Suggestion to help out Radix

2005-09-22 07:02:47 am

I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Hello all, I'm new here and found the site almost on accident. I downloaded the Prince of Persia 2 speedrun and was blown away. I then read Radix's post on the News page about how long it takes and how much work it is to run a Web site. Well, I have an idea of how much running a site takes and sometimes a "Thanks" just isn't enough. I wanted to throw out some ideas and get some thoughts going on how to help keep the speedruns going and to keep Radix motivated to continue this site. Again, I'm new here so if I'm way off base, let me know. I'm just trying to help though.

1. Offer a member/sponsorship program. Much like www.redvsblue.com if you pay $10 for 6 months you get to download the videos in high-res and a week earlier than non-members/sponsors. Non-members still get the videos, just a little later and not as high-quality.

2. Put up a paypal link for people to support the site on a variety of the pages.

Just two quick ideas. Any other thoughts?

Thread title:

trihex

Edit history:

trihex: 2005-09-22 12:38:48 pm

2005-09-22 12:38:31 pm

Yoshi's eggs are at my mercy!

Quote:

Hello all, I'm new here and found the site almost on accident. I downloaded the Prince of Persia 2 speedrun and was blown away. I then read Radix's post on the News page about how long it takes and how much work it is to run a Web site. Well, I have an idea of how much running a site takes and sometimes a "Thanks" just isn't enough. I wanted to throw out some ideas and get some thoughts going on how to help keep the speedruns going and to keep Radix motivated to continue this site. Again, I'm new here so if I'm way off base, let me know. I'm just trying to help though.

1. Offer a member/sponsorship program. Much like www.redvsblue.com if you pay $10 for 6 months you get to download the videos in high-res and a week earlier than non-members/sponsors. Non-members still get the videos, just a little later and not as high-quality.

2. Put up a paypal link for people to support the site on a variety of the pages.

Just two quick ideas. Any other thoughts?

Radix already mentioned that he intends to keep the site free for as long as possible in a previous update. And though, membership would maybe get some profit, it would destroy ratings here, lose many members who simply can't donate via paypal or whatever, etc.

However, I do see [the possibility of] advertisement coming in the near future to make ends meet. Which I, of course, don't mind.

[quote]Hello all, I'm new here and found the site almost on accident. I downloaded the Prince of Persia 2 speedrun and was blown away. I then read Radix's post on the News page about how long it takes and how much work it is to run a Web site. Well, I have an idea of how much running a site takes and sometimes a "Thanks" just isn't enough. I wanted to throw out some ideas and get some thoughts going on how to help keep the speedruns going and to keep Radix motivated to continue this site. Again, I'm new here so if I'm way off base, let me know. I'm just trying to help though.

1. Offer a member/sponsorship program. Much like www.redvsblue.com if you pay $10 for 6 months you get to download the videos in high-res and a week earlier than non-members/sponsors. Non-members still get the videos, just a little later and not as high-quality.

2. Put up a paypal link for people to support the site on a variety of the pages.

Just two quick ideas. Any other thoughts?[/quote]

Radix already mentioned that he intends to keep the site free for as long as possible in a previous update. And though, membership would maybe get some profit, it would destroy ratings here, lose many members who simply can't donate via paypal or whatever, etc.

However, I do see [the possibility of] advertisement coming in the near future to make ends meet. Which I, of course, don't mind.

Radix

2005-09-22 02:07:08 pm

I'm addicted to games

Quote:

2. Put up a paypal link for people to support the site on a variety of the pages.

Already there!!

Luisrm

2005-09-22 03:08:32 pm

I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

I donated a few bucks to Radix to support the cause. I hope others will follow, every little bit adds up and hopefully helps ease the constant request of people wanting quick updates. I do have to note that I had to do a little searching for the paypal link to donate, but it's all good. Have a good one!

Trevor

2005-09-22 07:58:42 pm

what i don't understand is that there's a bunch of dudes doing updates/whatever for the Quake section but only radix himself works on the other games section? why is this?

7 0 x 7

2005-09-22 10:28:37 pm

ouch!

is there a way we can get a link to the page with the paypal button?

Radix

Edit history:

Radix: 2005-09-22 10:49:45 pm

2005-09-22 10:46:41 pm

I'm addicted to games

Quote:

I donated a few bucks to Radix to support the cause.

:hug:

Quote:

what i don't understand is that there's a bunch of dudes doing updates/whatever for the Quake section but only radix himself works on the other games section? why is this?

Because quake is easy to deal with. The demos are all the same format. They can be timed with an automated program. Hell even the UPDATES can be done with an automated program. But they're (usually) done manually to add flair to them.

And MarioMario, ever trying reading the bloody FAQ?
Or downloading ANY video on the site?
They both have the donate info.

7 0 x 7

Edit history:

7 0 x 7: 2005-09-22 10:53:53 pm

2005-09-22 10:53:40 pm

ouch!

no

yes

oh

Radix

2005-09-22 10:55:26 pm

I'm addicted to games

I mean apparently it's hard to find but I really dont want to have giant "GIVE ME MONEY YOU BASTARDS" links on every page at the top. That'd make the site suck you know?

Prod

2005-09-23 12:25:46 am

Im on the internet!

People dont generally read FAQ's unless they need to. They should, but they dont. Why not stick it once on the main page, or even a small button on the news page?

My suggestion is that you streamline the rules for timing a run so that people who verify it can do it themselves. That leaves you and Nate with capturing, uploading, and editing.

7 0 x 7

Edit history:

7 0 x 7: 2005-09-23 12:29:55 am

2005-09-23 12:29:11 am

ouch!

the paypal button (with paypal logo) usually gets peoples attention. all you have to do is put "to donate to this site click here' or something to that effect. trust me people won't be offended... check out the one on my friend's site, http://www.nascarjimmys.com scroll all the way down its on the left.
ive donated to him a few times Grin

( of course his is a bit more advanced of a donation button then you would need but you get the idea ) if i am anoying you then i appologise

VorpalEdge

Edit history:

VorpalEdge: 2005-09-23 12:32:00 am

2005-09-23 12:30:21 am

welcome to the machine

I don't think it should be verifiers who time runs. It should be someone who actually officially works for the site.

AquaTiger

Edit history:

AquaTiger: 2005-09-23 12:40:03 am

2005-09-23 12:38:24 am

Never give up!

I would disagree with that, Maur. I say the only time someone who officially runs the site truly NEEDS to do the timing themselves is if the time turns out to be quite inaccurate.

Timing a game should be done by someone who knows the game well. Ideally, this will be the same person that verified the run.

Although I will admit that if the verifier of a given run happens to be someone working for the site, that's very different...... not gonna get into that set of details, though.

Prod

2005-09-23 12:53:18 am

Im on the internet!

I think as long as the same person who timed one run, also times the improvement (should one be done), then there isnt any room for error, especially with clear rules to follow.

soteos

Edit history:

soteos: 2005-09-23 01:06:33 am

2005-09-23 01:05:26 am

The paypal button is fine where it is. People who want to donate have probably downloaded videos, and know where to go.
Mariomario, that site has WAY too many buttons and too much stuff. It took me a while to find the damn donation button.

VorpalEdge

2005-09-23 01:12:28 am

welcome to the machine

AquaTiger: I feel as if only people officially connected to the site should be allowed to time stuff. Not because others can't do it, but because I don't believe something this important should be farmed out to anyone.

Verifying runs is fine, people watch them, stuff gets pointed out. Timing runs is not, I mean, who goes through and checks times to see whether or not radix got them right, at least, after they get posted? It really should be someone who actually works for the site.

Prod

Edit history:

Prod: 2005-09-23 01:52:25 am

2005-09-23 01:51:36 am

Im on the internet!

You could say the same for verifying a run. Whos to say this anonymous person is actually doing the job right. What if someone official could have found something they didnt. This isnt rocket science, if you can trust someone to verify a speedrun, then you could probably trust them to time it, and the timestamp in media player will give an indication if theyre way off anyways. At the end of the day, its just a run through a videogame.

Edit: wow that nascar site is terrible.

VorpalEdge

2005-09-23 02:12:40 am

welcome to the machine

Timing by someone official is the best way to make sure that the time is accurate. It's not rocket science, not everyone thinks the same way as radix, and someone else is far more likely to time something they shouldn't have or not elliminate stuff they should than radix is (and if it turns out that another future staff member does it, I expect him to be much more familiar with the requirements than someone else). And as you don't have to actually play the game to time it so long as you know what the start and endpoints are for the run...

Besides that, site officials are more trustworthy.

Prod

2005-09-23 02:34:57 am

Im on the internet!

"you don't have to actually play the game to time it so long as you know what the start and endpoints are for the run... "

Which is exactly why anyone can do it. You make simple rules, and things go smoothly. Its not that hard. I time my own runs with a stop watch. I press it when I get control, and I press it when it ends. Its not hard.

VorpalEdge

2005-09-23 02:40:50 am

welcome to the machine

The assumption was that you would mentally include 'so long as you know what stuff to subtract from the run, like loading times and stuff' in the quote, which I had been talking about previously.

Tub

2005-09-23 12:12:49 pm

m00

Quote:

I mean apparently it's hard to find but I really dont want to have giant "GIVE ME MONEY YOU BASTARDS" links on every page at the top. That'd make the site suck you know?

The subtle and non-sucking way of having a donation link at a more exposed location is something like:

"If you like this site and wish to support it, you can [url=clickedy]submit speedruns[/url], [url=linkedydoo]help verifying[/url], [url=dontclickthis]buy speedruns on DVD[/url] or simply [url=yourereallyreadingthis]donate money[/url]."

that sounds informative without being too intrusive. The order of links is important. Wink

Psychochild

2005-09-23 12:21:35 pm

Quote:

I mean apparently it's hard to find but I really dont want to have giant "GIVE ME MONEY YOU BASTARDS" links on every page at the top. That'd make the site suck you know?

Yeah, but I'd be too busy laughing at how damn subtle you are that I'd be forced to drop a 10 your way....

(Cough)

May just buy a few DVDs though, since I can't do the Paypal thing.

yo man

2005-09-26 06:30:39 am

wehre is that damn donation buton if you want me to give you cash at least put a link SUMWHERE!

Radix

2005-09-26 06:42:24 am

I'm addicted to games

EVERY SINGLE DOWNLOAD LINK!

And the Frequently Asked Questions page.

And also explained in the latest news!

And in this freaking thread.

DTaeKim

2005-09-26 10:11:26 pm

Maybe he should put that GIVE ME MONEY YOU BASTARDS on the News page so we don't have questions like those again.