Ad-Free Apolyton: THE POLL

[Zopperoni]

Originally posted by DanQ
For the moment, the "other goodies" would most likely consist of (at least to start):

(1) Increased Private Messaging space (send/received messeages);
(2a) Increased avatar size; and
(2b) The ability to have a custom avatar regardless of post count if desired.

Fair enough. These changes are not too visible, so it wouldn't result in too much differentiation.

What I want to suggest as a "goodie" is an "@apolyton.net" email forward.

Originally posted by MarkG
i'm not sure how a fair number can be given about this. we've got users browsing one page of apolyton per month and users who browse 10000 pages

I know it's tough, but you don't want to fall short either of non-subscribers.
You could always calculate an average (pageviews/impressions per user) for one month or one quarter and then see what comes out.


Another suggestion: it could also be interesting to have an "intermediate account"; this would be a cheaper subscription that would only have one banner at the top.
Price would be something like 30-50% of the normal subscription price.

[alva]

However, since IMO it will mainly be taken up as a contribution to the site I suggest it is set at around $30 per year in order to attract as many contributors as possible.

That is after all how this got started in the first place..

[dainbramage20]

stupid idea that will destroy the site

Just make a 3rd party spyware contract or something. I think everyone understands that nothing is for free anymore.

[DrSpike]

On behalf of everyone in this thread I pass on this message.

[DeepO]

I'll gladly pay a moderate contribution, and don't really care if that removes the ads and popups. I've become so used to them I don't notice them anyway.

But in return, I do expect better service. The past months apolyton down time was not that bad, but I remember other months where getting into Apolyton was a job in itself. I'll gladly pay for a better server / larger bandwidth so that situations like last summer are something of the past. And if you want to give me a large avatar, fine... I'll probably won't use it though

DeepO

[Jamski]

I'd happily pay whatever the cost of the adverts for one user is.

If my reading adverts would make $20 in a year for 'poly, then I'll pay $20 not to see them.

Then I'd pay a bit extra too, because 'poly deserves it. If it means faster service and more "extras" then that would be nice. But really, the aim is to remove advertising, isn't it?

I don't have a CC, but can I post Euro bank-notes to Marko in Greece?

-Jam

[Skanky Burns]

Originally posted by DrSpike
Ok that's much too long a post for A/C, can I have +2?

I see you awarded yourself this anyway.

Originally posted by Jamski I don't have a CC, but can I post Euro bank-notes to Marko in Greece?

In a word, no. Imagine Markos having to sort through each of the 1000 members who want to send their contribution through the mail. On top of all the work he puts into the site.

[MarkG]

Originally posted by Zopperoni
Fair enough. These changes are not too visible, so it wouldn't result in too much differentiation.

well if we want to do visible stuff, other sites have given some sort of "amazing supporter of our site" badges under the username of a subscriber

What I want to suggest as a "goodie" is an "@apolyton.net" email forward.

it's a possibility but cant be easily automated. perhaps for the future

[MarkG]

Originally posted by DeepO
But in return, I do expect better service. The past months apolyton down time was not that bad, but I remember other months where getting into Apolyton was a job in itself.

last summer was difficult due to my complete lack of internet access for vast periods of time. that's behind us now, and with the new forums search system i believe things will be more stable(specific queries and searches with the old system where were killing the server at random times)

I'll gladly pay for a better server / larger bandwidth so that situations like last summer are something of the past.

it goes without saying that at a better financial position we'll be able to respond faster to server needs (instead of implementing in-case-of-high-load service-disabling features)

[PLATO]

Originally posted by MarkG
it goes without saying that at a better financial position we'll be able to respond faster to server needs (instead of implementing in-case-of-high-load service-disabling features)

I think that the financial health of this site is in everyone's interest. If a subscription model puts it in better shape to improve the site for everyone then why would anyone have a problem with it (considering that it is optional)?

I don't know what the start up costs would be, but have you determined the minimum number of "takers" it would need to implement this Mark? As of this moment the poll is showing 51 yes answers of one form or another. At $30 each that alone comes to $1530. Not sure what figure your looking for to make this viable.

[PLATO]

Just found this image using the new search feature.

[Spiffor]

I think 30 €$ a year would probably be the "right price", as a consumer. Now, it would be interesting to know how much money 'Poly needs on a yearly basis, to know if such a price would be enough to pay for it.

BTW, I hope this system will provide a steady amount of money and excesses, so that Markos and Dan get rewarded for their hard work, and so that we can also have a better bandwidth

[mrmitchell]

+No ads
+OT posts give +1
+Custom Titles
+One get out of Mingapulco free card (for anything but major offenses)
+One risk-free DL
+Possibly removing the swear filter for Apolyton Plus members (This one might be a bit more iffy though)

Monkspider I'm disappointed in you. Even though you portray yourself to be a true Communist, you want to be able to buy huge amounts of privaleges! You are nothing more than the lowest dirtiest capitalist pig!

---

Please, Mark+Dan, just keep it as it's already been described. No ads. Nothing else. Most everyone except for our "Communist" friend here have said that will be more than enough to help Apolyton anyway.

[Sava]

probably not because I'm a cheap bastard... ads are fine if it keeps the site free.

[Paddy]

Thanks for a great site.

I am happy to pay to play... a subscription to Apolyton is a good thing. This can only helps to keep this site at the frontier.

And I am impressed that you will keep it available for free. I have many friends that lurk through here, yet are at college and have little to no money for such luxuries... the tax on beer is bad enough

I get the feeling that there would be no pressure placed on people to have to pay. This is good as well.

There are many people using these forums that would pay in a heart beat. You provide a good, clean place to share opinions and games.

So, yes I am willing to pay to play.

How much do you want, and where do we send it to.