How about adding perks to users who donate?

[yoda313]

Hello,

How about implementing a "plus" system to encourage more donations to keep this great site kicking????

We would keep the existing services as the "basic" level. Then for each amount of donations "extras" would be available.

This wouldn't affect the tools section or posting. Just a way to give power users extra features for donating to the site.

1. Extra Private Messaging storage space. That way tips and jokes could be saved longer without cleaning out the box as much.

2. Instant messaging add on. This would be available in addition to PM. That way you could grab somebody before they surf to another site if you have a detailed question (or just want to trade jokes ). (also include a status indicator - like "at work" or "at home").

3. Contributed icon in profile. This would be a "special user" recognition for those who donated.

Anymore suggestions????

This is a wonderful resource for everyone and Baldrick and the mods have done a great job of keeping this site so wonderful to use. These suggestions are meant to encourage others to donate money to help keep the basic services coming (while gaining bonuses at various levels of contributions).

Kevin

[Wile_E]

no thank you. There are too many websites already requiring these so-called "donations" for additional service, seperating their user base. If this site goes that way, I'll go elsewhere.

If you feel the need to donate, there is a donate button. Otherwise, IMO, this site and ALL information on it, should stay free for all users.

[makntraks]

no thank you. There are too many websites already requiring these so-called "donations" for additional service, seperating their user base. If this site goes that way, I'll go elsewhere.

If you feel the need to donate, there is a donate button. Otherwise, IMO, this site and ALL information on it, should stay free for all users.

From what Yoda posted, content would be free and would remain free.. The point made was "extra" features.....

Read it again...

makntraks

[Josef K]

This site is, in essence, a user-supported resource. What if everyone who has contributed to a discussion with a usable solution or posted a guide should get a share of the donation relative to the amount of work they have put in. People help out of their own free will and spend their time here (sometimes obsessively) without expecting rewards or benefits. Why should they lose out.

We have 93718 registered users

Now, if everyone contributed just one piece of help with an equal workload, they should receive 100% / 93718 of each donation. I know this is wildly hypothetical.

People are donating already anyway, so there's no need for more incentive other than what's already here, it seems. We already have a Feedback forum where Baldrick can read what we like and would like in the future. Why not just ask for these things...

[freestyler]

sounds good.

color their text member status green (to symbolize money).

[Cobra]

Some people can't afford to donate anything.

[lordsmurf]

And some donate time, not money.

[handyguy]

Some donate messages. Without messages, there wouldn't be a forum.

[yoda313]

Hello,

I was just offering a suggestion for getting more people to donate. I understand not everyone has the means or desire to contribute financially. Please continue to help by contributing your knowledge. For those that can please consider contributing a small amount to keep this great site the best that it can be.

Kevin

[tgm4883]

But if you give extra perks to people who donate aren't you in essence just charging money for a premium membership? And if you have membership fees that are you no longer a non profit organization? And if your no longer a non profit organization then aren't you subject to certain taxes which would wipe out any extra money you had received from the "perks"?

[yoda313]

But if you give extra perks to people who donate aren't you in essence just charging money for a premium membership? And if you have membership fees that are you no longer a non profit organization? And if your no longer a non profit organization then aren't you subject to certain taxes which would wipe out any extra money you had received from the "perks"?

Hello,

Baldrick runs this website by himself. I don't know if he's nonprofit or not. And he operates from Sweden so I have no idea what kind of tax laws they operate under over there.

I'm just trying to find some inovative ways to increase donations for this wonderful site. And yes I have donated in the past.

Kevin

[jimmalenko]

@Yoda:
While I see what you're trying to say, unfortunately I think it might promote a bit of elitism. For example, will you think differently of someone if you can readily find out if they've donated financially or not ? I think it might promote some bad vibes, and be used either as a tool to question the validity of one's advice, or OTOH, as a pre-requisite as to the level and complexity of help received.

[lordsmurf]

And if you have membership fees that are you no longer a non profit organization?

Nope. Untrue.
One example: boy scouts and girl scouts. NPO's with dues.

[makntraks]

@Yoda:
While I see what you're trying to say, unfortunately I think it might promote a bit of elitism.

Didn't we run through a period of "elitism" a couple of months ago??

My take is that most of the replies are a bit overboard from Yoda's original suggestion....

makntraks

[Roundabout]

It's not a bad idea on the surface, and I know Yoda suggested it with all the best intentions.

However, I've seen more than one forum go down because fees were instituted if you wanted to post or do anything at all, except read. That would be counter-productive to what this site is all about.

Another thing that comes to mind: what if someone who is a "premium member" happens to do something wrong? Would he receive special treatment because of donations, while someone else would be carded or banned?

Anytime you bring in multiple levels of membership, you invite trouble because people are not perceived to be on an equal footing - much like how the post counts are/were seen by some to be an indication of your expertise. I think we all saw how that came out

So, if there was a vote, I'd vote no. Just my opinion.

[bazooka]

Some people can't afford to donate anything.

You are right, kind sir.

I am so broke, it gives broke a new name.

I donate time, and hopefully help.

[tekkieman]

I donate time, and hopefully help.

Well...... :P

[bazooka]

I donate time, and hopefully help.

Well...... :P

And then there are some that think I am a sledgehammer. :P

[tekkieman]

I donate time, and hopefully help.

Well...... :P

And then there are some that think I am a sledgehammer. :P

Touche..

[ZAPPER]

I would assume that there is a profit in running this site. How big or small I could not even guess. And Baldrick deserves every penny that he gets for both his creativity to come up with it and for his effort that he puts into it. If he is not turning a profit then I would guess that he is wealthy beyound all belief and only doing this for entertainment and to help us poor dumb people as an act of charity. If this site is costing him out of pocket, then I would have to say that he is a bigger head case than I am!

And there is always the chance that there is some Evil plot behind his motive.

As for perks
Giving rewards or extra service that have a monitary value opens up the door to a whole bunch of headaches and heartaches.

But if he were to give perks, something say like coupons provided by the advertisers to a member that he deemed most helpful, could work. If it were his decision alone I would recomend that It be a discrete operation. (something like not discussing your X-Mas bonus)

A weekly poll by the members for a "member of the week" or a "best answer award" would be more in line with this being a member driven site. The reward could be something donated by an advertiser, like coupons or products or even a flashing "Blue Ribbon" over their avatar would be fine. (I hope that we don't come up with a "long winded talking out of your ass" award)

I wouldn't ask for any program or process that would cost money or just be too big of a pain in the ass to implement. A simple "Thanks" from the person that you tried to help is usually enough for most people that do try to help another. An official " 'At a boy" would be nice from the Mods or the Big guy. But a $3500. laptop and a trip to anywhere in the world for telling someone to push the power button on their VCR would be great if I were to win it!

[lordsmurf]

something say like coupons provided by the advertisers to a member that he deemed most helpful

INTERESTING!

[ZAPPER]

something say like coupons provided by the advertisers to a member that he deemed most helpful

INTERESTING!

Yea, I was on the high school paper. The only way we could sell a 10 cent paper is if we had a fast food coupon in that issue. So we traded ad space for coupons. The only problem was on Friday when the paper came out you couldn't get a seat at the place that gave the coupon, and would have to picnic someplace less crowded

You would have to be excluded from the awards after running away with the votes every week. Or there would have a waiting period before you became elligable (sp)? again You have been a big help to me. If you have not directly answered any of my questions (either posted or searched for) then you have given me insight as to other areas to look and or think about. "Thanks"

New perk idea: Baldrick should host a convention for us in Vegas so we could all get together and meet, give thank you's, get drunk, argue, fight, make up, maybe get lucky, wake up hung over and go home and wait for next years convention!

[jdizzy40]

I would do anything just to get the two yellow pillows gone that reside next to my name. Paypal dosen't make them go away.

[lordsmurf]

I would do anything just to get the two yellow pillows gone that reside next to my name. Paypal dosen't make them go away.

It's been more than a year since you got them. Kindly PM Baldrick and virtualis, the card-issuing mods, and request they be removed. They just might do it, you never know. It's up to them.

[disturbed1]

I'd like to buy some VCD Help items. Coffe mugs, T-Shirts, mouse pad. Stuff like that.

Status symbols would just suck. Which is one of the reasons the post count became less visible.

Another idea, would be a media store. It's possible to affil. with some other sites. Most people would feel comfortible buying media from VCD Help. I don't mean a store front that leads to Meritline, but an actual store that sells the media, perhaps just warehouses with another company.

Even if Rima sells TY @ $60/100, I'd pay $70 here just because I know the money would go to a good cause. $75 or more, I wouldn't bother.

[ZAPPER]

I could provide some free coasters to go under the coffe mugs

[ZAPPER]

I don't think that this site is in any danger of going down the tubes for lack of money. I think that Baldrick could raise any money needed to keep it going by telling us that he needed more. (I haven't missed a call for more money have I?) And there are unlimited options to raise money as far as selling merchandise or services thru this site. (I think that would look a little "hokey" but if it became a nessasary evil I wouldn't mind)

As for awards, I wasn't thinking that they would be status symbols as much as they would be thanks for your support or even a point for a littel freindly ribbing

[offline]

Good suggestions Yoda but I don't think
videohelp needs to gain funds that way.

The instant messaging idea is excellent but
I'm not sure how Baldrick could set it up and
how much it would improve the main forums.

The videohelp IRC channel has already been ditched
for being problematic and high maintenance.

[ZAPPER]

Hey, If we are trying to round up money how about a celebrity auction? If we can't get a supermodel, then I bet tpgo would donate his service

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

[Goober57]

I've been donating to this site in a different way. I've been
supporting the advertisers.

For example, I donated $50 to VideoRedo. I saw their ad
at the bottom of the site. Downloaded the trial, and
paid for it a few days later. Part on the money comes
back to Baldrick to run this site.

Two companies seem to be missing.....Newegg and Rima.
The people on this site have sent them MUCHO business, so it
would be nice to see them at the top of the page (just my opinion).
Hope they're reading this. Ad-space is cheap!

So, there are different ways to donate. I prefer sending my
bucks to the sponsors.....they send me PERKS......then they
send Baldrick PERKS! Everybody's happy! :P

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