Give Back To Early S Registry If You Can

[jaudette3]

Great idea, Eade. I just bought two copies of the issue of ESSES that has my (former) '73 911S on the cover and went ahead and paid $100. As a former Technical Editor of the 356 Registry, I know how much work goes into these things and I really appreciate the effort that our movers and shakers are making.

Cheers,
John

[kenikh]

I didn't used to be a fan of closing the board, but I think that only allowing paying members to post is a good idea. Everyone could still read.

As far as "gatekeeper" functionality, I am not sure how easy it is with the PHP bulletin board currently used. With money and time, anything can be done, including building a database that catalogs all users payments from paypal, when membership expires, managing access upon expiration, sending out automatic email reminders of when dues are up, etc. Unfortunately, this is not my area of expertise from an implementation perspective.

You would think that we would have at least one web developer as a member who could hack something like this out in their sleep.

FWIW, I will be happy to chip in on donating a copy of SQL Server 2005. If you want a robust database for doing the kinds of things I mentioned above, SQL is the ticket. It costs me $225 as a Microsoft employee. That's about 20% of the retail price. If there is someone in our community with the skills to implement it, let me know.

[HarryD]

I think a few easy things can be done to streamline things. First, make all dues on a single date. OK, the first year you kinda get screwed since it is not a full year, but what the heck, you got to get started somewhere.

Second, if you want to give the dues paying membes an advantage on the BBS, I think you should only allow paid members direct access to the pictures posted. I believe this BBS system allows you to create a class of users who can access the board, post, but not see picutures unless they get moved to the list of those who pay.

[911T1971]

I never bought an item, but yesterday for the first time (thank you Don).
Received Esses since late05.

I did think what you guys have to offer trough setting up this board.
On the french 911forum,
http://www.911net-club.com/forums/fo...lay.php?fid=25
there is free conversation and exchange of knowledge for registered users... post items for sale for due-paying club members only.

[RSwannabe]

Just renewed my membership and bumped my check up to $50 to pitch in a little extra.

Brooke

[Porsche]

I didn't used to be a fan of closing the board, but I think that only allowing paying members to post is a good idea. Everyone could still read.

I'm the webmaster of the Australian Typ901 Register and this is what we do there: www.typ901.org

[CurtEgerer]

Eade - I sent some 'extra' money to be spent where it was needed with my last dues payment. Being the nice people they are, they simply extended my membership rather than spend the money!! I tried. -- Curt

[Paul Schooley]

My dues is coming up shortly and will include a lil something extra for Santa's elves (no, not a subscrip to playboy)

It would be nice to see the 1400+ takers step up to the plate and show their support, but closing the current features off to them surely won't entice them to take the plunge. Might I suggest a 'special' like a hat or something to go with new memberships in a drive sort of atmosphere. Ya might loose a couple bucks on the special thing but you'll pick up a lot more support for the registry if even half of them joined....right????? Sorry, I'm a businessman first and a car nut second.

Chuck, ya might wanna consider a second paypal thingy so people can toss a little extra into the hat without it showing as extended membership (as in Curt's case).

[37yrold911]

How much does it cost to run the bbs?

[BAPhotowerks]

Thanks for making the payment process such a breeze! This IS the gift that keeps on giving!

BA