What are your thoughts on an ATS membership Fee?

SkepticOverlord has said "ATS is free and will ALWAYS be FREE".

I'm sure he'll post when he sees this thread.

I like the idea of a fee helping to weed out trolls. I like that idea alot. I think that ATS does shine already and doesn't really need many improvements. Although I've been visiting the site for almost 3 years now, I have really only been an active member for the past month or so.(always wanted to post when I read threads but never just went and did it)

As for me personally I wouldn't like to pay for the site, only because it's already a free service, but it's deffinatly worth way more than 10 bucks per user.

........anyways good stuff OP. I like the idea, and we'll see how it pans out. If they did charge a fee though i would pay it anyways cause i love this site

Originally posted by QBSneak000
Well, ATS is one of the most popular conspiracy sites out there. They get a lot of traffic and the addition of the ads help pay. $10.00 a year isn't much no but for those who couldn't afford it would create almost a caste system of wallet warriors while the rest who refuse or cant afford to pay are treated like lowly surfs.

Sure the site has some issues, what site doesn't? you say you are a programmer? why not offer your time and services to help the owners fix the bugs?

edit on 10-11-2011 by QBSneak000 because: repeted word

I haven't been asked, and they are a tight knit group. This thread only offers suggestions to fix the boo-boos here, and since I have OCD, lol, they are hardly tolerable. (sarcasm.)

I'd love to help. However, at this point, I can only point out things that need fixed. Which I have. There are only three things, really, but really vital parts to get the message out. (Well, chat is not THAT important.)

Originally posted by elevatedone
SkepticOverlord has said "ATS is free and will ALWAYS be FREE".

I'm sure he'll post when he sees this thread.

I could swear he said "ATS is free and will ALWAYS be FREE of STEELERS"

Perhaps I am mistaken.

First, and most important, there will never be any system whereby members may "buy" a higher tier of service on ATS.

Second, we are in some ways a victim of what has caused our success... our proprietary platform, the framework details of which exists solely in the head of one person (me).

Originally posted by Druid42
I have three beefs to complain about:
1. The pic uploader.

You should be aware that your images go into perhaps one of the most high-performance hosting systems you'll ever find for a free and unlimited upload space. All uploaded files go into a high-end Content Delivery Network with caching servers around the globe. Our extra monthly fees just for the bandwidth this consumes is in the thousands of dollars (85% of all the bandwidth consumed is from site graphics and ATS videos).

We're currently waiting on the completion of an API (from the vendor) that will allow the deletion of files -- which is not easy from our vantage point because they're actually on several dozen servers.

2. The chat.

Many discussion boards our size don't offer a live chat system. We're paying a monthly fee for perhaps one of the most secure (if not most secure) chat systems available. Sure it's not the most pretty, but voice chat is an option and once we run a bit longer with no new issues in chat, the ability to create rooms will be returned.

3. No online store.

A Zazzle store is in the works, but we're not anticipating making money from it. ATS branded items will be sold at the lowest-possible profit margin, and the profits will go to the person we've assigned to run the store.


Now here's the bad news -- we're really really really anal (no, really anal) about who would have access to our code and our data. So much so that we've given up (for now) the thought of hiring someone to take the load of my plate... and believe me, I've done several interviews with many people who simply didn't make the grade in one way or another. It's not so much that we can't afford it, the issue is more finding someone that portrays the needed combination of thrust-worthy ethics and skill.

Now here's the good news -- an "ATS Insider" has recently passed all the courses necessary for a Zend Framework certification... essentially a seal of approval for PHP developers. He has an initial assignment that will last a few weeks, then he's going to begin the arduous task of understanding the labyrinth of code that is the complex framework underneath ATS.

Once the ATS framework is understood (good luck with that), he's going to recode the entire ATS code base into a Zend Framework compliant system so that future adjustments, changes, alterations, and additions are easier to manage, and faster to implement.

Help is on the way... and there's no need to consider paying for it in any other way than you already are... posting on ATS.

Originally posted by elevatedone
SkepticOverlord has said "ATS is free and will ALWAYS be FREE".

I'm sure he'll post when he sees this thread.

I never said to charge for ACCESS to ATS. I said, not verbatim, to give members an option, to pay for their membership, and give them a perk for that. I said to fix the broken sh1t. Mainly, the media/pic uploader, chat (low priority) and to get the ATS store online. I offered a means to produce the extra revenue, a quick infusion, (which I know they would spend wisely), and have a side means of revenue to supplement the support of this site WITHOUT taxing members or requiring a fee to join.

My membership gives me, for example, 1 GB of storage, without having to resize pics to the 500kb limit. Normal members have the current restriction in place. That's just one stupid example.

I'm not meaning to give the wrong impression, where ATS requires people to pay for the services. That holds true to SO's crede. ATS is free, and should remain so, but for members who WISH to contribute, there should ALWAYS be an option to do so, and not a paypal link. It should be honorable, such as paying for membership.

The whole alienation of members because they are not "premium" is another good point. The membership thing should prolly be transparent.

Hmmm. Thinking.

ATS has to already deal with the enormous amount of complaints from members, like chat and photos, and even new members trying to figure the place out, can you imagine if the complaint ended with I EXPECT IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AS I PAY FOR THIS SITE!!!

I could see a fairly large amount of members deciding to agree to pay a fee if there were no pop up adds, or maybe swifter response to those that choose to cause trouble here.

But I choose to understand that as long as this site is FREE, then there will always be a... lets say "overhead" of those that run the place to control the situation as they see fit.

As they say"beggars cant be choosy". Not that we are begging, but we are adding to the site, with all we have, threads, posts, clicks, member counts and so on. There is no need for a fee.

Every time we write we openly choose to be a part of this site, and I think that as long as we remain long and good standing members, we will ALWAYS remain part of ATS.

Now I will go lay down as I have paid for my membership by writing this

BTW, if you really think about we are still (small) share holders of this site, as we are the runners of engine that keep it running, and they fronted the cost for all the major parts. I am glad and proud to be part of this place.

Peace, NRE,

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
First, and most important, there will never be any system whereby members may "buy" a higher tier of service on ATS.

OK, that wrecks this thread. Thanks for clarifying that. It was just my suggestion.

Second, we are in some ways a victim of what has caused our success... our proprietary platform, the framework details of which exists solely in the head of one person (me).

So can we suck your brain out and see the convoluted mish-mash of coding you've done? I will admit, certain things are on the thresh hold of functionality.

Originally posted by Druid42
I have three beefs to complain about:
1. The pic uploader.

You should be aware that your images go into perhaps one of the most high-performance hosting systems you'll ever find for a free and unlimited upload space. All uploaded files go into a high-end Content Delivery Network with caching servers around the globe. Our extra monthly fees just for the bandwidth this consumes is in the thousands of dollars (85% of all the bandwidth consumed is from site graphics and ATS videos).

So let us help you ease the pain, proud one. If it's a band-aid on a scratch, so be it.

We're currently waiting on the completion of an API (from the vendor) that will allow the deletion of files -- which is not easy from our vantage point because they're actually on several dozen servers.

Would it be too much to ask for the ability to create albums? Like, a UFO folder, a Bigfoot folder?

2. The chat.

Many discussion boards our size don't offer a live chat system. We're paying a monthly fee for perhaps one of the most secure (if not most secure) chat systems available. Sure it's not the most pretty, but voice chat is an option and once we run a bit longer with no new issues in chat, the ability to create rooms will be returned.

Gotcha. Like I said, chat is NOT a big issue for me.

3. No online store.

A Zazzle store is in the works, but we're not anticipating making money from it. ATS branded items will be sold at the lowest-possible profit margin, and the profits will go to the person we've assigned to run the store.

Ok, as long as I can buy ATS gear. You won't make money selling the items, or paying someone to sell them for you, but you own the brand, and that generates traffic, because If I wear an ATS t-shirt in public, with a URL listed, I'm sure someone will visit. Aye?

Now here's the bad news -- we're really really really anal (no, really anal) about who would have access to our code and our data. So much so that we've given up (for now) the thought of hiring someone to take the load of my plate... and believe me, I've done several interviews with many people who simply didn't make the grade in one way or another. It's not so much that we can't afford it, the issue is more finding someone that portrays the needed combination of thrust-worthy ethics and skill.

And all the money in the world couldn't get you that. Thanks for your insights.

Now here's the good news -- an "ATS Insider" has recently passed all the courses necessary for a Zend Framework certification... essentially a seal of approval for PHP developers. He has an initial assignment that will last a few weeks, then he's going to begin the arduous task of understanding the labyrinth of code that is the complex framework underneath ATS.

Once the ATS framework is understood (good luck with that), he's going to recode the entire ATS code base into a Zend Framework compliant system so that future adjustments, changes, alterations, and additions are easier to manage, and faster to implement.

No fees or memberships, check.
An ATS member has coding skills, check.
You'll fix the pic uploader as a priority, meh.
ATS is trying to stay up with the times, check.
SO cares about ATS and it's members, check.

Yep, that's enough for me. Good on ya mate.

Help is on the way... and there's no need to consider paying for it in any other way than you already are... posting on ATS.

Kudos, SO.

reply to post by Druid42


I see where you are coming from on this, but as a member of the working poor, I gotta say keep it free.

The trolls would probably be the first ones to pay.

I feel that ATS should remain a free service. Completely open access to deny ignorance is what the reputation of ATS is based on, and it has one of the best reputations for conspiracy theory forums.

IMO, Setting up a "premium" member program would be the same as saying that the 1%, because they can afford it, get access to more and better features than the 99%, after all, they are just peons and wage slaves.

Just saying.

Originally posted by Druid42
reply to post by daryllyn

 

So, wait, perhaps someone "gifts" you premium, then that's good, aye?

I understand your situation. You pay for internet, have a tight budget, so you take the internet as-is.

I've spent too many years programming to know it's fixable, and that ATS could run smoothly, with everything.

So volunteer your time and skills to fix it, problems solved.

I don't think ATS is short of a penny or two.

If the site started charging then it would die, so I don't think it would ever happen.

Originally posted by nerbot
I don't think ATS is short of a penny or two.

siteworthchecker.com...



still waiting for my royalty check Seems you can't spend those stars here

reply to post by zorgon


Not even a $1,000,000 yet?

Pfffft.....

I get your point....this is not (apparently) such the money-maker, after all.......All that overhead, and everything....

Originally posted by bigfatfurrytexan
reply to post by Druid42

 

i will give you a flag just for having huge stones.

Huge stones ? He's wearing a mask.

I probably would pay for ATS if they did charge, I subscribe to a couple of magazines, so subscribing to a website I use everyday wouldn't be out of the question. I'm pleased the owners dont intend to charge, but wouldn't blame them if they did, especially if it meant maintaining the quality and moderation. I guess it depends how much value you put on your ATS experience compared to other media and entertainment.

I am sorry, but I can hardly afford my own rent these days (I live in Greece...), let alone any kind of membership fee... Plus, trolls can easily be ignored.

How about this.
Instead of a membership fee, put an option in for a charitable donation somewhere.

ATS doesn't appear to have a revenue problem, but if members wanted to provide for a cause, then perhaps this might be an option.

if totally ad free

and google tracker thingy free

yes why not a modest $5 one time fee per signup/account?

I just kicked my WOW account back in, there's my pocket change gone already.
Please don't turn ATS into a conspiracy version of Beauty's sodding Castle.

Fee?what;s a Fee??Maybe Feds,what;s a Fed??foo fighting?