Chat Proposals

FinsnFur · March 21, 2011, 11:08:21 AM

We need something on the forum that shows who's in chat so we know when we want to go in, instead of playing the crap shoot or setting in there alone waiting.

I think I've heard that enough times now

Here's the scoop.
We need to cough up a plan that will fund the chat program if we want to do that. Because to get that feature, I have to upgrade the package I have with that company.

While that might come as a shock to some, you have to keep in mind that it's easy for me/us to say we dont charge for signature lines, banners, ads, things like that on here. And the reason is they dont cost me money. And I'm not here to make money.
On the same note, I can't run the site as an expense either. Upgrading the chat will create a monthly expense for me.

Actually I'm paying $6.95/month right now to own that chat channel and have that program available for you guys. Which isnt a big deal. But upgrading it to get the chat lists pretty much doubles that, and that crosses the line for me as far eating anymore expenses.

If anyone's interesting in verifying the pricing, you can find everything you need on there website, at http://www.parachat.com or ask me.
We have the standard package now, and you'll see the next upgrade which has the chat list and other features, is the professional package priced at $29.95/month, but I can upgrade through my admin panel for 14.95/month or 162.95/year as shown below.

Here's some options I came up with.

1- Hold a raffle or auction and see if we can raise enough to buy it for a year. Then next year talk about it again.
2- Start a donation kitty and see if we can raise enough to buy it for a year, next year talk again.
3- Pull it from the members funds for the first year then talk about it again in a year.
4- Use paid memberships for chat. Anyone who wants to chat, pays x amount of dollars per month and is put on a "chat access" list. Others will not be able to log in.
5- Skip the whole gig, we dont need a who's chatting list.

Give me your thoughts, or opinions. Ah heck...give me your questions too.

I'll answer the first question right here.
Q- Why are we even using this chat? The other one was free and worked just fine.

A- This one is free also as far as your concerned because I'm sending the payment every month right now. lol
This chat is much more stable, way more secure, it doesn't infringe on our server, it doesnt have to be hacked into our forum to work, were not being surrounded by third world countries and their chat rooms or taboo porn, while in there, and I dont have to keep it up to date the company does that.

KySongDog · March 21, 2011, 11:25:35 AM

Here is an idea. Why not have a special thread (like the Quote of the day thread) for chat. If one is going to chat, first post in that thread that you are going. Anyone else can see who went and when.

If that is too cumbersome, then I would choose #5 first and #3 second. I also think the $6.95 monthly fee should be taken out of member funds. If the bank goes broke, then shut down chat altogether. That's just my $.02.

HaMeR · March 21, 2011, 12:09:14 PM

Dang Semp!! My thoughts exactly!!

pitw · March 21, 2011, 01:18:41 PM

There are only a certain amount of members who ever go in chat[that I see]. So I guess a user pay isn't out of the question for me. Not much sense of those who never come in, to pay our way. I know guys don't want to come in when they don't see who's there and I'm afraid they won't bother with Semps suggestion[which is a good one] of a special thread will not be utilized for long either. I know not the answer but I will definitely pay for the privilege of using it cause it pays back huge dividends for me. However if it takes away from the forum by eliminating contests I'm not for that either

.

alscalls · March 21, 2011, 03:39:19 PM

I would gladly donate something for an auction if that is what is chosen...Maybe several of us could get together and auction of quite a few things...

.... What ever ya decide I will help all I can.

iahntr · March 21, 2011, 09:53:12 PM

My vote would probably go for the top 3.

I'd say maybe do a combination of #1 and #2, and
if need be, pull the balance from #3. I know I'd be willing
to kick in for it.

FinsnFur · March 21, 2011, 10:04:56 PM

I think the dedicated thread is a good thought. The problem is, it ends there.
A good example is several people have unsuccessfully tried using the shout box for that purpose, and a few have tried creating a new thread, titled all in bold to draw attention, I'M IN CHAT.

Fact is, that if your not logging into the forum looking for people to have a chat session with, your not even going to look for it, and you surely arent going to notice it.
But when the chat list was located directly under the Who's online list, everyone noticed it. Naturally because everyone looks to see's who's on the forum. And even if you werent looking to screw the pooch in chat, after seeing several people in there, several decided to join in.

What I would like to do...after some time of this thread running, is to take the suggestions and throw them in a poll. So the more we discuss the options, the more we either educate or coheres those reading this.

Carolina Coyote · March 22, 2011, 04:10:30 PM

I like the chat and am willing to donate if that's what it takes to keep it going. cc

FinsnFur · March 26, 2011, 12:21:07 AM

Anymore ideas, thoughts, suggestions, concerns, bad vibes, or comments on this before we take it to a vote, and make a decision?

Mallardsr · March 26, 2011, 08:08:40 PM

I would vote for option 3, and then specify auction items to pay for it.

pitw · March 26, 2011, 08:39:59 PM

If we take it for a year is it much hassle to go back to this?

FinsnFur · March 26, 2011, 11:05:54 PM

I can't imagine it being a hassle at all. We stop paying and the company bumps us down.

Here's some more food for thought that I should have mentioned in the first thread. I'll keep paying the 6.95/month I'm paying now for this, for you's. You guys need to figure out how to raise the additional funds per month which would be $8 bucks, if you want the chat list.