Tech Section

[logey79]

same could go for searching these sections of the forum.

[logey79]

well how about only having to pay to post an new thread in these sections. that way people like nev could still reply without having to pay subs.

[Woodzie]

One of the things i liked about this site is it's openness and voluntry subs some other sites i've signed up to are very restrictive, but if it's geting too cash hungry the way it is then ok, if i can afford a tenner anyone can, only prob i have with it is as Sancho said, Nev and a few others (abroad) would be left hanging, when i first joined the Aus surf site i even offered to contribute to them but was told they were subsidised by a major insurer and it was'nt req, perhaps as someone just said, limited advertiseing or summat,

This is the main site i use and as popeye says it's openness and voluntry subs is one of the things that sets this site apart ......

the greif that has occoured on the hpoc and 4x4uk after the introduction of subs to access some areas have driven useful contributors away .

i will continue to pay my subs here as it in my opinion ' HOME', but the exclusion of some useful contributors (such as nev )will be sadly missed, if they are unable to assist in the replies to members technical questions.

[Tiger]

[QUOTE=Apache;413852]I do think Koi shouldn't be left to bear the brunt of the cost of what is 'our' forum, but we need to be wary that a solution doesn't become divisive and alienate people.

Absolutely the site is brillian't and would be sad to see its demise it should be self sufficiant. and people can't begrudge £10 you can't find this sort of information anywhere

[Apache]

I do think Koi shouldn't be left to bear the brunt of the cost of what is 'our' forum, but we need to be wary that a solution doesn't become divisive and alienate people.

Advertising would be ideal, but it might make the site unweildy as some sites that have lots of advertising are. A multilayered approach such as removal of the search function, limited amount of postings etc should be possible, so potential members can gain a flavour of how useful the site is may work, with full access granted only when subs have been paid.

As someone else said, a fairly obvious, upfront mention of how the site costs money to support might also get some more people to pay the piffling roughly 20p a week!

[yoshie]

The annual spend of forum members at Roughtrax and Milners must be fairly high. Any chance a small contribution from them could be sought.

How long has it been £10 per year

As said by others the world meets no one half way. Maybe the £10 should only buy 6 months membership/access to tech/for sale/parts section and all members agree not to discuss or answer tech on any other sections.

Sections above seem most popular for newbies reasos for droppig in.

[POPEYE]

One of the things i liked about this site is it's openness and voluntry subs some other sites i've signed up to are very restrictive, but if it's geting too cash hungry the way it is then ok, if i can afford a tenner anyone can, only prob i have with it is as Sancho said, Nev and a few others (abroad) would be left hanging, when i first joined the Aus surf site i even offered to contribute to them but was told they were subsidised by a major insurer and it was'nt req, perhaps as someone just said, limited advertiseing or summat,


i've just answered a techy question to a non blue star'er (sorry)
anyway i'll go along with wot you blokes say

[logey79]

it's a good idea if funds need raising to keep the site going well. if people are accessing the tech page then £10 to diagnos a problem and save a fortune from garages who mis-diagnos and charge for the privilege until they eventually get it right will not be a problem.

anyone who gets put off and doesn't pay up or use the forum, then it's their loss, not any of ours.

[yoshie]

Eh Tony wheres your little blue star????

[dieselboy]

i think you should do it. then may be the lazy ones who have been a member for a year, and has always said they will pay the small £10 fee, and actually hasnt yet, but keeps saying they will, might just get out there and do it...
not naming any names though.

ps. do you host the lot yourself? ive got a watchguard x500 firewall going cheap if your interested..
i would offer to help host part of the site for you but giving my tinternet teething probs, its not in the best interest of the site at this current moment in time.

[KERRSURF]

5 posts or searches then they have to subscribe.

this will give enough of an insight to the forum to let them realise how useful it is.

[Apache]

Also the general section will become a technical free-for-all..............


How does the aus site and yotatec maintain free access??

But surely that can be self-policed by paid up members. People asking techy questions can just be referred to the tech section. No pay, no access.

Like others have said, £10 wont break ANYONES bank.

[Osborne]

Also the general section will become a technical free-for-all..............


How does the aus site and yotatec maintain free access??

Google ads would be my guess, always an option if things don't improve.

Not to keen on the idea of restricting access to the tech section to new members as that would probably just put them off, maybe the for sale/wanted sections but even then not convinced it's the best solution.

[Sancho]

It's a tough one. There are some non-payers who are net contributors - i'm thinking Nifty Nev for example, no blue star but a useful bloke to have around.

I would personally remove searching from non-payers and also the ability to post anywhere but the technical section.

[jaky cakes]

Some other sites I frequent will not allow searching or posting until you subscribe. As said before £10 is washers these days - and the time. effort and money that I have saved over the past years - not to mention non surf related help and advice and general laugh-a-minute banter, has got to be worth £10 of anyones money!!

You could put a little banner at the bottom of a search results page with wording to the effect "Now you have found your answer - hows about a small donation??? " to prick the conscience and remind folk that this site requires constant maintenance and service etc etc...


Or even a trial period of 10 days or so, after which you have to subscribe??


Keep up the good work!