# You know what? It's really not that fucking expensive to run a message board. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 24, 2005, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184 "2005-09-24T05:44:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Domokun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Domokun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Domokun)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/21 "2005-09-24T10:48:17Z")
> [@Seven](#): > > You know what? SDMB is owned by The Chicago Reader; a **for-profit** company. So why not come out and say “We’re not making enough cash to be worth our time” rather than this “OMG even though we charge way more than comparable services we can’t seem to tread water” evasion. I’m with the OP; it’s slightly insulting. Unless they’re sending our packets around Chicago in taxies or hosting complementary coke and wine parties I don’t see how they could be losing money. ---
**Author:** ![Domokun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@Domokun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Domokun)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/22 "2005-09-24T10:54:21Z")
> [@Seven](#): > > Just guessing, I’d say SDMB has around 1000-2000 active members. According to Ed they have ~4,500 subs. Haven’t seen any breakdown of charter vs regular members though. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5917767&postcount=6](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5917767&postcount=6) ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/23 "2005-09-24T12:16:10Z")
> [@Domokun](#): > > According to Ed they have ~4,500 subs. Haven’t seen any breakdown of charter vs regular members though. > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5917767&postcount=6](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5917767&postcount=6) Heh, in this case, if 3000 of the members are 7 dollar subscription, and 1500 are 14 dollar subscription, you are still looking at 42k a year. Certainly enough to pay a 10k a year bill for servers and bandwidth, and pay a good portion of a salary for a tech guy. Assuming a multi-million dollar corporation isn’t dumb enough to have a tech guy that does nothing but run this board. (or a bunch of hamsters running on their wheels) I mean, the ads don’t bother me so much as the idea that 14 (closer to 15) dollars a year from 4500 members isn’t enough. Seems more like some stockholders aren’t happy more than the money is drying up. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/24 "2005-09-24T12:43:39Z")
> [@Domokun](#): > > According to Ed they have ~4,500 subs. Haven’t seen any breakdown of charter vs regular members though. > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5917767&postcount=6](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5917767&postcount=6) [Ed says about 750 paid $14.95](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5925584&postcount=13). ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/25 "2005-09-24T12:49:50Z")
> [@VCO3](#): > > Haw haw haw, you dick-grabbing piece of garbage. The point is that if you refer to that as a THREAT, you’re George W. Bush up in this bitch, not a reasonable human being. > [@VCO3](#): > > What a pompous, ridiculous statement to make. Someone should punch that smug asshole in his fucking jaw. So what you’re telling me is that that is somehow not a threat. I like you. You’re silly. ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/26 "2005-09-24T12:54:17Z")
The only thing I can tell you is that I won’t ever click on the mailing list/sales leads links. I get enough of that corporate culture on CareerBuilder. I haven’t noticed a lot of incredibly annoying ads just yet. Also, my membership expires in April (I think). Just saying. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/27 "2005-09-24T12:55:43Z")
> [@VCO3](#): > > For a quarter of the money that this board brings in through memberships, anyone could make a board with ten times the features and basic functionality of this one. It is simply pure mendacity to continue to pretend that this is some sort of money pit - I personally know a guy that runs an enormous board with twice the daily traffic of this one, and he’s _never_ charged anyone a cent. Start one up. Feel free. ---
**Author:** ![parthenokinesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cc9497/32.png) [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/28 "2005-09-24T13:01:41Z")
Recently, the Wendy’s near my work raised the prices of the burgers on their value menu from $0.99 to $1.19. As their customer I want to know what the fuck they are doing with my money. There are may other restaurants in the area I can still get a crappy burger for under a buck, and a crappy burger with more features at that. One that at least has the decency to have a patty that matches the size and shape of the bun. What kind of business model is Wendy’s using that their ninety nine cent menu choices now cost so much they can’t even call it a ninety nine cent menu any longer. I predicted that after Dave died, Wendy’s would really start to felch dead goat, and it appears I was right. I may just have to take my business elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/29 "2005-09-24T13:10:57Z")
> [@Garfield226](#): > > Oh goodie. Another thread about the ads. Really. How many is that, now? It’s got to be at least 2. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/30 "2005-09-24T13:12:59Z")
> [@parthenokinesis](#): > > I may just have to take my business elsewhere. We’re already avoiding the Wendy’s nearest us due to bad service. I’m all for hiring immigrants but _please_ don’t put them on the registers until they know how to work the things without supervision and have a clear command of the English language! ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/31 "2005-09-24T13:16:40Z")
Wendy’s!? Arby’s, motherfucker. \ ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/32 "2005-09-24T13:38:30Z")
Do Zotti and the admins really believe that showing Google ads will increase their revenue by any _significant_ amount at all? I don’t think so. Then why are they doing it? Simple. They’re testing the waters. If they get us used to ads on the board then the next step (banner ads, popups, whatever) won’t be quite as startling. Commercialization by increments. And, please, no more dark threats. (The Chicago Reader considers us a money pit, we mean nothing to them, etc.) Fuck them, if they don’t want us then let them say so, I’m sure there are many Dopers out there who could run it successfully without constantly whining that they need more money. How about Ed gives us a breakdown of the costs and lets us see just where our money is going? ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/33 "2005-09-24T13:47:52Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Do Zotti and the admins really believe that showing Google ads will increase their revenue by any _significant_ amount at all? I don’t think so. Then why are they doing it? Simple. They’re testing the waters. If they get us used to ads on the board then the next step (banner ads, popups, whatever) won’t be quite as startling. Commercialization by increments. Oh how adorable. Wookit dat cute wittle swippewy swope. Next thing you know, Ed Zotti will be going door to door with a tattoo gun putting ads on our foreheads. CURSE THEM AND THEIR CORPORATE OVERLORDS!! PAWNS OF THE MACHINE!!! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/34 "2005-09-24T14:17:48Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > CURSE THEM AND THEIR CORPORATE OVERLORDS!! PAWNS OF THE MACHINE!!! I, for one, welcome our new corporate overlords. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/35 "2005-09-24T14:33:40Z")
If this board is such a money pit, why do they keep running it? Just feeling charitable? If the Chicago Reader can sell subscriptions or use ads to make a profit, more power to 'em. I don’t give a damn. I really don’t have a problem with my entertainment providers making a buck. I pay to subscribe to the New Yorker and I pay for DirecTV, both of which, I would imagine, are profitable enterprises (and both of which include advertising). I do get the feeling that all the money pit talk is a little disingenuous. That’s annoying, even if I have no solid evidence for it. But I don’t come here because I admire the managment of the Chicago Reader. I come here for the content. $7.50 a year – or $15.00 a year, is cheap in my book. And I very quickly cease noticing Google Ads. They’re pretty ubiquitous these days anyway. Seeing them one more place has minimal effect on me. ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/36 "2005-09-24T14:40:34Z")
The fanboy is strong with this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/37 "2005-09-24T14:41:48Z")
> [@AugestWest](#): > > I don’t come here because I admire the managment of the Chicago Reader. I come here for the content. $7.50 a year – or $15.00 a year, is cheap in my book. And I very quickly cease noticing Google Ads. They’re pretty ubiquitous these days anyway. Seeing them one more place has minimal effect on me. That pretty well sums up my thinking on the topic. I didn’t even notice the google ads until they were pointed out to me. I remember when cable TV was new, and we were told the great thing about it was that since we were paying for it, there’d be no commercials. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/38 "2005-09-24T14:43:32Z")
One thing that people may not be considering re: the costs of running the board: If I understand correctly, the boards were in the red for a long time. The Reader may be trying to recoup past losses in addition to having the board pay for itself currently. This seems perfectly reasonable to me. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/39 "2005-09-24T14:44:18Z")
On another, much smaller board run by a friend of mine, she just started putting Google ads up last month to help pay the bills. They pay well enough to make a real difference for a small board, although the rest of us still buy themed merchandise and such occasionally just to help out. That board probably has less than 5% of the members or the traffic of this one, but she did give us a good breakdown of the costs and how much the Google ads help out. This being a much bigger board, I’m willing to give the Chicago Reader the benefit of the doubt that a bit of passive assistance in paying the bills will help out. Even after we pay our paltry subscription rates. Frankly, if paying $7 a year and ignoring a few ads is that big a hassle, what do you guys do for entertainment? You can’t even go to a movie for that price, and you certainly can’t ignore the pre-show ads there. In the scheme of things in the world right now, this one is so minor that I can’t see getting worked up over it. Especially to the extent some of you guys are carrying on about it. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184/40 "2005-09-24T14:55:14Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > Next thing you know, Ed Zotti will be going door to door with a tattoo gun putting ads on our foreheads. CURSE THEM AND THEIR CORPORATE OVERLORDS!! PAWNS OF THE MACHINE!!! Pretty much spot-on. The more I see the reasons people object to these ads and threaten to leave, the more I think the ads are terrific. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-its-really-not-that-fucking-expensive-to-run-a-message-board/323184.md?page=3)