|
|
Post by Traindiesel! on Oct 17, 2024 2:14:01 GMT
Meh. First World problems.
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on Oct 17, 2024 13:41:02 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 ? I am not sure of the total cost to keep the forum operational each year. Brian did mention an amount but it escapes me. In the beginning, Brian and I thought of some projects / donations that we could offer to the group to help support that cost.
|
|
|
|
Post by superwarp1 on Oct 17, 2024 13:59:53 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 ? I am not sure of the total cost to keep the forum operational each year. Brian did mention an amount but it escapes me. In the beginning, Brian and I thought of some projects / donations that we could offer to the group to help support that cost. I've been wondering how this forum supports itself. Who ever is paying the bills thankyou. If we need to go to some kind of pay option so be it. Things are not cheap these days. I know MTF is ad supported with a pay level over the basic signup.
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on Oct 17, 2024 14:16:43 GMT
At one time Brooklyn Models helped sponsor the cost of the forum. They are still a part of our forum thanks to Brian. I am not sure if they still have a foot print here but they were great people and make a fantastic product.
|
|
|
|
Post by dennym57 on Oct 17, 2024 14:21:34 GMT
I think we should not concern ourselves with what they do. I know some of you have had issues with them, but you're here now and you're among friends and we have a good time.
We have been through a lot since the forum was created. We have lost friends and we have gained friends. As far as I'm concerned I'd rather be here than any other forum despite the fact that Traindiesel is here.😁🙃😋
|
|
|
|
Post by Traindiesel! on Oct 18, 2024 12:54:43 GMT
…..As far as I'm concerned I'd rather be here than any other forum despite the fact that Traindiesel is here.😁🙃😋 
|
|
|
|
Post by rtraincollector on Oct 18, 2024 13:20:26 GMT
To me their greed has over come what these forums are supposed to be about. It's not really about the subject but a subject to keep the their high proffit coming in. This actually started about 5 years or so with them, it's not something new.
There's another train forum that basically had to shut down for a month because of somethings going on behind the scenes by members, and it basically lost 95% of it daily posters by doing so. But it still has a train forum going without cost to it's members.
So why this train forum your talking about needs to have a fee for all it members to stay active to me is just greed.
|
|
|
|
Post by redjimmy1955 on Oct 18, 2024 13:28:28 GMT
I wondered where the "for sale/WTB" column went to on the other forum! It's a paid privilege??
I'm not an accountant, yet I could see that instead of forced subscriptions,that forum could charge a measly 5 bucks for putting up a for sale items!
Glad I was booted off for documenting how Realtrax is crappy track.
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on Oct 18, 2024 13:47:21 GMT
I wondered where the "for sale/WTB" column went to on the other forum! It's a paid privilege?? I'm not an accountant, yet I could see that instead of forced subscriptions,that forum could charge a measly 5 bucks for putting up a for sale items! Glad I was booted off for documenting how Realtrax is crappy track. Yes that is correct. The current paying members are NOT happy about this and are looking to post elsewhere. BTW shame on you for speaking your mind w/o proper authority. Good to see you here.
|
|
|
|
Post by dennym57 on Oct 18, 2024 14:04:53 GMT
…..As far as I'm concerned I'd rather be here than any other forum despite the fact that Traindiesel is here.😁🙃😋 Just remember, I don't poke at anyone I don't like.🙂
|
|
mopac
Full Member
Posts: 141
|
Post by mopac on Oct 18, 2024 15:39:06 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by rockymountaineer on Oct 18, 2024 16:52:04 GMT
Not at all surprised to read about these recent developments. I always thought it was a poor strategy to mistreat the geese that lay the golden eggs (i.e., the membership who creates the content which in turn allows the owners to charge ad/sponsor fees). Without members who "feel good" about the community, the community elders might just as well close down. The YouTube generation has proven in spades that owners of forums designed to seek a profit need their membership MUCH MORE than the members need the forum owners... or for that matter the forum itself.
So all I can do is look in complete bewilderment, when I see all these heavy-handed tactics unfold. It's as if the owners can't get out of their own way. Makes no sense whatsoever. The entire business model over there is on borrowed time, IMHO. And these latest developments are acts of desperation... not healthy growth.
|
|
mopac
Full Member
Posts: 141
|
Post by mopac on Oct 18, 2024 18:39:07 GMT
Does the Classic Toy Trains forum still exist. Or did it drop by the wayside like the magazine ?
As I recall there was some conversation at one time that this forum had asked CTT forum to combine with this one.
In the header to this forum there is a link to Corporate Sponsors. Was that a one time deal to help get this forum going or do the contribute all the time.?
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on Oct 19, 2024 0:36:49 GMT
Yes, the Classic Toy Train Forum is still going. I had totally forgotten that the magazine is no more. Not sure if it was mentioned that CTT and OGF would merge.
Corporate Sponsors was a way to communicate and start having manufactures join us, but it never really amounted to anything. Most all the manufacturers and Hobby shops stayed at the old forum due to more foot traffic.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockymountaineer on Oct 19, 2024 0:53:34 GMT
Does the Classic Toy Trains forum still exist. Or did it drop by the wayside like the magazine ? ... Say what??? No more CTT magazine??? Last I heard it went from 6 issues per year down to a quarterly publication. I just saw the Fall 2024 edition, when I stopped in at Henning's Trains last week. Significantly thinner than its heydays. But the big cut in ads/sponsors will do that to ya.
|
|
