Does it Cost $$$ To Join ST Now??

[Mike Hollingshead]

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.

Tim could be rolling in a pimped out Escalade sportin 26 inch wheels off ST money and I wouldn't care. Jealous maybe. I would still put them on here for sharing and the occasional dvd sale....*cough* dvd sale.....(subliminal...or not so much).

 

[Wes Carter]

Maybe I'm looking at this all screwed up, but why should we demand to "see the books"? In my opinion it's really none of my business what Stormtrack's expenses are. The bottom line is that they are spending money to provide a service that is essentially free.

If the local greasy spoon had been giving you free meals for years would you demand to see the books when you found out they were charging other people $5 for a hamburger and fries?

I know that this is a little bit different, but the principle is the same. What does it matter to you what other people pay when you still get it for free?

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Maybe I'm looking at this all screwed up, but why should we demand to "see the books"? In my opinion it's really none of my business what Stormtrack's expenses are. The bottom line is that they are spending money to provide a service that is essentially free.

If the local greasy spoon had been giving you free meals for years would you demand to see the books when you found out they were charging other people $5 for a hamburger and fries?

I know that this is a little bit different, but the principle is the same. What does it matter to you what other people pay when you still get it for free?

Good Point, I guess I have always visioned ST as a Community based Forum, by the chaser for the chaser, seems it used to be operated that way. Looking back, it appears it has somewhat transitioned away from that and shifted towards a more private and business like system, in which case you're correct, books are non of the users business. Somewhat disappointing it had to transition as it has (be that transition a change in operation or just a change in the vibe), but I guess if it was what was necessary to keep it afloat, then it was a good move...

 

[Danny Neal]

I think the simple answer to everyone's question is start charging 10 dollars per infraction and 5 dollar per warning..... :Gets out checkbook: Best 90 dollars I ever spent.

 

[Tim Vasquez]

We have a plan for that... $200 and you get a pass that exempts you from violations for one year. Here is our address:

Stormtrack
25 King Faisal Towers, Floor 82
Dubai 8521 UAE

Tim

 

[Robert Edmonds]

Stormtrack
25 King Faisal Towers, Floor 82
Dubai 8521 UAE

Tim

I knew it, this is website is secretly a plan to increase american demand for oil to help prop up the price per barrel.

 

[Connor McCrorey]

I think the simple answer to everyone's question is start charging 10 dollars per infraction and 5 dollar per warning..... :Gets out checkbook: Best 90 dollars I ever spent.

They give out warnings on here? Mine always just seem to go straight to "infraction" level...

 

[Ryan Wichman]

Since people pay 5$ now, does that mean they do not need to be referred or write a petition to gain access?

If so, this might explain some of the frustrations lately about members not following the rules in forecast/now cast threads as strictly. I.e. moderators have been been involved lately. This could really (in some ways already has) lead to lower quality posts. Seems like this year there has been a sharp increase in the numbers of posts I have seen which refer directly to the SPC and do not add a knowledge/thoughts.

I bring this up only because I think ST is a great tool for chasers/weather enthusiasts and would hate to see the quality on these threads falter.

 

[D. Hayes]

I know Tim has plans to do some modernization to the website. Live Chat was added which I know cost money to pay for the code of if he used a live chat service it's becomes a monthly cost. Course it's not easy to access unless you know where to look. With the future possible holding weekly live video programs and special guest speakers I could see cost being a issue. This community is by nature a big supporter of education and training and if everyone just knows what's going on behind the scene we'll probably all rally to support it. I for one can't wait to see what's hid behind the ST curtain.

 

[Steve Miller]

Ryan, you're right. Most of the vet chasers have since moved on to another forum which is invite only (not sure who's money supports it). ST has become the entry-level forum; for lack of better words. If you go back and look at the Forecast / Now threads created 3-4 years ago, they are very well written and most importantly, original. They were also authored by people you have likely heard of but who no longer post here. They are still posting, just not here. The quality of this forum will continue to change, depending on how you use it. For the ultra noob, it will be a great resource via all the past posts and some of the current event chatter. For the vet it's a train wreck in progress but, like Mike H said, it's still a great place to gain exposure and I personally think it's still fun to contribute - especially in threads such as this one!

This is a natural progression; I'm not saying it's right or wrong.

 

[Jacob Ferden]

Stormtrack
25 King Faisal Towers, Floor 82
Dubai 8521 UAE

You could have at least gone with the Burj Dubai, it's the tallest building in the world now.

 

[Jared Thompson]

Live Chat was added which I know cost money to pay for the code of if he used a live chat service it's becomes a monthly cost. Course it's not easy to access unless you know where to look.

The chat Ajax chat is a free chat program that anyone can download, and put on your own forums. It works with php vB and other forums. There maybe extra bandwidth cost, but there isnt any month to month cost for the code. Can find the files located here http://sourceforge.net/projects/ajax-chat/files/ AJAX Chat is released free of charge under the GNU Affero General Public License. The chats site is https://blueimp.net/ajax/ There are also screenshots of the chat.

As far as charging to use the website thats up to the people that own the site and run it.

 

[Robert Dewey]

I've been invited to other forums... but quite honestly, I like to immerse myself in controversial light-bar debates.

Actually, I just spend my time elsewhere on the web. Forums were nice in the pre-social-networking era, but I think their value as a communication source is starting to drop.

I agree with Steve Miller (OK) that ST is still a good place to mess around... but I just find myself vising less and less (which again, goes for all forums I used to frequent).

 

[Joey Ketcham]

Actually, I just spend my time elsewhere on the web. Forums were nice in the pre-social-networking era, but I think their value as a communication source is starting to drop.

Forums are still nice, I frequent quite a few forums myself and have learned quite a bit about stuff over the years.

As for StormTrack charging $5, the only thing I wonder is does this mean that anyone and their mother can become a member here if they pay the $5 fee even though they aren't a storm chaser and never have chased?

My interest in StormTrack faded away when Tim began letting non-chasers become members here. I remember when StormTrack only allowed active storm chasers and meteorologists on here, and when someone made a post I knew they spoke from experience as a storm chaser and I could learn from that. That's not the case anymore, many times I've seen someone make posts about storm chasing strategies or something similar only to find out the person isn't a storm chaser and never has chased. I know I've mentioned this before, but I stand by what I say and truly believe that it was a disservice to us all when Tim began letting non-chasers on here.

 

[Adam Lucio]

wow...its 5 dollars. This thread is about as useful a a cranky old fat bitch at walmart holding up the line because she got overcharged 50 cents for a pack of tampons.

I think its a good idea.