Best Way to Shut Down XF Forum

[Tx Panther]

Hi All,

Unfortunately the IR Forum that I had built is just kind of a Flop, and while I've tried everything I know it's Just
not an enjoyable adventure any longer. I never intended this to be a money maker but truly thought that it would
be a great place for people that Shoot IR would gather and enjoy. While I have about 300 members now it's just not
getting any posting or interaction. I contacted one of the Top Camera Mod Companies to see if he might
just mention the group, not asking for money or contributions, his response was more of not gaining anything or benefit to him ?
That seemed to be the Response from most of the IR Shooters that do Lectures, Work Shops, and Tours. I have to say I thought they'd jump
on having a place to advertise and show their Wares so to say, but not "ONE" of them had any interest.

So, while I hate to do it I've just finally decided to shut it down. My XF License runs out in Sept and I"m paying my Hosting Fees monthly, so I'm sure
if I tell them it will stop the service. I just didn't know how or what the best way to do things.

Appreciate your help and thoughts, Take Care, Be Safe,

CK

Home

 

[Abizaga]

Just save a backup and delete it honestly

 

[zappaDPJ]

That's a real shame because you've clearly put a lot of thought into your forum and it looks great.

As already posted, if you really feel you can't continue at least take a backup and close it down on the announced date.

 

[BigPete7978]

Shame to see you shutting down your forum. Just back it up, delete the database, and let it expire.

 

[Abizaga]

It seems to be doing pretty decent tbh but slowdown is always rough.

 

[Tx Panther]

Just save a backup and delete it honestly

Thanks, I'm kind of clueless on this so might ask Russ to help me with it.

Take Care,

Craig

 

[Tx Panther]

That's a real shame because you've clearly put a lot of thought into your forum and it looks great.

As already posted, if you really feel you can't continue at least take a backup and close it down on the announced date.

Have to say I'm not one that likes to throw in the towel as they say, I've always been very tenacious to a fault but this
has kind of just kicked my butt on not having folks want to enjoy it.

Appreciate the kind comment, I did work hard on it and drove poor Russ bonkers with all my questions and requests

Take Care,

Craig

 

[Tx Panther]

Shame to see you shutting down your forum. Just back it up, delete the database, and let it expire.

Thanks Big Pete, Appreciate it, just wanted to make sure I did things correctly

Take Care,

Craig

 

[Tx Panther]

Shame to see you shutting down your forum. Just back it up, delete the database, and let it expire.

I know, it was really disheartening after getting a pretty good response to start with. I did have about 330 members but started deleting them
this aftenoon and got distracted.

Appreciate the info, Take Care,

Craig

 

[l3ta]

Maybe an enthused member might want to take over and continue the vision?

 

[Tx Panther]

Maybe an enthused member might want to take over and continue the vision?

Thanks for the thought !!!

Take Care,

Craig

 

[Abizaga]

I would pass the torch if you feel you can't continue.

 

[LeadCrow]

Best way is subjective.

- If your main concern is to cease paying for and managing that forum, the best way forward would likely be to transfer custodianship to a superuser interested in keeping the community alive in your stead, in respect of conditions you might set (like no selling it, retaining some control, a revenue share...). In general this is the best outcome, as it could stimulate growth in ways you were unable to yourself.

- If shutting down the forum installation itself is the actual goal (high upkeep for inadequate results, short-lived forum history), a prior notice of at least a month would suffice so that members have enough time to network, get each others' information and discuss ways to preserve the community going outside that forum (discord, steam, other/new websites, gaming clans). An extra month of hosting is really cheap.

My XF License runs out in Sept

You can keep running the version currently installed as well as any version most recently released up to september with no need to renew. Upkeep would also cost nothing if you transfer control of that site to an interested party.

 

[Tx Panther]

Best way is subjective.

- If your main concern is to cease paying for and managing that forum, the best way forward would likely be to transfer custodianship to a superuser interested in keeping the community alive in your stead, in respect of conditions you might set (like no selling it, retaining some control, a revenue share...). In general this is the best outcome, as it could stimulate growth in ways you were unable to yourself.

- If shutting down the forum installation itself is the actual goal (high upkeep for inadequate results, short-lived forum history), a prior notice of at least a month would suffice so that members have enough time to network, get each others' information and discuss ways to preserve the community going outside that forum (discord, steam, other/new websites, gaming clans). An extra month of hosting is really cheap.


You can keep running the version currently installed as well as any version most recently released up to September with no need to renew. Upkeep would also cost nothing if you transfer control of that site to an interested party.

Hi LeadCrow,

Thanks for your Reply and information. I think since the Forum just is as you stated - High Output of Hosting Fees vs very little posting and interaction of the few members that actually posted anything, whether it be an image or commenting. Plus, I do have 2 add-ons that I'm guessing if I don't renew they'll just cease to exist as well.

On the hosting Issue I'd reached out to the Sale Dept of KnownHost about possibly getting a less expensive hosting Package, never heard back. I Currently have their Tier 2 plan as I had truly thought that I'd reach 1K members pretty quickly from my IR FB Group, sadly only about 125 ended up migrating and then a few more over time. There's not been that much interaction so as far as them exchanging info or ??? I've put out a month's notice and it's not a gaming forum so again there's really not that much activity at all most posts don't even get more than 2 replies to the images. Plus most post on the IR FB Group or on many of the other IR FB Groups so they'll not lose contact with each other. But that was a very nice thought !!!

Appreciate your help now and before, Thanks and Take Care,

Craig

 

[sbjsbj]

Hey,

sorry that you quit but it was destined to be (to be frank).

This is one prime example why I always say "people still think it is 2005".

I looked at your site and I cannot see the reason why I should join your site.

If I shoot IR Photos, why would I bother to upload my stuff on somewhere with no name versus on Instagram for example? Millions of potential viewers vs. 0? What would you do? If I can tweet out my photos or post it in a Facebook group, why bother with a forum?

There is 0 reason.
"Having a place to discuss" is not a reason anymore, 15 years ago it was. Today you have to offer more.

Anyway, you already quit, so those questions don't need to be answered. I just want to say that I hope you have more luck next time or with other projects.

 

[Mike Jaquish]

IF you don't get a taker on taking over and maintaining the site, your license has some value.
I would give you a few bucks for it.

 

[Tx Panther]

Hey,

sorry that you quit but it was destined to be (to be frank).

This is one prime example why I always say "people still think it is 2005".

I looked at your site and I cannot see the reason why I should join your site.

If I shoot IR Photos, why would I bother to upload my stuff on somewhere with no name versus on Instagram for example? Millions of potential viewers vs. 0? What would you do? If I can tweet out my photos or post it in a Facebook group, why bother with a forum?

There is 0 reason.
"Having a place to discuss" is not a reason anymore, 15 years ago it was. Today you have to offer more.

Anyway, you already quit, so those questions don't need to be answered. I just want to say that I hope you have more luck next time or with other projects.

Hi Frank ;-)

Thanks for your Thoughts and Reasoning, while a little hard to hear, I haven't had my morning Coffee yet, the points
you bring up are very valid. From the Poll I'd taken on my IR FB Group showed the same as you'd said about FB/IG as well.
I had to laugh at the 2005, that's actually when I first wanted to have an IR Forum ;-) but as they say life got in the way for a long time. So, after Retiring I decided to give it a try. I really thought with the small niche of IR and the amount of Shooters doing it with the numbers while not great on FB still a nice amount for a "community" would be a viable adventure. I really thought that the People in the Business of the Tours and Workshop would find it a good place but none of them even gave it a second look or made any attempts. I don't have ads, I didn't charge a fee to join or show, I did have a donate button and had 9-10 folks donate so while I wasn't looking for it, it was a nice gesture.

It's funny you mention you're not into IR but your avatar certainly has an IR look and feel to it ;-) I will take an exception to one thing you said, I am not one to Quit, I've tried everything that I know to do, and reached out to all in the IR World with "Zero" help or results. If you think that you have some suggestions that might make it worth continuing I'd certainly Love to hear your thoughts. Also, I'd be curious to see your website just so I can
Learn what would make one that I would want to join !!!

Thanks again, I do appreciate your time and info.

CK

 

[User2684]

Hi Frank ;-)

Thanks for your Thoughts and Reasoning, while a little hard to hear, I haven't had my morning Coffee yet, the points
you bring up are very valid. From the Poll I'd taken on my IR FB Group showed the same as you'd said about FB/IG as well.
I had to laugh at the 2005, that's actually when I first wanted to have an IR Forum ;-) but as they say life got in the way for a long time. So, after Retiring I decided to give it a try. I really thought with the small niche of IR and the amount of Shooters doing it with the numbers while not great on FB still a nice amount for a "community" would be a viable adventure. I really thought that the People in the Business of the Tours and Workshop would find it a good place but none of them even gave it a second look or made any attempts. I don't have ads, I didn't charge a fee to join or show, I did have a donate button and had 9-10 folks donate so while I wasn't looking for it, it was a nice gesture.

It's funny you mention you're not into IR but your avatar certainly has an IR look and feel to it ;-) I will take an exception to one thing you said, I am not one to Quit, I've tried everything that I know to do, and reached out to all in the IR World with "Zero" help or results. If you think that you have some suggestions that might make it worth continuing I'd certainly Love to hear your thoughts. Also, I'd be curious to see your website just so I can
Learn what would make one that I would want to join !!!

Thanks again, I do appreciate your time and info.

CK

To be honest, your forum looks great, and I would say, don't give up.

Personally I'm working on my forum too, and is the small community for photographers who shooting macro.

 

[Tx Panther]

To be honest, your forum looks great, and I would say, don't give up.

Personally I'm working on my forum too, and is the small community for photographers who shooting macro.

Thank Faust, I have to say I was very pleased with the look and the way it turned out, even if it didn't work out ;-)
Russ worked hard on it for me and I think I wore him out with all my requests and ideas ;-)

Take Care and Good Luck with your Macro Forum !!!

CK

 

[Tx Panther]

IF you don't get a taker on taking over and maintaining the site, your license has some value.
I would give you a few bucks for it.

Thanks Mike, but I'll pass.

Take Care,

CK