Server Upgrade discussion

[Charlie F]

I donate anyway, so naturally I think the perks are a good idea.

I think an extra line in the signature would be a good idea, not just for donors though. I'd like to be able to replace the ":::" in my signature with a space!

Originally Posted by Lukie

Aww! You mean people actually get that many PMs that they need more space? This... makes me sad...

Well not really, it just means that I have to delete them less regularly.
Most of my PMs are little and boring, or mod related.
I'm sure some people have proper PMs though.


On the advertising thing, I'd just like to say that me finding this site was a bit of a miracle. I didn't find through Google, I just found a massive alphabetised list of (possibly every) AB/DL site on the net, and after everything I clicked lead to porn, I scrolled down to the T's reasoning that a Teen site wouldn't have porn on it.
So I think advertising isn't all bad.

Although that a while ago, and this site is a lot easier to find now.

So I don't know, personally I think that putting links on decent infantilist sites is better than Google adds.

[Little ollie]

Personally I don't like the new donation system as myself I do have money problems but do like to give money when I have it and if I was to donate often or each month quite often it would be a different amout and some months I wouldn't be able to donate as I can become very broke maybe a pm each month by the system to ask if they would like to donate this month and with how much they would like to.

[DarkSunDS]

But what the hell would donors talk about in their forum? VIPs can speak about stuff that should stay between more important members, for instance, but anyone can donate and see the Donors forum, and there isn't any kind of thread really that should need a Donors forum.

Custom user titles COULD be a good idea, but it's something that's been associated with VIP status for a while, and I think it would make it seem less important if another group was able to get them. Plus, I think it would be unfair to have such a cool feature for Donors when some people can't afford doing so (like Darkfinn mentioned) because of age, budget or other factors. Encouraging people to donate is okay since you need it, but you already get more than the necessary amount every month (unless it's excluding costs for other stuff like software) so I don't think it's necessary to give Donors such... Privileged features.

I don't think it's a good idea to encourage VIPs to donate, or donors to become VIPs. People donate if they want to, and giving significant rights to donors would seem like VIPs are less important than donors. Donors shouldn't be encouraged to become VIPs if they aren't already, because the new secret requirements will just confuse them and I don't see how one can achieve an objective with no pointers on how to do it.

Maybe it's off-topic, but if they aren't there already, you should add options not to display pink names and the 'Donor' user title.

I've been thinking about colored names, but it would be too hard to distinguish someone's status and it's too significant compared to VIPs.

Maybe you could let them upload animated avatars, and let VIPs upload animated avatars and signatures, something like that. Or you could make a Donor library with related icons available for Donors.

I don't especially like the fact that there are multiple Donor ranks (unless they aren't displayed, then it's fine), since we already have too many different, useless groups (Lurkers, Awaiting Confirmation, etc.). It's all very confusing.

Also, if you have THAT much economical problems, then why don't you simply build the site with a free forum maker? It might not look as "professional" at all, but it's the community that counts, doesn't it? The only thing that I think would be a good reason not to do that is all the features you want to add, like blogs or whatever, but look at FTT. It's a pretty decent and relatively big and close community, despite the large number of newbies who joined lately. And they run on a free hosting website. But I also agree with avery about the fact that the more ADISC is advertised, the more it costs to run and the worse it becomes. I've already said it somewhere, but I've found TBDL because I actually searched, and I think anyone who has the motivation to go here and stay involved should find the site by themselves instead of seeing a sponsored ad when they type random stuff on Google.

Take into account that I read the suggestions as I read the pages, so I might have brought an issue that's already been fixed.

[InconJenOnWheels]

Personally, I don't really care about the 'perks' of donating. I just donated because I had some extra cash. Though, I'm not to crazy about having a 'secret' requirement to attain VIP status or that you can actually expect soeone to donate $20 a month(quick math calculation, that equals $240 a year).

[Darkfinn]

I'm gonna be perfectly honest here.

If I donate $20/mo... I expect to be a Mod.

I only think it is fair that if I am paying a regular percentage of this sites operating costs that I be allowed some say in daily operations.

Persons donating $10/mo or more should be put on some kind of "executive council" or "board of governors" and be given sway over how this place runs.

Don't get me wrong... I am happy with the way this place is being run now... but if I am going to put $100+ a year into this place (and I don't have a problem doing it) I do expect some return of investment.

[Lukie]

Originally Posted by Darkfinn

I'm gonna be perfectly honest here.

If I donate $20/mo... I expect to be a Mod.

I only think it is fair that if I am paying a regular percentage of this sites operating costs that I be allowed some say in daily operations.

Persons donating $10/mo or more should be put on some kind of "executive council" or "board of governors" and be given sway over how this place runs.

Don't get me wrong... I am happy with the way this place is being run now... but if I am going to put $100+ a year into this place (and I don't have a problem doing it) I do expect some return of investment.

Well, a donation is a donation. You give, expecting nothing in return. In that regard, you shouldn't be elevated to a higher status above other users. With your terms, a newbie could have a say in how the place is run... and if that were to happen, I'd be the first to leave. Nothing against newbies as people, but to have someone come in and not know anything about the place be given some sort of "executive power" is just crazy. VIP status is given to those who have demonstrated they are capable of being a reasonable, insightful person and not just another random who couldn't give two shits about the site. Higher status should not have a price tag - respect is earned, not bought.

I do agree with the return investment part however. But is there anyone here who does consistently donate $10+/month? I'll be honest in saying I only donate when I have the spare change, and even then it's less than $10. If someone were to donate that much a month, then definitely they should have a title to show that, if they wish... that's quite a bit of money...

[Darkfinn]

Originally Posted by Lukie

But is there anyone here who does consistently donate $10+/month? I'll be honest in saying I only donate when I have the spare change, and even then it's less than $10. If someone were to donate that much a month, then definitely they should have a title to show that, if they wish... that's quite a bit of money...

Um... yeah... me. Not to brag or anything.

I'm beginning to see this place as a company. Moo cannot support the whole thing by himself... understandable... so he is looking for investors. Asking for "donations" of pocket change every now and then is one thing... but actively seeking a regularly scheduled source of funds is another.

Now in the business world when companies get people to invest they sell a certain percentage. If our budget for ADISC is $200/mo and I am paying $20/mo that means I am responcible for 10% of our operating funds. I simply want a way to ensure that my 10% investment would be used properly. $240 a year is a lot of money to just be able to look at a website. I want something more than access to a special (dead) forum and some words under my name. I don't think it is too much to ask that I be compensated for my contribution in the form of moderator status.

All the regulars here know me. I am an honest, responcible adult... and a pretty good guy all around. I'm not going to "abuse" my powers or do anything rediculous. If I did... they could always be revoked by Moo and I'm sure he could find $20/mo from someone else easily enough.

This being said... I don't think we would have to really worry about some "newbie" paying the $20/mo... becoming a Mod... and going crazy. First off... who is going to throw that kind of money away just for kicks? Secondly... even Mods are held accountable to the Admin. Their actions can be reversed if they are found to be unjust.

So... thus be my proposal. Take it how you will... I love this place... I don't mind supporting it in the least bit... I just want a little something in exchange. Sounds fair to me.

[Error404]

Originally Posted by Darkfinn

Um... yeah... me. Not to brag or anything.

I'm beginning to see this place as a company. Moo cannot support the whole thing by himself... understandable... so he is looking for investors. Asking for "donations" of pocket change every now and then is one thing... but actively seeking a regularly scheduled source of funds is another.

Now in the business world when companies get people to invest they sell a certain percentage. If our budget for ADISC is $200/mo and I am paying $20/mo that means I am responcible for 10% of our operating funds. I simply want a way to ensure that my 10% investment would be used properly. $240 a year is a lot of money to just be able to look at a website. I want something more than access to a special (dead) forum and some words under my name. I don't think it is too much to ask that I be compensated for my contribution in the form of moderator status.

All the regulars here know me. I am an honest, responcible adult... and a pretty good guy all around. I'm not going to "abuse" my powers or do anything rediculous. If I did... they could always be revoked by Moo and I'm sure he could find $20/mo from someone else easily enough.

This being said... I don't think we would have to really worry about some "newbie" paying the $20/mo... becoming a Mod... and going crazy. First off... who is going to throw that kind of money away just for kicks? Secondly... even Mods are held accountable to the Admin. Their actions can be reversed if they are found to be unjust.

So... thus be my proposal. Take it how you will... I love this place... I don't mind supporting it in the least bit... I just want a little something in exchange. Sounds fair to me.

Although I see and partially agree with your point, that just WON'T work.

Becoming a mod by donating is not only selfish but unjust. Sure, maybe it would work for YOU. But the last thing we need is a flurry of moderators just because they have the money to throw arround. A moderator should be picked for their skill and tact within their given specialities located in their personalities, not their wallets.

I do however agree and support the fact that donators should be able to have a say in what their money goes towards. Perhaps a private forum where Moo can discuss such would be apt, but modship? No. I can't agree with that by any stretch.

If I was going to be a moderator, I'd want it to be because I've contributed what's in my head and not my pocket.

[Darkfinn]

Originally Posted by Error404

If I was going to be a moderator, I'd want it to be because I've contributed what's in my head and not my pocket.

Totally understandable... and very admirable.

However that would only work in an ideal society.

Individuals have been trading money for power since time began. It is the golden rule... "Whoever has the gold, makes the rules." and I think if we ever want this place to grow and flourish we are going to have to address this issue sooner or later... preferably sooner.

The other alternative to private individuals owning parts of the site is to whore the site out to advertisers... and charge people a yearly fee to become a special member so they don't see the ads. I am a member of a few places like that... and believe me when I say that having advertisements all over the pages and in the middle of the threads is not plesant at all... I think we would end up losing a number of members because of that.

So it is going to get to a point where we are going to have to do one or the other. We can let people like me buy in and give them some power... or we can sell out to advertisement... then Google, or Yahoo, or whomever we let advertise will have the power... b/c without their advertisements we would be right back at square one again.

Which would you rather see?

[Charlie F]

Moderating is a job... Being a moderator is a donation in itself, just a donation of time rather than money.
The mods don't even make the rules, mods only enforce them!