20-10-2003 05:58									#1
	Ways to help Poly on the cost side Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

We've done a lot of chatting about how to generate more revenue for Poly. But revenue is just part of the equation for profit. Cost is the other variable. What could we do to reduce costs that would not impact revenue. I'll try to be real and not troll.

My first guess would be look for wasteful use of bandwidth. For instance the D and D rating system (hp and fp and all that) goes on in the background and contributes nothing to the user experience. Axe it and you get those costs back. What else?

	20-10-2003 06:27									#2
	Suffering from ads?

Possibly offering a "Bare bones" forum style that doesn't include all the things like "Show a printable version | Email this page to someone" etc. Just member names, posts, and quick reply. Because, man, I've NEVER used more than 2/3 of the links on this page right now.

	20-10-2003 06:30									#3
	Tired of ads?

The many graphics and text bbits that are hardly used by anyone:
- "Show a printable version" "Email this page to someone" are links I suppose of being nearly never used.

- The "rate thread" feature is fairly useless and takes up a few bytes too, everytime you read a page. Rating should only be used in forums where there are actual things to rate: stories, files...

- the smiley legend that is appearing everytime one posts a reply. A simple link towards the smiley legend would eat up much less bandwidth, and it'll be used about as often IMHO.

	20-10-2003 07:46									#4
	Suffering from ads?

Amen to Spiffor on the smiley legend. I know all the ones on that are on the reply screen by heart.

	20-10-2003 07:57									#5
	Tired of ads?

Isn't the bandwidth cost more fixed than variable? Bandwidth saving measures are already in place to curb downloading during peak times.

I guess what I am asking is, is cost based on total aggregate download, or is it based on how long a bandwidth limit is exceeded plus a flatrate charge?

	20-10-2003 08:01									#6
	Support Apolyton

For example: The "Forum Rules" that says You may post new threads, Contact Us link, the links to the sections, the "new thread" button in thread pages, the "Last thread" "Next thread" links, "Rate this thread", "top of page", "All times are gmt-6, The time now is xx:xx", I've never used any of those. They are all little things but when a thread is viewed 200 times that's little things * 200. That for every thread gets excessive kinda

	20-10-2003 17:38									#7
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by Spiffor The many graphics and text bbits that are hardly used by anyone: - "Show a printable version" "Email this page to someone" are links I suppose of being nearly never used.

Actually, I use the "Show Printable Version" all the time.

	20-10-2003 21:46									#8
	Put an end to popups!

Maybe we should change to branching threads?

	20-10-2003 22:26									#9
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

Or remove the Off-Topic forum?

	20-10-2003 23:29									#10
	Inflate your Upload Space

quote: Originally posted by Maniac Or remove the Off-Topic forum?

Well, not the whole forum but just keep spam to a minimum..

	21-10-2003 01:38									#11
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

@ Feephi

	21-10-2003 02:59									#12
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

quote: Originally posted by Maniac Or remove the Off-Topic forum?

That could work.

	21-10-2003 03:24									#13
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

quote: Originally posted by Big Crunch Isn't the bandwidth cost more fixed than variable? Bandwidth saving measures are already in place to curb downloading during peak times. I guess what I am asking is, is cost based on total aggregate download, or is it based on how long a bandwidth limit is exceeded plus a flatrate charge?

In the end, everything is variable. Look at all the server moves.

But your post brings up an interesting point. Perhaps the contract structure could be optimized.

	21-10-2003 03:28									#14
	Full PM-box? Change here!

@ Feephi too ! How can you imagine the Off-Topic without Spam ?

	21-10-2003 04:58									#15
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

The thing is you have to limit bandwith without limiting revenue. If you are getting payed per pageview, spam is actually BETTER than longposts.

	21-10-2003 07:35									#16
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

You can turn off the smilies legend in lite style... and avatars- to save bandwith (that's what I do )

	21-10-2003 09:29									#17
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

branching threads

	21-10-2003 19:41									#18
	Full PM-box? Change here!

quote: Originally posted by Spiffor @ Feephi too ! How can you imagine the Off-Topic without Spam ?

Easy! Make me OT moderator...

	21-10-2003 20:09									#19
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

I think perhaps a overhall in the layout of the forumm without the need for large boxed posts, perhaps using the thread listing instead. The smiley characters are great for the kiddies, but not really warranted, plus you could really use 8-) if you were that desperate to include it in your post..

Keep up the great site though..

	21-10-2003 21:27									#20
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

many thanks for the thoughts guys but bandwidth usage is not currently an issue

	21-10-2003 21:37									#21
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

If it's not an issue, how come we get the "Server busy" message so often?

	21-10-2003 21:56									#22
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

well then we have plenty of bandwith to go to branching threads

	21-10-2003 22:03									#23
	Increase Your PM Length

these messages refer to cpu load not bandwidth

	21-10-2003 22:40									#24
	Put an end to popups!

OK Mark, but please, and I do beg you , Let us contribute!! really!!
I really don't care, give me your bank account, and I'll send you a couple of €,I trust you I think .
Please, make this a prority
You two have been stalling long enough

	22-10-2003 00:18									#25
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

When I go to Amerika, thanks to Apolyton, and I get rich, I'll send money back to Apolyton to repay!

Attachment: usafis_syel_468x60_en_092403.gif
This has been downloaded 64 time(s).

	22-10-2003 08:16									#26
	Remove this text

quote: Originally posted by MarkG these messages refer to cpu load not bandwidth

I am looking for ways to help Poly with cost. CPU or bandwidth is irrelevant. And I am trying to think long term. Not 20 minutes ahead.

	22-10-2003 08:36									#27
	Increase Your PM Length

TCO, shut up and stop being rude to the admins

	22-10-2003 09:27									#28
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

quote: Originally posted by Big Crunch [I]is cost based on total aggregate download, or is it based on how long a bandwidth limit is exceeded plus a flatrate charge?

To add to what Markos has already said: with the service contract Apolyton has with its hosting provider, EV1Servers.net (formerly RackShack), we have an allotted block of bandwidth per month. If and when that is exceeded there is an additional charge per GB used.

For the record, Apolyton has never exceeded its bandwidth allotment.

------------
Dan; Apolyton CS

	23-10-2003 04:28									#29
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by DanQ To add to what Markos has already said: with the service contract Apolyton has with its hosting provider, EV1Servers.net (formerly RackShack), we have an allotted block of bandwidth per month. If and when that is exceeded there is an additional charge per GB used. For the record, Apolyton has never exceeded its bandwidth allotment. ------------ Dan; Apolyton CS

Right, but I bet they write those contracts with different "limits" like a cell-phone plan.

	23-10-2003 04:29									#30
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

quote: Originally posted by skywalker TCO, shut up and stop being rude to the admins

I have special permission from Mark to troll. It's a vet privilege.