Specktra.Net Forum subscription information

[Janice]

Members,

For four years Specktra.Net has helped spread information to the MAC & cosmetically curious. I'm sure you'll agree that we have quality content and contributions from members. I thank all of you for your support!

Since the site's inception I've been paying for hosting, the cost of the forum software, all technical support and upgrades, as well as licenses entirely out of my own pocket. In the past year I have been implementing changes that are positive and growth oriented, some of which include helping Specktra.Net be able to support itself financially through targeted advertising.

You have a chance to help by removing those ads and subscribing the forum. The costs of memberships vary, and I hope there is enough of a selection for you to find the level that fits you best.

You can find the subscription page here (all payments using PayPal):
http://www.specktra.net/forum/payments.php

Specktra.Net Forums of course, will continue to be completely free for all members to continue using as before. However, subscribing will have certain advantages as mentioned below:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Greetings, effective immediatly, a few new features have been implemented for the people who donate to Specktra through our Premium Membership program. These features will remain active for 4, 8, and 12 month options on Premium Member accounts after which they will expire, they can be renewed at any point.

The 4 month Premium Member Package ($15.00 USD) aka "Bronze Supporter" includes access to the following account upgrades:

• Special graphic underneath your name to show your "Premium Member" status
• Avatar size increased to 150 x 150, max 30000 bytes
• Profile Picture size increased to 600 x 600 max 35000 bytes
• The ability to have a custom usertitle
• Access to the private Premium Member lounge on the forum
• No Ads on the forum!

The 8 month Premium Member package aka "Silver Supporter" ($25.00 USD) includes access to the following account upgrades:

• Special graphic underneath your name to show your "Premium Member" status
• Access to the Clearance Bin forums if you do not meet the forum guidelines established.
• PM inbox increased to 75 messages
• Avatar size increased to 150 x 150, max 30000 bytes
• Profile Picture size increased to 600 x 600 max 35000 bytes
• The ability to have a custom usertitle
• Private Premium Member lounge on the forum
• No ads on the forum!

The 12 month Premium Member package aka "Gold Supporter" ($45.00 USD) includes access to the following account upgrades:

• Special graphic underneath your name to show your "Premium Member" status
• Access to the Clearance Bin forums if you do not meet the forum guidelines established.
• PM inbox increased to 75 messages
• Avatar size increased to 150 x 150, max 30000 bytes
• Profile Picture size increased to 600 x 600 max 35000 bytes
• The ability to have a custom usertitle
• Private Premium Member lounge on the forum
• A specktra.net email address (email address will be your forum username)
• No ads on the forum!

The Lifetime Premium Member package aka "Platnium Supporter" ($100.00 USD) includes access to the following account upgrades:

• Special graphic underneath your name to show your "Premium Member" status
• Access to the Clearance Bin forums if you do not meet the forum guidelines established.
• PM inbox increased to 500 messages
• Avatar size increased to 150 x 150, max 30000 bytes
• Profile Picture size increased to 600 x 600 max 35000 bytes
• The ability to have a custom usertitle
• Private Premium Member lounge on the forum
• A specktra.net email address (email address will be your forum username)
• No ads on the forum!

Of course, some of these enhanced features might have already been used by some members up to now. Those users have not been affected by this, although it might affect their ability to change these settings without subscribing (staff continue having upgraded account privledges).

I hope you will enjoy these features if you choose to subscribe. There might be future benefits for subscribing members (being planned at the moment), you will be notified of any changes to your benefits should they be altered.

Your subscriptions continue to help pay for Site improvements and Forum upgrades. Your monetary contribution to Specktra.Net has helped fund many of the features any registered user has access to. With your help Specktra will continue to grow as a positive resource for MAC news and information, and cosmetics discussion in general.

Please note that subscribing in no way changes your status as a member of Specktra.Net Forums. You are still bound by the Membership Agreement & Site TOS. Apart from the features mentioned above, you will not experience any upgraded privledges. Contributions are totally voluntary.

Should you have any questions regarding this don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks!

Regards,
Janice
(Site Owner/Administrator)

[Janice]

From time to time I'm asked why we run fundraisers asking members for voluntary subscriptions and how the money is used.

This post might help illuminate that the owner of this site is a pretty normal chick who is completely dedicated to making your experience on the site as informative and helpful as possible. She's spent her own money to keep this place going since 2004 with a little help from advertising. Only recently has the site begun to come close to a point where it can pay for itself from advertising and Premium Memberships, whatever profit there might be goes back into tech support, upgrades for software on the server and ugrades to servers to handle increased traffic for an ever growing community.

All Moderators are volunteers on this website. Tech support is by hire, contracted by the job. I hire others as the need arises for everything from software upgrades to coding help on the message boards. Like the recent unveiling of our new forum layout and design.

The goal was never to build a big site, but to offer a resource and later a connecting point to share information online.

From minimal cost shared hosting in 2004 to its current location on a dedicated server co-located at a data center in Lansing, MI, this server costs on a monthly average $800 per month in fees, traffic costs, tech support and sometimes more than this...depending on the server's needs. With the growth we've had, and continue to experience, I am expecting the need for an additional server within the next year. This is not total operating costs for the site, as mentioned before there are several other costs associated with the site on a monthly basis, as well as on a "as needed" basis.

Why so much? We are a growing site. At the end of the first year, Specktra was receiving about 100 visitors per day. Now we receive between 7,500 and 12,500 visitors per day who stay and access many of our content pages and enjoy support on the website. Traffic costs money. Upkeep costs money.

The costs are maintained and absorbed by myself, I work daily with a great group of volunteer Staff and Advisors to make sure that members and guests alike find a kind online community for cosmetic discussion, the latest MAC cosmetics information & discussion, and a resource of articles and tutorials to learn and grow their passion with.

Who is this owner? Her name is Janice. I married my longtime love, Ian, on Halloween (October 31st) 2005. Ian and I share our first home with bevy household pets, including 2 Jack Russell Terriers, a very needy Chihuahua, a young west highland terrier, a english budgie, and an American parakeet. Specktra has challenged me to be a better leader in my community both online and off. The life lessons, experience and opportunities I have gained from administrating this site are invaluable.

I hope you are enjoying your membership at Specktra.Net. If you have received a smidgen of help and support here, we ask that you purchase a Premium Membership.

Every premium membership purchase helps to give a gift that keeps on giving for the next group of those seeking help and information. There are several different subscriptions; everyone should be able to find a level that fits their budget.

Kind regards, Janice

[macmistress]

Wow I had no idea this whole site is based on your passion and desire to share...And the dedication that you show wow!

I am glad I did my bit!

[Janice]

Thank you for supporting the site.

[rbella]

I know this sounds stupid, but wouldn't it be more advantageous to your site if I renewed every year as a "Gold" member so there is a constant flow of funding? I haven't done the "Platinum" package b/c I always feel like you end up getting jipped. $100 for a lifetime with no renewals seems like it could cost you in the long run. But, if it is more advantageous to you if I am a "Platinum" member, I will do so at next renewal. Please let me know.
Thanks.

[TISH1124]

^^ I agree...I always wondered the same....

[amber_j]

^^ Me too.