Donations and a New Storage Server

[SQ]

Wow Phade lives!

Sorry, had to add to the sentiment. I know I haven't been on this site for a long time but it's good to see Phade's still doing stuff (even if behind the woodwork).

Anyway, I haven't donated in a long time. It's not that I don't want to, but with life the way life is, I haven't been able to.

Regardless, I still would like to have my say in this, however stupid it may end up sounding. =P

For getting rid of the harddrives, I'm personally for a combination of two and three. Maybe split the harddrives up, have half contain their original files and the other half wiped, replaced with "amazing vids". Or you could auction them off as-is but for an extra "processing fee" (added after the winning bid) you could wipe it and add amazing vids.

Regardless of how it's done, I would like it if the bidding were to stay on the .org, and not go off to ebay where any jo shmoe can get it. I mean, I know a lot of people are worried about their videos getting into the "Wrong hands" per se, and having the auction hosted on the .org and only available to .org members would lessen the risk, I think.


As far as streaming videos goes- Yes! I've been after this for years! I'm actually quite surprised you haven't been as chewed out as I have for mentioning such a thing. But I think this should be a donator-only option. Only donators can play streamed videos, however - this is important - every creator can "allow streaming".

For encouraging more people to donate, I like the way things are now, however I agree that the donate page is still way too confusing.
You need to make the donate page shorter, and use simpler terms. You need a page that basically says "Want to donate? Here are some links on how to do so! [paypal] [alternative to paypal] [link to a mailing address]
Need more detailed information? [click here]!"

Right now the donation page has been more confusing and intimidating then anything. I know that before I donated for the first time, I spent days trying to figure it out. Of course I was like 16 or so, but still.

For extra features for donators only, here's a few. They're features I've been dying to have either way, but making them donator-only wouldn't be that bad.

- custom user title of your choosing, automatically. (like just having the option opened in forum's cp for the user. So you can even change it if you want)

- Journal comments
- HTML (if even limited) in Journals (i, u, b, href tags mainly)
- user profile customization. (Something really stupid and simple. Custom CSS template we can upload or something?)

- ability to delete(or archive, as Anneke suggested) local video links
- ability to edit posts in any forum, not just MEP/con/ whatever else you added that function too (thanks for enabling that in the first place, by the way)
- ability to show more than 2 opinions publically.


Hope this helps somehow.

Well wishes to everyone.

[Scintilla]

As a long term fix, encouraging people to host their own vids should help a lot. The only reason to upload to local now is so you can get stars and QCs.

Frankly, I upload my AMVs on Org mainly because of these facts. I could host them on my pages and something, but I want to have feedback, how people see my videos, what is a step in right direction and what isn't.

That's really what <b>reviews</b> are <i>supposed</i> to be for. How often do you actually get Quick Comments that contain any <i>helpful</i> feedback?

And because I have to complain about this at least once a year: the current system makes it HARDER for people to leave reviews if you've uploaded a video locally (because then you have to download the local copy in order to get the option to review it, regardless of whether or not you already have a copy from some other channel).

[JaddziaDax]

Note: I'm not picking on you specifically SQ, you just happened to be the last person who posted (that I read), and you repeated a lot of the really great ideas in this thread...

As far as streaming videos goes- Yes! I've been after this for years! I'm actually quite surprised you haven't been as chewed out as I have for mentioning such a thing. But I think this should be a donator-only option. Only donators can play streamed videos, however - this is important - every creator can "allow streaming".

I still don't believe that streaming should be viewable by donators only - as I said in my earlier post this will just make people whine that such and such site is better and that we are stupid for making people pay to view streamed videos when they can watch streaming videos free on other sites. However I think that donators should have control over weather or not they want their video to be streamed...

I also agree that streaming shouldn't just pop up like the tube, that you have to actively go and click a link to see the streamed version.

Also when it comes to streaming, are we going to stream the actual uploaded file or a .flv version? and bluetrain makes a point: is the site itself going to convert the files for us like streaming sites do? or is the editor going to have to upload their own .flv file... if the second is true, I think an amendment to the current video guides/amvapp would be a good idea to tell people how to create their own .flv file.

Right now the donation page has been more confusing and intimidating then anything. I know that before I donated for the first time, I spent days trying to figure it out. Of course I was like 16 or so, but still.

I never had any confusion about donating, but then again I already knew how to use paypal by the time I got around to donating... O.o However I agree that the donation information page is a mess, and should be simplified and cleaned up... perhaps a guide resembling Moonslayer's org guides could be made for the online donation processes...

Also an online payment option other than Paypal would be nice for those who don't like paypal. I also believe that we should make it easier for out of country people to donate to the org, I know I've seen a lot of confusion (on the forums) when it comes to conflicting terminology, perhaps a link to a short index of terminology would be a good thing for that.

Also to make it a point that the org is not a "cash cow'' as I've seen several people suggest on the forums, perhaps posting the monthly cost/bill to keep the site running in a easy to understand form would be a good idea...

Also I remember a while back you guys removed the uploads graph from non-donator's members main page, perhaps posting the donation graph on their page instead might go to remind people to donate?

- custom user title of your choosing, automatically. (like just having the option opened in forum's cp for the user. So you can even change it if you want)

- Journal comments
- HTML (if even limited) in Journals (i, u, b, href tags mainly)
- user profile customization. (Something really stupid and simple. Custom CSS template we can upload or something?)

- ability to delete(or archive, as Anneke suggested) local video links
- ability to edit posts in any forum, not just MEP/con/ whatever else you added that function too (thanks for enabling that in the first place, by the way)
- ability to show more than 2 opinions publically.

yes yes yes and yes... I love all of these ideas!

As for profile customization, templates would be fine, or just something simple as the ability to upload or link to a background image of your choice, and the ability to choose a color template of the buttons/text would be really lovely.


~~~~~~~~~
I also think that there should be a list of all of the benefits of being a donator and what perks you get from it somewhere on the site (I'm sure we have something like that somewhere - but I have been a donator long enough for me to forget where it is).

Another donation perk I could see working, is an easier upload process than using the FTP...

Also, the more that I think about the "Merchandise" option I suggested the more I realize that the idea of doing a donation drive like PBS where the more you donate the more/better swag you get is a lot better idea than just trying to sell stuff year round.

We also should be very informed what these drives are for (thanks for doing that by the way), and if we are going to need another one just around the corner.

[Orwell]

As a long term fix, encouraging people to host their own vids should help a lot. The only reason to upload to local now is so you can get stars and QCs.

Frankly, I upload my AMVs on Org mainly because of these facts. I could host them on my pages and something, but I want to have feedback, how people see my videos, what is a step in right direction and what isn't.

That's really what <b>reviews</b> are <i>supposed</i> to be for. How often do you actually get Quick Comments that contain any <i>helpful</i> feedback?

I tend to use them as much for that purpose as anything else. I rarely feel compelled enough to bother to do a full out review, just some quick blurb of useful/less information.

[kmv]

Thought 1
I like the idea of lower quality streaming + limited downloads for non-donators. Although I note that this might be "interesting" around VCA time, and that your both your disk and CPU needs will go up: Disk because you now have two copies of every video, and CPU because you will need to convert every video upon upload.

Don't ignore the CPU impact.


Thought 2
How about a "credits" system in addition to donations?

$1 == 100 (or whatever) credits. 1 credit == 1 download. This would open things up to a kind of "pay-as-you-go" model. In this model once a download has been "credited" they probably shouldn't expire.

[JaddziaDax]

oh yea, and people removing videos from the server.... all of the videos I wouldn't mind removing are on Nago, not Kero O.o

Also, what is the new server's name going to be?

[The Origonal Head Hunter]

I vote it be named godx.

[JaddziaDax]

[Thought 2
How about a "credits" system in addition to donations?

$1 == 100 (or whatever) credits. 1 credit == 1 download. This would open things up to a kind of "pay-as-you-go" model. In this model once a download has been "credited" they probably shouldn't expire.

I think that making people pay for downloads, is a bad idea (no matter how cheap you make it) not only would this make people complain that they now have to pay for something that they have been getting for "free" for the last 4+ years, but this could cause some legal implications that might "doom" this site faster...

[SQ]

I still don't believe that streaming should be viewable by donators only - as I said in my earlier post this will just make people whine that such and such site is better and that we are stupid for making people pay to view streamed videos when they can watch streaming videos free on other sites. However I think that donators should have control over weather or not they want their video to be streamed...

I don't know. I'm kind of iffy on the issue. I think for now it should be donators only (to view streaming videos) until maybe the system has all the kinks worked out. A la carrot vs donut model.

I also agree that streaming shouldn't just pop up like the tube, that you have to actively go and click a link to see the streamed version.

I saw that mentioned in other topics, but I figured that was a given. :XD

Also when it comes to streaming, are we going to stream the actual uploaded file or a .flv version? and bluetrain makes a point: is the site itself going to convert the files for us like streaming sites do? or is the editor going to have to upload their own .flv file... if the second is true, I think an amendment to the current video guides/amvapp would be a good idea to tell people how to create their own .flv file.

I know you're not really talking ot me on this, but I think we should have a choice between the two. To have it done automatically or to upload our own, if we know how to.

Right now the donation page has been more confusing and intimidating then anything. I know that before I donated for the first time, I spent days trying to figure it out. Of course I was like 16 or so, but still.

I never had any confusion about donating, but then again I already knew how to use paypal by the time I got around to donating... O.o However I agree that the donation information page is a mess, and should be simplified and cleaned up... perhaps a guide resembling Moonslayer's org guides could be made for the online donation processes...

http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/pledges/
This is the donation page.
First of all, it's a huge text block that I've never bothered reading. And I've donated.

Secondly, I clicked the "donate" link to get to this page. This page doesn't ever mention donating to the site.
Furthermore, it doesn't say how you can donate either. Hell, there's not even a paypal option that's remotely viewable. The mailing address is hidden away in the "My donations" page, which you'll probably never click if you've never donated before.

My gripe with the donation page is that it isn't a donation page. It's a pledge page. I don't want to make a pledge.. I've never made a pledge. I think we should either do away with the pledge page completely or link to it from a new donation page. Something like. "Can't donate now but want to do so in the future? Make a pledge instead."

Pardon me for saying so, but when I donate to something, I don't want to sign a contract. When I look at the pledge page, I think to myself that my soul is being whisked away and for for whatever reason I change my mind about donating, I will be a defaulted pledge person forever, and what a sign of shame that will be.

Donating should be at most a four click process. It should not involve a contract, pledge, or some type of thing that is meant to reign me in and feel like I'm obligated to the site.

As for profile customization, templates would be fine, or just something simple as the ability to upload or link to a background image of your choice, and the ability to choose a color template of the buttons/text would be really lovely.

Aside from directly uploading pictures, all of that would be doable if we were allowed to customize CSS.

I also think that there should be a list of all of the benefits of being a donator and what perks you get from it somewhere on the site (I'm sure we have something like that somewhere - but I have been a donator long enough for me to forget where it is).

Definitely agreed. Right now there's nothing (that I can see) that says "You get this and this for donating". It's all "Yay I hope you feel happy for supporting our lovely site!"
Which is great for people who were going to donate regardless, but for people teetering on the edge of "What do I get out of it..."

Another donation perk I could see working, is an easier upload process than using the FTP...

A web uploader would be kickass. I second this.
[/quote]

Thought 2
How about a "credits" system in addition to donations?

$1 == 100 (or whatever) credits. 1 credit == 1 download. This would open things up to a kind of "pay-as-you-go" model. In this model once a download has been "credited" they probably shouldn't expire.

Are you suggesting that everyone has to pay to download a local video? Isn't that kind of moving backwards?

If that's not what you're implying, I just don't see what credits could possibly be used for, unless you want to invoke a giftstore of .org merchandise that only used credits as its currency.

[JaddziaDax]

I don't know. I'm kind of iffy on the issue. I think for now it should be donators only (to view streaming videos) until maybe the system has all the kinks worked out. A la carrot vs donut model.

making streaming viewable for donators only for the purposes of testing the system seems reasonable... but if we do implement it, I don't think that it should remain donator only...

Donating should be at most a four click process. It should not involve a contract, pledge, or some type of thing that is meant to reign me in and feel like I'm obligated to the site.

and the "pledge" thing kind of annoyed me too, but the process never really confused me... but that's just me... I've seen several times on the forums where it's confused others, and thats where I agree that the page/process could definitely use cleaning.