Paid Forum Supporters

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Stu Bloom

"quick links > supporters" above and you can check them out any time you want ...

that's not as much fun

[Molten]

For me its not the money, its the fact that it is online. I'd rather pay $20 in person then $10 online. I know it's safe, but I still avoid it. Perhaps they could have a place at certain events to pay. I'm not saying a lot of them, but perhaps a table at the events they are already at. After all, a table at Atlanta might make some good money.

[McGurky]

I've seen the tab, many times before, but never clicked it. Then I decided to see how much it costs, and it is only 5 bucks for 6 months, thats like nothing. Just think about how much chief Delphi has helped throughout the build season!! I do agree, FIRST would not be the same without it!!! I am in for 6 months!

[Tom Line]

I just subscribed as well. Without Chief Delphi and the people and information here, I doubt our robot would have moved much in the last 5 years!

[Chris is me]

I'm not sure how related this is, but how much do you need to donate per year to get a banner ad on the site? Our team's More Robotics Products may be interested in advertising on the site.

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by Stu Bloom

While I like that idea ... That type of recognition could be resented by those who choose not to participate, and I suspect that Brandon would prefer to keep the financial support completely optional. Besides, the banner advertisers want SOMEONE still looking at their ads ...

Personally I believe EVERYONE should sign-up. I mean, c'mon, this is one of the best deals you will EVER find ... anywhere!!

Recognition for supporting the site. The advertisers get ads on the site for supporting CD some way or another. I was just trying to think of an incentive for people to donate. I know we're trying to be all touchy-feely and not hurt feelings, but let's be honest: If you saw that people were getting a badge for donating, wouldn't you want to donate (if you could)?

Unsung FIRST Heroes get a badge, WFA winners get a badge. I can't win either, so I don't have either badge on my profile or posts. By your logic, those should be taken away too, right?

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by synth3tk

Recognition for supporting the site. The advertisers get ads on the site for supporting CD some way or another. I was just trying to think of an incentive for people to donate. I know we're trying to be all touchy-feely and not hurt feelings, but let's be honest: If you saw that people were getting a badge for donating, wouldn't you want to donate (if you could)?

Unsung FIRST Heroes get a badge, WFA winners get a badge. I can't win either, so I don't have either badge on my profile or posts. By your logic, those should be taken away too, right?

I think a small recognition of some form like a dot, button, donor banner, or smiley of some kind would be cool. It would stir interest, like -

Curious CD member: How did you get your dot on your profile or why do you have a dot and I'm missing one?

Donating CD member: Well, because I help support ChiefDelphi and you can, too.

Nice idea, David.

[Stu Bloom]

Originally Posted by synth3tk

...Unsung FIRST Heroes get a badge, WFA winners get a badge ... By your logic, those should be taken away too, right?

PLEASE tell me you are not serious ... I can't even find the words to express my dis-belief ...

... I can't win either, so I don't have either badge on my profile or posts...

I'm curious to know why you think you can't win either of those awards. Your "Team Role" indicates that you are a Mentor.

By the way David - I'm NOT trying to put down your idea. Please don't forget that my first words in my post yesterday (#41 of this thread) were that I liked the recognition idea. I was just pointing out a potential pitfall, as well as my personal knowledge of Brandon's feelings about soliciting for monetary support. Also, if you go back through the entire thread you will see that I have been one of the most obnoxious voices encouraging everyone to "pay up"!

[synth3tk]

I was a college mentor, I just couldn't find it on the roles list. No, I wasn't serious, but was just trying to make a point. Those guys deserve it. And I didn't know Brandon's take on soliciting for monetary support. Although I still don't think this is the same as, say, putting Google Ads all over the place, making global announcements, and limiting features just to "force" someone to donate. But he is the bossman, so no arguments there.

[Pjohn1959]

It's been 2 years, time to re-up.

Only $15.00 for 2 years. Pretty cheap for the information that you get.

I only see 71 paid supporters. Let's see if we can get 100+

[synth3tk]

I'll re-sub next paycheck.

[JohnBoucher]

Two years have passed and I re-upped for another two. Nice to see the paid supporters count up to 67.

Those that are new to chiefdelphi might think that this is a FIRST sponsored website. It's not. It is community site with great corporate backing. The founders of chiefdelphi.com don't ask the community for support money, but they have made possible a small donation system to help with expenses. The link can be found under quick links. The supporters tab is at the bottom.

If you find value in what you read and do here, then make a donation. Let them know how much you appreciate their work.

I'll poke you again in two years.

[GGCO]

Maybe when a new user signs up you prompt them to donate?

[Alexa Stott]

Originally Posted by GGCO

Maybe when a new user signs up you prompt them to donate?

Originally Posted by JohnBoucher

The founders of chiefdelphi.com don't ask the community for support money, but they have made possible a small donation system to help with expenses.

[thefro526]

Looks like I'm still a supporter from the last time I paid. I guess I'll just need to re-up whenever I'm due.

On all of the other forums I'm a supporting member there is some sort of incentive to donate. While that incentive wasn't really needed in this case (the fact that CD can continue to exist is good enough for me) it may be needed for some other members. Other forums I'm on have done things like allowing larger signatures than normal, custom user titles (which are editable by all on here), different color names to differentiate between supporting members and regular members, small badges saying supporting member, larger PM box etc. I'm sure some of these could be implemented here without much fuss, should someone want to pursue them.