I am going to have to find out a way to raise some money for the site, my friend is going to need more bandwidth soon, (Our site uses MOST of his bandwidth, it's a T1 too!!)

But I was thinking of adding Ad banners to the site.. NO pop-ups or anything, but 1 banner. I HATE having to do this. But I gotta help him pay for it.

Also, our UBB License will 'run out' May 29th and I will no longer be able to download newer versions (Upgrades) after that date. THAT is only $99 I think, so we could raise that easily. But I wanted to let you know what is going on. We will have a T3 (i.e. BAD ASS bandwidth) and will allow us to grow!! :D

I know many have donated (Many MULTIPULE times) and you guys kick ass! [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] but we have 7000 users!!! We could do this with donations and the Ad banner easily!

Let me know what you think--ideas WELCOMED BIG TIME!!

We have only received 1 paypal donation since March too-- I am worried. Should I make a 'header' so all forums can see it--a pick with something like 'please help' or something?

Thanks, god I wish I was rich.. I totally feel ill thinking of adding a BANNER ad to this clean site. [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] Seriously.. they would make it look 'less cozy' feeling. :(

Hell, we did it with the server, no reason we can't do it with this. [img]smile.gif[/img]

<font color=skyblue>Let's try another donation rally and if you can forecast early enough that it is not working out, then I think it'd be okay to grab a banner...as long as it was not a pop-up. But use the banner only if we let you down on donations. Set a date limit to raise a certain amount before you go "bannerizing" the place.</font>

I am sure we could, the thing that kinda sucks is: He may ask for it every Month, in the past, he's been letting me get away with a LOT free (letting me use bandwidth free most of the time).

He was telling me that 80-90% of all of his bandwidth is being eaten up by my site ( [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] ) WE'RE TO BIG FOR OUR BRITCHES! :D :D :D hehe.. Now I see why Readyhosting cut my CGI and limited my bandwidth. [img]smile.gif[/img] My friend wouldn't cut my CGI access, after we just bought a dedicated server, BUT. he probably would 'throttle' my bandwidth if I didn't pay, and his service was in jeopardy. (I NEED TO WIN THE LOTTERY!) :D

Aaaaaaaaghhhhhh. I am frustrated. [img]graemlins/whome.gif[/img]

Ziroc, have you thought of having a special membership class for, like $10 a month? Almost anyone could manage that, and you could have special insignia and other perks. Other sites do it. You could get people tp put it on their credit cards so tht you could have a regular amount coming in every month, like a banner, but not so intrusive.

*Cough* The golden order of Choc *cough* ;) Get your signed photo of choc now *cough* only 10 $ :D

Seriously though. Most be some place that wants to add thoose highclass banners in flash from Like morrowind, IceWinddale 2, NWN and other games. I mean there are 7000 very likely customars here!

We are a marketing goldmine with the force of the knowledge and word by mouth we can spread all over the world! To send some letters to the publishers of the major gaming houses for a banner here and there on this forum where we.. hey.. discuss their games. News banners etc for them would be really good! They will hit their group of customars of up to 50-90%!!(sometimes almost 100%) That is very high in marketing rates!

Take for instance the banner for morrowind. It is pretty nicely done in flash and on the side. So not so broad pages? Just better for reading all the posts! :D

Also a now and then rally could boost morale! [img]smile.gif[/img]
Well just some idea for banners...

Hey Z, thanks for the great site, and i will send you a real big donation after i get a new graphics card for Morrowind(sigh)...
might take me a while as im in between jobs right now. :(

I'm with Memnoch on this one: I believe we could get the money we need with another big rally. I'll try chip in this time, but not having a crdit card is a porblem. :rolleyes: .

Is there no other way of getting the money to you? If not, i'll go fight with my parents for a bit. :D

Just wondering how much do you need per month? I am sure there are plenty of us willing to kick in whatever is needed.

I wish I had known that this was an ongoing thing... that may be why the donations dried up. Now we know.

Will work on sending you something. For those who don't have paypal... how about a money order or something like that?

[ 05-07-2002, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: Charean ]

Ironworks T-shirts. No, I'm being serious here. When I saw it with an online game called Warriors, I thought it was a joke. It wasn't, and all of them were solled out in no-time. You could also try selling 'Ironworks collecter CD's', with the best moments of Ironworks. Hints,tips, demo's, etc for all the games we discuss here.

Get banners
It's a waste to not have a banner in a site so big
and honestly a small banner aslong as it's not a pop-up doesn't matter and yet you get payed for it

I imagine some targeted advertising would bring in some cash for you. You've got a unique site, a nicely focused fantasy rpg site with a large international patronage... it seems to me that the producers of games like DS and Morrowind should be very interested in getting their products showcased on a site like this.

[ 05-07-2002, 11:57 AM: Message edited by: Thoran ]

Ziroc, I have alot of games I will never play again...what if you create a WAY where someone can donate their old games to IW- a resale place on the board--- Along with everyone elses---and the proceeds help pay for bandwidth? Just an idea. S

[ 05-07-2002, 02:32 PM: Message edited by: *\Conan/* ]

Totally rad Idea Galadria [img]smile.gif[/img] Altho, it might actually be that $10 is too much...what would he do with all the "extra money" [img]smile.gif[/img] if half the users signed on that would be 35,000 a month [img]smile.gif[/img]

Thanks for the kind words, MagiK. I researched a little bit. Some sites have areas that everyone can get into, and then other areas that are "members only." I saw places where it was $19.95 per year. Realistically, if 100 members signed up, that would be $1995.00 per year. Z, you could offer custom ranks, like each NPC in BG, BGII, and PS:T for those willing to pay. You could use the game portrait instead of an avatar. And, this would be the hook, only one Viconia or whatever could be, first come, first served.
Velkyn, I like the T-shirt idea, too. Z, you could use the pictures at the heads of the various forums. I would certainly buy one of that long-fingered girl in the NWN forum, and Attalus says he'd like the guys in RP, all with the Ironworks logo and hammer on the back.

[ 05-07-2002, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: Galadria ]

Ziroc

As I am fairly new and didn't realise this was an ongoing thing, perhaps you could post the address for us to send cheques etc.

Also, if I write a cheque in English £s, would it automatically convert.

I don't like credit cards. So a cheque is the easiest way.

Cheers

Lady Zidane

I'm quite new here, but i'll throw my 2cents:

Selling stuff would mean heavy cash managment, and time to deal with shipping and handling, customer service etc...

My favorite solution would be to ask for donations (with a goal, as you did for the server). I wouldn't mind giving 10 bucks, but i know that won't buy a nanobit of bandwit.

One banner on top of each page is ok with me as long as they are "clean". Not aggressive, flashing, etc... The ones the games sites of IW are good.

The final solution would be to create a membership of some sort (access with no-popup, possible goodies)... But i think many may flee from this, and few new members will ever join.

Finally, one silly thought:
We could organize an online bingo to raise funds. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Unfortunatly, i think a permit is required for such a thing.

My opinions:

Banner? Great idea.
Popups? Don't do it.
Special Membership? Sounds like a good idea, just please no "Special members only" areas. Having your own personal avatar and/or title and maybe no banner might be the special things.
T-shirts and other IW stuff? I want it :D I'll have to beg one of my parents to order me an IW T-shirt if you decide to sell any [img]smile.gif[/img]
Asking for donations? Sure, I'll donate again if I can [img]smile.gif[/img]

Duh!!

Would have helped if I had read the top of the page (hits head with palm of hand).

Still need to know the conversion thingy though

Cheers

Lady Zidane

No offense to either Galadria or Magik but I strongly oppose any strategy which differentiates members based on their ability to pay monthly dontations for the privilege of special titles, insignia, etc.... I know that there are MANY members who either are young and have no income per se, or who are out of work or who just cannot afford the luxury of even that $10 for whatever reasons. It would set up a 'class' structure that I feel would be divisive at best. And what do you do about the ones who can pay sometimes but not always?

I know it was meant as a constructive means of making funds but a tasteful banner would be less problematic, much as I dislike the notion of advertising on IW.

How much do you need exactly? And I could write a check to you...and you just tell me how much you want and I can see if I can get it for you

Well said Cloudy.

How about a gamble on:
-the day NWN will go gold.
-the day NWN will hit the stores.
It's such a hot topic everyone will want a try, gambler or not.

Let's say n% goes in Z's pockets and the rest is split between the winners.

Is it feasable to keep track of the money and players? Is it legal in Ziroc's state? Dunno...

And z-man, my mom lives in FL, Clearwater to be exact.. I can also ask her to maybe pitch in some money. But I'd have to ask her [img]smile.gif[/img]

Aw, Cloudy! Even just for special avatars/ranks?

How about Black Isle banners? they would fit right in...

Im willing to send a money order but I cant do Pay Pal over here in Germany :( Do you have an address?

No offense taken Cloudy [img]smile.gif[/img] And I understand your point.....never thought of it a s "class" structure. But on the other hand, it is nice to do something for those who can pitch in. Even my church puts up little plaques to those who can donate. Doing something nice for those who contribute doesn't HAVE to take away from those who can't or choose not to.

You know, it'd be cool if we could all play IW bingo!!

why dont you have a link from a company from the ironworks gaming web? You'd get money from having a whole page devoted to a company.

Sorry, Magik, but I think things like special titles/etc would be divisive. When new members ask 'How do I get that and how come you have it and he doesn't?" you have to say it's for the money sent and that immediately excludes young people who can't do it and we have A LOT of them at IW. It also excludes adults who for whatever reason are UNABLE to pay and frankly I just don't like the idea that someone who cheerufully supports IW in other ways but has not money to send might feel slighted because of it.. I think it's the idea that not everyone has the same things to offer and if we say only MONEY counts for getting this special 'award' then it cuts many out of the loop.
Just my two cents worth. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Sorry, Magik, but I think things like special titles/etc would be divisive. When new members ask 'How do I get that and how come you have it and he doesn't?" you have to say it's for the money sent and that immediately excludes young people who can't do it and we have A LOT of them at IW. It also excludes adults who for whatever reason are UNABLE to pay and frankly I just don't like the idea that someone who cheerufully supports IW in other ways but has not money to send might feel slighted because of it.. I think it's the idea that not everyone has the same things to offer and if we say only MONEY counts for getting this special 'award' then it cuts many out of the loop.
Just my two cents worth. [img]smile.gif[/img] [/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]I see your point. :D Well Ill try to support whatever methodology comes up. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 05-07-2002, 03:30 PM: Message edited by: MagiK ]

That "paypal" thingie is to difficult to use i tried 3 times but it alvais is somthing that is not right for mine part so i give it up!;(

So it is maby dangerus to send real money in an envelope? I could maby put the money betwin 2 pices of paper then put it in the envelope then send it to you i dont knove hov dangerus this would be!
And i hate credit cards!
But some nice banners from creators of Morrowind, Baldurs Gate and Black Isle dont bother me! :D and i like the t-shirt thing and maby baseball caps with IronWorks logos on hehe! [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

I concur [img]smile.gif[/img]

They tried the idea at work but everyone poopooed it as elitist to have comments in personnel files. Everyone knew they'd be USED for something :D ;)

Especially those, Galadria. You've seen how the younger set vies for ranks/new avatars around here.. ;) .... try telling them they can only have it if they PAY for it.. [img]tongue.gif[/img] :D I think VISIBLE means of differentiating would be divisive.. but again, that's only my opinion! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Lot's of good ideas, keep them coming!!

For those that want to write a check or money, my address is in the donation image at the top of the screen (it's below the paypal logo).

One thing I would NEVER do is:

Have ANY pop up ads. I HATE those.
If I DO have normal banner ads, I would not have ANY Casino ads. I hate those with a passion. Although they offer larger clickthroughs, I simply think they are trashy and IMO are as bad as porno ads.

A Members 'gold plan' may be an idea.. something like--for 'x amount a month or something' you get extra options..it would have to be worth it. Like an image YOU as your avatar.. *not a rank difference*

Any 'gold plan' ideas? I see Gamespot has a 'Gamespot Complete' now.. Question is, was it incomplete before? [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

More! more ideas!

PS: We would be needing around $200 a month I a guessing, but who knows, AD banners could actually pay more HERE than on the webareas at tgeweb.com (I make like $44 every 2 months now) crappy! :(

a sponsored cross-dressing marathon by IW members :D :D

Go, Neb, Go!

Plz don't have a "Special Board For People Who Can Cough Up Cash And Not For The Ungrateful Snots Who Can't Be Bothered To Pay" board.

I'm a student. The less said about my money woes, the better.

Gamespot is more incomplete now than it was before - they killed *all* the free downloads. Now you either *pay* for a high-speed download or *pay* for them to burn it on CD to send it to you. If anything on this site is ever for fee-payers only then im gone. Seriously. Do the special avatar or insignia thing if you want, but any members only areas and I am out of here.

Ditto pop-up ads.

Banners on the other hand wont bother me - Ill even *shudder* click on them all. Which Ive never actually done before.

Well I agree with Cloudy fully here. Donation is a donation cause you want to and can. And quite frankly, I rather chip in the money without having my ugly face picked up as a "Wolfgir, crazy wolf dude" insignia for 25-50 posts.. People are gonna spam like heck to get rid of me! ;)

Nah, give the doners a nice pick of Choc instead.
Check the banners Ziroc, and didn´t you have any connections with some gamers? A bannerswapping place for magasines? I mean why just look for US? Make PC Gamer chip in for a nice fee and get banners for their magasines in US, England Sweden and whatever else. We have alot of members, and alot of lurkers. We reach a certain type of people that are perfect for banners.. (at least we can tell them that! ;) )

Well, I don't get much money, but since it's such a good cause I'll be happy to try and raise some money.However, I agree with Cloudy on the monthly pay issue, many wouldn't be able to afford it monthly, and would feel excluded.
Hmmm, wait a minute.
If more of the 7000 members were active it would be easier.

As I clicked on the "pay now" button at paypal I thought how great the IWD2 and NWN forums are gonna be when those games are unleashed, considering that this palce is full of smart, funny, respectful people, thanks to the effort of the Admin and mods who weed out the weak-minded trolls and flamebreaths. Thank you very much Ziroc and I hope you get that bandwith with godspeed!