MANISTEE TALKS, ALIVE OR DEAD NOW?

[AQUAMAN]

I just went over to MT the other nite, and it appears it's closed up now, kinda like a Poop forum is going right now. Anyone in the know on how or what is going on there?, I know there wasn't much participation, like, real apathy, but, it did have it's place on the Lakeshore of talk forums, imho.

[XLFD]

For all those folks who were on Manistee Talks, Pentwater Talks, Oceana Talks, and White Lake Talks (whitehall-Montague based), all Shoreline Media NING sites, which had participation problems, their contracts were not renewed when NING went to pay-sites only, and upped the rent on the paying sites existent.

Ludington Talks appears to be the only one they decided to keep active. The question is how long will they keep that active? As has been pointed out, they have effectively cut off most new members from joining. I know-- I've been trying to get on for awhile to resume my monkeyshines ; )

[Mary A.]

I wasn't aware of that. How are they preventing people from joining? Do you have to be a Ludington resident now?

[masonco]

How is that? Do they go by ISP server now to prevent the troublemakers from returning? One place I am a member of, they are able to tell if more that one member uses the same computer or ISP address and block all but one. It does make it more difficult for the ones who cause a ruckus on that site since they do not want to pay for an extra computer and two internet servers.

[XLFD]

I think it is more administrative indifference than anything, but if you check the latest of the new members, there have only been two members who have joined since August 5, both City-friendly Dog Park boosters (who joined during the heyday of the "witnessed a rape" thread).

If they have some sort of ISP discriminating program, I want it. But I don't know whether NING offers this.

[masonco]

Could it be a benefit of a more expensive membership? Just wondering.

[AQUAMAN]

Correct Masonco, I have offered to chip into a fund previously that would allow more flexibility and options. We were never given a mandate on the finances of the Torch's expense log, so, where are they? I want my FOI request soon too. Har!

[masonco]

What about charging a $10 fee to join "to help pay for administrative costs of Ning membership? Is that possible? Maybe put in small print that fee can be refunded if member shows true financial .hardship and quality posts for 3 months

It is not as much fun to have to pay $10 every time you have to come back under a new alias in order to cause disruption.

If this were considered, I would recommend XFLD create a paypal account, start a link with every amount received and paid to NING. That way members who can afford to donate extra would be able to see the need or financial status and take action accordingly.

Then again, it might be worth the $10 for the troublemakers to raise havoc if they are willing to pay that amount 3 times in a day + a fine for every post that fit the broad range of defamation, harassment or stalking. Maybe the fine could be $50 after the first warning?

(I know dream on Masonco)

[Edie Lindsey]

If anybody goes to those sites, the content is still there, but you get a "road closed" screen that you can't get around unless you were an administrator and enter into a pay plan. This seems to be true with any Ning site that didn't pay the piper or move this summer.

[AQUAMAN]

For the 60+ members Masonco, I don't think a $5-10 per annum fee is excessive. He should try that imho.

[masonco]

And if he gets a profit from the ones who keep paying an entry fee when they join he could share the "profit" with members longer than 1 year by upgrading or waiving their annual fees

If the one person "joins" once a month @ $10 a shot that person could end up paying $100. Plus the ones really being bullies they'd come back once a day well the $ figures will add up and look at the donation they'd make to genuine members!

[XLFD]

I think Masonco makes some interesting suggestions. When we started off we had a free NING site and things were good. Seven months in, it was decided to keep on the NING platform and I payed for a year of NING plus. I have no plans on letting the site go into foreclosure, and yet I do want to keep it as a free forum, in ideals and economics, for the members.

I will look into the Pay Pal suggestion, and see whether I can create one that someone can pay into and retain their anonymity, if they so desire. The refundable deposit idea is another idea that has merit, but I would hate to introduce a "pay to play" mentality here. I would rather rely on members who wish to keep the Torch burning bright by donations, and by introducing a 'product' line.

[AQUAMAN]

Question for members of serious interest, are ya willin to chip in a Dollar or Two, to a good forum and cause for FOS rights, your earnest and polite opinions, the Constitution, and a Mentality that applies to the Bill of Rights for Americans, and such causes, for a progressive America, or not? AFP.com is another avenue of integrity too. My decision could be a referendum of apathy here, but, I pray not! Here's my pledge, what's yours? BTW, I want my FOI requests answered too? HAR!