Poll: Would you be willing to donate to keep HHF online?

[Lev]

Hua Hin Forum has been running for more than two decades. Like most internet businesses it relied heavily upon the advertising revenue model. Like all businesses, it has overheads with the primary one being a server/hosting bill which needs to be paid annually. There are also ongoing technical and software support expenses.

The Thailand tourism decline and pandemic lockdowns have pretty much decimated the advertising revenue model and HHF does not have any current sponsors. This has been the case for the past couple of years but those overheads remain. This means that it is and has been running at a loss.

This poll is to gauge responses on a funding/donation drive to cover the costs of keeping the forum online. The bills are recurring so the donations would have to be recurring to keep it afloat, but we'll take things one step at a time in hope of better days ahead. Our ballpark target figure is to cover the cost of the server which is $600 per year but it would be nice to have a float to cover technical upgrades etc.

This is a preliminary feeler to see how many members would be interested in supporting the future of the forum. The details can be ironed out later should we proceed beyond this stage but we would like the community to have more input on how to go forward. We can discuss technical/software improvements and a members area if we have enough left after the hosting company is paid.

[handdrummer]

$600 divided by how many members?
Perhaps nonmembers, who read the forum regularly would also like to contribute.
If there are 60 readers at $10 a yr., that would cover the basics.

[Lev]

We are not charging for membership.

The poll and any donations are purely voluntary and the figure is a very rough annual expenses target. As it stands, anything is better than the nothing we currently have.

[migrant]

Yes

[bigston]

i tried to vote in the affirmative but the hamster must still be asleep

[HHTel]

One problem I see although quite rare I'd hope, is that by making a donation some people may feel empowered to break the rules without consequence.

[Lost]

Wouldn't be much but definitely willing to donate a little now and then. Christ, I spent £12 to wolf down a couple of tubs of Ben & Jerry's cookie dough over the past two days. Eating time = couple of hours. Forum usage over 15 years = dread to think.

Could have probably went without the ice cream.

[lindosfan1]

I have no problem with the contribution.
What puzzles me is I continually get adverts on the site. Today is a big one for ebay, miele, viator, jet2 holiday's and a travel booking booking company.
How are they getting on the site without paying.

[HHTel]

I've never seen adverts apart from sponsers (when they existed).

Maybe taken care of by my adblocker.

[Big Boy]

I have no problem with the contribution.
What puzzles me is I continually get adverts on the site. Today is a big one for ebay, miele, viator, jet2 holiday's and a travel booking booking company.
How are they getting on the site without paying.

Google generate the ads, but a pittance in revenue is received only if people click on them.

[PET]

Yes is my vote - and I hope those members who post the most contribute accordingly, as some must spend at least an hour or more a day enjoying it.

[handdrummer]

Yes is my vote - and I hope those members who post the most contribute accordingly, as some must spend at least an hour or more a day enjoying it.

You could call it punitive damages.

Please, let's not turn this into punishment for having something to say.

[PET]

Yes is my vote - and I hope those members who post the most contribute accordingly, as some must spend at least an hour or more a day enjoying it.

You could call it punitive damages.

Please, let's not turn this into punishment for having something to say.

It is a contribution for something which they are frankly getting a lot of enjoyment from,.

[bigston]

Precisely...

[STEVE G]

I'm happy to contribute. It's a pity we couldn't have system where people got charged for posting nonsense, that would easily handle the funding!