Rolling out the Bisexual.com Fanclub Today

[welickit]

DREW: We can relate to all the folks who are on a limited or fixed income and we both wondered whether or not it would be worth the effort to make it possible for one person to purchase a gift membership for someone else?

[bigbadmax]

Drew,

Is it odd that the ones supporting your fanclub are, in the majority members? The ones who cant afford membership are not and ergo are feeling disgruntled as they are feeling like second class citizens? Surely you would never condone such a two tier situation where the ones fortunate to be "chosen" to help trial the site are favoured over the longstanding members?

For once Drew, I believe you have made a bad decision which is punishing long term members. Bad show old bean.

[Brian]

@bigbadmax, I regret the optics regarding me upgrading 7 members to Fanclub status for helping with the Beta testing - it looks like I took 7 very active longterm members, my friends, and have given them a sweat upgrade. It wasn't that way at all. I chose the first 7 people who replied to my request for Beta testers (and had I think 10+ posts). And then I told them once we were into the testing that when we eventually had a premium membership I would upgrade them FOR A TIME as a thank you for their time and feedback. I know many of you would have gladly helped with the Beta site and just weren't one of the first to volunteer. Believe me, I don't know those 7 members any less or more than any of you - they are my friends no more or less than any of you are my friends. It really is just optics - there is no "Drew's favorites club" in any way. I intentionally am NOT in any of the cliques on the site - a decision I made long ago and have stuck to it.

- Drew

[locotom]

thanks for the I've time spent on the site drew, but as I dont have and wont use a credit card its time to say bye xxxx
tom
P,s if possible could you please delete my profile, thanks again.

[bigbadmax]

Thanks Drew,

delete mine as well please.

I dont feel that a credit card processor should dictate content. Tally ho old chap.

looks like you annoyed a few brits!

bbm

[Brian]

Meh.

- Drew

[DuckiesDarling]

Sighs.. for the record, yes I have mine as a result of helping debug this site, but I am gonna keep it. I'm also gonna buy LDD one for his birthday present as it is very cost effective. But even if we kept nothing but the free accounts we could still do what we already did on the site. So it's not a big deal, I just want to help Drew defray costs as he helped so many for so long by maintaining the site out of his own pocket. To those that are leaving, sorry you don't understand. But the site will still be here and we'll still be posting and we'll still be helping people who come seeking help.

[Michael623]

I firstcame to bisexual.com on 12/2004. I have seen many changes not only in the people who frequent the site but in the format of the site. I believe like everything else nothing ever remains unchanged. Isn't the key to step back and take a deep breath and let things sort themselves out. It is my opinion that Drew has been a fantastic host, he has listened to us all for years and done his best to accommodate our suggestions and wishes. I have no doubt that if Drew didn't think it necessary for not only his survival but also that of the site itself, he would not be doing what he now finds necessary. I go to a site for runners and they ask for donations, which makes sense. I would give Drew a big thank you for all he has done over the years in providing us a FREE place to come and be part of the bisexual community.

[nutme]

Well, where to start with this? I've noticed a seperate, but yet equal status on this site. When that statement is evoked, it means that one group feels left out, but yet announcing that they are just as important. I do not see any problems with the owner of the site offering a paid package for extra benefits. It is not as if he is offering paid tickets to an all inclusive orgy in Tahoe with all the finest of the site. In reality, for us members, who choose to not enjoin the extra bennies, to feel left out. We haven't lost anything as we have never vested in the "freebies" we have become accustomed to. So what? My goodness; I think Mariersa is gorgeous, so now I can't view her profile 11 times a day? C'mon.......it's still all good and a great site.

[welickit]

I wonder if all these folks quit driving when the price of gas went up?

[RockGardener]

No, but we don't drive on the toll roads anymore!

[nutme]

Rock? Look past the change. Nothing changes for you, Marie and myself. Personally, myself? I don't want a paid viewing of someone jerking off in a viral video. Nor do I care for amateur porn, which could be one of the benefits. I have lead a rich and abundant sexual life; do I live in the threads here, like many? Nope. Do I live in the chatroom, which I really like? Nope. We have lost nuttin, so, just sit back and enjoy what you haven't lost. P.S. No one sends me any private messages, let alone 2fuckinghundred of them.

[mariersa]

I firstcame to bisexual.com on 12/2004. I have seen many changes not only in the people who frequent the site but in the format of the site. I believe like everything else nothing ever remains unchanged. Isn't the key to step back and take a deep breath and let things sort themselves out. It is my opinion that Drew has been a fantastic host, he has listened to us all for years and done his best to accommodate our suggestions and wishes. I have no doubt that if Drew didn't think it necessary for not only his survival but also that of the site itself, he would not be doing what he now finds necessary. I go to a site for runners and they ask for donations, which makes sense. I would give Drew a big thank you for all he has done over the years in providing us a FREE place to come and be part of the bisexual community.

Thanks Michael, I think your post reflects the actuality of it all. Relationships have been made, marriages have occurred and all of the rest of the flowery sweety nonsense. Business is Business, I can't subsidise a division bleedy profits, No. I really don't understand the anger of it, not that expensive but, your choice , as I said earlier I don't use those services, nothings changed.

P.S. If I start doing naked cam. Drew we'll have to negotiate more than adequate compensation.

[nutme]

Thanks Michael, I think your post reflects the actuality of it all. Relationships have been made, marriages have occurred and all of the rest of the flowery sweety nonsense. Business is Business, I can't subsidise a division bleedy profits, No. I really don't understand the anger of it, not that expensive but, your choice , as I said earlier I don't use those services, nothings changed.

P.S. If I start doing naked cam. Drew we'll have to negotiate more than adequate compensation.

You start doing that and I can guarantee the web servers would blow up do to traffic.

[swmnkdinthervr]

I/we personally have to thank Drew for all his effort and we hope the premium version takes off, it's not cheap or easy keeping a site like this up and running!!! In our financial position we can't afford to join and we have been largely unsuccessful in making any real time contacts on this site in the few years we've been on here so we will take a wait and see approach but wish Drew much luck!!!

[12voltman59]

Most likely--I will eventually step up and pay for full membership---but now that its becoming the warm weather time of the year-I won't be doing so now-since with the other sites that I do go and pay for---I only do that during the winter time since I don't mind spending time online during the winter--but during the spring, summer and early fall and the weather is nice---I drop any paid memberships I might have since I make it a point to limit my time online as much as I can---I probably spend too much time online as it is.

I am not crazy about the fact that the site is picking up a paid aspect---but based on the fact that so many sites are like that and there are hard cold economic factors at work--I don't blame Drew and his cohorts from doing this with Bisexual.com as well.

For the summer--I won't be around here too much anyhow--but will be back more regularly come fall and cooler days.

[void()]

You just proved my point, Void, it was never FREE for Drew

Perhaps, not entirely free. However, I can estimate about $500 - $1,500 start up. That is being fair and conservative as I'm not sure of the exact hardware configuration.

Okay, Drew also runs Three Pillows, a fully for pay site. It is possible bisexual.com is a virtual domain, on a shared server. This can be done. Also possible there was just extra hardware around to make a new server. Can only speculate and I'm not asking Drew. That's his business.

My point being while not exactly free, it can be done in a fairly affordable way. Add on that he runs one fully for pay site, that I'm aware of, and seeing how much more affordable is a little more clear. He may even run other fully for pay sites. Again, only speculation and not asking.

While I appreciate his gesture of hosting this site free for us, economics for the time dictate inability to pay. Later, I may pay. Like you I'm grateful of being given a temporary membership. See what happens then. May be employed as a Lisp programer, dirt farmer, bullet proof test dummy by then. Who knows?

[softfruit]

I can't afford a paid account (spare pennies here go to other bi causes) but y'know what, I still have a perfectly functional site here not so very different from what it's always offered me!

To be honest I'm surprised this didn't happen sooner.

[*pan*]

i can understand, having a paid section, but you said the orignal things the regular menbers had will still have , so why did my member status change, it was member for new members and and had a way to make it custom, i choose dragon tamer, there is no reason to change this. it had nothing to do with the new site i had this since i joined and was a part of my profile. so you have taken more then what was new.

[Bi Pal]

Hey, Drew. I would actually like to meet you one day if and when you come south. I think I could learn a lot from you. Jud