Transparency On The Future of ATS

originally posted by: SkepticOverlord

originally posted by: Lumenari
Change your business model to a paid membership with boards that are only available for paid members.

First, that would require infrastructure and new code investment we cannot afford.
Second, the paid subscription model remains unproven, and would require hundreds of monthly subscribers to sustain an active business that could support operations.

change your site so that you can't view with an ad blocker.

The ad blocking software has always been good at evolving to detect such efforts. We tried that... the result...
1) members FREAKED out
2) it was an arms race we lost

Then start a GoFundMe for the initial investment to go to a paid membership site.

And see where it goes.

I think you might be surprised at the result.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Setup a go fund me or create an account to donate. That gives users a way to give some capital. Quick, easy and no coding required. I realize this isn't a viable business plan but it does give a band aid to buy some time.

a reply to: K_OS

From the OP.

I can imagine the long list of ideas our members will suggest. I appreciate your passion and enthusiasm. It's why I did this. However, they would all require time and resources that we don't have.

They're old men, and tired. Let them be.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Hate to hear this is happening, but I guess nothing lasts forever. I’m honestly surprised it’s taken this long given the toxicity that’s replaced what ATS used to be.

All things come to an end.

a reply to: Lumenari

I wouldn’t pay.

Am sure am not alone and you would need more than the regular 40-50 members who post to make it work.

Not to sound crass because there was a time when I loved this site but it’s not what it was in 2013/4 it’s just not the same. So many older members have moved on.

Even if you take away the money problem the quality of the site just isn’t good enough to justify paying $10 a month.

I think that the unfortunate reality is that ATS just isn’t viable.

If nothing else am sure the domain name might be worth a bit.

originally posted by: Lumenari
a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Change your business model to a paid membership with boards that are only available for paid members.

Keep the ones now available free with ad revenue and for God's sake, change your site so that you can't view with an ad blocker.

That isn't hard to do.

That being said,I would pay $10 a month for the subscription all day long.

That's the same as Netflix for me... which I use like 5 times a year.

I'd probably pay double that for keeping ATS going.

Just a thought.

I agree with Lumenari. If you're truly interested in considering different revenue models, perhaps a call for proposals for pricing strategies?

Meanwhile, I'll also commit to a $10/month subscription.

a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

Maybe the Pit truly has killed off ATS, since the attitudes therein infect other forums...I thought the Pit was supposed to broaden the appeal, in some ways, but perhaps it has metastasized...

MAGA! (Make ATS Great Again!)

this is a sad situation.....ATS is not what it used to be for sure....nothing lasts forever

originally posted by: OtherSideOfTheCoin
a reply to: Lumenari

I wouldn’t pay.

Am sure am not alone and you would need more than the regular 40-50 members who post to make it work.

Not to sound crass because there was a time when I loved this site but it’s not what it was in 2013/4 it’s just not the same. So many older members have moved on.

Even if you take away the money problem the quality of the site just isn’t good enough to justify paying $10 a month.

I think that the unfortunate reality is that ATS just isn’t viable.

If nothing else am sure the domain name might be worth a bit.

a reply to: Phage
Lol, I have been here since the old boards, back when we were all more open about our identity, they aren't that old. 🤣🤣 At least I don't think we are old. 🤣🤣🤣

Alright.

I didn't want to do this, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

I will post only tasteful nudes of myself for 10,000.00 a peek.

SO, you can thank me later.

I have to find a way to take my socks off now. . . . . .


(Sorry, just wanted to lighten the mood a bit)

a reply to: SourGrapes

Please read my responses in this thread, as well as re-reading the opening post.

originally posted by: OtherSideOfTheCoin
a reply to: Lumenari

I wouldn’t pay.

Am sure am not alone and you would need more than the regular 40-50 members who post to make it work.

Not to sound crass because there was a time when I loved this site but it’s not what it was in 2013/4 it’s just not the same. So many older members have moved on.

Even if you take away the money problem the quality of the site just isn’t good enough to justify paying $10 a month.

I think that the unfortunate reality is that ATS just isn’t viable.

If nothing else am sure the domain name might be worth a bit.

I know you wouldn't pay.

That is part of the business model.

It would weed out the people that are a net loss as far as content goes for the site.

Which would improve the content of the site, thus enticing more paid membership...

You know, that capitalism thing that you don't agree with.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Bad news. No doubt about it.

Imagine, all that information .....poooof, gonzo.

a reply to: Lumenari

You know the other problem - this is small corner of the internet. It's just a matter of time before the thought police get around to it.

originally posted by: Liquesence
a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

Maybe the Pit truly has killed off ATS, since the attitudes therein infect other forums...I thought the Pit was supposed to broaden the appeal, in some ways, but perhaps it has metastasized...

MAGA! (Make ATS Great Again!)

I don’t think the toxic political rhetoric has helped but sounds to me more about the reality of a changing advertising market.

a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

I bet chemtrails and Nibiru could save ATS.

originally posted by: Liquesence
a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

Maybe the Pit truly has killed off ATS, since the attitudes therein infect other forums...I thought the Pit was supposed to broaden the appeal, in some ways, but perhaps it has metastasized...

MAGA! (Make ATS Great Again!)

I don’t think the toxic political rhetoric has helped but sounds to me more about the reality of a changing advertising market.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
Alright.

I didn't want to do this, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

I will post only tasteful nudes of myself for 10,000.00 a peek.

SO, you can thank me later.

I have to find a way to take my socks off now. . . . . .


(Sorry, just wanted to lighten the mood a bit)

You posting about a "tasteful" nude of yourself just made the thread dark and... somehow disheartening.

I, on the other hand, will pay $10 a month to have an adult section where I can show off my girls.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

I feel like crying.

I love this site. 8(

a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

The "change" is that Google can strip you of your ads if they disapprove. It's also not profitable to advertise somewhere where most of the denizons are too paranoid to allow the ads to even show up on their machines. If no one can see you, you aren't drawing hits and you're paying someone to run your stuff for nothing.