Another Move - New Format

CSR_Admin

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Mar 10, 2004
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The current server move is a bust. I have phpbb people and server people all pointing fingers at each other as to why the email function won't work. I am basically at a standstill and see no way to resolve it. I am going to go at this forum a different way. Here is why, then how:

Since this site basically generates no revenue I have always tried my best to keep expenses to a minimum, which meant I was the one to fix things, and upgrade things and screw things up in the process. This makes the forum often have glitches and otherwise not work.

My new approach is to do what every other enthusiast forum does, have memberships. This way the site can generate some revenue that will go into a fund to have everything that breaks professionally fixed instead of me hacking at it. I have no idea yet how these memberships will work, most likely they will just give users some enhanced features, like added picture storage. other than a few added features for members the site will remain completely free to all, and paying for a membership is only an option, hardly a requirement. Many have offered to send me money to help offset costs so this is just a formal way to make that happen.

I already have a vbulletin board set up and have imported this entire forum to it. It is almost all working at this point. I have a company making a very nice looking site design. Why vbulletin? Because getting support is just a matter of sending them money. It should be much more reliable because of this. With phobb I was on my own with no support.

Sooo...please deal with this screwed up site for the next couple of weeks, and know that I am putting the pieces together right now to come out of this with the best site possible. We probably won't have the virtual marina, but we will have a proper photo gallery which should work almost as well. Thanks!
 
Sounds like a logical decision to me. I consider the information I get from here very valuable so I will be a paying member when you get it set up.
 
Sounds to me to be the right decision. Just let me know where to send my membership dues!.....I'm in...Oh...and thanks again for all the hard work and time your putting in...
 
What Dominic said....and emphasis on the THANK YOU for all your time and frustrations.

Just let me know what I need to do to join.
Jeff
 
Maybe $40 a year and a free burgee? :grin: :smt021

Do what you have to do to keep it running!!!
 
Jim,
What ever it takes. Keep up the good work. Only thing we don't want to bring the wrath of Sea Ray down on us if we start charging, I'm sure there is someway around it :huh: Thanks for everything you do. Will we have to get new user id? passwords? When do you think it will happen?
 
Pretty sure I heard marqbarq say he would cover it for everyone in the PNW.... :wink:
but in case I heard wrong, this site is still a huge bargain to me at whatever membership fee. It is too bad that SR corporate won't help out since this site does more than most dealerships to keep owners happy and committed. Just a thought.
 
Good move Jim. My son runs a forum. He recently switched php to vbulletin and he says it's like night and day. Worth the few $ for sure.
 
ImpulseIII said:
Hey Jeff, Kick in for me and I'll pay you back at next years BIH get together :smt043 :smt043

How's things?

No problem! :grin: That pic of Dominic and his flag was worth every penny!

Hoping to get out for Saturday/Sunday. Are there any nettles up your way? As I recall the Sassafras is pretty fresh, so maybe there aren't too many (any)?

Jeff
 
We have not been to our boat for 3 weeks but from what I hear nettles are not a problem on the Sassafras. I hope Still Pond is the same as I am thinkinng about meeting Tim (Festavus) there tomorrow. Are you guys going to be up this way?
 
We're thinking about an overnight Sat/Sun in the northern parts of the bay where we hope there won;t be any nettles. No definite plans yet; I was reading about the marinas on the Sassafras. We spent a night on the hook there last year and liked it but we both sleep better in a slip. I guess we're not comfortable enough with our anchoring skills yet!
 
I was just out on the boat 2 nights ago near Kent island on the Chesapeake and was amazed at all the nettles, seemed like every 2'.

I don't think donations will make Sea Ray mad, this ship is kept pretty tidy so I can't imagine they would want to shut it down. What do i know though....

You shouldn't need a new login or anything. The move this time should be absolutely seemless. (Heard that before huh)
 
This site is a great resource and well worth it. Just make sure you don't get hit tax-wise on a membership issue. I am sure there is a way to set it up, and if there are any CPAs on this site, I bet they will chime in. Just a thought as it was an issue with a motorcycle board I used a couple years ago.
 
Count me in Jim. Your site was my only boating for most of May June and July. Since I did almost no boating this year I can use some of my gas money.
 
Well, to avoid that I can help you out. I am a server administrator who owns a large server management company, I can provide a free server to run those forum on and help you manage it as well. Our connectivity is in a first class datacenter in which i have a large cage in. If you want to take me up on the offer just let me know. We deal alot with forums and such, so administration isnt a problem.
 
osd9 said:
Sounds to me to be the right decision. Just let me know where to send my membership dues!.....I'm in...Oh...and thanks again for all the hard work and time your putting in...

I absolutely agree. Thank you for all you do.

A simplistic solution, of the top of my head, is not to charge a membership "fee", so as not to ruffle any corporate feathers, although I agree that corporate should be thrilled that we are here, as there is no doubt that our members and prospective members add to their bottom line.

Perhaps, a newly designed decal, or other inexpensively produced item, could be "sold" for, say, $40.00, and a newer version anually.
 

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