Ways to help Poly on the cost side

[TCO]

We've done a lot of chatting about how to generate more revenue for Poly. But revenue is just part of the equation for profit. Cost is the other variable. What could we do to reduce costs that would not impact revenue. I'll try to be real and not troll.

My first guess would be look for wasteful use of bandwidth. For instance the D and D rating system (hp and fp and all that) goes on in the background and contributes nothing to the user experience. Axe it and you get those costs back. What else?

[mrmitchell]

Possibly offering a "Bare bones" forum style that doesn't include all the things like "Show a printable version | Email this page to someone" etc. Just member names, posts, and quick reply. Because, man, I've NEVER used more than 2/3 of the links on this page right now.

[Spiffor]

The many graphics and text bbits that are hardly used by anyone:
- "Show a printable version" "Email this page to someone" are links I suppose of being nearly never used.

- The "rate thread" feature is fairly useless and takes up a few bytes too, everytime you read a page. Rating should only be used in forums where there are actual things to rate: stories, files...

- the smiley legend that is appearing everytime one posts a reply. A simple link towards the smiley legend would eat up much less bandwidth, and it'll be used about as often IMHO.

[Jaguar]

Amen to Spiffor on the smiley legend. I know all the ones on that are on the reply screen by heart.

[Dauphin]

Isn't the bandwidth cost more fixed than variable? Bandwidth saving measures are already in place to curb downloading during peak times.

I guess what I am asking is, is cost based on total aggregate download, or is it based on how long a bandwidth limit is exceeded plus a flatrate charge?

[mrmitchell]

For example: The "Forum Rules" that says You may post new threads, Contact Us link, the links to the sections, the "new thread" button in thread pages, the "Last thread" "Next thread" links, "Rate this thread", "top of page", "All times are gmt-6, The time now is xx:xx", I've never used any of those. They are all little things but when a thread is viewed 200 times that's little things * 200. That for every thread gets excessive kinda

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Spiffor
The many graphics and text bbits that are hardly used by anyone:
- "Show a printable version" "Email this page to someone" are links I suppose of being nearly never used.

Actually, I use the "Show Printable Version" all the time.

[Hueij]

Maybe we should change to branching threads?

[Maniac]

Or remove the Off-Topic forum?

[Brundlefly]

Originally posted by Maniac
Or remove the Off-Topic forum?

Well, not the whole forum but just keep spam to a minimum..

[germanos]

@ Feephi

[GhengisFarbâ„¢]

Originally posted by Maniac
Or remove the Off-Topic forum?

That could work.

[TCO]

Originally posted by Big Crunch
Isn't the bandwidth cost more fixed than variable? Bandwidth saving measures are already in place to curb downloading during peak times.

I guess what I am asking is, is cost based on total aggregate download, or is it based on how long a bandwidth limit is exceeded plus a flatrate charge?

In the end, everything is variable. Look at all the server moves.

But your post brings up an interesting point. Perhaps the contract structure could be optimized.

[Spiffor]

@ Feephi too ! How can you imagine the Off-Topic without Spam ?

[TCO]

The thing is you have to limit bandwith without limiting revenue. If you are getting payed per pageview, spam is actually BETTER than longposts.