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Frustrating

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One other frustrating thin about getting that message is when you log in (or bring up the front page and are already logged in) it says there's X number of new messages. If you try to check the new messages, get the server too busy message and close the window then the board thinks you're read the new messages and marks them read. When you do get on later, you're likely to miss new posts. Happened to me last night. It said there were 20 new posts. Never got to see those posts and now it says 14 new posts. So, I missed 20 posts.

HB, right on. Has anyone noticed that the contributors are a very small percentage of the whole group?

Kwong, good point, bad idea. I too have visited sites that require registering. Most of the time 80%+ I just leave and find a similar site that doesn't require it.
 
Originally posted by WoodiE
Why the server messages?
=============================


For something I just placed into effect only hours ago I sure have received a lot of PM's, I'm's, emails, and yes even a phone call. None the less there is a reason for placing such a limit on users.

1. Bandwidth

A little history and info about RCNT - Right now RCNT gains anywhere from 250-300members a month, and thats AFTER I delete all the accounts each month that have not activated their account within 10days. For the last 2-3months RCNT has been hosted on the largest hosting package my host provides. The beginning of January I was able to obtain a special from the host which would increase our package to another 30GB of bandwidth and 1GB storage giving RCNT a grand total of 50GB bandwidth and 3GB storage. This package deal went into effect on January, at the end of last month RCNT used a total of 47.64GB of bandwidth, Now what?

The host has already hinted at a dedicated server just for RCNT, many members have too due to the fact the site is slowing down because of everyone on the site, there lays a problem with this wonderful solution. Dedicated servers run about $180 a month, plus a setup fee which usually runs about $200-300. These to totals are more money then what RCNT has received in both donations and advertising combined (so much for my great big money scheme huh?)

This gives me a few options: 1. Close RCNT (yeah like that's going to happen) 2. Find a way to reduce bandwidth until I personally can afford to move to a dedicated server. Choice two is what I choose, and thus the reason for a limit of how many users can browse the site at a given time. Right now the limit is set at 65 users.

I would like to point out one thing, this is ONLY a test. A test to see if limiting users will reduce the bandwidth at all, I should know if it does within only about 3-4 days. On average RCNT uses 1.6 to 1.8GB of bandwidth each day, so if that number decreases I know I'm doing something right, well at least until I can afford more. If it doesn't work, well then I have no clue as to what to do, though one mention of disabling the gallery has been brought up.

That's the story behind it, nothing that exciting.



-Michael




Actually believe it or not you'd have a better chance in the middle of the day. Our busiest times are from Sunday thur Tuesday from 7pm-1am
Click to expand...

If you get a Dedicated Server, can't you charge more for advertising?
Just wondering...
 
humboldtblazer,

While I know your message is in good meaning, but the above posting nor the limits is supposed to be a way of "Please send me more money cause I'm running out of beer".

This is a problem I seen coming months ago, but was hoping it would arrive until another 2-3 months. Unfortunately it did come and I'm not ready for. As I've said to many people many times, R/C is your guys hobby as is mine, but my biggest and foremost hobby is this site. I don't see any of you guys asking people to pay for your hobby and I don't see why I should make everyone pay for my hobby.

While I understand the limits are Frustrating again it's only a test to see what I can cut back to save a little bandwidth. If all else comes to it I can cut the gallery for a few months until I get my feet planted and can afford the cost of this site.

Again, please don't think or make it out to being as "yet another way for me to take your money".


-Michael
 
Originally posted by Error401


HB, right on. Has anyone noticed that the contributors are a very small percentage of the whole group?

Kwong, good point, bad idea. I too have visited sites that require registering. Most of the time 80%+ I just leave and find a similar site that doesn't require it.
Click to expand...

Like WoodiE said before some people didn't even contribute $20 total, they were contributers before the benifits were added, I was one but I have given well over $20 to say the least. And I will continue to give WoodiE $10-$20 a month it's the least I can do. I think those contributers that have only donated once really think again about giving money when you can. Sure once was nice and it got you into the secret forum, but keep it coming! And all you moochers, well you have been addressed!
 
How about photo galleries for contibuting members only, and everytime a member or guest becomes a contibuting member a portion of that fund could go into a new server lottery, than after time a new gallery for members who want to post to sell or trade can be added, I could be talkin out my ass here, but I dont see why killing two birds like this wouldnt work, my 2 cents!

contibuting members could have there own gallery and other members could have a for sale or trade photo gallery only,

This idea is not intended to make lots of money, but to save bandwidth, would some thing like this help?
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by WoodiE
humboldtblazer,

While I know your message is in good meaning, but the above posting nor the limits is supposed to be a way of "Please send me more money cause I'm running out of beer".my feet planted and can afford the cost of this site.

Again, please don't think or make it out to being as "yet another way for me to take your money".


-Michael
Click to expand...

I know this is not a ploy for money Michael, I would like to think I know you better than that. This is coming from me and only me because this is an issue that has been bugging me for awhile. Even though this is not my site in any way I take pride in being a member. I know rumors have been started before about contributions and where they go and how muchh they are, and it has been saud before the money is given to you to do WHATEVER YOU WANT WITH IT PERIOD. All the little crying bitches need to stfu about it. I am a IT manager, and have worked for ISP's, I know EXACTLY how much bandwidth costs and what type of work goes into a site with this kind of content. Its an amazing amount of support and time and I bet it's frustrating after all your hard work you get people that talk poop.
 
nitromaniac - While again your idea is in good meaning, the contributors forums nor it's members where set up to punish regular members. I fully understand there a young and old members that just can not afford to donate, why punish them because some kid can't donate?

On top of that I'd have to set up to different galleries then, one for contributors and one for regular members, which would cost more space, as well as having to buy a new license for the gallery.


-Michael
 
Sliming down the site in any fashion will hurt it period!!! The only way to continue correctly is to give money, to keep the site in tact the way it is for guests, members, and contributers alike. Look how many f'ing members this site has, if 1/4 of the members gave 25 cents a month we would have ruffly $180 bucks a month that would cover the dedicated server costs, that shows how many people DON'T contribute.
 
I never used the word punish in my last post! was only trying to help in a frustrating situation, in a way, you are the principal of this school, we are only the students here, students who are worthy of the knowlege they are taught are excpected to pay for that knowledge in some way, you can only go so far in public school till you have to start buying your own books! my point to my last post is, If I need to buy books so all the other students can go to school, I will!

GEEz,, did I really write that?

we are here, tell us what you need!
 
Sorry for the cross post...

But this is how I feel

I just think if people really use the forum on a daily basis and enjoy it, if they can afford to contribute at least $5. The math would be....

Lets say 500 members contribute $5 that would be $2500. Divide that by $180 per month of a dedicated box...that would be enough for 13.8 months of service subtract the setup fee and that would put us a little over a year worth of service. Would 500 members feel that a fee of $5 a year is worth it. I do. I for one will be giving a little more to get the ball rolling.

I understand that fact that most kids might not be able to afford 5 bucks but they are driving 1000 tmaxxes LOL....also in my math I only include 500 members. lets even try 250 members contribute 10 bucks. I still think its a tiny price to pay. come on everyone reach deep down and give till it hurts LOL:preachin:
 
nitromaniac - I didn't mean to come off thinking you wasnted to punish them, but to me that what I'd be doing. Just the way I see it.

msly and HB - While the math looks pretty on paper the odds are very much stacked against it. I know many forum admins with members in the tens of thousands with maybe 10-20 members that donate $5-20 each month. So a site as small as we are could expext what, 2-3 members to do the same.

One math problem that looks really good is this, getting 500 members to donate the $20 - that $10,000 - enough operate the site on a $200 dedicated server for 4years and 1month. Truth is, it's not going to happen.

It's just plain nature that someone would rather goto another site and not pay then have to pay. There are thousands of other boards that are free, why stick around and pay for this one?


-Michael
 
Originally posted by WoodiE
It's just plain nature that someone would rather goto another site and not pay then have to pay. There are thousands of other boards that are free, why stick around and pay for this one?


-Michael
Click to expand...

Because I am here.........................no seriously this is the best RC site out there, and this is the reason for the problem in the first place, they are hearing about us and joining like rabbits breed.
 
how much BW is the gallery using up? It has to be alot. Is it possible to download the current photos into a zip drive and shut down the gallery temporarily until the bandwidth issue is sorted out? Not sure about the rest of you, but I would rather not be able to look at photos for a few weeks, than be unable to access RCNT.
 
I for one think the Gallery is the first area I would approach.

We have all used accounts like WebShots in the past, and in fact, I still do.

There are many of photo hosts out there for free.

Woodie - How much bandwidth is being consumed by the gallery alone? Can you see that stat?

-Chris
 
I for one am lucky, FastEddy donates webspace for me to post picture of my projects for the site. Thanks Eddy, just one more way the admins and mods yet again give to the site. I really don't think people appreciate enough what the staff donates, I really beleive people have no idea. I for one am sliming my gallery here to 5 pictures, I hope other people follow suit.
 
Believe it or not, these issues are GOOD issues. How many other forums wish they had to many users eating up band width?

In time this will get worked out. What we need is a bit of collective brainstorming. Its great to say contribute and I highly recommend it, but what about next month and the month after?

1, We need a site sponsor willing to pony up the server costs.
2, We need a way to limit bandwidth without cutting back on the usability of the site.


A few Ideas,
Limit the photo sizes and weight in the gallery.
Limit Sig's to text only.
Limit the amount of bots allowed at a given time
 
Originally posted by humboldtblazer
I for one am sliming my gallery here to 5 pictures, I hope other people follow suit.
Click to expand...

now heres an idea! we have our own hosts, and our own drive space, we dont need to archive our photos on the site, I could live with a limit of only 3-5 pics in a gallery per member if I knew it would save alot of space, I am cleaning out my gallery now!
 
Originally posted by humboldtblazer
I for one am lucky, FastEddy donates webspace for me to post picture of my projects for the site. Thanks Eddy, just one more way the admins and mods yet again give to the site. I really don't think people appreciate enough what the staff donates, I really beleive people have no idea. I for one am sliming my gallery here to 5 pictures, I hope other people follow suit.
Click to expand...

I am also going to delete all my gallery pics and use my webhost for all pics. I for the most part do that but sometimes at work its a pain to upload to my site from work.

sly
 
Woodie,
Is it possible to have the gallery hosted on a different plan?
If so, members that want to utilize the gallery past say a 5 pic limit could join with a yearly fee and relieve the RCNT server from the BW.

-Ed
 

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