On the new server and it's impact

satfix · Dec 18, 2007

Hey guys.. the heavy traffic from coolrunning has forced me to go to a dedicated server. This will take a couple days to migrate to it. The impact will be significant. First of all, it will be fast as we will have it to ourselves. 
We'll also be less susceptible to hackers - all good 
The down side is the cost. My cost are about to go significantly higher. Probably on the order of $100 a month. (not counting cost of running log) 
I'm working on some options on how to fund the place. including but not limited to: Advertisement in running log area.. POSSIBLE advertisement in top right corner of forum (opposite logo); investors; dues - paypal donations.. I wanted to give you all a heads up and let you know whats' going on. Most members don't understand the cost of this project and at this point, it's a lot further than I thought it would get for a LONG while. It's time for me to decide to move forward or not. And at this juncture - moving forward makes the most sense. 
I'll keep you posted and I'll need your help to 'sell' the changes - if they come across 'negative' by the members.. I'm trying to make the best decisions that will benefit the site, it's members, and the long-term viability of this place. I'm open to ideas, suggestions, or any other thing you guys care to offer. 
You'll be the first to know what options we have going forward and your honest, candor and feedback from your members with whom you deal with on a regular basis will be very helpful. 
Thanks for your support during this STRESSFUL time for me and all you guys do! 
rich

Grizzly · Dec 18, 2007

Get ready for even more. I hear that the moderating on the new CR site is rather draconian. 
But then again, people who would have left have left already.

Tamster · Dec 18, 2007

I was curious about the cost factor of having our own server. That's quite a bit! And not knowing anything really about the cost of running a site like this and what amount of money you get via advertisement spots, I wasn't sure how that all played out. 
My first thought is perhaps generating a "serious poll" about what members want here. Do they want to put up with some ads, but have a free site to post on? Are they willing to pay a small fee each year to have a site free from advertisements? For example, I also post at a place called "Worldcrossing" - I pay a $12/yr membership fee for unlimited posting and no ads. It's worth it to me. You can post there w/o paying the $12/yr, but you are limited to 10 posts per day and you will see some ads when you first log in. 
I think letting the posters here know what kind of cost is involved in running this site (I'm sure many are totally clueless as I was) and getting serious feedback from them in regards to what they are willing to put up with (ads) or if they are willing to help absorb the costs in some way might be the easiest way to know what to do. And if they are included in on the decision making process, they will feel like they have more invested in this site and will be more loyal to it (as opposed to what has happened with the Active takeover and changes).

merigayle · Dec 18, 2007

I would start with the paypal donations and small ads that are not like the CR ones. On CR the ads were loud, flashy, and just down right obscene. Maybe Jeff Galloway wants to advertise and have a forum? <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> 
I go to another site that you can chose to pay $12/yr for extra features and access to certain forums. I never thought twice about paying that fee.

altoids · Dec 18, 2007

I think if you are careful with ad style and placement, so they are available but not obnoxious, that most people will be willing to accept them as part of the deal. 
Is there any way to make money on logo'd merchandise? I am not experienced, so there may not be much profit to it. 
Paypal donations... I could see this working. 
Or a small membership fee that gives you extra features... like picking your "tag" that goes beneath your name, or extra room for PM's, etc... that might fly.

liath · Dec 21, 2007

Rich, you rock I think your continued dedication to the site is an example to us all but you must not be out of pocket on this! 
I think someone already mentioned having two versions of the log, one available to all and the extra features for sale? I like this idea. 
I think picking your tag may be unmanagable but perhaps something which indicates when someone has donated? 
I hate to say it but perhaps pay for ad free? Perhaps if you pay for the extra features you and if you pay for anything you get rid of the ads? 
I think the best way to go would be to keep the site free but give users more if they are willing to pay. 
Speaking for myself, I think KR is a fantastic place. Partially because of the people but mostly because I feel that you as the admin listen to us, users not mods. That is something I never thought CR achieved. 
However I will hold my hand up now and say I would not pay a subscription, my financial situation does not allow it (when I am rich and never have to worry about money again that may be different!). I would have no problem with others getting more if they did pay but would feel upset if I lost out because I didn't (does that make sense?). I think you should look at expanding what could be available to subscribers. Sharing running logs as at mapmyrun? Perhaps a photobucket style photo storage space for people? 
I think for the site to continue to improve and grow your vision of a community rather than a forum is excellent and I would support that in any way I can. I have already offered my php skills but if you've missed it here I am doing it again! 
Adam

merigayle · Dec 21, 2007

i know that at the other site i go to which has the pay option, you can gift subscriptions as well <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">

millbot · Dec 21, 2007

First of all, thanks for investing so much in this site, Rich. This is a wonderful place. 
I frequent a couple sites (non-running) which have settled on the subscription idea. In both instances, everything on the site is free, but you can pay for an ad-free experience and some other small perks, or simply make a donation. The sites make it clear that they are supported by subscriptions, and they make it easy to subscribe, but they are not "in your face" about it. 
I think anyone who buys running shoes, pays for races, or pays dues to a running club wouldn't hesitate to support a site like KR, in light of how much it adds to the running life of most visitors.

diablita · Dec 21, 2007

Rich, 
I was traveling when this thread went up and am sorry you went through the headache of yet more changes. I think you're going to find a community of people here who want to help support their community in whatever fashion they can. I love the idea of asking for input to let the user base help decide on how this will work. 
A lot of us have bugged you over the last few months for extra smileys, color-coded user names, larger avatars, fluffy toilet paper and keys to the corporate jet. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to pay extra for some of these extra perks. If I want to sit in the airlines' posh members-only lounges, eat peanuts and use the free wi-fi, I have to pay for that, too. Otherwise, I can sit at the gate and hunt for the airport's 2 electrical outlets like everybody else. 
No matter how you ultimately choose to handle it, I'll be happy to chip in.

altoids · Dec 21, 2007

Okay, I finally remembered the ideas I had while the site was unavailable. 
What initially drew me to the coolrunning site was not the community, but a google search for "free online running log". As a new runner, I also devoured the articles for newbies about running. 
Only after that did I find the forums, and the community. 
So here is my thought: Develop some articles about the basics of running, and have ads on those pages. I would recommend seeking out trusted running gear sites as advertisers for those spots. People will google running questions, browse to those pages, and view the ads and hopefully generate some revenue. 
Make sure that there are navigational links from the running log to the articles as well, and make sure there is a good organization of the articles. 
The community section could be ad-free, funded by whatever other means you see fit (donations, etc.)

altoids · Dec 21, 2007

Pardon me for one more thought. I just came across this on a site: 
"The bookstore is an associate of Amazon.com. Order books directly through the store and help support this website while helping yourself to amazon's great discounts and service" 
It was a list of books that were related to the content of the site, with a review by the site owner, and when clicked through, it went to amazon.com. 
Apparently this can be a source of revenue? We could have a book review page for this...

Grizzly · Dec 21, 2007

Altoids... what an amazing thought! 
Running books? I think though that we'd have to front some money for the inventory. But worth looking into.

altoids · Dec 21, 2007

From what I see, you just have to have an account as an "associate" <a href="http://affiliate-program.amazon.com/join/?tag=widgetsamazon-20" target="_blank">http://affiliate-program.amazon.com/...dgetsamazon-20</a> 
and put links to amazon.com, and you get a percentage of the sales that come through your site.

Grizzly · Dec 21, 2007

Well, heck. I know a few of us have read some interesting running books. Pfitz's plan, the one about Running The Spiritual Path... 
Gee, we could get a dozen books suggested, I'm sure, and reviews for each with a link to Amazon. That's, well, almost too easy! 
Wow. You are wicked smart!

liath · Dec 21, 2007

Feet in the clouds.

merigayle · Dec 21, 2007

oooooh. so many good ultra things on there 
Running through the Wall 
Thrill of Victory Agony of my feet (adventure racing book) 
To the Edge 
Ultramarathon Man 
The Runner DVD 
Running on the Sun DVD 
Prefontaine DVD 
etc. AWESOME IDEA!!!

satfix · Dec 21, 2007

I was thinking about perhaps compiling all the great recipes and 'selling' a kickrunners.com cookbook.. Not sure how difficult it would be to do the compiling and printing, but what do you guys think? we could sell a 'pdf' version and then work thru kinkos to have it printed by order? 
thoughts?

Grizzly · Dec 21, 2007

Yup.

merigayle · Dec 21, 2007

You can do it on cafe press. I can even look into doing it for you if you want. I have fooled around with their self publishing stuff.

satfix · Dec 21, 2007

I'd LOVE someone to do this (I don't have the skills or time to do this) 
Thanks!!!

On the new server and it's impact

satfix

Grizzly

Tamster

merigayle

altoids

liath

merigayle

millbot

diablita

altoids

altoids

Grizzly

altoids

Grizzly

liath

merigayle

satfix

Grizzly

merigayle

satfix

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