Thread Titles

[HoundedByHounds]

donations...would depend on if the site is being run to break even, or to turn a profit? I actually have no idea what the motive is here...nor do I think I should.

[CaliTerp07]

I don't know anything about the motives of this site...but my guess is that eventually, the goal is for it to become profitable--not just "not negative". Yes, donations could cover the cost of ads, but that's just going to keep it a zero sum game for the duration of however long people choose to donate to the board.

I know I'm relatively new here, but I have never seen a large for-profit forum where the owner took the members' comments into such consideration. I really think MT needs a little appreciation for even taking the time to ask the questions he's been asking. On most sites, the change would be made and the people notified. No questions.

[corgipower]

Originally Posted by Renee750il

How much better would it be for those donations to go to a rescue fund rather than something to remove a minor annoyance that CAN be removed with a few clicks of the mouse?

As was pointed out, I don't like the implication that rescues will suffer as people donate here. People can donate to what they choose to donate to. Should research in MS suffer because someone prefers to donate to breast cancer awareness? Should people not donate to autism awareness and research because there's a shelter in need of funds? People can donate to multiple things, people can make their own decisions about what to support financially, and if people choose to donate to chazhound, they can't because there's no way to do so.

If the "minor annoyance" is the ads, I can't remove them with a few clicks of the mouse.

Also, people can be encouraged to donate by adding features that are only available to those who do. Ads can be left in place for guests and removed for members. Or removed for those who donate. Or left entirely. The ads don't bother me. But MT said that the costs are coming out of his pocket. If the ads are covering all the operating expenses, then that's terrific, but in that case, the costs are being paid for by the ads, not out of his pocket.

[CaliTerp07]

Originally Posted by corgipower

As was pointed out, I don't like the implication that rescues will suffer as people donate here. People can donate to what they choose to donate to. Should research in MS suffer because someone prefers to donate to breast cancer awareness? Should people not donate to autism awareness and research because there's a shelter in need of funds? People can donate to multiple things, people can make their own decisions about what to support financially, and if people choose to donate to chazhound, they can't because there's no way to do so.

If the "minor annoyance" is the ads, I can't remove them with a few clicks of the mouse.

Also, people can be encouraged to donate by adding features that are only available to those who do. Ads can be left in place for guests and removed for members. Or removed for those who donate. Or left entirely. The ads don't bother me. But MT said that the costs are coming out of his pocket. If the ads are covering all the operating expenses, then that's terrific, but in that case, the costs are being paid for by the ads, not out of his pocket.

Ads can be removed by any of the numerous ad blocking programs that are out there, completely free of charge. I've never seen a single ad, and I've been on the site for months.

And I would be willing to bet that while the ads bring in SOME revenue, it's nowhere near the operating costs of the entire site

[Renee750il]

Heath can correct me on this if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding - even before Heath bought the site - that the ads only cover PART of the operating expenses right now.

[eddieq]

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

Ads can be removed by any of the numerous ad blocking programs that are out there, completely free of charge. I've never seen a single ad, and I've been on the site for months.

And I would be willing to bet that while the ads bring in SOME revenue, it's nowhere near the operating costs of the entire site

I was thinking about the ad blocking software when someone brought up ad revenue earlier. I don't know how the ad revenue works, but I think people have to click on them for "us" to get money for it. If folks like you and me who use ad blocking software don't see the ads and hence don't click on them, the ads are certainly not generating any revenue from our participation in the site.

[CaliTerp07]

Originally Posted by eddieq

I was thinking about the ad blocking software when someone brought up ad revenue earlier. I don't know how the ad revenue works, but I think people have to click on them for "us" to get money for it. If folks like you and me who use ad blocking software don't see the ads and hence don't click on them, the ads are certainly not generating any revenue from our participation in the site.

Yeah, I was wondering about that too. That's part of the reason I don't feel like I have any right to complain about any of the changes MT's trying to put in here. I know I'm probably not raising his income, so he can and should do what he thinks he needs to to help the site, regardless of how I feel.

[HoundedByHounds]

CaliT, I fully understand things could, and still may be...done in the dark and we left right there afterwards.

I admit the site I use that is ad free due solely to donations is smaller,in size, tho the SW is the same...and many parts of it are NOT visible to "just anyone".

But when they need money...they present it thusly...a donation bar across the top...a visible evidence of how much is coming in, and how much is needed for the following year's op costs...and a special appellation on the users handle when they donate. There is also very plainly stated a list of what changes will occur should the goal not be met in order to meet costs. Not a threat, not pressure...just information...if you members can live with xyz fine...if you'd like to NOT...lol...then donate.

As I said...there is NO reason I or any other member need to be privvy to the books....I am just offering ideas I have seen work elsewhere. ETA: And of course work elsewhere where turning a profit is not the goal.

[sparks19]

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

I don't know anything about the motives of this site...but my guess is that eventually, the goal is for it to become profitable--not just "not negative". Yes, donations could cover the cost of ads, but that's just going to keep it a zero sum game for the duration of however long people choose to donate to the board.

I know I'm relatively new here, but I have never seen a large for-profit forum where the owner took the members' comments into such consideration. I really think MT needs a little appreciation for even taking the time to ask the questions he's been asking. On most sites, the change would be made and the people notified. No questions.

Agreed.

I think we should be more grateful with what we have here and the opportunity to discuss forum changes and actually have our opinions considered (hence the changes to the skin to make it wider and such at our requests) instead of fighting the owner at every turn about every little suggestion.

I also find it a little contradictory that we are giving MT a hard time about the way he worded his post when in another thread everyone was upset because they weren't being allowed their "opinions" when everyone stated that it wasn't the opinion but the way it was worded it kept going back to wanting to squash peoples opinions and not being a llowed to express our emotions and being censored but now we are jumping on MT for the same thing.

If we don't stop fighting everything and making small things into a huge deal then we AREN'T going to get any consideration when it comes to changes and things are just going to be done whether we like them or not because WHY put up with the bickering if you don't have to. and people say they will leave but where are you going to go? you aren't going to find another pet forum out there that will give you the freedoms chaz does. You think these little changes are oppressive? HA.... We get away with more on this forum than any other dog forum I've ever visited. so I say count your blessings.

the reason rules are starting to be enforced is because we as a community have taken advantage of the lax enforcement and have interpreted the rules to suit our wants. So if we are mad that things are changing and that rules are being enforced... perhaps we should look at our own behaviour and wonder what it was that WE did that caused this to happen and how we might be able to fix it without having to bring down the hammer.

[LauraLeigh]

Originally Posted by sparks19

We get away with more on this forum than any other dog forum I've ever visited. so I say count your blessings.

Actually there is more freedom here than any forum I have ever belonged to, period.... I like that about Chaz!! I don't have a problem with change and if that is what it takes to have Chaz then I am all for it for the most part. I have seen a forum I enjoy nearly shut down and had a favorite Dog Chat Room shut down over Drama so I am pretty open to changes.