Thanks, Bill. The messing-about.com site does pay for itself now because of both Google ads and Amazon.com revenue. I have several members who support the site by clicking through my Amazon.com store to make their purchases; they don't pay any more and Amazon.com pays a small commission to me. I do the same for a favorite woodworking site of mine (I'm not allowed to click through my own store to get a commission on my own purchases). The hosting business is part of that, also. If I included that income, it more than pays for itself. But the revenue from hosting customers is what allows me to create other communities, even ones that are not self-supporting. If I counted my time ... then no, its not a great business plan. But its a fun hobby, and its building slowly, so perhaps it can be "retirement income" for me. Bill Lamica wrote:
Thanks so much Frank. It means allot to start off with a clean slate. I was not accusing, just complaining that your announcement timing was bad. The rest I understand completely and commend you for thinking of the group. I have never used wget. It's a good tip for us all. I'll have to give it a try.
I have visited your site on a number of occasions: Although I'm not in favor of a cookie cutter stock design, I will say the site "works" extremely well; easy to use and follow - I like it allot.
I noticed the Messing About section features Google ads, offers to build websites, hosting, etc. Will the Montgomery Owners site have those same banner ads and offers? And, does that generate enough revenue to cover the costs (as opposed to donations)?
Just me thinking again?
Bill
On 11/19/08, Frank Hagan <fshagan@roadrunner.com> wrote:
Hi Bill,
Sorry for the misunderstanding, Bill.
I don't believe I have violated any copyrights, and would not do so. In my initial message, I made it clear that I wouldn't use anything without the ORIGINAL copyright owner's permission. For photos, that is the original picture taker, and for the text (captions), that would probably be you (although several articles have a byline, and under the copyright rules, while you would have first publisher rights, they can give permission for their article to be republished elsewhere). The only thing I have used is a single photo, with notice to the original copyright holder.
You had an invitation on your site for people to download the content before you pulled the plug. Realizing that most people would view that as a onerous task to download all the content, I did so using wget, and have a complete copy of your site on disk. My intention was to be able to provide it after you pulled the plug but, as you can probably understand, I did have to grab it BEFORE the plug was pulled.
I try to be very careful and respectful of other people's work. Anyone who has been to my site realizes that it is neither a copy of, nor does it use ANY content from your photo site. Feel free to take a look at it yourself at http://montgomeryowners.com, and if there's anything there you feel is infringing on your original work, please let me know (that goes for anyone in the group).
I apologize for upseting you, as that was certainly not my intention.
Bill Lamica wrote:
Frank,
"I'm not sure you have to force everyone into a single Website solution." I do not think you have been getting E-mail from the MSOG. Let me set you straight on that Frank. The idea of combining the sites has been talked about and considered for some time on this E-mail Forum. Not my idea, nor something I would, or could, for that matter, force upon anyone. Since the price we pay is well - free, I would be the last to consider ("fret over") a free based Website as competition. Rather, it is better to consider what is best for the Group.
If you wanted to create a new site by copying my material, you should have waited until I closed the site to make the announcement. At least waited until I had the opportunity to finish negotiations with Bob E. I do not consider your actions as competition - I consider it rude and you owe me an apology... But, that's just my take on it.
You have been given a good reference by some of the group: Here is hoping you build a great site of your own design and creation. Here's hoping your site becomes a resource for the MSOG.
Bill Photo Site
P.s. If you care to discuss this further, contact me off list.
On 11/18/08, Frank Hagan <fshagan@roadrunner.com> wrote:
Good news, Bill! I think a lot of people are breathing just a bit easier tonight. Everyone hates to see content disappear.
I'll continue working on my site, and see if I can create something people enjoy. That's how "competition" ends up providing better choices for the consumer, so its not something to really fret over. Some owners are going to always like the maillist server, others will prefer the WebBBS style forums at Trailer Sailor, and others will prefer the Yahoo groups or the approach my website provides. I'm not sure you have to force everyone into a single website solution. But that's just my take on it.
Bill Lamica wrote:
Hi All,
We have a volunteer who has graciously paid the entire amount needed to keep the Photo Site alive for the next 12 months. Never let it be said Bob Eeg is anything but caring and sharing. Thanks Bob!
I think we went through this exercise once before when we were trying to figure out how to make four sites fit into one. And, now the problem is one larger with Franks new site. So, the problem is there and Bob bought us a year to consider how, or if, it is possible to fix.
I am only one of the people whose work would need to be copied and replaced. I am only one of the websites that would need to be linked directly to the new site. I cannot speak for those other people. So I guess they need to be asked, and certainly not on the list, that sort of negotiations are private. That's not my job. Someone should be appointed. Are we collectively that organized?
Anyway thanks go out to Bob, I know it is appreciated by a whole lot of folks.
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