Restrict Hive Subscription To Certain Forums

[jeffc]

Well now, it's been awhile since I've created any new threads here and that is partly due to the amount of work and effort I've been putting into my new project, WPTavern.com

Anyways, I wanted to pass an idea to the hivers to get your take on it. Performancing.com is currently in the middle of a relaunch where the site will sport a new design and if all goes well, a fresh install of WordPress. However, we plan on revamping the forum as well but here is where my idea comes in.

For 10$ a month, people can join hive which is a decent sized forum with plenty of areas to publish content in. What do you guys/gals think of creating a new section of the forum, placing certain exisiting forums into this new section that only paid subscribing members get access too and then, opening up the rest of the forum to be used by the general community? This would enable one forum installation that has to be managed/maintained under the Performancing domain while also bringing in new members as well as an increase in posting activity. To top it off, the "premium" forum section is still only accessible by those who paid for it. I can easily see Social Buzz, Linkerati, Marketplace becoming areas that are only available for paying members.

Let me know what you think.

[davidcubed]

I am not a fan of this option. I think Hive has a special purpose to its members, and opening it up more than it already is would dilute that purpose. I understand what you are trying to do, and I think most people that joined a long time ago will be put off.

[jeffc]

I see. Then I suppose the revamped Performancing forum will need to be setup in such a way in that it does not dilute the value of the Hive. Why pay 10$ when you get the same information for free? I know the Social Buzz forum alone is worth the 10$ though.

[davidcubed]

I agree that Hive is undervalued in what it can provide, but if everyone flooded the general forum with their content, it would probably make me leave and focus my attention elsewhere, except for using the Social Buzz forum...lol. I like that I know most of the people here. It has created an air of comfort for me, and the new members are few and far between so I can get to know them a bit too if they interact with the forum.

[mcraven]

I agree that Hive is undervalued in what it can provide, but if everyone flooded the general forum with their content, it would probably make me leave and focus my attention elsewhere, except for using the Social Buzz forum...lol. I like that I know most of the people here. It has created an air of comfort for me, and the new members are few and far between so I can get to know them a bit too if they interact with the forum.

I think David said above what I think makes Hive special.

M

[hart]

I am not a fan of this option. I think Hive has a special purpose to its members, and opening it up more than it already is would dilute that purpose. I understand what you are trying to do, and I think most people that joined a long time ago will be put off.

I'm indifferent. On one hand, with a smaller community, you do get to know the people in here and would feel more comfortable offering ideas, networking jobs or first-hand news, and helping fellow 'HIVE'ers and it's easier when you know the people. I really do envision that one year we will try to get together some networking or party conference just to meet the gang and have a little fun .. if everybody would start making more money and stop having babies that is

On the other hand, I know a few people who were members of HIVE and paid up their $10 month and got all the info out of it, and then people in here stopped posting and they felt it was too costly and just left. For social buzz - there is always the private chats, yahoo buzz groups and stumbleupon toolbars and I'm in contact with at least one of those people all the time now outside HIVE.

On my third hand (if I had one) there's always the FUZZ core group. But, even with the HIVE group .. whether it's paid or not - there should be some participation by all and not just open to lurkers.

On my fourth hand (if I had that one too) .. but if people only come for the social buzz that's all we will see here. I have reviewed all my stumble requests in here and have not seen one stumble from geeksaresexy for instance, although I have contributed and stumbled all of their posts. Of course, that may be a SU thing, because it only showed up to 55 stumbles on the old version, 27 stumbles on the new version.

However, that's an example and it doesn't matter to me as I consider GAS as part of the core group. I'm sure there are others who only request and rarely participate in the forums and reciprocate stumbles. I know I come here 20 times an evening, although some times not for a few days and even then save my stumbling after hours and not doing my social buzz activity on a timely basis, so I'm guilty at times too. And after the smoke clears, even that statement isn't accurate because we are a close knit 'family' that a lot of us do reach other members in other means, or skype or other groups anyway and now with twitter.

So ..... What was the question again? lol

[hart]

hmm.. english reader's digest version of the above is:

if people come only to use the social buzz - that's all they will do when they come here

I do babble alot, don't i?

[jeffc]

Sounds like all valid points to me.

[candyaddict]

I like the idea... especially if the non-hivers can see the forum topics - might make them want to join, though given our lack of conent lately, it may make people not want to join.

[ryan]

Posts in Hive were made in the context of a private group. It would take too much work to go through and make sure that each post were properly vetted for Google indexing.

I do not approve of any of my content posted in Hive being made public. If worst comes to worse, i will simply delete all of my own posts.