The DMF Forum Membership Process

[Geof F. Morris]

Geoff we need to find you a tax rebate to support the forum

anybody know any senators that can give us an earmark

I'd take a $3500 yearly write-off!

Jason gets the "best setup for something I was already going to post today" award.

Yeah, it really does take $3500 to run the server: $274/mo. server lease fees, and the rest in software licensing and domain registration fees.  It's an expensive hobby. 

Now, we do offset these costs in a lot of ways: over on The Rumor Forum, we've charged a membership fee for some time.  As this place nears a year, I think we're to the place where we can do that as well.

So, as of 8 Apr 2007, users who have more than 100 posts will need to have a membership to the forum to have access to all parts of the forum.  This membership fee will be US$5.00 per year.

What do I mean by "access to all parts of the forum"?  That's pretty simple. Because I never want to stifle on-topic discussion of Don Miller, the Don Miller-focused part of this forum will always remain open to all registered users.  As you probably know, these areas of the forum may be read by non-registered users as well._[1]

I'm working on installing a forum modification that will automate this process for us.  [Automation = good.]  But in an regard, I've got a PayPal account set up for this.  It's ... paypal@donmillerfans.net.  I like simple.  If nothing else, I'll set up a subscription for you to hit in PayPal that will bill you once a year for US$5.  That's the easiest approach.

As to how much money this would generate [since that question's bound to be asked]: right now, there are 27 users who have more than 100 posts.  If they all supported the site with $5, that's $135.  That'll support about half a month of server leasing, but hey ... every bit counts.  Donations over and above $5 would also be well-received, but I'm aware that none of us are made of money.

Also, I'm more than willing to take a check if you don't have a PayPal account or hate them.  [Hey, it happens.]  Checks, payable in U.S. funds to me, can be sent to:

Geoffrey Morris
158 Stone Meadow Ln
Madison, AL  35758_[2]

Please ask any questions that you might have, and understand that you don't have to act on this until 1 Apr 2007.  I'm sure that I haven't addressed every question in this.

GFM

[1]Two things that won't be tolerated as a result:

A.  If you choose to not pay the fee---and hey, the membership fee isn't compulsory---we won't let you start off-topic topics in these areas just so you can feel like you're still a part of the community.  These topics will be moved.

B.  As before, multiple accounts aren't allowed, so it's not like you can start a new account every 100 posts without recourse.

[2]  Yes, I know that I just put my address on the Internet.  But seriously, it's readily available, and I'm better armed than the rest of you.  Just try me. 

[ariana]

So Geof are you alone paying for and supporting this site

[smiley]

What a ripoff!  I'd never pay $5 to access an internet forum! 




Mark (thought he'd make his first post a good one :mrgreen: )

[katie]

What a ripoff!  I'd never pay $5 to access an internet forum! 




Mark (thought he'd make his first post a good one :mrgreen: )

freaks!

[Geof F. Morris]

So Geof are you alone paying for and supporting this site

Nope.  Last year, I paid about $1200 or so of it.  I really don't keep track as long as the bill is paid.  I did pay for most of the server for the first two years we had it, though.  I've probably spent $6k over the last four years on this hobby of mine.

What a ripoff!  I'd never pay $5 to access an internet forum! 

Mark (thought he'd make his first post a good one :mrgreen: )

Wiseguy.

GFM

[brandon]

$5 isn't much these days...to me, at least. At first I thought you said $5 a month, which to me, sounded reasonable.

But per year? I hardly thinking you're asking too much of us, Geof.

Although I'm a bit worried this will discourage newcomers from wanting to become a permanent part of the community.

[Geof F. Morris]

$5 isn't much these days...to me, at least. At first I thought you said $5 a month, which to me, sounded reasonable.

But per year? I hardly thinking you're asking too much of us, Geof.

Although I'm a bit worried this will discourage newcomers from wanting to become a permanent part of the community.

$5/yr isn't too much to ask of anyone, I don't think.  $5/mo. is, in my mind.  [And if I did that both places I have paid forum registrations on this box, well, I'd be swimming in cash, which isn't my goal.]

As for your concern; it's not been to-date.  Besides, your first 100 posts are free.  You essentially get 100 posts to decide if you really want to be involved or not.  And if you're really involved, chances are that you use up lots of server resources, and at that point sorta need to be charged. 

GFM

[Angie]

$5/yr isn't too much to ask of anyone, I don't think.  $5/mo. is, in my mind.  [And if I did that both places I have paid forum registrations on this box, well, I'd be swimming in cash, which isn't my goal.]


GFM

hmmmm....how can I start one of these forums.....I wouldn't mind swimming in cash......

[Geof F. Morris]

$5/yr isn't too much to ask of anyone, I don't think.  $5/mo. is, in my mind.  [And if I did that both places I have paid forum registrations on this box, well, I'd be swimming in cash, which isn't my goal.]

hmmmm....how can I start one of these forums.....I wouldn't mind swimming in cash......

Starting a forum takes a loooooot of time.  It's like hosting a party: you have to introduce folks to each other a lot early on, until they eventually mingle on their own and you can back away.

GFM

[Angie]

$5/yr isn't too much to ask of anyone, I don't think.  $5/mo. is, in my mind.  [And if I did that both places I have paid forum registrations on this box, well, I'd be swimming in cash, which isn't my goal.]

hmmmm....how can I start one of these forums.....I wouldn't mind swimming in cash......

Starting a forum takes a loooooot of time.  It's like hosting a party: you have to introduce folks to each other a lot early on, until they eventually mingle on their own and you can back away.

GFM

well, if it can bring a pool full of money....

[Geof F. Morris]

well, if it can bring a pool full of money....

I've yet to see a forum-based community where I'd pay a monthly fee.

GFM

[Angie]

well, if it can bring a pool full of money....

I've yet to see a forum-based community where I'd pay a monthly fee.

GFM

damn it!  Do you have to dash my hopes of easy money?!

[meether369]

$5/yr isn't too much to ask of anyone, I don't think.  $5/mo. is, in my mind.  [And if I did that both places I have paid forum registrations on this box, well, I'd be swimming in cash, which isn't my goal.]

hmmmm....how can I start one of these forums.....I wouldn't mind swimming in cash......

Starting a forum takes a loooooot of time.  It's like hosting a party: you have to introduce folks to each other a lot early on, until they eventually mingle on their own and you can back away.

GFM

heh, Geof forsaw his involvment only being for the first two weeks over here.

Serious HAH!

Where would we be without our Wizard Behind the Curtain??

$5 is nuthin fo me. Well, it's a Triple Venti Soy No Whip No Flair Cinnamon Dolci Latte for me, but that's nuthin really. Not in the long run.

When will it be ready to pay via my pal?

[TheBeth]

I'm alright with it but I have questions....
1)If someone pays by check will they be reminded a year later to pay again or do they have to remember on their own.
2)If we cough up the cold hard cash the year is what? April 1 2007-April 1 2008?
3)If at the end of the year we've paid for we decide to no longer pay...what happens?  Do you block us?
4)If we pay for a year, go careening off the face of the planet, slowly and painstakingly claw our way back to the forum, how would we do that?
5)What's up with paypal I don't really understand what it is..it's kind of like smelling cantelopes, I think I know and just pretend I do so I can be as cool as you all?
6)psych I'm out of questions...(and yes I said psych)

[Geof F. Morris]

$5/yr isn't too much to ask of anyone, I don't think.  $5/mo. is, in my mind.  [And if I did that both places I have paid forum registrations on this box, well, I'd be swimming in cash, which isn't my goal.]

hmmmm....how can I start one of these forums.....I wouldn't mind swimming in cash......

Starting a forum takes a loooooot of time.  It's like hosting a party: you have to introduce folks to each other a lot early on, until they eventually mingle on their own and you can back away.

heh, Geof forsaw his involvment only being for the first two weeks over here.

Serious HAH!

Where would we be without our Wizard Behind the Curtain??

$5 is nuthin fo me. Well, it's a Triple Venti Soy No Whip No Flair Cinnamon Dolci Latte for me, but that's nuthin really. Not in the long run.

When will it be ready to pay via my pal?

Where did I say that?  I want to slap myself for being an idiot.  [I figured that I needed to be around for two or three months and then step back.]

If you see the first post, Melissa, you'll see the email for the PayPal.  That said, I'm still trying to get the AutoMagic membership stuff set up.  But if you wanted to send money now, I won't say no.

I'm alright with it but I have questions....
1)If someone pays by check will they be reminded a year later to pay again or do they have to remember on their own.
2)If we cough up the cold hard cash the year is what? April 1 2007-April 1 2008?
3)If at the end of the year we've paid for we decide to no longer pay...what happens?  Do you block us?
4)If we pay for a year, go careening off the face of the planet, slowly and painstakingly claw our way back to the forum, how would we do that?
5)What's up with paypal I don't really understand what it is..it's kind of like smelling cantelopes, I think I know and just pretend I do so I can be as cool as you all?
6)psych I'm out of questions...(and yes I said psych)

1.  I set myself up a reminder the day I deposit the check in the bank.  I have a good system for this.  I have typically tried to remind people a week or two in advance, and I've also given folks paying by check a bit of a grace period on renewals.

2.  It's a year from whenever you give me your check.

3.  It's pretty simple: you know that "Regular" status that you get at 100 posts?  What I'll do is make that account only have access to the public areas of the forum.  I'll create another membergroup, "Member", that has full bull access.  Membership in that group would supersede anything else.  And when your membership expires, well, I flip the bit and take you out of that membergroup.  It's pretty simple for me to do.

4.  Happens.  You just send the money in to me somehow, and I hook you back up.  When I have money, you get access again.  [I have been known to get a check in the mail on Saturday and turn access on even if I don't get to deposit until Monday].

5.  It's one of the larger Web payment systems out there.  https://www.paypal.com/

GFM