Certain Forums disappearing... kind of

[dvsDave]

In an effort to drive donations and support ControlBooth.com, we are trying a new approach. From now on, only members who have donated can access the Off-Topic forum.

These are the benefits for CB Supporters now. We are working on rolling out new features just for CB Supporters in the near future. Minimum donation is only $5. If you can't pay with Paypal or Google Checkout, you can use a different payment system, PM me and I'll get you the information.

[Charc]

By access, do you mean, read and post, or will non-supporters still be able to read?

[dvsDave]

Non-subscribers won't be able to read or post, but I may change that to read-only for non-subscribers. I haven't decided yet.

[Radiant]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

By access, do you mean, read and post, or will non-supporters still be able to read?

I'm unable to view the threads mentioned. That is, until I get home and find my PayPal password.

[mutters something about extortion, then quickly gets over it]

[SHARYNF]

Sadly I think the membership model for forums of this type simply does not work. I've been involved with many many forums of this type in support of technical areas. In the long run the model that works is advertizing with sponsors. The membership model works for a while, then the supporters get busy, move along, and new membership starts to fall off, ultimately leading to the dramatically reduced effectiveness of the forum.

[derekleffew]

Sure, SHARYNF, but do the forums of which you speak have Arcade Games?

ControlBooth has Arcade Games, , which may or may not soon cost 25¢ a throw. First grandMA has Space Aliens, and now this. What's next: CB-online Hold'Em? VP? Kino (Flo) ? Loosest Slots on the 'Net?!

Perhaps, If I pay a little extra, I can obliterate this link, as well as the Donate link, from my personal toolbar?

[dvsDave]

this is an experiment for a while, we'll see how it goes.

[Van]

Oh yeah like I don't spend enough time on here as it is..... Now you have to go and put Lunar Lander on here ? and Space Invaders ! I'll be divorced and living on the streets inside of a month I tell you !

[dvsDave]

Originally Posted by SHARYNF

Sadly I think the membership model for forums of this type simply does not work. I've been involved with many many forums of this type in support of technical areas. In the long run the model that works is advertizing with sponsors. The membership model works for a while, then the supporters get busy, move along, and new membership starts to fall off, ultimately leading to the dramatically reduced effectiveness of the forum.

I didn't limit any of the forums that have to do with technical theatre, just the extras and that, I hope, is an important distinction.

[quarterfront]

Newbie here, as of yesterday. I spend a certain amount of time on forums for guitar players, guitar amp builders and dual line kite fliers. I've tried being on the Stagecraft Mailing List, but find that it doesn't work as well as a forum like this one. Found this forum after realizing that if my hobbies had forums surely my business did too.

I disagree that a membership model can't work. I frequent a couple of great forums (which I'm not a member of, BTW) which have survived for quite a while as such. One prevents me from posting in the general off topic chat area.

What with my glamourous career in show business, my mortgage, and my two kids, money's not really something I can just throw around. $30 for a year is a little steep for a forum I haven't really even had a chance to get a handle on. OTOT, it would be tax deductable.

Which brings me to.... Can I kick in $5 every now and then? EDIT: Well, geez, if you just look around a little.... Yes I can. Okay, fine, just a minute....