Russian, Ukrainian & FSU Information & Manosphere Discussion Forums

Welcome! => Forum Announcements => Topic started by: Manny on March 11, 2015, 04:29:37 PM

Title: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on March 11, 2015, 04:29:37 PM
So I thought I would start a topic on site funding, as it does crop up from time to time, and again today:

How does one become a supporting and or sustaining member.

** Donation Link Here ** (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G4TDWG6HYUX4S)

That question was as a result of a query about the upload image feature having been turned off some months ago (edit: now switched back on).

So I will dial back first with some history.

When the site was started way back in 2007, it was on the usual few dollars a month 'GoDaddy' shared type of hosting. After moving hosts a few times because such services are crap except for Mom and Pop type sites, traffic was such that we had to use a non-shared environment to avoid lag and downtime. That typically means private servers, dedicated servers or VPS/VDS type deals that cost more. We were hacked once or twice which necessitated off site backups (which are not free). Then we had to move the site out of the US in order to avoid DMCA's, threats of lawsuits from US agencies and other American legal silliness. So we now host in the UK.

Everyone says "Oh, hosting is dirt cheap". Yes it is, if when your site goes down you have to open a ticket, and two days later a bloke called Gupta in India replies it and says "Did you try to reboot your computer?" and then its two days till the next response.  :'(   We have a host where if something breaks, I call up, and a bloke called Brian or Geoffrey fixes it while I am on the phone. That level of service has a price tag.

In the 'golden' days of the 'mail order bride' business, which we caught the tail end of, advertisers were coming out of the walls and queuing up to pay our bills. Now the MOB business is a shadow of its former self, we find sites like the huge Aweb and former industry darlings like Elena's don't want to pay their bills to sites like this (or in the latter case need to be chased for 6 months to pay). Why you don't see their ads here any more. We used to use Google to serve ads here too, but Google classed us as an 'adult' site as there are a few photos of scantily clad ladies around the site and other unspecified 'adult' content, so they now refuse to serve ads here. As time allows, I am looking at other ad servers, including adult networks (!), but it takes time to put in place.

Meanwhile, the site trucks along full of eight years of photos and content, growing daily, costing money every month. Our image folders are *huge* and a few months ago when we were again running out of space, I suspended image uploading in order that I can manually review what images we need to keep. For example, an Obama joke image from four years ago in Off Topic on page 75 of a 500 page topic probably isn't important (we need not pay to host that). A blokes photo on a TR of the Potemkin Steps is more relevant, and that can only be done manually. So over a few months, I am up to page 751 of several thousand pages of our images.

It has always been the way that the site must be self-funding. As with any enterprise, it has to pay its own way to be viable. It also has to carry some reserves for ongoing tech work, software upgrades, new ideas, etc.

However it is done, the site needs a little bit of cash every month, generated from itself, to survive without costing me money personally. So a while back, I put a "Donate to RUA" on the ad rotator. So far, only two members have done so as a one off, and earned the heady title of "Supporting Member". I will find the direct link for anyone that wishes to throw a few coins into the bowl and post it on the topic.

But looking forward, with a shortage of advertisers that want to actually pay, and with minimal member contributions, apart from ads like "Wet Chloe Wants You Tonight on Cam" how does a site like this generate a few thousand dollars a year in order to be self funding in light of the MOB industry being on its last legs?

So, lets discuss, and I will happily answer questions.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on March 11, 2015, 04:45:06 PM
So, lets discuss, and I will happily answer questions.

What percentage of the monthly operating costs (including perhaps a 10% reserve) does the monthly ad revenue cover?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on March 11, 2015, 04:55:37 PM
So, lets discuss, and I will happily answer questions.

What percentage of the monthly operating costs (including perhaps a 10% reserve) does the ad revenue cover?

At the moment, I am probably subsidising it a tad. On a good month it may break even. The last few months we are teetering on falling into the red if we haven't done so already. The 'accounts' are not to the dime you understand as the site isn't big enough to be ring fenced that way as we run a few sites on the server, but we are probably just dipping into the red as RUA goes.

None of this is big money, so not critical, but the site should self fund, so even a few dollars in the red is nonetheless, red.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on March 11, 2015, 05:21:05 PM
None of this is big money, so not critical, but the site should self fund, so even a few dollars in the red is nonetheless, red.

I agree.  But you are placed in the position of trying to self-fund promotion of the buggywhip.

I'd suggest you impose a $5 per year fee on members once they get to 25 posts.  A lifetime membership would be $50.  If anybody that regulary posts on this forum is too cheap to send you $5 a year by PayPal then we really don't need them here cluttering up the place. 

Might thin out the deadweight on the forum.  Moby would have to pay at least $25 per year for all of his alias ids.

In that spirit, in spite of the fact I am now poor as a churchmouse and I have zero intention or interest in finding a wife in the FSU, I want to be your first Lifetime Member.  I pledge $50.  You're a good bloke. 
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Anathema on March 11, 2015, 07:08:53 PM
I'm a member of several forums with paid subscriptions, I've also donated when asked, and I click ads to help out, purely because I really like the sites and would hate to see them disappear.  One is very similar to this forum.

The difference with those sites and this one is that they are well run.  They don't let the few trolls ruin the "mood" of the place just to drive arguments to drive posts.  They don't let mods pick and choose to delete posts just because the mod doesn't like the post or member that posted it, like with my posts earlier this week.  They are very transparent when decisions about deleting posts or topics are made.  They do their best to create a good community where users aren't afraid to share content.  Basically, the exact opposite of this forum.

You, Manny, allow a few to poison the water here and are poisonous yourself occasionally.  Your very first post to me when I first joined was condescending.  As a brand new member, only a few months ago, I instantly felt the negative "vibe" here once I started reading threads.  The "MOB" business could be booming right now and this forum would still be sinking unless you actually took measures to foster a good community.  It's obvious you have no desire to do that.

The numerous threads here, telling you there's a problem are ignored, locked, or deleted.  You can point the finger at rising costs and a declining industry; those obviously play a part, but you're not stupid, you know the real problem is the poisonous community you encourage.

There's no way I would donate or pay anything to this site.  There's no way I would ever recommend this site to anyone else.  I think you'll have another failed forum on your hands soon and you only have yourself to blame.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Anathema on March 11, 2015, 09:46:26 PM
The fact that my previous post will be deleted and I'll be banned kind of makes my point.

There's good information and people here but they're drowned out by the noise and there's apparently no desire to change that.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: TomT on March 11, 2015, 10:12:59 PM
The fact that my previous post will be deleted and I'll be banned kind of makes my point.

Since your previous post wasn't deleted and you are neither moderated nor banned, the only point to be made is that you are Anenema. Thanks for your input. (Get it?)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: WestCoast on March 11, 2015, 10:43:16 PM
Manny do you think the ads do much good? How many people like myself have ad blocking software and never see the ads? Many here are very computer literate so I'd assume ad blocking software is common.

Perhaps a tip jar? I know a number of sites that use them. Or perhaps a section that requires a membership fee while most of RUA is still free?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Bruce Lee on March 12, 2015, 12:48:14 AM
There's no way I would donate or pay anything to this site. 
Good for you :thumbsup:

There's no way I would ever recommend this site to anyone else.  I think you'll have another failed forum on your hands soon and you only have yourself to blame.
I assume nobody is forcing you to be here so maybe take some simple steps to relieve your obvious discomfort – take 2 steps away from your computer, log off from this site and don’t bother visiting again – simples!

Like most here you will be forgotten in days – but don’t worry there’ll be another of your ilk to contribute the neggy vibes soon enough!
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: ashbyclarke on March 12, 2015, 01:19:36 AM
How about going to www.paidonresults.com, which is free I believe, use some of their banners to generate income?

Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Markje on March 12, 2015, 01:28:26 AM
I too have ad-blocking software installed.

but as long as there are just "quiet" ads , without huge blinking flash-ads or even worse, full-video with sound. Rua remains on my whitelist of non-blocked ads.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Volshe on March 12, 2015, 02:02:23 AM
I think all of us need to send couple of bucks, before we get new adds. Btw, another forum i attend had the same problem with Google, basically it would take renaming the site & not posting semi-pornographic memes & BS (of which there is no use anyway); i think it can be done. OR, we could make part of the forum paid, like many forums do - area which is now for 500+ posters could be for paid subscribers, sth like 50$ a year. C'mmon guys, don't be greedy ;)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 12, 2015, 07:00:47 AM
I confess that people who use sites and then at the same time choose to block the means by which the site supports itself always seem to me to be somewhat dishonest. For myself, I have never used ad-blocking software on any site that I use.

Westcoast, man up, turn off the ad-blocker and enable Manny to have the opportunity to fund the site - or bung him some money.

What's the betting that Anathema will continue posting away even though he hates the site and people and can find no benefit to it. One wonders if some people ever read what they write, or think before writing.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on March 12, 2015, 11:03:59 AM
How about going to www.paidonresults.com, which is free I believe, use some of their banners to generate income?

General affiliate ads have never done that well here.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on March 12, 2015, 11:11:03 AM

What's the betting that Anathema will continue posting away even though he hates the site and people and can find no benefit to it. One wonders if some people ever read what they write, or think before writing.
I do believe he said a few, maybe you should read before posting also.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 12, 2015, 11:17:32 AM
NS1, in your ongoing quest to look a fool by missing the point or misunderstanding what you read you continue to follow me around like a sick puppy. If you wish to communicate with me please send me a PM - Oh, that's right, you can't. So, just stop following me around like a sick puppy, there's a good lad.  :'(
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on March 12, 2015, 11:37:08 AM
NS1, in your ongoing quest to look a fool by missing the point of misunderstanding what you read you continue to follow me around like a sick puppy. If you wish to communicate with me please send me a PM - Oh, that's right, you can't. So, just stop following me around like a sick puppy, there's a good lad.  :'(
I do believe they same as you, I can post on comments as I wish.
If you are to stupid to realize you were once again, one of the ones being spoken about, no help for you there. Follow you, not in this life time, keep dreaming :chuckle: Of course, if you don't like my comments,could always just piss off.
Or put me on ignore, won't hurt my feelings:)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on March 12, 2015, 04:19:54 PM
You gentlemen are not helping the cause here.  (:)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: ashbyclarke on March 12, 2015, 04:37:35 PM
How about going to www.paidonresults.com, which is free I believe, use some of their banners to generate income?

General affiliate ads have never done that well here.

Just a suggestion, but perhaps those who come to this site aren't one's who are seeking a partner or need an advertising banner for  a dating site, often they're not quite the ones many here would suggest anyway.

If there was links to something more useful, say inter flora FSU (similar but not so expensive) so members can send flowers, or perhaps an underwear firm who deliver directly to the FSU might be more helpful?

Whilst others are suggesting members pay, it's perhaps those who don't contribute in written form who are those who you could exploit further, I know for me I'd be more than happy to know a firm whom I can order flowers online in english at a reasonable rate to be delivered on say Women's Day or similar. There must be more similar type products? Polski shops that deliver online, paying commission?

Just think the dating links are used here more for fun, the more usable aspects seem be missed IMO.

But then I don't run a forum!!
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on March 12, 2015, 05:13:45 PM
I've trialled affiliate stuff here in the past. As have similar sites. Because of the nature of our traffic it doesn't work. How can I put this..... a lot of our traffic are the chaps obsessing about free sites. They do not want to spend money; they are not consumers of the stuff our context might sell who are receptive to embedded links (such as viglink provide).

We already have an underwear firm on the rotator who deliver to the FSU, sales from here are zero. Remember, 95% or more of our traffic never get on a plane, so don't buy flowers or underwear like you or I might.

Aside from Google ads that deliver based on location and browsing history, which we cant have any more, I am led to think we must cater to the 95% of our traffic, those who are mostly silent, that never get on a plane. We must cater to our browsing demographic and use pay-per-click over pay-per-purchase. Most readers here are single low/middle income, middle aged American men. They are adult media consumers.

I see little option other than some adult ads.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Volshe on March 12, 2015, 06:45:44 PM
How can I put this..... a lot of our traffic are the chaps obsessing about free sites. They do not want to spend money;
What a great prospects for eventual brides... (:)
I see little option other than some adult ads.

 :duh:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: TomT on March 12, 2015, 08:47:44 PM
You gentlemen are not helping the cause here.  (:)

If you levy a one-dollar fine for each stupid post, your coffers shall runneth over.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Donhollio on March 12, 2015, 09:11:08 PM
I see little option other than some adult ads.

  The late great Bon Scott once sang out,

''And roll them loaded dice
Bring on the dancin' girls and put the Champagne on ice
I'm goin' in
To sin city''

 :party0031:   


 
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Texan77 on March 12, 2015, 10:19:03 PM
What I personally would buy if you had the links here would be discount travel. I need hotel rooms and plane tickets. I do not need underware or sex sites. I would not stop coming here if they have their add here but would not buy.

Other things I buy is English classes, Driving classes, and photography classes for her in the Ukraine. Flowers in the Ukraine that are not too expensive. For English I am using AEC American English Center I very much like their service. She is learning very fast and very little cost. They have centers all across the Ukraine and number of other FSU countries.

When I was first looking; dating services. I did click on some of your adds then but I did not used them. I also bought your book. Maybe members that bought your book maybe more willing to spend money. Maybe a special page for dating services where on this page their are only dating services where you get paid per click, No chat or forum just adds for those who are looking for dating services. Maybe the dating services here could offer your members a discount on some services to encourage them to use this site to access their service.

Personally I think when the war in the Ukraine ends it will likely be a big boom for this business.

Maybe you should try to get other members to talk about what they do buy.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on March 13, 2015, 02:55:27 AM
You have changed the direction of the site slightly.
How are your numbers now compared to before the change?
Has it been long enough to see numbers?
Your site, how its run and the target group
you wish to grow here has a direct relation to advertising.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 13, 2015, 03:12:13 AM
To those suggesting the kind of ads that YOU'D like to see: it does not really work like that. ;)

You see, if Manny decides that, for example, a flower delivery banner is a good idea he has to go find a firm and either sell them ad space OR research an affiliate offer, place the ads of his choice and wait to see what happens.

Usually, on a general interest site such as this that is read by the demographic he has mentioned the affiliate sales will be looooooow. But the time taken to research the opportunities is hiiiiiigh!

Even if using an affiliate network such as Commission Junction which aggregates offers the problems still exist - the overhead of time and wait for money.

So, you are back to contextual ad serving and they have the issues that Manny has already outlined.

Single lonely men DO buy sex though. I mean, lets be right, most of the people glomming on pics of imaginary Russian women do so with a box of tissues close at hand. They provide socially acceptable wank fodder for those single, lonely men.

What I would suggest Manny does though is this: Load up the site with a decent adult ad serving network AND offer a fixed subscription membership -  fee, paid monthly or annually (annually might be best) in which the main benefit is that ALL advertising is removed from the site. The secondary benefit should be that access to the currently free but restricted areas of the site should only be available to paying members.

Of course cheapskates such as Westcoast will continue to freeload, but then those folks will only be on the public boards. ;)

If you chose you could set the membership fee, after you have acquired data, at a level that provides income replacement for the ads no longer shown. By that I mean you can calculate the monthly revenue per visitor and charge the subs on the basis of repalcing their lost ad revenue, perhaps with a discount.
Title: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A. underWARE
Post by: Olga_Mouse on March 13, 2015, 01:59:39 PM

I do not need underware or sex sites.


Me too, I do not need underware sites - though I don't have anything against underwear (e.g. stockings advertising  :knit:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Olga_Mouse on March 13, 2015, 02:03:35 PM

What I would suggest Manny does though is this: Load up the site with a decent adult ad serving network AND offer a fixed subscription membership -  fee, paid monthly or annually (annually might be best) in which the main benefit is that ALL advertising is removed from the site.


So, Andrew, how high do you suggest subscription fee to be - AND do you think the amount shall be the same for men and women?  :knit:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 13, 2015, 02:37:23 PM
Olga, why should it be different for men or women?

As I noted above a sensible goal could be to charge a fee that represents a replacement of the ad revenue from the average user. Of course that assumes that advertising produces enough revenue to cover expenses and profits (if that is a goal). Exactly how those lines might be drawn is a choice for management, they know the numbers and goals.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: WestCoast on March 13, 2015, 03:01:04 PM
To those suggesting the kind of ads that YOU'D like to see: it does not really work like that. ;)

You see, if Manny decides that, for example, a flower delivery banner is a good idea he has to go find a firm and either sell them ad space OR research an affiliate offer, place the ads of his choice and wait to see what happens.

Usually, on a general interest site such as this that is read by the demographic he has mentioned the affiliate sales will be looooooow. But the time taken to research the opportunities is hiiiiiigh!

Even if using an affiliate network such as Commission Junction which aggregates offers the problems still exist - the overhead of time and wait for money.

So, you are back to contextual ad serving and they have the issues that Manny has already outlined.

Single lonely men DO buy sex though. I mean, lets be right, most of the people glomming on pics of imaginary Russian women do so with a box of tissues close at hand. They provide socially acceptable wank fodder for those single, lonely men.

What I would suggest Manny does though is this: Load up the site with a decent adult ad serving network AND offer a fixed subscription membership -  fee, paid monthly or annually (annually might be best) in which the main benefit is that ALL advertising is removed from the site. The secondary benefit should be that access to the currently free but restricted areas of the site should only be available to paying members.

Of course cheapskates such as Westcoast will continue to freeload, but then those folks will only be on the public boards. ;)

If you chose you could set the membership fee, after you have acquired data, at a level that provides income replacement for the ads no longer shown. By that I mean you can calculate the monthly revenue per visitor and charge the subs on the basis of repalcing their lost ad revenue, perhaps with a discount.

Perhaps before Manny does anything he should do some research on how many people use ad blocking software. If users can't see the ads there's not much chance they'll be using them.

Remember if Manny charges fees RUA members have other options. another forum is still quite active and I'm sure they'd welcome new members. RMP doesn't seem that active however an infusion of former RUA members might liven the place up.

After Andrew's DOARB and PLM debacle I doubt he should be giving anyone advice about anything.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on March 13, 2015, 03:39:44 PM
Perhaps before Manny does anything he should do some research on how many people use ad blocking software. If users can't see the ads there's not much chance they'll be using them.

Remember if Manny charges fees RUA members have other options. another forum is still quite active and I'm sure they'd welcome new members. RMP doesn't seem that active however an infusion of former RUA members might liven the place up.


Is there any possibility that you can program RUA to require forum participants to disable their blocking software in order to view the forum? 

The amount of cheap asses apparently seeking wives in the FSU shocks me.  It really does.   
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on March 13, 2015, 03:56:58 PM
Perhaps before Manny does anything he should do some research on how many people use ad blocking software. If users can't see the ads there's not much chance they'll be using them.

Remember if Manny charges fees RUA members have other options. another forum is still quite active and I'm sure they'd welcome new members. RMP doesn't seem that active however an infusion of former RUA members might liven the place up.


Is there any possibility that you can program RUA to require forum participants to disable their blocking software in order to view the forum? 

The amount of cheap asses apparently seeking wives in the FSU shocks me.  It really does.

Westy isn't seeking a wife, is just doing his trolling thing. He is changing the subject to DOARB and other stuff, and here is why:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAAU_H5WQAAL8-D.jpg)

If people preferred other sites, they would have gone there, and have stayed there. Westy is trolling, as he does. I will note that for the rich, retired Canadian banker that he claims to be, he doesn't feel the need to chip a few dollars into our playground here as others have done since the start of the topic. We even picked up a new advertiser (coming soon).

For Westy, those who use ad blocking software are very few. It manipulates the JavaScript on sites to the browser that causes slowness, and causes some functions not to work at all. As we currently have cute girls in our side bars, why wouldn't a normal (even married) guy like to take a peek at those now and again? Just because you are on a diet doesn't mean you cannot read the menu.  :P
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on March 13, 2015, 05:57:54 PM
One forum I use, offers ad blocking for a small donation.
I have no problem with the current ads.

Manny if you feel the changes you have implemented are not improving things?
At what point do you try something different? If you feel the costs
are getting to point of ( not worth it) how long before this site goes way of the
GG?
Options are make more changes, bring in any forum of ads you can get,
Sell it and or shut it down. I presume at this point you are considering
all and every option?

One forum I am on requested donations for premium membership.
( no extra rooms or private rooms for those members)
 But it also took those who donated and let them
be involved with direct input of site upgrades, changes, rules, etc.
Owner is trying to sell, due more to his time restraints and changing interests.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: WestCoast on March 13, 2015, 08:06:38 PM
Perhaps before Manny does anything he should do some research on how many people use ad blocking software. If users can't see the ads there's not much chance they'll be using them.

Remember if Manny charges fees RUA members have other options. another forum is still quite active and I'm sure they'd welcome new members. RMP doesn't seem that active however an infusion of former RUA members might liven the place up.


Is there any possibility that you can program RUA to require forum participants to disable their blocking software in order to view the forum? 

The amount of cheap asses apparently seeking wives in the FSU shocks me.  It really does.

Westy isn't seeking a wife, is just doing his trolling thing. He is changing the subject to DOARB and other stuff, and here is why:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAAU_H5WQAAL8-D.jpg)

If people preferred other sites, they would have gone there, and have stayed there. Westy is trolling, as he does. I will note that for the rich, retired Canadian banker that he claims to be, he doesn't feel the need to chip a few dollars into our playground here as others have done since the start of the topic. We even picked up a new advertiser (coming soon).

For Westy, those who use ad blocking software are very few. It manipulates the JavaScript on sites to the browser that causes slowness, and causes some functions not to work at all. As we currently have cute girls in our side bars, why wouldn't a normal (even married) guy like to take a peek at those now and again? Just because you are on a diet doesn't mean you cannot read the menu.  :P

Am I seeking a FSUW? No.

As for being a troll, let's see what the definition of a troll is from Manny's own source a "self proclaimed expert". Who does that sound like? Who has repeatedly been labelled a self proclaimed expert?

That's Andrew. He's been repeatedly called a self proclaimed expert by a number of RUA members. Posting on all manner of topics from the US military, Russian military, aviation, the CIA, marriage, etc, etc. If there's a thread on any topic you can bet Andrew's the expert on that topic.

Andrew was more than willing to argue with Mendy about Russian topics despite the fact that Mendy is not only married to a RW, he also speaks the language, lives and works in Russia. And Andrew? Andrew isn't married to anyone, Russian or otherwise. Doesn't speak Russian. Doesn't live or work in Russia. Yet somehow Andrew felt he knew more than Mendy. Andrew is the classic definition of a troll.   

What about Manny? The other half of the entity we call [derogatory term removed]. Is he a troll? Let's take a look. He was more than willing to argue with Halo about the Ukrainian government's deals with its energy supplier. Halo is a lawyer (Canadian) speaks the language, lived (worked?) in Ukraine for years, is married to a FSUM. Manny OTOH, doesn't speak the language, never worked or lived in Ukraine. His claim to fame is that he's married to a RW and has a holiday home in Ukraine Estonia. I'm sure visiting Estonia a couple of times a year is the same as living in Ukraine for years.  :laugh: Once again, it seems Manny is at least close to the definition of a troll. True he doesn't fit it as well as Andrew, but then who could?  :laugh:

Manny, as for contributing a few quid to RUA's upkeep? Who would send money to someone on the Internet when their only connection to that person is some Internet posts. Isn't that rule #1? Don't send money to someone you've never met in person.
 
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: cufflinks on March 13, 2015, 10:11:03 PM
Still looking for the lifetime RUA $50 donate here to be a sustaining sponsoring supporter link...  Paypal preferred...

LOL Just searched Google for "Boston Escort Services" and came up with 800,000+ results and suggested many alternate search terms so their aversion to Adult content seems limited to what they can directly get click revenues from.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: PBRstreetg on March 14, 2015, 12:09:17 AM
I'm biting.
Okay Cufflinks you commented on my very first posts over here, that means something.
I would say the FSUW quest is live, i'm in it so those who are not can go figure themselves.
 
Or maybe their betters? I'm curious so keep it up please
 
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 14, 2015, 03:06:43 AM
Oh westcoast,  was your meals on wheels delivered late yesterday or did the bus that takes you to your daycare centre not arrive?

If so,  sorry and diddums but why type so many words to demonstrate the truth that we already know? We shouldn't poke the troll with a stick,  we all know it but you are such a delightfully funny specimen.

But you type so many words just to tell us that you are Westy the Troll.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: DPRK on March 14, 2015, 07:20:02 AM
So I thought I would start a topic on site funding, as it does crop up from time to time, and again today:

How does one become a supporting and or sustaining member.

That question was as a result of a query about the upload image feature having been turned off some months ago.

So I will dial back first with some history.

When the site was started way back in 2007, it was on the usual few dollars a month 'GoDaddy' shared type of hosting. After moving hosts a few times because such services are crap except for Mom and Pop type sites, traffic was such that we had to use a non-shared environment to avoid lag and downtime. That typically means private servers, dedicated servers or VPS/VDS type deals that cost more. We were hacked once or twice which necessitated off site backups (which are not free). Then we had to move the site out of the US in order to avoid DMCA's, threats of lawsuits from US agencies and other American legal silliness. So we now host in the UK.

Everyone says "Oh, hosting is dirt cheap". Yes it is, if when your site goes down you have to open a ticket, and two days later a bloke called Gupta in India replies it and says "Did you try to reboot your computer?" and then its two days till the next response.  :'(   We have a host where if something breaks, I call up, and a bloke called Brian or Geoffrey fixes it while I am on the phone. That level of service has a price tag.

In the 'golden' days of the 'mail order bride' business, which we caught the tail end of, advertisers were coming out of the walls and queuing up to pay our bills. Now the MOB business is a shadow of its former self, we find sites like the huge Aweb and former industry darlings like Elena's don't want to pay their bills to sites like this (or in the latter case need to be chased for 6 months to pay). Why you don't see their ads here any more. We used to use Google to serve ads here too, but Google classed us as an 'adult' site as there are a few photos of scantily clad ladies around the site and other unspecified 'adult' content, so they now refuse to serve ads here. As time allows, I am looking at other ad servers, including adult networks (!), but it takes time to put in place.

Meanwhile, the site trucks along full of eight years of photos and content, growing daily, costing money every month. Our image folders are *huge* and a few months ago when we were again running out of space, I suspended image uploading in order that I can manually review what images we need to keep. For example, an Obama joke image from four years ago in Off Topic on page 75 of a 500 page topic probably isn't important (we need not pay to host that). A blokes photo on a TR of the Potemkin Steps is more relevant, and that can only be done manually. So over a few months, I am up to page 751 of several thousand pages of our images.

It has always been the way that the site must be self-funding. As with any enterprise, it has to pay its own way to be viable. It also has to carry some reserves for ongoing tech work, software upgrades, new ideas, etc.

However it is done, the site needs a little bit of cash every month, generated from itself, to survive without costing me money personally. So a while back, I put a "Donate to RUA" on the ad rotator. So far, only two members have done so as a one off, and earned the heady title of "Supporting Member". I will find the direct link for anyone that wishes to throw a few coins into the bowl and post it on the topic.

But looking forward, with a shortage of advertisers that want to actually pay, and with minimal member contributions, apart from ads like "Wet Chloe Wants You Tonight on Cam" how does a site like this generate a few thousand dollars a year in order to be self funding in light of the MOB industry being on its last legs?

So, lets discuss, and I will happily answer questions.

Hey Manny, sent you some greenbacks.  :money: We appreciate you offering this forum and the chat room. Keep up the good work!
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: DPRK on March 14, 2015, 07:27:52 AM
Quote
Manny, as for contributing a few quid to RUA's upkeep? Who would send money to someone on the Internet when their only connection to that person is some Internet posts. Isn't that rule #1? Don't send money to someone you've never met in person.



This is ridiculous. You come here of your own free will, and it is Manny's online lair. You should respect it or leave. And if he treats you cruelly and without mercy for being discourteous, then that's well within his prerogative. Obviously, you find some sort of amusement in posting here, for whatever reason. What is it going to hurt you to contribute a little? This isn't a charity.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on March 14, 2015, 08:41:07 AM
Another good question could be, how much is the site in the hole?
What are trying to raise? a profit? operating costs?
 Would enjoy answers to this and previous questions or at least a reason
why you won't answer. :)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on March 14, 2015, 08:43:09 AM
Another good question could be, how much is the site in the hole?
What are trying to raise? a profit? operating costs?
 Would enjoy answers to this and previous questions or at least a reason
why you won't answer. :)

Christ almighty -

He did answer.  Look at post #3 in this thread.

Sometimes you guys argue like you were women. 
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on March 14, 2015, 08:46:37 AM
Another good question could be, how much is the site in the hole?
What are trying to raise? a profit? operating costs?
 Would enjoy answers to this and previous questions or at least a reason
why you won't answer. :)

Christ almighty -

He did answer.  Look at post #3 in this thread.

Sometimes you guys argue like you were women.
Wound a little tight lately?
I asked several other questions as well, maybe you didn't notice.
Wanting to understand Manny's goal is a bad thing?
Just send money is your idea??? How much, what for don't matter :chuckle:

Great I have a few ideas regarding this, but need some capital to do,
send me some money, thank you  :)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on March 14, 2015, 08:56:57 AM
Great I have a few ideas regarding this, but need some capital to do,
send me some money, thank you  :)

I just sent him $50 for the support of RUA.  Why?  Because he's asking for some help to maintain a pastime we all seem to enjoy.  He's a good bloke, an honest bloke and I know he'll put the money to good use. 

Good gawd, I think many of you would be much happier in life if you argued less and got your wallet out more.   
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: sashathecat on March 14, 2015, 09:03:20 AM
Hosting is dirt cheap these days. Dirt cheap with excellent support. The issue as you pointed out is this is not usually the case outside of the US.

Donating money is fine and dandy but there are ways to monetize the site I am sure. You have a list of almost 5,000 users. Maybe you could grow that list by offering a freebie with info? Market your users with useful offers? A nice email right before Woman's Day with the link to a reputable FSU florist where you make a commission. I don't think users will be very offended over something like this. Of course this takes a little time and minimal effort, maybe something you are limited in or lack the desire due to other ventures.

The online search for MOB and Russian women is still very high. Maybe someone with experience with traffic like Andrew has knowledge on the volume change?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: TomT on March 14, 2015, 09:49:59 AM
... Maybe someone with experience with traffic like Andrew has knowledge on the volume change?

It was prudent to write "someone... like Andrew." Our intellectual giants would be beside themselves if we took Andrew's advice.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: TomT on March 14, 2015, 09:52:01 AM
Isn't that rule #1? Don't send money to someone you've never met in person.

Nothing prevents you from getting out of your comfy armchair and meeting Manny.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: TomT on March 14, 2015, 09:59:11 AM
Perhaps commercial members could be charged a fee and afforded a modest amount of protection from the most egregious comments.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: sashathecat on March 14, 2015, 10:08:08 AM
... Maybe someone with experience with traffic like Andrew has knowledge on the volume change?

It was prudent to write "someone... like Andrew." Our intellectual giants would be beside themselves if we took Andrew's advice.

Andrew is abrasive but also an intelligent man and a valuable contributor whether members like him or not. The industry I am sure is nothing like it was in the 90's (thank God) but there is still quite a large interest in FSU women. Whether it is a dying industry as many say or just an evolving landscape the interest is still there if you take a minute to look into.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: sashathecat on March 14, 2015, 10:08:49 AM
Perhaps commercial members could be charged a fee and afforded a modest amount of protection from the most egregious comments.

Not a bad idea. Offer them a package that includes a bit of advertising as well.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: TomT on March 14, 2015, 10:27:07 AM
^  I recall Jooky and Sculpto's rabid attacks against HRB as though it was yesterday. That is exactly the sort of thing that ought to be capped.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Ste on March 14, 2015, 10:30:43 AM
Hosting is dirt cheap these days. Dirt cheap with excellent support. The issue as you pointed out is this is not usually the case outside of the US.

Donating money is fine and dandy but there are ways to monetize the site I am sure. You have a list of almost 5,000 users. Maybe you could grow that list by offering a freebie with info? Market your users with useful offers? A nice email right before Woman's Day with the link to a reputable FSU florist where you make a commission. I don't think users will be very offended over something like this. Of course this takes a little time and minimal effort, maybe something you are limited in or lack the desire due to other ventures.

The online search for MOB and Russian women is still very high. Maybe someone with experience with traffic like Andrew has knowledge on the volume change?

Unlimited power/bandwith in UK, best I found is £50 a mo plus VAT - upto 4U, I got a SPARC T5240 in one (it's 2U tho), cracking deal but could do with something nearer home...

Netherlands do some good ones too - think it was Leaseweb  - these are all colo tho, you'd need a source an actual server, I prefer off-lease older enterprise kit, like Sun/Oracle/HP/IBM not the Dell cheap shiit. Trouble is the power, always an issue when you colo, the proper stuff draws like 800w some of these Dell's draw 80w, I suppose that's enough for web-serving but with a database back end like this site must have I'm not sure it's enough...
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: WestCoast on March 14, 2015, 10:41:03 AM
Perhaps commercial members could be charged a fee and afforded a modest amount of protection from the most egregious comments.

Not a bad idea. Offer them a package that includes a bit of advertising as well.

Why would commercial members want to be on RUA? Didn't we have this conversation a few years back? Andrew and Manny said commercial sites such as AFA, APW, EM etc didn't exist to match up WM with FSUW that in fact they existed to con WM out of their money via expensive video chat with women paid to keep the WM interested for as long as possible. These agencies wanted WM to use pay per letter schemes, buy nonexistent gifts for nonexistent RW, etc. All of this is still on RUA for anyone who wants to do a search.

If Manny believes this and I haven't seen any sign he's changed his mind, why would he suddenly decide to offer these agencies any sort of deal to set up shop on RUA?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: sashathecat on March 14, 2015, 10:46:54 AM
Perhaps commercial members could be charged a fee and afforded a modest amount of protection from the most egregious comments.

Not a bad idea. Offer them a package that includes a bit of advertising as well.

Why would commercial members want to be on RUA? Didn't we have this conversation a few years back? Andrew and Manny said commercial sites such as AFA, APW, EM etc didn't exist to match up WM with FSUW that in fact they existed to con WM out of their money via expensive video chat with women paid to keep the WM interested for as long as possible. These agencies wanted WM to use pay per letter schemes, buy nonexistent gifts for nonexistent RW, etc. All of this is still on RUA for anyone who wants to do a search.

If Manny believes this and I haven't seen any sign he's changed his mind, why would he suddenly decide to offer these agencies any sort of deal to set up shop on RUA?

It does not necessarily need to be agencies.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: sashathecat on March 14, 2015, 10:49:25 AM
Hosting is dirt cheap these days. Dirt cheap with excellent support. The issue as you pointed out is this is not usually the case outside of the US.

Unlimited power/bandwith in UK, best I found is £50 a mo plus VAT - upto 4U, I got a SPARC T5240 in one (it's 2U tho), cracking deal but could do with something nearer home...

Netherlands do some good ones too - think it was Leaseweb  - these are all colo tho, you'd need a source an actual server, I prefer off-lease older enterprise kit, like Sun/Oracle/HP/IBM not the Dell cheap shiit. Trouble is the power, always an issue when you colo, the proper stuff draws like 800w some of these Dell's draw 80w, I suppose that's enough for web-serving but with a database back end like this site must have I'm not sure it's enough...

Colo makes sense for some, not sure if a viable option for Manny or not. From what he posted it sounds like he needs managed services. Colo is something where support is usually very lacking in with most companies. Server goes down and they hook up the KVM or charge you hourly for a low end tech to work on your server. Sourcing a server is easy, but then you should really have spare parts on standby, a tech familiar with your hw, etc. We ran Dell and Supermicro gear and rarely had issues.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 14, 2015, 10:56:58 AM
Perhaps commercial members could be charged a fee and afforded a modest amount of protection from the most egregious comments.

If that were to be the case I'd sign up as a commercial member just to stop the leg humping!

With regard to hosting,  some people want to get dirty hands and save a bob by doing so,  others want a site that works all the time and where, if issues arise a quick call and a bloke  paid to know what to do sorts it out. I don't know about Manny but I know that I could have my costs but I don't want to.

I think that Ste and sasha see hosting as a product,  manny and I see hosting as part of a service. The service is the making available of my websites without my intervention and with high reliability.

Our business is not websites. They are just the means of communication. So,  just as if I want to send a letter,  I buy a stamp,  with a website,  I buy the service. I don't buy the post boxes or hire the postmen.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on March 14, 2015, 11:01:28 AM
Unlimited power/bandwith in UK, best I found is £50 a mo plus VAT - upto 4U, I got a SPARC T5240 in one (it's 2U tho), cracking deal but could do with something nearer home...

Netherlands do some good ones too - think it was Leaseweb  - these are all colo tho, you'd need a source an actual server, I prefer off-lease older enterprise kit, like Sun/Oracle/HP/IBM not the Dell cheap shiit. Trouble is the power, always an issue when you colo, the proper stuff draws like 800w some of these Dell's draw 80w, I suppose that's enough for web-serving but with a database back end like this site must have I'm not sure it's enough...

Can somebody translate this into english for me please . . . . . . . . . .
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: sashathecat on March 14, 2015, 11:11:13 AM
I think that Ste and sasha see hosting as a product,  manny and I see hosting as part of a service. The service is the making available of my websites without my intervention and with high reliability.

Our business is not websites. They are just the means of communication. So,  just as if I want to send a letter,  I buy a stamp,  with a website,  I buy the service. I don't buy the post boxes or hire the postmen.

Andrew is correct. Some businesses grow to a point where managing both inhouse become a necessity. Not the case in this situation. But websites are your business, just not the hosting infrastructure. Your domains are your real estate and a method to make money.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on March 14, 2015, 01:27:44 PM
Hey for protection from some, I would pay for that also.
Commercial member  :)

Manny, my offer still stands, but I am willing to up the payment,
for double exposure  :)
Title: Jooky and Sculpto
Post by: Olga_Mouse on March 14, 2015, 02:06:09 PM

I recall Jooky and Sculpto's rabid attacks against HRB as though it was yesterday.


I personally don't recall any of Jooky's "rabid attacks", but in case somebody cares - he's married to an RW for about 2 years.
Title: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Olga_Mouse on March 14, 2015, 02:12:20 PM

Olga, why should it be different for men or women?


Well, I thought most of the RW\WM sites requiring registration demand payments from men only - for ladies registering & using chat features is free?  :knit:

My only personal experience with a European "equal payment" site (Meetic) is described somewhere here - and is a truly negative one.

So shall an access to this particular forum become paid, I'd surely leave  (:)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Larry on March 14, 2015, 02:15:27 PM

Olga, why should it be different for men or women?


Well, I thought most of the RW\WM sites requiring registration demand payments from men only - for ladies registering & using chat features is free?  :knit:

My only personal experience with a European "equal payment" site (Meetic) is described somewhere here - and is a truly negative one.

So shall an access to this particular forum become paid, I'd surely leave  (:)

You do provide a valued service to the forum: the periodic RW tattoo report  :)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 14, 2015, 02:17:01 PM
Last I noticed this is not a dating site. There is no need to encourage any particular group of people. This is not a nightclub where the women are the reason for the guys being here.

Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: WestCoast on March 14, 2015, 02:46:08 PM
I think it's fair to say if Manny introduces some type of fee for use service for both men and women, RUA will be limited to far fewer male members than it currently has and no female members. Some of the other RUA members will move over to another forum, if they aren't already members or simply move on somewhere else. 

The idea that a site that has as few regularly contributing members as RUA instituting a fee for membership is foolish. Take a look at the forums on the Internet. How many very small forums such as RUA have instituted a fee and survived? How many forums have fees? I bet the owners of another forum are praying for Manny to introduce fees just so their site will grow and prosper at RUA's expense.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Olga_Mouse on March 14, 2015, 02:52:13 PM

Last I noticed this is not a dating site.


Last I noticed TomT and Nessibelle met here...  :innocent:

Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on March 14, 2015, 03:43:11 PM
Last I noticed TomT and Nessibelle met here...  :innocent:

One or two marriages out of approximately 4700 registered members.  Subtract 20 or so for Moby's known aliasis.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on March 14, 2015, 03:46:43 PM
I think it's fair to say if Manny introduces some type of fee for use service for both men and women, RUA will be limited to far fewer male members than it currently has and no female members. Some of the other RUA members will move over to another forum, if they aren't already members or simply move on somewhere else. 

The idea that a site that has as few regularly contributing members as RUA instituting a fee for membership is foolish. Take a look at the forums on the Internet. How many very small forums such as RUA have instituted a fee and survived? How many forums have fees? I bet the owners of another forum are praying for Manny to introduce fees just so their site will grow and prosper at RUA's expense.

Hopefully, other forum members don't have the same cheapskate attitude about contributions for entertainment as you. 
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on March 14, 2015, 03:50:30 PM
Well, I thought most of the RW\WM sites requiring registration demand payments from men only - for ladies registering & using chat features is free?  :knit:

So shall an access to this particular forum become paid, I'd surely leave  (:)

Interesting but not a surprise.

Women often demand "equal rights" but rarely fully accept the responsibility that having equal rights requires.   
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Volshe on March 14, 2015, 04:15:37 PM

Olga, why should it be different for men or women?


Well, I thought most of the RW\WM sites requiring registration demand payments from men only - for ladies registering & using chat features is free?  :knit:

My only personal experience with a European "equal payment" site (Meetic) is described somewhere here - and is a truly negative one.

So shall an access to this particular forum become paid, I'd surely leave  (:)

Well, this isn't a dating site, but a forum. Besides, was it you who wrote you paid 50e for a lousy manicure and tipped the "poor Serbian girl" 5e? (Which, i guess, means you are far above the poverty line.) Why wouldn't you or i pay the membership given that we participate equally, like guys do?  ??? I say, for female members, either offer some content that men find entertaining and don't mind supporting financially, or, if you insist on being a feminist and an intellectual, pay your share, it's as simple as that.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Volshe on March 14, 2015, 04:30:00 PM
The idea that a site that has as few regularly contributing members as RUA instituting a fee for membership is foolish.

Is it? Listen, i am from the East, presumably we are at a loss when talking money and presumably you are an expert in finances, so you tell me: for what reason would anyone give you a platform to voice your opinions for free? What's the use of it? Do you realize that promoting your personal views and gaining publicity comes at a cost?
I have problems with paypal at home (it's introduced recently and it still doesn't work properly, our cards get denied for unbeknownst  reasons), but i'll chip in next week when i am abroad.
I mean, really, don't be that cheap, it's repulsive.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on March 14, 2015, 05:05:02 PM
I mean, really, don't be that cheap, it's repulsive.

+1
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: bagalia on March 14, 2015, 05:42:47 PM
The idea that a site that has as few regularly contributing members as RUA instituting a fee for membership is foolish.

Is it? Listen, i am from the East, presumably we are at a loss when talking money and presumably you are an expert in finances, so you tell me: for what reason would anyone give you a platform to voice your opinions for free? What's the use of it? Do you realize that promoting your personal views and gaining publicity comes at a cost?
I have problems with paypal at home (it's introduced recently and it still doesn't work properly, our cards get denied for unbeknownst  reasons), but i'll chip in next week when i am abroad.
I mean, really, don't be that cheap, it's repulsive.

The opposition group will gladly take them all, because they would like to have the membership and they are free.

Well, you did ask.

I would donate a few bucks no problem. I would need to do a search for my special paypal without membership link as I am banned for life for using it in Russia many moons ago when you couldn't.

I would prefer to see voting rights sold off. I can also easily see a thousand members moving away just because....
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Larry on March 14, 2015, 06:03:01 PM
I would prefer to see voting rights sold off.

That sounds intriguing. Can you elaborate on what you mean?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: ECR844 on March 14, 2015, 06:07:17 PM
If you utilize services or products on the internet which are 'free'....They really aren't. What is for sale is you, and your personal and membership info and advertising traffic, etc..... Ostensibly if you 'pay' for a service ones info isn't/shouldn't be for sale and the entrepreneur has more incentive to protect his clients personal and membership info.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Olga_Mouse on March 14, 2015, 07:09:06 PM

Interesting but not a surprise.

Women often demand "equal rights" but rarely fully accept the responsibility that having equal rights requires.
 

Surely it's not a surprise for such a nightlife expert as you, Shakey! You surely know that people working in entertainment usually do NOT pay for being entertained. Same with me: either I'm on the guestlist, or I'm not attending  :biggrin:

When it goes about responsibilities, then for the moment my main responsibility is to feed 3 musicians (and their families) in one of the not-so-cheap European countries. Oh, and trying to survive myself, by the way  (:)

The weight of this responsibility is at the very edge of what my weak shoulders can stand. Can not possibly accept a financial responsibility for a virtual sandpit.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: WestCoast on March 14, 2015, 07:10:52 PM
The idea that a site that has as few regularly contributing members as RUA instituting a fee for membership is foolish.

Is it? Listen, i am from the East, presumably we are at a loss when talking money and presumably you are an expert in finances, so you tell me: for what reason would anyone give you a platform to voice your opinions for free? What's the use of it? Do you realize that promoting your personal views and gaining publicity comes at a cost?
I have problems with paypal at home (it's introduced recently and it still doesn't work properly, our cards get denied for unbeknownst  reasons), but i'll chip in next week when i am abroad.
I mean, really, don't be that cheap, it's repulsive.

Yes, I am an expert in finance and let me share a little wisdom with you. There are an almost endless number of forums on the Internet that allow its members to voice their opinions on any number of topics for free. Google it, you'll see I'm right.

If Manny needs a few extra quid to cover costs for maintaining this website the most traditional method is to install a Tip Jar. Take a look at this one. (http://bishophill.squarespace.com/) I believe it's located in Scotland, so Tip Jars are probably also used in England. These Tip Jars take credit cards, Paypal, some even take Bitcoins. This website is far busier than RUA and discusses a far more controversial topic. It probably has much higher costs than RUA. Manny already has an online business so setting up a Tip Jar that takes credit cards and Paypal should be easy.

Shakey's pushing this hard so I'm sure he can be counted on for a C-note a couple of times a year. Andrew claims to be an expert on websites so I'm sure he'll also drop a similar amount. Maybe his donation will be in pounds, for a little extra.  :laugh: That should cover most of the costs that ads don't. Problem solved.

Manny must know this. He's been on forums dedicated to forum administration. Just the fact that he'd bring up this topic as opposed to quietly setting up a Tip Jar, sets off all types of red flags for me.   

Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Olga_Mouse on March 14, 2015, 07:20:07 PM
Well, this isn't a dating site, but a forum.

aha  ;D

Besides, was it you who wrote you paid 50e for a lousy manicure and tipped the "poor Serbian girl" 5e? (Which, i guess, means you are far above the poverty line.)

Everyone, I guess, has good times and bad times. Before paying 50 EUR for manicure and tipping "poor Serbian girl" I've donated my 5 GBP to RUA (July 5, 2008 - have just checked my PayPal history. Can send Manny a transaction number, shall he consider the verification needed). See this thread: http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?topic=4024.0

Why wouldn't you or i pay the membership given that we participate equally, like guys do? 

Why? For example, because I do not consider this forum either necessary for my living, or entertaining enough to be paid for. Thus I can easily survive a couple of years without logging here. And shall it become paid - I won't cry liters of tears about it, just leave. YMMV - so if you personally, Lena, truly need this forum, I'd surely understand if you'll decide to pay for the access  :biggrin:

I say, for female members, either offer some content that men find entertaining and don't mind supporting financially, or, if you insist on being a feminist and an intellectual, pay your share, it's as simple as that.

Can not remember when exactly I've insisted on being feminist and an intellectual; so I won't waste my time anymore on arguing with you, dear.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Annushka on March 14, 2015, 09:06:26 PM
I think that, for the Russian charisma, to be a separate article in accounting expenses.  :innocent:


As a rule, in the course of the discussion: familiarity with Russian culture. :)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: bagalia on March 14, 2015, 11:18:39 PM
I would prefer to see voting rights sold off.

That sounds intriguing. Can you elaborate on what you mean?

Simply selling voting shares for how the website is managed on a handshake deal or as a real corporation. I doubt that Manny would want to give up that power but it could bring in a good bit of cash. No?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Omega1982 on March 15, 2015, 03:26:32 AM
I'm a member of several forums with paid subscriptions, I've also donated when asked, and I click ads to help out, purely because I really like the sites and would hate to see them disappear.  One is very similar to this forum.

The difference with those sites and this one is that they are well run.  They don't let the few trolls ruin the "mood" of the place just to drive arguments to drive posts.  They don't let mods pick and choose to delete posts just because the mod doesn't like the post or member that posted it, like with my posts earlier this week.  They are very transparent when decisions about deleting posts or topics are made.  They do their best to create a good community where users aren't afraid to share content.  Basically, the exact opposite of this forum.

You, Manny, allow a few to poison the water here and are poisonous yourself occasionally.  Your very first post to me when I first joined was condescending.  As a brand new member, only a few months ago, I instantly felt the negative "vibe" here once I started reading threads.  The "MOB" business could be booming right now and this forum would still be sinking unless you actually took measures to foster a good community.  It's obvious you have no desire to do that.

The numerous threads here, telling you there's a problem are ignored, locked, or deleted.  You can point the finger at rising costs and a declining industry; those obviously play a part, but you're not stupid, you know the real problem is the poisonous community you encourage.

There's no way I would donate or pay anything to this site.  There's no way I would ever recommend this site to anyone else.  I think you'll have another failed forum on your hands soon and you only have yourself to blame.

I think we owe a lot to Manny.  He is kind, very helpful, extremely knowledgeable, articulate, intelligent, witty.  I understand Andrew can be difficult at times.  He can also be funny sometimes too and that is also good.  Andrew is also intelligent and lives in the FSU and provides valuable insight. 

This website has helped many people save money by recognizing and identifying red flags and stopping scammers in their tracks. 

It has also served to make new friends, contacts and even the occasional RUA couple. 

We must be fair and see that the good outweighs the bad BY FAR.  Let's be fair and keep things in perspective and in balance. 
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 15, 2015, 03:45:22 AM
The fact that my previous post will be deleted and I'll be banned kind of makes my point.

There's good information and people here but they're drowned out by the noise and there's apparently no desire to change that.

Why should a stupid post by an arrogant twat be deleted for just those reasons.

On the other hand, you will not be missed after your kind and generous farewell rant. Well done for deleting yourself.



However, unless I am much mistaken about your own ethical compass, you will continue posting here because although the site is, according to you, so terrible your life without it is even worse.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Volshe on March 15, 2015, 04:19:21 AM

Quote
Well, this isn't a dating site, but a forum.

aha  ;D

You are hunting for husband here? Good luck with that  :)

Quote
Why? For example, because I do not consider this forum either necessary for my living, or entertaining enough to be paid for. Thus I can easily survive a couple of years without logging here. And shall it become paid - I won't cry liters of tears about it, just leave. YMMV - so if you personally, Lena, truly need this forum, I'd surely understand if you'll decide to pay for the access  :biggrin:

I am not a freeloader, i guess that's the difference.  ;D

Do read your own posts, they scream equal rights, oppression against women etc. - if you are equal, you pay equally, it's as simple as that.
Also, do not delude yourself of how i use of my time and skills; i get it what's narcissism, but kindly keep your issues to your own self.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Volshe on March 15, 2015, 04:28:43 AM

The opposition group will gladly take them all, because they would like to have the membership and they are free.

Well, you did ask.

Yep, and thanks for answering, but i am not sure whom you mean by "opposition", the other forum? They "will gladly take them all", you mean the trolls and cheapskates?
Those of us who don't feel they are cattle that can be lead from one pasture to another, will help sort out this situation and, hopefully, have RUA for ourselves, like it is now.


I would donate a few bucks no problem. I would need to do a search for my special paypal without membership link as I am banned for life for using it in Russia many moons ago when you couldn't.

Eww, don't even get me started on paypal!!!  (:) I understand, i could author a horror-novel about it...
I would prefer to see voting rights sold off. I can also easily see a thousand members moving away just because....

As you, guys, decide, i am with the majority. I don't feel the need to exercise some executive power on these boards, but whatever you decide is the best, i am in.

Too funny, how some (not you, Bagalia!) hurry to express their contempt for this forum and its' members... So WTF are you doing here?  :duh:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Volshe on March 15, 2015, 04:42:24 AM

Manny must know this. He's been on forums dedicated to forum administration. Just the fact that he'd bring up this topic as opposed to quietly setting up a Tip Jar, sets off all types of red flags for me.

West, all the forums, but one, where i was a member, were paid. (And my wordpress blog is 20e a year.) The forum which is free, that i am mentioning, has topics like this one at least bi-monthly and everyone paypals what they can. It's not whether the forum would have me, it's whether i like the people there. If i do, i don't mind chipping in, like with everything else in life. Forum administrator is a new term and most folks don't really get it what it means, but what Manny basically does here - is a non-commercial publishing, him managing the texts (posts) authored by a group of non-selling and occasionally dysfunctional authors. Think of it in those terms and chipping in won't feel that painful ;)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 15, 2015, 04:55:51 AM
Think of it in those terms and chipping in won't feel that painful ;)

When the poor fellow has to make a choice between buying a bowl of rice pudding at the day care centre or paying his way here then it is a tough choice. I can understand that.
Perhaps, if Manny decided to have a formal subscription system he could have an allocation of free subscriptions for those who could prove their indigency? Then people like Olga and Westy could present their case for getting rid of the ads for free.  :money:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Volshe on March 15, 2015, 05:07:51 AM
Think of it in those terms and chipping in won't feel that painful ;)

When the poor fellow has to make a choice between buying a bowl of rice pudding at the day care centre or paying his way here then it is a tough choice. I can understand that.
Perhaps, if Manny decided to have a formal subscription system he could have an allocation of free subscriptions for those who could prove their indigency? Then people like Olga and Westy could present their case for getting rid of the ads for free.  :money:

Absolutely! We can have gift subscriptions too. I know you and i think alike on this matter, so this is not addressed at you, but generally: gheezus, all of the peeps who posted in this thread spend at least one hour a day reading and writing here, it's not about Manny, it's about us - do you respect your time? Do you respect your own efforts? Do you respect the people here? Deep inside i don't really get it  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 15, 2015, 05:48:40 AM
Volshe, didn't you know, the Internets are free!
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on March 15, 2015, 06:24:41 AM
Just so I understand this, if those here
Don't chip in, they should leave or forever
Be labeled cheap? Interesting.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 15, 2015, 06:30:02 AM

What's the betting that Anathema will continue posting away even though he hates the site and people and can find no benefit to it. One wonders if some people ever read what they write, or think before writing.
I do believe he said a few, maybe you should read before posting also.

No, you are not reading again (or not understanding what you have read).

In the hypothetical situation where there is a paid membership option all those who did not want to pay would see advertisements on the pages of the site. In addition, I suggested that there be private areas of the site to which freeloaders would not have access. So, for almost all readers of the site there would be no change but people who wanted to contribute cash money would receive some extra benefits.

Nobody has suggested, as far as I can see, that there should be a closed membership with everyone required to pay. I think you just made that up from your half comprehended reading.

Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Volshe on March 15, 2015, 06:59:06 AM
Volshe, didn't you know, the Internets are free!

Wow, i didn't know that!   :o 

My folks said "there is no free lunch in the universe", i believed them...  :'( That ancient wisdom also says that if we still opt for that "free lunch", we are in fact getting "the bread of shame"  :biggrin:

http://kabbalahstudent.com/free-kabbalah/

Andrew, lol, i am still not sure why it's so difficult for some to understand that this very subculture is of little interest to majority of mankind, that most of RUA contributors are not candidates for Nobel Prize in literature and that we have to sustain ourselves and our musings & interaction one way or another... What, Manny is supposed to take from his kids, so to sponsor those who want to play, but won't share of themselves? I mean, get real (i don't mean you, Andrew, neither Omega  or Shakey, DPRK and the rest  of us, who get it).  ;D
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on March 15, 2015, 07:40:06 AM
Andrew, I would have no problem
With pay and get whatever extras the extras
Are, each can then decide for themselves.

Volshe. Even with my lesser abilities
            I get exactly what you mean
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Volshe on March 15, 2015, 07:54:58 AM
Volshe. Even with my lesser abilities
            I get exactly what you mean

I didn't mean you, dear, i promise. Yours i get, just checking what and where etc., that's called being cautious, it's normal.

p.s. your abilities are way superior to mine - you are a native speaker and live in the same system, i can merely count on my gut feeling (so far it does me good service, knock on wood - not in this situation, i mean, way more complicated ones and riskier too ;))
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: WestCoast on March 15, 2015, 10:35:09 AM

What's the betting that Anathema will continue posting away even though he hates the site and people and can find no benefit to it. One wonders if some people ever read what they write, or think before writing.
I do believe he said a few, maybe you should read before posting also.

No, you are not reading again (or not understanding what you have read).

In the hypothetical situation where there is a paid membership option all those who did not want to pay would see advertisements on the pages of the site. In addition, I suggested that there be private areas of the site to which freeloaders would not have access. So, for almost all readers of the site there would be no change but people who wanted to contribute cash money would receive some extra benefits.

Nobody has suggested, as far as I can see, that there should be a closed membership with everyone required to pay. I think you just made that up from your half comprehended reading.

Andrew so somehow you're going to overcome adblock on those who have it to show ads on the public areas of RUA? Then there will be private areas of RUA that can only be accessed by those who have pad a fee. What would the private areas have that the public areas don't? Please enlighten us. Andrew you obviously haven't thought this through. You don't know what you're talking about.

[TOS violation removed]
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: sashathecat on March 15, 2015, 11:33:27 AM
Then there will be private areas of RUA that can only be accessed by those who have pad a fee. What would the private areas have that the public areas don't? Please enlighten us.

Not enough content or to do this I would think. With many websites it is the opposite. They give away freebies to build membership which they can then monetize.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: leslied on March 15, 2015, 11:42:49 AM
One approach which could work is to have 2 classes of members -

Free - Maximum 10 posts a week
Paid - Unlimited posting

Remember the vast majority of RUA members would not be effected by such a posting limit. 

As for me I will send Manny a donation.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: WestCoast on March 15, 2015, 11:57:05 AM
One approach which could work is to have 2 classes of members -

Free - Maximum 10 posts a week
Paid - Unlimited posting

Remember the vast majority of RUA members would not be effected by such a posting limit. 

As for me I will send Manny a donation.

Any donations could be done through a Tip Jar. Simple, no need for any radical changes.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on March 15, 2015, 11:57:23 AM
One approach which could work is to have 2 classes of members -

Free - Maximum 10 posts a week
Paid - Unlimited posting

Remember the vast majority of RUA members would not be effected by such a posting limit. 

As for me I will send Manny a donation.

What an excellent idea!
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 15, 2015, 12:57:51 PM
Westcoast, people like you are always going to be freeloaders. In the end not much can be done about them, they are takers, not makers but the world is made by makers and we are happy to be that way.

You can stick with your rice pudding at your daycare centre.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

As for the 'extra content' that is easy - start with the current closed off areas. Grandfather in existing posters and open the areas up for folks who subscribe in the future.
People who pay are the people who are interested and interesting anyway.

Ain't nobody going to get rich off this as Manny knows. The revenue value of a site visitor here is pretty low.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: WestCoast on March 15, 2015, 01:06:29 PM
Westcoast, people like you are always going to be freeloaders. In the end not much can be done about them, they are takers, not makers but the world is made by makers and we are happy to be that way.

You can stick with your rice pudding at your daycare centre.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

As for the 'extra content' that is easy - start with the current closed off areas. Grandfather in existing posters and open the areas up for folks who subscribe in the future.
People who pay are the people who are interested and interesting anyway.

Ain't nobody going to get rich off this as Manny knows. The revenue value of a site visitor here is pretty low.

So according to your description the areas of RUA accessible only by paying a fee will yield no new content. I'm sure that will bring in many fee paying members.  :'(
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: AKA Luke on March 15, 2015, 02:05:10 PM
Westcoast, people like you are always going to be freeloaders. In the end not much can be done about them, they are takers, not makers but the world is made by makers and we are happy to be that way.

You can stick with your rice pudding at your daycare centre.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

As for the 'extra content' that is easy - start with the current closed off areas. Grandfather in existing posters and open the areas up for folks who subscribe in the future.
People who pay are the people who are interested and interesting anyway.

Ain't nobody going to get rich off this as Manny knows. The revenue value of a site visitor here is pretty low.

So according to your description the areas of RUA accessible only by paying a fee will yield no new content. I'm sure that will bring in many fee paying members.  :'(

If it brings in 10 paying members that's 10 more than now.

It may also reduce the number of armchair posters who've never stepped foot in the FSU from clogging up the board with shite.

Time will tell.

Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: yankee on March 15, 2015, 02:18:10 PM

If it brings in 10 paying members that's 10 more than now.

It may also reduce the number of armchair posters who've never stepped foot in the FSU from clogging up the board with shite.

Time will tell.

What about the others that clog up the board with shite??  Especially those that enjoy posting personal attacks when they don't like what is said.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: cufflinks on March 15, 2015, 02:24:20 PM
B.O.T.

And the PayPal pay now button is located where (link?)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: AKA Luke on March 15, 2015, 02:37:00 PM

If it brings in 10 paying members that's 10 more than now.

It may also reduce the number of armchair posters who've never stepped foot in the FSU from clogging up the board with shite.

Time will tell.

What about the others that clog up the board with shite??  Especially those that enjoy posting personal attacks when they don't like what is said.

Let them eat cake!
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on March 15, 2015, 03:48:19 PM
B.O.T.

And the PayPal pay now button is located where (link?)

After the third post on 10% of topics. If you cant find it, I'll send you a link.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on March 15, 2015, 04:07:04 PM
Personal, I say do as you wish, let each person decide for themselves.

Labelling someone or insult, because they don't want to pay for  what has always been free and is built on the backs of members is just low.

Site like these exist because of the members and what they share.
One should becareful how and what they charge for what.
If membership falls that sort of defeats the purpose also.

Of course if you prefer a private club style forum, thats a whole different thing.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: ashbyclarke on March 15, 2015, 04:40:54 PM
I can't envisage charging those who contribute working, they'll just disappear to other sites.

What you do have is a shop front, with circa 1000 viewers per day, if that was a high street shop with near on 1000 visitors per day (entering your shop as in this case) you'd hope they'd be something you could find worth stocking that at least 1% might buy.

If you take the A-Date business model then perhaps webcam type links might be more fruitful, if that's what they want and that pays the bills why not, content will remain similar.

Sure a few will be offended, but they're hardly offering to pay the bills anyhow, damned if you do blah blah blah.

As an aside, with the new UK regulations on importing wives I can only see this type of site being appropriate to those across the pond anyhow, how many of those realistically get on a plane and visit must be below 1%, that's not an insult but realistic if you take account distance and lack of annual holidays if employed.

Another option might be expanding the site incorporating other area's, perhaps expanding into dating etc, seems that is still a profitable business in the FSU search with most of the more reputable or should I say sincere ladies participating, most don't mind a couple hundred quid annual subscription, maybe more hassle than it's worth.

Good luck with which ever route you decide Manny.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: ashbyclarke on March 15, 2015, 05:12:21 PM
One approach which could work is to have 2 classes of members -

Free - Maximum 10 posts a week
Paid - Unlimited posting

Remember the vast majority of RUA members would not be effected by such a posting limit. 

As for me I will send Manny a donation.

Nice idea but take the current amount of posters, say with a charge of $50, that's perhaps $500 per annum, being generous $1000?

Can't see that being worth the effort either, surely Manny wants this site to be producing an income in excess of £500 per month to make it worthwhile (I'd imagine that's below minimum wage btw for time spent here and administering), that's a lot of members or a much higher charge.

If it's about the site breaking even and more of a hobby, then as Westy suggests a tip box might be more appropriate, say when a new member arrives with a problem that's resolved a tip might be appropriate, or asked for.

Seems those type members are few and far between nowadays which might be a slight problem, so you're back to those who contribute in written form contributing.

So it's really back to making a profit out of the daily visitors or shut up shop and let another site pay for the privilege of others talking about FSU women.  :hidechair:
Title: Re: Jooky and Sculpto
Post by: TomT on March 15, 2015, 07:50:01 PM
... but in case somebody cares - he's (Jooky) married to an RW for about 2 years.

I don't care; I've had enough of his histrionics to last for two lifetimes. I realize that you were addressing a larger audience, though, some of whom might appreciate the news. I think that most members, especially those who were members of R-W-G, would be more interested in how you have been doing.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: lonedrake on March 15, 2015, 10:56:15 PM
There is nothing on this site that can't be found elsewhere for free. Makes no sense to make it a pay website.

The way I see it is this way. This site is a business and was started to make money. Like any business some are successful, some not so much.

Now what if this site had become a windfall of cash?   How much money would Manny be sharing with the members? :o
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 15, 2015, 11:26:13 PM
Lonedrake, there's a big difference between giving people an option to help support the site and being a paid site. The first is a voluntary option with possible bonus benefits where the people paying understand the value of the community,  as a community. The second is an enforced payment for the use of a service.

To the best of my knowledge, the former is under consideration and not the latter. So,  if you don't want to support the community you'd get to see ads or have a slightly less optimal view of the site than somebody who does support the community.

Seems reasonable.

===================
Westcoast, if you were not such a freeloading tight arse you'd already know about the existence of a 'tips jar'. Turn off your ad blocker, locate the relevant banner and pay the man. We know,  because you told us,  that you are in favour of that idea so we can expect to see a change to your info to the side of all your posts,  yes?

My guess is that even if you looked at the banner you'd then claim to have some aversion based upon your career as an international  banker to using PayPal. ;)

But go on Westy, show us that you are not a blowhard and make a donation to support this site!
Please, prove me wrong. :)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: tonton on March 16, 2015, 12:25:18 AM
I'd prefer to donate indirectly in the form of wine with Manny, his Mrs and a few other lads here--it's more fun. But, count me in for chipping in even though I rarely post here now days.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on March 16, 2015, 09:17:51 AM
I'd prefer to donate indirectly in the form of wine with Manny, his Mrs and a few other lads here--it's more fun.

Aye, its been a while.  :BEER:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on March 16, 2015, 11:13:48 AM
I'd prefer to donate indirectly in the form of wine with Manny, his Mrs and a few other lads here--it's more fun.

Aye, its been a while.  :BEER:

The two things would not, I am sure, be mutually exclusive?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on March 16, 2015, 03:43:49 PM
Why not move this to a public thread or start a new topic and
get all members 2 cents worth, many have lots of posts, even if not here.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on March 16, 2015, 04:29:27 PM
Why not move this to a public thread or start a new topic and
get all members 2 cents worth, many have lots of posts, even if not here.

This is a public thread.  :rolleye0009:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: TomT on March 16, 2015, 04:41:38 PM
To (sic) funny!
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Tom Cat on March 16, 2015, 08:41:46 PM
Manny,
Is there another way besides PayPal to make a donation?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: msmoby on May 10, 2015, 03:53:14 AM
Just found this response of Westy's to Manny's std - you are a 'troll' - when a valid counter is made ... 


Am I seeking a FSUW? No.

As for being a troll, let's see what the definition of a troll is from Manny's own source a "self proclaimed expert". Who does that sound like? Who has repeatedly been labelled a self proclaimed expert?

That's Andrew. He's been repeatedly called a self proclaimed expert by a number of RUA members. Posting on all manner of topics from the US military, Russian military, aviation, the CIA, marriage, etc, etc. If there's a thread on any topic you can bet Andrew's the expert on that topic.

Andrew was more than willing to argue with Mendy about Russian topics despite the fact that Mendy is not only married to a RW, he also speaks the language, lives and works in Russia. And Andrew? Andrew isn't married to anyone, Russian or otherwise. Doesn't speak Russian. Doesn't live or work in Russia. Yet somehow Andrew felt he knew more than Mendy. Andrew is the classic definition of a troll.   

What about Manny? The other half of the entity we call [derogatory term removed]. Is he a troll? Let's take a look. He was more than willing to argue with Halo about the Ukrainian government's deals with its energy supplier. Halo is a lawyer (Canadian) speaks the language, lived (worked?) in Ukraine for years, is married to a FSUM. Manny OTOH, doesn't speak the language, never worked or lived in Ukraine. His claim to fame is that he's married to a RW and has a holiday home in Ukraine Estonia. I'm sure visiting Estonia a couple of times a year is the same as living in Ukraine for years.  :laugh: Once again, it seems Manny is at least close to the definition of a troll. True he doesn't fit it as well as Andrew, but then who could?  :laugh:

Manny, as for contributing a few quid to RUA's upkeep? Who would send money to someone on the Internet when their only connection to that person is some Internet posts. Isn't that rule #1? Don't send money to someone you've never met in person.
 


Manny, I appreciate that you - and others - DO point in a lot of work behind the scenes and would WILLINGLY contribute - via paypal  (  :chuckle: ) a regular contribution - if you can accept that your definition of a 'troll' covers most of us - including yourself .

 
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on May 30, 2015, 05:37:05 AM
Very few, if any, of those who claimed they'd stop being freeloaders changed their status I see.

The integrity is not deep with this crowd I think.

At least Anathema kept to his word. ;)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Anteros on May 30, 2015, 08:04:42 AM
Very few, if any, of those who claimed they'd stop being freeloaders changed their status I see.

The integrity is not deep with this crowd I think.

At least Anathema kept to his word. ;)

Where is the link to fund the site?  I would probably like to make a small donation.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on May 30, 2015, 08:09:43 AM
There's a banner between posts with a PayPal logo on it. Click and be free.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Anteros on May 30, 2015, 08:17:47 AM
There's a banner between posts with a PayPal logo on it. Click and be free.

Pardon however I am not seeing it. 
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on May 30, 2015, 09:32:46 AM
There's a banner between posts with a PayPal logo on it. Click and be free.

Pardon however I am not seeing it.

Its on a rotator, it will come up one time in ten on pages with four or more posts on. I didn't want it in peoples faces.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Anteros on May 30, 2015, 10:51:22 AM
There's a banner between posts with a PayPal logo on it. Click and be free.

Pardon however I am not seeing it.

Its on a rotator, it will come up one time in ten on pages with four or more posts on. I didn't want it in peoples faces.

If you have time, please send me the link in an email or PM.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on May 30, 2015, 11:02:38 AM
This link should work (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G4TDWG6HYUX4S)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Anteros on May 30, 2015, 11:18:10 AM
This link should work (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G4TDWG6HYUX4S)

Done.  Please update my status to "contributing member".   :party0011:   :laugh:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on May 31, 2015, 05:53:33 AM
Eric's trolling and attempted derailment of the topic can now be found here (http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?topic=24360.0).
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Anteros on May 31, 2015, 11:46:24 AM
Manny, I put Marks answer to my question back here, because some of us like the forum and want to contribute to the costs.

I am thinking at least 1K.  What is the correct answer?
1k is in the right ballpark. My guess would be between 750/year (VPS) and 2000/year (Dedicated server)

I thought Manny mentioned at one time he uses VPS, which makes sense as this is only a forum and doesn't need much customization on the operating system level.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on May 31, 2015, 11:58:19 AM
I was going to leave this alone, but hey its Sunday and couldn't help myself.
Manny started this forum or bought and upgraded it.
I am sure it has done well over the years and now maybe not so much.
Tough Business, the MOB scene.
It was set up as a free site and he had advertising, likely made a few bucks.
I met Manny, he is a crafty fellow and likely would not run it long
if it cost him much. If it does he will either sell it or figure out a way to
cover the costs. Or out right shut it down.

I have used it and joined, that said, I joined because it was free, likely never would have if it were a pay per use thing. That said if Manny and his family
are truly suffering because of this site, let me know, I will send a few bucks:)
Andrew badgering people because they choose not to pay, really does not help.
It makes newbies think twice. ( they don't understand Andrew)

That said how many newbies in the last month?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Anteros on May 31, 2015, 12:02:03 PM
I was going to leave this alone, but hey its Sunday and couldn't help myself.
Manny started this forum or bought and upgraded it.
I am sure it has done well over the years and now maybe not so much.
Tough Business, the MOB scene.
It was set up as a free site and he had advertising, likely made a few bucks.
I met Manny, he is a crafty fellow and likely would not run it long
if it cost him much. If it does he will either sell it or figure out a way to
cover the costs. Or out right shut it down.

I have used it and joined, that said, I joined because it was free, likely never would have if it were a pay per use thing. That said if Manny and his family
are truly suffering because of this site, let me know, I will send a few bucks:)
Andrew badgering people because they choose not to pay, really does not help.
It makes newbies think twice. ( they don't understand Andrew)

That said how many newbies in the last month?

I for one understand your concerns.  I just returned after a little more than a year absence and the current climate is pretty balanced, IMO.  I doubt if Manny would ever go to the poorhouse however I would rather make a small contribution every now and then rather than the site be sold.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on May 31, 2015, 12:18:21 PM
So, NS1, click the bloody button then!

Support that which you are happy to use every day.

Yesterday I dropped a little more money on Manny's PayPal account, I did not have to, nobody forced me to do so but it is a while since I last did so and you bunch of tightarses whining about a negligible amount of money is shocking.

There's no fixed amount, it does not expire and the money defrays the costs of running the thing and helps Manny stop feeling like a twat for giving you this playroom for free in which some of you routinely shit on him.

If it helps, think of it as a tip, a gratuity for giving you a good service.

In addition, I am sure that seeing folks willing to dob in helps the moderators feel a little better about the job, even though they don't get paid. Seeing people value their input helps them to deal with you lot on a daily basis.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Donhollio on May 31, 2015, 12:59:28 PM
  I'll pay to run the site for the next 12 months if Andy signs off and never returns by midnight GMT.

  Manny the sooner you reel in the sidekick and stop him pecking away at 'helping' the pledge drive, the better it'll be for those considering dropping money towards RUA.

 For the record I don't have an economics degree of any level, but I have a fairly decent idea of how not to be a social misfit.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on May 31, 2015, 01:18:17 PM
Manny started this forum or bought and upgraded it.
I am sure it has done well over the years and now maybe not so much.
Tough Business, the MOB scene.

That is a fair comment.

It was set up as a free site and he had advertising, likely made a few bucks.
I met Manny, he is a crafty fellow and likely would not run it long
if it cost him much. If it does he will either sell it or figure out a way to
cover the costs. Or out right shut it down.

I am not sure I would agree using the correct definition of crafty, but the point of the topic isn't about what was, it is about what is. As a business decision, the site would close tomorrow. But it isn't going to. What we are doing here is opening the general subject of funding up for discussion. I believe the site should self finance as it has done in the past.

That said if Manny and his family
are truly suffering because of this site, let me know, I will send a few bucks:)

Yeah, we are not in the poorhouse just yet.

Andrew badgering people because they choose not to pay, really does not help.

Andrew was highlighting a particular behaviour on the part of one poster. 

That said how many newbies in the last month?

The MOB industry in Russia and Ukraine is finished. Didn't you get the memo?  :chuckle:

I have a fairly decent idea of how not to be a social misfit.

 :innocent:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on May 31, 2015, 01:19:34 PM
Don, are you really trying to say that the only reason that you have not contributed before is because I post here?

Can I suggest something to save you some money?
Bung Manny $50 and put me on ignore. :)

Save you money and I am invisible to you. Objective achieved.

Looking forward to seeing a change in your status!
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Donhollio on May 31, 2015, 01:30:16 PM
 I've mention weeks back my views on the forum, it was deleted along with some other posts from others, no biggy as I don't pay, I either deal with the way things are done here, or I log off and never return.
Would I miss this place should it go dark? I suppose a bit, although my interest in it has waned quite a bit over the past few months.
 
 I do wonder how Dan's place continues to run if Manny says its in the red here. As for dropping a few bucks that remains to be seen.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on May 31, 2015, 01:48:41 PM
So, Don you were not being honest about your proposal to pay for the hosting of the site.
I didn't expect you would be.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on May 31, 2015, 05:01:28 PM
I do wonder how Dan's place continues to run if Manny says its in the red here.

They have Google ads.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Donhollio on May 31, 2015, 11:38:54 PM
  I see. I know they had some issue with content here and did something that hurt the cash flow coming in. I'm going off memory of something I read months back.
 Would it not be easier to delete the hot kovas and get the Google ads back? Not wanting to cave into a mega corp like Google is understandable, but I think its easier than requesting cash to keep the place afloat. Besides if many do donate soon you may run into the problem of members wanting a say in everything related to the forum.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on June 01, 2015, 12:10:08 AM
Besides if many do donate soon you may run into the problem of members wanting a say in everything related to the forum.

So far that idea is all you. It was you who offered support to the site if a poster here were to cease posting.
So,  you are not contributing because you won't have the say that you want.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: msmoby on June 01, 2015, 12:12:25 AM
 
 Would it not be easier to delete the hot kovas and get the Google ads back? Not wanting to cave into a mega corp like Google is understandable, but I think its easier than requesting cash to keep the place afloat. Besides if many do donate soon you may run into the problem of members wanting a say in everything related to the forum.

Hi Don,

If you can put up with ads for AD then Google Ads would be just 'great'  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: msmoby on June 01, 2015, 12:20:49 AM

So far that idea is all you. It was you who offered support to the site if a poster here were to cease posting.
So,  you are not contributing because you won't have the say that you want.

He is a member here because he has worn the t-shirt, been to many places in the FSU, posted about his experiences, HAS a FSU partner ..

Some members prefer to read his real-life adventures as opposed to your ill-researched and agenda driven [  FOR YOUR benefit ] 'theories'..

Kindly, stop boring us with suggesting you might have more 'rights' to post here....
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on June 01, 2015, 02:03:58 AM
  I see. I know they had some issue with content here and did something that hurt the cash flow coming in. I'm going off memory of something I read months back.

No need to tax your memory, reading the topic would help.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on June 01, 2015, 03:28:36 AM
So for the sake of curiosity, tell us a few things.
How much does it cost to run this place?
How short are you each month, after the advertising bucks you do get?
How much do you need to keep it a float?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on June 01, 2015, 04:37:00 AM
So for the sake of curiosity, tell us a few things.
How much does it cost to run this place?
How short are you each month, after the advertising bucks you do get?
How much do you need to keep it a float?

Why not read the thread?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Borsch on June 01, 2015, 06:20:53 AM
So for the sake of curiosity, tell us a few things.
How much does it cost to run this place?
How short are you each month, after the advertising bucks you do get?
How much do you need to keep it a float?
Cash grab.

Browse the site, it's obvious there is no R&D costs - it's not really required, it's a forum after all.

The only true costs are hosting related.

Domain is most likely around $10 to $50/yr

Decent hosting (non-godaddy) will be from $300 to $1000 a year depending on traffic/storage/bandwidth

Anything $1000 to $3000+ is for top of the line hosting with various perks in that range (e.g. ecommerce site that needs 99.999999% reliability, top of the line hardware, SSD storage, 6hr response, 2hr response etc) - something this site doesn't need.

Storage isn't an issue, most of the content is text. If it is an issue, they need to move to plan with a higher allocation or one with unlimited

I expect the real costs to be in the low hundreds, less if they are still with Godaddy.

Image storage - third party storage is free for everyone. Flickr, dropbox, facebook pics, etc. All can be linked directly

If the site closes or turns paid, people will just migrate to the other RU forums around

Coercing posters (members) to pay because they are not 'paying' is ridiculous since posters are already contributing to this Product (this forum) through their posts. Without posts there is nothing.

It's doubly ridiculous because this forum looks to be primarily  supporting your book and dating site. Are donors going to see a cut of those?


Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on June 01, 2015, 06:31:14 AM
Welcome 'Borsch' I think we can assume that you know less than you think you do given the inaccuracy of your guesses. ;)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on June 01, 2015, 01:17:02 PM
We have had a generous donation today. The site is now in the black once more.  :king:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on June 01, 2015, 01:24:03 PM
So for the sake of curiosity, tell us a few things.
How much does it cost to run this place?
How short are you each month, after the advertising bucks you do get?
How much do you need to keep it a float?

Why not read the thread?
I have read the thread, but presuming I missed,
Point to the post, that shows the Financials.
Thank you in advance for your help :)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on June 01, 2015, 01:24:31 PM
We have had a generous donation today. The site is now in the black once more.  :king:

That's good, I don't need to set up a bursary for the indigent then.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on June 01, 2015, 01:28:56 PM
We have had a generous donation today. The site is now in the black once more.  :king:

That's good, I don't need to set up a bursary for the indigent then.
Andrew I didn't realize your were so flush.
Good on you, becoming a philanthropist.
I hope some day I also have the wealth to do
such acts, I just  hope I don't become such an arrogant
A@$ when I get there, sorta defeats the purpose  :)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Markje on June 01, 2015, 01:30:10 PM
Anything $1000 to $3000+ is for top of the line hosting with various perks in that range (e.g. ecommerce site that needs 99.999999% reliability, top of the line hardware, SSD storage, 6hr response, 2hr response etc) - something this site doesn't need.
99.999999% reliability is already 7 figures annually... anything above 99.999% (the famous 5 nines) is already hugely expensive.

The 8-9 as you stated, means you get 0.3 seconds / year unplanned downtime...
That is darn near impossible unless the company have deep pockets for penalty-claims. Which makes the pricing expensive.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on June 03, 2015, 11:51:00 AM
B.O.T.

And the PayPal pay now button is located where (link?)

Try this: This link should work (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G4TDWG6HYUX4S)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on June 03, 2015, 01:18:48 PM
NS1, once again you misread!

My bursary idea is no longer needed. I am not like Croesus but I was serious. Now the need has gone away for a while.

But I reckon that the tightarses here would not have been calling upon my aid because doing so would, even if only to me, require admitting to being the skint party. They'd almost certainly prefer to continue to be thought of as selfish tightarses!  :party0031:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on June 04, 2015, 03:00:07 AM
NS1, once again you misread!

My bursary idea is no longer needed. I am not like Croesus but I was serious. Now the need has gone away for a while.

But I reckon that the tightarses here would not have been calling upon my aid because doing so would, even if only to me, require admitting to being the skint party. They'd almost certainly prefer to continue to be thought of as selfish tightarses!  :party0031:

Once again your self importance and perceived request for help is amazing.
 If you believe so many are cheap and that worried about the state of the site.
Why not just pay what is required to keep the place in the black?
A fellow with your means, could put this to rest and focus on issues to help the site grow and once again become prosperous:)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on June 04, 2015, 04:08:17 AM
So, if you are not one of the poor folks, put your hand in pocket and hit the PayPal button. The money will still be useful.

Is it self important to offer to help people?
Must be sad in your world.
It'll get lonely again too.

And, yet again, you don't understand what you read.
You really take the biscuit when it not understanding what you are trying to read, don't you.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: msmoby on June 04, 2015, 08:44:35 AM
So, if you are not one of the poor folks, put your hand in pocket and hit the PayPal button. The money will still be useful.

Is it self important to offer to help people?
Must be sad in your world.
It'll get lonely again too.

And, yet again, you don't understand what you read.
You really take the biscuit when it not understanding what you are trying to read, don't you.
Andrewfi responds as if yet another poster has reading 'comprehension' issues and merely demonstrates his inability to spot one of the main reasons people are reluctant to pay up.



sent from mobile..pls excuse the spooling mistooks

Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on June 04, 2015, 09:19:06 AM
So, if you are not one of the poor folks, put your hand in pocket and hit the PayPal button. The money will still be useful.

Is it self important to offer to help people?
Must be sad in your world.
It'll get lonely again too.

And, yet again, you don't understand what you read.
You really take the biscuit when it not understanding what you are trying to read, don't you.
I believe I am poor compared to you.
Your suggestion is to support any free site that you use and gain information from. For most the is quite a few, for an internet troll like you I am sure its
in the hundreds. I am happy you can afford to support all those sites.
Making people feel guilty often gives the opposite reaction desired,
they don't pay, they leave, that likely doesn't help either.
If Manny gets desperate, I am sure he will let us know :)
I suspect he will still manage the trips to France for his favourite red wine :chuckle:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on June 04, 2015, 11:10:06 AM
Moby, you don't pay because you can't pay. You can make all the excuses you want but until you can do that which you say you won't nothing changes, you remain a dishonest man.

Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on June 04, 2015, 11:13:01 AM
I visit a trade forum, and even though I post very seldom, I pay their upgraded member fee which is something like $25 a year. I like some of what is there, the bloke who owns it keeps spam and crap off the site. I think its a modest donation to help keep what is a very useful site for many going.

And back to here, someone else tipped up $50 last night.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on June 04, 2015, 11:15:39 AM

And back to here, someone else tipped up $50 last night.

That's good, glad to hear it!
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: cufflinks on June 10, 2015, 03:22:56 PM
B.O.T.

And the PayPal pay now button is located where (link?)

Try this: This link should work (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G4TDWG6HYUX4S)

Seems PayPal link worked...

Michael, your donation is now complete Payment by PayPal

Confirmation number: 7E0287369G636792N. An email with your donation details has been sent to (your email adx) and you can print your donation receipt.
DONATIONS COORDINATOR CONTACT INFORMATION
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: cufflinks on June 10, 2015, 03:25:54 PM
I visit a trade forum, and even though I post very seldom, I pay their upgraded member fee which is something like $25 a year. I like some of what is there, the bloke who owns it keeps spam and crap off the site. I think its a modest donation to help keep what is a very useful site for many going.

And back to here, someone else tipped up $50 last night.

Perhaps a link to the trade forum - as you seem to find it useful.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on June 10, 2015, 05:14:18 PM
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: msmoby on June 10, 2015, 11:47:44 PM
Moby, you don't pay because you can't pay. You can make all the excuses you want but until you can do that which you say you won't nothing changes, you remain a dishonest man.

I'm pretty certain I responded to this, already - but here goes again ..


andrewfi,

Do you have access to my bank accounts? Clearly not...

But thanks - once again - for demonstrating why I CHOOSE not to pay while you feel 'safe' to repeat fibs  :chuckle:

THAT is dishonesty ...

For a man who sets such store by words, you have a propensity to shoot yourself in the foot...



Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on June 11, 2015, 02:19:29 AM
Alfy,  you can, of course, tell us you choose to not support that which you are an inveterate user of. You can, of course, choose to give any reason that you wish for not supporting that which you are an inveterate user of.

You are,  of course,  unable to demonstrate that anything I have written about your 'choice' is incorrect and absolutely unable to suggest that you are anything other than dishonest. Your diatribe rather tends to support my hypothesis.

I am sure that if you could you would,  you can't so you don't. I don't  mind,  I am happy to not have to walk a mile in your shoes.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: msmoby on June 11, 2015, 04:43:45 AM
Alfy,  you can, of course, tell us you choose to not support that which you are an inveterate user of. You can, of course, choose to give any reason that you wish for not supporting that which you are an inveterate user of.

You are,  of course,  unable to demonstrate that anything I have written about your 'choice' is incorrect and absolutely unable to suggest that you are anything other than dishonest. Your diatribe rather tends to support my hypothesis.

I am sure that if you could you would,  you can't so you don't. I don't  mind,  I am happy to not have to walk a mile in your shoes.

That was a long speech to deflect from your assertion that I couldn't afford to pay ..

'Funny' how MY bank cards take me to places - using money I earnt - no 'handouts', inheritances' .. not on credit  .. just the fruits of my endeavours - yet you would continue to suggest 'dishonesty'.. :dh:

Once again  - I choose NOT to pay while folk like you are free to repeat lies, quoting 'reliable sources' .  :chuckle:

Off to get my bank to countersign my bank statements for a Russian Business Visa application..Russian FMS already issued and countersigned the invite...

Why don't you use one of your 'contacts' to ensure it is refused... :chuckle:

PS: They need to see my bank statements over a period of three months to check I can afford to be in Russia and the min balance is - according to Real Russia - 3 k sterling

Hardly a great deal and I WAY exceed that figure

Always glad to demonstrate how daft your assertions are  :chuckle:









 

Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: cufflinks on June 11, 2015, 03:55:54 PM
I visit a trade forum, and even though I post very seldom, I pay their upgraded member fee which is something like $25 a year. I like some of what is there, the bloke who owns it keeps spam and crap off the site. I think its a modest donation to help keep what is a very useful site for many going.

And back to here, someone else tipped up $50 last night.

Perhaps a link to the trade forum - as you seem to find it useful.

2nd Request Please and Thank you...
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on June 12, 2015, 01:21:11 AM
I visit a trade forum, and even though I post very seldom, I pay their upgraded member fee which is something like $25 a year. I like some of what is there, the bloke who owns it keeps spam and crap off the site. I think its a modest donation to help keep what is a very useful site for many going.

And back to here, someone else tipped up $50 last night.

Perhaps a link to the trade forum - as you seem to find it useful.

2nd Request Please and Thank you...

PM sent.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on April 21, 2016, 04:40:52 PM
This from the guy who causes more moderation work here than any other member by far:

Manny, I appreciate that you - and others - DO point in a lot of work behind the scenes and would WILLINGLY contribute - via paypal  (  :chuckle: ) a regular contribution -

And here we are almost a year later with Moby as good as we know his word to be.

£0

 :chuckle:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on April 21, 2016, 04:57:40 PM
Would I be wrong to think that, while he'd love,  absolutely love, to help out, that he can't at the moment because he still can't use PayPal?

If only there were some other way that he could send money.  ;)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Ladagirl on September 17, 2017, 07:25:12 AM
A member today kindly made a three figure donation towards the forums running costs.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on September 17, 2017, 07:39:07 AM
That's very nice!
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Markje on September 17, 2017, 09:23:03 AM
A member today kindly made a three figure donation towards the forums running costs.
:party0011: Can we then maybe get rid of some of those annoying "bride" pictures because they aint searching for husbands  :innocent:

Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: yankee on September 17, 2017, 10:03:40 AM
A member today kindly made a three figure donation towards the forums running costs.
:party0011: Can we then maybe get rid of some of those annoying "bride" pictures because they aint searching for husbands  :innocent:

My wife  keeps asking how much per hour do they charge?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Markje on December 31, 2018, 12:02:17 PM
I.d be willing to be your onsite techie for 24/7  if you take a dirt cheap vps. Together with herrie as your webmaster that should cover 99% of your IT needs

For instance a 1cpu 1gb memory 2tera storage with hetzner.de costs 15 euro/ month. I run my mail relay there and its very good for self service type guys like me
Title: An example of a Manny lie
Post by: msmoby on January 01, 2019, 12:40:58 AM
This from the guy who causes more moderation work here than any other member by far:

Manny, I appreciate that you - and others - DO point in a lot of work behind the scenes and would WILLINGLY contribute - via paypal  (  :chuckle: ) a regular contribution -

And here we are almost a year later with Moby as good as we know his word to be.

£0

 :chuckle:

JUST saw this...

I suppose you won't mind me mentioning the conditional ( 'accidentently' ) you left off ?..

Why be so disingenuous ?


Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Guile on January 01, 2019, 02:04:13 PM
those who lie habitually need to accuse others of lying to shine the spotlight off them hence why Moby constantly writes (forum member name) "busted" ..he got poor Trench now hahaa.

figures he wouldnt put his money where his mouth is. wouldnt even take my bet. johngaunt was right about you.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on January 01, 2019, 04:27:14 PM
I.d be willing to be your onsite techie for 24/7  if you take a dirt cheap vps. Together with herrie as your webmaster that should cover 99% of your IT needs

For instance a 1cpu 1gb memory 2tera storage with hetzner.de costs 15 euro/ month. I run my mail relay there and its very good for self service type guys like me

Thanks for the offer, Mark. Your suggestion would involve migrating the site from where we are: UK based, managed servers, with backups, fast response to, and protection from DDOS and similar, with a very reputable firm with first class customer service, and close to zero downtime, to a place I don't know in Germany in a language I'm not good at.

Every time this site has been migrated in the past has been a total nightmare and lots of it broke. Our current host imported the site painlessly and it was a condition of the swap over back then that they did so and fixed anything that broke. We had a lot of problems over the years with cheap hosting.

The offer of volunteer help is always appreciated, of course, and nobody doubts your tech capability, but I'm not keen on the idea of migrating the site elsewhere to save a few quid. Plus I've always found cheap hosting is cheap for a reason. Images will be crawling to open, downtime becomes a thing again, etc. All that stuff is in the past since I started using an expensive host.

For me, a lot of it is about time and not money. I haven't got half a day to fix the site when it breaks or time to spend the whole morning on the phone asking others to do so. I'll pay more to solve a problem painlessly. All the time I've had websites I've had ongoing issues with the host one way or another. With this firm, I don't need to think about it. And that has a price.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: msmoby on January 01, 2019, 09:48:45 PM
those who lie habitually need to accuse others of lying to shine the spotlight off them

Ah, so one of your crack-pot "I'm obsessed with moby" posts got through ..in the hope I'll respond and then MY post will get moved into obscurity  :)

Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Steveboy on January 18, 2019, 07:00:34 AM
So I thought I would start a topic on site funding, as it does crop up from time to time, and again today:

How does one become a supporting and or sustaining member.

** Donation Link Here ** (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G4TDWG6HYUX4S)

That question was as a result of a query about the upload image feature having been turned off some months ago (edit: now switched back on).

So I will dial back first with some history.

When the site was started way back in 2007, it was on the usual few dollars a month 'GoDaddy' shared type of hosting. After moving hosts a few times because such services are crap except for Mom and Pop type sites, traffic was such that we had to use a non-shared environment to avoid lag and downtime. That typically means private servers, dedicated servers or VPS/VDS type deals that cost more. We were hacked once or twice which necessitated off site backups (which are not free). Then we had to move the site out of the US in order to avoid DMCA's, threats of lawsuits from US agencies and other American legal silliness. So we now host in the UK.

Everyone says "Oh, hosting is dirt cheap". Yes it is, if when your site goes down you have to open a ticket, and two days later a bloke called Gupta in India replies it and says "Did you try to reboot your computer?" and then its two days till the next response.  :'(   We have a host where if something breaks, I call up, and a bloke called Brian or Geoffrey fixes it while I am on the phone. That level of service has a price tag.

In the 'golden' days of the 'mail order bride' business, which we caught the tail end of, advertisers were coming out of the walls and queuing up to pay our bills. Now the MOB business is a shadow of its former self, we find sites like the huge Aweb and former industry darlings like Elena's don't want to pay their bills to sites like this (or in the latter case need to be chased for 6 months to pay). Why you don't see their ads here any more. We used to use Google to serve ads here too, but Google classed us as an 'adult' site as there are a few photos of scantily clad ladies around the site and other unspecified 'adult' content, so they now refuse to serve ads here. As time allows, I am looking at other ad servers, including adult networks (!), but it takes time to put in place.

Meanwhile, the site trucks along full of eight years of photos and content, growing daily, costing money every month. Our image folders are *huge* and a few months ago when we were again running out of space, I suspended image uploading in order that I can manually review what images we need to keep. For example, an Obama joke image from four years ago in Off Topic on page 75 of a 500 page topic probably isn't important (we need not pay to host that). A blokes photo on a TR of the Potemkin Steps is more relevant, and that can only be done manually. So over a few months, I am up to page 751 of several thousand pages of our images.

It has always been the way that the site must be self-funding. As with any enterprise, it has to pay its own way to be viable. It also has to carry some reserves for ongoing tech work, software upgrades, new ideas, etc.

However it is done, the site needs a little bit of cash every month, generated from itself, to survive without costing me money personally. So a while back, I put a "Donate to RUA" on the ad rotator. So far, only two members have done so as a one off, and earned the heady title of "Supporting Member". I will find the direct link for anyone that wishes to throw a few coins into the bowl and post it on the topic.

But looking forward, with a shortage of advertisers that want to actually pay, and with minimal member contributions, apart from ads like "Wet Chloe Wants You Tonight on Cam" how does a site like this generate a few thousand dollars a year in order to be self funding in light of the MOB industry being on its last legs?

So, lets discuss, and I will happily answer questions.

how does a site like this generate a few thousand dollars a year in order to be self funding in light of the MOB industry being on its last legs?

Blimey thats easy!!

1. Diversify into an International dating forum..for all niches. less politics and bickering more dating

2. Take all the members from the "Other " forum

3. Do some SEO there are not many dating relationship forums so search is easy to fix..

4. Get some serious traffic , get plenty of adsence and get your banners onto as many dating sites as possible

5. Get some good reviews, everyone want's to talk dating!

Diversify move with the times or die..


Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on September 23, 2019, 05:13:05 PM
Manny, I appreciate that you - and others - DO point in a lot of work behind the scenes and would WILLINGLY contribute - via paypal  (  :chuckle: ) a regular contribution - if you can accept that your definition of a 'troll' covers most of us - including yourself .

Above is a comment from Moby several years ago.......

Of course he paid $0.

And here is the reality in 2019.

I'll give you a number ... 20 Lari .. 

There we have it folks, Moby saving thousands of pounds due to info on this site, and causing years of moderation work is worth 20 GEL, £5.41 or $6.75 to him. In the future of course.

What a cheapskate loser.

Moby values this site at under $7, or about 50c a year.  :coffeeread:

Why this site now won't give him one inch of latitude (http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php/topic,28403.msg500144.html#msg500144).

And look what happened then.............

Quote from: andrewfi
On the basis that Manny expects to see an 80% reduction in Moby content I have just dobbed in $80 as my contribution to the cost of policing our forum's indigent and most time consuming member. I hope that those others who offered to help defray the costs of policing that member will also follow through.

I look forward to seeing a huge decrease in threads that are effectively closed by Moby, threads where he is the last poster.

Good move Manny.

Oh, and then this:

(https://i.ibb.co/G2CXpkn/don.png) (https://ibb.co/MVPbSpZ)

The site has collected over $260 in donations in 24 hours since we said we would sh!t can the worst of Moby ongoing. But Moby himself offered 50c a YEAR and didn't even pay that.

The next couple of months hosting is paid by two members in one day.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on September 23, 2019, 05:30:31 PM
Who else can you auction off? Some might suggest me, but I won't contribute to my own demise.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on September 23, 2019, 05:39:04 PM
That and the topic here (http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php/topic,28403.0.html) is demonstrative of how people DON'T want Moby's trolling though, eh?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: shakespear on September 23, 2019, 07:52:12 PM
I'll chip in $50
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Dogsoldier on September 24, 2019, 03:37:56 AM
My contribution is in the kitty too.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: rosco on September 24, 2019, 04:36:51 AM
I've chucked a couple of quid your way too!
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on September 24, 2019, 07:03:46 AM
Thanks to Shakey, DS and Rosco.  tiphat
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on September 24, 2019, 07:09:44 AM
Moby, worth more dead than alive.  tiphat
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on September 24, 2019, 11:28:20 AM
Moby, worth more dead than alive.  tiphat

We have another forum donation from HoundDaddyLee.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: andrewfi on September 24, 2019, 01:45:18 PM
So, how many Moby posts have been deleted or blocked today? Is he maintaining his onslaught of puerile, poxy, posts?
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on September 24, 2019, 05:45:29 PM
I will get to it, away for weekend and 15 hour days don't allow much time at the moment.
Even though the deal was to eliminate Moby for money, I will contribute 100 us to the cause by weekend.
Will try to post more as well, but not much into arguing politics. :)
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on September 25, 2019, 01:20:54 PM
So, how many Moby posts have been deleted or blocked today? Is he maintaining his onslaught of puerile, poxy, posts?

I think it would be indiscreet to say. But some that didn't pass the test didn't get through. What I said, I meant.

Any post that references other forums (including alleged names elsewhere), negatively references other members, or is trolling or off topic in any way at all wont be approved.

On topic, useful, helpful and friendly posts only will be approved. Any element in the post that doesn't follow that will render the whole post null and void and be unapproved.

And on a further positive note, the donations we have had the last few days has made it possible to turn back on image uploading as we now have some more storage space on the server.  :thumbsup: :party0011:

Also, as mentioned on topics elsewhere, some of the slow load times with new posts, edits, etc. are being investigated and will be fixed.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on September 26, 2019, 04:32:46 PM
I will contribute 100 us to the cause by weekend.
Will try to post more as well, but not much into arguing politics. :)

Received today. Thanks for your support.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: NS1 on September 26, 2019, 04:40:14 PM
I will contribute 100 us to the cause by weekend.
Will try to post more as well, but not much into arguing politics. :)

Received today. Thanks for your support.

Your welcome, if your successful with the Moby venture I will do again :)
Still offer up bottle of fine whisky to hardest working mod LOL.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on October 03, 2020, 12:32:03 PM
A chap just donated to the running costs and added this note:

Quote
Message to RUAdventures. com: Hi thanks for getting rid of Moby.

 tiphat
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Lord of the Dance on October 03, 2020, 12:40:21 PM
A chap just donated to the running costs and added this note:

Quote
Message to RUAdventures. com: Hi thanks for getting rid of Moby.

 tiphat

The gift that keeps on giving!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: Manny on October 03, 2020, 03:07:58 PM
It must be said, the RUA experience is so much nicer now. Interaction is much more civil. People who haven’t been around for ages are drifting back.

I looked in across the street and he’s running amok there. They’re welcome to it.
Title: Re: Site Funding. Supporting Members. Q & A.
Post by: B.B. on October 03, 2020, 11:20:24 PM
A chap just donated to the running costs and added this note:

Quote
Message to RUAdventures. com: Hi thanks for getting rid of Moby.

 tiphat

I didn't realize he was in ze kuhler. :8)

That inspired me to send you a C-note.

B/B