why cant they sell annual fees for using this site, or we all buy shares
and get them to operate this place or something, Im no business
person, but come on guys, I know some of you are. And there are
other financially viable chess sites online. I dont want to go
somewhere else, I like it here. ;>
Just so you know the situation - the server for this place costs $199 a month.
That's a pretty good price from what I've seen given the processing and
bandwidth required.
As you can see from the front page (which I doubt anyone reads), Chris has found
himself without a job at the moment, well before long anyway. Knowing how good a
programmer he is, I'm sure that's only a temporary situation, but as you can
imagine it tends to put a damper on wanting to spend time and money on something
like RHP, hence his slight lack of involvement recently.
If things change for Chris fairly quickly then I don't think we have too much to
worry about. If they don't, and it doesn't sell then I suppose he won't want to
continue dishing out for the server. Anyone willing to chip in monthly for that
may keep the place running, though I don't suppose you'll see any code changes
for a while.
Hi Tom,
Actually the server now costs $230 per month following the upgrade in
October - plus additional bandwidth charges which are getting
gradually steeper as the site becomes more popular - but close
enough!.
All the time I was employed, this was quite a large chunk of my
paycheck but it was definately worth it. Of course, then I didn't know
about the quite ridiculous series of coincidences that would lead up to
me being potless in a very challenging market for developers.
The next few weeks/months will probably not see me very active on
the site because I'm probably going to have to be moving up to
London to get work (which is not as easy as it sounds, believe me).
I certainly have no intention of closing the site down in the near
future - last month the server paid for itself with Pawn Star sign ups -
although this month it's looking unlikely.
If I could think of a way to make that financially viable it would be
great so I could work on it full time, that would be ideal.
I've set the reserve price quite high - and I suspect I won't receive a
single bid without a little publicity - so there's probably nothing to
worry about there!
Cheers,
Chris
I have no idea how many users you have for this site, but say you
have 300 and you set the annual fee at $15, like ChessWorld, then
you would make $4,500 for one year. Divide it by 12 and it's $375 a
month. That would be enough to cover costs, right? You said it was
becoming an increasing mystery as to how sites survive. I think an
annual fee is the answer. New users could use the site for a month
and then decide if they think it's worth it. I'm sure enough will get
hooked to keep the site viable. What does everybody think?
i read this post and you chrismo talk as if you are the only one. i
thought as many did that russ was with you on this. i know the costs
are high but that is only money, its the extra programming and site
improvements that concern me.? is redhotpawn a easy site for just
any old programmer???REDHOTPAWN IS ONLY A SUCESS BECAUSE
YOU made it! chrismo! some one else i hardly think so! you listened
to the players and users and programmed accordingly! that is why it is
a success.
('taint april fools day yet, brer rabbit? This aint no joke?)
So when/are Chris and Russ going to comment in the forums???????
I'm thinking we are going to need a forum JUST for this.
Would be nice if the site could generate enough income for the boys
to stay involved. Hope the site survives, it's fantastic.
Maybe some nice, positive brainstorming by some of us to increase
the income.
Things like:
"pawn points"
Increase the incentive for people to use RHP as a portal for their
shopping. I know Russ and chriss get small kickbacks for referals to
Amazon, etc. Perhaps they could start awarding "pawn points" for
doing this. These could be redeemed for extra games. Ie shop
through RHP, getting some much deserved revenue into R&C's hands,
and you get the reward of an extra game. say 20-30 dollars gets one
an extra game.
Perhaps lame, but it's a start...
But, I come here for enjoyment. I have made a lot of friends here.
Sorry to say, but a few enemies. Nonetheless, this is the best place to
play chess on the net. I chucked my dollars in to become a pawn
star, and am very proud to be one. Right now I feel cheated. We as
a group have built something here, not just me, not just you, not just
xeno....All of us. We have a Chess Community better than ICC.
Better than FICS. You can't beat this site. I wake up wanting to check
my games, and check before I go to bed.
Chess is Art. I have always said that, and I believe it. This place is a
work of art, Chris and Russ did an excellent job and if there is
anything that we can do to help them to keep this place from going
corporate or something, then we need to all step up and do it. I'm
willing, who else is with me??
Dave