FORUM FUTURE

[Mikey]

Hi guys.
at the moment the forum is costing more to run then the subs etc are bringing in. Dave is dipping into his own pocket to keep it going and to be honest I don’t think that’s fair. On top of that he’s having to spend a fair bit of time and effort keeping it going.
These are some of the alternatives in Dave’s words

“No need to make any immediate decisions, but in Jan / Feb I will be asked to pay the server hosting again.
So it would be good to look at alternatives, e.g. switching to our Facebook group, trying to find free hosting somewhere (but generally that's pretty crap in my experience), get more members, increase subs costs substantially, divvy up the cost between the members, etc, etc...
And of course very much open to suggestions on reducing the financial burden somewhat.”

The majority of members have been together since the good old XRV days and personally I feel it would be a shame to let it go.

Can anybody help or be willing to learn on the technical side.

Once more it’s down to us so you decide.

 

[Whealie]

What sort of costs are we talking about?

 

[Rubberchicken]

What sort of server are we talking about?

 

[DaveS]

What sort of costs are we talking about?

Circa £500'ish per year for a self managed server, software license costs, URL renewals, etc...
I have bought in technical expertise to help with the technical management of the server as my knowledge is too out of date now, which has added a significant amount this year as we had a server move.

 

[-XP-]

As Chris says, what sort of costs are we talking? A grand? Two grand? I honestly have no idea.

I know I'm not so regular hear anymore but I'd still hate to see the site shut down so I will chip in each year to keep it running. I'm not a rich man by any means but there's lots of us here I'm sure we can raise the necessary funds.

Would £50 from each of us cover the cost or am I being naive?

Edit: Dave posted as I did so the costs are there.

 

[-XP-]

Circa £500'ish per year for a self managed server, software license costs, URL renewals, etc...
I have bought in technical expertise to help with the technical management of the server as my knowledge is too out of date now, which has added a significant amount this year as we had a server move.

Dave, I'll chip in £50 when it needs renewing, please feel free to message me on FB anytime it's ready for payment.

 

[DaveS]

What sort of server are we talking about?

Standard LAMP server, MySQL.

 

[DaveS]

As Chris says, what sort of costs are we talking? A grand? Two grand? I honestly have no idea.

I know I'm not so regular hear anymore but I'd still hate to see the site shut down so I will chip in each year to keep it running. I'm not a rich man by any means but there's lots of us here I'm sure we can raise the necessary funds.

Would £50 from each of us cover the cost or am I being naive?

Edit: Dave posted as I did so the costs are there.

The actual expenditure last year was circa £1200. Income was £150 from 16 people subscribing.

 

[DaveS]

If we can raise £500 annually and then get some free help with the server management then I think we'll be fine. Or we can try to look to reduce that somehow.
The problem comes when I have a responsibility to ensure the service provided is secure, i.e. I can't leave a server unpatched and unsupported, as it's a cyber security risk, then I have to buy in, albeit cheap, resource in to assist.

 

[-XP-]

The actual expenditure last year was circa £1200. Income was £150 from 16 people subscribing.

I thought it had more subscribers than that, I'm pretty sure I have subscribed but if it's not auto then it might have slipped and if so something I will correct!

Like I said, happy to chip into the pot to keep her afloat. Can't help with the server thing etc I know nothing about them.

 

[micksylver]

Would be happy to pay more subs if it helps.
Would be sad to see the site go, even though I don't get on, or out, much at the moment!
(Just too much stuff taking up my time!)

 

[MIKETHEBIKE]

I dont mind chipping in more I'd hate to see it go. TBH I thought there was more of us regular users on here. Although I still go on XRV regularly with still having an AT. FB is good but not everyone uses that. I'm sure between us we can keep this going.

 

[The Don]

Happy to cover if an increase in subs becomes necessary, on the techy side, count me out, I am useless......... I am much better rat riding bikes than IT stuff....and that says it all.....

 

[RickSkye]

Can I see if I have paid subs?
And when they are due next?

 

[Philwhiskeydrinker]

I must admit, I thought BT had gone for good when it disappeared from tapatalk, I only rediscovered it recently & have popped in once or twice since & feel somewhat to have not chipped into the coffers for quite some time.

The future of Big Trailie...? It's a tricky one as a lot of us have been here since the early XRV days & many would love to see it grow & thrive but I guess times change, perhaps the might of gser/abr and the plethora of facebook groups have diluted things making forums' like this limited ....?

A big thankyou for Dave & all the others who put in the time, effort & finances to keep things moving

 

[DaveS]

Can I see if I have paid subs?
And when they are due next?

Hi Rick, if you look at the thread it has a Forum Subscriber badge next to your name so you’re subscribed. Most people are.
Problem is 16 subscribers don’t make £500 needed.
£35 a year would take us closer if people feel they’d pay that.

 

[DaveS]

I must admit, I thought BT had gone for good when it disappeared from tapatalk, I only rediscovered it recently & have popped in once or twice since & feel somewhat to have not chipped into the coffers for quite some time.

The future of Big Trailie...? It's a tricky one as a lot of us have been here since the early XRV days & many would love to see it grow & thrive but I guess times change, perhaps the might of gser/abr and the plethora of facebook groups have diluted things making forums' like this limited ....?

A big thankyou for Dave & all the others who put in the time, effort & finances to keep things moving

Sorry I’ll try to get tapatalk sorted.

 

[Philwhiskeydrinker]

No need to apologise Dave, I presume it's an extra cost?

 

[DaveS]

No need to apologise Dave, I presume it's an extra cost?

No extra cost.

 

[Meesh]

Hi Dave

I am not on this site very often in recent years, but would not like to see it go down. It’s been years since I’ve been able to join the activities but hopefully this might change next year. For those of us who don’t frequent the site often, is there a way of receiving a reminder via email or Facebook for the subs? Thanks to your FB message I’ve now updated mine and more than happy to continue paying a subscription for as long as I can.
Thanks for all you do to keep the site going and keep people connected. Best wishes Meesh