Anything new on this forum's future?

[john_hennessy]

Anything new on this forum's future? I hope it stays as close to the way it is now as possible.

[qtluong]

After looking around for more free software/hosting services (of

which the dreaded Yahoo was just an example) and

reading the feedback on the previous post, I've come to the

conclusion that it is better to stick with the current interface

and software. This software, called OpenACS is actually

available for free, but the tasks of installing and configurating it,

migrating the archives, and administering the server are not

exactly trivial.

<p>

So this leaves us with two options:

<ul>

<li> Running our own server. This appears more feasible than I

first thought, as I have received a few offers for a dedicated

server. If this happens, I will ask for voluntary contributions

to help compensate the provider/admins/programmers, but the

forum will remain open.

<li> Migrating to photo.net

</ul>

<p>

The main question now is how much effort the first solution

would take, and whether it is worth it (especially since

I don't really want to "commercialize" the LF page and forum).

It is also unclear what would be the best in the long run. I

am currently trying to figure out an answer.

<p>

In any case, the current forum will continue more or less

in its current form, and will probably have improved features.

I do not know when Philip Greenspun intends to discontinue service

on greenspun.com. The worse which could happen is that the service

is discontinued while the forum is not yet transfered to the new

server. If so, please come back to the LF page

http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~qtluong/photography/lf/

to learn about the wherabouts of the LF Forum and any other updates.

<p>

I have saved all the postings (40000+) to my system, as well as

the comments on static pages and links.

Although UC Berkeley has been good in hosting my pages well after

I left the university, I intend to take the opportunity to move

the LF page to a more permanent location and domain. When this

question is settled, I will make available all those postings in

a searchable way.

<p>

Thanks for your support in this time of transition

[sal_santamaura]

Tuan, thanks again for your efforts. I'm encouraged by your words.

FYI, other LUSENET postings indicate that greenspun.com will terminate

"sometime after the first of the year."

[ellis_vener_photography]

Tuan, you and the moderator(s) do a terrific job with this forum. Thank you

for not justthis forum but also your large format homepage. It is a great

source of information and education and to see either or both disappear will

be a shame.<P>What I don't understand is why is migrating to photo.net

perceived as a probelm? I see it as the most obvious, simplest and healthiest

solution to the coming change, especially in light of the current economy

deflation.

[james phillips]

If the site was to migrate to an indivdually owned system then what

do you consider would be an appropriate one time donation per

private user? Would $50.00 be enough from the many users to help

with the initial set-up costs? Also would it be appropriate to ask

related businesses to contribute (such as Calumet, Badger Graphics,

Robert White..etc) to have a simple link to their site placed on the

LF site? Just a few questions that crossed my mind.... Thanks.

[andre_noble4]

Mr. Luong, don't be afraid to ask us outright for the money, even

suggest an initial dollar amount contribution and give address where

to mail check.

 

<p>

 

Later have a page listing paid contributors to encourage generosity

(With the disclaimer: "The following list of members have made a

monetary contribution to keep this site fuctional. This is only a

list. God only knows if these people have any sense.")

 

<p>

 

You also might want to prepare some "History of this Site" article

on new system. This will help new photographers who join after the

switch-over understand the trials and tribulations keeping site

active, etc.

[michael_kadillak6]

All thanks go to Q Tuan that took an idea for a large format forum

and got it all started. I know that others assisted in the efforts

such as Phil, and we are very much appreciative of the collaborative

results. I can say on a personal note that as a resource of

information and opinion on the subject of large format photography,

this venue stands in a very unique position of continuing to educate,

inform and bring the subject matter closer to many that search for

answers to their partcular question. Anything you need to maintain

the concept, please let us know. As long as questions need to asked

and the knowledgable are willing to share their experiences, we all

benefit. Be well and my sincere thanks.

[jonathan brewer]

Since the dealers and/or distributers mentioned, would benefit

from this, would it be out of line to contact them, since this forum

is a source of old and new patrons? In addition to that, why not have

a pledge drive for the patrons of this forum.

 

<p>

 

Have the pledge drive New Years Eve, and with every pledge have

everyone state what the forum has meant to them. Let the folks who

can afford it pledge $50.00, and let the folks who don't have any

money pledge whatever they can. If it makes folks more comfortable,

have the pledge amounts confidential.

 

<p>

 

I believe a lot of people would go for this.

[jonathan brewer]

Make it a Pledge Drive and make a party! Jokes, funny stories,

past adventures, Weird situations, worst picture you ever did,

anything but serious, and have it start on a certain day and end by

New Years Eve. As bad as my typing is along with a few other folks it

out make for a hilarious ending New Years when some of us have had a

couple of Beers or worse.

[jorge_gasteazoro3]

Have check allready made, just tell me where to send it.....

[ellis_vener_photography]

Let's say that there are 1,000 regular users and readers ofthis

forum, and we get an absolutely astounding, miraculuous 100%

participation from those 1,000 and everyone contributes an

average of $50.00 as a onetime contribution. That is $50,000.

How much digital sources (servers + connections+

maintenance+ electricity + etc. , in other words, the overhead) will

that US$50k support and for how long?<P> What will members

want in exchange for their contribution? Will the guy who can only

contribute $5.00 get the same voice in how things are done as

the guy who contributes $995.00? What if the majority of the

subscribers want a digital free discussion forum? Or a digital

dominated forum?<P>

[mike_mahoney]

If we indeed do decide that some kind of financial support is needed

to continue this site I would imagine the members of this forum are

more willing to financially support than other members of other

forums, but voluntary contribution rates are probably in the order of

10 to 20% max.

 

<p>

 

This is my own seat of the pants evaluation by looking at the number

of "volunteer" donors on other sites. And $50 US one time is easy to

talk about, but maybe not so easy for some of us to actually cut a

check for.

 

<p>

 

IF we need money to run the forum, I'd vote for limited, small, link-

type adverts from some of our suppliers - Robert White, Badger

Graphics, some of the manufacturers, etc. They all receive an

indirect benefit from this site and given our demographic, would

likely support us.

[jonathan brewer]

Doubts, worries, life's full of 'em......TRY IT! Try a pledge

drive over several days before New Years eve. Make it an event with

participation, it doesn't have to focus totally on photography.

 

<p>

 

 

Ellis....I would submit that each individual is making a

contribution to pay back this forum for the benefit we've all gotten

out of this forum, and that there should be no strings attached.

 

<p>

 

You've got folks worldwide who would love the sense of community

an 'Event' like this would bring. You've got nothing to lose TRY IT!

[doug_paramore]

Would I pay $50.00 to keep this forum alive? Hell yes. I saved enough

on one camera purchase at Badger Graphic Sales to more than pay for a

$50.00 donation. I had never heard of Jeff and his company before I

found this forum on the net. Even after a lifetime of LF use, I learn

something every week from being a part of this forum. Although I try

to contribute when I can, I get more than I give. There is untold

value in the history section of the Q&As. That section is full of

common sense answers that can be found nowhere else on the planet,

written by folks who actually have skinned a knuckle on a focusing

knob and not by some guy spouting theory. Whether we move or give a

contribution to keep the forum going, it must be preserved. Thanks, Q.

 

<p>

 

Regards,

[dan n.]

Tuan..

I admire your work ad want to contribute... I would donate something to

the forum.. do you need hard disk? or other equipments?... If it need

to pay a fee to pay a fee to keep to forum going.. I will...

[ken_woodard]

Keep doing what you're doing!! Just let us know what you need. Ken