[14:01] <relledge> Ok, well, as promised, here I am to answer any questions, take suggestions, whatever for WHT/iNET/whatever
[14:03] <DanX> Well, lets get one thing out of the way for some people -- are we paying for memberships or supporting WHT?
[14:04] <carbon12> yeah
[14:05] <relledge> Paying for memberships or supporting WHT... not sure I understand the difference in the two. Any revenues generated from WHT supports the costs associated with running it
[14:06] <carbon12> Hmmm... ive not understood the advantages... its not like its been advertised that you could pay for membership... i didnt even know you had the option of paying until I got into the IRC
[14:06] <jome> carbon12: It was introduced like today, afaik.
[14:07] <nickn> the advantage is chicks dig it.
[14:07] <relledge> Well, there are some advantages to it no doubt... one main advantage would be for companies who advertise. With a measly $5/month or so, you automatically get 25% discount across our network of sites in respect to advertising
[14:09] <KimmiKat> I agree with the controversal chat one.
[14:09] <relledge> Good point, DanX ... we're experimenting with the forums right now. Some may prove good, some not... we can replace or whatever it looks like people want
[14:11] <relledge> What do you mean by "controverisal chat" forum?
[14:11] <jome> Heh, well, it ended up there
[14:11] <DanX> Politics, religeon..
[14:11] <Mat> They want a place to flame each other
[14:11] <DanX> Aye Mat
[14:11] <relledge> I can see that getting out of control and very offensive to people
[14:11] <carbon12> hmmm...
[14:11] <KimmiKat> what Danx typed
[14:11] <DanX> However, since it's Premium, it will be more controlled.
[14:12] <Rochen> We understand that many members have concerns about the Premium Memberships and I think you would expect that with any kind of change to an age old community that isn't used to change. However, I know from talking to Ryan that iNET are committed, the Community Leaders are certainly committed and I know for a fact the majority of our members are committed. I am more than certain we can work to improve areas that people have concerns about and
[14:12] <Trel> I want a premium member WHT radio station.. I'm out of new music to listen to. >_<
[14:12] <DanX> The majority of the 'flamers' are ones who most likely wouldn't be in the premium group.. though that may be too broad a comment.
[14:12] <Mat> Trel, we won't be playing any kind of music... Well maybe DMB
[14:12] <relledge> Generalizations are tough
[14:12] <Trel> Mat: I said I wanted it =P
[14:12] <jizaymes> i like my wht premium subscription
[14:12] _Nick (Nick@WHT-AAC49E1.co.uk) joined #wht-guided.
[14:13] <relledge> Do you just feel like we are creating "seperate classes" / elitisim ?
[14:13] <DanX> Somewhat.
[14:13] <jizaymes> in my opinion, i feel that it is separating the "men from the boys"
[14:13] <jizaymes> which is good
[14:13] <relledge> Certainly wasnt the intent
[14:13] <nickn> seperate classes as far as quality of the members or as far as the fact that some are supporters and some aren't.
[14:13] <jizaymes> cause it shows dedicated
[14:13] <jizaymes> dedication
[14:13] <DanX> I personally think that people are making too big a deal over it, hence that stereotype comes up
[14:13] <jizaymes> damn i work too much
[14:13] <jizaymes> ha
[14:13] <relledge> Well actually, jizaymes, part of that is one of the intententions
[14:14] <_Nick> premium membership ---> hmm well personally there was no real benifit of paying $17.99 for me
[14:14] <relledge> We did want an area where people could communicate outside of the "kiddy host" stereotype
[14:14] <jizaymes> 130$ is the least i could pay to show potential customers and peers what my company is serious
[14:14] <_Nick> new forums are kinda useless too
[14:14] <jizaymes> _Nick, i disagree
[14:14] <_Nick> apart from subscribers club
[14:14] <_Nick> rest = useless
[14:14] <KimmiKat> Although it doesn't bother me, I think the reason some are making a stink is some other communities started a premium level and gradually migrated the "free" stuff over to the paid part.
[14:14] <Trel> I have to say I agree with _Nick on this one, the new forums are a bust thus far and there are no real benifits besides the t-shirt that I can see.
[14:15] <Rochen> What kind of forums do you folks feel should be in the premium area? Just a general discussion lounge - kind of like a premium version of the lounge - or should we have it like it currently is with forums focusing on specific subjects?
[14:15] <nickn> I don't think they are all a bust.
[14:15] <relledge> That is a big concern, KimmiKat -- but I assure you, that is certainly NOT our plan
[14:15] <relledge> Or to add on Rochen's question... should that even be a part of a premium membership
[14:15] <relledge> ?
[14:15] <KimmiKat> Relledge: I understand that.
[14:15] <relledge> Maybe we shouldn't have extra forums at all
[14:16] <_Nick> inet~relledge: the subscribers club forum is good
[14:16] <jizaymes> i dont mean to offend anyone, but maybe making it a pay board will weed out the ..ahem..morons
[14:16] <relledge> Maybe we should look at other benefits, instead of those
[14:16] <_Nick> because its like the "seniors" putting forward ideas
[14:16] <_Nick> but there needs to be other benifits
[14:16] <relledge> jizaymes -- that would likely KILL WHT in its tracks
[14:16] <jizaymes> yeah i know
[14:16] <nickn> any rough estimates on the percentage of users who are now premium?
[14:16] <jizaymes> i'm not necessarily condoning it, but saying it might not be a bad thing
[14:16] <jizaymes>
[14:16] <KimmiKat> Maybe have a level of premium for those who don't need the ad discounts and just want to post in the subscribers forums
[14:16] <Trel> relledge: I think you would likely see many of the doomsayers silenced if there were no seperate forums.
[14:16] <nickn> or is that top secret iNET classified information?
[14:17] <_Nick> 1% nick
[14:17] <_Nick> or less
[14:17] <relledge> Our whole desire is to further enhance, not detract, from WHT. Essentially, we want something for everyone there.
[14:17] <jizaymes> what about my post about a Buy/Sell equipment forum for premium members
[14:17] <_Nick> hm im thinking relledge
[14:17] <nickn> I like the Buy/Sell Equipment forum, a Premium Lounge
[14:17] <nickn> I think the Marketing forum should be moved to public.
[14:17] <_Nick> yes
[14:17] <jizaymes> yeah
[14:17] <Trel> jizaymes: I want to Buy/Sell Equipment from everyone, not just premium members =)
[14:17] <_Nick> maybe also a content forum relledge
[14:17] <_Nick> like yaxay
[14:17] <relledge> Sorry, nickn -- missed your question. I see it now...
[14:17] <_Nick> but designerss must be premium to enter
[14:18] <nickn> Trel, but the Buy/Sell Equipment forum in public would be ridden with spam
[14:18] <relledge> Not a high percentage at all as of now... probably around 200 subscribers
[14:18] <jome> Will webhostingtalk.com be going the same way as dnforum.com, starting out with some small fee for a few semi-good extras and then end up being basically a pay-only forum within a year or so?
[14:18] <nickn> I mean if we wanted it in public, we could do it in the other offers and requests.
[14:18] <relledge> no, Jome
[14:18] <KimmiKat> Jome, I don't think so
[14:18] <nickn> but that's just like a Free For All board right now.
[14:18] <Trel> Woohoo Rus is here.
[14:18] <relledge> As long as iNET owns WHT, we will never take away the free forums
[14:19] <DanX> Actually some of these ideas sounds good. The forums could be changed to 'Premium Lounge' 'Controversial Topics' 'Premium Sales' and 'Webhosting' where webhosting would be so you could run ideas past people and not have thousands of people read them.. and also discuss things would wouldnt want regukar customers to see, like how to handle certain clients
[14:19] <relledge> Nor will we start taking away areas and making them pay
[14:19] <DanX> Hey jvds
[14:19] <jvds> lo
[14:19] <relledge> All we did right now is create additional stuff for those who wish to use it
[14:19] <jome> relledge: Is iNET a profitable company (the question is reasonable, as no company with shareholders not making profits will demand cash flow
)?
[14:19] <Rochen> Jome, it's the openness of WHT which has built it into the world's leading hosting discussion forum. Purely from a business prospective it would be silly for iNET to make it a pay only website.
[14:19] <nickn> personally, the customizing of the forum (all i show now is forums, no news, who's online, right bar, etc..) as well as the :cough30secondtimerwheneverwegetit:cough:
[14:19] <nickn> is almost worth it
[14:19] <jizaymes> i agree with DanX
[14:20] <nickn> jome, i've seen their offices. :\
[14:20] <jizaymes> thats the value I see in the premium forums
[14:20] <relledge> jome -- yes, we are profitable
[14:20] <Trel> relledge: How about these for some possibile premium benifits, no adverts, 30 second timer, WHT magazine..?
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