Popular Post thewoodwhisperer Posted January 9, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Many folks were annoyed by the addition of Google ads to this forum. I tried to make it clear that there was a method to my madness and that I'd enlighten all of you when the time was right. That time is now. A few months ago, I was approached by a company that wanted to buy this forum. Since the forum takes quite a bit of work to maintain/moderate and I generally have my attention elsewhere, I considered it. Nicole and I discussed the pros and cons and ultimately decided that we would not feel comfortable putting the fate of this user-base in someone else's hands; someone who would very likely implement various revenue-generating elements to the site. So we declined the offer but immediately decided that this forum would need to earn its keep. It costs us money to keep the forum up and running and it consumes resources from a pool of resources that keep my business alive. So up went the Google Ads. My thanks go out to those who not only tolerate the ads but occasionally click on them. It's because of you that I can make this announcement. You may not realize it but the forum is about twice as busy as it was this time last year, in both users and page views. And because the forum shares a server with my other properties, including the TWW site and the Guild, it is often the innocent bystander of performance issues related to it's neighbors. So because the forum is now producing its own income, I have made the decision to move us to a managed dedicated space that will be tuned optimally for the forum. That means less work for me and better service for you. In fact, because the forum will be on an entirely new IP address it will likely resolve that pesky Verizon issue we've been seeing lately. All this to say, thanks for hanging in there and tolerating the changes. In the end, everything I do is to make this a better place for you to enjoy and a sustainable endeavor for me to manage. I'll keep you posted on the forum move as it will likely result in a short down-time but we'll keep it to an absolute minimum. Thanks everyone! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 It's your forum and you don't need to explain/apologize for the ads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewoodwhisperer Posted January 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I may own the forum, but the people IN the forum are the only reason it's actually a "thing." So while I agree, I can technically do whatever I want with the forum, that just isn't the way I run things. So I do feel somewhat obligated to let folks know why I'm doing something and why it might benefit them. After all if people leave, it's just me and a piece of software. So definitely no apology, but I do feel an explanation is in order. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySats Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I appreciate everything you and Nicole do for the members here and on TWW as well as the guild . I don't mind the ads at all . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 To come to a place that is always willing to help anyone with an honest problem is something we all look forward to. Ads as long as they aren't overbearing, like many are, is fine. Would that they were all woodworking related ads. That might be beneficial for you to explore with google, It would certainly be useful to some of us. Keep us up to date as to where we're going, we don't want to lose these great contributers, or have the place turn into what some of the other forums are... A shouting match of idiots! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Thanks for the update. And many thanks for supplying a place for us to hang out and share info ! I enjoy sharing my knowledge and learning something new as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrewG Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Thanks Marc and Nicole, for your hard work, and this great place. I belong to a number of forums related to my other interests. This is by far the best run site, with a very nice group of positive and supportive folks. Thanks for thinking of the community you've cultivated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Marc, thanks again for all you do. I hope you realize how much we value the services you provide. It can get easy to only speak when something is wrong. The people here have inspired me in so many ways and I would know none of them except for this forum. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Thanks, Marc and Nicole for all you do. It's so refreshing for someone to do something like this because it helps others and not just the pursuit of the almighty dollar. The greed in this world anymore is discouraging. Thanks Again and keep up the good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mzdadoc Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I agree thank you Marc and Nicole!!!! It's because of you both that I love coming here! It attracts only the best of people and I have to admit I get a huge kick when you are a part of a post I start. It's like having a celebrity wave at me. LOL I can't even begin to imagine how busy you must be but thank you for including me in your decision making. I don't mind the ads at all and even put a tongue and cheek post about adjusting their content. I can say honestly that even if you had to start charging I'd pay due to the fact that I learn so much from this group. I don't think I'm ready to be a guild member but I keep looking at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Marc, Ditto to everything that has been said. The people here are so helpful, fun, funny and sometimes entertaining. I drink my first cup of coffee with the morning paper and my second cup is consumed perusing this forum. Then its out to the shop to make high quality sawdust. Job well done!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 The site is great, and I don't mind the ads at all. Thanks for hosting this and keeping us talking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Thanks for this. This community is so laid back and honest without that keyboard warrior attitude that if you shut this place down or sold it is be screwed with my hobby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Marc, hopefully (or not) this thread doesn't discourage future potential buyers, but I'm not sure how many of us would stick around if y'all ever sell? The way I feel, you're like an old dog here; you're not around much but it's good to know you're at our side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 This forum has become the conjoined twin of my hobby. I check the posts during my FIRST cup of coffee. Ads are a small price to pay...I don't even see them because I choose not to. Thanks for taking the high road and keeping this place in the family. The Spags has class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgreenb Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I don't even notice the ads. And even if I did, they'd be a pretty small price to pay for this community. As someone said above, I belong to several other forums associated with my other hobbies, and they pale in comparison to this one. I've never bee in contact with such a helpful and welcoming group of strangers. So Marc - do whatever you gotta do to keep this place running - don't worry about us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Thank you Marc, and you're welcome. Now go make some sawdust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Pretty damn awesome bunch of posters above me pretty much covered it! Proves what Marc had to say that without you lot, it wouldn't be what it is. So, yes, Thanks Marc and Nichole but, also, thanks to the regulars on here that make this place fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDave Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I can't imagine being without this group and starting out woodworking like I am now...I'd be lost. Thank you Marc and Nicole for making this possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewyo Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 What they said of course... But if it comes to it couldn't the members maintain the site, or contribute in some the way? Clearly there is support Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Marc, you and Nichole have created a wonderful place for folks like us to 'hang out'. I don't do Facebook, Google+, or any othe so-called 'social media'. I'm really nit much of a social person. I certainly don't care to wade through posts about what somebody had for breakfast in order to keep up with my real interests. WTO has been the best place I have found to find accurate information, honest opinions, and above all FRIENDS that share a common interest. I appreciate that you care enough about this baby to keep raising it. Do whatever you need to support your family; we'll do our best to support you in turn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 This is a great forum & I don't mind the ads at all. Bring em on! I see good advertising as a great source of information & sometime it's pretty entertaining too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrylR Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Thanks for letting us know what's going on and for deciding to keep the forum in house. I have learned so much from all of your content and enjoy interacting with others here. -Darryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stampy Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I don't get here nearly as much as I'd like but when I do I learn something or get an idea from someone else. The immense amount of co-operative creativity on these pages is staggering. This truly is a community. And a rare one in this day of self absorption on the internet. Thank you Marc and Nicole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Thanks to Marc and Nicole for providing the framework for what is the most friendly forum for woodworking that I know of. I don't mind the ads at all and knowing that it helps to pay for the forum is encouraging. Thanks also to everyone involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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