Site News

[DANGERMAN]

Hello all, I've made this its own thread with an alert because it's important in terms of the forum, not so much everything else

 

For the last several years, however long it's been since Hendo and illdog left, myself, Jim and Ed have been paying for the site. That's hosting, software, whatever else is involved. We've always done it ourselves because we (mainly me I think) felt it would be messy to involve all of you, not really fair if we tell you off, not really fair to not involve you in decisions.

 

Unfortunately, the cost of the upkeep of the site has reached a point where it's not really sustainable for us to pay for it. It's not insanely expensive or anything, but it is a lot between 3, an awful lot between 2, and a "fuck off, I'm not paying that" amount if it's just one of us

 

The 3 of us don't use the site as much as we used to, but I think we'd all hate to see it go. It's been around in some form since around 2005, which is kind of shocking. Nearly 20 years. I like that it exists, I like that we've still got a little forum hidden away in a corner of the internet where everyone, broadly, gets on... or at least has reached the point where we're used to each other

 

So, the point, we've basically got a couple of options. We've already got a Discord that we could expand, start to treat like a forum, but it would be unfindable, and we'd lose everything that's hosted here. Or, we can ask you lot to chip in.  Jim is still looking to see if we can bring costs down, and I don't know that we have a number in mind that we'd need from everyone (or whoever can and wants to).

 

So yeah, this isn't the final post, we'll have more details pretty soon, but there is the chance even with some people chipping in we'll have to close the site

[Nag]

I was kind've expecting this coming up at some point... I know Illdog shouldered the cost at one point (I think)... depending on what the costs were I'd be willing to chip in as I'd be upset to see this place go under.

[DANGERMAN]

yeah, I don't know what got in to him with that 😅  it wasn't the case of the rest of us not wanting to, he just sent all the money to Hendo  Jim and then (presumably) called the rest of us cunts

[Nag]

Sounds true to form.😂

[DANGERMAN]

I've just been through the old staff thread about it

 

 

 

 

if we do close, maybe we change the name for the final week or two

[Maf]

Aww, man. That sucks, but very understandable. I feel like I use this site the most so when you do have a number in mind for people to chip in let me know/PM and I would think about it. No guarantees but I like this place and would help pay if possible. 

[Jimboxy]

33 minutes ago, DANGERMAN said:

I've just been through the old staff thread about it

 

 

 

 

if we do close, maybe we change the name for the final week or two

Can't believe that was 12 years ago!

[shinymcshine]

Happy to chip in to keep things going

[one-armed dwarf]

I'm at least on par with maf for site usage and talking about old French movies nobody cares about so I would be fine to chip in as well but ultimately understand whichever way it goes

[DANGERMAN]

we'll have a number for you all at some point, and we need to talk amongst ourselves as to what we're able/willing to pay ourselves. I wouldn't want anyone paying more than they're comfortable with, especially as this is just for this year, unless I strike it rich it's coming to an end at some point. I just want us to be the last remaining games forum, that's all I want

[Nag]

6 minutes ago, DANGERMAN said:

it's coming to an end at some point.

 

Everything comes to an end but...😢

[Jimboxy]

So to give you all an idea of what we're looking at each year:

 

The cost to host the site has increased to £187 a year. That is quite expensive as hosting packages go but it is also sort of required due to how Invision code their forum software. We could move to a cheaper host, but our site is very database dependent. Currently our mySQL database is just shy of 3gb in size. Most hosting providers top out at 2gb, because that is plenty for the majority of sites. Also Invision don't really give any options for removing or cleaning the database so cutting it down isn't an easy option.

 

Also in years past I was hosting sites for a few different people which effectively subsidised the cost of hosting our site, but they've all dropped off as well now. For transparency, the hosting is in my name and I could use it to host other sites but as it stands Mfgamers is the only site being hosted. The cost does also include the cost of renewing our domain name as well.

 

The other cost is the license for Invision Powerboard, this is $80 a year, charged at $40 every 6 months. We've held back on renewing the forum software to save on cost, but it also means we are way way out of date which leaves us open to vulnerabilities or hacks potentially, and missing new features, although that is less of a concern as Invision seem to be sunsetting forums anyway.

 

So all together to keep the lights on it costs £250 a year.

 

Looking to the future, I do have a few ideas to at least preserve the site even if we do close. One option is I can host it directly from a Raspberry Pi or something similar, so as long as I have power and internet I can keep it running. It'll be slower, probably, but it would work. I'd probably also migrate us away from Invision over to an open source solution like Node BB or something similar.

 

In terms of time frame, the invoice is due to be paid in about 50 days.

 

This has gone on quite a bit, but I'd also like to say thanks from myself and on behalf of Ben and Ed for being so willing to help keep the site up, it is appreciated.

 

If you would like to donate anything, I think the best way will be via a PayPal donation link, if that works for people. I would say we aren't necessarily aiming to raise the full £250, as that is a very big ask, but anything to help offset the costs would be greatly appreciated.

[Jimboxy]

Paypal donation link
https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/95F18b7e1l

 

Also, worst case scenario, if we do have to close down, I'll refund people that have donated, trust me

[shinymcshine]

Donated !

 

Thanks for trying to keep things running guys, much appreciated.

[Nag]

I have every intention of donating at the weekend...👍

[Maryokutai]

That's not cool, but obviously understandable. But it's always a shame to see because we're losing something that isn't getting replaced. Neither Discord nor any social media platform is comparable and I find it sad how online discourse has moved away from the forum format almost completely.

 

I don't quite understand why one more year is the time limit btw. Does it have to do with that Invision thingy?

 

I'll definitely donate something, though I don't really use Paypal so I might hit someone of you up for an IBAN code if it doesn't work out.

[Nag]

Tbf it's the first time I've been on a PayPal thing... I thought you'd need an account but you can just use a CC or Debit Card which is helpful as I'm old and don't get all this new fangled technology. 

[DANGERMAN]

44 minutes ago, Maryokutai said:

 

I don't quite understand why one more year is the time limit btw. Does it have to do with that Invision thingy?

 

It's not necessarily, I meant the fee is just for this year, but I  don't think asking for this amount each year is sustainable. If we can find a cheaper way of doing things then that will help

 

I don't have access to the PayPal account, so I've no idea what's in there and who has donated beyond who has posted in here, but thank you to those who have (and will) 😊

[Maf]

What’s the stretch goal we have to hit to ban @regemond 👀

[Jimboxy]

10 minutes ago, Maf said:

What’s the stretch goal we have to hit to ban @regemond 👀

Make us an offer...

 

Thank you to everyone who's donated so far as well