[TrekRPGNet] Your input requested

Like so many of the long-time supporters of this site, I would be sad to see it go. I, for one, would gladly pony up funds to support it if that's what you think is necessary to keep it going.

On the other hand, I have to agree that Star Trek as a whole has lost it's steam over the past several years, reaching an all time low with the launch of Enterprise. Given the lack of support on the part of Decipher, and given the waning influence Trek seems to be having in general, perhaps the time is ripe to shut the site down and let it go once and for all.

Sure, I would be sad, particularly given the stuff I've learned and the friends I've made here. The fact, however, is that there is little point in continuing if "the love is gone." I wish I'd known that maintaining this site was so expensive, Don. I'd certainly have tossed some $$$ your way to keep it going long before now.

In any case, I am supportive of whatever decision you finally make. I hope to continue seeing everyone here every now and again, but if Trek-RPG does fold, I know that there are other places to get together and chat, share ideas, and talk Trek.

Best of luck, Don. Let me know if I can do anything to help.

mactavish out.

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Originally posted by Tobian
Don, what exactly have you heard or not with regards to your previous deal with Decipher.

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I'm trying, but their silence has been deafening.

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2. What sort of perks would be offered? I know it's way too early for definitive statements of this kind to be made, but perhaps we can start batting some suggestions back and forth.

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Here's what I've thought of:
* Unrestricted forum searching (that'd be the one feature pulled back from non-paying members)
* Custom forum title
* Possibly avatar use
* Ability to disable advertising (forum and site)
* Access to content 30-60 days before the general public

Cost? $12-$24 USD a year? ($1 to $2 USD a month)

Advertising would be free out the gate -- I have to build our usage and return back to steady traffic numbers before charging. In any event, advertising would be pretty cheap and likely be based on ad size/location, not number of impressions. Advertising would have to be site-oriented (no Viagra ads, for example). Sites like Memory Icon would receive ads free in perpetuity.

Those are my initial thoughts.

Just make sure us foreigners can also pay.

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Originally posted by Don Mappin
I'm trying, but their silence has been deafening.Here's what I've thought of:
* Unrestricted forum searching (that'd be the one feature pulled back from non-paying members)
* Custom forum title
* Possibly avatar use
* Ability to disable advertising (forum and site)
* Access to content 30-60 days before the general public

Cost? $12-$24 USD a year? ($1 to $2 USD a month)

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Sounds good. One other option would be to limit attachments to posts to members, but I don't know if you have a bandwidth problem or not. If not, this option may not matter.

Maybe a members-only forum? I have no idea what members would discuss, but I'm tossing out ideas. :)

As with others, I would hate to lose TrekRPGnet. In the end it's your choise. The $12-24 annual cost is really easy to deal with and if that's what you go with I'll support you, 100%.

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Originally posted by JonA
Just make sure us foreigners can also pay.

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No problem with PayPal. You no longer need a credit card, now you can transfer money from any bank account to your PayPal account.

PayPal An eBay Company :D

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Originally posted by JonA
Just make sure us foreigners can also pay.

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Well, anyone who watches Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister I'll make sure to include in some fashion. :)

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Sounds good. One other option would be to limit attachments to posts to members, but I don't know if you have a bandwidth problem or not. If not, this option may not matter.

Maybe a members-only forum? I have no idea what members would discuss, but I'm tossing out ideas.

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Bandwidth isn't a problem. I have loads of it available. (400GB a month)

I thought of a Members-only forum but I don't want to foster an us-versus-them mentality. I would like membership to have cool perks but also not penalize people who are unable pay, fostering an air of exclusivity. There's enough of that already in this industry.

I'd be willing to pay $12-24 a year.

$12 - $24/year sounds reasonable to me. I would like to see the content sharing areas re-opened, if that's not too expensive. OTOH, content can be shared right on the forums.

If Ergi explains to me how PayPal works, I'll be in it with my
12-24 $.

:)

(Homer Simpson voice) Twelve to twenty-four dollars per year, eh?

The price is right, Bob! Don! I mean Don! The advertisments ideas sound definitely livable as well. Although if you want to leave out the Viagra ads...well, that's your choice, I guess...:)

Again, gotta zip out, but I will return with some coherent ideas later tonight.

Well I thought as much with regards to Decipher ! :)

I think those ideas sound like a good idea Don - alow those who can afford it / want to to pay and don't penalise those who don't or lurkers :) That was me untill fairly recently - People use this site as a resource, but they will only come if they can see what's on it!

Personally what I think would be a good idea to do with the site would be to build it all as a CMS system - perhaps using PHPNUKE (a freind recently reccomended it to me as being easy - I'm going to investigate it once I've got off the 3D bug again - building a space station :D)... Why I suggest this, is because it would allow for a good deal of flexibility of architecture - and more importantly allow you to have WYSIWIG additions for the site.. This opens things up allot for non HTML savy contributors, allowing people to update their own material (Netbooks etc) and add a string of articles.

Ok I've probably made a self obvious statement there, but the point is you need the ability to let others help you maintain the site, and that's the easiest way to do that. That takes some of the pressure off you (outside of setting it up in the first place!) - and even adds the posibility of users customising their own interface (perhaps a way you can add features for registered users to the website!)

Just a thought...

I've PMed you Cut.

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Originally posted by Don Mappin
* Unrestricted forum searching (that'd be the one feature pulled back from non-paying members)

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Are you sure that's a good idea? This might lead to a lot of people asking question we already answered several times, something I find pretty tiresome.

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Originally posted by Don Mappin
I'm trying, but their silence has been deafening.Here's what I've thought of:
* Unrestricted forum searching (that'd be the one feature pulled back from non-paying members)
* Custom forum title
* Possibly avatar use
* Ability to disable advertising (forum and site)
* Access to content 30-60 days before the general public

Cost? $12-$24 USD a year? ($1 to $2 USD a month)

Advertising would be free out the gate -- I have to build our usage and return back to steady traffic numbers before charging. In any event, advertising would be pretty cheap and likely be based on ad size/location, not number of impressions. Advertising would have to be site-oriented (no Viagra ads, for example). Sites like Memory Icon would receive ads free in perpetuity.

Those are my initial thoughts.

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Why not put an advertising banner on top of the pages to cover expenses? I can tolerate the ads :D

I'd pay $25 a year.

Charles