ApolytonPLUS - Is it worth it for SL Regulars?

[Case]

Before I shell out my $US 18 for this, I'd just like to know:
a) Have any other SL regulars signed up for this
and
b) Do they think that it's worth it?

It seems like a pretty good deal to me, but as I only regularly visit this board, I'd like a little bit of reassurance before I shell out my 'hard' earned money.

[Stefan Härtel]

While all the ads are annyoing as hell, I'm not gonna pay that kind of money for a site which I only visit for a max total of 10 minutes per day. This is perhaps only worth something for those who spend a good part of their lives here (as I used to do).

[Mercator]

But the more interesting bonuses for scenario designers are that you have more upload space, and bigger attachments.

But I consider it mostly as a way to support Apolyton. If I ever decide to do it, it won't be because of any fancy features (or absence of them, i.e. ads), but simply because I want to support Apolyton. At the moment, my bank balance says no.

[Mercator]

:o damnit! DP

[Mercator]

um... TP?

[Mercator]

make that a QP... :dizzy:

(could some mod please relieve me of this monstrosity?)



[St. Leo: No.:D]


:lol: You bastard! ;)
(no, I'm not talking to myself)

[St. Leo: Yes, you are.;)]

[curtsibling]

I miht consider it - but it depends who is getting my visa number!

[Mercator]

PayPal is.

[Harry Tuttle]

Well I signed up, as you may have noticed (Ian McShane doesn't look like some wussy settler from Civ3).

As Mercator said, it's a good way to support the site and to provide some incentive for the owners to improve the forums. I mostly signed up to donate, get rid of some of the more annoying ads, and get a nice kingly avatar at 350 posts, but others may find the increased upload space and the avatar a bit parse for their tastes.

Anyways, just think, if the site is able to improve through the use of a moderate pay service we might be able to bring more people in that will contribute to Civ2...

I joined Apolyton because I liked the feel of the site and because it didn't pander to the latest money maker, much like *cough* CivFan. If I can help out Apolyton and get a little something for my trouble then I'm all for it. :b:

Now if only the owners would decide to incorporate Apolyton as a Non-Profit charity in the U.S. I might be able to get a nice little tax deduction... :idea: hint, hint...

[Case]

Well, I just coughed up my $US18 for 'Poly Plus. I guess that spending my wages in this way gives me a license to surf the site at work ;)

[MarkG]

thank you Case!

so guys, what would you consider as creator-targeted benefits?

[GoPostal]

Upload space

[MarkG]

we've already got that :)

[Stefan Härtel]

An eight day to the week

[curtsibling]

Originally posted by MarkG
thank you Case!

so guys, what would you consider as creator-targeted benefits?

A dedicated sticky hosting site-area for scenarios and a fully working and reliable server space.

[MarkG]

curt could you be more specific? are you talking about providing server space to PLUS members or something else?

[curtsibling]

Yep - I was thinking about paying members.

[Mercator]

:hmmm: I was thinking something similar...

How about making that an extension to the uploads area? For all your uploads you can add a small description/title and choose whether you want them to be "public". All those selected public files, together with their description, are then displayed in the member's "homepage".

That would make it rather generic and probably not too difficult to implement, yet give creators one central place to show off their stuff. They can then simply put a link to that "homepage" in their sig, or maybe even have a little icon at the top of their posts (like the "profile and "PM" icons).

I guess people could even have a screenshot in that description, simply by putting an image link to the screenshot (also in your upload space) in it.

[Case]

Good idea Merc :b:

[MarkG]

i like the idea of the "user homepage" merc.

of course the concept of showing a file to the public is already implement in it's full capacity in the Directory ;)

[Mercator]

:D Very true...

But especially the civ2 section is rather cluttered, because it has by far the most files yet with little subdivision. Trying to find the file you want is a rather cumbersome task.

The Spanish Civ2 Site is much nicer for scenarios, thanks to the subdivision by time period. But that could use a little improvement as well, like sorting the listings alphabetically, and adding search and screenshots.
My site is much better for maps, with its subdivision by geographical location, though it most definitely lacks previews.

But it will probably be a near-impossible task to fix this (I can attest to that with my, so far, failed attempts to get my complete map collection online).

Not to mention the much despised modpack/scenario/patch naming convention. And I'm not even going to start on the archive sections. :p ;)

A homepage would give a little more direct access to someone's files. Though I guess that could also be implemented as an extension to the directory, rather than the upload space, or maybe even somehow connecting the two.

Perhaps that "public"-checkbox could automatically add the file to the directory instead (after the required details are entered). But then users should also be able to update those, without needing any verification on your end. Otherwise they'd still be at your mercy, and you'll be swamped. But not requiring verification might not be the safest thing for the directory either.

[MarkG]

too often people make mistakes on how to fill in the fields or the size of the thumbnail, so verification is required

[Mercator]

That's what I thought...

[POTUS]

Well, having won it, I must say, I like not having pop-ups and all.

And, I feel so proud that I won. :)