reminder: Clicking on every ad won't do a bit of good... Only one click every six hours for one person is counted.

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Person One: "LOOK! Charles has changed his sig!"
Person Two: "Quick, call a doctor!"
the solareclipse network

Posted by Baloo (Member # 5) on :

Ads don't bug me. What bugs me is the lack of "white space" (actually, background-colored space is more like it) beneath the ad. Right now, the ad just sits on the bottom border^* of my browser like an anchor at the bottom of the sea. It just looks funny.

Perhaps about 10 pixels or so (one blank line will do) would alleviate this (non-) problem. It's purely a matter of aesthetics, and if I'm the only one bugged by it, let me suffer (I can guess what a hassel making such a minor change might turn out to be, so I won't insist).

BTW, I like the Dr. Dean Edell site.

There's hope if she "just wants to be friends", but you'll have to be patient!

--Baloo

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Being right is not enough.
You can't badger someone into agreeing with you.
www.geocities.com/Area51/Shire/8641/

* Oops! I really must check my spelling before hitting the "submit" button!

[This message has been edited by Baloo (edited June 26, 1999).]

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

Ah, the wonders of Dr. Dean...

See, ENJOY the ads. *L*

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Person One: "LOOK! Charles has changed his sig!"
Person Two: "Quick, call a doctor!"
the solareclipse network

Posted by Antagonist (Member # 76) on :

CC, by a little calculator work I have come up with the minimum total that you should make...

With this kind of dough you can buy Jubilee a nice little gold/silver doohickey. Plus pay for several forums of this size at once. Sheesh!

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I shall smite Sternbach with my SpoonSaber!

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

Antag: I'm assuming a worst-case-scenario.

I'm assuming the opening of UP3 will result in us moving to a dedicated server, which needs mucho $$$ a month. Put the money in a bank account for retrieval when needed. I don't intend to use any money generated here for any purpose that will not increace the quality of the site and/or keep the site going.

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Person One: "LOOK! Charles has changed his sig!"
Person Two: "Quick, call a doctor!"
the solareclipse network

Posted by Antagonist (Member # 76) on :

I know, CC. I was kidding. What you do with the money is totally up to you, since this is after all your forums. Whether it be for your own use (hey, webmasters need to relax sometimes with a night off, where do you think the money'll come from? *L*)

UP-3 will be that big, huh? Either big or really used, in any way you look at it I still can't wait.

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I shall smite Sternbach with my SpoonSaber!

Posted by Jubilee (Member # 99) on :

Awww.... does this mean I don't get a nice gold/silver doohicky? *LOL*

*clicks on Yoda* .. this is fun.

Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :

Well, then, maybe somebody ELSE should buy her a nice gold/silver do-hickey...

*Watches too much X-Files, gets confused, accidentally buys Jubes a silver "Frohike" instead*

Whoops.

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"When we turn our back on our principles, we stop being human." -- Janeway, "Equinox"

[This message has been edited by First of Two (edited June 26, 1999).]

Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :

The only ad I ever get is for some contractor site. Contractors! I ask you, what possible use do I have for a contractor? Do I need concrete poured? Perhaps an extension to my computer desk? Really.

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"Breath...keep breathing. I can't do this alone"
--
Radiohead

Posted by Jubilee (Member # 99) on :

Gee, thanks First of Two........ *puts on gold/silver Frohike* ... I think.

Posted by Enterprise (Member # 48) on :

Hey Capps,

Have you considered getting a bookstore thing with Amazon.com?

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Brandon "Enterprise" Grasmick
Commanding Officer, USS Sovereign (NX-74222)

"Captain, the Sona crew are willing to negotiate a cease fire. It may have something to do with the fact that we have 3 minutes of air left."
-- Worf

Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges
-- In time of war the law falls silent.

Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :

Enterprise: Actually, there was going to be an Amazon thing a while back, but I don't remember what ever happened w/ it...

Jubee: Erm... You sure that thing isn't life size? I mean, granted, Frohike isn't the tallest character on that show, but still... :-)

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"You! Are you smarter than this one?"
-Ambassador Byleth to LaForge regarding Worf, TNG's "Liasons"

[This message has been edited by TSN (edited July 01, 1999).]

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

There was one for the BG, but it never turned out... No profit was ever made.

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Charles Capps
Cheif Administrator, the solareclipse network
"I do whatever the voices in my head tell me to do."

Posted by Jubilee (Member # 99) on :

Hmmm.... well in that case.... *takes off Frohicke* ...
I'm allergic to Gold anyway..... *starts itching furiously*

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Sex is sacred. Your body is a temple. Anyone need sanctifying? ;)

Posted by Trinculo on :

CC is faced with the issue that young adults face-you want to everything and you will do everything that is necessary to have these things. In the end, you become a slave to debt. My advice-hold off on the UP3, reduce the money load by offering a pared down site, and setting rules that limit use or something else so that the site is kept functional. However, being as young as CC is, he will probably go ahead with UP3, become mired in debt, and the forums will fold. I predict the forums will collapse in a few months. This will be one of his first life lessons in regards to debt. And my hope is that CC will learn and grow from this experience.

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

Gee, thanks for your vote of confidence.

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Charles Capps
Cheif Administrator, the solareclipse network
"I do whatever the voices in my head tell me to do."

[This message has been edited by Charles Capps (edited July 01, 1999).]

Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :

I think you're a bit overly pessimistic, Trinculo. SolarFlare is CC's baby, yes. But U3 and these Forums are not exclusively his responsibility. That's why there are other moderators and admins. Even in his absence, we're still around to take care of the place. We are the hydra.

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"Breath...keep breathing. I can't do this alone"
--
Radiohead

Posted by Trinculo on :

I am not the first to suggest that the Forums may not continue. CC is the first I know of.

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Takeoffs are optional.
Landings are mandatory.

Posted by The First One (Member # 35) on :

So. . . rather than just click arbitrarily on a banner and wander around a bit, you'd sooner see the whole thing fold? Fine. If you can't spare the time from your packed work schedule and social life, we understand completely. But it's not like CC's asking a lot. . .

Posted by Trinculo on :

CC has chosen to place himself in debt by upgrading the site and planning on adding a large site [UP3] to his bill. I do not help others if they put themselves in a situation where they are sinking in debt. This is accomadation. I have given my advice. It has been ignored. Now I wait to see what happens to the site.

BTW, though I have expressed support for the UP3 as a community member, I believe the site is a further redundancy on the Web about starships and starship construction. There are enough lists and schematics for a person to walk on from California to the East Coast. If the site doesn't expand beyond the lists and the schematics found on so many other sites and the forums fold, I will withdraw my support.

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Takeoffs are optional.
Landings are mandatory.

[This message has been edited by Trinculo (edited July 01, 1999).]

Posted by Curry Monster (Member # 12) on :

Trinculo - you've made your position quite clear. If you don't support an initiative, just say nothing at all. The reality is that Charles is in this situation, he's not asking us to send him cheques, just to brainlessly click a few links, no big deal huh? Anyway you get the idea. Now in the interests of forum harmony I'm going to ask you to tone it down. I don't want to have to ask again.

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"Diplomacy is the art of Internationalising an issue to your advantage"

[This message has been edited by Daryus Aden (edited July 01, 1999).]

Posted by Trinculo on :

I accept and understand message. And I support the UP3 in the spirit of "forum harmony". CC threatened the members by saying if he or she didn't visit the banners, the site will fold. I don't accept or tolerate being threatened. I believe the time to threaten an individual comes when both parties were actively engaged in an activity since the beginning. CC made the decision to change the forums, upgrade the forums, and introduce UP3 without the full support of the group-there were dissenters. I didn't participate with CC on the referenced three items. And I certainly wasn't going to stand still and be threatened. I responded. I make no amends or apologies.

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Takeoffs are optional.
Landings are mandatory.

[This message has been edited by Trinculo (edited July 01, 1999).]

Posted by The First One (Member # 35) on :

In other words, it's Trinculo's ball, and he's going home.

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

If you don't like the way I operate, then LEAVE. Simple as that.

The LAST thing I need right now is someone saying "Oh, look, he's being a fool and is going to fail, and I'll get to rub it in!" Do you know what that makes YOU look like? I have enough doubts about my abilitiy to run this thing without someone pointing it out to the whole damned world. Thanks for bringing my doubts and worries to the front. Does a world of good for me right now. If I wasn't holding back, I'd tell you what I feel about your opinions, but I think you can gather that much from this message.

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Charles Capps
Cheif Administrator, the solareclipse network
"I do whatever the voices in my head tell me to do."

Posted by Trinculo on :

CC, you open yourself to this form of criticism with your thread about people not gettng the message. If you have doubts or fears, don't discuss them openly. I don't gloat about the situation for I feel that many people visit the forum to be part of a web community which I fear may be threaten by decisions that you made in the last month. These were and are not critical: UP3 and the changing of the format. If you ask me to leave, I will do so without protest.

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Takeoffs are optional.
Landings are mandatory.

[This message has been edited by Trinculo (edited July 01, 1999).]

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

Trinoculo has emailed me asking for his profile to be deleted. I have disabled it. This was not the place to say what was said. If any of you have doubts, please do express them, but do it in private, damnit!

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Charles Capps
Cheif Administrator, the solareclipse network
"I do whatever the voices in my head tell me to do."

[This message has been edited by Charles Capps (edited July 01, 1999).]