Ask Gabs (again)

[Gabs]

All right. So upon reading my LJ friends list and posts around LF itself, it's obvious a lot of people are upset/untrusting/etc over what happened last night. So I talked to the lovely Lu, and she welcomed me to hop over here and set up camp to talk to you guys a bit. I didn't figure there'd be as much openess about it if we were to talk at LF, and over here you're free to speak your mind. I'm here to deal only with the fallout of last night, so I won't be answering bans or anything else right now. It's obviously not LF, so LF rules obviously don't apply, but I am going to ask that you not bash me or anyone else on LF's staff. I'm here because I'd like to at least try to clear up any confusion and hurt feelings if at all possible, but I'll head out if it degenerates to anything like that.

I haven't read around here at all as I don't want to invade anyones safe haven, so I'll need some guidance questions from you guys as to what you're all thinking and feeling.

[Jukebox Blues]

Thanks for taking the time with this, really!

and you're welcome anytime!

Now guys, what Gabs said is absolutely right. No mod bashing, no being rude, no nothing. I know you guys are awesome and won't do anything like that, but just so it's said.

Ask away, people!

[Butterfly]

I was just wondering if this not closing thing is a temporary fix? It sounds like Gertie has been becoming impatient with LF for some time...

I wish you guys would just let us donate to thre running of the forum! You'd totally be millionaires!

[Gabs]

I honestly don't know. I don't remember how much she told you guys in the announcement, but LF is a huge drain on money and server resources. If LM's getting the revenue it needs to support LF and Gertie's getting the help there to balance her time better, I don't see why LF would be in trouble again.

Believe me, so do I. As long as I've known her/known of her, Gertie's been staunchly against donations to fan sites. I, on the other hand, have been a big supporter of the subscription idea basically since the day I became a Mod, many many moons ago. I've seen it work brilliantly at other forums and I think it'd work beautifully at LF too. We're talking about the idea now, so time will tell if she might be more open to it now.

[Ceci]

this has nothing to do with LF, but I know it'll bug me forever if I don't ask.
Is that Brad Pitt on your icon? I've been staring at it trying to figure out who it is and that's the only person who came to mind

[Gabs]

Sure is. I thought the greenish color on the side went well with the skin here so I went with it.

[Ceci]

lol. It does look good

[Butterfly]

Thanks for the response Gabs I just think that there is a vast amount of members at LF so even just a little from those who want to donate would go a long way. I think, I'm by no means an expert on the subject. Not that it isn't really great that Gertie wants to give us everything for free or anything, but I hope she's aware that people aren't going to think she's some kind of tyrant if she asks for cash.

[Gabs]

Well, since Gertie's mentioned it publicly I guess I can talk about it now.

She mentioned in a QCCC thread on YouTube links that she's considering the idea of opening up a subscription system. As I mentioned, I'm a fan of the idea and I've told her as much. She hasn't given us any additional word on it yet so she's still weighing her options between that and more ads. I'd personally prefer subscriptions, but that's my opinion.

(Lovethe new layout, Lu. Even if my av doesn't color-coordinate anymore. )

[Jukebox Blues]

I love the subscription idea. I'll be rooting for that one!

And thanks! Mine doesn't either. but please don't take yours! it's awesome!

[night_sky_dream]

In response to the whole subscription thing, does that mean I will have to pay to use LF?

[Gabs]

Not to my knowledge. If it's anything like what I mean when I talk about subscription service, then no. The kind of subs I mean are entirely voluntary. What I have in mind is those who are willing would pay a certain amount per year, and for what they give, they in return get some bonues: extra PM space, a colored and/or bold name, maybe some subscriber-only contests for Lost-related merch.

Granted, as I said, Gertie hasn't offered the Staff any further details, so you can't take my view on it as an official statement at this point. But I think it'd be insane to require paid members only, because there's no way 66,000 people are willing to pay any amount to access the forum, in my view.

Lu, no plans to change the av anytime soon.

[Butterfly]

I have to say, LF is driving me crazy at the moment. Every other time I click on something I'm getting 'server busy' or 'database error' messages. Sometimes when I'm trying to reply to stuff too, thereby losing what I typed because I'm not clever enough to save it.

Is this going to be a problem from now on, Gabs, something we'll have to get used to, or is it being dealt with?