BubbaKahuna wrote:
That's not to say if we find the need for the BIG ENCHILADA that we wouldn't buy the stand-alone version at some later date.
I just think we'd be safer sticking our toe in without any obligation before going straight up to the high dive platform.

Good point, I will be interested to see what kind of bandwidth there is being used, but we would also need to factor in that drag and drop pictures will lead to an increase in bandwidth, and then there is the whole running up to the 100gb file quota.

We will need to for sure make people at least register if they want to see pictures so we don't have bots coming in and grabbing pics. I also like the idea of a donation button for those who may want to kick something our way as a 1 time thing too.

Plus 1Nocolorbrother wrote:
$10.00-$20.00 per year membership! I'm in for sure!

Sounds good to me
BUT I am NO IT guy
I would like to hear from the
IT guys here!!!!!!

Just keep in mind that if we decide that the site can never generate revenue 'not used for operating expenses' than my employer is out, as would be any hosting he's offering.
This site has never been a cash cow but he's willing to invest time, money & resources into the site if it has the potential of a return.

I think it's pretty obvious that the site is going to remain either a free site or no site at all, that's one of Gram's 'conditions of use'.
Any revenue generated from the site to Rock River would be merchandise, ads & other things that would be decided once it's back up & running.
I'll still be involved but only in my off-time. My boss won't pay me to work on the site as a hobby.

BubbaKahuna wrote:
I think it's pretty obvious that the site is going to remain either a free site or no site at all, that's one of Gram's 'conditions of use'.


I read the same about Gram saying the content is to remain free. In my mind that discounts any subscription plans. But not fundraising efforts through drives or donations.

Something else to consider when it comes to financial matters is management. Someone has to pay the bills, collect ad revenue, access a bank account, PayPal, debit card, etc. So far that's been Gram. But going forward is it one person or a group? Any sort of official group organization with officers that can sign for stuff? How about a non-profit?

I don't know what it takes to put those things together, but I think it's something that needs to be considered.

I'm down for $10/20 to keep this place alive

Doc_V wrote:
First of all BubbaK.. THANKS SO MUCH for taking the initiative and time to do all this! It is GREATLY appreciated!!

The VBulletin cloud based system sounds perfect! I'm all for it!

And I too am more than glad to chip in $10-$20 a year to keep the sight going.

That said... I'm pretty strongly opposed to making this a pay to play site. Those of us who know what the RSC is, will gladly fork over, but it will *SEVERELY* limit new member signups.

And those of us who've been around a while, [hell Bubba,you've been here longer than I have], have seen many members come and go, some of us have even taken breaks, but it's the new members that keep the site alive in the long run. In order to survive long term the site needs to keep the new members coming!

Now from the sound of it, we should have no problem coming up with the transitional and first year operational funds. [In fact we might even have enough to pay for the first couple years.]

To that end I'd like to suggest is we keep it a free sight and take member donations, and ad revenue, to cover operating costs. We can even set up a fund that can *only* be used to pay for the annual hosting and maintenance. Maybe even see if we can get a discount for paying a couple years in advance?

What say you all?
I can agree where you're coming from. I bought my R* in June and the guy I bought it from (he flips bikes) told me about this place. If it weren't free I'm not sure if I would have bothered to come back after the first visit. But after some time and visiting some other Yamaha/R* sites I've come to find this place the best. So I'd gladly provide some $$ to keep it going.

Brad

I also want thank Bubba and all of the others in trying keep this good thing going.

I still think that a lot of tire kickers have visited this site. Then they found the face puke site. The face puke site is easy to post pics, Many have folks have bad attitudes, they have chosen to be there, and understand that. Nothing that they can do about it, they just have to put up with it. Yet, they cannot solve their problems there. They come here, join, get advice and problem solved. Then back to face puke.

If keeping membership access free in order to keep this site going, then keep the process as is. Tire kickers can read the posts. If they join, then they can post and can add a signature picture. But if you become a dues paying member, you would get Private Messenging, post in the for sale section and be able to post pictures.

The biggest pain about this site is the posting of pictures and videos.
I would also have a section for member journals, so they can post about their riding experiences. Having member experiences would give others a heads up about what to expect about a particular area.

Once the New launch occurs, those that do post on face puke, they should post there about the New site and the upgrades that have been done.

I like having a site where attitudes are checked at the door, and if you get out of hand, you are gone!

As I mentioned earlier, I would pay a yearly subscription of at least $20.00 per year. Remember, nothing is really free.

I’m in.

BubbaKahuna wrote:

I think it's pretty obvious that the site is going to remain either a free site or no site at all, that's one of Gram's 'conditions of use'.
If Grams not wanting to keep this one open and we start a new one it doesn't matter what Gram thinks, as long as we use a different name he has no say so in the forum operations. I mean it's already clear that he doesn't care about what happens to the place.