This is in relation to this thread here about the new ads that have been popping up on MFK in the middle of the page: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350932
It's no secret that forums are expensive to run. Especially one like the Monster Aquaria networks that has multiple sites with unlimted attachments. These attachments cost Li a couple grand out of HIS pocket every month, more than enough to pay a couple mortgages I'm sure.
Some things help generate revenue like ads on the forum and selling MFK merchandise. I dont know that actual numbers, but I'm sure this doesnt amount to a lot of revenue.
I suggested to Li a few things, one was getting rid of the unlimited attachments. This brought up a good point that pictures hosted elsewhere would eventually show up as red "Xs" when the picture was moved or deleted by the user. It's no fun looking at a thread with a bunch of red Xs.
I then suggested limiting the actual size of individual attachments, since most people like to upload horrible pictures that have the square footage of a small dining table. A photo that has been resized to 1024x768 pixels will still fill the screen nicely and will only be 100-300kb in size, compared to 4-6mb from the original, which is completely and totally unnecessary.
My other suggestion was to create a "Premium" membership that offers certain perks. I have seen this a lot lately and have even paid for a few myself for sites in which I spend a lot of time on. Just some ideas for the perks would be:
Now I'm sure some people wouldnt welcome this, and would even get upset. Some may even leave I would suppose. But this would in no way be forced on people. It's completely voluntary and only if you wish to support the site. I spent several years on another site as a free member before I decided to upgrade and donate. It makes the experience no different really.
So now the question, what are your thoughts on a premium membership? And would you donate???
It's no secret that forums are expensive to run. Especially one like the Monster Aquaria networks that has multiple sites with unlimted attachments. These attachments cost Li a couple grand out of HIS pocket every month, more than enough to pay a couple mortgages I'm sure.
Some things help generate revenue like ads on the forum and selling MFK merchandise. I dont know that actual numbers, but I'm sure this doesnt amount to a lot of revenue.
I suggested to Li a few things, one was getting rid of the unlimited attachments. This brought up a good point that pictures hosted elsewhere would eventually show up as red "Xs" when the picture was moved or deleted by the user. It's no fun looking at a thread with a bunch of red Xs.
I then suggested limiting the actual size of individual attachments, since most people like to upload horrible pictures that have the square footage of a small dining table. A photo that has been resized to 1024x768 pixels will still fill the screen nicely and will only be 100-300kb in size, compared to 4-6mb from the original, which is completely and totally unnecessary.
My other suggestion was to create a "Premium" membership that offers certain perks. I have seen this a lot lately and have even paid for a few myself for sites in which I spend a lot of time on. Just some ideas for the perks would be:
- unlimited attachment space (some forums dont even have the attachment feature!!)
- increased PM storage space (some forums limit this to 25 messages)
- Custom-colored user title, highlighting a supporting member
- Allow signature banner
- More signature lines
- No ads anywhere on the page
- Etc, etc.
The website would remain free for those that do not wish to pay, but they wouldnt get the extra 'perks'. As for cost, I'm thinking $10-15 per year is reasonable. This is what I've paid for other sites. - increased PM storage space (some forums limit this to 25 messages)
- Custom-colored user title, highlighting a supporting member
- Allow signature banner
- More signature lines
- No ads anywhere on the page
- Etc, etc.
Now I'm sure some people wouldnt welcome this, and would even get upset. Some may even leave I would suppose. But this would in no way be forced on people. It's completely voluntary and only if you wish to support the site. I spent several years on another site as a free member before I decided to upgrade and donate. It makes the experience no different really.
So now the question, what are your thoughts on a premium membership? And would you donate???
