Why we're here

[lucazuma]

What happened, happened.  It's just time to move on now.

...yeah, i hope that we learn from others mistakes... wt:

[bigiain]

...yeah, i hope that we learn from others mistakes... wt:

Yep, that's what we're hoping to do.

And keep in mind that we (the founders here) _know_ we're accountable to you (the members) - there's nothing to stop any of you deciding you don't like the way we're running things and starting your own forums up. I'll even offer to give you a bunch of advice about how to do it if you want, and I'll get Statler to link to your new forums in his Other Ducati Forums sticky.

We started this because we believe the way the old place used to be run suited a lot of people, and thought that if the old place changed there'd be a bunch of people who'd want to go somewhere else that did things "the old way", and thats what we're trying to do here - the same sort of ground rules, the same sort of style, and largely the same people (all 765 of us already!)

big

[misfitbiker]

We started this because we believe the way the old place used to be run suited a lot of people, and thought that if the old place changed there'd be a bunch of people who'd want to go somewhere else that did things "the old way", and thats what we're trying to do here - the same sort of ground rules, the same sort of style, and largely the same people (all 765 of us already!)

I think that's really it in a nutshell.

Thanks.

[duc996]

That's beautiful! cheers dr::

[loony888]

top effort guys.

lets keep the capitalist bastards locked out with "forgotten passwords" and "lost PM's"


paul.

[brad black]

Actual monetary costs?

You can get a forum like this up and running on a ~$5(US)/month hosting plan (which is what we've been on since late Jan or early Feb). Since you hordes all turned up this week we've ramped that up to godaddy's premuim hosting plan which looks like it's costing ~$15/month.

.com domains cost ~$10/year to register (the group who started this registered maybe a dozen or so between us, and ended up using this one) (And Brad, if you're thinking about a .com.au domain, they're a little more expensive at ~$30/year, and there's also a requirement that you have a company or registered business or trading name that relates to the domain name...)

The other costs are the time involved in setting it up... Four or five of us spent a fair bit of time over a month or two getting this to the stage it is now, and we're not completely happy with how we've done it (but it seems people are happy enough, so we haven't done _too_ badly I guess). If you're happy with a default template set, you could be up and running in an evening. If you're picky about colours and layouts and stuff, you could easily spend hundreds of hours (or thousands of dollars if you need to pay someone else to do it).

cheers,

big

thanks for the straight answer.  i was just curious, that's all.  and i thought it would have been much more expensive than that.

[mitt]

thanks for the straight answer.  i was just curious, that's all.  and i thought it would have been much more expensive than that.

Using someone elses hardware is a key, and a company like godaddy has a lot of hardware.  The downside? - we are at their mercy if they ever go out of business, or ramp up their rates. 

But, they keep things secure, and upgrade their server software routinely, which is good, except we have to keep our smf software up to date also so everything plays nice, and that can cause problems, some of which we are seeing this week.

I can't really add too much to big's and stat's posts about the feel for the place, but I can see where Jeff H. came from in his decision to sell (*I have never talked to him about it either).  It is a big responsibility keeping things running.  There is also lot of BS that certain members create, and you to stay on top of it 24/7 literally, which is why it is great having mods in Europe, Australia, US East, and West.  And finally, after 4+ years of owning it, I am sure he was ready for a change. 


mitt

[jswledhed]

Bravo! wt:

[marvellous]

I think Luca needs a hug... Group Hug everyone!  And another pint...   dr::

[MadDuck]

I think I'll be real happy over here. A big thanks to all who made it possible.  wt:

[lucazuma]

We started this because we believe the way the old place used to be run suited a lot of people, and thought that if the old place changed there'd be a bunch of people who'd want to go somewhere else that did things "the old way", and thats what we're trying to do here - the same sort of ground rules, the same sort of style, and largely the same people (all 765 of us already!)

...im sure that Jeff never even immagined how big the DML could have become and certainly never started it with the intention of making a profit out of it. But money change things and much more easyer, they change people.

I loved the DML and all the people in it (almost ) and got personally banned and attacked for expressing my concern about private sponsorships etc. etc. and before i fall in love with the DMF i would like to know that it will never be sold...just that.

lets keep the capitalist bastards locked out with "forgotten passwords" and "lost PM's"

...speaking of wich, an alternative to sell out to VS could have been to set up a CoOp-like entity. Legally sell the forum to its members. Leave the comunity based forum to the comunity...

I think this is actually a possibility for this forum...

25$ per-year membership * 765 (for exsample assuming that all members at this moment would want to contribute)= $19,125

...i think 20k a year to run a forum like this and ensure that it would stay ours for ever is not a bad deal...  

luca

and btw ill take the hugs AND the beer  be::
ps: i need a spellcheck button

[T-byrd]

Lucazuma that possibility is just that now...a possibility.  That's what Statler has mentioned a couple of times (so many similar threads that I can't find exactly where he wrote that), he said he is going to post something up later today that will be more official but saying something along those lines.

T

[turtherlips]

It's good to be back!  dr::

Now I need to get my sig picture and avatar cranking.

Nice work, guys!

[patricks2r]

Thank you fo keeping it real...

[stopintime]

Suggestion:

Can the founder, board members, mods and whoever in charge introduce yourselves?

This community feels so right and I think it would add to the feeling of "togetherness" (spell check button coming?) if we know who our superiors are.
I was thinking pictures, some personal info, jobs, interests, bike info - that sort of things.