Ads & Hosting

NorioDS

Hey dudes,

Just a quick update... Amazon wasn't working out so I'm trying some new ads. They're mainly digital products and you'll see them at the bottom of every page. I'm also thinking of using the space to promote Alan's book and other books from our members (if any).

I'm on a constant mission to find something that works, mainly because the bandwidth is getting expensive. In the first 5 days of September, we'd already chowed up 1Gb. I get 5Gb included in my monthly package so, anything over that starts me worrying.

I do have the option of moving the site to the US but there will be a significant decrease in speed for anyone in SA (ie: most of us!) So I won't do it unless you peeps are cool with it.

OK, have a nice day now and thanks for being such a rocking bunch of dudes and dudettes!

Norio

LMinnie

I know that this is a free forum Norrie...but would this ever head in the "subsciption" direction?

NorioDS

No I don't think so.

We might offer certain things for subscription later on (like maybe video lessons or something) but the forum, IMO, should always be free.

Seeing as it's the first of it's kind in SA and the largest, too, I reckon it has the potential to grow HUGE as time goes by. Making it subscription-based might line our pockets with pretty green-stuff but it won't do as much for guitar and guitarists in SA as keeping it free will.

I sincerely hope I love to 100 and I sincerely hope the forum outlives me ?

AlanRatcliffe

I sincerely hope I love to 100

Just make sure Tanya feels the same way. ?

NorioDS

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
I sincerely hope I love to 100
Just make sure Tanya feels the same way. ?

Hehehe ? Actually we both want to die at 100 having hot, steamy (not to mention gross) sex ?

Bane

Hey norio, well if that is what it takes (USA) to keep the forum going then i am sure noyone would mind. But if there is any way the public of the forum can help keep it here let us know. Oh and what about a section where musicians/bands can quest for bands/bandmembers. It could easily become a mess though because of the linear structure of the forum...i will think on it ?
Later

NorioDS

There's already a section for finding band members ?

I'm probably first gonna try moving all the images related to the design across to the US server and see if that alleviates things. If not, I'll start looking at moving the attachments across but that would require changing some core code and I prefer to steer clear of that!

Bane

did I mention I was partially blind? :-[ well good luck

AlanRatcliffe

It still surprises me that you allow attachments. They really push up storage and bandwidth requirements - especially over time. Most forums do not, and there are plenty of places that offer free image or file hosting and even supply the BB code to use to insert into a forum post.

NorioDS

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: It still surprises me that you allow attachments. They really push up storage and bandwidth requirements - especially over time. Most forums do not, and there are plenty of places that offer free image or file hosting and even supply the BB code to use to insert into a forum post.

Yeah, it's something I may have to rethink! The MP3 uploads aren't a problem thanks to Amazon S3 and it makes us cooler than any other forum out there ? But the image attachments and so on really don't need to live on the same server.

Riaan

They're mainly digital products and you'll see them at the bottom of every page.

I always get an ad that says "I cured my acid reflux". Though I'm glad for the bloke whose reflux is now cured, I don't get any digital product ads...unless the refluxee cured his reflux digitally, by sticking his finger in his thoat that is... ?

Renesongs

@Riaan LMAO - Yes I was also getting the acid reflux on FF on my laptop fortunately I solved it digitally by updating my Ad block plug-in ?

NorioDS

Thanks for the feedback, guys! I've banned the Reflux ads from displaying ever again.

FatBoy

I'm still seeing it though ?

Martyr

i'm still seeing the refluc ads aswell ???

Martyr

why not make a donate link on the page where people can donate money to the forum to help you with running costs?like either make set amounts or whatever amount people feel like donating....just a thought....

NorioDS

☹ Hmm maybe it's just taking a while for the new setting to take effect. I'll double-check that I banned them properly.

Thanks guys!