I invite Jason to become a "Stormtrack Supporter" then his argument will make more sense as he, like some of the rest of us, were grandfathered in. Here's the link for convenience: http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/payments.php
Does it Cost $$$ To Join ST Now??
- Thread starter Dustin Wilcox
- Start date
Dan Cook
EF5
It's for new registrations only; you're grandfathered in.
Ben Holcomb
EF5
Servers are expensive, but for $75 a month ads at the top, google ads, and other sources of revenue (Donations, entry fees) I can't imagine there's a shortage of server money.
Either that or they're being ripped off on the server.
Either that or they're being ripped off on the server.
Mike Hollingshead
The only sense it seems weird to me is when I try and think of ever joining, or potentially joining, another forum and one actually charging. Of course they exist, but I can't think of any I've ran across, so in that sense it seems strange. I guess perhaps they just have more ads or things to sell that offset it.
I can attest to the whole google ads being in the crapper now. Per month for me it's dropped around 600% and if anything traffic is the same. They did something.
IMO....I wouldn't allow those no good NOAA types in for free either lol. They can afford $5! I understand extending the courtesy and yet don't at the same time. Should just start now and have everyone pay $5 to stay as well and see what happens, good or bad. Seriously(maybe I'm this bored though).
I can attest to the whole google ads being in the crapper now. Per month for me it's dropped around 600% and if anything traffic is the same. They did something.
IMO....I wouldn't allow those no good NOAA types in for free either lol. They can afford $5! I understand extending the courtesy and yet don't at the same time. Should just start now and have everyone pay $5 to stay as well and see what happens, good or bad. Seriously(maybe I'm this bored though).
Dan Cook
EF5
It's not being hosted at the site Rob Dewey posted.
D. Hayes
dedicated server I'll assume. What sort of bandwidth are we talking here in GB/month. Maybe there are better options out there. I have several sites on bluehost.com and I don't spend but maybe $7 a month.
http://helpdesk.bluehost.com/index.php/kb/article/141
$30 a year gets dedicated IP. Really should look at them if cost is becoming an issue. Then every 3 years a small fund raiser would be cool.
Not trying to stir the pot. next week I'll probably sign in to be a supporter since I squeaked in just before the new subscription plan happened. And besides I just love you guys haha! Better than a few folks I seen on other forums that rather rub their skill in your face than actually help you learn something.
http://helpdesk.bluehost.com/index.php/kb/article/141
$30 a year gets dedicated IP. Really should look at them if cost is becoming an issue. Then every 3 years a small fund raiser would be cool.
Not trying to stir the pot. next week I'll probably sign in to be a supporter since I squeaked in just before the new subscription plan happened. And besides I just love you guys haha! Better than a few folks I seen on other forums that rather rub their skill in your face than actually help you learn something.
Ben Holcomb
EF5
No, according to the rwhois on the IP address, it's being hosted on IP's leased to http://www.codero.com/ which is a subsidiary of aplus.net hosted in what appears to be a datacenter in California, or at least peered in San Diego with Level 3.
With that said, their biggest server is around 250 bones a month, which is covered by 4 ads easily.
With that said, their biggest server is around 250 bones a month, which is covered by 4 ads easily.
Dan Cook
EF5
And you know this how? There isn't much interest in paid ads on here lately.
Ben Holcomb
EF5
Well I know for a fact ad money was paid out by a certain site. Other sites have also advertised on there, including the one just for The Weather Store and the Storm Chaser book or whatever it is.
And just knowing what kind of referral traffic I get from this site from reports thread, I can only imagine the ad money from the ads at the top of each thread page is paying.
I work with all of this for a living, and this thread set off my BS Detector, so I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. I can't speak authoritatively about most things related to weather because I am still a beginner, but I know something isn't adding up here.
And just knowing what kind of referral traffic I get from this site from reports thread, I can only imagine the ad money from the ads at the top of each thread page is paying.
I work with all of this for a living, and this thread set off my BS Detector, so I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. I can't speak authoritatively about most things related to weather because I am still a beginner, but I know something isn't adding up here.
Dan Cook
EF5
Not everyone clicks on the Google PPC ads.
I don't know why you think this is such a big deal seeing as how you're not affected. Everyone who was active is grandfathered in.
I don't know why you think this is such a big deal seeing as how you're not affected. Everyone who was active is grandfathered in.
Robert Edmonds
EF5
Hey the electricity to run these computers ain't free (El Paso Electric wants their share). I estimate that to run my computer now as a dedicated pc (to update the maps), plus the website hosting, I am spending around $20-30 per month (electricity+website hosting). I know my website is new, but it's only brought in $2, and I have to make $10 before google pays out(if I close my account). If ST needs to now ask for $5 at sign up, then they gotta do that. If you don't like then that's your problem.
BTW feel free to visit my website for FREE.
BTW feel free to visit my website for FREE.
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Brandon Sullivan
EF5
I don't know why anyone cares.. Simply put 5$ is nothing to pay for the amount of knowledge that can be gained from those on this site.
95% of you complaining on this thread did not have to pay the fine anyways, so stop whining.
95% of you complaining on this thread did not have to pay the fine anyways, so stop whining.
Scott Weberpal
EF5
I don't care either way. I'm more than willing to donate if needed to keep stormtrack going. Perhaps for those who believe this is some conspiracy for ST to make more money than they are paying to maintain the site, there could be a full financial disclosure of all costs and all revenue.
Scott Bennett
EF4
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2008
- Messages
- 472
I think the only thing that really bothers me is it's a "Community" site... I looked at my paypal account and I have "Donated" $59 of my personal money ($50 last year in the fund drive, $9 to be a supporter) in addition to the few hundred dollars of banner ads for CTV. My arguement is my donations would be much more limited (along with ad dollars) if I thought someone was making a profit off the site where all content is community generated, I highly doubt people like Hollingshead or Dustin would be all that excited if people were paying ST to see their pics, and someone at ST was making a profit off that.
People will stop posting content and the site will get stale.
Just my $.02
If ST truly has issues with $$$ for the servers and stuff I would be more than happy to donate the server and the bandwidth for a single banner ad every month... so long as the income was not used to profit someone.
People will stop posting content and the site will get stale.
Just my $.02
If ST truly has issues with $$$ for the servers and stuff I would be more than happy to donate the server and the bandwidth for a single banner ad every month... so long as the income was not used to profit someone.
Dustin Wilcox
EF5
Exactly, if I knew it was needed and being allocated efficient and effectively, I too would pitch in what I could. That being said, with it appearing money is coming in from all directions, and very little to no indications of how and where it's being spent, it makes one a little reluctant to throw money into the pot. As a forum meant to serve the storm chasing community, I don't see how it would hurt to disclose to members a budget of sorts, listing expenditures and revenue.
