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Post by trainman9 on Oct 16, 2024 13:55:55 GMT
There is a well known train forum that is claiming that it costs them so much money running the forum that if you don’t subscribe to their publication you are relegated to “read only” status. Also the owner/manager pointed out that they are reviewing the status of 100 members at a time and informing them of the change in their membership in the forum.
They seem to allude that it costs tens of thousands of dollars to operate the forum. Maybe if they weren’t so concerned about using censorship to control the members it wouldn’t cost them much at all.
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jim
New Member
I am again reminded of my place and it not here.
Posts: 41
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Post by jim on Oct 16, 2024 14:28:21 GMT
There is a well known train forum that is claiming that it costs them so much money running the forum that if you don’t subscribe to their publication you are relegated to “read only” status. Also the owner/manager pointed out that they are reviewing the status of 100 members at a time and informing them of the change in their membership in the forum.
They seem to allude that it costs tens of thousands of dollars to operate the forum. Maybe if they weren’t so concerned about using censorship to control the members it wouldn’t cost them much at all. Hummm...........must be the cost of electricity to operate the server(s) & keep them cool? Servers should have been paid for by now by the banner ads at the top of the page. Maybe they are referring to the outfit that actually hosts the forum on their servers? I'll bet that they charge an arm & a leg for their work. Perhaps the other forum has not heard that print media is over the hill in our new modern tech era? Oh, perhaps the other forum is confusing the costs of having the print version on line with the costs of the forum? gee, such endless possibilities!
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Post by josef on Oct 16, 2024 15:09:15 GMT
On magazines. I receive very often to stay in business of publication of magazines, monthlies, offers as low as 4.95 per year. Seems the ads are paying the cost of publications, writers, and salaries of these magazines. They just need the subcribers to show the amount of subcribers to their advertisers to stay in business.
Even Model Railroader sent me a subcription as low as 9.75 for the year.
Seems maybe some salaries need to be kept in line?
I know of one publication that had only 145,000 subcribers which dropped over time to 35,000. They went from monthly to 4 times a year to twice a year.
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Post by superwarp1 on Oct 16, 2024 15:14:19 GMT
They have advertisers over there. Shouldn't that cover the cost? Funny math for sure. I see a huge amount of new members if there's a purge over there.
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VBR
New Member
Posts: 32
Member is Online
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Post by VBR on Oct 16, 2024 15:57:38 GMT
In my experience that's just another reason to use this forum. I hope more people continue to make the switch.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 16, 2024 16:06:14 GMT
In my experience that's just another reason to use this forum. I hope more people continue to make the switch. Ships leaving a sinking rat is an apt description.
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Post by redjimmy1955 on Oct 16, 2024 16:31:26 GMT
Trainman9 just saved some of us from a lot of typing...he hit the spike dead on! I'm one for just sitting on the outer limit of the right of way, lol...and see what happens on that other forum!
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Post by david1 on Oct 16, 2024 17:00:56 GMT
Its only a matter of time before that other forum collapses on its self. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Dave
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Post by JDaddy on Oct 16, 2024 17:03:41 GMT
I know who will be reading this so I am going to be polite. But honestly I hope HE stops the cash grab, as its killing that forum. They have already disappointed the group by hiding the For Sale / Buy forum to only paying customers only. A move that will be regretted.
I have also noted that they are posting on YouTube to acquire funds from social media, after they criticized the younger YouTube crowd for their online live shows.
Its time for a new platform without the cash grab.
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Post by elblumbo on Oct 16, 2024 17:48:17 GMT
Well, I'm in the minority, but I think $12 a year or a magazine subscription is not too much to ask for by far the most widely read forum on the web for three rail and similar trains. I think the $12 is "supporter." Subscriptions obviously more expensive but include the hard copy. Other subscriptions include the entire history of the magazine over many decades available on-line. I wouldn't let any personal disagreements keep you away, if the forum serves your purposes.
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Post by superwarp1 on Oct 16, 2024 18:09:56 GMT
Well, I'm in the minority, but I think $12 a year or a magazine subscription is not too much to ask for by far the most widely read forum on the web for three rail and similar trains. I think the $12 is "supporter." Subscriptions obviously more expensive but include the hard copy. Other subscriptions include the entire history of the magazine over many decades available on-line. I wouldn't let any personal disagreements keep you away, if the forum serves your purposes. How about us who were banned from that site for minor infractions with no second chance. Some people kicked out of there don't even know what they did wrong. There's a reason why this forum exists and you only have to look how the other side is run. That other forum may be the biggest and it's the reason why this hobby been so successful over the last 24 years but the bigger you are, the harder you fall.
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Post by twincities on Oct 16, 2024 18:39:49 GMT
curious may have name wrong but didnt byron bigar {sp} have paid adds from lionel etc and they did reviews on all train products and showed the good and the not so good of engines etc that they reviewed anyways at least they were giving a honest review not fluff I miss him owning the magazine it had honesty built in
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Post by JDaddy on Oct 17, 2024 1:24:45 GMT
Well, I'm in the minority, but I think $12 a year or a magazine subscription is not too much to ask for by far the most widely read forum on the web for three rail and similar trains. I think the $12 is "supporter." Subscriptions obviously more expensive but include the hard copy. Other subscriptions include the entire history of the magazine over many decades available on-line. I wouldn't let any personal disagreements keep you away, if the forum serves your purposes.
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Post by dlagrua on Oct 17, 2024 1:55:35 GMT
If in fact a forum becomes "read only" it nullifies the very purpose that is discussion; the FREE and OPEN exchange of ideas and opinions that can be very helpful entertaining and useful. The forum in question never allowed OPEN discussion but only that which agreed with the opinion and agenda of the forum owner. Now he wants people to pay for THAT??? Certainly he must be joking.
The fact is that forum owner owns a failing publication that IMO has lost its relevancy. I have not read it or subscribed for the better part of 10 years and guess what? its no loss.
OGF is where its at and that reminds me its time for me to make a voluntary donation. I enjoy supporting a forum that allows free speech and open discussion.
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mopac
Full Member
Posts: 141
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Post by mopac on Oct 17, 2024 2:10:40 GMT
"voluntary donation"
Is that what it takes to keep OGF operational.
How much does this forum cost to be operational and who is paying for it ?
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