It has been a while since we had a talk and I want to address a few things.
We have had a great Shadowmoor season and the deck forums are buzzing. The spoiler has been viewed more than three million times, hundreds of thousands of visitors were reading up on the latest tidbits. An increasing number of new users are joining our community every day and we are closing in on three million posts, an impressive number for just over three years.
While all this is very nice, it does not come free. We have served well over 100 million attachments, half a million cards every day over at MagicCards.Info, huge numbers wherever you look. StarCityGames has supported us for three years, but our agreement has come to an end and we are currently exploring other options. We are not looking to make as much money as possible, but we want to cover our expenses and also be ready for future endeavors. Paying authors, compensating staff, offering prize money and saving some for emergencies is very nice too, but again, it does not come free.
I can promise you right now, we are not going to force pop-ups, pop-unders, full page ads, videos or any funky stuff on you. We will be actively reviewing everything that comes onto this site and won't hesitate to pull down an ad. We will be exploring options during the next couple weeks, so please bear with us while we make sure everything fits nicely (including a new matching header).
If you have any questions at all, just ask.
I also want to thank all our staff for their great work (I don't do that often enough), keep it up!
Do we accept donations via paypal or some such? Because if so, I'd be willing to make a contribution as I'm sure many other people would.
Agreed. I would not mind siphoning off some money to help keep this site going. It's a great community, and we shouldn't let the economy gobble it up. *waves around a dollar or two*
Agreed. I would not mind siphoning off some money to help keep this site going. It's a great community, and we shouldn't let the economy gobble it up. *waves around a dollar or two*
Though I don't have anything to add, I would like to say what I believe many feel, but rarely comes up in normal posting.
Hannes, you and the mod staff do an fantastic job with what I feel is the best forum I've ever participated in. Thanks for providing such a kick ass spot. This has really become an amazing magic community, but it also has grown beyond that and covers many aspects, both socialy and creatively.
I'd be more than willing to make donations via PayPal as well. A buck or two is something I feel most of the users would be willing to do on a voluntary basis. I don't know money-wise how much it's running you per-month for the site, but I'm pretty decent with web design (xhtml, css, php, etc.) and would be willing to throw some time in to help out if ever needed.
Best wishes;
E. George Stephanis
P.S. -- I'm not positive if it could be arranged, but I never use anywhere close to bandwidth limit on my own webserver, hosted by GoDaddy, so if I can help out by hosting some images for MagicCards.info, please let me know.
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If you need to contact me, don't use PM's, use my IM handle or Email
Anything doable to keep this site running is worth doing. This is undoubtably one of the best forums I have ever seen, run by one of the greatest mod teams I have ever seen, I should know, having been a mod at several other forums before, include one that had another forum declare war on us, don't ask why. (don't ask me to mod this forum, I would have no idea how to run it.)
It has been a while since we had a talk and I want to address a few things.
We have had a great Shadowmoor season and the deck forums are buzzing. The spoiler has been viewed more than three million times, hundreds of thousands of visitors were reading up on the latest tidbits. An increasing number of new users are joining our community every day and we are closing in on three million posts, an impressive number for just over three years.
While all this is very nice, it does not come free. We have served well over 100 million attachments, half a million cards every day over at MagicCards.Info, huge numbers wherever you look. StarCityGames has supported us for three years, but our agreement has come to an end and we are currently exploring other options. We are not looking to make as much money as possible, but we want to cover our expenses and also be ready for future endeavors. Paying for articles, compensating staff, offering prize money and saving some for emergencies is very nice too, but again, it does not come free.
I can promise you right now, we are not going to force pop-ups, pop-unders, full page ads, videos or any funky stuff on you. We will be actively reviewing everything that comes onto this site and won't hesitate to pull down an ad. We will be exploring options during the next couple weeks, so please bear with us while we make sure everything fits nicely (including a new matching header).
If you have any questions at all, just ask.
I also want to thank all our staff for their great work (I don't do that often enough), keep it up!
As long as the Ads have no scripts that try to install crap We are fine. The people that ***** and complain about OMFG POP UPS need to remember: Sites need funds, ads creates funds, Blocking ads blocks funds, Blocking ignorance kills Site.
If your so BENT out of shape on ads there is a little trick for yous. There is a scroll bar on your right hand side. Scroll down... add is gone *thumbs up* GREAT SUCCESS.
I would love to donate a little bit each year. Maybe hold a MTGS Fundraiser with special props to the highest donators.
I have seen this on quite a few WH40K sites I used to visit back in the day. Usualy it came with either a cool custom title that says you donated or the ability to make your own title. While the latter may not be an option, maybe the former could be, since you are contributing to the site in the best way you can.
Paying for articles, compensating staff, offering prize money
Be very careful. This is starting to sound like the slippery slope that killed StarCity.
Put up whatever ads you need to run the site, but don't start adding avoidable costs to your hosting bills.
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(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
I am truly sorry for those couple thousand banners that were shown that were not Magic related nor appropriate for this forum. I have pulled them down and they won't come back.
I like this site. Scratch that, I LOVE this site. I don't mind ads to an extent. Just as long as they don't expand over the screen or attempt to place pop-ups that ask you to enter information or the worst - "Congratulations! You've just won a free Apple iPhone!"
Those in particular bother me. I think a few ads is a small price to pay for the great things this site brings to the magic community worldwide.
Anywho, thanks for taking time out to inform us of things Hannes. That's very kind of you.
Be very careful. This is starting to sound like the slippery slope that killed StarCity.
Put up whatever ads you need to run the site, but don't start adding avoidable costs to your hosting bills.
What do you mean by "slippery slope that killed StarCity"? If you read my post correctly, those are possibilities we can explore in the future.
I am not sure if many of the long standing members of this community have realized that we have grown way past a cozy small forum that can be hosted on a GoDaddy account for three bucks a month.
You may wish all the consequences that come with it far away but we have become something that could be run as a company. You cannot change that.
Check the old MTGNews, I think we have been really decent with what kind of advertising we put you up with.
I like this site. Scratch that, I LOVE this site. I don't mind ads to an extent. Just as long as they don't expand over the screen or attempt to place pop-ups that ask you to enter information or the worst - "Congratulations! You've just won a free Apple iPhone!"
Those in particular bother me. I think a few ads is a small price to pay for the great things this site brings to the magic community worldwide.
Anywho, thanks for taking time out to inform us of things Hannes. That's very kind of you.
^this^
(look at what hard work that was, clicking teh quote button. i need a break from writing INTELLIGENT and EXACTLY WHAT I THINK comments like this...)
To me, a strong part of the appeal of Salvation versus other sites (even WotC supported ones) is that it is a community of people who can interact in a pretty "neutral" forum. If you want to write an article, you have the opportunity. If you want to discuss deck ideas, you can. If you have information on the next set, you can provide it. People are free to interaction without having to worry about having to pay to access content. It gives a much more "relaxed" feel to this community than others.
I think that when people have to start paying for content (whether to read an article, engage in forum discussions, etc.), that it will dramatically change the dynamics of the community and its tone at Salvation. And I don't think it would be for the better. Paying to read articles will "up" the standard expected from readers. Especially in terms of whether the content is "casual" or "competitive". Even paying to view the spoiler would I think be "meh". Likewise, a membership fee to the forums may cut people who either have a limited budget or no access to pay the fee (I'm thinking anyone without a credit card). I dare say that people who could afford the fee might just choose not to come here anymore. Both of those factors would pretty much mean the end of the community.
I'm not saying that Hannes shouldn't be looking for ways to recoup his costs. Let's face it, it's expensive to run a website and find a host with as much traffic as Salvation has. And I definitely think that there are reasonable ways to ensure that these costs are paid and keep the community that currently exists. I'd be more than happy to donate if it would help the site keep running and maintain the same community it currently has. But, IMO, looking at "paid" articles, or membership fees isn't the way to go for the Salvation community.
We will never charge you anything or force you to sign up to view anything on this site (with an exception of the Clans forum and Market Street and forums like that).
We will never charge you anything or force you to sign up to view anything on this site (with an exception of the Clans forum and Market Street and forums like that).
Wouldn't paying authors increase costs associated with running Salvation? Which, in turn, would mean that those costs would have to be recouped? Because SCG started with articles that anyone could view, and then moved in the direction of "Premium" memberships to be able to read certain content because of the costs associated. Edit: perhaps I "jumped" the gun a bit by suggesting that in my post above, but I think that's an "outcome" that many of us may view as being inevitable.
It has been a while since we had a talk and I want to address a few things.
We have had a great Shadowmoor season and the deck forums are buzzing. The spoiler has been viewed more than three million times, hundreds of thousands of visitors were reading up on the latest tidbits. An increasing number of new users are joining our community every day and we are closing in on three million posts, an impressive number for just over three years.
While all this is very nice, it does not come free. We have served well over 100 million attachments, half a million cards every day over at MagicCards.Info, huge numbers wherever you look. StarCityGames has supported us for three years, but our agreement has come to an end and we are currently exploring other options. We are not looking to make as much money as possible, but we want to cover our expenses and also be ready for future endeavors. Paying authors, compensating staff, offering prize money and saving some for emergencies is very nice too, but again, it does not come free.
I can promise you right now, we are not going to force pop-ups, pop-unders, full page ads, videos or any funky stuff on you. We will be actively reviewing everything that comes onto this site and won't hesitate to pull down an ad. We will be exploring options during the next couple weeks, so please bear with us while we make sure everything fits nicely (including a new matching header).
If you have any questions at all, just ask.
I also want to thank all our staff for their great work (I don't do that often enough), keep it up!
Got two minutes? Vote for our Article of the Month April 2008
PS: This is not the place to discuss your Adblock options or whine about anything. So please keep it civil.
Thanks for the info.
O rly???
A banner at the top of the page is a small price to pay for the continued existence of this site. I hope the community feels the same.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
It's just a place holder until we have collected enough data. You don't have to worry about it
Agreed. I would not mind siphoning off some money to help keep this site going. It's a great community, and we shouldn't let the economy gobble it up. *waves around a dollar or two*
[GTC] Gatecrash Patch for MWS (249/249)
I hope yer not waiving around American.
Hannes, you and the mod staff do an fantastic job with what I feel is the best forum I've ever participated in. Thanks for providing such a kick ass spot. This has really become an amazing magic community, but it also has grown beyond that and covers many aspects, both socialy and creatively.
So... Thanks.
Like freeform roleplaying? Try Darkness Befalls Us
Ryttare Kelasin Luna Orelinalei
Best wishes;
E. George Stephanis
P.S. -- I'm not positive if it could be arranged, but I never use anywhere close to bandwidth limit on my own webserver, hosted by GoDaddy, so if I can help out by hosting some images for MagicCards.info, please let me know.
If you need to contact me, don't use PM's, use my IM handle or Email
I like this idea, have some sort of auction thread for some stuff (donated or purchased) that people could bid on.
You should read them.
"Rejoice, for bad things are about to happen"
Many thanks to Sgt. Chubbz of Damnation studios.
You're doing a great job, Hannes. If you feel an(other) ad is necessary/appropriate, you are probably right. Keep up the good work.
If your so BENT out of shape on ads there is a little trick for yous. There is a scroll bar on your right hand side. Scroll down... add is gone *thumbs up* GREAT SUCCESS.
I have seen this on quite a few WH40K sites I used to visit back in the day. Usualy it came with either a cool custom title that says you donated or the ability to make your own title. While the latter may not be an option, maybe the former could be, since you are contributing to the site in the best way you can.
Come join us in the MTGSalvation chat ||| My trade thread. ||| My Personal Modern Blog: The Fetchlands
Be very careful. This is starting to sound like the slippery slope that killed StarCity.
Put up whatever ads you need to run the site, but don't start adding avoidable costs to your hosting bills.
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
Those in particular bother me. I think a few ads is a small price to pay for the great things this site brings to the magic community worldwide.
Anywho, thanks for taking time out to inform us of things Hannes. That's very kind of you.
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Yeah, I agree with that.
.
What do you mean by "slippery slope that killed StarCity"? If you read my post correctly, those are possibilities we can explore in the future.
I am not sure if many of the long standing members of this community have realized that we have grown way past a cozy small forum that can be hosted on a GoDaddy account for three bucks a month.
You may wish all the consequences that come with it far away but we have become something that could be run as a company. You cannot change that.
Check the old MTGNews, I think we have been really decent with what kind of advertising we put you up with.
^this^
(look at what hard work that was, clicking teh quote button. i need a break from writing INTELLIGENT and EXACTLY WHAT I THINK comments like this...)
-J
I think that when people have to start paying for content (whether to read an article, engage in forum discussions, etc.), that it will dramatically change the dynamics of the community and its tone at Salvation. And I don't think it would be for the better. Paying to read articles will "up" the standard expected from readers. Especially in terms of whether the content is "casual" or "competitive". Even paying to view the spoiler would I think be "meh". Likewise, a membership fee to the forums may cut people who either have a limited budget or no access to pay the fee (I'm thinking anyone without a credit card). I dare say that people who could afford the fee might just choose not to come here anymore. Both of those factors would pretty much mean the end of the community.
I'm not saying that Hannes shouldn't be looking for ways to recoup his costs. Let's face it, it's expensive to run a website and find a host with as much traffic as Salvation has. And I definitely think that there are reasonable ways to ensure that these costs are paid and keep the community that currently exists. I'd be more than happy to donate if it would help the site keep running and maintain the same community it currently has. But, IMO, looking at "paid" articles, or membership fees isn't the way to go for the Salvation community.
We will never charge you anything or force you to sign up to view anything on this site (with an exception of the Clans forum and Market Street and forums like that).
Wouldn't paying authors increase costs associated with running Salvation? Which, in turn, would mean that those costs would have to be recouped? Because SCG started with articles that anyone could view, and then moved in the direction of "Premium" memberships to be able to read certain content because of the costs associated. Edit: perhaps I "jumped" the gun a bit by suggesting that in my post above, but I think that's an "outcome" that many of us may view as being inevitable.