willysmjeeps.com

To all,

We are reviving hundreds of spam applications a day again, I have checked and the captcha is still working so the spammers have found a way around it.

Our website program is 15 years old and needs to be upgraded to be a viable tool to keep up with the technology those that intend to interfere are using.

That is going to cost $2,000-5,000. Combine that with the dramatically increasing fees just to keep the website on the internet - at close to $600 a year now, I am considering closing the website down.

Other forums like the CJ3B have fallen to similar assaults over the last few years. All forums I have been on - Model A, mustangs, etc. are seeing dramatic decrease in traffic due to Facebook and twitter groups now being a big thing.

I am opening this up to anyone that wants to run the forum and take over, but Wes and I just don't have the time and money to keep it going.

Thanks to technology ever changing and spammers I really hate to do this.

Ryan

Is there any way to just close down the website to further discussion but still allow access for reading and viewing of the existing content? The information already shared is a treasure trove of exceptional knowledge and helpful information. I would hate to see it go "poof!"

I thought about that too, but it still takes $500-600 per year to keep the website as it is now up.

This expense is every month and adds up over the years.

The expenses for running even a basic website are a lot more than it was 16 years ago when we started.

16 years ago it was like $12 per month. Now it is $55 and I received an email that the price is going up again later this year.

Is there any way someone could download the entire content of the technical forums, photo galleries, and the "Downloads" section (manuals, etc) on to a disk or flash drive and then sell them?

I like many others have suggested that we all pay in a membership like fee to keep this going, even if it is in a maintenance mode to preserve what is here now.

Money seems to be at least part of the problem, and several members have suggested a paying membership before, but nothing ever comes of it. Not clear why.

Some numbers:

There are 5,860 registered members. Being generous, only about 10% seem to be active participants --- 586 people.

Taking half that number (5%) of the total membership is 293 people. If 293 people each paid $1 a month, that would be $3,516 a year.

If those same 5% of active members paid $2 a month, that would be $7,032 a year....etc, etc.

Zero out the entire membership list --- delete it. The first 500 people signing up to pay $2 a month ($24 a year) IN ADVANCE, get to be members for one year.

That's $12,000 a year to run the website.

These are good responses that Wes and I have considered.
The problem is I don't think that many are active anymore or only visit once a month or yearly.

I am interested to see how many people respond over the following 7 days.

I am also open to other suggestions if someone wants to take over the ownership and keep it going too.

Time and money are issues and even keeping up with who has paid and who has not, etc. still takes more time.

As you all know we are not in this for profit.

This is America. There's not a thing wrong with profit.

Besides....it would take a few years to pay you back the expense of operating the site since 2005 for free.

I wish, but am not optimistic that a large number of folks will respond in 7 days to this announcement.

Ryan and Wes,

I don't come in here as often but I do like to go in and check on what's being discussed. I still find things to help me with my jeep and it's peace of mind knowing there's such a valuable resource available to me if I do need anything.

I'm happy to help fund that and keep this operating and available.

I'm to old and not technical enough to "run" the site, but am willing to open my wallet to support whoever does.

If you had a PayPal account and twice a year asked for help, I'm sure you'd get enough $ to pay the bills.

i completely understand that you and Wes are looking to retire...we just need a younger person to want to take over and preserve what's here.

Mike B

I do not feel it is a pressing need to retire. What I feel is; "Do I still wish to spend several hours every evening tending to a 2500 person web site that is only currently used by less than 10 to 15 members?" . And I am sure Ryan feels the same.

Also the cost is not just for upgrades but for a computer savvy agency to provide the venue for the site on their server.

Our search at this point is for:

1 - Younger computer literate site manager.
2 - A willing and not so expensive provider of server access.
3 - Assistance with funding.

A solution that does not satisfy all three is not useable.

I am with Wes on this one.

We have asked several times over the last 8 years for tech help and admin help and not received any offers.

I understand this as it does take daily maintenance to sift through and approve members, then monitor postings.

Posted my reply wrong. I would be willing to pay to keep the site going.

this is a great site, hate to see it die, I'm also willing to pitch in dollars to keep it going....Thank You, Ryan and Wes...

Im in for for help to cover costs Sorry but im not tech savy enough to help on the tech support side
Just let me know
Thanks for all you do Ryan and Wes!