Super Soaker Central

Ben · 04-01-2008, 07:32 AM

Edit 11:30 PM: April Fools!

The good news is that I've decided to make SSC ad-free. I think most people will enjoy that change.

The bad news is that doing this will require me to run SSC on a subscription only basis. You can still view the website without a subscription, but in the coming weeks as we modify the board to reflect the subscription only chance you will lose your ability to use the board.

This fixes a lot of problems I've had in my mind, namely, the cost of running this website, trolls, spammers, among other things.

The subscription will be a one-time $5 fee.

Again, you can continue using our forum until we implement this system.

Silence · 04-01-2008, 08:58 AM

I'm not so sure a subscription model is a wise choice.

Most users here are only in their teens - somewhere between 13 and 16 years old. That reduces the options for the average "customer" who may have only a less-than-convenient way to pay.

Second, you may not get as much as you expect you will. A fee (of any amount) is going to turn away visitors who want to join. Whereas existing members may be willing to pay, others don't even know how much they will use the boards.

Also, only 25 members have visited in the last few days. You may get enough money to pay for hosting for a while, but that may be all you get.

I understand why you need the money - hosting is incredibly expensive, especially during college. But I frankly don't think enough people will be willing to pay any fee. An SSC store seems more viable, although that would require lots of work for potentially little profit.

Or alternatively, have members pay for special status - custom user titles, a special title or icon, or something. I've seen that on multiple boards and it seems to work well in all demographics.

isoaker_com · 04-01-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

The good news is that I've decided to make SSC ad-free. I think most people will enjoy that change.

The bad news is that doing this will require me to run SSC on a subscription only basis. You can still view the website without a subscription, but in the coming weeks as we modify the board to reflect the subscription only chance you will lose your ability to use the board.

This fixes a lot of problems I've had in my mind, namely, the cost of running this website, trolls, spammers, among other things.

The subscription will be a one-time $5 fee.

Again, you can continue using our forum until we implement this system.

Makes sense, and though inevitable, glad you figured out how to do it for only $5! Hope you received my PayPal payment for the subscription!

Ben · 04-01-2008, 11:20 AM

Yep, got it.

I'll be making a new PayPal account soon just for SSC related things, so others can hold tight if you want to send something in.

eternal46845 · 04-01-2008, 12:15 PM

I smell something fishy.

Look at the date, guys...geez.

Hunt_and_Annoy · 04-01-2008, 06:35 PM

Sounds good. You'll be getting mine soon

Ben · 04-01-2008, 10:33 PM

Just in case anyone didn't figure it out yet, this was an April Fools joke.

I'll edit the top post to reflect this because people have been confused before.

Hunt_and_Annoy · 04-02-2008, 12:36 AM

You did this a couple years ago too yes?

Ben · 04-02-2008, 07:22 AM

We didn't do that SSC will be subscription only from what I remember. Spinner did that we are closing SSC back in 2004 or 2005.

Freakymist · 04-12-2008, 02:53 PM

Maybe I'm just slow, but did iSoaker really send $5 or was he just going along with the gag?

Ben · 04-12-2008, 02:56 PM

I never received any money. I'm not even sure that my PayPal details have been posted here, so he obviously was playing along.

04-01-2008, 07:32 AM	#1
Ben Founder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,900 UserID: 1	SSC will now be subscription only Edit 11:30 PM: April Fools! The good news is that I've decided to make SSC ad-free. I think most people will enjoy that change. The bad news is that doing this will require me to run SSC on a subscription only basis. You can still view the website without a subscription, but in the coming weeks as we modify the board to reflect the subscription only chance you will lose your ability to use the board. This fixes a lot of problems I've had in my mind, namely, the cost of running this website, trolls, spammers, among other things. The subscription will be a one-time $5 fee. Again, you can continue using our forum until we implement this system. __________________ email: ben at sscentral dot org Read this page before emailing me. Do not send me a PM or email when the question could be answered by someone else. Post at the forums to save time. Someone else could answer your question before me, and the discussion on your question could be very helpful. Last edited by Ben : 04-01-2008 at 10:34 PM.

04-01-2008, 08:58 AM	#2
Silence Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,186 UserID: 576	Re: SSC will now be subscription only I'm not so sure a subscription model is a wise choice. Most users here are only in their teens - somewhere between 13 and 16 years old. That reduces the options for the average "customer" who may have only a less-than-convenient way to pay. Second, you may not get as much as you expect you will. A fee (of any amount) is going to turn away visitors who want to join. Whereas existing members may be willing to pay, others don't even know how much they will use the boards. Also, only 25 members have visited in the last few days. You may get enough money to pay for hosting for a while, but that may be all you get. I understand why you need the money - hosting is incredibly expensive, especially during college. But I frankly don't think enough people will be willing to pay any fee. An SSC store seems more viable, although that would require lots of work for potentially little profit. Or alternatively, have members pay for special status - custom user titles, a special title or icon, or something. I've seen that on multiple boards and it seems to work well in all demographics. __________________ Forum Rules Last edited by Silence : 04-01-2008 at 10:46 AM.

04-01-2008, 11:20 AM	#4
Ben Founder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,900 UserID: 1	Re: SSC will now be subscription only Yep, got it. I'll be making a new PayPal account soon just for SSC related things, so others can hold tight if you want to send something in. __________________ email: ben at sscentral dot org Read this page before emailing me. Do not send me a PM or email when the question could be answered by someone else. Post at the forums to save time. Someone else could answer your question before me, and the discussion on your question could be very helpful.

04-01-2008, 12:15 PM	#5
eternal46845 Junior member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 8 UserID: 1481	Re: SSC will now be subscription only I smell something fishy. Look at the date, guys...geez.

04-01-2008, 06:35 PM	#6
Hunt_and_Annoy Back from the dead. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: bay area, CA Posts: 387 UserID: 345	Re: SSC will now be subscription only Sounds good. You'll be getting mine soon

04-01-2008, 10:33 PM	#7
Ben Founder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,900 UserID: 1	Re: SSC will now be subscription only Just in case anyone didn't figure it out yet, this was an April Fools joke. I'll edit the top post to reflect this because people have been confused before. __________________ email: ben at sscentral dot org Read this page before emailing me. Do not send me a PM or email when the question could be answered by someone else. Post at the forums to save time. Someone else could answer your question before me, and the discussion on your question could be very helpful.

04-02-2008, 12:36 AM	#8
Hunt_and_Annoy Back from the dead. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: bay area, CA Posts: 387 UserID: 345	Re: SSC will now be subscription only You did this a couple years ago too yes?

04-02-2008, 07:22 AM	#9
Ben Founder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,900 UserID: 1	Re: SSC will now be subscription only We didn't do that SSC will be subscription only from what I remember. Spinner did that we are closing SSC back in 2004 or 2005. __________________ email: ben at sscentral dot org Read this page before emailing me. Do not send me a PM or email when the question could be answered by someone else. Post at the forums to save time. Someone else could answer your question before me, and the discussion on your question could be very helpful.

04-12-2008, 02:53 PM	#10
Freakymist Co-founder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 361 UserID: 3	Re: SSC will now be subscription only Maybe I'm just slow, but did iSoaker really send $5 or was he just going along with the gag? __________________ VegPress

04-12-2008, 02:56 PM	#11
Ben Founder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,900 UserID: 1	Re: SSC will now be subscription only I never received any money. I'm not even sure that my PayPal details have been posted here, so he obviously was playing along. __________________ email: ben at sscentral dot org Read this page before emailing me. Do not send me a PM or email when the question could be answered by someone else. Post at the forums to save time. Someone else could answer your question before me, and the discussion on your question could be very helpful.

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