[FAILED COUNTER THREAD]

[VLSroulette]

Okay guys, seeing as there is motivation, the paypal support button is up  .

Count starts at -$375 to clear the former debt and secure this month's payment.

I'm sure we can and will do it

This thread is here to lists the progress in realtime.

If you have an username, feel free to post after you support; if it is a fellow guest, I can post for him/her.

Let's see in how little time we can make it!

[Number Six]

I have a question: why does this forum cost so much to maintain? The software and all the add ins are free, right? Therefore it's only web hosting that is the overhead. Why does VLS need a dedicated server that costs upwards of $100 per month? I'm sure there are small businesses that generate much more web traffic than here and don't need a dedicated server. If that's not the case, why not just downgrade the forum? It's not cool or amazing that there are 100,000 posts and 3,500 members. The database is likely to be huge, but, sorry, most of it is codswallop. Of the 3,500 membership, how many actually post regularly or even sign in regularly? I'd say it's a lot less than 1,000, probably a few hundred. How many found the forum by accident, registered and have never been back? If this is truly about survival, then it's time to do whatever is necessary and I say downgrade. Make the database smaller and start culling inactive members.  However, Victor, if this is about you making money, which I'm not against, you should simply charge a mandatory yearly fee and make the forum private to reduce recurring traffic. People who refuse to pay should be removed.

[Tangram]

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[GogoCro]

I think this is for debt what vls have.
For future hosting we can choose new hosting operator.

Gogo

[VLSroulette]

Six, this is so NOT about me making money.

There is a real debt, the higest one being member from here who we owe the $150, our fellow moderator Shorty, who has been patient enough with us.

We are NEVER in profit.



We are into a dedicated because I never bought  into the "we'll deliver if the hosting neighbours aren't clogging the server", call me too "old skool" but I don't believe in resource sharing.

Also, when we were at micfo and other hosters with per lower plans the database presented corruption out of nowhere. It was a recurrent issue. Plus there were plenty of "Zombie" connections, all of those issues were mitigated the minute we rented the dedicated.

We have downgraded and upgraded several times in the past depending on support and if I find some currency or not. The best performance is *always* coming from a dedicated box (not surprisingly).

Okay, after this month we can move to a crappy host if wished, I can turn ownership to whoever, but while I'm the owner and admin I won't take us to the Rpro's roulette forum level. He could easily mock at me paying too much for hosting, but  when comparing the speed of him using the same forum engine than us, it was clear the difference in the level of service delivered. Some fellow members here who visited both forums at the time can testify how different it was here and at Rpro's in actual running speed.



This last shot is made in all kindness.

When the VLSforum.com engine is up and running, nobody will never have to worry about doubting me trying to make something out of this place.

How much can I make/mo from scamming you guys? Think about the MAXIMUM I can make with the level of support this forum has? Everyone who donated for last month please feel free to post how much was it.

It simply isn't worth.

[VLSroulette]

I think this is for debt what vls have.
For future hosting we can choose new hosting operator.

Gogo

Yes. This collect is for the debt, after that we can move to any other hoster.

[Number Six]

Victor,
I don't expect you could make a lot of money from a mainstream forum like this one, but if there was a yearly subscription I would pay and I wouldn't be bothered if any excess went to you. Obviously, in the long term, you would generate more from a subscribed membership than you would from ads and ad hoc requests for contributions. Surviving month to month is untenable. If there was a universal subscription programme you would gurantee the forum's operation on a yearly basis. I know you want the best solution for everyone, but there isn't going to be one. However, if you want rid of the forum for good then it's a different story and obviously selling it is the only option.

[Tangram]

I've donated a couple of times. Only $5, but it's better than a slap in the face with a wet fish. 

I know it doesn't help with the current debt, but IMO, you should seriously consider taking the subscription route. Even if it was 50 cents per month you should get enough to pay costs. People are more likely to take an active interest in something they have contributed to, it's just human nature.

[VLSroulette]

What I really want is this forum to continue its existence right and find a way to perpetuate without being in jeopardy.

Let's give a shot to December's collect goes.

[elmo]

I agree with Number 6 and Tangram about the membership idea. I think you will find most people would not mind contributing a yearly subscription and then it is done and dusted without having endless worry. It could bring a lot of benefits for members, I agree it could promote a lot more sharing and openess.
There are many resources here, ie... the download section full of material which would not come cheap to anybody on the open market.
Another factor is that people who just want to disrupt (and there have been a good few recently may well just decide not to bother if it is going to cost them as well)
It is worth considering Victor.

[WannaWin]

I agree.

People who come to the forum in bad faith to make disruption do not care or are interested in supporting.

[Gavioli]

Hello,

I just donated 5$, I hope im doing the right thing and this will not be double standard forum in the future, as it is now.

Cheers

[Gavioli]

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