Funding of forum

[nat]

Blimey for £40 per year it's not worth worrying about. There must be a few of us who can divvy up the cost.

I agree and also agree that the absence of advertising makes it a lot more appealing.
I have no complaint about chipping in but surely the club could cover this out of petty cash to show some goodwill to their supporters that use it.

Not worth the hassle of asking the club. I'm tempted to pay the £40 myself as I think the forum is important. Who wants to share the cost?

[squarelegumpire]

Blimey for £40 per year it's not worth worrying about. There must be a few of us who can divvy up the cost.

I agree and also agree that the absence of advertising makes it a lot more appealing.
I have no complaint about chipping in but surely the club could cover this out of petty cash to show some goodwill to their supporters that use it.

Not worth the hassle of asking the club. I'm tempted to pay the £40 myself as I think the forum is important. Who wants to share the cost?

Well, I’m certainly prepared to chip in. It’s whip-round money isn’t it! How many of us will be at the Worcs match next week? Or the next Members Forum? Ho about a collection box on the bar at both? Be a means of advertising it to the members, and maybe getting more contributors.


And thanks, Lockers, (and eastsax of course) for getting the Forum up and running again.

[Diatribe]

I would have thought that Consignia or whatever they now call themselves would charge more in postal fees than the actual contribution being requested.

To put it into perspective, I lost more than the total amount required per minute when the New York  Comex gold collapsed on that fateful April weekend of 2013 and even more when the market dropped a further 15% over the subsequent months.

[firehazard]

It's a tough life for some, Mr Diatribe. 

With regard to advertising, on some of the other message boards I partake in, this consists of sponsored links, rather than pop-ups, so is not intrusive at all. If that's what's intended, I wouldn't object to it. And it could provide a small ongoing income for the site (assuming members use those links when making purchases from the online emporia concerned).

But having said that, it's a relatively small amount, and I'd be willing to chip in. Though I won't be at the Worcs match.

[neil]

First up. Thanks to Lockers and Eastsax for doing what they do for this forum. I know from experience what a pain it can be

I'd be against advertising. For £40 I would hope that we could find a way of funding it amongst ourselves. Getting the money might be fun as, obviously, you don't want to set up PayPal whatever. I would be happy to pop a cheque in the post. I don't get to Essex these days, what with living in deepest darkest Kent, but I have a friend who attends regularly who could hand over some cash, if necessary

I did just wonder about advertising the other way. I have times away from this forum and when I return it is like Groundhog Day - same old posters saying the same old things. That is what happens on small fora like this but a few new faces would be nice. I don't know how things work at Essex but, even if they wouldn't fund it is there any place a small free advert could be placed. Perhaps at the start if the season so supporters could be aware of this place?

[LeedsExile]

I agree entirely with neil's post. How about asking the Boundary club for an advert in the EBC Times?

[Andy]

First up. Thanks to Lockers and Eastsax for doing what they do for this forum. I know from experience what a pain it can be

I did just wonder about advertising the other way. I have times away from this forum and when I return it is like Groundhog Day - same old posters saying the same old things. That is what happens on small fora like this but a few new faces would be nice. I don't know how things work at Essex but, even if they wouldn't fund it is there any place a small free advert could be placed. Perhaps at the start if the season so supporters could be aware of this place?

Totally agree with the first point: the hiatus last week shows how enteraining this BB is. However, I take your point about same old faces - whether advertising would help because a lot lurk on here whilst a minority post.

Whether that's because certain faces have tended to attack newcomers or the latter think they wouldn't be wlecomed, I don't know. I've noticed how new posters are generally welcomed. 

Problem with BB is that they are attached to particular teams who's performances tend to invite hysteria in either direction. I presume it's the same with all 'passionate' BB posters - or is it??? 'Lurkers' I'd certainly be interested to know...

[freddiefisher]

the club wont pay for a site that constantly attacks them. get real anyone who thinks they will.

thats why your offcial site was taken down.

advertising is the simplest, easiest method and removes the necessity of the same thing happening every year. sponsored links are unobtrusive. im sure people would manage.

likewise if more footfall is needed making the forum visible/readable without having to register/log on would create lots more traffic, some off which would likely sign up.

[yesteryear]

Thanks for the clarification Lockers.

I would be happy to contribute a small amount to keep this forum running, although appreciate this in itself (collecting) can be difficult and costly. Will not take part in poll as currently worded.

I have not been a member of ECCC for a good number of years possibly since Sunday league days when you could guarantee how many games you could see for your money (showing my age). I don't go to games now just look at scores on cricinfo, listen to BBC Essex, watch via computer and of course look on here for latest gossip/inside stories.

Regarding the attacking of newcomers alluded to by Andy I posted a couple of times when forum was official but gave up due to the abuse/negative replies etc received. This unofficial forum not so bad for this but one or two members are always seemingly having a go at each other often off of subject and I find that is off-putting. 

[neil]

First up. Thanks to Lockers and Eastsax for doing what they do for this forum. I know from experience what a pain it can be

I did just wonder about advertising the other way. I have times away from this forum and when I return it is like Groundhog Day - same old posters saying the same old things. That is what happens on small fora like this but a few new faces would be nice. I don't know how things work at Essex but, even if they wouldn't fund it is there any place a small free advert could be placed. Perhaps at the start if the season so supporters could be aware of this place?

Totally agree with the first point: the hiatus last week shows how enteraining this BB is. However, I take your point about same old faces - whether advertising would help because a lot lurk on here whilst a minority post.

Whether that's because certain faces have tended to attack newcomers or the latter think they wouldn't be wlecomed, I don't know. I've noticed how new posters are generally welcomed. 

Problem with BB is that they are attached to particular teams who's performances tend to invite hysteria in either direction. I presume it's the same with all 'passionate' BB posters - or is it??? 'Lurkers' I'd certainly be interested to know...

Hi Andy "waves"

I moderate on a forum that is no way cricket based. Over the years I have talked to "lurkers" and there are various reasons why they don't post. Many are just happy to pick up information without the need to engage

But quite a few are put off by the insular feel of the forum and the aggression within it. And that isn't about their own experiences (although it is worth referencing yesteryear's post here) but more about the infighting and the "cliquey" feel

I haven't found a way of dealing with this without heavy moderation which causes problems with existing membership. But, if folks here would like new blood, then looking through other people's eyes may help move this forward

If, on the other hand, everyone is happy with the way Essex  Outfielder is (and I repeat my support for Lockers and Eastsax) then that is fine.

[squarelegumpire]

OK colleagues. How are we going to go forward?

Neil's experience is valuable, and a useful reminder of what can happen, and I'm sure we've all seen discussion sites where people have been driven off. We may have strong views about the way our club is being run, but anyone who isn't adult enough to recognise that other people have equally honest opinions which deserve respect deserves to get "told!"  Eastsax has done a good job over the last year, but it must be time-consuming!

However first things first. How are we going to get the £40 together. "Lockers" can I put a box on the bar on Tuesday? Pm me.

Blocky, (or someone) can you/will you try and organise something similar at the Orange Tree?

And "lockers", can I meet with you Tuesday ..... just before or during the lunch interval.......to sort out how we handle any cash/cheque donations people want to send. It can't be that (expletive deleted) difficult!

[lockers]

Pm'd you.

Thank you everyone for your contributions, clear there's the desire to keep forum going. Just need to nail down a choice and way forward.

[Andy]

Thanks Neil et al. I was conscious of the aggressive nature of the official forum and I know that postings tend to be dominated by a few of us. However, there's a difference between having people posting a lot and how they post. Maybe a little restraint is required from some of us...

Problem is,as you say, as many prefer to lurk, then the BB would become like others I've seen where no one posts for days at a time and the momentum of threads is lost.

Ironically, one of the main problems has been the problems on and off the field over these past years which brings a negativity to the threads, yet when the team strings good results together, the BB was on hiatus!!!

[Diatribe]

yet when the team strings good results together, the BB was on hiatus!!!

I don't think we need to unduly concern ourselves with regards to this being a frequent occurence, anymore than sightings of Halley's Comet are likely to play a predominent role in our lives.

[firehazard]

...Ironically, one of the main problems has been the problems on and off the field over these past years which brings a negativity to the threads, yet when the team strings good results together, the BB was on hiatus!!!

The hiatus was indeed unfortunate, and the team does deserve fair credit for the late-season improvement in form.