Footballguys Joins Fantasyplayers Ad Network (1 Viewer)

[Chunky Soup]

Thanks for the help and feedback guys. We're pulling the ads off here for a short bit as we figure out a couple of tech things that are causing us trouble. J

Wow.

 

[Chunky Soup]

One more thing Joe. There is a Dell ad that starts out at like 1"x8" on the top bar. It gets up to 4"x8" and follows my screen down (when my mouse goes over it, and also when it doesn't.) Honestly, this is as obtrusive as a pop-up ad. It's pretty bad. I don't mind THAT much (although it is annoying), but more importantly I wanted to point out that your written "no pop-up ads" thing seems easy to get around.

ETA: Got same thing with a random "Billy Blank Jr's Carioke." Was looking at another thread, my mouse didnt move over, and it took ~1/8 of my screen very quickly. I almost clicked by accident while I was scrolling.

I also had a pop-up, but the blocker picked it up and didn't show me. I'm on IE. It's the first pop-up ad I've seen on any site in a long time.

 

[jwb]

Thanks for the help and feedback guys. We're pulling the ads off here for a short bit as we figure out a couple of tech things that are causing us trouble. J

The top ad is minimally intrusive, and no big deal. I don't think many will have a problem with it at all. I really hope the top ad can be "enough", because the side ad will kill the boards. Seriously. That was *horrible* last night.

 

[crowe1130]

Hey Joe - does this network you're testing really deliver much more benefit than google text/keyword ads? I'm not an e-commerce guru, so just asking out of curiosity.

 

[3nOut]

I've had a subscription here for years. 5 years, 7 years maybe.

Same here. I've been here since before they became "footballguys". My member number was even lower on that site.

...I guess I have the option to not pay anything and just use the boards, but that's not how I do things.

I was a paying member until last year. My budget took a big hit and could not re-subscribe. But fortunately, these boards were free and i was able to find a lot of useful info here to help me throughout the season. I personally don't like how you imply that people who only use the boards and do not subscribe to FBGs are a lower class of FBGs community. Sorry if you don't like that I do that, but it was the only way 'I could do things'.

...I'd have to wonder HOW many regular people you have here that are board membes that DON"T get a subscription. How many people that are actually useful on here that we'd lose if you did choose to go with NO ads and charge to use the boards.

...So, what you'd get is a membership to Fooballguys. And with that membership you'd get your weekly information, emails etc....all the free competitions you offer for members that relate to fantasy football AND your privlidge to use these boards.

Again, thats a pretty elitist attitude. Who's to decide who is useful? And if you simply kick out all non-paying "message-boarders", do you really think that the quality of the boards would go up? How do you know that there aren't more quality non-paying members than paying members. You may be kicking out the better portion of posters and keeping all the idiots. You never know.

I'm loyal, I'm not going to leave because of the adds nor am I going to complain all the time but this is my opinion on the subject.

I'm loyal as well. But if I get kicked out, I will have to find another board. And I will not be coming back every so often just to see if FBGs made their forums available at no charge to everyone again. If my budget rebounds, who is to say I won't become a member of the other site that let me stay on theor message boards for free? I think Joe prides himself in leaving the boards open free of charge. Its actually good business. If new people come and stay a while, they might actually become paying members. If the boards are not free, they will leave as they see no value here.

 

[FantasyTrader]

I've had a subscription here for years. 5 years, 7 years maybe.

Same here. I've been here since before they became "footballguys". My member number was even lower on that site.

...I guess I have the option to not pay anything and just use the boards, but that's not how I do things.

I was a paying member until last year. My budget took a big hit and could not re-subscribe. But fortunately, these boards were free and i was able to find a lot of useful info here to help me throughout the season. I personally don't like how you imply that people who only use the boards and do not subscribe to FBGs are a lower class of FBGs community. Sorry if you don't like that I do that, but it was the only way 'I could do things'.

...I'd have to wonder HOW many regular people you have here that are board membes that DON"T get a subscription. How many people that are actually useful on here that we'd lose if you did choose to go with NO ads and charge to use the boards.

...So, what you'd get is a membership to Fooballguys. And with that membership you'd get your weekly information, emails etc....all the free competitions you offer for members that relate to fantasy football AND your privlidge to use these boards.

Again, thats a pretty elitist attitude. Who's to decide who is useful? And if you simply kick out all non-paying "message-boarders", do you really think that the quality of the boards would go up? How do you know that there aren't more quality non-paying members than paying members. You may be kicking out the better portion of posters and keeping all the idiots. You never know.

I'm loyal, I'm not going to leave because of the adds nor am I going to complain all the time but this is my opinion on the subject.

I'm loyal as well. But if I get kicked out, I will have to find another board. And I will not be coming back every so often just to see if FBGs made their forums available at no charge to everyone again. If my budget rebounds, who is to say I won't become a member of the other site that let me stay on theor message boards for free? I think Joe prides himself in leaving the boards open free of charge. Its actually good business. If new people come and stay a while, they might actually become paying members. If the boards are not free, they will leave as they see no value here.

An even better question to ask than "How many useful board members are there who are non-subscribers?" is...

"How many subscribers are there who started out simply as board lurkers?" The Shark Pool is the most effective advertisement FBG has deployed.

 

[Koya]

Thanks for the help and feedback guys. We're pulling the ads off here for a short bit as we figure out a couple of tech things that are causing us trouble. J

The top ad is minimally intrusive, and no big deal. I don't think many will have a problem with it at all. I really hope the top ad can be "enough", because the side ad will kill the boards. Seriously. That was *horrible* last night.

This seems to be the consensus... I was all fine with the top banner ad, but then came back later and it was Netzero all over again.To be honest, I would must prefer a page redirect when we enter the general forums and even again when we go from say the main forum page to the forum itself... one of those "click this link if you dont want to see this ad" type thing. While it would be a bit of an inconvenience, the user experience once we were ON the boards would be far better and perhaps you can get the revenue that would have been generated from side ads, this way.not sure what other's think about the redirect / ad before the page thing.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I've had a subscription here for years. 5 years, 7 years maybe.

Same here. I've been here since before they became "footballguys". My member number was even lower on that site.

...I guess I have the option to not pay anything and just use the boards, but that's not how I do things.

I was a paying member until last year. My budget took a big hit and could not re-subscribe. But fortunately, these boards were free and i was able to find a lot of useful info here to help me throughout the season. I personally don't like how you imply that people who only use the boards and do not subscribe to FBGs are a lower class of FBGs community. Sorry if you don't like that I do that, but it was the only way 'I could do things'.

...I'd have to wonder HOW many regular people you have here that are board membes that DON"T get a subscription. How many people that are actually useful on here that we'd lose if you did choose to go with NO ads and charge to use the boards.

...So, what you'd get is a membership to Fooballguys. And with that membership you'd get your weekly information, emails etc....all the free competitions you offer for members that relate to fantasy football AND your privlidge to use these boards.

Again, thats a pretty elitist attitude. Who's to decide who is useful? And if you simply kick out all non-paying "message-boarders", do you really think that the quality of the boards would go up? How do you know that there aren't more quality non-paying members than paying members. You may be kicking out the better portion of posters and keeping all the idiots. You never know.

I'm loyal, I'm not going to leave because of the adds nor am I going to complain all the time but this is my opinion on the subject.

I'm loyal as well. But if I get kicked out, I will have to find another board. And I will not be coming back every so often just to see if FBGs made their forums available at no charge to everyone again. If my budget rebounds, who is to say I won't become a member of the other site that let me stay on theor message boards for free? I think Joe prides himself in leaving the boards open free of charge. Its actually good business. If new people come and stay a while, they might actually become paying members. If the boards are not free, they will leave as they see no value here.

I never implied it, said it or even thought it.....seriously, relax. I'm sorry for your recent misfortune, times are tough. It's not my idea to change anything. However, since the boards can't stay the same as they have in the past, I'd rather have it stay the same as it was, without the adds and only have the people who pay for the site.

We'd lose some people I assume but by reading these comments, if you haven't done so I urge you to....many people don't or didn't like it and said they'd probably end up leaving due to slow starts ups, annoying etc......

Again, sorry to hear you're have a rough time financially lately and hope things rebound for you soon.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I've had a subscription here for years. 5 years, 7 years maybe.

Same here. I've been here since before they became "footballguys". My member number was even lower on that site.

...I guess I have the option to not pay anything and just use the boards, but that's not how I do things.

I was a paying member until last year. My budget took a big hit and could not re-subscribe. But fortunately, these boards were free and i was able to find a lot of useful info here to help me throughout the season. I personally don't like how you imply that people who only use the boards and do not subscribe to FBGs are a lower class of FBGs community. Sorry if you don't like that I do that, but it was the only way 'I could do things'.

...I'd have to wonder HOW many regular people you have here that are board membes that DON"T get a subscription. How many people that are actually useful on here that we'd lose if you did choose to go with NO ads and charge to use the boards.

...So, what you'd get is a membership to Fooballguys. And with that membership you'd get your weekly information, emails etc....all the free competitions you offer for members that relate to fantasy football AND your privlidge to use these boards.

Again, thats a pretty elitist attitude. Who's to decide who is useful? And if you simply kick out all non-paying "message-boarders", do you really think that the quality of the boards would go up? How do you know that there aren't more quality non-paying members than paying members. You may be kicking out the better portion of posters and keeping all the idiots. You never know.

I'm loyal, I'm not going to leave because of the adds nor am I going to complain all the time but this is my opinion on the subject.

I'm loyal as well. But if I get kicked out, I will have to find another board. And I will not be coming back every so often just to see if FBGs made their forums available at no charge to everyone again. If my budget rebounds, who is to say I won't become a member of the other site that let me stay on theor message boards for free? I think Joe prides himself in leaving the boards open free of charge. Its actually good business. If new people come and stay a while, they might actually become paying members. If the boards are not free, they will leave as they see no value here.

An even better question to ask than "How many useful board members are there who are non-subscribers?" is...

"How many subscribers are there who started out simply as board lurkers?" The Shark Pool is the most effective advertisement FBG has deployed.

Good point

 

[Kirby]

I've had a subscription here for years. 5 years, 7 years maybe.

Same here. I've been here since before they became "footballguys". My member number was even lower on that site.

...I guess I have the option to not pay anything and just use the boards, but that's not how I do things.

I was a paying member until last year. My budget took a big hit and could not re-subscribe. But fortunately, these boards were free and i was able to find a lot of useful info here to help me throughout the season. I personally don't like how you imply that people who only use the boards and do not subscribe to FBGs are a lower class of FBGs community. Sorry if you don't like that I do that, but it was the only way 'I could do things'.

...I'd have to wonder HOW many regular people you have here that are board membes that DON"T get a subscription. How many people that are actually useful on here that we'd lose if you did choose to go with NO ads and charge to use the boards.

...So, what you'd get is a membership to Fooballguys. And with that membership you'd get your weekly information, emails etc....all the free competitions you offer for members that relate to fantasy football AND your privlidge to use these boards.

Again, thats a pretty elitist attitude. Who's to decide who is useful? And if you simply kick out all non-paying "message-boarders", do you really think that the quality of the boards would go up? How do you know that there aren't more quality non-paying members than paying members. You may be kicking out the better portion of posters and keeping all the idiots. You never know.

I'm loyal, I'm not going to leave because of the adds nor am I going to complain all the time but this is my opinion on the subject.

I'm loyal as well. But if I get kicked out, I will have to find another board. And I will not be coming back every so often just to see if FBGs made their forums available at no charge to everyone again. If my budget rebounds, who is to say I won't become a member of the other site that let me stay on theor message boards for free? I think Joe prides himself in leaving the boards open free of charge. Its actually good business. If new people come and stay a while, they might actually become paying members. If the boards are not free, they will leave as they see no value here.

An even better question to ask than "How many useful board members are there who are non-subscribers?" is...

"How many subscribers are there who started out simply as board lurkers?" The Shark Pool is the most effective advertisement FBG has deployed.

I started out as a lurker. I'm still not a useful board member... but I'm a subscriber.

 

[Crazy8s]

Getting Pop-ups also.

Hi Crazy 8 (and anyone else getting popups)This is the kind of stuff where I need your help. Can you tell me please exactly:

1. Where you were getting a popup?

It poped up on the top right hand corner of the page after I clicked on the Forum as well as a thread.

2. What ad it was for?

DELL both times.

3. Were you rolling over the ad with your mouse and it popped up?

No. Just popped up when opening the forum and thread.

4. What browswer (and version number if you know it) are you using?

Internet Explorer 7.

Thanks a lot.

J

 

[ShadowPhunk]

I've had a subscription here for years. 5 years, 7 years maybe.I understand why there needs to be ads if you go the route you're going, which is to keep the boards free to people. I guess I disagree with keeping the boards free to all people. What you're doing essentially is penalizing the people who actually pay. The penalty is for us paying and having to put up with the ads because the truth is in my mind, I'm not just paying for the weekly information I get from you guys during the season, I'm paying for that plus these boards. I guess I have the option to not pay anything and just use the boards, but that's not how I do things.To make my final decision if I were the person having to decide on this, I'd have to wonder HOW many regular people you have here that are board membes that DON"T get a subscription. How many people that are actually useful on here that we'd lose if you did choose to go with NO ads and charge to use the boards.So, what you'd get is a membership to Fooballguys. And with that membership you'd get your weekly information, emails etc....all the free competitions you offer for members that relate to fantasy football AND your privlidge to use these boards.I don't really like these adds and I've seen a few pop ups come up while surfing topics. I'm loyal, I'm not going to leave because of the adds nor am I going to complain all the time but this is my opinion on the subject.

If 3nOut can't scrape together $2/month to use these boards - then he should probably dump his whole internet connection fee.... or get himself a sponser. For the price of a candy bar, you can help someone get a week of fantasy football information. Call now!

 

[Chunky Soup]

Wait, where have the ads gone?

 

[Liquid Tension]

Hey Guys,

Headsup on something that is coming soon.

We recently signed an agreement to work with the folks at Fantasyplayers.com to be part of their advertising network.

Before something gets started, this is a deal for nothing more than advertising. Fantasyplayers.com has no ownership whatsoever in Footballguys. Zero. All we are doing is using their ad network to help us generate some money from advertising. There do own a few sites but the great majority of the sites in their network are just like us - using the network soley to sell ads.

We've done some ads in the past with limited success for us. The problem is always that we are not big enough to be able to secure an audience with the people that matter in the huge corporations when it comes to quality ads. Fantasyplayers.com has a very large network of sports specific sites (mostly football and mostly fantasy football) and they have been able to put enough sites together in a network that they have an attractive base of eyes to the huge advertisers.

So we're going to see how it goes here.

I realize full well that ads are not popular. But we're at a point in our business where we can't continue to operate the site and boards as we have been. They have to be able to generate some money. One alternative was to charge a subscription fee for the boards. Many have asked that we make the boards for paying subscribers only but you guys know I'm not a fan of that. Another option would be to dramatically raise the price of the premium FBG subscription in order to help offset the costs more. But that's not a very attractive option either.

What we settled on was offering ads on the pages. The pages here will have a banner at top and a taller skinny banner on the right side. Again, I realize that's not going to be popular, but that's the reality of where we are in that we have to be able to have the pages generate some money if we are going to continue offering free access to the boards.

You have my word (and I made them write it into the contract) that we would not have popup ads. I hate those as does everyone I know. I told them I'd shut the boards down before we had popups. If you ever see any popup ads, it's a mistake and please report it immediately.

All advertising is a trade. The viewer "pays" for the material (even when the material is free) by accepting ads being on the site. I realize that fully. So it's our job to help the free material be worth "paying for".

It's my hope that the quality material you guys continue to post on the boards will be enough to make the ads worthwhile. So I'm asking for your help there. Keep posting good stuff. I'm also asking for your patience there as I have no doubt there will be some that don't like this. This board has become what it is for one reason only - because guys like you provide great discussion. I contribute relatively nothing in the big picture of it. It's you guys. Thanks for your patience and making this place what it is.

Thanks.

J

I am 100% fine with you guys taking in some cash to have some ads on your site. No issues. I still am one of the people who would like you to limit the boards to paying customers. I am not sure how much more business you will get, but I know many people who come here and get the "knowledge" for free. There is enough great commentary on the boards that is worth the price of admission. I also feel that if the boards were for paying customers only, then the discussions could list what is in the pay area and the discussion could be even better. BTW, I understand the argument for keeping the boards free, but I think in the long run you hurt yourself more than help.

Peace

 

[pizzatyme]

Honestly, I think if there were a "Subscriber's forum" there would be less pissing in the pool. I'd suggest a $5-10 price point to subscribe to the forums. This should more than cover any ad revenue from these small outfits.

Now, if the ultimate goal is to get the big money advertising, then you obviously need to keep the boards free to keep as many hits as possible.

I guess it comes down to $$$ versus wanting what is best for the visitors. I'm not saying either one is bad.

 

[Gottabesweet]

I hopefully wish it remains free, there is alot of good poster's who aren't subscriber's I believe.

 

[pizzatyme]

To clarify, I think 2 forums would work. (1 paid and 1 free)

There are excellent posters, I'm sure, who aren't or wouldn't be subscribers to a paid forum. The isea is to give those that want it, a chance to go to their favorite fantasy site, frequent the free board, but also be able to escape to a board that they are paying to support.

If some content is worth paying a subscription for then it stands to reason that a "premium" forum would be appealing to most.

I can think of several terrific MB members whose offerings would work well in a group of subscribers to a "premium" forum.

I look at it like calling information...you pay a premium to be ad free, or you can go to 1-800-free411 and get the same info but have to wade through the ads.

 

[3nOut]

I've had a subscription here for years. 5 years, 7 years maybe.I understand why there needs to be ads if you go the route you're going, which is to keep the boards free to people. I guess I disagree with keeping the boards free to all people. What you're doing essentially is penalizing the people who actually pay. The penalty is for us paying and having to put up with the ads because the truth is in my mind, I'm not just paying for the weekly information I get from you guys during the season, I'm paying for that plus these boards. I guess I have the option to not pay anything and just use the boards, but that's not how I do things.To make my final decision if I were the person having to decide on this, I'd have to wonder HOW many regular people you have here that are board membes that DON"T get a subscription. How many people that are actually useful on here that we'd lose if you did choose to go with NO ads and charge to use the boards.So, what you'd get is a membership to Fooballguys. And with that membership you'd get your weekly information, emails etc....all the free competitions you offer for members that relate to fantasy football AND your privlidge to use these boards.I don't really like these adds and I've seen a few pop ups come up while surfing topics. I'm loyal, I'm not going to leave because of the adds nor am I going to complain all the time but this is my opinion on the subject.

If 3nOut can't scrape together $2/month to use these boards - then he should probably dump his whole internet connection fee.... or get himself a sponser. For the price of a candy bar, you can help someone get a week of fantasy football information. Call now!

How old are you? 12? First of all, if you mention me in a post, post a message TO me not ABOUT me. Second, to make a blanket statement like that simply shows your ignorance. You have no idea about my financial situation nor do you know anything about me or my family or my personal life situation. I need my internet connection for work, and a subscription to this or any site is a luxury I don't need. I already made enough concessions in my lifestyle but still set aside enough to enjoy some FF last year. I can probably scrape together 2 bucks a month for a subscription but I really can't afford to waste more money than I have to on a hobby. Maybe if you got a life then you would see that some people have other things in their life more important than fantasy football.

 

[fatness]

Honestly, I think if there were a "Subscriber's forum" there would be less pissing in the pool.

There would. There would also be fewer good posts, less good information, and less good discussion. It's not as though only the best (in someone's opinion) posters would fork out the money, and the worst would not pay. Some of each would stay, and some of each would go away. And there'd be fewer incoming new posters. Changing the forums over to pay status will starve them. In a year or 2 they'll be much smaller and less worthwhile.

 

[krsone21]

I've had a subscription here for years. 5 years, 7 years maybe.I understand why there needs to be ads if you go the route you're going, which is to keep the boards free to people. I guess I disagree with keeping the boards free to all people. What you're doing essentially is penalizing the people who actually pay. The penalty is for us paying and having to put up with the ads because the truth is in my mind, I'm not just paying for the weekly information I get from you guys during the season, I'm paying for that plus these boards. I guess I have the option to not pay anything and just use the boards, but that's not how I do things.To make my final decision if I were the person having to decide on this, I'd have to wonder HOW many regular people you have here that are board membes that DON"T get a subscription. How many people that are actually useful on here that we'd lose if you did choose to go with NO ads and charge to use the boards.So, what you'd get is a membership to Fooballguys. And with that membership you'd get your weekly information, emails etc....all the free competitions you offer for members that relate to fantasy football AND your privlidge to use these boards.I don't really like these adds and I've seen a few pop ups come up while surfing topics. I'm loyal, I'm not going to leave because of the adds nor am I going to complain all the time but this is my opinion on the subject.

If 3nOut can't scrape together $2/month to use these boards - then he should probably dump his whole internet connection fee.... or get himself a sponser. For the price of a candy bar, you can help someone get a week of fantasy football information. Call now!

How old are you? 12? First of all, if you mention me in a post, post a message TO me not ABOUT me. Second, to make a blanket statement like that simply shows your ignorance. You have no idea about my financial situation nor do you know anything about me or my family or my personal life situation. I need my internet connection for work, and a subscription to this or any site is a luxury I don't need. I already made enough concessions in my lifestyle but still set aside enough to enjoy some FF last year. I can probably scrape together 2 bucks a month for a subscription but I really can't afford to waste more money than I have to on a hobby. Maybe if you got a life then you would see that some people have other things in their life more important than fantasy football.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm in the same situation as you. I would like to get a subscription but with me working part time so I can concentrate on my education full time I don't have a lot of extra money to be throwing around.

 

[pizzatyme]

Honestly, I think if there were a "Subscriber's forum" there would be less pissing in the pool.

There would. There would also be fewer good posts, less good information, and less good discussion. It's not as though only the best (in someone's opinion) posters would fork out the money, and the worst would not pay. Some of each would stay, and some of each would go away. And there'd be fewer incoming new posters. Changing the forums over to pay status will starve them. In a year or 2 they'll be much smaller and less worthwhile.

I see your point, but couldn't the same be said for Free vs. Subscriber content? Both areas seem to be doing okay.

 

[ShadowPhunk]

I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm in the same situation as you. I would like to get a subscription but with me working part time so I can concentrate on my education full time I don't have a lot of extra money to be throwing around.

You guys realize that the reason to keep the boards free is access to sell people who come to post subscriptions. Your basicly arguring that your a dead leads for them, but they should let you stay around anyway.You both also sound like financial idiots. My 9 year old gets enough allowance to afford $2/month - I'm sure you guys can wing it.

 

[Winston Wolfe]

Joe and David have every right to try and generate as much revenue as possible from advertising revenue. Those who are offended by the advertising will leave, those who aren't will stay.

 

[Mungo Burrows]

Honestly, I think if there were a "Subscriber's forum" there would be less pissing in the pool.

There would. There would also be fewer good posts, less good information, and less good discussion. It's not as though only the best (in someone's opinion) posters would fork out the money, and the worst would not pay. Some of each would stay, and some of each would go away. And there'd be fewer incoming new posters. Changing the forums over to pay status will starve them. In a year or 2 they'll be much smaller and less worthwhile.

I see your point, but couldn't the same be said for Free vs. Subscriber content? Both areas seem to be doing okay.

The free boards are the cost of marketing the subscriber content. with a pay only forum, the subscriber base would get a one time boost, but eventually start to dwindle, and as fatness mentioned, the forum quality would dwindle as well, reducing people's incentive to subscribe for the forums. Eventually it just spirals down.

 

[3nOut]

News flash - BANDWIDTH COST MONEY! I don't have the logs, but you can bet that the message boards account for a good deal MORE bandwidth than the subscriber pages. People come here all day to take about all kinds of stuff - football, poker, politics, whatever.

It costs Dave and Joe money to let people come here for free.

It costs me (and the other subscribers) because we pay to keep this site going.

Go back and read what you just wrote. If $25 for a year is too much for then you are clearly a looser. How little can you make? Sounds like you should scrap the whole hobby all together because I'm SURE your league fees are more than the cost of a FBG subscription.

Now maybe YOU should get your slacker self back to work so you can make some cash and not whine about how $2/month is too much cash for you to use these boards.

Honestly - if you really can't find it in your budget - then your simply not needed here. I rather loose you and the other free coat tail riders then have the ads. I'm sure MANY subscribers agree.

Wow. Just wow. You must be 12 if you resort to name calling. Looser (lol @ spelling) and slacker? I'm not needed here because of my budget? Again, you know nothing about me. How dare you insult me and not know anything about my life. You call me a slacker but have no clue about my work ethic. I don't have to justify anything to you nor explain anything to you, but this one time I will, so that you understand life events happen that sometimes are out of your control. First of all, I do work, an make a decent living in the IT industry. Second, my wife delivered our triplets last summer three months premature. My kids spent the first three months of their lives in intensive care. Care to see some of the bills? And on top of that, not only has our budget changed, our income has as well. So yea, with the additional costs, diapers, formula and just basic necessities, my budget is a little wacked right now. I never said I will never be a paying member again, just not right now. And yes, my league fees are higher than a subscription here, but that is one of the few things I have allowed myself this past year. And yes, maybe you are right in that MANY subscribers would agree with you (but I doubt MOST would), but that would simply make them just as idiotic as you. I'm happy for you that you have a perfect life and never had any problems (i was going to say issues but clearly you have some of those). I hope that you never do.ETA: I am not looking for handout, or even sympathy or compassion from you or anyone. I just thought you should learn how to follow rules. Remember, the first of Joe's rules on these boards is Be excellent to each other. Clearly you don't care abut these boards as much as you say you do.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

News flash - BANDWIDTH COST MONEY! I don't have the logs, but you can bet that the message boards account for a good deal MORE bandwidth than the subscriber pages. People come here all day to take about all kinds of stuff - football, poker, politics, whatever.

It costs Dave and Joe money to let people come here for free.

It costs me (and the other subscribers) because we pay to keep this site going.

Go back and read what you just wrote. If $25 for a year is too much for then you are clearly a looser. How little can you make? Sounds like you should scrap the whole hobby all together because I'm SURE your league fees are more than the cost of a FBG subscription.

Now maybe YOU should get your slacker self back to work so you can make some cash and not whine about how $2/month is too much cash for you to use these boards.

Honestly - if you really can't find it in your budget - then your simply not needed here. I rather loose you and the other free coat tail riders then have the ads. I'm sure MANY subscribers agree.

Wow. Just wow. You must be 12 if you resort to name calling. Looser (lol @ spelling) and slacker? I'm not needed here because of my budget? Again, you know nothing about me. How dare you insult me and not know anything about my life. You call me a slacker but have no clue about my work ethic. I don't have to justify anything to you nor explain anything to you, but this one time I will, so that you understand life events happen that sometimes are out of your control. First of all, I do work, an make a decent living in the IT industry. Second, my wife delivered our triplets last summer three months premature. My kids spent the first three months of their lives in intensive care. Care to see some of the bills? And on top of that, not only has our budget changed, our income has as well. So yea, with the additional costs, diapers, formula and just basic necessities, my budget is a little wacked right now. I never said I will never be a paying member again, just not right now. And yes, my league fees are higher than a subscription here, but that is one of the few things I have allowed myself this past year. And yes, maybe you are right in that MANY subscribers would agree with you (but I doubt MOST would), but that would simply make them just as idiotic as you. I'm happy for you that you have a perfect life and never had any problems (i was going to say issues but clearly you have some of those). I hope that you never do.ETA: I am not looking for handout, or even sympathy or compassion from you or anyone. I just thought you should learn how to follow rules. Remember, the first of Joe's rules on these boards is Be excellent to each other. Clearly you don't care abut these boards as much as you say you do.

I say we start a fund for you, I am willing to toss a fiver your way so that you can subscribe to FBGs.

 

[Abraham]

Shadowpunk >> That's not how we roll here. No name calling. TIA for understanding and complying from here on out.

 

[moderated]

Honestly, I think if there were a "Subscriber's forum" there would be less pissing in the pool.

There would. There would also be fewer good posts, less good information, and less good discussion. It's not as though only the best (in someone's opinion) posters would fork out the money, and the worst would not pay. Some of each would stay, and some of each would go away. And there'd be fewer incoming new posters. Changing the forums over to pay status will starve them. In a year or 2 they'll be much smaller and less worthwhile.

I see your point, but couldn't the same be said for Free vs. Subscriber content? Both areas seem to be doing okay.

The free boards are the cost of marketing the subscriber content. with a pay only forum, the subscriber base would get a one time boost, but eventually start to dwindle, and as fatness mentioned, the forum quality would dwindle as well, reducing people's incentive to subscribe for the forums. Eventually it just spirals down.

Making the forums pay would be the worst business decision FBG's could make and they know it.

Pay boards just aren't an option, in the longrun it would be the kiss of death for FBG's.

 

[3nOut]

News flash - BANDWIDTH COST MONEY! I don't have the logs, but you can bet that the message boards account for a good deal MORE bandwidth than the subscriber pages. People come here all day to take about all kinds of stuff - football, poker, politics, whatever.

It costs Dave and Joe money to let people come here for free.

It costs me (and the other subscribers) because we pay to keep this site going.

Go back and read what you just wrote. If $25 for a year is too much for then you are clearly a looser. How little can you make? Sounds like you should scrap the whole hobby all together because I'm SURE your league fees are more than the cost of a FBG subscription.

Now maybe YOU should get your slacker self back to work so you can make some cash and not whine about how $2/month is too much cash for you to use these boards.

Honestly - if you really can't find it in your budget - then your simply not needed here. I rather loose you and the other free coat tail riders then have the ads. I'm sure MANY subscribers agree.

Wow. Just wow. You must be 12 if you resort to name calling. Looser (lol @ spelling) and slacker? I'm not needed here because of my budget? Again, you know nothing about me. How dare you insult me and not know anything about my life. You call me a slacker but have no clue about my work ethic. I don't have to justify anything to you nor explain anything to you, but this one time I will, so that you understand life events happen that sometimes are out of your control. First of all, I do work, an make a decent living in the IT industry. Second, my wife delivered our triplets last summer three months premature. My kids spent the first three months of their lives in intensive care. Care to see some of the bills? And on top of that, not only has our budget changed, our income has as well. So yea, with the additional costs, diapers, formula and just basic necessities, my budget is a little wacked right now. I never said I will never be a paying member again, just not right now. And yes, my league fees are higher than a subscription here, but that is one of the few things I have allowed myself this past year. And yes, maybe you are right in that MANY subscribers would agree with you (but I doubt MOST would), but that would simply make them just as idiotic as you. I'm happy for you that you have a perfect life and never had any problems (i was going to say issues but clearly you have some of those). I hope that you never do.ETA: I am not looking for handout, or even sympathy or compassion from you or anyone. I just thought you should learn how to follow rules. Remember, the first of Joe's rules on these boards is Be excellent to each other. Clearly you don't care abut these boards as much as you say you do.

I say we start a fund for you, I am willing to toss a fiver your way so that you can subscribe to FBGs.

If you were being sarcastic, its uncalled for. If you are being serious, I apologize for the previous remark and thank you, but as I said, I am not looking for handouts. This is only temporary.

 

[krsone21]

I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm in the same situation as you. I would like to get a subscription but with me working part time so I can concentrate on my education full time I don't have a lot of extra money to be throwing around.

You guys realize that the reason to keep the boards free is access to sell people who come to post subscriptions. Your basicly arguring that your a dead leads for them, but they should let you stay around anyway.You both also sound like financial idiots. My 9 year old gets enough allowance to afford $2/month - I'm sure you guys can wing it.

So your saying instead of putting food on the table or putting gas into my car I should buy a subscription. When your 9 year old has to pay bills than this would become a valid argument. Thanks for your heartfelt concern. P.S. I don't appreciate you calling me an idiot, that is totaly uncalled for, let's keep things civil here.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

News flash - BANDWIDTH COST MONEY! I don't have the logs, but you can bet that the message boards account for a good deal MORE bandwidth than the subscriber pages. People come here all day to take about all kinds of stuff - football, poker, politics, whatever.

It costs Dave and Joe money to let people come here for free.

It costs me (and the other subscribers) because we pay to keep this site going.

Go back and read what you just wrote. If $25 for a year is too much for then you are clearly a looser. How little can you make? Sounds like you should scrap the whole hobby all together because I'm SURE your league fees are more than the cost of a FBG subscription.

Now maybe YOU should get your slacker self back to work so you can make some cash and not whine about how $2/month is too much cash for you to use these boards.

Honestly - if you really can't find it in your budget - then your simply not needed here. I rather loose you and the other free coat tail riders then have the ads. I'm sure MANY subscribers agree.

Wow. Just wow. You must be 12 if you resort to name calling. Looser (lol @ spelling) and slacker? I'm not needed here because of my budget? Again, you know nothing about me. How dare you insult me and not know anything about my life. You call me a slacker but have no clue about my work ethic. I don't have to justify anything to you nor explain anything to you, but this one time I will, so that you understand life events happen that sometimes are out of your control. First of all, I do work, an make a decent living in the IT industry. Second, my wife delivered our triplets last summer three months premature. My kids spent the first three months of their lives in intensive care. Care to see some of the bills? And on top of that, not only has our budget changed, our income has as well. So yea, with the additional costs, diapers, formula and just basic necessities, my budget is a little wacked right now. I never said I will never be a paying member again, just not right now. And yes, my league fees are higher than a subscription here, but that is one of the few things I have allowed myself this past year. And yes, maybe you are right in that MANY subscribers would agree with you (but I doubt MOST would), but that would simply make them just as idiotic as you. I'm happy for you that you have a perfect life and never had any problems (i was going to say issues but clearly you have some of those). I hope that you never do.ETA: I am not looking for handout, or even sympathy or compassion from you or anyone. I just thought you should learn how to follow rules. Remember, the first of Joe's rules on these boards is Be excellent to each other. Clearly you don't care abut these boards as much as you say you do.

I say we start a fund for you, I am willing to toss a fiver your way so that you can subscribe to FBGs.

If you were being sarcastic, its uncalled for. If you are being serious, I apologize for the previous remark and thank you, but as I said, I am not looking for handouts. This is only temporary.

Nah, I was being serious. My best friend just had his 4th kid and I know the financial pressures he is under. My wife and I do not have any kids so tossing 5 bucks to help a fellow FBG out is the right thing to do IMO.

 

[3nOut]

News flash - BANDWIDTH COST MONEY! I don't have the logs, but you can bet that the message boards account for a good deal MORE bandwidth than the subscriber pages. People come here all day to take about all kinds of stuff - football, poker, politics, whatever.

It costs Dave and Joe money to let people come here for free.

It costs me (and the other subscribers) because we pay to keep this site going.

Go back and read what you just wrote. If $25 for a year is too much for then you are clearly a looser. How little can you make? Sounds like you should scrap the whole hobby all together because I'm SURE your league fees are more than the cost of a FBG subscription.

Now maybe YOU should get your slacker self back to work so you can make some cash and not whine about how $2/month is too much cash for you to use these boards.

Honestly - if you really can't find it in your budget - then your simply not needed here. I rather loose you and the other free coat tail riders then have the ads. I'm sure MANY subscribers agree.

Wow. Just wow. You must be 12 if you resort to name calling. Looser (lol @ spelling) and slacker? I'm not needed here because of my budget? Again, you know nothing about me. How dare you insult me and not know anything about my life. You call me a slacker but have no clue about my work ethic. I don't have to justify anything to you nor explain anything to you, but this one time I will, so that you understand life events happen that sometimes are out of your control. First of all, I do work, an make a decent living in the IT industry. Second, my wife delivered our triplets last summer three months premature. My kids spent the first three months of their lives in intensive care. Care to see some of the bills? And on top of that, not only has our budget changed, our income has as well. So yea, with the additional costs, diapers, formula and just basic necessities, my budget is a little wacked right now. I never said I will never be a paying member again, just not right now. And yes, my league fees are higher than a subscription here, but that is one of the few things I have allowed myself this past year. And yes, maybe you are right in that MANY subscribers would agree with you (but I doubt MOST would), but that would simply make them just as idiotic as you. I'm happy for you that you have a perfect life and never had any problems (i was going to say issues but clearly you have some of those). I hope that you never do.ETA: I am not looking for handout, or even sympathy or compassion from you or anyone. I just thought you should learn how to follow rules. Remember, the first of Joe's rules on these boards is Be excellent to each other. Clearly you don't care abut these boards as much as you say you do.

I say we start a fund for you, I am willing to toss a fiver your way so that you can subscribe to FBGs.

If you were being sarcastic, its uncalled for. If you are being serious, I apologize for the previous remark and thank you, but as I said, I am not looking for handouts. This is only temporary.

Nah, I was being serious. My best friend just had his 4th kid and I know the financial pressures he is under. My wife and I do not have any kids so tossing 5 bucks to help a fellow FBG out is the right thing to do IMO.

I really appreciate it, its very nice of you. I'll let you know if things get really tight though

 

[QuizGuy66]

Any thought to ad-free for subscribers, with ads (though I'd say w/o the side ones) for those who don't subscribe? Just a thought.

-QG

 

[fatness]

Any thought to ad-free for subscribers, with ads (though I'd say w/o the side ones) for those who don't subscribe? Just a thought.-QG

I've seen other sites do that in a way --- the option to block seeing the ads only exists for paid members. I don't know how that would work economically for FBG.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Any thought to ad-free for subscribers, with ads (though I'd say w/o the side ones) for those who don't subscribe? Just a thought.

-QG

I've seen other sites do that in a way --- the option to block seeing the ads only exists for paid members. I don't know how that would work economically for FBG.

Firefox adblock answers all of your dreamsand it still lets the FBGs have tons of advertisements on their site, its a win win!

 

[ShadowPhunk]

Wow. Just wow. You must be 12 if you resort to name calling. Looser (lol @ spelling) and slacker? I'm not needed here because of my budget? Again, you know nothing about me. How dare you insult me and not know anything about my life. You call me a slacker but have no clue about my work ethic. I don't have to justify anything to you nor explain anything to you, but this one time I will, so that you understand life events happen that sometimes are out of your control. First of all, I do work, an make a decent living in the IT industry. Second, my wife delivered our triplets last summer three months premature. My kids spent the first three months of their lives in intensive care. Care to see some of the bills? And on top of that, not only has our budget changed, our income has as well. So yea, with the additional costs, diapers, formula and just basic necessities, my budget is a little wacked right now. I never said I will never be a paying member again, just not right now. And yes, my league fees are higher than a subscription here, but that is one of the few things I have allowed myself this past year. And yes, maybe you are right in that MANY subscribers would agree with you (but I doubt MOST would), but that would simply make them just as idiotic as you. I'm happy for you that you have a perfect life and never had any problems (i was going to say issues but clearly you have some of those). I hope that you never do.

ETA: I am not looking for handout, or even sympathy or compassion from you or anyone. I just thought you should learn how to follow rules. Remember, the first of Joe's rules on these boards is Be excellent to each other. Clearly you don't care abut these boards as much as you say you do.

My first girl was born 1.5 lbs. at 25 weeks so I know what your going through. Thank heaven I had insurance because the bills were over $1 million. Give me a yell in July if you need it and I'll get hook you up with a membership on me.PS - I wish I was 12, but I'm 38

 

[BroadwayG]

Whee!

 

[pizzatyme]

Honestly, I think if there were a "Subscriber's forum" there would be less pissing in the pool.

There would. There would also be fewer good posts, less good information, and less good discussion. It's not as though only the best (in someone's opinion) posters would fork out the money, and the worst would not pay. Some of each would stay, and some of each would go away. And there'd be fewer incoming new posters. Changing the forums over to pay status will starve them. In a year or 2 they'll be much smaller and less worthwhile.

I see your point, but couldn't the same be said for Free vs. Subscriber content? Both areas seem to be doing okay.

The free boards are the cost of marketing the subscriber content. with a pay only forum, the subscriber base would get a one time boost, but eventually start to dwindle, and as fatness mentioned, the forum quality would dwindle as well, reducing people's incentive to subscribe for the forums. Eventually it just spirals down.

I'm not saying go to a Paid-only board. I'm saying run both.The FFA and Shark Pool both thrive.

I see your point, but I still think there is a way to do it.

 

[Calm Cool and Collected]

Why don't you have ads for those that don't subscribe and no adds for subcribers. I know its possible to link your board ID to the FBG ID. Seems like the best of both worlds for me. Subscribers get what they paid for and non-subscribers are still able to visit the boards which is no doubt FBG's #1 marketing tool. I would have never purchased a subscription without having visited the boards first.