Last I checked, the IRC wasn't all that dead. I've been in there a fair number of times, and there's always been someone else in there, and that someone else has always included Bronzdragon.
I'm just seriously unimpressed by the idea of people paying for restricted content or features. Paying for swag is fine, but every other forum I've been on with different tiers of participation really sucks. In groups and out groups don't have any benefits. I'd much rather everyone be happy to pay and let everyone else, even those who don't pay, share the good stuff. If you don't want others to benefit, fuck you.
Well, the only "member's only" area on the forum at all is actually just a private topic for the original FRC and some associated friends. It's used almost exclusively to plan events and has basically no other conversation. ;^)
One of the best aspects of this forum is that, with the exception of that one private area, it's fully accessibly to everyone, even people without accounts. I don't really want to change that.
I've been on another forum (which coincidentally also ran Vanilla) where a private for-friends forum grew and grew and eventually killed the whole thing when the community got bisected and there was loads of resentment.
So, that dynamic obviously doesn't exist here right now, but it's another way that sort of thing can go.
I have private areas on my forum but none of them are paid to enter. Due to the nature of Pokemon players (and their ages) I have a separate area for confirmed adults with less restrictions to talk about subjects of a more adult nature. I also have a ladies only area that is accessible only by women (not even I have access).
All of these areas have one or two people in charge of the group and anyone can apply to join the group. Within these areas of the forum the discussion is 99% not Pokemon. Well, there is one thread in the adult forum that is Pokemon related but the discussion is not kid friendly.
What is interesting is that since the forum has been around for over seven years some of the people who started out as kid members are now in college. Some of those folks have commented about how embarrassed they are to see what they wrote seven years ago!
Thought of some reward ideas for people who contribute moneys.
Running tabletop RPG for you, Google Hangout or at convention. Teaching how to play, or how to win, at a game of your choice (that we know). Playing a co-op video game with you. You choose GeekNights episode topic (Monday/Thursday please) You choose book club book, anime to watch, etc. Help you with some programming or technology of some kind (very expensive). Build a computer for you on Newegg (also expensive).
Can anyone think of anything along these lines? If Rym or I were your dancing monkeys, what dance would you make us do that we would willingly do?
Those actually sound pretty good. Would we get to choose between Rym or Scott for the chosen reward? I can think of a few things that would be a better bargain if one performed the task but much hilarity would ensue if the other.
Hmmm.. none of these reward ideas work well with me, I could get them all without contributing :-p If I contribute money would you come and clean my house before a party? :-p
Hmmm.. none of these reward ideas work well with me, I could get them all without contributing :-p If I contribute money would you come and clean my house before a party? :-p
Yes, but it would be cheaper to hire an actual maid service or use taskrabbit.
Hmmm.. none of these reward ideas work well with me, I could get them all without contributing :-p If I contribute money would you come and clean my house before a party? :-p
Yes, but it would be cheaper to hire an actual maid service or use taskrabbit.
Cheaper however if you get Scott to wear a maid outfit whilst cleaning. Priceless.
Comments
I would kick in £5 a month or so but dependent on what I'd get. ie exclusive content and that junk or a T-shirt.
Haven't logged on in a few months, though.
One of the best aspects of this forum is that, with the exception of that one private area, it's fully accessibly to everyone, even people without accounts. I don't really want to change that.
So, that dynamic obviously doesn't exist here right now, but it's another way that sort of thing can go.
All of these areas have one or two people in charge of the group and anyone can apply to join the group. Within these areas of the forum the discussion is 99% not Pokemon. Well, there is one thread in the adult forum that is Pokemon related but the discussion is not kid friendly.
What is interesting is that since the forum has been around for over seven years some of the people who started out as kid members are now in college. Some of those folks have commented about how embarrassed they are to see what they wrote seven years ago!
Running tabletop RPG for you, Google Hangout or at convention.
Teaching how to play, or how to win, at a game of your choice (that we know).
Playing a co-op video game with you.
You choose GeekNights episode topic (Monday/Thursday please)
You choose book club book, anime to watch, etc.
Help you with some programming or technology of some kind (very expensive).
Build a computer for you on Newegg (also expensive).
Can anyone think of anything along these lines? If Rym or I were your dancing monkeys, what dance would you make us do that we would willingly do?
Actually, I do remember listening to the Hacienda episode, just not any content thereof...
I'm joking, of course.