Attention! ATS at risk of being shut down!

Can you imagine?

Of course ATS is at no such risk right now, but take a moment and imagine life without ATS. YOUR life without ATS-for whatever reason. What would you do if you lost ATS/BTS/PTS/ATSNN?

Yeah, I'm talking to all of you lurkers too.

Now while your mind is on the subject of life without ATS :::shiver::: ask yourself this:

What do YOU personally do to contribute to ATS?

You needn't answer here, just consider what I have to say and let your conscience guide you.

Of course the answer is much easier for the three amigos, super mods, mods, ATS council members, and subject matter experts...but what about the rest of us? Seriously.

Yes, yes, aside from quality posts, information shared intelligently, ideas and wit exploited respectfully....all of which contributes to the quality of ATS, but lets face it, not everybody contributes equallly in those areas anyway...myself included. I'm definately a "taker" here.

I see today SimonGray the father of ATS, thanking SkepticOverlord, the very backbone of ATS, and it really made me think of how much I take ATS- and those that make it possible- for granted...daily.

So, I asked myself the same question I propose to everyone else now. For me, I decided a trip to the "ATS Gear" shop was in order. I found just what I needed, and in honor of all that SkepticOverlord is being thanked for today I made my choice accordingly from the SkepticOverlord Signature series.

Who's Your Skeptic? Black T-Shirt (abovetopsecret.37081445) - Size: Medium

Support what you love people-there are a lot of ways. Take a trip to the gear store-there is something for everyone. The neon green T is calling your name for summer I am sure! I'll be back for one next month.

Don't want to buy something from the ATS gear store? How about clicking on some ads-consider the sponsoring advertiser's offers.

Still lurking? Well, how about registering! Hello? Less pop-up ads, an inside look/feel (Ah....it's so nice on the inside, amazing )

My point is, ATS NEVER asks anything from you, other then for you to be respectful and abide by the T&C, and gives so much. You know it does. So, I am just saying my conscience got the best of me today-what is yours saying? Again-you don't have to answer here...just do something to support what you love.

[edit on 12-5-2006 by think2much]

Great post.

I would say add a What if to the title. Admin may not want to come onto the boards and see that title glaring out at them. We don't need Simon spilling his coffee when he comes on to ensure everything is running smooth in paradise.

And I say, POST PHOTOS OF YOURSELF IN ATS GEAR!

ATS NEVER asks anything from you, other then for you to be respectful and abide by the T&C

Adverts.

ATS is covered in adverts including pop-ups which some may not see due to ad-blockers. ATS generates money from simply from the traffic. So by coming to ATS, you pay for ATS, and I'd assume by clicking an advert you may generate even more money for ATS.

ATS is registered to Simon Gray. I have no knowledge of the money made or the structure (if any) of the ATS financial entity. A mod might be able to tell you where the money goes and how much is made from the site's ads.

Originally posted by Quest

ATS NEVER asks anything from you, other then for you to be respectful and abide by the T&C

Adverts.

Adverts help generate revenue, helping this site to be able to be as fantastic as it is, but it is hardly an answer to what you quote that "ATS never asks anything from you" no amigo or admin sends out mass u2u's asking people to accept the offers or something. They do what they have to, including accepting advertising to make this the outstanding site it is, and I stand by my statement that they really ask nothing in return.

Originally posted by Quest
ATS is covered in adverts including pop-ups (snip) ATS generates money from simply from the traffic. So by coming to ATS, you pay for ATS, and I'd assume by clicking an advert you may generate even more money for ATS.

Hmmm I see...really I do understand that train of "minimal input for maximum output" thought, I see it everywhere in life...I just don't share it. People who want something for nothing, or can rationalize how they deserve something, or are only willing to give the bare minimum, but want the most for their money/effort in return.

Ah, it is what is wrong with the world if you ask me. *sigh*

Even my own sister has this annoying habit of abandoning shopping carts anywhere she pleases. Her rationale is similar to "We generate ATS just by our presence here causing traffic", she states it like this: "Well, I just spent money at this store that pays the paycheck of the guy who's job it is to round up carts and put them away-why should I pay him- and then do his job for him as well?! My money is spent, he can put the cart away!"

Unholy hell, I hear that annoying rationale ringing in my head every damn time I pull into a store and some damn cart is smack dab in the center of the only freakin parking spot available! That kind of attitude contributes nothing to the world, society, this site... or one's karma bank!

Originally posted by Quest
ATS is registered to Simon Gray. I have no knowledge of the money made or the structure (if any) of the ATS financial entity. A mod might be able to tell you where the money goes and how much is made from the site's ads.

A mod couldn't and wouldn't need tell me anything about ATS finances-I never asked. I am interested in none of that-not the money made, where it goes, or how much is brought in from advertisers or any other financial breakdown unless stocks were being offered.

My point is, this is an amazing site, and I know personally I want to support what I love -any way I can, and my conscience calls me to do so. So I want others to consider for themselves what ATS gives them, and how they could better support it.

Clicking on ads probably helps-and I said consider the offers-same thing, and traffic may influence advertising dollars, so I went as far as thinking registered members vs lurkers may influence and called regular lurkers to register. I don't caer if the three amigos began getting rich and fat and happy from ATS-I'd do what I could to support what I love and what they've done to DESERVE getting rich, fat and happy-though I doubt they are-from this- yet!

[edit on 12-5-2006 by think2much]

FWIW, moderators have no idea whatsoever about anything financial with regard to ATS. We are simply members who've been asked to help.

When it comes to financial issues the 3 owners of the site (The 3 Amigos) are the only ones who know these things.

Anyways, I second Zedd's motion... pics of members wearing ATS gear would be awesome!!!

Originally posted by ZeddicusZulZorander
And I say, POST PHOTOS OF YOURSELF IN ATS GEAR!

I have an ATS man thong which isn't really official ATS merchandise.......does that count?

Peace

Originally posted by chissler
Great post.

I would say add a What if to the title. Admin may not want to come onto the boards and see that title glaring out at them. We don't need Simon spilling his coffee when he comes on to ensure everything is running smooth in paradise.

Thanks -I didn't want to make the title too long, plus I did change it from "ATS *is* at risk..." since that stated it as if it was a fact, where my title is meant to merely imply the possibility, right? Besides, I bet Simon would know well before a post by someone like me if there were trouble in paradise!

Originally posted by ZeddicusZulZorander
And I say, POST PHOTOS OF YOURSELF IN ATS GEAR!

Yeah! No one need tell how they contribute to ATS, but photos of members in ATS gear is always encouraged, right?!

(Of course myself excluded folks due to a jealous spouse that can't bear to share me in any way shape or form! Sorry-but don't worry, you aren't missing anything anyway with not seeing me! )

Originally posted by Dr Love
I have an ATS man thong which isn't really official ATS merchandise.......does that count?

:shk:

no, no Dr Love...please, no....

(But thanks for sharing anyway)

Originally posted by Dr Love
I have an ATS man thong which isn't really official ATS merchandise.......does that count?

I always say, thongs would be tagged Below Top Secret.


As for the Gear Store, there was a price glitch on some buttons that yeahright pointed out to me. I fixed the glitch and noticed CafePress changed their price point a bit soooooo...

ALL PRICES JUST REDUCED FOR SUMMER!



And just to clear up the matter. The ATS Gear Store makes no money for the Three Amigos. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

There is some money made on certain items. I have recieved one check the entire time running the store ($50) and the total was donated to Katrina Relief (and matched $50 from me for $100 total). It's not about making money. It's about cool stuff.

The owners however, have been completely hands off and expressed from the very beginning they had no interest in making money from the store, or any other site venture for that matter (ie. click advertizing). Money made is spent on upgrading the tech, hosting & bandwidth costs, and when there is some extra...contest prizes (remember the iPod Nano?) or donations to charity (remember the reading literacy?)


Be nice if others helped educate people when the misconceptions arise, that the Three Amigos are not government spies or out to line their pockets with gold. Their just three talented dudes that care about creating an amazing place on the internet using their own knowedge, time, and in the case of the earlier days...their own money.

Hey, Think2much, thanks for thinking up this thread. The ensuing posts are good for info and humor, such as what you find elsewhere in ATS. I encourage nonmembers to sign up and contribute when and where they can. Lots of good ideas here. Uh...man thong pix...not one of them.

OH C'mon Dr.!

Thing us a Thong!

"They call me, Dr. Love
I got the cure your thinking of"

Originally posted by Dr Love

I have an ATS man thong which isn't really official ATS merchandise.......does that count?

Peace

Dr. Love,

I think we may need to have a talk.

We wouldn't able to be able to make Senators nervous. I read a rumor in the paper a while back on of them did, and passed bills for them. All this person did was e-mail them the ideas and they tried to reason it, and it paid off mostly.

But I would miss ATS, etc. we're mostly loners and thinkers here, and depending where you are, it can be hard to have people to talk to.

Originally posted by ZeddicusZulZorander
And I say, POST PHOTOS OF YOURSELF IN ATS GEAR!

Originally posted by Djarums
Anyways, I second Zedd's motion... pics of members wearing ATS gear would be awesome!!!

It is AWSOME!



[edit on 12-5-2006 by ADVISOR]

Originally posted by ZeddicusZulZorander

And just to clear up the matter. The ATS Gear Store makes no money for the Three Amigos. Zero. Zilch. Nada. (snip) It's not about making money. It's about cool stuff.

Exactly. It's about cool stuff AND supporting what you love...or at least being proud of what you are addicted to!

No seriously, who wouldn't be proud for people to know they are a part of a community as amazing as ATS? C'mon you all know you are...it's probably the coolest thing you've got going for you.

(And you never know guys, ATS gear could work like a chick magnet for you )

Originally posted by ZeddicusZulZorander
The owners however, have been completely hands off and expressed from the very beginning they had no interest in making money from the store, or any other site venture for that matter (ie. click advertizing). Money made is spent on upgrading the tech, hosting & bandwidth costs, and when there is some extra...contest prizes (remember the iPod Nano?) or donations to charity (remember the reading literacy?)

(Bold added)

That is the kind of dedication that makes this site as amazing as it is. ATS a site of the people, for the people.

Though I have no problem supporting ATS or anything I love regardless if someone is making money from it or not- thanks for spelling out the bare facts for everyone Zedd.

Originally posted by ZeddicusZulZorander
Be nice if others helped educate people when the misconceptions arise, that the Three Amigos are not government spies or out to line their pockets with gold. Their just three talented dudes that care about creating an amazing place on the internet using their own knowedge, time, and in the case of the earlier days...their own money.

Indeed.

Not to flog a dead horse or anything, but who would give a damn if they did make some money after years of nurturing this site? Sorry, but thats a pet-peeve of mine-the mindset that some, that some type of integrity is always lost if money is ever made. Grrrr! But for those that believe that, rest assured, it is their time and talents the Three Amigos freely give to make this the most amazing site on the Internet-even for the ingrates that take it for granted.

Support what you love people.



[edit on 15-5-2006 by think2much]

...and WOW ADVISOR...speaking of chick magnets...that is some picture!

Could you let us know if ATS gear repells mosquitos as well?

Originally posted by ZeddicusZulZorander

Originally posted by Dr Love
I have an ATS man thong which isn't really official ATS merchandise.......does that count?

I always say, thongs would be tagged Below Top Secret.

Ooops I think I wet myself!

Here is my ATS Wear.

"Bring it on!"

Man, Spittincobra- you'd scare the hell outta me on the streets! Crack a smile man! Show that softer side you don't have!

Hell, even the mosquitos would be afraid of you!

Nice sweatshirt though-no doubt!