I am offering to purchase the site on behalf of the community here, but want to know if there is any support for the site continuing and for me to front the purchase even though I am a unknown dispite lurking here since 2002.
So vote!
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I am offering to purchase the site on behalf of the community here, but want to know if there is any support for the site continuing and for me to front the purchase even though I am a unknown dispite lurking here since 2002.
So vote!
I am look for about 100 votes in favor so I can move forward. The general plan is that I will purchase the site on behalf of the community then organize the community to run the site with me only in an administrative position. A longer plan is at the Ferengi Blue Room.
Proposal to Save Trek-rpg.net.
I'm not sure that we have 100 regulars here to get those votes, but I think the first option is the ideal solution. Not sure if we'll get that or not, but I'm willing to donate to the cause.
yeah you're not going to get 100 people to vote - there just aren;t that many regulars :(
How many regulars do you think site has? The most on the site stat I think shows 60+ at one time.Quote:
Originally posted by Ineti
I'm not sure that we have 100 regulars here to get those votes, but I think the first option is the ideal solution. Not sure if we'll get that or not, but I'm willing to donate to the cause.
I am going contact various members starting with moderators then moving onto high posters of the site to get people to vote. If you would help that would be great (or any one else).
I'd be for purchasing the site as a whole, only if costs are not prohibitive. We could move the boards to phpbb, saving a vBulletin license, which amounts to a lot...
I say don't bother. TrekRPG was Don's site.
Much of the old content from the main site is now up on Memory: ICON, and new discussion boards are already in place.
Time to let it go. Respect Don's decision and move on.
A vBulletin (an outright not a year to year) license for 1 domain is $160. If we buy Don's license which is not the current version, he could discount it. See the above linked post at the Ferengi Blue Room.Quote:
Originally posted by KillerWhale
I'd be for purchasing the site as a whole, only if costs are not prohibitive. We could move the boards to phpbb, saving a vBulletin license, which amounts to a lot...
There are two details not accounted there: the users that sometimes come (and leave for a good while), and the unedited content submitted to the website.Quote:
Originally posted by Owen E Oulton
I say don't bother. TrekRPG was Don's site.
Much of the old content from the main site is now up on Memory: ICON, and new discussion boards are already in place.
Time to let it go. Respect Don's decision and move on.
While we could save much from Don's work, we wouldn't be able to save the true spirit and all the effort made by him. Much would be lost, even when much has been rescued.
It may even be the case that, in a time, the website, if acquired, loses the name 'TrekRPG.net', but at least the community and the material is fully preserved.
At least, that's why I'd say 'Buy it fully' and the reasons for my vote.
It's more than just about the forum. We could rebuild the forum sing PHBB and using Matt's knowledge, etc, but keeping the actual domain name is a good idea, simply because it's a well respected fora, and it's the name that counts.
It also takes pressure of Matt's funds because he can't host everything, he's just a mere mortal with a decent, but not extraordinary bandwidth.
it was something that Don wanted was to get the website back up and running too, and to have a full Trek RPG website and forum would be fantastic.
What Tobian said. :)
I've recieved a few inquires thus far regarding the site. Just for ease of use, here's the blanket response I've been giving to set the ground rules of what is for sale:
If you want to talk site specifics of what it takes to run, just ask; I'm happy to help.Quote:
At this time I am still in the process of defining and soliciting offers from individuals. I see two specific assets that are available:
1. Domains: This primarily the trek-rpg.net domain and subsets (lotr-rpg.net, trekrpgs.net, etc). These are recognizable assets that have a small degree of branding to them plus existing links across the web. The domains represent a built-in user component that would drive visitors to whatever new site exists.
2. Message boards: This contains two components, the lifetime vBulletin license and software (2.3.2), valued at $160 (http://www.vbulletin.com) and the boards themselves. This includes 2,000+ member records, unique e-mail addresses, demographic information, and of course, 133,000+ posts. This also includes the vBulletin custom template and graphics that I created for the forum.
I'm entertaining offers for both.
Yes, you could convert the DB to another PHP app but I wouldn't personally bother. Conversion is a pain in the ass and not worth it. Plus I'm including the lifetime vBulletin license; you might as well use it. (You can continue to use 2.3.2 or upgrade to v3.x if you'd like.)
I use PHP 4.2.x and MySQL 4.x, both of which are free. The bulk of the costs come from the server itself. Someone already pointed out that I lease through EV1servers.net. Based on what I had planned for the site (not just the message boards) I would recommend a leased (dedicated) server. Back in the day our bandwidth pushed 200 GB a month with downloads. Dynamic pages are difficult to cache; that number would go up.
Domains are entirely optional. There are plenty of links out there on the web that point here. Purchasing the domain ensures you don't miss that traffic. (Point of order, it ALSO prevents someone else from STEALING the domain [Decipher?] and the traffic.)
There are prices that I have in mind. No, I don't intend to recoup my expenses from 1998. :) I just want to put down a base price to set a commitment level. If I gave away the DB who knows what would happen to it. Tying a dollar figure to all this helps set a level of dedication.
Trust me, you need to be dedicated to do this. :D
E-mail me for specifics or with offers.
You're not buying the license; you're buying the DB and the software. The license lets you run the site (any site) for as long as you want. vBulletin sells the license separately from the software.Quote:
Originally posted by spshu
A vBulletin (an outright not a year to year) license for 1 domain is $160. If we buy Don's license which is not the current version, he could discount it. See the about linked post at the Ferengi Blue Room.
So there is no such thing as a "current version" of a vBulletin license; they're all the same.
I like the idea of keeping the domain to keep it out of the hands of a comercial interest, and keep it for the fans. More than anything that's a good consideration!
Ah, a lifetime license, this changes things a LOT. Much more interesting IMHO :)
However, there is something I'd like to make sure of, and please do not take this the wrong way, this is the last thing I want, like everybody here I thank you for all your hard work (and you are NOT letting us down; you carried us much further than most would have). It's just that the idea of "selling" the DB, which is a joint effort to say the least, and includes personal information for most of us, just seems... odd to me. I'm probably just nitpicking, but I'm incomfortable with the idea that my info, posts, contributions and all would be... sold. I'd prefer to know that the DB would be freely offered to the guy wanting to carry on the flame, as a bonus with all the rest that truly carries commercial value (licenses, domain names et al), for the same price - it's just a question of principle.
I know, I'm nitpicking and I'm probably being utterly ridiculous here, but as when it comes to money it's my opinion that things are best when perfectly clear, I preferred to voice my concern - and that does NOT belittle the awesome work you did nor is meant as a personal slight.
:)
We could have close to 100 regulars. . .87 persons have already signed on at the FBR.
I would hate to see TrekRPGNet become one of those dead sights that eventually become a porn page! I have seen too many Trek pages do so during these last two or three years. :mad:
There are too many good things floating around these boards to be lost! Just today I pulled some things from a post from last year that I will be working on over the weekend. I find previous posts just as useful as the current stuff. . .we can't lose those.
I too agree with everybody here who want to preserve the site and its contents. There are just so many interesting topics out there, too many interesting discussions, that I don't want to see it disappear, even though some general information can be kept somewhere else. I'm ready to contribute financially to such endeavour.
Count me in. As I have stated in my posts im very much into the idea of saving these boards as they are, because of the afore mentioned reasons and the simple truth that this feels like home. Ok, getting emotional again. :)
My knowledge of computer stuff is very limited as is my financial budget but I'd definately be willing to give my share in an effort to safe this remarkable place.
I voted for the first option.
Okay,
Well, after reading all the above posts, i'd like to chip in if i may.
The name (Trek-rpg) is recognised by loads of people as 'The' star trek site, i've got friends who know i post here who still ask me when it's going to be back up. I would 'HATE' to see the site get commercialised by anyone, especially decipher, it would ruin a good name & reputation. I know the info is mostly over at Memory Icon (Thanks Owen) and it's great that it's there.
I'd also hate to see all the material here just vanish. I regularly browse past posts to find useful stuff, one foray netted the Ghosts of the Past adventure which i ran recently. My group loved it.
There's also a community here i'd hate to loose, where's Sarge gonna posts his Afghan journals for us to read, & all of us expectant Spacedock nutters are gonna have to annoy Steve another way now! :)
I've voted for outright purchase of everything, if only to save the site from people like decipher. If at the end of the day it means a submission fee, (as Don discussed in an earlier thread) where's the problem. I enjoy this forum. It's a hobby. And i'd like to help keep it going.
Cheers all.
Sundowner :cool:
It's a meaningful asset and, hence, available for sale.Quote:
Originally posted by KillerWhale
It's just that the idea of "selling" the DB, which is a joint effort to say the least, and includes personal information for most of us, just seems... odd to me.
That's also why I'm exercising due-dilligence and entertaining offers; I'm not going to just give away that kind of personal information. (Which is what you're advocating.) That's dangerous.
I find a couple things a little amusing:
1. As soon as I made the announcement the site was closing the users rallied to create a "new" home, yet everyone seemed to miss the bit in my announcement about selling the site. In essence, everyone "abandoned ship."
2. I believe, over the years, that I've proven myself to be a reasonable person. I don't want to kill the site and stated as much. Thus it stands to reason that the barrier to purchasing the domains/DB is probably not that great; I wouldn't want to price the site beyond anyone's ability. (As an aside, that also does me no good as then I delete the site AND recoup no money.)
3. No one's asked me what it would take to transfer the site and keep it running. Interesting.
Just some idle thoughts. A lot of energy of out there.
See, I had thought this thread was started by someone who had done just that? At least thats the impression I got?
Now I am confused.
And wish I had both ability and funds to make you the offer.
No one has emailed or contacted you yet? I am quite surprised?!
I know I haven't but then I also know I don't have that sort of cash lying around to make the deal myself!
I don't think that the whole deal of 'you can buy the site off me' was lost on anyone it was just people decided to make sure we had a home just in case.. In the point of Matt, he has the ability and no funds.. hence he built us a new forum... it all happened within hours.. it's only later that people have forged plans.. apparently not many though :D
Only one inquiry that I would consider serious.Quote:
Originally posted by Tobian
No one has emailed or contacted you yet? I am quite surprised?!
It's not all that big of a deal. Sure, it'll hurt to blow the whole thing away but if that's the way it goes, that's the way it goes. Maybe it's for the best to start anew?
I think losing the bulk of the posts and the userbase + domain will be a pretty big hurdle to overcome.
I mostly just popped into this thread to set any misconceptions to rest. (Like the vBulletin license issue, etc)
Good, then I DID understand you well, Don. I'm glad I read exactly what you meant.
I must be dense because I'm not really understanding this comment. Transfer the site to where? To someone else's domain/board system?Quote:
Originally posted by Don Mappin
3. No one's asked me what it would take to transfer the site and keep it running. Interesting.
I get it - money helps skimming frauds. In this case that's okay with me. I was just advocating "bundle the DB with the rest but offer it for free", so costs would have remained the same, but that's kind of a pointless point :)Quote:
That's also why I'm exercising due-dilligence and entertaining offers; I'm not going to just give away that kind of personal information. (Which is what you're advocating.) That's dangerous.
Because of the time and money required for maintaining a site, and since in the first place the shutdown date was not clear, I think people mostly panicked and tried to build a new home ASAP so that the community might not be lost.Quote:
1. As soon as I made the announcement the site was closing the users rallied to create a "new" home, yet everyone seemed to miss the bit in my announcement about selling the site. In essence, everyone "abandoned ship."
You mean, like keeping everything on the same server and not physically move anything? (that is, just changing the names on the bills?)Quote:
3. No one's asked me what it would take to transfer the site and keep it running. Interesting.
I want to make an offer but want to see support for the site. Secondly, I have been lurking here since the domain name change and have not registered until recently. I wish to gain support from the community before making an offer to Don Mappin. This is part of the reason for this poll; the other is to make sure the community is on board with continuing consider when they start making plans moving other sites. It would be hard for Don Mappin considering the personal information to just to hand it over to an unknown. Considering all I know is html and have some I deals. It looks like ltcmdrMatt will be on the technical aspects. (I am contacting him now to confirm this.)Quote:
Originally posted by Dan Gurden
See, I had thought this thread was started by someone who had done just that? At least thats the impression I got?
Now I am confused.
And wish I had both ability and funds to make you the offer.
Part of the reason for not registering and posting is the fact, I have been working on Ideas about the site. As I mention in the Ferengi Blue Room thread I was to post them there but have been working on budget, evaluating what bid and on questions to ask Don. Hopefully the idea of moving Don Mappin's vision forward with some additional ideas with support of some members that have the necessary ability.
What additional ideas are you offering?
REG, it's here
http://ltcmdrmatt.com/fbr/forum/viewtopic.php?t=76
:)
I'm not sure you're going to get many more votes, and the deadline is closing - deadline = dead website ! So I think if you're going to act it better be soon!
I don't have the time or knowledge to take over, but I've got wads of flight pay and combat pay looking for a home, so I'll offer financial support to anybody who wants to run the site.
Lack of money and knowledge have been preventing me from voting, but if we need the 100 votes I'll add mine.
Don, not all of us were jumping ship...simply having a back-up plan...just in case. Sorry if any of that offended you.
Phoenix...
I vote for saving the site too. & Ditto what Phoenix Said
There is just so much archived here I still use for when I run LUGtrek. I know most of it is mirrored at Memory Alpha, but the way everything is organized here is just so much easier for me. So yeah, I'd be in favor of someone picking it up. Wish I could, but I'm still trying to pull my life together after a series of downfalls for the past year.
:confused: Ditto from me.Quote:
Originally posted by Ineti
I must be dense because I'm not really understanding this comment. Transfer the site to where? To someone else's domain/board system?
And, also, what Phoenix said with some addendum.
You're a great guy, Don, I've had a hell of a good time hanging out here in the past, talking to everyone. Trading barbs, trading opinions. I still don't know quite what to say to you, so I've postponed one of those farewell speeches till I can find the words. Words have always been hard for this poor Aspergers sufferer to find.
No harm was intended. Sorry.
Jeff
In the mean time we have set up a backup home from home here ->
http://ltcmdrmatt.com/fbr/forum/index.php
While we are looking to save this place, we aren't going to put all our eggs in one basket ! :D
Just purchase the domain name.. i think it'll be cheaper i believe. That way we can redirect it to teh Frengi Blue Room.
I second that as the ultimate option, if everything else doesn't work out. Costs/traffic would be minimal but the site would still help the community to find each other.Quote:
Originally posted by Space_Cadet
Just purchase the domain name.. i think it'll be cheaper i believe. That way we can redirect it to teh Frengi Blue Room.
It's teribly nice of Matt to take on the expense and al, but it's relying on one person to host our site. It wasn't fair on Dan, and certainly before now he was looking at ways to fund his 'habit' but I feel it's not fair to put that pressure on someone else now. Purchasing the domain name is 'cheap' but not for whoever has to host the site!