time to redecorate AO

[Dayspring]

I looked at my hosting company's prices:

$119.40 for 1 year of hosting, prepaid for the year. That's WITHOUT a unique IP address (an additional $4 per month.)

[Bunny]

Post from TK back in 2004 about AO.....

What will happen to AO?

I need to find a way to make AO pay for itself. If it can do that it can stay around forever. I will be selling banner space as a first try but if that doesnt work it might have to go to some kind of membership fee. Stuff like AO has to get paid for somehow and Dave didn't take over all the bills I have to pay.

AGD

http://www.automags.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1713974&postcount=26

[OPBN]

We still need to raise the $ for the forum software.

Vbulletin costs $195 for a new Forum license and $285 for the CMS + Forum version. (Not sure if we'd need that or not.)

So yes, we could likely make the hosting costs through the banner ads, but we still need $ for software upgrade.

Ok, the post on the first page that linked back to TK's statement in 06 said there was $150/month in banner revenue. Perhaps this figure has changed, but $1800/year should cover it and then some shouldnt it?

[BTAutoMag]

they only pay us if we click on them though. I make a point to click on them at least every day

[OPBN]

they only pay us if we click on them though. I make a point to click on them at least every day

Ahhhh. Fat chance of that happening since the only banners I seem to get lately are mature women that "don't like young guys". Trying to figure out if that is supposed to flatter me or excite me? Either way, I'm not sure if I have ever clicked on a banner ad intentionally.

[Dayspring]

Ok, the post on the first page that linked back to TK's statement in 06 said there was $150/month in banner revenue. Perhaps this figure has changed, but $1800/year should cover it and then some shouldnt it?

Yes, under a new model. But from the sounds of things, they are using that $150 and then some to cover CURRENT hosting costs.

So we'll still need to get the $ together for the software. Once we get moved to a new ISP and plan, then yes - the banner revenue would cover the monthly fees and then some.

[Arstron]

Again, I would gladly setup space on my server for agd to host the forums at no cost. Transferring would not be much of a problem, worst case scenario we would have to download all files to a computer, upload to the new server, shut AO down temporarily, back up the database, restore the database on the new server and switch the dns information around. Once the dns information updates everyone will start loading the open forums with no change.

[Bunny]

I'll put $$$ where my mouth is. I'm willing to cover some of the up front costs of upgrading to a new server. If anyone else is truely serious about this feel free to send me a PM.

[Dayspring]

Well, I can look into a Kickstarter type of setup to cover the Forum Software portion.

But again - we still need the OK from Tom/Zupe as well as some support from the current hosting company.

[BTAutoMag]

get a clear plan together. who is doing what? then we will present it to Tom.

[luke]

I'll put $$$ where my mouth is. I'm willing to cover some of the up front costs of upgrading to a new server. If anyone else is truely serious about this feel free to send me a PM.

It does not look like that much money so I dont think raising funds will be a problem, we really need to hear for Mr. TK before anything is started, it's not ours to change.

[Dayspring]

get a clear plan together. who is doing what? then we will present it to Tom.

I said earlier that if I don't hear from the Mod team here in the next day or so, I'll contact Tom directly.

[BTAutoMag]

contact him. I have but I have nothing technical to add, just support. we need someone who knows what theyre doing to talk to him

[Dayspring]

Yes sir.

[BTAutoMag]

[email protected]

I dont know how I remember that