On the move again

[John]

The forum will be moving to a new home, I'm not sure when it will be but it will just happen one day, I'm getting a new website built for the shop and the company that is building it will also maintain it on their servers, but I have recently renewed my contact with my current host for 3 years, so rather than have me pay for something I'm not going to use I thought the forum would benefit from a bigger and better host.

Usually the longest downtime when moving to a new server is when I update the DNS, for those techie's I've set the TTL to 5 mins so once I've moved the site it's almost an instant update.

Once I've backed up the database I will close this site down ready to move the files, this will take quite some time as there is a lot of data, but it should only be a few hours at most, providing nothing goes wrong.

When it's moved over, Ian and I have been talking about opening up the forum to more users, there still will be supporter only sections, but it would be good to get some new life in the forum and hopefully letting more people post will do this.

[Jim R]

Here's hoping all goes smoothly.
Jim

[Guest]

Ian and I have been talking about opening up the forum to more users, there still will be supporter only sections, but it would be good to get some new life in the forum and hopefully letting more people post will do this.

This sounds like a good idea. Right now, if you’re not logged in then I don’t think there’s anything to see here that would entice me to subscribe. If I may suggest something: you could, for instance, make the images in a post only visible as thumbnails to non-subscribers — that way they can read the posts, and get an idea fro the tiny pictures of why they might subscribe to actually see what’s going on.

[Guest]

Good idea to open up to more model makers. I am
all for that.

Gives a better all round experience with ideas & information.

It will broaden the whole scope of model making. Becomes less
insular & more vibrant.

Laurie

[Guest]

Sounds good, we need more input from members as it is. Many I feel just look in and never bother to post.
Good luck.

[boatman]

Sounds good, we need more input from members as it is. Many I feel just look in and never bother to post.
Good luck.

YES very true John ive seen members jion an then you never see them again which is a great pity
chris

[Gern]

Your empire seems to be growing nicely John. So how soon are you going to catch up with Jeff Bezos?

[boatman]

Your empire seems to be growing nicely John. So how soon are you going to catch up with Jeff Bezos?

Exscuse my ignorance Dave but who he ? is that amazons founder ?lol
chris

[Gern]

Exscuse my ignorance Dave but who he ? is that amazons founder ?lol
chris

That's the bunny Chris!

[boatman]

That's the bunny Chris!

WHO ?

[dalej2014]

Sounds good, we need more input from members as it is. Many I feel just look in and never bother to post.
Good luck.

Seems to be the case with most groups I belong to. A few will do, many will spectate. It's human nature.

Re. moving the forum - I've only just joined, so no idea really. i like the thumbnail idea above though. Entice new supporters by showing them what they're missing. Maybe a days/weeks free trial or similar? If that's feasible/easy to manage.

[Tim Marlow]

Seems to be the case with most groups I belong to. A few will do, many will spectate. It's human nature.

Re. moving the forum - I've only just joined, so no idea really. i like the thumbnail idea above though. Entice new supporters by showing them what they're missing. Maybe a days/weeks free trial or similar? If that's feasible/easy to manage.

Actually Dale, just having joined makes you the font of all knowledge on this topic compare to those of us that have been here a while…. What attracted you to this site amongst many competitors, and what could have improved this experience….for example.

[adt70hk]

Actually Dale, just having joined makes you the font of all knowledge on this topic compare to those of us that have been here a while…. What attracted you to this site amongst many competitors, and what could have improved this experience….for example.

That's a very good question indeed Tim! Good shout....!!!

[dalej2014]

Actually Dale, just having joined makes you the font of all knowledge on this topic compare to those of us that have been here a while…. What attracted you to this site amongst many competitors, and what could have improved this experience….for example.

Ah. Well. Ermm...

I actually Googled "scale model forum", and this seemed by far and away the most active. I could see by the number of members, number of comments, and the recent replies, that this was a very active forum. That's what attracted me initially. The tempting offer of 5% off in the shop sealed the deal, and I'm in the lucky position to have a reasonable income at the moment (that wasn't always the case - I've been out of work too), so a tenner seemed OK for a joining fee.It would have been good to have been able to preview what I was buying in to though.
I'd been considering building a kit again for ages - years, actually, so I also thought I'd motivate myself by buying membership. I'm happy to say that has worked. Even the differences of opinion seem to spark some "spirited" discussion among members! I am very glad to have joined such an active community.
As it's a rather specialised hobby area you already have a niche for anyone searching, so it's just a case of showing them it's worth the money. It did feel like a leap in the dark, so showing what you'd get would be good.
As for other ideas to attract new members - lots already suggested, and some good ideas.
A one time discount for new members is always tempting; many websites will offer 10% off a first order. The downside is someone may join to place a single large order, and that's it. Only staff would know if the markup would cover that as an intro offer.
Full member's page "preview".
A day's/week's trial for the forum, possibly the option to join,with a limited time to cancel?
Thumbnail images, advising the full image is available to members only.
Anything else that will entice potential members to part with their cash to join - something to show what you get, for what you pay. Maybe a combination, or all of the above?

[Guest]

Sounds good, we need more input from members as it is. Many I feel just look in and never bother to post.
Good luck.

So very correct John

When you place a finished aircraft tank the figures say it all.

For instance. Replies 16 Views 150.

Admit to begin with I was very wary about placing pictures of my stuff on line.
Embarrassed they were not good enough.

Cannot see how you can break through to those Views 150. It is a shame as those
150 must have a lot to offer. Nobody is going to rubbish a presentation quite
the opposite encouragement.

Also encourages confidence which certainly goes to improving skills. You also
learn a lot by just asking.

Laurire