Supporting membership

[Chevvygeek]

What is this all about? I am a member of a number of forums and have never seen this before, just wondering why this one? What is different I guess?

As an aside, if I were to pay I would expect no adverts, not reduced adverts.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

The message Austin has posted explains everything, it's not compulsory and is not exclusive to this forum, read more - http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/faq.php?faq=supporting#faq_supportingmembership

 

[DoctorMick]

Other forum I use regularly (none hb related) have something very similar to cover the running costs. Interestingly, they do say the contributions won't be used for profit, would be interested to see if the same applies here.

 

[AndyKU]

It cost money to run a site such as ours. Many have expressed offering to help, so I put the system in place. We run a supporting membership program at most of our sites. HomeBrewTalk.com for example.

Supporting membership helps cover operating expenses, i.e, server costs, things like that, but all members can turn off ads.

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/members/member_options.php

Go there, locate the disable advertising button, change it out. Ads are what pay the way so to speak, but if it ruins your experience here I have provided you with the option to eliminate them.

The knowledge base is free to use meaning you don't have to sign up for supporting membership to have full access to the site. It's completely voluntary and extremely appreciated.

Here's a link with more information.

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/faq.php?faq=supporting#faq_supportingmembership

Please let me know if you guys have any questions.

 

[Chevvygeek]

So if there is little or no support the forum will close in x amount of time?

 

[ceejam]

All forums have running costs, the more popular the more server space and the higher the cost.
Some of the other forums you use may be funded by an individual or team of people without it ever being known.
I know a few car forums I'm on have had situations where the original founder decided they've spent enough cash, time & effort and the membership have then taken it over.
I don't know the admins on here personally and haven't seen the details, but from what's been said on this post I expect that any finds raised will reduce the personal contribution of whoever 'owns' the forum?!

 

[AndyKU]

So if there is little or no support the forum will close in x amount of time?

Nope, not at all.

This is a way of helping support the community if you so choose and nothing more. The site won't close, info won't be restricted.

All forums have running costs, the more popular the more server space and the higher the cost.
Some of the other forums you use may be funded by an individual or team of people without it ever being known.
I know a few car forums I'm on have had situations where the original founder decided they've spent enough cash, time & effort and the membership have then taken it over.
I don't know the admins on here personally and haven't seen the details, but from what's been said on this post I expect that any finds raised will reduce the personal contribution of whoever 'owns' the forum?!

That is more or less correct.