The status of Puritan Board

Scott Bushey · #1 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 01:57 PM

Boarders,
Here whats happening:

We are having major technical issues with the board. None of us are real techno-geeks; we put the board together on a whim. The board has grown astronomically over the last 3 years. As you all know, we have tried everything; changed hosts numerous times, had some outside techs retool things etc. None of this has truly solved our issues. We are truly troubled over this. We don't really know what to do. We are appealing to the XMB forum; we haven't had a lot of luck with that as of yet. On top of all this, money has become an issue. More members equals more posts; all this equals more memory usage..........

It's getting us down.........please pray for our endeavors. The board has glorified Christ. We would like to continue, if God wills.

PuritanBouncer · #2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 05:49 PM

Definately PRAYING!!!!!

LadyFlynt · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 06:07 PM

Is it plausible to drop some of the lesser used areas to save memory.

bond-servant · #4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LadyFlynt
Is it plausible to drop some of the lesser used areas to save memory.

Yes, or even the archives? Definately praying too!

Scott Bushey · #5 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 06:29 PM

The board is a great resource. There is much we could trim. Fred and I talked about that today. However, believe it or not, it would not make uop that much memory. The issue is that we are outgrowing our shoe's. Eventually, say in 2-3 years, we will need a dedicated server. These run around $200-300 per month. We are in a definite bind.........

daveb · #6 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 10:33 PM

Praying that you will find an answer for these problems Scott. Finding cheap/reliable hosting is never fun.

C. Matthew McMahon · #7 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 11:02 PM

How about a $5 a month mandatory dues for the board? That woudl take care of all the problems immediately, and we would be able to go to a didicated server right now?

$5 is:

- a blockbuster rental.
- a McDonalds lunch you don't need around your waist
- a Magazine you didn't need anyway
- the early bird movie on a Saturday afternoon
- the weekly offering of hypocritical Christians in church

What do you all think? Can we swing that?

100 people faithfully on the board - $500 monthly, that takes care of it every month.

PuritanBouncer · #8 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 11:03 PM

No problem for me! I think it's a great idea.

daveb · #9 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by webmaster
How about a $5 a month mandatory dues for the board?

Great idea.

If enough people sign up for this I'm sure some good hosting could be found.

pastorway · #10 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scott Bushey
We are in a definite bind.........

Then I guess it is bound in heaven too! That means we need ot loose it! Now where did I put those keys??

Seriously, we do need a long term solution. What would be the best possible fix?

Phillip

[Edited on 3-2-05 by pastorway]

SolaScriptura · #11 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by webmaster
How about a $5 a month mandatory dues for the board? That woudl take care of all the problems immediately, and we would be able to go to a didicated server right now?

$5 is:

- a blockbuster rental.
- a McDonalds lunch you don't need around your waist
- a Magazine you didn't need anyway
- the early bird movie on a Saturday afternoon
- the weekly offering of hypocritical Christians in church

What do you all think? Can we swing that?

100 people faithfully on the board - $500 monthly, that takes care of it every month.

Hmm. How many posts do I typically make in a month? It varies, with some months no posts being made and several in others... I'd say about 10 a month is averaged out... but of these, many are relatively short and (like a simple "smiley face" I just posted in response to a picture of MJ today) inconsequential. So $5 a month would be, basically, for me $.50 per post.
Of course, you own the site... but just be careful that you don't go with a course of action that makes more financial sense to those who post quite frequently at the expense of driving away those of us who aren't prepared to pay an amount that comes out to being about 50 cents every time we post... unless, of course, driving those people away is something you're willing to do!

I think the moderators and admins should have to pay for the privilege of having the power that they do. Bill all the moderators and the admins. In fact, you could grant people that position (with the power that comes with it) in exchange for their monthly contribution! It worked for Rome... it would surely work here!

[Edited on 3-2-2005 by SolaScriptura]

ANT · #12 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 11:48 PM

$5 a month, that sounds good. Maybe even offer a yearly package that would be discounted.

12 months @ $5 each month = $60
Do the full year membership and get it for $50

For new screen names, let them have the first month or two for free (just to check it out.) Then, after the trial period is up, let them either pay $5 a month, or do the year membership.

I would go for that. The Puritan Board is worth it. That would be such a small price to pay for getting to fellowship with like minded brothers and sisters. I know we would all gladly contribute.

Does this sound good to anyone else?

[Edited on 3-2-2005 by ANT]

PuritanBouncer · #13 (**permalink**) 03-01-2005, 11:53 PM

What Anthony says, or just seek 100 memebrs who want to make such a commitment. I don't expect to be offered anything for it over those who do not want to pay, but if you can come up with something else to make it more attractive (no idea what it would be) then I suppose that wouldn't be a bad idea.

I can't imagine finding 100 people willing to donate 5$ a month would be that difficult.

turmeric · #14 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 12:30 AM

There's always indulgences...:bigsmile: But seriously, a subscription seems the way to go.

Me Died Blue · #15 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 01:19 AM

I'm with Anthony and/or Adam. Maybe see if Adam's idea works (i.e. if we can get 100 people who wouldn't mind), and if that doesn't work, then look into the universal dues idea. Either way, I agree with Anthony that new members should be exempt even if we do go with the universal dues, so they could experience interaction and fellowship for a little while and then they'd have a reason to want to pay.

Either way, count me as willing to commit.

Shane · #16 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 01:33 AM

Please dont take this the wrong way. I would gladly pay but I only recently found work and with 3 kids things are pretty tight. Also as I am in SA $5 is about R35 here.

If it is the only way though then it is Gods will and so be it.

fredtgreco · #17 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 01:47 AM

No one should get overly concerned yet. We will try and work something out. I haven't uploaded this board to 4 servers to have it peter out.

Bladestunner316 · #18 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 01:59 AM

I think making people pay is a bit much and discouraging.

blade

govols · #19 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 05:33 AM

How about a price per post? J/K You know, like long distance calling.

That way, people like Adam could pay for it themselves.

Wow, 2000 + posts in less than a year.

Scott Bushey · #20 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladestunner316
I think making people pay is a bit much and discouraging.

blade

Nathan,
We are not 'making' people pay. We are discouraged also. Please see this as a need to brainstorm with everyone in this community. You see the situation. It's either we figuire something out or the board disappears into neverland. It is inevitable. The board is growing, eventually we will need dedicated servers. The cost is $300.oo monthly. What do you suggest? Should Matt and I take the brunt of these financial strains? You spend a lot of time on this board. Does it minister to you? Is this a ministry? I believe so. Give to your favorite ministry. Commit! The ongoing need for this ministry is great. Don't buy that next book, help us. Skip lunch today; fast for this ministry. Don't go to that movie, you spend more time here any ways.........

What do you suggest we do?

[Edited on 3-2-2005 by Scott Bushey]

blhowes · #21 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scott Bushey
The board is a great resource.

Amen!

Quote:

Originally posted by Scott Bushey
There is much we could trim. Fred and I talked about that today. However, believe it or not, it would not make uop that much memory. The issue is that we are outgrowing our shoe's.

Just curious. What exactly is it that's using up the memory space? Is it the volume of new posts? a higher hit count? existing threads?

Quote:

Originally posted by Scott Bushey
Should Matt and I take the brunt of these financial strains?

No, definitely not! ... and I'm guessing you pretty much have up until now - thank-you!

[Edited on 3-2-2005 by blhowes]

bond-servant · #22 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 10:05 AM

$5 a month, or $60 a year 'seems' small, but I agree with an earlier post. Our family too, are down to the dollar, and currently have not even been able to put money in savings. We are a one income, homeschooling family, and had about $10,000 in medical expenses last year for my youngest son. [praise God, He faithfully took care of us!]

I could probably do something like $20.00 a year. (?) I like the idea of letting new members post for 1-2 months free before a membership fee is charged.

Certainly can appreciate the bind the board is in. Other ideas anyone?

lwadkins · #23 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 10:26 AM

Maybe we need a board-a-thon to raise funds to cover each years costs

It has the advantage of not excluding those who truly are living paycheck to paycheck. We all, I know, desire to keep the board open so it can minister and grow all who come reguardless of their personal resourses.

crhoades · #24 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 10:44 AM

Here's a suggestion to save bandwidth and possibly speed some things up.

Avatars - Everytime someone posts their avatar shows up. This is KB that has to go through a pipeline. Take a thread that is 75 posts deep. That is 75 avatars that take up bandwidth. Multiply that by the # of times that thread is viewed and it goes up exponentially.

Solution: Take away the avatars under the screen name and replace it with a hyperlink to the avatar. That way if someone wants to see what someone looks like they can check their profile or have a pop-up with the avatar in it.

I know this is not a financial solution but it might put off the need for one as quickly.

Another thought - if we decide to go the subscription route or the donation route... How about for a donation of $10 or more a person receives the Westminster Standards CD (MP3) if they pay shipping. That would be a low cost way of providing incentive - (price of duplicating a cd) - not to mention I want one!