Since you all want to talk finances...

[LabattBlue]

I know you may drive out some people by charging $5(optional to contribute more) per year for posting privileges, but from what I've read here over the past couple of years, I have to believe that they would be in the minority. The only concern I would have is, I'm not sure how much extra time would be needed in order for you to manage a paid membership component.

[Like A Mofo]

I am very interested in providing $ via paypal to help with this site, as soon as the PayPal info becomes available Ill send some money

[Fezmid]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say that donations should be just that - donations. You don't get anything special for donating (except maybe your name on a donations page I guess). But I don't think it should be required.

 

Yes, the regulars who are here would glady pay and that's great. However, one of the things that make the site cool IMHO is when rival fans come and post during the game week. We all hate the trolls, but there are plenty of knowledgable fans who find the site and talk good football during the week, and then leave when the game's over. If you require money to post, you're going to kill that and that would be a shame.

 

I'm sure plenty of people would donate money just to keep the place going - I know I would - but making it a requirement to post seems a bit extreme IMHO.

 

CW

[Fan in Chicago]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say that donations should be just that - donations.  You don't get anything special for donating (except maybe your name on a donations page I guess).  But I don't think it should be required.

 

Yes, the regulars who are here would glady pay and that's great.  However, one of the things that make the site cool IMHO is when rival fans come and post during the game week.  We all hate the trolls, but there are plenty of knowledgable fans who find the site and talk good football during the week, and then leave when the game's over.  If you require money to post, you're going to kill that and that would be a shame.

 

I'm sure plenty of people would donate money just to keep the place going - I know I would - but making it a requirement to post seems a bit extreme IMHO.

 

CW

733[/snapback]

 

I agree completely !

I would also vote against ads on this site as I hate pop-ups, banners and in general commercialization of a true fan site.

[Steven in MD]

Scott...I want to add my two cents. Why not have a paypal button on the main page so people can contribute throughout the year.

 

It is time to move The Stadium Wall to a pay service. I figure @ $10 per person, with 500 active users we get to $5000.

 

You should take your wife and family out for a nice dinner each month from the money collected for the tremendous amount of grief you get from the wallers.

[Mr Info]

Well, if you only raised $1200 a couple years back, that mean only a handful of us donanted. Considering the amount of  users here each day, a yearly registration fee of $5-$10 should be NOTHING to the folks who spend more time here than with real people. A link should be provided for Paypal

 

I'd rather avoid the banners and junk which would cheapen the board. You shouldn't have to go that route. Nor should you have to worry about fundraisers at the opening tailgate. That should be a relaxing day when most people only get to see folks from here once a year.

 

Consider other cutbacks overall. Certain boards perhaps. Obviously, registration would now be required. This would also eliminate all the BS with folks using multiple handles for attack purposes. Would increse the quality of the board and bring a lot of people back who now just lurk, fearing attacks,abuse,nonsense.

 

The only people who would protest these ideas aren't worth keeping. They just wish to post for free and play their games with multiple handles, anonymous posts, etc.

 

I can only see positives. Watch the quality of this place soar.

 

Pin instructions to the top and start a 30-60 day " Reregistration " with a yearly fee of $5-10. I realize that probably digs at you, fearing people will leave in droves. The true supporters would NOT be offended.

 

I think you'd be pleasantly surprised at the response. There are more good hearted people here than you think.

483[/snapback]

 

I couldn't have said it better if I was on LSD and thought I was Cicero. The $5 should not elimate the quality posts of opposing fans fans who visit this board on occasion. There are some who are amusing/provide some good insight and post regularly. A $5 fee will not be cost prohibitive. But it will remove the one-time jerks. Free and open is cool, except when Scott or other admins have to screw around for hours/days on end when things f'up or when the site is unavailable. When one of us invents the next Google and can provide an unlimited supply of funds then we can go back to being free. My test for too much $ is when you throw out underwear instead of washing it and simply have new ones always available. It also stops people from combing through your trash.

[mead107]

donations ,lets do it and 10$per year .this is the best BILLS site around .get things started

[SDS]

I like the enthusiasm, but just to bring reality back into play - two years ago when we had our last fundraiser we had about 50 contributers total. (And I rechecked my figures and it was about $1500 donated - thank you very much!.)

 

So the average contribution was $30, but there were a handful of heavy hitters who paid almost half that total.

 

So while the 1000 x $5 is a nice concept, I do not expect in any way shape or form 1000 people to donate money. That is just reality.

[Mike in Syracuse]

Perhaps I'm in the minority but I think it's time for the Wallers to step up. When you look at the simple financial model you'll agree that TBD is worthy of a $20 investment. How many of you spend HOURS on the wall per week. Compare that to what you pay to see a two hour movie. Hell you'll spend at least $50 to $100 go to a Bills game that lasts what, 3 hours? You spend the whole year here!!

 

I would have no problem giving SDS $25 to cover operating costs. I'd do it becuause this site is worth it. I'm not saying that everyone needs to give $25 but perhaps we could develop a "sponsorship" program and different sponsors could be recognized at different levels. Let's face it folks, the reality of life is that some folks have more money than others. If you can give $50 and you think its worth it, then do so. You'll become a "platinum" sponsor. If you can give $25 then you become a "gold" sponsor. That's the way the real world works

 

I think SDS has gone WAY overboard personally to keep this up and running. I think it's time for us to step up and provide him the revenue he needs to provide a stable platform. Quite frankly, SDS having to support this site while his family eats macaroni & cheese and Ramen Pride noodles is stevestojan!

 

I don't really care how we get him the money we just need to do it.

[BillsNYC]

I'd agree with SDS....Theres a core of us that would be willing to chip in $20...but its unlikely we'd make enough.

 

What features on the Wall can we get rid of? Can we delete posts over a month old? Maybe get rid of some of the boards without much action?

[Mike in Syracuse]

$5 bucks a year is darn cheap to post on this board, I think that $20 a year would not be a problem for most people on this board...(e.g. voyeurr.com charges $20 a year to view the explict stuff)

 

I will be happy to contribute to a drive, I don't like using paypal and would rather send a check.  But if paypal is the way, I will be there.

 

EZ boards have a community chest set up so you can contribute all year round to help keep a board up.  One of their boards that I go on ask for contributions which you could do and have charged to a credit card.  I do not know if you could do this.

537[/snapback]

 

Your porn habit is becoming expensive!

[Zona]

Well, I live out of State and I would happily pay 5-10 dollars a year if it were required. I will also donate if it is needed.

 

On a side note. why dont we just start donating the money to SDS and the cause, and do what we can instead of just talking about it. He may not need it, but he would use it I bet.

 

So, SDS, where can i send you money VIA paypal? PM me with the details....or post them somewhere for us to start the donations....

[Art in PNS]

This site is a lifeline for me since I travel all the time. Have met some great people and converse with many others I have never met. Contributed the last time via paypal and will do so again. Maybe having a suggested fee for those dedicated wallers will eliminate the fear that you won't get new members. Recognizing that different people have different financial obligations and committments I think we should definitely be able to raise a significant Fund on the drive. Then add your nominal yearly fee for the Lifers on the wall.

 

Just tell me when and the donation will be there.

[BillsNYC]

I still think theres too much excess on the site...

[DCgirl]

I wonder how many people would be lost if $5 was charged. I would also be interested in the points of view of Blufin, DCM, Hollywood Donahoe and other opposing teams fans who post on this board.

 

I think tying the $5 to membership would definitely mean more than 50 people would contribute this time. But if it is decided that we should just keep things voluntary - that's fine with me as well. I am also willing to contribute more than $5 to keep the board running without advertisement banners.

[tatonka12]

Why dont we put the donation button up give a address to mail donations and see what we get over the next 2 weeks and take it from there.you could even put up some type of tally board (a darell talley board) so we can all see where we are and where our end goal is . just a thought

[DieHardFan]

I like the enthusiasm, but just to bring reality back into play - two years ago when we had our last fundraiser we had about 50 contributers total.  (And I rechecked my figures and it was about $1500 donated - thank you very much!.)

 

So the average contribution was $30, but there were a handful of heavy hitters who paid almost half that total. 

 

So while the 1000 x $5 is a nice concept, I do not expect in any way shape or form 1000 people to donate money. That is just reality.

875[/snapback]

 

Stop trying to count the number of angels on the head of the pin and just POST A PAYPAL LINK dammit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kegtapr]

Unfortunetly, life has become too busy for me to be the regular poster I once was. I would more then happily throw in $5 for a membership though. I like the idea of keeping the board free. While I don't think the core would be driven away by a required fee, we would lose the potential newbies that turn into valuable contributors as most people don't pay for a new car they can't test drive. I think the best solution would be to:

 

1. The board remains free for basic posting and reading.

2. A cheap subscription of $5 a year is charged for advanced features, including but not limited to, post counts, avatars, signatures, search functions, pm's, etc. (I'm not sure if this would cause an administrative nightmare though.)

3. Also include a donate feature so those who want to donate more have the option.

 

I think a combination of these along with other possible auctions and raffles would be able to provide the much needed funding.

 

Or, we could just ask Sam Adams to donate his lunch money for one day.

[mead107]

getter done stop talking lets do it

[DieHardFan]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say that donations should be just that - donations.  You don't get anything special for donating (except maybe your name on a donations page I guess).  But I don't think it should be required.

 

Yes, the regulars who are here would glady pay and that's great.  However, one of the things that make the site cool IMHO is when rival fans come and post during the game week.  We all hate the trolls, but there are plenty of knowledgable fans who find the site and talk good football during the week, and then leave when the game's over.  If you require money to post, you're going to kill that and that would be a shame.

 

I'm sure plenty of people would donate money just to keep the place going - I know I would - but making it a requirement to post seems a bit extreme IMHO.

 

CW

733[/snapback]

I agree incompletely. Eliminating guests cuts down on chickensh*t trolls. That should be done. Period.

 

As stated above let a non-paying member post 10-20 posts a month (or 5 a day) . This would:

 

1) Let legitimate info flow but would keep flamers from indiscriminately posting crap under a myraid of guest names.

 

2) Let you know who is an a-hole so you can use the new ignore feature.

 

3) Let non paying members be blocked during times of high usage to enable those who pay see what is going on and keep the board available vs having everyone unable to log in.