The On Target Forum has been removed.

[Toxic_Avenger]

I would like to think, in a perfect world, that the forum could survive without adsense.
Obviously it has revenue implications, but is it critical for search engine ranking? and if so, What percentage of 'new business' comes via this channel?
The concept of it stinks, and either publishers will put up with it, or fight back.

Would crowd funding be possible to cover the shortfall?

[SBD4]

....Would crowd funding be possible to cover the shortfall?

That's what subscription is for.

It's difficult when you get people complaining about $1 a month saying it's "outrageous when other sites like this can do it for nothing" (not withstanding those that genuinely don't have the funds).

Also, with the direct subscription model, 100% of the money goes to the forum whereas crowdfunding loses a percentage to the funding site making direct subscription more financially effective. I guess the advantage of the crowdfunding model is the ability to promote the "cause" to a broader audience.

[Toxic_Avenger]

Maybe my use of the word crowd funding was a little ambiguous. I wasn't necessarily thinking a kickstarter was in order...

Subscriptions gives you access to the service. I was thinking of something paid direct for the very reason of maintaining neutrality on this site. Whether this is in conjunction with special access rights above and beyond the standard offer, customer user titles, monthly prize raffles or something completely different, who knows...

People who are upset with the cost are just tight. I think we can all appreciate the costs associated with the operation of this place, and we can all understadn this doesn't just happen... but likewise, being held to ransom as a result of one corporation for the sake of 6 cents per add click... well... that's a whole other story.

I've been ostracised for saying this before, but if longevity of this place is a concern, then it needs to be run like a business- not have the proverbial axe over its head with things like adsense. This is not only a huge risk for the revenue streams of this place, but it'd also be a huge financial uncertainty for the publisher.

As for other sites not having subscription offers, another question is what are they doing that this place isn't? Is it simply a pool of really dumb investors throwing their own hard earned cash into a non performing website for no return?!

[DiscoMick]

I'm quite happy to subscribe to this site to have access. I think of it as the equivalent of a magazine subscription. If we all subscribed the finances would look a lot better, I'm sure.
It's the way the world is going. For example, I have a student who runs his own YouTube gaming site with 8000 subscribers. At this rate, he could soon be a very wealthy little lad, if he makes good choices. It can be done, as Inc. knows, I'm sure.

[CraigE]

What irks me is how these minority groups can infiltrate and purport their own views on everyone. Last I looked licenced shooting was a legitimate and legal pastime. I am a shooter and think it should be allowed to be talked about. I am somewhere in the middle where I advocate legal and responsible use of firearms, but can see why military and fully automatic weapons as well as hand guns are generally not needed.
Not having a crack at you Dave as I know it is beyond your control.
How are they (advertisers) allowed to cause a veto on something that is legal, yet we can talk all we like about Cannabis, war etc

[kreecha]

I'm quite happy to subscribe to this site to have access. I think of it as the equivalent of a magazine subscription. If we all subscribed the finances would look a lot better, I'm sure.
It's the way the world is going. For example, I have a student who runs his own YouTube gaming site with 8000 subscribers. At this rate, he could soon be a very wealthy little lad, if he makes good choices. It can be done, as Inc. knows, I'm sure.

Please keep this thread gender neutral.
Instead of "he or she", use "they", "them", this person etc

Thanks.

[trout1105]

Please keep this thread gender neutral.
Instead of "he or she", use "they", "them", this person etc

Thanks.

WHY?, Mick Knows this student and Knows the gender of that student.
More bloody unwanted/Not Needed PC.

[kreecha]

WHY?, Mick Knows this student and Knows the gender of that student.
More bloody unwanted/Not Needed PC.

Sorry mate, I couldn’t help!

This PC is too much!

Like Yarra council not celebrating Australia Day, and I just saw a post on a survivalist FB page I follow - a woodworking class for females, transgender and indiscriminate. Bloody hell I need some woodworking classes! I can make a rubbish looking pallet into real rubbish furniture!
HA that’s flaming legal positive discrimination for your right there!

Sorry for yanking ya chain trout

[Gordie]

WHY?, Mick Knows this student and Knows the gender of that student.
More bloody unwanted/Not Needed PC.

I think he was taking the **** mate.....and he missed out 'allegedly', to be used before such statements please.

[Chenz]

I hear what Inc is saying an sympathise with what he had to do to keep the forum alive but where is all this going to end?

Who is the arbiter of what is acceptable or not today, tomorrow and into the future.

People are more and more scared every day about what they say and who it may offend and if by speaking or putting up a post on a forum about a pastime - which is by way of the current laws legal, is deemed by "somebody" to transgress some unwritten law then we have as a race, a country and as individuals - lost the plot.

"They" and bugger me if you can find out who "they" are, will not be happy until we are all gender neutral, vegan, Kumbya singing nobodies.

I recently bought a house in New Zealand. They are a few years behind us with this rubbish. Maybe I'll move there. Hunting, shooting, fishing and 4WDing are considered as legitimate and popular pastimes and people are able to enjoy them without some tofu swilling know it all telling them they are doing the wrong thing.

Don't worry, the Fishing shack will be next. "They" are already trying to stop the use of livebait, put in extra Marine Zones and no fish areas. Then it will be more lock outs of more national parks and other areas for 4WDs and on an it goes.

If you get the idea I am not happy well you are right. But by getting worked up and speaking out you just give "them" more ammo ( sorry can't say ammo anymore) to shut down some other area of free speech.

I feel for my grandkids and the world in which they are growing up into.

Rant over. I think I'll go up the farm this weekend and recreate with my sticks that go bang (don't want to say anything that may upset "them").