Forum Finances

[Wedgy]

Unfortunately, this forum is burning a rather large whole in my personal finances these days.
We have 3 members donating every month, but this only covers 25% of our Monthly costs and over the past 10 months I have been covering the gap in the finances.

The forum software itself is discontinued, so moving to a cheaper platform would prove rather difficult as technology has moved on .... and would require a large amount of my time to try and recode.

8 Good years, I think we may have to consider these our twilight years - I don't intend this to sound like an ultimatum, but the bottom line is without a bit of a cash injection our future is short.

[Spitfire]

My view Wedgy would be to say enough is enough - call it a day and wind it up.

There is no way that 4 posts a week (if that) are worth the outlay and the stress for you ..

We've said it before but tailored and individual Facebook pages, and social media in general come to that, have superceded most specialised forums and the number of posts per week now tells you that ..

How long can you go on funding 'Happy Birthdays' and full size and model train build reports on an Iconic Aircraft forum?? Even a cash injection now will only really put off the evil day don't you think

My 2 pennorth - jack it in

[Ray C]

Sadly I also agree....The dominating Facebook makes it easer these days. I wish you all well & hope
we may communicate elsewhare.

Ray.

[Sooty655]

I'm happy to increase my contribution if others wish to do the same, but sadly I think David and Ray are probably right.

[Wedgy]

Thanks for your feedback all. I share (although don't like) your views. But there is something about Iconic I need to keep around just for everything to be "right" with the world.

I will only shut IA as a last resort.
Today I have already enquired with the server company about downgrading services, but unfortunately they have even discontinued the server platform we are hosted on (for new customers) so they can offer no alternatives.

So there are only 2 options (other than throwing money at it) ....

1) I have a personal site which I will want to continue to run, so happy to buy a cheaper option (20% of current price) .... if I can get IA to run on that as a sideline for the smaller membership - all good! It will require a lot of my time to try and transfer/recode - with no guarantee of success, so its a matter of funding IA until I have the time to prove it can/cannot be done.

2) A planned closure of IA.

Keep you posted!

[Spitfire]

Option 3) Dump the forum - go with the herd and point everyone over to Facebook

Beef up the existing Facebook page and actually USE it - at no cost

https://www.facebook.com/wwwIconicAircraftcouk-90283331809/

Forget the web page and just call the FB page Iconic Aircraft - same logos etc

It pretty much says what you do already ....

For the Appreciation of the World's Finest Aeroplanes
And General Light Hearted Aviation Talk

If you wanted to be really flash you could even start a Twitter feed

Just saying

[Wedgy]

If you wanted to be really flash you could even start a Twitter feed

Just saying

This twitter feed with 27,000 tweets?
https://twitter.com/iconicaircraft

[Old Rigger]

Just seen this, and as a subscriber and occasional donator for these sort of times, I was going to offer an additional top up, but when you see the fall of in use of the site I would be inclined to agree with everyone else that it is not worth the pain and cost to continue, but understand that with all the work and effort that has gone into Iconic, it is hard to just let go, if you want a donation to give your idea a go just post here and I will add a few pennies to the pot.

I know that I am one that went back to lurking along with a few others, mainly due to certain posts being a tad unnecessarily vociferous in content, also I don't and won't use Facebook or Twitter, although have followed the odd link just to see some specific content that I was permitted to look at.

[Mayfly]

Hi All, Only just seen this as I've been away for a few days.

I am like Matt it will make a big hole in my life to lose IA BUT how long do you fund some thing that is not earning it's keep?

IA kept my sanity when DT gave up 558 - I genuinely believe I would have become seriously depressed with out it and for that I owe IA, Matt and it's members!

Have shoved something in the pot Matt and will continue to do so until you make a decision.

[34053]

Like Pam (Mayfly)) this Forum has been an important part of my life and I would really miss IA should it be lost. Yes, we have lost a lot of the regular (and not so regular) contributors and the occasional, entertaining 'banter'. (Where have they all gone? Do you think that some may still visit as 'hidden' users? I hope so and that they will fully return to the IA 'Family', some time).

Personally, I would like to think that we can, perhaps, give it another 12 months to see what the situation will be at that time? I am certainly more than willing to contribute some extra money to achieve this.

PW

[Spitfire]

Seems reasonable - so I'll lob something into the pot to keep Wedgy busy and then we'll see how he feels in 12 months time

[Sooty655]

I've also thrown a bit in. Keep up the good work, Wedgy.

[Old Rigger]

As it seems the consensus is for giving Wedgy a helping hand and see how it goes, I have also now made a small donation, good luck and hope it helps.

[Wedgy]

wow .... I look away for a few days to find this. Many thanks to you all - it really does give me a bit of breathing space - in which I can look to make IA a little leaner and more cost effective in its later years

Thank you all once again

[Mayfly]

No problem Matt.

It's not just a forum to me - it's a place where I made many friends and I don't turn back on friends even tho' many of them have moved on.

[Wedgy]

A little update: I am relinquishing the iconicaircraft.com domain in November, it was only ever bought to protect our identity and only saves £10 per year - but its all saving based on us being a 'sustained' community rather than the 'growing' community we once were.

[Gaz]

A little update: I am relinquishing the iconicaircraft.com domain in November, it was only ever bought to protect our identity and only saves £10 per year - but its all saving based on us being a 'sustained' community rather than the 'growing' community we once were.

Five quid says the 558 mob will buy it

I know I've dropped away over the past couple of years. The guppy lives, almost entirely, on Facebook (FYI, people over 40. You don't have to be afraid of Facebook ), but, I do check in, from time to time. Mostly to have a nosey at what you're all up to, but also to see if any old friends have surfaced.

I'm not gonna say you need to keep it running, Matt. It's your effort and your choice. I do like knowing that IA is there, though, at the back of the cupboard, like a favourite old cardigan

Your shout, matey

[Sooty655]

A little update: I am relinquishing the iconicaircraft.com domain in November, it was only ever bought to protect our identity and only saves £10 per year - but its all saving based on us being a 'sustained' community rather than the 'growing' community we once were.

Five quid says the 558 mob will buy it

I know I've dropped away over the past couple of years. The guppy lives, almost entirely, on Facebook (FYI, people over 40. You don't have to be afraid of Facebook ), but, I do check in, from time to time. Mostly to have a nosey at what you're all up to, but also to see if any old friends have surfaced.

I'm not gonna say you need to keep it running, Matt. It's your effort and your choice. I do like knowing that IA is there, though, at the back of the cupboard, like a favourite old cardigan

Your shout, matey

Can they still afford it?

[Spitfire]

Can they still afford it?

Probably not ... but it would go something like this ...

An Announcement
It has been a difficult 2 months - but we have decided that we need to purchase the domain ICONICAIRCRAFT.COM from Wedgy to ensure the future of this great name for the nation - we have committed the funds already without asking you first but now our supporters need to know that to avoid Wedgy being made bankrupt and thrown out onto the street we need our supporters to pledge funds immediately to save him and make this momentous purchase that we've already decided to do anyway.
Everyone who pledges will be asked to provide their email address so we can keep you up to date with future demands for cash news and events - you will all also receive a monthly email newsletter describing ways that you can pledge more to keep this project alive and to keep all our employees in the manner to which they have become accustomed - please give generously ...

[Sooty655]

[10680]

I must say I haven't been on the forum for months. Used to be able to go on at work but difficult these days.
What's the current situation?