OzSTOC
General Category => Active Polls => Topic started by: ST2UP on June 13, 2020, 09:38:28 PM
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Our annual subscription to pay our Web Hosting service is nearly due. We have been with this company that is owned by a long term OzSTOC member for about 7 years. They have always provided the service we require and are quick to respond to outages and changes etc.
The annual cost is $700.
We have a very generous offer from another long term member who provides Web Hosting to host our clubs Website and Forum for free. Very generous offer I’m sure you will agree.
When the time of year arrives I go cap in hand on the forum to ask for your lazy few dollars to keep us afloat and able to pay our hosting invoice. Generally we end up with 25% to 50% over our hosting needs.....only once we fell short and Pockey and I covered that one.
We use the additional few dollars for covering other costs the member doesn’t tend to see I.E National Rally guest speaker costs, OzSTOC prepaid phone, purchase of shop supplies, business cards for you to handout etc.
While the shop use to make a few hundred dollars a year to help towards the clubs bits and pieces it has died off dramatically. I believe this is due to not often used quality products that don’t need replacement and a big down turn in new membership, and those couple that do join each month don’t usually purchase from the shop. The shops profit since the beginning of this year is less than $20 with a couple of thousand worth of merchandise in stock.
So if we move to a free Web hosting provider, how can I in all good faith go cap in hand to members for a few dollars each year from those who are prepared to assist for services that you don’t necessarily see if we move to a free service provider of our forum and website.
So my question is stay as we are and put a few dollars in still as we have OR change providers and still throw in a few less dollars for the incidentals.
What’s your thoughts ?? Vote in the Poll.
Cheers
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I think we can all accept that there are many costs in running this awesome club apart from the big ticket item of the web hosting. It’s easy for us all to see the value of the web site because it keeps us all together, but any club needs to cover a range of operating costs and it’s right that these should be shared among the members.
So I see no problem in continuing to pass the hat around. It’s just a smaller hat, that’s all.
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I am for moving, only because of the financial benefit. Our current provider has been excellent and is to be congratulated.
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I'm for moving so long as we're not taking advantage of the person offering it for free. I'd prefer we paid him something for his trouble and to help with his own costs, even if it's only a couple of hundred dollars. I also agree we who benefit from the Forum should continue to tip in an annual subscription. Do we own the stock of regalia outright or do we still owe money for that? Obviously the "club" should own its shop's stock, and any excess funds be used to offset any debt.
Maybe there could be a reminder to those who attend RTEs that club regalia is available and it's good to be identified as a member.
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I also support the change to the free providor. In a small club running on a shoestring, a $700 pa saving is consderable. That being said, we should continue to have the annual call for donations, so that we can have a small reserve. Is it appropriate to name the current providor, so that ordinary members could express their appreciation, as I know there have been a few times they have gone "above and beyond"?
I really appreciate being part of this group, which works together to support our mutual love of travel & motorcycling, and through OzSTOC I can go anywhere in this vast country and still be able to meet with friends. ++
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I make an annual donation, often before the call goes out. I get a lot from this forum and agree with the sentiments expressed above from Biggles and Stinky Pete.
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I agree with the previous comments. I very much appreciate the invaluable information and experiences gathered on this site.
Cheers,
Hobs
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As the site was set up by a club member, I`m more than happy to make an annual donation, which I have done, since being a member.
I don`t expect something for nothing, that said, getting something for nothing isn`t always the best way to go either.
Status Quo for me. :thumbsup
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I also support the change to the free provider and believe that the annual call for donations should continue :thumbs
When the club has excess money we can try out new products for the club (or for the shop) and cover the cost for a prize in the occasional little competition/giveaway :thumbsup
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I also agree with the sentiment expressed by Biggles and StinkyPete. Regarding shop stock, once members have what they want, then turnover will dry up I guess and if new members aren't buying or if new membership is declining. Whatever decision is made Re: Web Host, I think we should still pass the hat around every so often. Administrators should not have to put their hand in their own pocket to meet shortfalls. They all are so giving with their time. I also think that if there is a shortfall, come back to members and let us know.
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I also think we should go the free option...assuming we get similar service. :thumb
I'd also support Biggles suggestion of slinging them a few hundred bucks.
I guess my only concern is, if for whatever reason it didn't work out would we have the option of going back or have we then burnt those bridges?
I'm more than happy to make an annual donation, regardless...
Oh, and I do like Shiney's idea of perhaps trying out some new products for the shop if we have excess cash.
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Rusty has summed up my thoughts in a nutshell.
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Rusty has summed up my thoughts in a nutshell.
Summed up my thoughts, and now I'm worried.
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Another vote for the lower cost option. As suggested above some payment to the host would be fair as well.
It is a bit hard to continue a relatively large amount if it can be done for a lot less. Then the stock in the shop is not such a liability. I am happy to chip in each year as it appears are many others.
Considering the friendships started and information available on the forum it is an invaluable resource and well worth some dollars each year.
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Rusty has summed up my thoughts in a nutshell.
Summed up my thoughts, and now I'm worried.
You're worried??? :o
I'm not used to people agreeing with me...You lot are gonna ruin my reputation! :rofl
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:dred11 :blk13 :Spyder
I can see the benefits in change for cost benefit and I will continue to make my donation to support my OzSTOC family notice board. :Blow
Is it time to rattle the can, I havent been involved much lately.
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We're happy to continue to support OzSTOC next time the cap is handed around... Agree we need to move to a new Web Hosting and we also agree with Biggles that we should "... prefer we paid him something for his trouble and to help with his own costs, even if it's only a couple of hundred dollars..." Cheers, John&Kate.
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Never know what's around the corner, so I'll continue to contribute to ensure that we have this network, regardless of who hosts the site.
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"You never know what's around the corner..."
The current provider is an organisation that is successful and profitable (read continues).
I too appreciate the offer however am concerned about continuity. If the person making the offer leaves the planet who will continue to host the forum? The current provider seems reliable in this regard.
Being an (X IT professional) who still manages a site for a local community group the hosting is done on a commercial site for continuity @ $420 per annum. The site is a WordPress site for free.
If the offer is on a commercial site then accept otherwise I vote stay.
:my$2
Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
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"You never know what's around the corner..."
The current provider is an organisation that is successful and profitable (read continues).
I too appreciate the offer however am concerned about continuity. If the person making the offer leaves the planet who will continue to host the forum? The current provider seems reliable in this regard.
Being an (X IT professional) who still manages a site for a local community group the hosting is done on a commercial site for continuity @ $420 per annum. The site is a WordPress site for free.
If the offer is on a commercial site then accept otherwise I vote stay.
:my$2
Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
Don’t the same points apply to the current provider?
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STroppy that's what I'm saying. They are a commercial business running a profitable site. With over 200,000 forums. They are not likely to disappear overnight. If the offer is for a commercial entity running the site then yes. BTW I read that it could be difficult moving the historical forum data out of Tapatalk.
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