While there are no dues or fees for membership at El Camino
Central, we do rely upon member contributions to keep the site and server running smoothly. As membership grows, so does
site usage. Recently we have seen a huge jump in server load and bandwidth. As a result, at times we notice extremely
slow page loading. Many of you may have also noticed the new member rankings used to recognize supporting members.
Become a supporting member today and get your own cool rank!
Every little bit helps.
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I wouldn't mind paying dues either but I think it would change the feel, mood, tone of the forums. You know what I mean? It's too bad a group as big as ours have only come up with a little more than $1,000. I kinda get the hint that Robert's goal is "to keep this site free and never charge annual membership fees as other sites do". El Caminos and the best special interest forum on the net sets us apart from all the other "car" sites. Let's step up to the plate to get the new server(s) and then continue to support this site with annual voluntary contributions.
Jerry _________________ 1980 Caballero
1980 El Camino Conquista
Let's step up to the plate to get the new server(s) and then continue to support this site with annual voluntary contributions.
Jerry
That's obviously the problem Jerry. You can't get enough people to step up to the plate.
That was my point in the other post - lots of "hanger on's" that just want the privlidge, and aren't willing to support the site. At least with a $20.00 yearly membership, everyone "get's" to support it.
Hey, no dues - you can still read all the threads/posts, you just can't PARTICIPATE! It's a no-brainer. . . . nothing worth anything in life - is free!
Step up, pay your $20.00 and continue on. . . . .as I said - I'm all for it. ACES isn't free - Team Chevelle isn't free - yet they have TONS of members. . . . .
If I had access to a copy of the database conversion script to VB, then I could see if is even possible to transfer our database over to VB. I would hate to buy a license to the program only to find we cannot transfer or would lose information. I like VB but my only concern is can we really do it without a programatic nightmare.
In the worst case scenario, if the present database can't be converted then leave it as an archive and close it to new posts. A number of sites did this, they started fresh with vBulletin and kept the old forum threads as an archive. More recently Meguires moved from vBulletin to their own in house forum and didn't import a thing, just kept the old one as an archive and it seemed to work fine. As long as the old databse isn't deleted you don't loose a thing. _________________ Leo
1986 El Camino
1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC
"Randy! He drives an El Freakin' Camino! That's like the Cadillac of cars!"
Earl Hickey
True, but then everyone will be required to re-register, we would also lose the overall look and feel of the site as it is. That coupled with figuring out who has donated what and give them x priviledges for that amount could be a logistical nightmare. I contacted VB support who were of very little help. What I would need is a copy of the import script to view and test against a copy of our database. As the server stands, a database migration of that magnitude would bring the already overtaxed server to its knees. Regardless, at this point even attempting a software update/migration would be more work than I have the time to handle at the moment. Our real problem is the server. Once we have that up to snuff then I can focus on software issues. I also agree at some point we might consider requiring some kind of annual dues with incentives for those who wish to do so. But I also believe that as a result we are liable to lose members. _________________ El Camino Central Founder/AdministratorAuto A/C & Electrical Shop Owner, ASE Master
Necoa #: 478
Location: 17(S.CA,S.NV)
Joined: Oct 10, 2002
Posts: 1630
Year: 1982
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon
Jun 11, 2007 10:39
pm Post subject:
Like Robert said the priority should be getting the new server online. Maybe VB will something in the future maybe not.
I may be able to help with the import program but I need to figure out if it cause a problem with the VB site that I maintain for a friend. Running a lot of their software you have to provide a user registration number that goes online and registers with their site. There may be a problem with 2 different urls using the same number. _________________ '82 El Camino with an LT1 from a 95 Impala SS
Everyone will have to re-register anyway, that has never proven to be a problem with others migrating to different board software. It’s not an unusual thing and a minor problem really.
The point about losing members by asking them to pay a small fee for some added privileges doesn't hold either Robert. What would be asked is for people to pay say $20 for some ADDITIONAL privileges, if they don't pay they still are able to use the board. It really does work,
The part of figuring who donates and the privileges is the beauty of vBulletin, it actually does that all for you automatically. The way it works is that you set up the extra privileges in the control panels, then you give it your PayPal info and the user level you want to set to have those abilities. Then when a user pays the dues through the forum they are automatically upgraded to that user level AND after a year they are notifyed it's time for renewal. If someone wants to mail in the funds then it just takes an administrator to access the control panel and upgrade the user. It's really very simple. _________________ Leo
1986 El Camino
1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC
"Randy! He drives an El Freakin' Camino! That's like the Cadillac of cars!"
Earl Hickey
Sounds great, maybe down the road after the new server is online and after summer is over, (my busy season) I will have time to investigate further. _________________ El Camino Central Founder/AdministratorAuto A/C & Electrical Shop Owner, ASE Master
All of these suggestions and comments about different software packages and memberships levels are quite interesting and encouraging. We have a number of skilled folks who really have the organization's best interest at heart. While I do not understand the intracacies of those programs, I do know that our immediate situation is extremely critical and we need to focus at present on only one thing:
Our servers cannot support the demand of our growing audience, while the present configuration of the website is satisfactory to most members. But it is failing from sheer volume of visitors. Nothing can be done to restore easy access right now other than to replace the servers. We do not have a technical staff nor the time to convert over to anything other than what we already have. This is a simple factor of gettting enough money to order new servers delivered off the shelf from the manufacturer and plugging them in. We can do that in short order, if we have the money in hand. Here is the game plan:
MONEY = SERVERS = RESTORED ACCESS
Everyone's effort at the moment should be focused solely on getting cash to Robert More at El Camino Central as quickly as possible so he can order the necessary servers. Everything else can happen in due course after this crisis is resolved. Please focus all your attention on this fund-raising effort to the exclusion of all else. We will lose members very quickly when they are unable to log onto the website and it will be difficult to get them back.
Remember that all great achievements are made by a small group of dedicated individuals with a common vision and a simple, direct plan. The members who have made these thoughtful postings are the ones who will lead to our success in this endeavor. All of the others who just visit the site without financial supporting it cannot be counted on to get us through this. So, it will be up to just a few of our best members to carry the weight of all of the effort. That's just the way it is in life, so let's all just reach a little deeper into our own pockets and make this happen NOW!
It's a pleasure to be associated with such a great bunch of people!
"Let's roll!" _________________ View my El Camino
I don't know all the costs involved nor the demands on servers and bandwidth but would it be cheaper or more practical to use a web service using virtual servers: http://www.ipower.com/virtual.html
Necoa #: 3688
Location: 6(FL)
Joined: Aug 05, 2004
Posts: 92
Year: 1986
Model: El Camino
Posted: Tue
Jun 19, 2007 6:36
pm Post subject:
Mr Moore
I just met a whole new group of friends on a cruise to Eustis FL with other region 6 members. This site is also a gold mine of info. I have enjoyed this site for 3 or 4 years now, i am a platinum contributor and would have no problem with a $20 or $30 yearly due.
How are things in Round Rock? I lived in Austin after i graduated SWTSU in San Marcos - I still tell anyone who will listen that the hill country of Texas is one of the nicest areas in all of America.
I'm happy to send you another $100 now for the hardware you need.
Fellas, with even $20 each now we can upgrade this site. Think of it as a really cheap way to add horsepower. What did you spend the last time you bought parts for your Elky? _________________ EdontheBeach
I agree with EdontheBeach (Hi Ed). This forum has been an excellent source of info and new friends. I expect to be hanging around here for a while.
Other forums I frequent handle fund raisers with the help of supporting vendors. I just ordered some ECC shirts from member Txbusa, John at Great Threads. I would gladly have paid more for those shirts knowing the additional $$ went to support this site. Maybe you can push the sales of the existing merchandise too, tee's, hats & mugs.
I recently Paypal'ed my contribution, hope to see my 'new' status posted soon, proud to be a contributor. _________________ Bob Weis
Astatula, FL
'65 Chopped & Dropped
Some Motorcycles
Everyone's idea is a good one and worth consideration.
The focus, however, should be on making the contributions and getting the servers that this site needs. Everything else can be discussed offline or on this site after the server issues have been resolved.
I'll be happy to post my .02 once we have the server issue resolved.
Again, thanks to each and everyone of you that have contributed for your help and support. _________________ Dropped Fullsize
82 El Camino
95 Impala
97 Riviera (Sold)
95 Sierra
96 Suburban
00 300 M
Just an update concerning contributions for the new server: Without tallying all paypal contributions, money orders and checks mailed in, off the top of my head we are right near our goal of $2000.00 for the new server. (I am actually hoping it is a little more so that we can also invest in a much needed uninteruptable power supply.) Between now and this weekend I will sit down and calculate the total, update members profiles to reflect their contributions, send out thank you notices and post a list of contributors. If the total is the amount needed for the server I will submit the order and have it assembled and shipped. Thank you eveyone for your support!
Robert More
admin
elcaminocentral.com _________________ El Camino Central Founder/AdministratorAuto A/C & Electrical Shop Owner, ASE Master
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