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Attention all members - Big Forum News.... |
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TasunkaWitko 
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Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9389 |
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 Topic: Attention all members - Big Forum News....Posted: 17 May 2012 at 10:14 |
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Good morning, everyone ~
I received a notice today from WebWiz, the UK-based firm that hosts the Foods of the World Forum:
I contacted Bruce at WebWiz, and he told me about a good, inexpensive option:
If I am reading the message correctly, the "updated" forum will have quite a few nice features, including some nice ones listed here:
This is actually not a bad thing, since it was always the intention to upgrade the forum to this service, which would eliminate some limitations that the free service has. The only thing is, I hadn't yet gotten to a place where I am in a position to do it.
After doing some conversion, it looks like this package is going to come in at just under 100$ US per year, with the possibility to recover some - if not all - of that in advertising and links (should we choose to do that). At the present time, I do not have this amount on hand, but I should be able to get things going for a couple of months while we look at options for raising funds.
Any ideas?
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pitrow
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Joined: 22 November 2010 Location: Newberg, Oregon Status: Offline Points: 1087 |
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Posted: 17 May 2012 at 10:28 |
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what does the forum software cost, or would you be open to switching over to another forum software (like phpbb, which is free)?
If so, I could set you up on my server for much less, plus you still have the option of adding google ads or whatever you want to recover cost. |
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TasunkaWitko
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Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9389 |
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Posted: 17 May 2012 at 10:44 |
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good morning, mike ~
thanks much for the quick idea ~ some random thoughts here, just because i am an extreme novice where all this is concerned. if you have any advice etc., i'm definitely all ears.
i'm a little vague on all the details, as i am not "with it" where web hositng is concerned, but my understanding is that the forum software has a "free version" (which we have been using), and an upgraded version, which i assume (but don't know for sure) is a one-time payment. as for hosting on the server, up until now it had been free, but with this new development, it looks like it would be about 8$US/month.
here is a link that covers the options for the forum software:
as far as the hosting goes:
going with them (pros and cons): when webwiz is handling it, they worry about everything, including upgrades, backup etc. - all we have to do is sit back and keep doing what we've been doing. it's also pretty stable in that i've never had a serious interruption in service (except for a few minutes here and there). 8$/month isn't much, but i would sure hate to miss a payment!
 going alone (pros and cons): it's a one-time only purchase, and we would have the freedom that comes with that. but from what i can see, upgrades, tech support etc. are only in place for a year. after that, if we want to upgrade or need any assistance, we need to pay them again.
i'd like to stick with webwiz, if possible - they've been really good to me over the years with this and another forum (www.baitshopboyz.com) and its software and systems are familiar as well as user-friendly.
i might be confusing or mixing concepts here, but that's my understanding of our options. i'm dumb when it comes to this stuff, so i don't know much of what's involved. web hosting is out of my pay grade ~
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pitrow
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Joined: 22 November 2010 Location: Newberg, Oregon Status: Offline Points: 1087 |
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Posted: 17 May 2012 at 11:01 |
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Sound like you've got a pretty good handle on things Ron. I totally understand your position about not switching, it's a major pain in the rear. I switched my forum over from phpbb to vbulletin about two years ago and it was a real hassle.
If we can find a way to fund that for you, then it's the best of all worlds. FWIW, my forum seems to get about as much traffic as yours, maybe just a little more during the summer (it's racing related), and we can pull in anywhere from $200-$300 a year in google ads revenue, so you might be able to fully cover your cost just with that. Anyway, it looks like the free version of webwiz can be installed on any server, so if for some reason staying with their hosting doesn't seem like the right plan, my offer still stands. |
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TasunkaWitko
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Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9389 |
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Posted: 17 May 2012 at 11:11 |
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mike - your offer is noted and appreciated - i'm quite interested and will do some thinking on that.
phpbb, sql, vbulletin, that kind of stuff is way beyond me - but i can definitely learn a few things. primary concerns would be back-up and also, if we do need to make a quick switch from webwiz to another server, how that would work.
the advertising funding is interesting, and something i hadn't ever considered - if we can get this place to pay for itself, that sounds like the best of both worlds - any extra could go back into the forum for development of options, upgrades etc., i am sure.
payday is tomorrow, so i will arrange with webwiz to carry us for a month or two while we explore the options.
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Marissa
Cook 
Joined: 28 February 2012 Location: Austin TX Status: Offline Points: 160 |
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Posted: 17 May 2012 at 12:15 |
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I agree about switching software/hosting. It can be a TOTAL pain...but is sometimes completely worth it.
Just throwing additional things out there. If you want to go with another completely free option, there is a place called Runboard. I've been a member there for about 5 years and am admin of a forum. It has some good features - I would put it on par with what I have seen here on Web Wiz. I personally like self-hosted systems (as in, you pay for server space and install your own software like vbulletin) but that can be a lot more work. It'd be about the same amount of money as staying here. I've not done anything with Googleads or other money-generating stuff. I tend to shy away from that just because I don't like ads on websites so I don't put them on mine. But I've heard loads of folks say they pay for their forum/blog with ads so it certainly is possible!
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africanmeat
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Joined: 20 January 2012 Location: south africa Status: Offline Points: 910 |
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Posted: 17 May 2012 at 13:51 |
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Hi Ron didn't you said 20 of June is the cut of day . this is next month not tomorrow.
anther option is every active member contributes 5$ a year and the problem is solved. for all the info and Knowledge i get here i will give 5$ with a great Pleasure.
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Ahron
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TasunkaWitko
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Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9389 |
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Posted: 17 May 2012 at 14:28 |
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marissa - on one hand, i'm also leery of ads ~ i'd rather fund it entirely on my own than have any pop-up, banner or other intrusive ads. even if they are "relevant" ads, they are a distraction and something that have a negative context on many forums. if i understand these goodgle and VigLink ads, they are much less intrusive, and so they might be an options, but banner ads are something i would prefer to avoid.
another free hosting service is an option to keep in mind. currently i'm thinking of it as a last option, but i would like to avoid buying software if possible ~ we did that with my baitshopboyz.com site years ago, and the friend who is hosting that one says that the software is so obsolete now that it's kind of a pain - i tend to agree.
ahron - that's correct - JUNE 20th, so there's a month to figure this out. i can definitely carry it for a while, no problem, and that's perfectly fine with me. i'm not one to "pass the hat around," and will never make it a requirement to pay to participate in the forum, but if we get to a point where a "free-will donation" system is an acceptable option, i could set up a paypal account. as i said before, any donations beyond the server costs would be kept in there, for upgrades, services and other expenses directly related to the site. another option that was brought up would be a tiered system where members can choose to purchase a "premium" membership. i don't know much about this, but it is worth looking into.
currently, i haven't eliminated any options, but i'm leaning toward staying with WebWiz's hosting service, using the free software (which has the advantage of perpetual upgrades, back-up and tech support etc.), and then looking at a combination of funding through myself and possibly free-will donations, combined with non-intrusive ads (such as the vig link), which if i uderstand correctly can eventually start paying for themselves. in fact, from what i can see, the ads that we would get are the ones that are already in place here (the webwiz graphics etc. and the vig links), the only difference is that webwiz is currently getting the benefits from them, rather than us.
it looks like we've got some tech-savvy folks where forum hosting and software are concerned, so any comments on these options and suggestions are being taken seriously by me. i am hoping that over the next couple of months, three at most, we can come up with a solution and possibly even come out in great shape with this.
my sincere thanks to all for your continued support - without each and every one of you, this wonderful community wouldn't even exist!
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TasunkaWitko
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Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9389 |
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Posted: 17 May 2012 at 15:13 |
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Here's one new feature that relates directly to some recent issues we've been having:
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HistoricFoodie
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Joined: 21 February 2012 Location: Kentucky Status: Offline Points: 4945 |
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Posted: 17 May 2012 at 16:09 |
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I'm with Ahron on this. If just 20 of us kick in five bucks each, there's the hundred covered.
Put me down for a fiver.
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AK1
Master Chef
Joined: 10 April 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 1081 |
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Posted: 18 May 2012 at 04:45 |
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I'm in!
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ChrisFlanders
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Joined: 01 March 2012 Location: Flanders Status: Offline Points: 343 |
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Posted: 19 May 2012 at 07:12 |
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I know too little about hosting but I know that hosting and changing webhost is not such a problem. The real issue is changing software. Changing any kind of database software is always big, big trouble!
I can live with a small contribution. Personally I would try free contribution, people don't have the same notion of "small" contribution.
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Margi Cintrano
Master Chef
Joined: 03 February 2012 Location: Spain Status: Offline Points: 6362 |
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Posted: 19 May 2012 at 13:03 |
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Dear Tas,
Firstly, to kick off, I would discuss the options and explore the various avenues available that are most vanguard and modernly as well as best suited for The Foods Of The World Forum. As you know, I am as Techi as a peanut ! Can manage posting and emailing and google search and speak 5 1/2 languages, however, the subject of running a website with a forum, is Chinese; one of the languages I do NOT speak except for hello and thank you ! Secondly, of course, count me in, for my contribution in Euros, as I have no U.S.A. currency. Kindest. Margi. Cintrano.
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Volamos a Mediterraneo, un paraiso que conquista su gente u su cocina.
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TasunkaWitko
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Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9389 |
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Posted: 21 May 2012 at 10:49 |
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well everyone ~ i took friday, saturday and sunday off from the forum and put some thought into this over the weekend while i did some planting in the garden, tended an all-night barbecue and got a few things taken care of around the house. i think i've got some direction on this situation, and i also think we're in a good position to turn this "news" into a good opportunity for this forum, looking forward to the future.
first and absolutely foremost: i want to thank each and everyone person who has expressed support, in public and through PM - it is thanks to all of you that this forum exists and is growing into such an outstanding resource for people who love to cook.
this forum has always been - and will always be - about what i call the crossroads of food, history, geography and culture. the fact that we have brought together such a diverse and talented group is proof that the concept is a good one, and i have every intention of nurturing this beginning. here is my plan, and please feel free to offer comments, suggestions etc.
that's what i have for now - if anyone has any comments or questions, or if i missed anything, which is very possible this monday morning, please let me know. |
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pitrow
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Joined: 22 November 2010 Location: Newberg, Oregon Status: Offline Points: 1087 |
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Posted: 21 May 2012 at 11:38 |
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Sounds like a good plan Ron! Let me know when you get the paypal up and running, I'll chip in a bit.
One note I have on the donations that works well on my forums... if you do end up getting excessive funds to the point where you feel like you have more than enough, you might consider doing some site sponsored contests, with the prizes funded by the excess donations. It's a good way to give back, and also good for bringing in new people and content. A lot of "lurkers" can be lured out of hiding by offering a prize of some sort. |
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TasunkaWitko
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Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9389 |
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Posted: 21 May 2012 at 11:47 |
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that sounds like a great idea, mike, and from what i can see would certainly fall within the parameters of development and growth for the forum. if we do indeed get to that fortunate condition, it would definitely be an option - thanks!
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TasunkaWitko
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Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9389 |
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Posted: 30 May 2012 at 09:36 |
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to all -
i've notified bruce at webwiz that we will be working to transition over to their paid hosting service in time for the 20 June 2012 deadline.
it seems the best thing to do is to set up a paypal account for incoming and outgoing funds related to the site. my wife has one for ebay and other transactions, and i might use that one temporarily, but as soon as possible, i'll have an independent one set up. when this happens, i'll let everyone know. i might need help setting up a "donate" button on the main page, since that is WAY out fo my expertise.
i want to make clear that FotW is not a for-profit site or business; it's a community for people who like to discuss and enjoy international, traditional, regional and historic foods, and we're here to have a good time. donations are appreciated, but are absolutely NOT necessary, and any funds that come in will be used for the site - upgrades, necessary fees, membership etc.
this community is here because of all of you, and FOR all of you ~ thank you for your support!
ron
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TasunkaWitko
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Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9389 |
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Posted: 30 May 2012 at 10:15 |
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it's official - bruce will be moving us over to the upgraded status and our first billing date will be 30 June 2012. if you notice any changes in the forum or if there's any short down-time, this will be the reason why ~ |
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Margi Cintrano
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Joined: 03 February 2012 Location: Spain Status: Offline Points: 6362 |
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Posted: 30 May 2012 at 10:29 |
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Pounds 4.75 per month, with rates: 1.33 Euros = 1.00 USD $
In Dollars, it is about 19 a month in USD
I may be off a few cents, however, it is about 5 - 6 Euros, a month, the Euro is higher than the pound now ( 15 to 20 countries out of 27 who use it )
Margi.
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TasunkaWitko
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Joined: 25 January 2010 Location: Chinook, MT Status: Offline Points: 9389 |
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Posted: 31 May 2012 at 11:38 |
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ok, guys - as you can probably see, we are officially switched over. it will take a few days to get accumsomed to the new features here, so please bear with us. in the meantime, here is a lsiting of the new features:
also, i should have paypal set up by the end of the day ~ will keep everyone updated on that. thanks to all for their support and participation!
ron
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