Geekzone subscriptions - yes, no, why?

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freitasm

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#64682 20-Jul-2010 14:58

Today I was checking some admin stuff and noticed that we currently have a very low number of active Geekzone subscriptions - not counting courtesy and moderators. Let's say "more than five and less than 50"...

Every day I hear and read people complaining about advertising on the site, and every day I ask why don't they subscribe and get Geekzone ad free, super fast, without having to go to the trouble of using a buggy ad blocker?

What's your take?

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973 posts

Ultimate Geek

#353961 20-Jul-2010 15:05

I subscribe because I use the site every day and I know running something as big as this isn't cheap. If it was being run by a large company I probably wouldn't subscribe, but it's partly for selfish reasons that I do in that I want you to continue running it :)

Damager

2125 posts

Uber Geek

#353965 20-Jul-2010 15:08

Im a regular subscriber but the last one didnt go through, so come payday, I'll get it sorted. I'm happy to subscribe as I do use the site often and understand that it takes a few $$$ to maintain it.

Cheers

Steve

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BuffyNZ

241 posts

Master Geek

#353966 20-Jul-2010 15:08

meesham: I subscribe because I use the site every day and I know running something as big as this isn't cheap. If it was being run by a large company I probably wouldn't subscribe, but it's partly for selfish reasons that I do in that I want you to continue running it :)

This. Me too, exactly the same reason.

Recursion: See recursion.
--
“It is important not to let the perfect become the enemy of the good, even when you can agree on what perfect is. Doubly so when you can't. As unpleasant as it is to be trapped by past mistakes, you can't make any progress by being afraid of your own shadow during design.”

--Greg Hudson, Subversion developer

freitasm

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#353968 20-Jul-2010 15:10

Thanks folks... We appreciate your help. I am also interested in anything non-subscribers could tell us - how to make it better, more attractive.

graemeh

2078 posts

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#353969 20-Jul-2010 15:11

My excuse is pure apathy, nothing more.

You now have +1 active subscriptions ;)

raab

262 posts

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#353975 20-Jul-2010 15:15

Reasons why I don't subscribe, being brutally honest.

Access to private forums; - Don't know if there's more than 1, but I don't care about off topic forums for subscribers
Personal Tag under your name in the forums; - Don't care
100 MB of disk space for image storage (automatically resized for best use in our forums or on your Geekzone Blog); - I have a server in a euro DC with 100mbit link and 1tb space
Image gallery for use in your Geekzone Blog "Random Picture" feature; - Don't care
Advertising free option for browsing Geekzone; - What ads? I use adblock
Up to ten private forums, with invite-only access that you manage for each individual forum
- Don't care

All in all I don't see what benefit there is subscribing other than the good feeling that you're helping with hosting on top of the revenue you earn from ads.

I asked a question both here and GPforums and got more answers from GPforums. I was under the impression that there were more people in that industry on here than GPforums but obviously mistaken.

timbosan

2144 posts

Uber Geek

#353978 20-Jul-2010 15:18

graemeh: My excuse is pure apathy, nothing more.

You now have +1 active subscriptions ;)

What he said.

It is something I looked at a while ago, but totally forgot about, so yes, I will subscribe. I understand the costs of running geekzone can be high, and I do use it almost everyday.

Saying that I have an ad-blocker on my entire network (I use Untangle, brilliant product) so not sure how much 'value' I will get, apart from supporting the site financially, but I still consider the cost well worth it.

Maybe you could throw 'supporter only' parties!?!?

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Handsomedan

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#353987 20-Jul-2010 15:25

I'm cheap and not really interested in the benefits of being a subscriber other than the warm fuzzies for helping out.

And I am currently broke.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

*Gladly accepting donations...

Handle9

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#353993 20-Jul-2010 15:37

raab: Reasons why I don't subscribe, being brutally honest.

Access to private forums; - Don't know if there's more than 1, but I don't care about off topic forums for subscribers
Personal Tag under your name in the forums; - Don't care
100 MB of disk space for image storage (automatically resized for best use in our forums or on your Geekzone Blog); - I have a server in a euro DC with 100mbit link and 1tb space
Image gallery for use in your Geekzone Blog "Random Picture" feature; - Don't care
Advertising free option for browsing Geekzone; - What ads? I use adblock
Up to ten private forums, with invite-only access that you manage for each individual forum
- Don't care

All in all I don't see what benefit there is subscribing other than the good feeling that you're helping with hosting on top of the revenue you earn from ads.

I asked a question both here and GPforums and got more answers from GPforums. I was under the impression that there were more people in that industry on here than GPforums but obviously mistaken.

I guess I'm pretty similar other than I don't use an adblocker and don't really care about the advertising - if you can't blockout ads then the internet isn't for you!

nickd

447 posts

Ultimate Geek

#353995 20-Jul-2010 15:41

Poor student! Maybe once I enter the work force next year. That and the majority of what raab said.

newznz

73 posts

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#354002 20-Jul-2010 15:52

As someone who also runs a free online service, it bugs me when I hear other people who run free or mostly free services start complaining that people aren't subscribing or donating. The only reason for running a free service can be for the love of it. If other people love it and find it of use, then hopefully they might contribute something as way of appreciation.

Most people on the internet will take/want/demand without giving much...bit like real life really.

Just my take on it!

Delorean

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#354003 20-Jul-2010 15:54

I have a theory, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Someone has to pay for it.

I pay the subscription to contribute to the ongoing costs relating to the site, and to be fair, As a former Banker and now being self employed, you realise this fact more than most.

Referral Link: | Quic Broadband (use R142206E0L2CR for free setup)

Johnk

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#354004 20-Jul-2010 15:57

meesham: I subscribe because I use the site every day and I know running something as big as this isn't cheap. If it was being run by a large company I probably wouldn't subscribe, but it's partly for selfish reasons that I do in that I want you to continue running it :)

+1.
Im not a big poster at all, just browse mostly, without adds (not keen on addblocker for kiwi sites) its so much nicer!

tomgeeknz

923 posts

Ultimate Geek

#354005 20-Jul-2010 16:00

Poor student but am seriously considering it.

plod

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

#354010 20-Jul-2010 16:12

Well the way I see it, is that without members there is no geekzone. After all its the members that answer the questions and contribute to the site. So I don't see why I would want to pay too help people out. I do realise the forum isn't the only part of geekzone.

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