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Comments

  • #1622
    Boards.ie: Odhran
    Boards.ie Employee, Boards Employee 2, Boards Employee 3, API Token user Posts: 206 ✭✭✭✭✭Boards.ie: Odhran
    Boards.ie Employee


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123644283#Comment_123644283

    Thanks for the summary. Ill answer anything I can here. To update on paid subs to start…

    We have 413 paid subs so far which breaks down as follows:

    €6.00 → 38 payments (Monthly)

    • €16.00 → 29 payments (Quarterly)
    • €28.00 → 59 payments (Half-yearly)

    €50.00 → 287 payments (Annual)

    We will monitor the impact this has on ad revenue as we go but thanks again to everyone who has subscribed so far. I have copied out the summary of questions from @New Home … thanks for that :)

    To summarise:

    So far, these are the suggestions Boards' users have made:

    1. Make the notice more visible.
    »We have put the notice everywhere with the exception of homepage where traffic is pretty low - but we will update. This is done via 'pockets' where we inject html in to make css changes. But this is being looked at it is just not P1…

    2. Spell out the Plan of Action.
    »The plan of action … I think that needs a bit more thought than a one liner, so I will come back to it as it needs to include more than just subs conversation. However regarding paid subs specifically - the plan of action is to try to support declining ad revenue gained from SEO traffic - with paid subs where users of the site amongst other things… wont see ads.

    3. A bunch of people with technical expertise have offered practical help.
    »We appricate all offers of help. At the moment we are not making any more significant changes to the site while we get staging enviroment sorted with the fresher ui.

    4. Hand Boards to the community, rather than close it.
    »Several have suggested this and I am all ears - however there is more to it than that. The site has debt and ongoing bills, staff etc that needs to be taken into account. I have had many calls on this before and they go nowhere. Happy to talk again however…

    5. Start a GoFundMe page.
    »We will add a donate link - but ideally if we want to make Boards self sufficient and not rely on one off donations.

    6. Set up Carrier billing to donate.
    »There is tech here as we need to hook into zapier for automations, vanilla etc - however what we might do to start is just do a link and do it manually. I mentioned before we are looking at this but it wont be until next week before I can come back on that.

    Questions people have raised:

    1. What's the money for, exactly?
    »Costs remain consistent. Vanilla, Staff, Accountancy and Legal. That's it.

    2. What will the site look like with basic Vanilla?
    Not much different from today. Im going to share some screens when we get staging live.

    3. What's the P.o.A.?
    »As above.

    4. Why isn't Odhran engaging? (Re Mike, my personal guess is that he works part time).
    »Since day one I have said I am not a great poster - I don't engage a lot on social in general - but I engage as much as I can especially with things like this. However, I work with Mike daily who is indeed part-time.

    5. Are there any other ways to donate, rather than subscribe?
    »As above.

    Other questions:

    1. What will happen to the data if the site closes? Will it be archived, sold, deleted?

    2. Will users have the chance to delete/download their own data?

    »I answered this before I think - however If the site were to close, no data would be sold. Boards.ie is a community, not a data asset and in line with GDPR, user data would be handled carefully: either archived securely or deleted, depending on what makes the most sense and what users want. We'd be fully transparent about it.

    Yes, you’ll absolutely have the chance to delete or download your own data. In line with our current terms of use, that’s a right you already have under GDPR, and we’d make it simple to do if the time ever came. If we go down that road, we’ll publish clear instructions and give everyone time.

    Both myself and @Boards.ie: Mike are trying to keep ontop of all the questions along with looking after other daily tasks etc … so please understand that while we may not react straight away we are reading and listening to feedback. Thats again to all that helped pull these together and all feedback so far.



  • #1623
    Goldengirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 16,729 ✭✭✭✭Goldengirl


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647160#Comment_123647160

    It's paid via Stripe though which is very safe . I was not under the impression that the payment is automated to repeat as per @Dublin Calling?

    I agree that as many options that are available should be used .

    Help keep Boards going , subscribe or donate if you can.

    https://subscriptions.boards.ie/



  • #1624
    Goldengirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 16,729 ✭✭✭✭Goldengirl


    Edit

    Help keep Boards going , subscribe or donate if you can.

    https://subscriptions.boards.ie/



  • #1625
    con747
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,010 ✭✭✭✭con747


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648081#Comment_123648081

    Did you read the post above?

    Don't expect anything from life, just be grateful to be alive.

    Help Keep Boards.ie Alive sign up here

    https://subscriptions.boards.ie/ https://keepboardsalive.com/



  • #1626
    Goldengirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 16,729 ✭✭✭✭Goldengirl


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648095#Comment_123648095

    No , obviously ,hadn't seen that until now . Connection hit and miss where I am .

    Help keep Boards going , subscribe or donate if you can.

    https://subscriptions.boards.ie/



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  • #1627
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 30,183 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648095#Comment_123648095

    I didn't see it till now as the site brought me to post 1624 rather than 1622 and I missed it.



  • #1628
    archfi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,703 ✭✭✭archfi


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648132#Comment_123648132

    Please God that and the bouncing should be the first fixes, feck everything else till then!

    Boards is in danger of being no more within 3 MONTHS unless subscription numbers increase drastically.
    Subscribe & Help Out If You Can


  • #1629
    eightieschewbaccy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,279 ✭✭✭eightieschewbaccy


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647963#Comment_123647963

    I think you probably need to make clear to posters that vanilla is here too stay as well. I'm pretty confident that it isn't feasible to migrate to xenforo at this stage.

    Equally I think an effort should be made to get a long term archive of the site for the sake of it very much so being a valid part of Irish social history. So even if the site does go kaput in six months or something that some form of the history remains. That doesn't necessarily have to be continuously updated but just to a point in time.



  • #1630
    Hibernicis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,122 ✭✭✭Hibernicis


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648218#Comment_123648218

    Given the vast social repository that boards.ie is, your second point is very important. Boards.ie should engage with Digital Repository Ireland (www.dri.ie) now with a view to ensuring that the asset is preserved, whatever the outcome of current deliberations. The National Library of Ireland is another possible home as part of its digital collections.

    @Boards.ie: Odhran @Boards.ie: Mike

    boards.ie needs your help to survive. Subscribe HERE.



  • #1631
    kowloon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 13,848 ✭✭✭✭kowloon


    I still haven't seen if that €50 is auto-renewed. I'd prefer not to have to remember something is about to come out of my account in a year#s time.



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  • #1632
    archfi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,703 ✭✭✭archfi


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648250#Comment_123648250

    Trent will be preserved!

    Kapow!

    Boards is in danger of being no more within 3 MONTHS unless subscription numbers increase drastically.
    Subscribe & Help Out If You Can


  • #1633
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 79,066 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648250#Comment_123648250

    I also mentioned the National Archives, a while ago.



  • #1634
    Boards.ie: Odhran
    Boards.ie Employee, Boards Employee 2, Boards Employee 3, API Token user Posts: 206 ✭✭✭✭✭Boards.ie: Odhran
    Boards.ie Employee


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648253#Comment_123648253
    image.png

    Yes, renewal emails should go out 7 days before your sub is due to renew.



  • #1635
    Headshot
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 56,005 ✭✭✭✭Headshot


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647963#Comment_123647963

    Are boards set on continuing with Vanilla or have you looked into any alternative instead?

    If you're going to persist with Vanilla, why?



  • #1636
    Hibernicis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,122 ✭✭✭Hibernicis


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647963#Comment_123647963

    Thanks to @New Home for compiling the list and to @Boards.ie: Odhran for taking the time to respond.

    Regarding point 1, the message isn't sinking in. Just look:

    Screenshot 2025-07-18 at 14.36.36.png

    The current banner conveys NONE of the seriousness or urgency and is most likely being missed by a large number of members. It's far too laid back and nice. A far more intrusive message that draws attention to the seriousness of Boards.ie's plight and the need for action is required.

    And regarding the Plan of Action, it should/needs to be taking shape at this stage, or at least a direction should start to become apparent. Perhaps there are things happening in the background, perhaps not. @BrendanBurgess (post #63 in this thread) suggested getting "a few of your many strong supporters into a private forum to generate a few ideas on how to make boards more sustainable in the long term". I suggested getting someone with substantial business (restructuring) experience to come in and look over the model and quickly determine whether there is a route to viability (on a pro bono basis if necessary). I appreciate that there is a lot going on, and it can be difficult to do the strategic stuff while treading water under pressure to pay bills etc. But the time is limited, the current batch of subscriptions is very much a one-off goodwill gesture to give a breathing space. The greatest risk now is prevarication and taking the foot off the pedal. The time for decisions and action is now, while there is still time and the issues have focus. Please don't let it drift.

    boards.ie needs your help to survive. Subscribe HERE.



  • #1637
    Boards.ie: Odhran
    Boards.ie Employee, Boards Employee 2, Boards Employee 3, API Token user Posts: 206 ✭✭✭✭✭Boards.ie: Odhran
    Boards.ie Employee


    Some additional suggestions - thanks again @New Home

    1. Add an option to pay with PayPal
      »      I will add this in with the donation and carrier payments we are looking at next week.
    2. Sell Boards' themed T-shirts, hoodies, pint glasses and other merchandise.
      »Looking at options here but the margins are pretty low depending on what service you use… so we would have to look at upfront ordering I think to make it worth while. So not out of the question - we might start with tshirts and see how we go but its a question of time v's return at the moment. Perhaps we could look more at setting up a Boards Marketplace where community could look after things like this and give a % to Boards rather than it being done 'in house'.
    3. Find corporate sponsors and reactivate the "Talk to" pages.
      »      This is a non starter. We have tried to maintain and grow … corporates are already managing Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc … we are too niche unfortunatly.
    4. Do a raffle, similar to the one done to raise funds for health workers during Covid, where the prize was a cottage (corporate sponsors would have to be found for the prize).
      »I think this could be a good thing for paid members and our annual event (more to come on that). So, perhaps something we could look as part of this.
    5. Sponsored Boards golf tournament
      »      Possibly falls into above and again I think these are things that should be community rewards.


  • #1638
    Beagslife
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 348 ✭✭Beagslife


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648278#Comment_123648278

    Hi Odhran,

    Can I suggest that you add the option to allow users disable auto-renew for annual subscriptions. A pretty standard practice and another little thing to encourage more annual sub take-ups.

    Thanks 😎



  • #1639
    Boards.ie: Odhran
    Boards.ie Employee, Boards Employee 2, Boards Employee 3, API Token user Posts: 206 ✭✭✭✭✭Boards.ie: Odhran
    Boards.ie Employee


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648344#Comment_123648344

    Yep - thanks…
    You can manage your subscription and cancel at anytime… it will be an option on the renewal email.



  • #1640
    dulpit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,274 ✭✭✭✭dulpit


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123647963#Comment_123647963

    »Since day one I have said I am not a great poster - I don't engage a lot on social in general - but I engage as much as I can especially with things like this. However, I work with Mike daily who is indeed part-time.

    Nobody is looking for you to be posting in AH or anything like that. But you have advised there is an issue, and the updates on said issue are painstakingly slow. There has been a call to arms, but then you say »The plan of action … I think that needs a bit more thought than a one liner, so I will come back to it as it needs to include more than just subs conversation. Surely you should be providing more info here if you want the community to help out, no?

    Also - even if effort is needed and return isn't great, I fail to see why you wouldn't try all sorts of revenue streams (e.g. merch). Some money is better than none. Or is the issue that you don't want to do any of the work for this or allocate any of Mike's time? I'd imagine the more creative people here would happily throw up designs/etc for you.



  • #1641
    Boards.ie: Odhran
    Boards.ie Employee, Boards Employee 2, Boards Employee 3, API Token user Posts: 206 ✭✭✭✭✭Boards.ie: Odhran
    Boards.ie Employee


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648325#Comment_123648325

    Mike is going to update the message now.

    Nothing is being let drift and no foots off pedal. We really appreciate the sentiment and suggestions. Monetising Boards is not a this year problem… its a 20+ year problem. We just got it to profit - that was a first. But relying on ad revenue was never going to be a longer term solution. So we are not green in trying to get blood out of a stone!

    Adverts was a route but its not an option anymore - and we also don't have the share of eyeballs that we used to have (not just from the traffic drop - we compete for share of time from social, tv etc…). This is not about a restructure … its can we extract more revenue from ads by putting more in place … and ontop of that for users who use Boards offer them a better experience by not seeing ads and getting a bit more from being a member. If current subs are a one off well that will be dissapointing for all. So we need to make that sub worthwhile by adding more to it… that will come in time also.

    Happy to join private forums … but public just as good so everyone see's what is being suggested. Here is as good a place as any for now?



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  • #1642
    Avatar in the Post
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 887 ✭✭✭Avatar in the Post


    C’mon! 413 is a great result so far. A real community effort 💪



  • #1643
    Hibernicis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,122 ✭✭✭Hibernicis


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648411#Comment_123648411

    Thats a very fair response thank you, and happy to leave you to it; sounds like you know what you're at !!

    Happy to join private forums … but public just as good so everyone see's what is being suggested. Here is as good a place as any for now?

    Thats fair. It's just that the constructive suggestions get lost among the flood of goodwill, relentless moaning and occasional muppetry/trolling.

    boards.ie needs your help to survive. Subscribe HERE.



  • #1644
    ngunners
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 765 ✭✭✭ngunners


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648375#Comment_123648375

    An email in a year's time (which might end up in spam) is not the same as being able to cancel renewal at any time which you can do on any other site I am subscribed to.

    I signed up for a year happily but blocked my card from making any further payments as I don't know if I'll want to pay that again next year. Being able to pause and unpause would be much more practical.



  • #1645
    pinkypinky
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 6,827 Mod ✭✭✭✭pinkypinky


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123648275#Comment_123648275

    The National Archives is a repository for state and government department material that is 30 years old (i.e., they take in the material from 30 years ago each year). While it has accepted donations from, say, a solicitor's office closing down, it's not in the remit to help boards. DRI is a great shout though.

    Genealogy Forum Mod



  • #1646
    HildaOgdenx
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 8,424 Mod ✭✭✭✭HildaOgdenx


    Brendan Burgess of askaboutmoney said this on his website. He has also encouraged posters there to help boards, as he has done by taking out a subscription.

    'I have brought the potential demise of boards.ie to the attention of the National Library and the https://dri.ie/'

    Brendan



  • #1647
    Rubberchikken
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,285 ✭✭✭Rubberchikken


    If I came upon 5 1euro coins on the road, not only woukd I stoop down and pic them up, I'd actually contribute it to this poor wreck🙂



  • #1648
    RoyalCelt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,105 ✭✭✭RoyalCelt


    Nearly 500 donations so far is a very good start. I didn't think we'd get past 200 tbh. The hunger so save this site is there.



  • #1649
    fritzelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 18,331 ✭✭✭✭fritzelly


    can we extract more revenue from ads by putting more in place

    @odhran considering most of the ads on the site are absolute trash that is very highly unlikely quite the opposite - more of a turnoff (one of the more egregious ones was the Aussie ad that you couldn't get rid of specifically on mobile, along with the foreign adds some Indian or similar),

    Properly targetted Irish ads is something you don't seem to have pursued, relying entirely on Google (?) to provide them

    Reliance on ads for revenue ended years ago anyway



  • #1650
    con747
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,010 ✭✭✭✭con747


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123649645#Comment_123649645

    You tagged the wrong person, they have been inactive since 2009. You need to tag @Boards.ie: Odhran

    Don't expect anything from life, just be grateful to be alive.

    Help Keep Boards.ie Alive sign up here

    https://subscriptions.boards.ie/ https://keepboardsalive.com/



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  • #1651
    fritzelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 18,331 ✭✭✭✭fritzelly


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123649681#Comment_123649681

    Oops lol

    Post edited by fritzelly on


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