|
|
Post by thebigcrabcake on Oct 19, 2024 22:00:37 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.? We never had any meaningful conversation with CTT about combining Forums. I'm not even sure how that would work. Their Members have always been welcome to join us. The Corporate Sponsors section of the header are companies that helped us get off the ground. The only funding we receive are direct contributions from the Members and income from occasional sales of scale model cars. "Classic One Forty Three" is owned by the O-Gauge Forum Foundation which owns and funds this Forum. "Automodello" is a manufacturing partner of "Classic One Forty Three".
|
|
|
|
Post by bobthetrainguy on Oct 20, 2024 1:21:10 GMT
The owner of the other place will cut off his nose to spite his face.
Eyes are what matter in advertising and he's killed any shot of making money from those because he's pushing away users. He doesn't understand modern advertising AT ALL.
I'm not a huge fan of ads, but what he should be doing is for "free" users, plastering ads over the sides of the site, but instead they are only at the top.
Then as people post more useful content, the see less ads. People that get more "likes" see less ads. Also, people that subscribe should see NO ads.
If you drive content, or help pay the bills, fewer ads!
If his site truly has as many page views as he claims, a child should be able to keep that site going for eternity.
I think one large part of why their balance sheet is off it they don't understand anything about technology. The fact that they pay all that money for the Crowdstack software is evidence of that. It's not really even forum software! I talked to the owner of the company and he thinks it's hilarious they buy it to use that way.
The ownership of that other place is clueless.
|
|
|
|
Post by chipset35 on Oct 20, 2024 14:53:46 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. Good, one less place I will receive mails from and site I need to go to. This one here is fine. Although, during my N Scale experiment I subscribed to a one stop site which I bet you know which its a major publisher. It was ok, but since I dont do HO (hint) and N anymore. No resub
|
|
|
|
Post by dlagrua on Oct 20, 2024 16:20:52 GMT
Maybe if they weren’t so concerned about using censorship to control the members it wouldn’t cost them much at all. Let me relay my entire story. I was a long time member of the other forum and an OGR subscriber. Over the last few years of my participation it became frequent that my posts were regularly being deleted by the owner or moderator warden. The slightest profanity was never used, nor did I flame or troll anyone; just posted honest opinion that would help the membership. It wasn't always rah rah but still 100% honest. After a while, the frustration caused me to just quit and when moving to OGF, I was warmly welcomed. In my case the other form now has 100% of nothing. There are friendships that still exist with many people there but we must ask was the handling of my subscription and membership good business sense? My email has also changed so it can no longer be sold as part of a list. Shortly if you are not a subscriber there, you will be banned from posting. The boss has spoken. Really?
|
|
|
|
Post by josef on Oct 20, 2024 16:58:57 GMT
I was a member and subcriber. But what got me K.O.d was remark I had made here and a E Mail so informed no longer welcomed. Yet when I asked also my name be removed later, no reply. So total numbers include banned and gone members from what I gather.
Yet, I kept getting E Mails to renew my subcription. Besides they have so many other gimmicks over there for money from their membership, some I believe are dubious. As to their magazine, I can get the same or better info on the internet, also better and honest reviews on a product here and on internet and not worry about hurting a manufacturer feelings when a product comes out and not as promised when delivered.
|
|
VBR
New Member
Posts: 32
|
Post by VBR on Oct 20, 2024 21:28:27 GMT
As long as we're sharing our "KO" stories, here's mine. I made the mistake of posting items for sale on two different days but under 24 hours apart. I had to go through a friend to get Mr. CEO's email address, because it is not posted anywhere. I owned the mistake 100%, but pointed out that I had contributed a lot to the forum, and had never had any problems with anybody. I got a lecture on how he hoped I could figure out how to enjoy my hobby, and was told that I could be re-instated if I paid at a certain level. It took a lot not to respond to that email. So, I'm here and happily so. I think this forum will just get better while the other one...
|
|
|
|
Post by superwarp1 on Oct 20, 2024 21:40:40 GMT
As to their magazine, I can get the same or better info on the internet, also better and honest reviews on a product here and on internet and not worry about hurting a manufacturer feelings when a product comes out and not as promised when delivered. You hit the nail on the head. Why get a magazine that’s months old, stale reading, when the forums can give you information, insight, advice Instantly. They killed their own business. VBR, your story has been told a 1000 times, myself included. Be proud you are among friends here. Take joy in being in the club of the vanquished
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on Oct 21, 2024 0:47:39 GMT
Honestly, have you ever met this person? about as warm and friendly as a clam. The way she shook down Sponsors for money and support at York was embarrassing. Almost narcissistic.
When Brian contacted me about starting this Forum I was delighted. Not just to put you know who in his place, but to demonstrate how to properly promote the hobby and not through a cash grab.
|
|
|
|
Post by curtis on Oct 21, 2024 4:13:58 GMT
Trust me the CTT is alive and doing well. I talked with them at York. Firecrown Media is the new owner and has no Intention of shutting them down!
|
|
|
|
Post by madockawando on Oct 21, 2024 8:08:08 GMT
Trust me the CTT is alive and doing well. I talked with them at York. Firecrown Media is the new owner and has no Intention of shutting them down! Well okay, but would the CTT folks at York tell you anything different than “we are doing great!” |
|
mopac
Full Member
Posts: 141
|
Post by mopac on Oct 21, 2024 15:46:59 GMT
Trust me the CTT is alive and doing well. I talked with them at York. Firecrown Media is the new owner and has no Intention of shutting them down! It may be ALIVE but more like it's on LIFE SUPPORT going back to 4 issues per year and being about half the size it used to be. I had subscribed to CTT from the beginning into the 2000s when I bailed out. With the advent of the internet and several train forums. It was just a bunch of ads like newspapers. I don't subscribe to any magazines or newspapers. I do get one magazine called the American Rifleman.
|
|
|
|
Post by madockawando on Oct 21, 2024 16:57:14 GMT
The site is also clunky and cluttered and not user friendly
|
|
|
|
Post by firewood on Oct 24, 2024 4:16:10 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. You’re absolutely right, it’s a reasonable request. It’s when you actually buy in, subscribe and even send a supporting donation which is answered with an arbitrary ejection from said forum. In addition to said ejection, your profile strangely stays on in zombie fashion along with all the supposedly offensive posts that got you booted in the first place…. but that’s ancient history.😎 Welcome aboard! 👋🏼👋🏼 You’ll find an open, friendly atmosphere in this neck of the woods! Dave
|
|
