Time Out

Merika · 03-15-2005, 11:36 AM

Granted, it may be my computer since I'm on wireless and we are having a cloudy day....but I've gotten so many time outs and error messages this morning on here....it's been a pain in the butt to make a post.

I sure hope it's just me. I guess I'll take a break and come back later when the sun is shining. LOL!

THIRD try in sending this!

Stone · 03-15-2005, 11:51 AM

I get them every morning around 7-9 durring coffe time it reads DEBUG ERROR :?

Duke · 03-15-2005, 11:16 PM

I'm currently looking into finding another webhost. The problem is that it will be a rather substantial increase in what I currently pay per month so I need to look at ways of offsetting some of those costs. I may just bite the bullet and look into purchasing a re-seller package and try to rent out webspace or start running ad campains such as google, not sure yet.

I also want to become a mirror for Spybot or other software sites to increase site exposure so I'll need a lot of bandwidth plus CPU speed to acheive decent dl speeds.

I just ask that you keep posting your issues here but I assure you that we will be on a new server some time this summer. Canaca can kiss my arse, hopefully before wiping.

darkangelism · 03-15-2005, 11:23 PM

if you were reselling i would buy space.

Duke · 03-16-2005, 12:10 AM

I'll keep that in mind, every little bit will help. The problem I face is trying to make money without counting on member support. I know that a lot of people feel obligated to chip in so I'd rather not have an environment that makes members feel pressured to contribute.

If you all have any ideas on programs that might throw a few dollars at the site then please let me know.

Thanks :!:

Merika · 03-16-2005, 06:31 AM

Most of the larger forums have advertising. Do we have enough traffic to generate good ads?

Star · 03-16-2005, 06:55 AM

I do get a page cannot be found on a regular basis. I think it's a good idea that you change companies duke. this one jsut isn't cutting it and doesn't seem to care too much about their customer relations.

running adds isn't a bad idea. that might help.

Merika · 03-16-2005, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by star_64

I do get a page cannot be found on a regular basis.

Is that just ANNOYING? Especially if you just wanted a few quiet moments online before you have to do something else.

I don't know that it's an unusual situation in forums though. I post on a few from time to time and all but one....have their own hosting problems.

Star · 03-16-2005, 08:19 AM

it's extremely annoying! I hate it! it does happen at the other forum that i post at once in awhile too. maybe that happens when the site is really busy?

darkangelism · 03-16-2005, 10:26 AM

The only problem with ads, is that most require large amounts of unique traffic, here the same 50 people show up over and over again.

Stone · 03-16-2005, 10:29 AM

I would buy space if someone could set my web site up.

darkangelism · 03-16-2005, 10:37 AM

Between Duke, myself and some of the other members, that shouldnt be a problem.

Duke · 03-17-2005, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkangelism

The only problem with ads, is that most require large amounts of unique traffic, here the same 50 people show up over and over again.

That's 100% untrue actually. I know because I monitor the IP addresses and have a logfile of them with my websoftware.

I've never been a fan of ads because I find them to be obtrusive and annoying. I have thought of running a few of the bigger ad services in a block along the left side of the page along with ads in the footer of the forums that change with every refresh. The forum ads will happen eventually, once I figure out how to code it so it works properly.

One problem with ad campains is a lot of these companies want you to use ads that scroll (scrolling marquees), pop ups, pop unders and re-directs. I hate this type of advertising and absolutely refuse to use it, I'll go broke first.

I will likely set up tiered membership late in the year as I think that may bring in a few dollars and those who pay will get some extras that are undetermined at this time. However, what you see here you will always be able to do for free.

I'll also set up some re-seller links to computer software, travel, webspace, etc., where click throughs pay a bit and referrals pay a bit more. It will take time but even a little bit is more than I'm getting at the moment. The reseller plans also offer tons of bandwidth which I may use to become a download mirror for software such as spy removal or virus protection. This increase in traffic will definately result in more members.

The one thing to keep in mind is that no matter what, this site will always be online as will Hobby-Universe and kidZone, even if I have to bite the bullet and host them from home on 00ber cable.

Duke · 03-17-2005, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stone

I would buy space if someone could set my web site up.

I could have a website with forums ready for you inside of 30 minutes. :wink: The only catch is that the domain would have to be a subdomain of Lifesupporters such as: http://www.stoneheatherweb.lifesupporters.com. That would be the main url unless you were to purchase a domain name.

BTW, don't worry about it, we're just brainstorming here. I'm not in a position where I'm worried about the site going down. I'll pay whatever I have to out of my own pocket to keep us online indefinately. Eventually I would love to be able to offset some of the costs but this site really is a hobby and hobbies do cost money.