Column #221; By DanQ

[Panag]

Originally posted by VetLegion
How about extra statistics for subscribers? That wouldn't hurt the rest and most people like them. Some possible stats:

- average post length (letters, words)
- timing of posts, most being between xx-yy
- number of threadkills
- average number of responses per initiated thread
- time spent logged on this week, total..
- number of references to poster in threads he didnt post in
- mean time between clicking 'reply' and 'submit' (is it possible? would show who is the slowwit )

Basically, all of the existing stats (number of posts, etc) can be expanded in some way. This could be calculated on request or once in a period of time, if it would be server-load intensive.

hi ,

, sounds really great , only one Q , can it be done , ......

Markos would love such a thing but with him still a while away , ......

have a nice day

[Atahualpa]

- mean time between clicking 'reply' and 'submit' (is it possible? would show who is the slowwit )

Actually it would show who thinks most about what he writes

But you cant take quick reply into account here, a feature that I use very often (and just again).

ata

[Frozzy]

Originally posted by VetLegion
- average post length (letters, words)

This one would stop the demo gamers from subscribing

[Skanky Burns]

And me, too.

[Alexander's Horse]

Very interesting article Dan. I'd like to see another article on your philosophy re donations and the like i.e. why you aren't comfortable with them. Why you consider this a "venture" rather than a business etc.

Seems like much of the rest of the internet is full of beggars.

[Rasputin]

extras for subscribers..

Big Stickers saying "Im a Geek i pay for Apolyton Subsriptions"

or a discounted T shirt

with " I got this for my hard earned cash"

[Alexander's Horse]

"All I got from Apolyton was a PCR and this lousy T shirt"

[DarkCloud]

Another idea, a reduction in the flood control to 20 seconds for die-hard spammer-subscribers

You could also do a "Member of the Day" thing a la Civgaming.net ... something like a "Donor of the Day"

or grant mod-powers for one day in one forum section per dollar donated to apolyton

[Qilue]

As a dial-up internet user, I should mention that if subscribers got bigger avatars thus increasing the time required to download a thread, I would disable all avatars my preferences.

[Alexander's Horse]

If I had to pay to come here, I wouldn't come here.

[DrSpike]

Do you think that makes Dan and Mark more or less likely to move to subscriptions?

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
If I had to pay to come here, I wouldn't come here.

From what Dan has said, Content on the site will always remain free. The subscription service is merely a financial move that will grant a few yet to be determined features that do not relate to content. Basically a way to contribute to the site's financial help while still receiving value for the dollar paid. That keeps it a commercial venture and avoids any complications associated with accepting donations.

So, Horse, you will always be able to come for free, but will be invited to contribute to that which you enjoy. Not a bad deal.

[Alexander's Horse]

Originally posted by DrSpike
Do you think that makes Dan and Mark more or less likely to move to subscriptions?

Do you think that makes you more or less likely to ever to play mp civ?

[DrSpike]

If you leave I'd say its marginally less likely, since there would be one less old woman to nag me.

[Alexander's Horse]

the fact you've joined the civ mp user group is just a travesty