+- Devialet Chat (https://devialetchat.com)
+-- Forum: Devialet Chat (https://devialetchat.com/Forum-Devialet-Chat)
+--- Forum: Information, Rules & FAQ (https://devialetchat.com/Forum-Information-Rules-FAQ)
+--- Thread: How is the forum funded? (/Thread-How-is-the-forum-funded)
RE: How is the forum funded? - IanG-UK - 29-Apr-2016
HiFi Wigwam has a voluntary membership with an annual subscription of £10, albeit their membership base is far bigger. I suspect it has between 5 and 10 times the membership of DevialetChat - impossible to tell as access to the membership list has been disabled. And also impossible to tell what percentage of members actually contribute.
Given that the baseline costs will be similar (HFW, DC) but the volume costs proportionately equivalent (or maybe a touch higher in DC given the smaller membership) it seems to me that an indicative voluntary subscription for DC (where I'd guess a greater proportion of members will contribute) needs to be higher than the £10 of HiFi Wigwam so I shall kick off with £20.
RE: How is the forum funded? - Manoet - 29-Apr-2016
(29-Apr-2016, 16:22)Martyn Wrote: At the top of the screen you should now see a button to make a PayPal donation. As I said before any funds donated will be put back into the maintenance of the site and improvements.
Thank you,
Martyn
Would be nice/convenient if donation currency were specific to the country of origination rather than country of destination. Or at least 'multiple choice' rather than "only" BPS.
RE: How is the forum funded? - Martyn - 29-Apr-2016
(29-Apr-2016, 16:56)Manoet Wrote:(29-Apr-2016, 16:22)Martyn Wrote: At the top of the screen you should now see a button to make a PayPal donation. As I said before any funds donated will be put back into the maintenance of the site and improvements.
Thank you,
Martyn
Would be nice/convenient if donation currency were specific to the country of origination rather than country of destination. Or at least 'multiple choice' rather than "only" BPS.
Will look into that asap
RE: How is the forum funded? - Silvertouran - 29-Apr-2016
Just stuck a Tenner in. Great site. :-)
RE: How is the forum funded? - Hifi_swlon - 29-Apr-2016
It's a great idea to have the Donate button.
I got reference '1' so if it's because I was the first, I'm honoured.
I would say (prepare for the backlash
) that perhaps once people get used to the idea, it might be made a bit less prominent - for example maybe once you're inside a thread it could go?(OK, so not the first, but…..)
RE: How is the forum funded? - Confused - 29-Apr-2016
OK - I have to ask.... I have absolutely no idea how much it costs to run and host a site like this, not a clue. Don't get me wrong, I am sure that there are many costs involved. Like the OP, I too had wondered about this and had mentioned in previous posts about the lack of banner advertising and similar. As well as the tangible costs of hardware, hosting and whatever else, there is the cost of time and man-hours. This is a particularly tricky one. How much is done for love ? How much time spent on here for 'moderation' could be classed as work or fun. Notwithstanding this, it is clear that a site like this cannot appear from nowhere and run itself, I am sure that there is considerable hassle, pain and frustration involved. (this is my experience of anything that involves a PC, software, IT kit or similar) This is truly work per the dictionary sense or the word. But having said all that, I still haven't got a clue how all this lot would total up. Looking at this the other way around, lets say a guidance figure for donation was provided, who can tell how many would stump up, pay less, pay more, or pay nothing. Plus, although the 2000 members figure has been surpassed, there is for sure a far lower number of truly active members. So I reckon that even if a guide 'donation' figure was provided, it would be very difficult to estimate the actual revenue this would develop. I liked IanG's logic re pricing on the 'Wam, but I don't think we can be sure this stacks up, as Ian mentions, membership is probably a lot higher on the 'Wam, maybe a LOT higher? Plus the 'Wam appears to be in a permanent state of chaos recently, so I am not sure if it is a good guide to anything to be honest.
Anyway, to be clear, I am more than happy to throw in a chunk of my hard earned cash! But I do think a bit of guidance would be helpful. Only time will then tell if the actual sums pledged add up to what was expected. In time, if our esteemed leaders come back and advise that the cash is too much or too little, such feedback I think would be trusted and respected.
It's a vulgar thing money is it not?
RE: How is the forum funded? - GuillaumeB - 29-Apr-2016
(29-Apr-2016, 18:56)Confused Wrote: OK - I have to ask.... I have absolutely no idea how much it costs to run and host a site like this, not a clue. Don't get me wrong, I am sure that there are many costs involved. Like the OP, I too had wondered about this and had mentioned in previous posts about the lack of banner advertising and similar. As well as the tangible costs of hardware, hosting and whatever else, there is the cost of time and man-hours. This is a particularly tricky one. How much is done for love ? How much time spent on here for 'moderation' could be classed as work or fun. Notwithstanding this, it is clear that a site like this cannot appear from nowhere and run itself, I am sure that there is considerable hassle, pain and frustration involved. (this is my experience of anything that involves a PC, software, IT kit or similar) This is truly work per the dictionary sense or the word. But having said all that, I still haven't got a clue how all this lot would total up. Looking at this the other way around, lets say a guidance figure for donation was provided, who can tell how many would stump up, pay less, pay more, or pay nothing. Plus, although the 2000 members figure has been surpassed, there is for sure a far lower number of truly active members. So I reckon that even if a guide 'donation' figure was provided, it would be very difficult to estimate the actual revenue this would develop. I liked IanG's logic re pricing on the 'Wam, but I don't think we can be sure this stacks up, as Ian mentions, membership is probably a lot higher on the 'Wam, maybe a LOT higher? Plus the 'Wam appears to be in a permanent state of chaos recently, so I am not sure if it is a good guide to anything to be honest.
Anyway, to be clear, I am more than happy to throw in a chunk of my hard earned cash! But I do think a bit of guidance would be helpful. Only time will then tell if the actual sums pledged add up to what was expected. In time, if our esteemed leaders come back and advise that the cash is too much or too little, such feedback I think would be trusted and respected.
It's a vulgar thing money is it not?
No you are absolutely right to ask! The hosting itself is a hundred quid or so. Peanuts actually. The logo cost me £300, and that was at 50% off (designer provides services to my wife's business); I wanted something professional looking so it seemed a no-brainer. Moving forward it would be great to develop the site, create more content, update designs, all this costs time and money. I think we are all in agreement that we don't want banner advertising and sponsorship which might compromise our integrity and independence. Any surplus dosh could be put towards an event of some description, I have a few ideas there...
Guillaume
RE: How is the forum funded? - Confused - 30-Apr-2016
Just tied tried the donate system, it worked like a charm, quick and hassle free!
I must admit I was surprised by the numbers in Guillaume's post above, I was expecting something far higher! Although, in my mind this simply serves to reinforces a positive view of the honesty and transparency of all involved.
It's also worth noting that Guillaume made no mention of the time, effort, and hassle involved in setting everything up and keeping it running smoothly. In my experience IT related hassle follows some kind of rule where the problem itself must occure with the most inconvenient possible timing. So I am sure there is much pain and frustration from time to time. I have also noticed that whenever some kind of issue does occur, Rufus, Martyn or Guillaume seem to come back with a solution in no time at all. They are certainly a lot slicker than Virgin Media in this respect! (Yes, yes, this comes from very recent experience)
Keep up the good work!
RE: How is the forum funded? - Eddye - 30-Apr-2016
I've a question: I'm not a paypal user, so I'll opt to use a card, but is there a note field where I can enter my forum username, so you'll see it's a donation for the forum?
RE: How is the forum funded? - GuillaumeB - 30-Apr-2016
(30-Apr-2016, 08:39)Eddye Wrote: I've a question: I'm not a paypal user, so I'll opt to use a card, but is there a note field where I can enter my forum username, so you'll see it's a donation for the forum?
Hi Eddye, no problems I receive email notifications. I believe it still goes through the PayPal system even if you select cc.
Cheers
Guillaume