In light of the recent mass exodus and the ensuing discussions of ads and ad sizes, I took the liberty of starting this thread, to generate some ideas of how we, as a Martial Arts community, can help support this online portal and community.

I only ask that the discussion be kept civil and respectful and centered on suggestions for generating revenue, other than advertising.

simple,

get rid of all the dodgy ad's and charge a small 1/4ly fee for membership, ie to make posts.

This would have the knock on effect of us not needing 'thousands' of members, 80% of which are not martial artists anyhow, and also stopping the trolls overnight - which would increase the quality of posting and make life easier for the mod's.

I would pay a little for membership rights, ie to post, see the articles, have a vote on forum policy etc etc.

Of course something like this would never happen but im just saying................

Personally, I don't mind the AJ model. Full articles being available to paid subscribers and only paid subscribers can participate in the forum. I think it engenders a higher quality of participation all round.

Alternatively, Aikiweb uses a donation system. Contributing members are entitled "frills", like additional PM mailbox sizes and enlarged photo galleries.

Bear in mind this is only for community discussion purposes... I leave it to Mr Caile and the FA board of directors to take these suggestions into consideration. Caeveat I do not represent FA, Mr Caile or the board in any capacity.

I agree with a small fee. The best forum that I participate in regularly, charges an annual fee. The difference is that fee accompanies a teaching system and the forum supports the teaching system and FA would not be like that. However, a fee, even a small one, discourages trolls and inappropriate advertisers.

$5.00 - $10.00 life time membership; sign me up if you get rid of the ads.

I just want a spam filter to prevent these damn posts with links from 'idiotBS' or whatever name derivative pops up.

The ad banners just dont bother me that much- i dont avoid TV because of ads, nor avoid driving streets with billboards.
The spam posts, however, are like door to door salesmen, and I hate that.

If you start asking me to pay to talk on here, then I am sorry, I will be gone. If I ad up the amount of time I have spent offering training advice, and devising training schedules for people on here, and then apply my old rates as a trainer, I have given away well over $40,000 of help for free. I am not going to pay for the privelidge of talking to people and helping them out.

Charge whatever you want,

The moment they charge me, the I'm out.

I've contributed quite a lot and I've shared lots of stuff that people pays sh!t loads to just touch the surface here in Thailand.

~Donnie

I would be in favor of supporting a well regulated site with useful information and a little fun discussing things.

Too bad I'm not describing this place at the moment.

Maybe,but there are so many other sites that don't seem to have that problem.