Oh and lest I forget I have made some OUTSTANDING friendships here ... You included
Does this site need to continue?
- Thread starter captain
- Start date
Doug, I hope that the board will stay. I understand your situation and if it is not in the cards for the site to go on so be it. I have learned so much about my bike from the folks here. And I have made some good friends that I see a couple times a year and others who are friends in the abstract. I would miss them all.
As with the other members a donation of $$ is a given. Now as for your time that is another matter. That is something you will have to weigh for yourself. Bob
So as to not be repetitive, I'll just agree with what everyone else said.
Seriously though, this the best 'Busa site on the net for me and what I need. None of the others have the sort of friendly, at home nature of the board. However, you shouldn't have to kill yourself to let us have a good time. If pulling the site is what you need to do then do it. If it's money I think we have all said we will help and not let the site go because of that!
Seriously though, this the best 'Busa site on the net for me and what I need. None of the others have the sort of friendly, at home nature of the board. However, you shouldn't have to kill yourself to let us have a good time. If pulling the site is what you need to do then do it. If it's money I think we have all said we will help and not let the site go because of that!
wizard
Never Forgotten
..new member here, but here goes anyway..
- I stop by and read ALL topic titles every day.. ..go through 10-15 topics, post to 3-4..
- I have learned more things here re: the busa, than on any other site for any other issue.. pure knowledge, valuable information, wisdom, willingness and very small-to-not-at-all grains of "attitude", form a mix of enjoyable and constructive reading..
- I have made friends here.. ..and this IS something important, since I live in the other part of the World..
Cap, the $1.000.000 question here is "would you give something to help maintain this site?" ..and the question is yes..
This site deserves to go on, and noone will let it die - so do whatever it has to be done towards that direction..
- I stop by and read ALL topic titles every day.. ..go through 10-15 topics, post to 3-4..
- I have learned more things here re: the busa, than on any other site for any other issue.. pure knowledge, valuable information, wisdom, willingness and very small-to-not-at-all grains of "attitude", form a mix of enjoyable and constructive reading..
- I have made friends here.. ..and this IS something important, since I live in the other part of the World..
Cap, the $1.000.000 question here is "would you give something to help maintain this site?" ..and the question is yes..
This site deserves to go on, and noone will let it die - so do whatever it has to be done towards that direction..
I would say something, but everyone else already said it. I'll donate to keep this site going. I've even started by ordering a t-shirt ( been planning on doing that for awhile ). Theres a couple more things I will order when i get more funds into paypal.
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Well, You have invested a crap load of time, effort and $$$, into the board to keep it up and running. I would say keep it up and running if for no other reason than the investment you have already made in it.
That being said, perhaps you feel tied to the board now, Maybe your no longer getting anything out of it and it's just a Pain. If that's the case I'd say sell the board, the servers, the domain etc, to someone who is interested in doing it. Literally wash your hands of the whole deal and find someone who is excited about the whole prospect. Hell I'd buy it if I knew where I was going to be living, and if I knew there would be a place to house everything.
You won't "charge" for the site, you won't ask for donations, yet this comes up every six months or so. Doesn't make sense, I'd say take the failed "Buy The Captain a Busa" money and use it for board expenses. Then Create a couple of banners on the board for the T-shirts, Hats, etc.. So those keep moving out the door And lets move forward.
How about a break down of expenses? The Real down and dirty monthly costs of hosting and housing the board. Specifically What's the Bandwidth Usage per month? And how much storage/HD space do you use? There are all sorts of hosting possibilities out there, and I wouldn't hesitate to ask folks for $5 a month or so to pay the expenses. Would provide a reliable trouble free method of keeping the board up and running without stressing out your members every six months with threats of having to close up shop.
This board is unique in that there is a lack of porn, a lack of racism, a lack of shiddy Teenage attitudes (well... besides me I mean), heck a lack of harsh language. It's NOT a mechanics board, it's not where to go if your looking to start some shid. But it's the place to go when your new to the Busa, New to web boards, still got your Green "Newbie Shell" on and just need some help, or place to hang out, to find some other folks to ride with, to really be part of a little virtual community. That is what makes this board unique and different. There is a real sense of civility here, and for the most part a lack of attitude and BS. (again besides me and my attitude of course) It's the fact that right now, I could plot a trip from coast to coast in either direction N-S or E-W and have at least one or two members in every state on the way I could call on if I needed a hand, or just wanted to stop and BS for awhile...That's What makes this board special... IMHO.
Otherwise, yeah there are other boards, Other Hayabusa boards, Local boards, etc. Where folks could get questions answered, get some advice and tips, and information on get togethers etc...
Revlis
That being said, perhaps you feel tied to the board now, Maybe your no longer getting anything out of it and it's just a Pain. If that's the case I'd say sell the board, the servers, the domain etc, to someone who is interested in doing it. Literally wash your hands of the whole deal and find someone who is excited about the whole prospect. Hell I'd buy it if I knew where I was going to be living, and if I knew there would be a place to house everything.
You won't "charge" for the site, you won't ask for donations, yet this comes up every six months or so. Doesn't make sense, I'd say take the failed "Buy The Captain a Busa" money and use it for board expenses. Then Create a couple of banners on the board for the T-shirts, Hats, etc.. So those keep moving out the door And lets move forward.
How about a break down of expenses? The Real down and dirty monthly costs of hosting and housing the board. Specifically What's the Bandwidth Usage per month? And how much storage/HD space do you use? There are all sorts of hosting possibilities out there, and I wouldn't hesitate to ask folks for $5 a month or so to pay the expenses. Would provide a reliable trouble free method of keeping the board up and running without stressing out your members every six months with threats of having to close up shop.
This board is unique in that there is a lack of porn, a lack of racism, a lack of shiddy Teenage attitudes (well... besides me I mean), heck a lack of harsh language. It's NOT a mechanics board, it's not where to go if your looking to start some shid. But it's the place to go when your new to the Busa, New to web boards, still got your Green "Newbie Shell" on and just need some help, or place to hang out, to find some other folks to ride with, to really be part of a little virtual community. That is what makes this board unique and different. There is a real sense of civility here, and for the most part a lack of attitude and BS. (again besides me and my attitude of course) It's the fact that right now, I could plot a trip from coast to coast in either direction N-S or E-W and have at least one or two members in every state on the way I could call on if I needed a hand, or just wanted to stop and BS for awhile...That's What makes this board special... IMHO.
Otherwise, yeah there are other boards, Other Hayabusa boards, Local boards, etc. Where folks could get questions answered, get some advice and tips, and information on get togethers etc...
Revlis
Yeah, I wish I had the resources to take it over... if you wanted to just transfer it to someone else instead of killin' it. I'd love to keep it rollin'... but I know I couldn't afford the $$$. Could cover the time part since I have spare time at work most days and usually spend it postin' here anyway. I really wish I could take the load off of you and take it over... It'd take some financial backing though...
I also agree with the others in all the ways you do what you gotta do cap
i have seen the other sights and was a member of a diffrent one also but i quite going to it just cause of the attitude people there seemed to have it was quite unerving granted there is not much activity yet but like others say winter is comeing people will be on the board more then riding and of course newbies looking for all the new mods and such
But hey cap do what ya need to I'm sure we'll all support you which ever way you decide
i have seen the other sights and was a member of a diffrent one also but i quite going to it just cause of the attitude people there seemed to have it was quite unerving granted there is not much activity yet but like others say winter is comeing people will be on the board more then riding and of course newbies looking for all the new mods and such
But hey cap do what ya need to I'm sure we'll all support you which ever way you decide
Wow. What to say that hasn't been already? I really appreciate this site for all of the information contained herein. One of the posts mentioned how new people come to the boards and want information about performance, etc. My of us feel a sence of guidance and maybe even mentorship coming from some of the more experienced riders.....what works, what won't......
I have even pledged to never do another mod on my scooter unless I have searched for it here first.
At the same time, it is selfish of us to hope/expect you to drain yourself with little to no return. I understand that you don't want to charge people for site membership - but a free site that goes under doesn't do anyone any good.
Here is my .02:
Idea one. Flat $5.00 membership fee, paid via paypal, which pays for membership to the site and a $5.00 discount on your first T-shirt order. (that way there is money coming in and encouraging people to buy H.org goodies)
Idea two: Flat Tax (one time donation) of $5 or $10 dollars from every member. How many members x 5 or 10 - wouldn't that help at least a little?
Random thoughts for the random thoughts board.
Errrrrr.
Shawn
I have even pledged to never do another mod on my scooter unless I have searched for it here first.
At the same time, it is selfish of us to hope/expect you to drain yourself with little to no return. I understand that you don't want to charge people for site membership - but a free site that goes under doesn't do anyone any good.
Here is my .02:
Idea one. Flat $5.00 membership fee, paid via paypal, which pays for membership to the site and a $5.00 discount on your first T-shirt order. (that way there is money coming in and encouraging people to buy H.org goodies)
Idea two: Flat Tax (one time donation) of $5 or $10 dollars from every member. How many members x 5 or 10 - wouldn't that help at least a little?
Random thoughts for the random thoughts board.
Errrrrr.
Shawn
Forgot to mention one other thing, probably the most important, that I have made friendships on this board. People I plan with for the big July vacation(Laguna). And I think others have also, this site does more than convey information. Without this board, I never would have even met them.
Maybe cheesy, but true.
Maybe cheesy, but true.
1127 TO 1299
Registered
Captain,
I noticed yesterday that the board was bored.
I would be interested to know how many post, users there was yesterday compared to the average.
Like you said we have redundant topics but there will always be new hayabusa buyer and they are too lazy to use the search tool looking for answers.
I looked at diff bike forum and there is nothing like this one.
I knew I didn't really contributed to the board due to my limited knowledge about everything about bikes but I like it here.
I totally understand your point and you should do what you think is best for you. Not us. We are parasites and if you shut it down, we will find another host. But we h.org is unique like rev said: mature, no porn (there is other site for this ya know)no racism etc...
Good luck in your decision
I noticed yesterday that the board was bored.
I would be interested to know how many post, users there was yesterday compared to the average.
Like you said we have redundant topics but there will always be new hayabusa buyer and they are too lazy to use the search tool looking for answers.
I looked at diff bike forum and there is nothing like this one.
I knew I didn't really contributed to the board due to my limited knowledge about everything about bikes but I like it here.
I totally understand your point and you should do what you think is best for you. Not us. We are parasites and if you shut it down, we will find another host. But we h.org is unique like rev said: mature, no porn (there is other site for this ya know)no racism etc...
Good luck in your decision
LoBusa
Registered
Cap,
I can only speak for myself here as one of the "Old Timers" who bitches and moans about the changes going on or the same old questions asked again and again but hellooooooooo, guess who keeps coming back!!! ME!!! Why?? Cuz it's a great place to be!! PERIOD!! Even when I get grumpy and take a short hiatus from the board, I'm still lurking around incognito because I like reading what's going on, seeing how my friends are doing and checking out what folks are doing to their bikes etc.....
We're a family here no doubt. Running to eachothers rescue when we crash and need help re-building.. Sharing eachothers pain when we have personal tragedies... Opening up our homes to board members traveling to our areas... There's not that many boards out there, no on second thought, there's no boards out there that have that type of closeness or share the respect we do for one another... Granted, we get some a$$holes (not you Bacharles) from time to time that drop in and stir things up, but the basic theme of the board goes unchanged as we rally together and give said A-Hole his walking papers!!!
The BUSA hasn't changed much and has been around for a while, but our enthusiasm for our bikes and that of the NEWBIES that come around keeps it entertaining around here. I would really hate to see it go... There's no other like HAYABUSA.ORG. I know the majority vote would be that we would rather help contribute to keep the board going than to see it go. If it's a time aspect, then there's not too much we can do about that, but if it's strictly a financial thing then just be real with us and let us know what it would take to keep it going...
I promise not to bitch about anything anymore and sign in non-annonymous so you know I'm hanging out... I only do that cuz Bacharles is a stalker.....
Just wanted to give my .02 and it ended up being .50 Bottomline, do what's best for you but know that we would be willing to help!!!!!!
Your pal,
LoBusa
I can only speak for myself here as one of the "Old Timers" who bitches and moans about the changes going on or the same old questions asked again and again but hellooooooooo, guess who keeps coming back!!! ME!!! Why?? Cuz it's a great place to be!! PERIOD!! Even when I get grumpy and take a short hiatus from the board, I'm still lurking around incognito because I like reading what's going on, seeing how my friends are doing and checking out what folks are doing to their bikes etc.....
We're a family here no doubt. Running to eachothers rescue when we crash and need help re-building.. Sharing eachothers pain when we have personal tragedies... Opening up our homes to board members traveling to our areas... There's not that many boards out there, no on second thought, there's no boards out there that have that type of closeness or share the respect we do for one another... Granted, we get some a$$holes (not you Bacharles) from time to time that drop in and stir things up, but the basic theme of the board goes unchanged as we rally together and give said A-Hole his walking papers!!!
The BUSA hasn't changed much and has been around for a while, but our enthusiasm for our bikes and that of the NEWBIES that come around keeps it entertaining around here. I would really hate to see it go... There's no other like HAYABUSA.ORG. I know the majority vote would be that we would rather help contribute to keep the board going than to see it go. If it's a time aspect, then there's not too much we can do about that, but if it's strictly a financial thing then just be real with us and let us know what it would take to keep it going...
I promise not to bitch about anything anymore and sign in non-annonymous so you know I'm hanging out... I only do that cuz Bacharles is a stalker.....
Just wanted to give my .02 and it ended up being .50 Bottomline, do what's best for you but know that we would be willing to help!!!!!!
Your pal,
LoBusa
Wow...took a day off and came back to find this topic.....this is a shame. Seems to me the majority is willing to shoulder some of the financial burden, so maybe it's time to consider changing how you do business. I asked in the past if you would consider sponsorships from outside the industry, and am still willing to buy some space if you need the help.
I've met good folks here, sold a bike, found the dealer I bought my '03 from, sent some folks some parts so they could get their bikes repaired, etc, etc, etc......
I've got more shirts and tanktops and hats than I need, and those items must not be generating the amount of profit needed to keep the site solvent.....so it's time to take some money from the people offering to give it.
I've met good folks here, sold a bike, found the dealer I bought my '03 from, sent some folks some parts so they could get their bikes repaired, etc, etc, etc......
I've got more shirts and tanktops and hats than I need, and those items must not be generating the amount of profit needed to keep the site solvent.....so it's time to take some money from the people offering to give it.
Doug –
My input for what it is worth.
Hayabusa.org is pretty much the only motorcycle board I frequent. I have accounts on 3 other boards.. But I probably have fewer than 8 totally posts between all three of them.
This board is what introduced me to Laguna Seca and helped me to hook up with other riders that I might not have met otherwise
This board enabled me to meet Lo busa and her Fiancée and their club.. great people, glad I got to meet them
This board allowed me to meet Mikey D and FIP in Arizona and got to get a ride together before I ever got there.
This board enabled me to hook up with PshycoZ in Vegas at Street Vibrations
This board enabled me to hook up with Pacemaster and go for a morning ride
I learned how to do my exhaust mod on this from this board.
I have my maintenance manual because of this board.
I have met a lot of other people on this board that I would like to meet in person some day.
I check the board almost every day. My wife checks the board often.
This board seems to be different than the rest because for the most part, the majority of the people here seem to be respectful, non judgmental, non racists, mature, level headed.
This is an awesome board to have the ability to access.
With all that said. You have to do what you have to do. If it is becoming a financial burden on you and or a mental burden maybe you should let it go.
Everything we do in life should be as fun as possible, if we are doing something that is a burden, bringing us down, seems to exhaust you, sometimes it is best to cut it out of your life.
Nothing lasts for ever, everything has a beginning and has an end. This board will end someday. For one reason or another it has to. It is just the nature of things.
It is your decision however as to when it ends.
If you were to shut the board down I would with out a doubt miss it. I would probably feel lost for awhile because it is almost addicting checking the board everyday.
But the response of all the bored members is really irrelevant. Everyone on this board could respond with how important the board is and how much they need it and it will make you feel better for a time about keeping it up and running, but in the end if your heart is no longer in it, the euphoria of everyone saying how much they need it will wear off and you once again will begin to feel it as a burden.
I am not sure what the expense are. But I would imagine a big part of the expense is the bandwidth.
If you want to cut expenses drop the download upload section, get rid of all the videos and all the pictures. Get rid of your email service.
The majority of the boards positive influence in my opinion is the message boards, this is where the meat of the communications exists and this is probably also the lowest of your bandwidth requirements in comparison to people uploading and downloading videos / graphics. I am pretty sure it is probably the lowest in storage requirements in comparison to the upload download section.
I guess to summarize Doug, if it is a mental burden by itself, you are probably burned out and maybe you should think about moving on.
If it is a mental burden due to financial requirements of running the board, maybe trimming some of the extras out and leaving it as a communication board might be the answer.
If you are an organization and you are not excepting any kind of payment, shouldn’t you also be able to write a lot of it off and your taxes?
Good luck Doug, me personally, I hate to see the board go, but behind you on whatever decision you make. Your mental and physically health must come before anything else.
Ron
My input for what it is worth.
Hayabusa.org is pretty much the only motorcycle board I frequent. I have accounts on 3 other boards.. But I probably have fewer than 8 totally posts between all three of them.
This board is what introduced me to Laguna Seca and helped me to hook up with other riders that I might not have met otherwise
This board enabled me to meet Lo busa and her Fiancée and their club.. great people, glad I got to meet them
This board allowed me to meet Mikey D and FIP in Arizona and got to get a ride together before I ever got there.
This board enabled me to hook up with PshycoZ in Vegas at Street Vibrations
This board enabled me to hook up with Pacemaster and go for a morning ride
I learned how to do my exhaust mod on this from this board.
I have my maintenance manual because of this board.
I have met a lot of other people on this board that I would like to meet in person some day.
I check the board almost every day. My wife checks the board often.
This board seems to be different than the rest because for the most part, the majority of the people here seem to be respectful, non judgmental, non racists, mature, level headed.
This is an awesome board to have the ability to access.
With all that said. You have to do what you have to do. If it is becoming a financial burden on you and or a mental burden maybe you should let it go.
Everything we do in life should be as fun as possible, if we are doing something that is a burden, bringing us down, seems to exhaust you, sometimes it is best to cut it out of your life.
Nothing lasts for ever, everything has a beginning and has an end. This board will end someday. For one reason or another it has to. It is just the nature of things.
It is your decision however as to when it ends.
If you were to shut the board down I would with out a doubt miss it. I would probably feel lost for awhile because it is almost addicting checking the board everyday.
But the response of all the bored members is really irrelevant. Everyone on this board could respond with how important the board is and how much they need it and it will make you feel better for a time about keeping it up and running, but in the end if your heart is no longer in it, the euphoria of everyone saying how much they need it will wear off and you once again will begin to feel it as a burden.
I am not sure what the expense are. But I would imagine a big part of the expense is the bandwidth.
If you want to cut expenses drop the download upload section, get rid of all the videos and all the pictures. Get rid of your email service.
The majority of the boards positive influence in my opinion is the message boards, this is where the meat of the communications exists and this is probably also the lowest of your bandwidth requirements in comparison to people uploading and downloading videos / graphics. I am pretty sure it is probably the lowest in storage requirements in comparison to the upload download section.
I guess to summarize Doug, if it is a mental burden by itself, you are probably burned out and maybe you should think about moving on.
If it is a mental burden due to financial requirements of running the board, maybe trimming some of the extras out and leaving it as a communication board might be the answer.
If you are an organization and you are not excepting any kind of payment, shouldn’t you also be able to write a lot of it off and your taxes?
Good luck Doug, me personally, I hate to see the board go, but behind you on whatever decision you make. Your mental and physically health must come before anything else.
Ron
Well, after spending my lunch hour reading all that I'll just say... YES, the site needs to continue.. and, YES I would be willing to offer whatever I could to make it so~
I do however understand the burden keeping up a site as big as this has become can be~ The financial end of it we as members can cover, and from what I've read so far, without much of a problem~ The servicing end comes from the admins and moderators~ Surround yourself with a good team that you can hand the keys to without worries and they will cover the bases for you so you would have more time for yourself, your family, and whatever else you find relaxing and enjoyable~ Don't get me wrong here.. your mods seem to do a good job, but maybe you can give them, or certain ones, more accessability to cover the bases that would free your time and your mind.. and let the members cover the financial end of things~ If you don't wanna make it a 'pay site' or don't wanna 'ask for donations'.. maybe hold some kinda monthly raffles with the understanding that so much of the proceeds will go to keeping the board up and running~ Just something else to concider~
Well, dang, guess I did have more on my mind the 'just YES'~
Bottom line... do what you gotta do, Cap'n, but know the people here are willing to help keep it alive~
I do however understand the burden keeping up a site as big as this has become can be~ The financial end of it we as members can cover, and from what I've read so far, without much of a problem~ The servicing end comes from the admins and moderators~ Surround yourself with a good team that you can hand the keys to without worries and they will cover the bases for you so you would have more time for yourself, your family, and whatever else you find relaxing and enjoyable~ Don't get me wrong here.. your mods seem to do a good job, but maybe you can give them, or certain ones, more accessability to cover the bases that would free your time and your mind.. and let the members cover the financial end of things~ If you don't wanna make it a 'pay site' or don't wanna 'ask for donations'.. maybe hold some kinda monthly raffles with the understanding that so much of the proceeds will go to keeping the board up and running~ Just something else to concider~
Well, dang, guess I did have more on my mind the 'just YES'~
Bottom line... do what you gotta do, Cap'n, but know the people here are willing to help keep it alive~
As a new Busa owner I've referred extensively to the message boards on this site from day one to familiarize myself with the bike and get a lot of useful information on maintenance, mods etc.
I don't use the other sections much (Pics, Movies etc.) so I wouldn't miss those if they were trimmed.
I'd be prepared to pay membership if that's what it takes to keep the site up. Maybe membership fees could include a T-Shirt or something to make them more attractive.
I also wonder if you could expand the merchandising section to sell bike parts as well as clothing to increase revenue. There are some great product reviews on this site, and it would be nice not to have to hunt for the parts on other sites.
Please consider selling the site to someone else rather than shutting it down if you don't want to run it anymore.
I don't use the other sections much (Pics, Movies etc.) so I wouldn't miss those if they were trimmed.
I'd be prepared to pay membership if that's what it takes to keep the site up. Maybe membership fees could include a T-Shirt or something to make them more attractive.
I also wonder if you could expand the merchandising section to sell bike parts as well as clothing to increase revenue. There are some great product reviews on this site, and it would be nice not to have to hunt for the parts on other sites.
Please consider selling the site to someone else rather than shutting it down if you don't want to run it anymore.
Some one call the SWAT team! I think the Emu's have taken the Captain hostage and are making him say these things.
What more could I say than what's said above? I don't want to see it go.
Paul
What more could I say than what's said above? I don't want to see it go.
Paul
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