Transparency On The Future of ATS

For all those members making suggestions about subscriptions, donations, lack of tech upgrades, etc. You missed one important missing asset on our end: time.

Pool your resources, make an offer, and become member-run.

Also, a payment model that refuses access to ad blockers (there are commercial options for this available, and they're updated frequently, so it doesn't have to be developed in house), but also allows members to pay to opt out of ads, could be an interesting compromise, an option that isn't all-or-nothing.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Well, what kind of numbers are we talking about? I would invest 10k

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

This has blown my mind as well. Ive been here through Bush and Obama, now Trump. And its different.

a reply to: DBCowboy

People have no idea how deep that last post was. They don’t know what ATS was like in the old days that they lament.

Decorum was a BIG DEAL back then. More so than the T&C to a degree. Because Manners was a big time offense that caused quite a few to start over collecting bling. Losing an account back in the day was a very big deal when you had to rebuild your inbox capacity, earn an avatar, space to upload an image or even the later reduced ads displayed for having bronze, silver or gold contributor status.

I really should do a “memory lane” thread.

a reply to: Ahabstar

Who doesn't miss the ATS Shop?

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

OK.

I get it. No sense in trying to look back when there isn't much future to grasp at.

I get it.

But I don't have to like it.

I'm willing to contribute money to the maintenance of ATS.

Anyone who has been part of this community for the last several years is willing to keep it alive it seems.

a reply to: Aallanon

If there's a suggestion for a sustainable plan, something that can at the very least break-even, or operate for a long time without re-investment, I'd also be willing to put in a sizable investment.

I think the initial post suggested that an estimate would be released at a later date. I'm hoping this will come with an outline of operating costs, as well, so we can get the full picture before committing to anything.

a reply to: Ahabstar
It was much better when we all had to earn our clout.

The membership thing seems quite unworkable to me, I don't think many people will pay to access ATS and I don't want information behind a paywall. The only real option is to develop a better advertising strategy or sell to a buyer. I'd prefer the first but know it's hard to pull off and unlikely to happen. I do think there will be some willing buyers though, even some wealthy people who may be willing to lose money to keep ATS alive.

originally posted by: Bent8484
I think the initial post suggested that an estimate would be released at a later date. I'm hoping this will come with an outline of operating costs, as well, so we can get the full picture before committing to anything.

SO gave it at around $25K per month.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

I never did order a PTS mug before it was too late...

And I was never sure of the quality of the messenger bags.

a reply to: Ahabstar

I really could use another t-shirt.

All I can say is.

Thank you,
Thank you for letting me be part of this wonderful website. Can't believe I've been here over 6 years now.


Thank you site Owners, Administrators, Super Mods and Mods.



















Thank you for not letting AugustusMasonicus and DBCowboy become moderators.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

I thought that was upgrade/revamp costs?

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Net shortfall, or before whatever advertising revenue streams they currently have are added in?

So now...at a time when the world is going to hell in a hand basket...this is the time where the site with the “New World Order”, “survival” and “off the grid” forum is shutting down?

Lousy timing!!!

Charge a membership fee and set it to annually auto-renew unless cancelled by the member. Site has tons of lurkers who never joined because they didn’t need to join to view content.


a reply to: SkepticOverlord

originally posted by: Bigburgh
Thank you for not letting AugustusMasonicus and DBCowboy become moderators.

What's this 'and' thing? You still haven't figured out the two different personas I use when posting?

originally posted by: Bent8484
Net shortfall, or before whatever advertising revenue streams they currently have are added in?

That I don't know. Best to ask SO.