considering an idea for PCPer.com need opinions please.

[The Wise One]

greetings to all!

we have been looking at a few ideas to help enhance your experience here at pcper.com. we have had many discussions on various ideas but this one seems to pop up in almost everyone.

paid subscriptions

now hold on before you click out of this thread. have a read through and see what we have in mind.

first off...this will not be a mandatory thing. completely optional. we are currently considering 2 options for paid subscriptions:

monthly - this will cost $2.95 per month

yearly - this will cost 24.95 per year

either subscription will carry with it some or all of the following benefits:

• ad free browsing
• private members only forum(s)
• increased PM limit
• some sort of identifier that shows everyone you are a paid subscriber (image of some sort maybe...not sure yet)
• possible members only download section

we would plan to roll out this deal when we upgrade to vbulletin 3.5.

these are just options we have come up with off of the top of our heads. we would like to hear your thoughts and ideas on this. would you subscribe? what features/benefits would you like to see? please give us your comments.
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the following is subject to change without notice. we reserve the right to add/remove from this list as we see fit.
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/////////////// Approved List //////////////
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• ad free browsing - done on 3.5
• private members only forum(s) ¹
• increased PM limit
• paid subscriber identifier ²
• download section ³
• subscriber only deals ⁴
• subscriber attachments ⁵
• personal page for subscribers ⁶
• referal system ⁷
• regular contests ⁸
• avatars
• profile image

====================================
///////////// Possible Features ////////////
====================================

• different subscription packages*
• allow money orders**
• game server***
• teamspeak server****

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//////////////////// Key ////////////////////
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¹ approved but subject to administration approval. ryan does not wish to see highly controversial topics as dedicated forums.
² unsure of the method. will either be an image or text. will most likely be viewable in posts. possible external page listing all subscribers.
³ limited to drivers, patches, bios upgrades, etc...
⁴ this largely depends on the retailers. set deals have yet to be worked out. ryan believes he can get at least one etailer to participate.
⁵ attachments will be limited by size and extension. exact limits have yet to be set.
⁶ dependant on a modification that is currently in development at a vb resource site. as it stands now...the modification has a few bugs. once they are worked out...this will be implemented for sure.
⁷ dependant on getting a referid to function correctly and successfully integrated with the subscription process.
⁸ frequency of contests are uncertain at this point. will largely depend on companies who agree to participate.

* this will depend on the number of subscriptions we get initially.
** depends on the overall success of the subscription feature.
*** this depends on how a project pans out that ryan has in the works.
**** dependant on whether or not a game server is possible.

[midyxadryl]

That sounds fair enough to me...as long as you have some good stuff worth downloading .

[The Wise One]

That sounds fair enough to me...as long as you have some good stuff worth downloading .

but of course. if we were able to incorporate the downloads into this...then it would of course consist of relevent downloads related to hardware and software (abiding by all of the licenses and legalities of course).

yet another area we would like some input on. what kind of downloads would you like to see?

[jimzinsocal]

Pretty interesting Wise. Members have a chance to describe their "online livingroom"

[Banditblue]

hmm.attendance here seems to be lacking in numbers lately.I think a general reason for needing the funds and then recieving perhaps a nice support emblem for donating to the cause would be cool.I'd drop 20 bucks right now just to say thanks and for all the gobs of free info,,A set one year donation perhaps,,

donor privledges could be hard to get files or most popular game demos evenor a section where prompt attention by mods will be recieved

[The Wise One]

hmm.attendance here seems to be lacking in numbers lately.I think a general reason for needing the funds and then recieving perhaps a nice support emblem for donating to the cause would be cool.I'd drop 20 bucks right now just to say thanks and for all the gobs of free info,,A set one year donation perhaps,,

donor privledges could be hard to get files or most popular game demos evenor a section where prompt attention by mods will be recieved

thanks for your suggestions and comments.

can you give a few examples of hard to get files? being as specific as possible will really help us help you and bring you the best bang for the buck.

[jrhvball]

thanks for your suggestions and comments.

can you give a few examples of hard to get files? being as specific as possible will really help us help you and bring you the best bang for the buck.

I think it would be a good idea. Examples of hard to get files would include newly released game patches i.e. WoW patch, America's Army patch, etc. Or maybe even special member's only deals that you have negotiated with vendors that you regularly interact with. i.e. 5% off of memory @ Newegg for Forum subscribers only for one day...

[Banditblue]

simply peeking here and there would give a good feel for what is recent and popular.you could go by that generally and maybe have a "donors" posting section for requests in some way,whether they be existant or futurecoming.a good example was when bf2 demo came out and it was a challenge to try and get such a large and popular file without being member of such place as listed below.
http://www.fileshack.com/

in other words,id rather donate to this cause and have such a luxury at the same time..very mutually beneficial-

[jimzinsocal]

^^private deals. Cool. Never would have crossed my mind. You mean take advantage of a negotiated quantity discount....on a particular item.

Thanks jrhv

[The Wise One]

ok i see what you are getting at. nice ideas.

i like the the idea of member discounts and deals as well.

keep em coming guys!

[Wardibald]

Not quite sure what to think of it.

*downloads
Well, most things legally worth downing can be found elsewhere without subscription. Would have to be some really rare stuff, but I'm sure over time that downloads section would get filled.
*I don't think I would need an increased pm limit(but I can only speak for myself here)
*Same with ad-free browsing. Plus some of the ads are interesting. This would be interesting for ppl with serious bandwith limits though.
*If the private section would be a success, that would be worth something.

*The ability to post attachments would be cool.
*Maybe some personal user info for subscribers only((email)addresses that need to be kept private, and the like)
*Maybe even a pcper email account.

Can't think of anything else atm.
Not sure I would subscribe, but I'm kind of an e-freeloader Could it wait until the € rises a bit again? j/k

[Banditblue]

hmm,upload space? id love to have a nice 50mb chunk of it,but have no idea what the limitations are here..

[Dutchcedar]

Bein' a mountain guy stuck on dial-up for geographical reasons, I would gladly buy my way out of the ads at one of my more frequently visited sites. It may not be a popular reason for being interested in your new plans, but its a real one.

Download sections wouldn't tickle my fancy much, but discounts? Hey, we all like a good deal.

Great ideas so far... I'll watch with interest and anticipation...

[pimp my ride]

I know everyone will hate me for this, but i cant buy a sub. I dont have a CC, or paypal (which would mostlikely be used)

WHy not add a thing where if you join ******'s website we can get a free sub (it will be making you guys probably more money from the referal, and that stuff)

[The Wise One]

Not quite sure what to think of it.

*downloads
Well, most things legally worth downing can be found elsewhere without subscription. Would have to be some really rare stuff, but I'm sure over time that downloads section would get filled.

true...but as mentioned above...the downloads section could be used for files that would be rather difficult to obtain through sites without subscription. would be a dependable place you could go to find specific files etc...

*I don't think I would need an increased pm limit(but I can only speak for myself here)
*Same with ad-free browsing. Plus some of the ads are interesting. This would be interesting for ppl with serious bandwith limits though.
*If the private section would be a success, that would be worth something.

the private section would be as much of a success as those who participate in it make it. at this time...we dont have too many ideas what this section would be good for...what kind of content...etc. hoping for some more feedback on this.

*The ability to post attachments would be cool.
*Maybe some personal user info for subscribers only((email)addresses that need to be kept private, and the like)
*Maybe even a pcper email account.

Can't think of anything else atm.
Not sure I would subscribe, but I'm kind of an e-freeloader Could it wait until the € rises a bit again? j/k

attachments could be a possibility. certainly something we will look at further. i dont want to put a damper on the email idea...but i dont think that would be a possibility at this stage. we will certainly discuss it though.

there may be a way we could incorporate some kind of personal page that would be available to subscribers. we would have to research it further though.