OTWA only 3 months of funding left [Archive]

rossshow

08-04-2005, 03:14 PM

http://www.otwa.com/community/showthread.php?t=32259

Man. This board stuff is expensive.

http://www.otwa.com/community/showthread.php?t=32171

Not everyone's positive about change.

BjGrolle Said

Now I'll say it here very plainly:

I am not willing to make any further financial contributions to OTWA if the purpose of it is so that Jim can stay home and just run OTWA. Sorry, but that just sounds so lame to me. No offense intended, that's just the way I see it.

Obviously, from what you say kenlee, all message boards are not free. So be it. The day I have to pay to play, I will be out of here.

Cariad said

I personally don't understand why anyone would take on the burden of running a message board without realizing some financial benefit from it.

LOL! I've done it for 5 years, and planning on another 5.

I guess I just LOVE it. LOL!

tekobari

08-04-2005, 03:22 PM

How about break even, or nearly? If I loved to run one, it would be a serious hobby or even a vocation. I pay a lot of money for my own fun stuff. But no one should complain about someone's not wanting to go into the hole just so the complainer can have a good time.

He's probably another one who doesn't work for a living.

Happy

08-04-2005, 03:58 PM

LOL! I've done it for 5 years, and planning on another 5.

Make that 15 years, please.

zeldas

08-04-2005, 06:14 PM

You are right Ross, you have done it for five years, without help from any volunteers, without any sponsors, and at least called it what it really is GOSSIP.

I dont post much on OTWA, but a community service? Crossfire is a community service????? I can't see as a OAI seller what that board does to enhance my OAI auctions.

Julesy

08-04-2005, 09:10 PM

I can't believe it's actually being suggested that a membership cost $250 per year. Is Kenlee fucking crazy?

Some OTWA posters read like typical koolaid kids.

TurtleTrax

08-04-2005, 09:34 PM

I can't believe it's actually being suggested that a membership cost $250 per year. Is Kenlee fucking crazy?

Yes, if he actually thinks enough people will pay that much to keep their memberships.

Cyber Diva

08-04-2005, 09:44 PM

mrpotatoheadd

08-05-2005, 08:48 AM

Something that always seems to get overlooked whenever people start talking about the expenses of running a message board is the worth of the content provided by the posters. I can't imagine many people paying $250 per year for the privelege of providing help to other users in "I just got my first neg- what should I do?" threads.

rossshow

08-05-2005, 08:57 AM

http://www.otwa.com/community/showthread.php?t=31662&highlight=OTWA

A poll

rossshow

08-05-2005, 09:13 AM

http://www.otwa.com/community/showthread.php?t=32259&page=2&pp=15

Mivona:

On the basis that "paid" members are continuing to be allowed to harangue those who have not "paid", I am not willing to support OTWA financially, if that is what the sense of "community" has come down to.

rossshow

08-05-2005, 09:19 AM

http://www.otwa.com/community/showthread.php?t=32171&page=3

BjGrolle, AGAIN:

By saying that one would have to be either a fool or a multimillionaire to run a message board for no compensation, I took it that you agreed that it wasn't the right thing to do, which went along with the quote directly above yours. If I got you wrong, I'm sorry.

If Jim can manage to draw a salary from running OTWA, it will be groundbreaking news. I have never run across a message board that requires a membership fee to join, much less one as steep as $150. http://www.otwa.com/community/images/smilies/eek.gif

To look at the other side, if some people feel that Jim deserves that much compensation for providing a place to come and discuss online trading and fluff stuff, then how long will it be before some of the posters begin to feel used? After all, the posters are providing the discussions and the important information. Why should they provide that information for free? Especially those who are among the more prolific posters here?

All that time spent in the Website section on how to start and manage a blog...Cobaltlady spent a lot of time and effort on that...how much is that worth?

People have always been very free with their opinions. It's part of human nature. Will people be willing to be so "free" with their information if they realize the forum owner is making a good living off of their "free" work?

Look at all the people who posted that they couldn't even afford to come up with $5 at this time, right after Jim made the announcement to close OTWA!

Guess kenlee wants to shut out all of those folks, too.

I like OTWA, but I don't see OTWA as being SO EXCLUSIVE that people will be willing to cough up big bucks to keep it going.

foptiludrop

08-05-2005, 09:22 AM

I don't read OTWA usually, unless Ross, Toy, etc. posts a link to some "issue" thread involving another scam just getting underway, so it may just be my perception or there may have been a manifesto I missed, but: has Spaz left OTWA, or gone on vacation, perhaps? Anyone know? Last time I *saw* Spaz was during the AE saga as it was being discussed at OTWA.

sadie999

08-05-2005, 09:27 AM

There's only so much a person can learn about eBay, then the rest is about doing. While learning the ins and outs of retail in general might be more complex, spending time researching what sells how on eBay will teach you just as much as any board.

While my back went up at Marie's condescension to most boards now that she's joined a sorority of "special" people, there is some validity to the pissing and moaning factor of many selling boards. It's not just eBay. The "I'm not selling anything" threads are at Amazon and Alibris also, and I'm sure they are just about anywhere where 'just folks' can go into business for pennies.

It's a great thing also, to have a central place to ask about things like alternate venues, listing tools, digital cameras, etc.

These OTWA forums have the most posts:

Community Center 101,051
Crossfire! 49,343
300 Seconds 34,173
eBay Auction Help and Discussion 33,890

So, maybe people would be better off acknowledging that OTWA is more about socializing than learning but that the thread that connects everyone is a past or present relationship with eBay.

I have no beef if folks feel that OTWA is worth $250/year for them. It's not worth it to me.

If Jim wants to make OTWA a small business that allows him to draw a reasonable salary from it, I see nothing wrong with that. But as much as I like him and Crystal, and as much as I even like OTWA, I don't see $250/yr (or even half that) in value in it. There are a good three boards ahead of it that I'd kick in money to keep them afloat. And at any one of them, I could get some pretty damn good eBay advice if I needed it. ;)

Peace,
Sadie

krisinluck

08-05-2005, 09:37 AM

sadie999

08-05-2005, 09:43 AM

If the search function at OTWA is working correctly, the last time Spaz posted was July 19th.

Link (http://www.otwa.com/community/search.php?searchid=135643)

Peace,
Sadie

foptiludrop

08-05-2005, 09:50 AM

Thanks, Sadie.

Looks to me like Spaz left in disgust (but wisely didn't put a timeframe around the absence).

tekobari

08-05-2005, 10:30 AM

Thanks, Sadie.

Looks to me like Spaz left in disgust (but wisely didn't put a timeframe around the absence).I know spaz only from reading her posts, but she never struck me as the manifesto type. So it's logical that there's no time frame.

Can someone help me fix my toilet? One of the wires inside the tank rusted through. Surely I paid enough money to keep this board going that I can count on one of you to be a plumber?

Or maybe this is husband stuff...sexist that I am.

foptiludrop

08-05-2005, 10:38 AM

If your toilet has wires in it, sounds like your husband has already "fixed" it once, hahaha!

(Sounds like you need a new pullchain to me, although you might get creative just for today and string together a bunch of paperclips 'til you can get The Real Thing at the hardware store.)

Powerhouse

08-05-2005, 10:40 AM

Wires? Inside the toilet? Whatcha got, a heated seat?

nobs

08-05-2005, 10:57 AM

I occasionally read at OTWA and used to post to the "help forums" id-ing glass, pottery etc. occasionally, but most of the people that I searched out (like RD for example) no longer post.
The only way I can see Jim and Crystal making a profit from a chat board is if they have enough loyal posters who can afford to pay to achieve this. I wish them the best of luck. I saw how devastated so many felt when Jim announced he would be closing OTWA and I like to see advancement in any endeavor.

nobs

08-05-2005, 11:05 AM

LOL @ Fop !

That reminds me of a cartoon with a guy sitting in the old fashioned (up tank) toilet - pulling the chain and saying "Good-bye cruel world". :1rotfl2:

Okay ... I see that Spaz is still seen as a she to some and as a he to others.
Oh when, oh when will I ever know? :1neko2:

tekobari
Do you know fer sure? :)

tekobari

08-05-2005, 11:15 AM

No, nobs. I don't know for sure. I'm on the girly side re: spaz. I thought s/he was a man for so long, though...

Okay. The husband hacked the toilet innards until he can get to the hardware store later. They aren't really wires, they're rods. This toilet could be 500 years old, for all I know.

I have rod in my toilet, and can't get him out? (Lame, lame.)

krisinluck

08-05-2005, 11:20 AM

There are men out there who would think a rod in the toilet was a wonderful impressive thing, Tek....lol!

tekobari

08-05-2005, 11:35 AM

When I was working for the federal Family Planning program, one of the docs told me about an elderly man whose scrotum hung so low, his balls hit the water in the toilet.

There's your fact for the day.

You're right, though. A rod in the toilet, however, would be far more impressive.

This thread is rapidly deteriorating. :1chirol1:

krisinluck

08-05-2005, 11:42 AM

An impressive derailing, to be sure!

:1bradquac

Heartland

08-05-2005, 11:48 AM

elderly man whose scrotum hung so low, his balls hit the water in the toilet. :1eek2:

thentavius

08-05-2005, 11:55 AM

Newer toilets don't have those plastic hot air balloon things in them anymore, do they?

Been renting so long, I've never seen a toilet from the 20th century...

As for OTWA, my approach t oit is simple enough.

If the guy needs money to run it, and can't get it any other way (no pun intended)--charge everybody $5 or $10 or $20 membership fee, or some such. Anybody who would rather forego their membership, in lieu of the fee--that's perfectly fine. Anyone who wants to stay? That's fine, too.

Whether or not the majority of people would stay would be based on the price, and whether or not they think it's worth it--or out of some deep sense of loyalty.

I have enjoyed posting on OTWA over the years. Would *I* be willing to pay money to remain? I am not sure. How's that for gray area? It would depend on the amount, my spending money, and my mood. But if money is the real issue (I am not entirely convinced that lack of money is the only issue), one of the only ways I can see survival is through mandatory memberships.

Now--as for Jim. If it is a hardship to run the site, he should let it go. I find it odd that he hasn't had a job for so long, and has been just running OTWA. Anyone else think that's weird? Is he independantly wealthy or something?

Everything that has a beginning, also has an end or a transformation. Maybe it's time for OTWA to end, or to transform. Maybe it's time for OTWA to end, and new things to spring up--or old things to prosper from it.

nobs

08-05-2005, 11:58 AM

Darn, I am wondering how a mans' balls could hang that low??!?

There's that story about the alligator in the toilet biting someone in the butt :irollers4
Of course, I was but a wee nobs when I heard it and for the longest ... well, you know.

But know this ... no rod in my john!!!

Good luck with it, Tekobari.

rossshow

08-05-2005, 11:58 AM

Now--as for Jim. If it is a hardship to run the site, he should let it go. I find it odd that he hasn't had a job for so long, and has been just running OTWA. Anyone else think that's weird? Is he independantly wealthy or something?

I think his wife works. And don't they still sell on Ebay?

Emily

08-05-2005, 12:08 PM

I actually saw a recent post from Crystal on the Andale boards, does she work for them again? And didn't Jim have a different job for a while when Crystal was left in charge of OTWA, then he stopped when OTWA separated from Andale? I'm sure Toy knows the whole story.

Anyhow, I said goodbye to OTWA when I jumped ship for AE and although I tried to go back a few times, it just didn't feel right. I realized I couldn't ever really go back, and since I'm not selling online any longer very few areas on the site hold my attention.

Sooooooo, I won't be contributing any money to their cause. I gave a little tiny bit to Ross for this place, so when I do feel the need to yack online, it will be here. I can't keep up with board hopping, anyway. ;)

krisinluck

08-05-2005, 12:11 PM

Darn, I am wondering how a mans' balls could hang that low??!?Maybe he just had really really short legs.

Powerhouse

08-05-2005, 12:14 PM

Newer toilets don't have those plastic hot air balloon things in them anymore, do they?

Been renting so long, I've never seen a toilet from the 20th century...

Naw. The long rod with the ball has been replaced with what is effectively an upside down plastic cup that has air trapped under it to keep it afloat. It rides up and down on the main water feed column.

thentavius

08-05-2005, 12:15 PM

I think his wife works. And don't they still sell on Ebay?

I guess that would explain away some of the weirdness, huh?

HI, Emily! :1clap:

Kashtin

08-05-2005, 12:24 PM

Damn, the things your mind catches when you skim threads really, really fast.

Darn, I am wondering how a mans' balls could hang that low??!?

I think his wife works. And don't they still sell on Ebay?

Two different subjects, blended to one! :cool:

Emily

08-05-2005, 12:40 PM

Hi thentavius! :1neko5:

I am having trouble following all the different subjects within each thread - but my two new-ish (within the last 3 years) toilets have the floaty-balloon things...so they still make 'em.

earthfragments

08-05-2005, 12:44 PM

making a mandatory fee for any message board spells doom for said board.

gigilee

08-05-2005, 01:38 PM

I believe Jim's best hope for increased revenues at OTWA is to make a better case for advertising to those OAI companies that stand to benefit most from exposure to the thousands of pairs of eyeballs at boards like OTWA.

I agree that OTWA provides a great resource for sellers, and I think the supporting member program is a good idea. I just don't think it is sustainable as a major revenue source over the long haul.

Gina

johnny

08-05-2005, 02:01 PM

I think his wife works. And don't they still sell on Ebay?

When Crystal ran the board Jim had consulting work, I believe. When Crystal was rehired by Andale, Jim took over the board stuff. So, one of them has been the breadwinner at one time or another.

The board has enough members and value to it's readership that it should at least be self-sustaining, IMO. There is a lot of potential in selling ad space. I would imagine that would be the preferred course over charging users a mandatory fee.

genxmike

08-05-2005, 02:19 PM

Sounds like Jim needs to do a business plan.

Charging a fee is a non-starter because most newbies are simply not going to fork over the bucks in order to read the site.

He needs to find other ways to monetize the site and advertising is likely his only hope of pulling and kind of real money in.

Not sure Jim has what it takes to turn this into a real, working business. I hope he does but...

thentavius

08-05-2005, 02:23 PM

Oooh! Floaty plastic toilet things. It always fascinated me that there was a ball inside the toilet tank when I was little (I know, pathetic). LMAO.

I suppose the new cup versions of those things are equally interesting (in a dixie cup kinda way?). Ahh... the secret to life is to find wonder in everything (as in, I wonder why I'm still talking about toilets?). Heh.

As for the advertising thing--that actually makes sense. I revise my earlier statement that in order for OTWA to survive, the membership fees would have to carry it. It seems to me that more of the big name auction tools companies or related industry product companies could be courted and could advertise on OTWA. I'm sure it would help the companies enlist new users--and it would help OTWA as well.They would probably have to approach some of those companies directly, to arrange banner or sidebar, or featured discussion advertising--rather than let Google Adwords call them up.

Maybe they can get Ethical to advertise?

:1evil3:

socrfan2

08-05-2005, 03:42 PM

Looks to me like Spaz left in disgust (but wisely didn't put a timeframe around the absence).

He left just about a year after I left in disgust (and, equally wisely, also "didn't put a timeframe around the absence"). I'm surprised he lasted there as long as he did -- he only seemed to be there for Crossfire, and there can't be any satisfaction in having creeps like Katyd, Queeg, and the like screech at you. I haven't seen an Iraq war/Bush supporter compose a lucid thought or make an interesting point over there in probably two years (I admit, I don't read there very often anymore). All they do is screech at the "anti's". (No, I'm not claiming everything the other side posts is 100% golden, but I've at least seen some war critics try to wrestle with a thought or support an argument.) Must have gotten tiring for Spaz, putting some thought into a comment and just getting the nyuck, nyuck, nyuck, the eye gouge, the fingers up the nose, and face slap and the rest of the Larry Curly and Moe routine.

Although Spaz has been positively phobic about protecting his identify, he has said many times that he's a he. Some people (Queeg, for example) kept up the "she" bit out of sheer obnoxiousness, but I've never understood why anyone would really be confused about which he is.

janos

08-05-2005, 03:51 PM

Although Spaz has been positively phobic about protecting his identify, he has said many times that he's a he.

I've been on these boards for about 5 years and I have never seen Spaz say he was a he, I've only seen other people say it. Granted, I don't read every post Spaz makes but I never knew which he was.

foptiludrop

08-05-2005, 06:04 PM

Hiya NoBSy! :)

Janos, several years ago Spaz made a classic tandem post after enduring hours of "what's your gender?" badgering. Spaz wrote:

"I have a penis."

Spaz waited several minutes for this juicy 'news' to filter through the ranks, then posted:

"In a jar on my desk."

:D

tekobari

08-05-2005, 07:04 PM

So I'll go back to using "he" again when speaking of Spaz. What a shame English isn't like Mandarin, where there's only "ta" (singular s/he) and "tamen" (they). None of this he, she, him, her, los, el, ellos, la, ella, ellas...jesus! Just "ta" and "tamen." Sensible.

FLvamp

08-05-2005, 07:58 PM

Errrrrm, I had the idea Spaz was a she.

Goin' to lookit where I got that idea ....

nobs

08-05-2005, 08:03 PM

Oh my, I didn't mean to start the "great question" again but now I remember Spaz claiming manhood at AW. But here is the conundrum. If Spaz has a penis and it's in a jar on his desk - the question then would be ... "Is it his penis and it was removed and for some strange reason, he keeps it" Because then he would still be a he, albeit a eunuch.

I have always thought of Spaz as he - I will just never understand his need to be so secretive (although I do respect his right).

{{{{Fop}}}} - it's always a pleasure!