The plan...(to keep KSUFANS alive)

[ednksu]

so is the site right now in its current form in the red or black?

[fatty fat fat]

who would mj sell the domain to if we start a new site?

[michigancat]

The domain just doesn't seem worth $2k.

$500 for a completely new site sounds great.

[Trim]

The entire plan should be spelled out here.  Every dollar.  If $2500 is shown to be truly necessary to keep things running, people will donate without hesitation.

Transparency.

$2000 of it is going to the current owner of this site for ownership of the domain name, the ksufans.com brand, and ownership of the Google AdSense account for ad revenues.  This will be put in my name, and I will account for every penny of it to make sure it goes back in to the site.  I will not resell it afterwards under any circumstances. I don't think their is a better way to do this.

$500 is going towards pre-paying for our new host.  Despite what some may think, this site uses alot of bandwidth and CPU time, and if we want fast, reliable performance, it'll cost.

Setting up a new site, is of course an option in my mind.  However, it will just raise the same concerns down the road, because someone has to pay for the server and bandwidth, it's not free.

Of course, i'm all ears.

Is the $500 host fee the same whether it stays ksufans.com or you start a new site from scratch?

As opposed to the $2000 to keep it ksufans.com, how much would it take to start up a new site with the same software and a google ad thing to keep $ coming in - enough to make it self-sufficient with no frills?  Alternatively, how much would you need just to keep it running with no ads or anything?

I'm guessing the major benefit to paying the $2K to buy ksufans.com is to keep the post history/archives?

I have a domain name already, fwiw.

[Saulbadguy]

The domain just doesn't seem worth $2k.

$500 for a completely new site sounds great.

What if we can get the $2500 though?  

As for a new site, i'm not sure I want to go that direction yet.  I like what we have here, and I like that I can go back 2 years and find awesome posts.  

[fatty fat fat]

Do the math, 2500 is impossible.

[Saulbadguy]

The entire plan should be spelled out here.  Every dollar.  If $2500 is shown to be truly necessary to keep things running, people will donate without hesitation.

Transparency.

$2000 of it is going to the current owner of this site for ownership of the domain name, the ksufans.com brand, and ownership of the Google AdSense account for ad revenues.  This will be put in my name, and I will account for every penny of it to make sure it goes back in to the site.  I will not resell it afterwards under any circumstances. I don't think their is a better way to do this.

$500 is going towards pre-paying for our new host.  Despite what some may think, this site uses alot of bandwidth and CPU time, and if we want fast, reliable performance, it'll cost.

Setting up a new site, is of course an option in my mind.  However, it will just raise the same concerns down the road, because someone has to pay for the server and bandwidth, it's not free.

Of course, i'm all ears.

Is the $500 host fee the same whether it stays ksufans.com or you start a new site from scratch?

As opposed to the $2000 to keep it ksufans.com, how much would it take to start up a new site with the same software and a google ad thing to keep $ coming in - enough to make it self-sufficient with no frills?  Alternatively, how much would you need just to keep it running with no ads or anything?

I'm guessing the major benefit to paying the $2K to buy ksufans.com is to keep the post history/archives?

I have a domain name already, fwiw.

The ad revenues would not be the same.  There would be a significant drop in membership base, and viewings.  It took us over 2 years to get where we are now.  If we keep the same site, we would recoup the initial costs, and then some, within the same time period. (2 years)

[Trim]

who would mj sell the domain to if we start a new site?

Yeah, other than the fact this is being discussed openly on mj's site, it seems saul has negotiating power to lower that figure.

The ad revenues would not be the same.  There would be a significant drop in membership base, and viewings.  It took us over 2 years to get where we are now.  If we keep the same site, we would recoup the initial costs, and then some, within the same time period. (2 years)

What I was getting at was can't you ask for donations of less than the $2K but higher than zero to offset the lost ad revenue, at least for a while?

[doom]

Here is the deal, we need to raise $2500 to keep KSUFANS alive.  I figured i'd get that out of the way.  I set up a Paypal account to accept donations.  I will give progress updates regularly to track our goal.  When the goal is reached, the domain name will be transferred to me, and the hosting services will be purchased and set up, along with the google ads.  The google ads, along with any other donations should provide enough revenue to keep the site sustained for life.  Any surplus money will be used for KSUFANS tailgates/parties, raffle prizes, contests, and to offset costs of producing custom KSUFANS merchandise.

The Paypal account is [email protected] . Donate however much you feel, any amount will be appreciated.

Any questions, feel free to post them in this thread.  If you do not feel comfortable posting them, feel free to email me, IM me at Saulbadguy (AIM), or request my phone # in a PM and you can call me to discuss.

As are most of you, I want to keep KSUFANS around forever.  As I discussed earlier, their will be few changes to the "new" site, except some of the restrictions we have will be loosened when it comes to posting content, and word censorship.  Any and all other changes will be discussed by the community (you) before being approved.

Here's what I don't get, doodz.  You think the ads will keep the site running, but if that were the case, why is MJ selling it?  You said you want the site funded primarily by advertisements, but that didn't seem to work.

Last time I paid for this site was for premium...  That didn't go so well.  I just won't want to be in another donor situation in 5 months.

Fatty, 2500 is impossible to raise or for MJ to charge?

[waks]

The domain just doesn't seem worth $2k.

$500 for a completely new site sounds great.

What if we can get the $2500 though? 

As for a new site, i'm not sure I want to go that direction yet.  I like what we have here, and I like that I can go back 2 years and find awesome posts.   

Agreed on this. I like to be able to go back and look at how big of a douche I was when I first started and go back and relive the glory days that were GRCOAT.

[dr00d]

Ok seriously, mj is demanding 2k dollars to keep the name of the site?  This is the most retarded thing I have ever seen.

[Kat Kid]

The entire plan should be spelled out here.  Every dollar.  If $2500 is shown to be truly necessary to keep things running, people will donate without hesitation.

Transparency.

$2000 of it is going to the current owner of this site for ownership of the domain name, the ksufans.com brand, and ownership of the Google AdSense account for ad revenues.  This will be put in my name, and I will account for every penny of it to make sure it goes back in to the site.  I will not resell it afterwards under any circumstances. I don't think their is a better way to do this.

$500 is going towards pre-paying for our new host.  Despite what some may think, this site uses alot of bandwidth and CPU time, and if we want fast, reliable performance, it'll cost.

Setting up a new site, is of course an option in my mind.  However, it will just raise the same concerns down the road, because someone has to pay for the server and bandwidth, it's not free.

Of course, i'm all ears.

Is the $500 host fee the same whether it stays ksufans.com or you start a new site from scratch?

As opposed to the $2000 to keep it ksufans.com, how much would it take to start up a new site with the same software and a google ad thing to keep $ coming in - enough to make it self-sufficient with no frills?  Alternatively, how much would you need just to keep it running with no ads or anything?

I'm guessing the major benefit to paying the $2K to buy ksufans.com is to keep the post history/archives?

I have a domain name already, fwiw.

The ad revenues would not be the same.  There would be a significant drop in membership base, and viewings.  It took us over 2 years to get where we are now.  If we keep the same site, we would recoup the initial costs, and then some, within the same time period. (2 years)

If you are really making an argument that the $2000 is seed money for ad revenue sustainability, then fine.  Sell off shares and then pay people back with the revenue stream.

If mj has really been "paying out of pocket" for the site, then that would imply it is operating at or near a loss, which would negate any reason for keeping the site.  If Mj has any sort of honor or sense of right/wrong he would forward users to our new site for a period of time anyway.

I'm almost more concerned with trying to keep ksufans.com not only because of the shady start up costs and high bandwidth, but because the high costs would again put us back in the situation of someone or some group assuming a great enough level of financial burden that they could see opportunity if it came and screw us all again.

Maybe starting over with everyone going in as equals and a new charter/legal partnership that prevents this crap from happening again would be better than trying to salvage (never mind the cash up front).

[Saulbadguy]

Here is the deal, we need to raise $2500 to keep KSUFANS alive.  I figured i'd get that out of the way.  I set up a Paypal account to accept donations.  I will give progress updates regularly to track our goal.  When the goal is reached, the domain name will be transferred to me, and the hosting services will be purchased and set up, along with the google ads.  The google ads, along with any other donations should provide enough revenue to keep the site sustained for life.  Any surplus money will be used for KSUFANS tailgates/parties, raffle prizes, contests, and to offset costs of producing custom KSUFANS merchandise.

The Paypal account is [email protected] . Donate however much you feel, any amount will be appreciated.

Any questions, feel free to post them in this thread.  If you do not feel comfortable posting them, feel free to email me, IM me at Saulbadguy (AIM), or request my phone # in a PM and you can call me to discuss.

As are most of you, I want to keep KSUFANS around forever.  As I discussed earlier, their will be few changes to the "new" site, except some of the restrictions we have will be loosened when it comes to posting content, and word censorship.  Any and all other changes will be discussed by the community (you) before being approved.

Here's what I don't get, doodz.  You think the ads will keep the site running, but if that were the case, why is MJ selling it?  You said you want the site funded primarily by advertisements, but that didn't seem to work.

Last time I paid for this site was for premium...  That didn't go so well.  I just won't want to be in another donor situation in 5 months.

Fatty, 2500 is impossible to raise or for MJ to charge?

This is a "JMO" - but this is a business decision for him.  I do not know the current operating expenses for this site, but I know they are more because he hosts the site out of his home, rather than a hosting company.  A hosting company would cost less.  Advertising revenue would cover the cost of a hosting company's prices, but not what mjrod was incurring hosting it out of his home.  Add the premium debacle in to that, and whatever other financial things he is going through, it is his decision to sell it.

So, it's either raise the $$$ for the site to keep it the way it is, or don't try at all, give up, and start a new site, which "IMO" will have similar troubles down the road.  Plus, someone will have to start the site and pay for it out of their pocket, $500 in donations or not, and spend time managing it.

[Saulbadguy]

The entire plan should be spelled out here.  Every dollar.  If $2500 is shown to be truly necessary to keep things running, people will donate without hesitation.

Transparency.

$2000 of it is going to the current owner of this site for ownership of the domain name, the ksufans.com brand, and ownership of the Google AdSense account for ad revenues.  This will be put in my name, and I will account for every penny of it to make sure it goes back in to the site.  I will not resell it afterwards under any circumstances. I don't think their is a better way to do this.

$500 is going towards pre-paying for our new host.  Despite what some may think, this site uses alot of bandwidth and CPU time, and if we want fast, reliable performance, it'll cost.

Setting up a new site, is of course an option in my mind.  However, it will just raise the same concerns down the road, because someone has to pay for the server and bandwidth, it's not free.

Of course, i'm all ears.

Is the $500 host fee the same whether it stays ksufans.com or you start a new site from scratch?

As opposed to the $2000 to keep it ksufans.com, how much would it take to start up a new site with the same software and a google ad thing to keep $ coming in - enough to make it self-sufficient with no frills?  Alternatively, how much would you need just to keep it running with no ads or anything?

I'm guessing the major benefit to paying the $2K to buy ksufans.com is to keep the post history/archives?

I have a domain name already, fwiw.

The ad revenues would not be the same.  There would be a significant drop in membership base, and viewings.  It took us over 2 years to get where we are now.  If we keep the same site, we would recoup the initial costs, and then some, within the same time period. (2 years)

If you are really making an argument that the $2000 is seed money for ad revenue sustainability, then fine.  Sell off shares and then pay people back with the revenue stream.

While I think that is an excellent idea, I have not the time, nor the know how, to do such a thing. 

[doom]

Ok seriously, mj is demanding 2k dollars to keep the name of the site?  This is the most retarded thing I have ever seen.

I think the database is the more important thing we are trying to obtain.  But really he is a douche. 

[Kat Kid]

If we all went in on the site together all new and we set up a system for handling all these questions collectively by people who put up the money, then codified it in a charter or legal document to determine ownership rights and then contracted out the hosting and paid the admins a stipend to run/upkeep then it would be fine, less expensive and sustainable.

You take the advertising and all the b.s./crap that we would have to go through here.  It forces mj's hand as well.

emaw.com or bust.

[jeffy]

What about Russ Briggs?  I hear he's got some coin.

Really, is there a way to get a small donation from a Manhattan area company, or several companies?  Place a banner ad at the top of the boards for a year....

I think, as someone acquiring this site, Saul, you should as to see the ledger sheet for the operation of ksufans.com, so you can actually see what's happening.  This is fairly standard practice when a business is selling itself off.  As potential "investors" in the company, I think it would also be wise for any of us possible donors to see what we may be getting ourselves into.

I have no problem with making a small donation, if that's what's needed, but I like to know what my money is going for specifically.  You've done a decent job of explaining it, just not with the depth that some of us want.  Remember that most of the people here are high school/college age, with only a small minority of us being gainfully employed.  That will prove to be the major obstacle toward getting that $2500.

[Saulbadguy]

If we all went in on the site together all new and we set up a system for handling all these questions collectively by people who put up the money, then codified it in a charter or legal document to determine ownership rights and then contracted out the hosting and paid the admins a stipend to run/upkeep then it would be fine, less expensive and sustainable.

You take the advertising and all the b.s./crap that we would have to go through here.  It forces mj's hand as well.

emaw.com or bust.

He called my bluff, I tried to get it for free.  

EMAW is for sale. I wonder how much he is charging?    

Anyways, all topics of discussion in this thread are valid, if we don't raise the money, we don't raise the money, and we move on.  

I just want to guarantee a place that isn't GPC/KSUFans.com - and of course, I have to show my hand, I want to run the place.  

[doom]

If we all went in on the site together all new and we set up a system for handling all these questions collectively by people who put up the money, then codified it in a charter or legal document to determine ownership rights and then contracted out the hosting and paid the admins a stipend to run/upkeep then it would be fine, less expensive and sustainable.

You take the advertising and all the b.s./crap that we would have to go through here.  It forces mj's hand as well.

emaw.com or bust.

You've got good ideas, but seriously, MJ won't move.  He's too prideful/hates us/is a jayhawk fan now that they won.  And no one here will shoulder the burden of setting up the new site. 

250 people have to pay 10$.  That is not that preposterous. 

[Saulbadguy]

I've got to get to bed. Further questions will be answered tomorrow morning.  

[Trim]

I do not know the current operating expenses for this site

That's a problem if you (us) are considering buying it.

[Kat Kid]

If we all went in on the site together all new and we set up a system for handling all these questions collectively by people who put up the money, then codified it in a charter or legal document to determine ownership rights and then contracted out the hosting and paid the admins a stipend to run/upkeep then it would be fine, less expensive and sustainable.

You take the advertising and all the b.s./crap that we would have to go through here.  It forces mj's hand as well.

emaw.com or bust.

He called my bluff, I tried to get it for free. 

EMAW is for sale. I wonder how much he is charging?    

Anyways, all topics of discussion in this thread are valid, if we don't raise the money, we don't raise the money, and we move on. 

I just want to guarantee a place that isn't GPC/KSUFans.com - and of course, I have to show my hand, I want to run the place. 

You and only you should contact emaw to try and buy the domain.  We don't want him to get us in to a bidding war with ourselves.

[chum1]

This site isn't what it used to be.  Too many dipsh*ts.  And ksufans.com is a lousy name.  So, just start up a new site on which dipsh*ts are banned for being dipsh*ts.  Two birds with one stone, eh?

[doom]

What about Russ Briggs?  I hear he's got some coin.

Really, is there a way to get a small donation from a Manhattan area company, or several companies?  Place a banner ad at the top of the boards for a year....

I think, as someone acquiring this site, Saul, you should as to see the ledger sheet for the operation of ksufans.com, so you can actually see what's happening.  This is fairly standard practice when a business is selling itself off.  As potential "investors" in the company, I think it would also be wise for any of us possible donors to see what we may be getting ourselves into.

I have no problem with making a small donation, if that's what's needed, but I like to know what my money is going for specifically.  You've done a decent job of explaining it, just not with the depth that some of us want.  Remember that most of the people here are high school/college age, with only a small minority of us being gainfully employed.  That will prove to be the major obstacle toward getting that $2500.

This is a great idea.  See if hatworld or thread, or some crazy crap place we all go and waste money would do it.  Maybe a bar or two in the ville.

[chum1]

Also, you don't want to deal with MJ because he is clearly very bad at business.  Just think of all the people who were dying for their ksufans.com coolers that he f*cked over.

[Trim]

What about Russ Briggs?  I hear he's got some coin.

Really, is there a way to get a small donation from a Manhattan area company, or several companies?  Place a banner ad at the top of the boards for a year....

I think, as someone acquiring this site, Saul, you should as to see the ledger sheet for the operation of ksufans.com, so you can actually see what's happening.  This is fairly standard practice when a business is selling itself off.  As potential "investors" in the company, I think it would also be wise for any of us possible donors to see what we may be getting ourselves into.

I have no problem with making a small donation, if that's what's needed, but I like to know what my money is going for specifically.  You've done a decent job of explaining it, just not with the depth that some of us want.  Remember that most of the people here are high school/college age, with only a small minority of us being gainfully employed.  That will prove to be the major obstacle toward getting that $2500.

This is a great idea.  See if hatworld or thread, or some crazy crap place we all go and waste money would do it.  Maybe a bar or two in the ville.

Businesses  being sponsors of places that draw the reactions Berringer thread, Stewart kneecap threat, etc. bring.   

[Kat Kid]

seriously.  price out emaw.com, concurrently send a party of undergrads to scope out the Manhattan market for advertising and then move everyone to emaw.com and have a system where a group of shareholders determine the future of the board as opposed to one douche bag with a dream/crappy posting style.

[Kat Kid]

Saul, use the vast resources of the emaw nation.  call upon bslimz/Azcat for help on the legalese.

Rotate the upkeep/moderating between you and the several other tech savvy youth that populate the board.

Have people pay money with the money buying:

1.  a proportional share of votes in to decision making on board policies/matters (capped so that no one has or could have a majority of shares by themselves)
2.  a proportional ownership of the site in the unlikely event that the new site is ever sold (assuming majority of shares votes this way)
3.  put the capital collected towards:
    A.  the emaw.com (or whatever) domain name
    B.  bandwidth costs
    C.  legal/admin/IT work done by people (at reduced/volunteer type prices)
    D.  snazzy gadgets that better the site, are affordable and don't jeopardize the financial sustainability of the site/are voted on by majority of shareholders.

[rundown87]

Saul, use the vast resources of the emaw nation.  call upon bslimz/Azcat for help on the legalese.

Rotate the upkeep/moderating between you and the several other tech savvy youth that populate the board.

Have people pay money with the money buying:

1.  a proportional share of votes in to decision making on board policies/matters (capped so that no one has or could have a majority of shares by themselves)
2.  a proportional ownership of the site in the unlikely event that the new site is ever sold (assuming majority of shares votes this way)
3.  put the capital collected towards:
    A.  the emaw.com (or whatever) domain name
    B.  bandwidth costs
    C.  legal/admin/IT work done by people (at reduced/volunteer type prices)
    D.  snazzy gadgets that better the site, are affordable and don't jeopardize the financial sustainability of the site/are voted on by majority of shareholders.

I heard somewhere that Bong makes more money that any of us could ever dream of, plus he spends more time on this board than any of us anyways. . .

[dr00d]

Ok seriously, mj is demanding 2k dollars to keep the name of the site?  This is the most retarded thing I have ever seen.

I think the database is the more important thing we are trying to obtain.  But really he is a douche. 

Well then I'm sorry you all have such a fragile ego when it comes to losing your post count or losing your post history...

who really cares, post counts are the most retarded contest anyways.  IMO, you should do hidden post counts, which means do your 1 star through 10 stars, but then you wouldn't know how many posts it takes and it isn't so obviously hitting you in the face.  Do you realize that many people don't post because of poster intimidation?