A little late on the discussion, but sticking in my .02 anyway.

Will there be an option for multiple levels of contributers? Like with PBS you get a hat for $10, a video for $20, and a new car for $100 or whatever.

So will these new options be something that I can asign different groups to?

If I create 3 new groups "Contributer" "Super Contributer" and "Mega Contributer"... can I give the Contributer no ads, the Super Contributer no ads and more PM's, and the Mega Contributer all of the above?

I'm extremely mega friggin' interested in this hack :D When you have something, could you copy turbo@nothnbut.net on the announcement?

Thanks,
Ryan

yepsssssssssssssss :D
webmaster@devilsmania.com

I would be interested in this hack to.. I don't know about implementing it.. but just seeing it cause I want to learn more php..

But what tora and thewitt said seem true for most cases, especially if they are small sites with little member support, throwing in a paid-to-use service would instantly kill the board I don't care if they are family and close friends :)

wluke but I would say a site like yours, and some others that over ALOT of GREAT information and services could pull this off with no problems what so offer :)

but if you get this done could you send it my way also.. :)

bclampitt@mail.com

Wayne,

I would love this script for a customer who has a "not for profit" organization and relies heavily on donations to keep their site alive. I am also sure they would be more than willing to pay for this as well and if not I will! Let me know if you need more testers. Thx.

joebob, castel and others......

All of my registered members only have access to about 50% of the entire forums. Subscription fee is $22.00 a year. That's less than $2 a month.

I created another user group for the subscribers that gives them full access. I placed a "+" symbol at the end of each subscribers name. This tell me and them , who has subscribed to the forums and who has not.

The default theme/template has my banner code, so non-subscribers still generate revenue for me through their page views while they read the board.:D

No Merchant acccount, I'm running it throught PayPal and taking payments via snail mail at my PO Box.

I started this on July 1st , 2001. In 20 days I have made a little under $500 dollars. Now let me see if my banners can generate that kind of income in 12 months.:D I have been using Virual Marketing to generate new members.

Donations are fine and I have the Virutal Tip jar on the main site, but I felt that my forums were niche/special enough to warrant subscription. I think we all feel this way about out forums...don't we? Besides, only a few folks would ever donate to the site and www.thewell.com has been charging their members since 1985.

Heck, when you go to their page, you will not see a thing (No free tour) until you get your credit card out.:D

Gentlemen...let's all face it! The " Internet Free Lunch Program" is now over. All of the Free things on the web are now changing to cost money. ListBot, just emailed me telling me to pay $149. a year if I wanted to keep my email list with them. I moved it with the quickness.:D

Sites like:Ebay have been charging for years and no one has protested.

Napster
Yahoo
Netzero
AOL
Earthlink
Juno

Have ALL had to change their business plans and either raise prices or add services that cost, to stay afloat. Look at Webvan...great company, great service.....now bankrupt!! Wow!

ToraTora!
I do have a prize vault for subscribers only! These prizes are donated by record companies and other organizations. I do not have the purchase the prizes, but only subscribers can win them...so that is incentive right there.:D

Downside: Yes, I did loose about 50% of my members, but I made the announcement 45 days before D-Day. In other words, they were ALL well informed. Some members felt that I betrayed them, others understand that the Hosting company bills me each month and that only I pay the bills and work for the site. they also undertand that I have no VC in my life.......just the black wallet in my back pocket.

So, if any of you have any questions about how this is working? Please email me at: helpdesk@dailydiva.com and I will be sure to answer your questions.


;)

wluke, hope I'm not too late to get a copy of your membership hack. Thanks My Email

This is certainly something that would be very helpful for me as well. I have folks who are willing to donate some funds to keep the site running, but would like to reward them for this donation.

I am sure there are many other vBulletin License Owners who could use this hack too...

Any status on this? Haven't seen anything from wluke in a while. Must be really enjoying that honeymoon ;)

I know good things come to those who wait :rolleyes: but I am curious as well about the status of this hack. Give us an update wluke. I am actually anticipating this hack more than a vB upgrade.