State of AFN (2020)

[Son of Hobbes]

To put it bluntly, AFN has grown beyond the size of a hobby forum and requires decent hardware, hosting, and security to keep the site going.

I'm not sure how many of you know this, but we don't have any actual employees on the forum; everything about the site has been volunteer ran since day 1 (9+ years ago.) Everyone has donated their time, energy, efforts, and spirit to trying to make what we have here today.

This wasn't really ever setup to be a business; we've never spent a dime (not one penny, ever) on advertising for the forum, it's 100% organically grown and it's through offering forum space to companies and vendors that we've afforded to keep the site going, afloat, to try out new things, and ultimately stay going this long.

We seemed to have hit some snags the past year+, ran into some obstacles we weren't prepared for, and honestly made a few decisions we thought were going to be for the best, but turned out to not be the right thing to do. But we're trying to listen and trying to get back to what everyone loved and enjoyed, and it sounds like that's just keeping this simple (and we're super cool with that.)

We want to take the emphasis off "trying to make this a business" and instead focusing on "make this community driven, community inspired, community ran" means that we're not in the pocket of these people sending us stuff or testing stuff with us (not that we EVER were (not once, not ever, not in the history of this site) but needing to the keep the lights on is a real struggle sometimes.) AFN is home to a lot of people. We had considered even closing the doors once before, but we had so many people tell us "no, that's not the right thing to do." Honestly, the support recently to keep this going has been relentless. And that's pretty awesome. We have some really great, amazing people here, both staff and non-staff, that know that we are just hitting some speed bumps on our way through this obstacle course and finding our way through it all.

To feasibly pay the server hosting, license renewals, backup storage, etc, $2000 is about a close average of an annual operating cost. That doesn't include service work, "what if's," etc. No incidentals. And will just go up as the needs of the site increase. I would like to get us a specialist to look at optimizing our server and forum setup as well, we can talk about the laggy pink elephant in the room, and if we can figure that out, then we'll do it.

We've setup a GoFundMe (which gave us the greenlight when we asked them if we could do this as a canna forum,) if anyone would like to donate towards this cause.

Donate to AFN Community Campaign, organized by Jordan Harker

The Autoflower Network (AFN) is an online community forum that provides a friendly environment fo… Jordan Harker needs your support for AFN Community Campaign

www.gofundme.com

At present, this would keep the site going annually, 100% community sponsored, not vendor sponsored.

We want to be transparent with what comes in and goes out too. That way there's no accusations or "is this really going for what it's meant for." Then this is what is, this is what we brought in, this is what went out, no one is bullshitting anyone here.

Before anyone starts raising the flags and banging the war drums, AFN is -NOT- in any way at risk of shutting down or closing our doors. Instead, we're trying to get back to why this forum was created. For learning, for sharing, to have a just chill place for people to grow at. Putting the science to the anecdotes. Having a place we can always call home because you know it's consistently this "good vibe of the tribe" kind of place.

We appreciate any consideration and everyone that helps make this community what it is. There's not much of a forum without the community members and that's what has always made us shine, our strength in diversity!

Thanks for listening!

 

[Olderfart]

Hey Sonny, once again, thanks for all your work here. This is an exceptional site, and it is great to see that effort continues to keep it this way. Good on all of the peeps who make this site the place that it is.

 

[420Forever]

To put it bluntly, AFN has grown beyond the size of a hobby forum and requires decent hardware, hosting, and security to keep the site going.

I'm not sure how many of you know this, but we don't have any actual employees on the forum; everything about the site has been volunteer ran since day 1 (9+ years ago.) Everyone has donated their time, energy, efforts, and spirit to trying to make what we have here today.

This wasn't really ever setup to be a business; we've never spent a dime (not one penny, ever) on advertising for the forum, it's 100% organically grown and it's through offering forum space to companies and vendors that we've afforded to keep the site going, afloat, to try out new things, and ultimately stay going this long.

We seemed to have hit some snags the past year+, ran into some obstacles we weren't prepared for, and honestly made a few decisions we thought were going to be for the best, but turned out to not be the right thing to do. But we're trying to listen and trying to get back to what everyone loved and enjoyed, and it sounds like that's just keeping this simple (and we're super cool with that.)

We want to take the emphasis off "trying to make this a business" and instead focusing on "make this community driven, community inspired, community ran" means that we're not in the pocket of these people sending us stuff or testing stuff with us (not that we EVER were (not once, not ever, not in the history of this site) but needing to the keep the lights on is a real struggle sometimes.) AFN is home to a lot of people. We had considered even closing the doors once before, but we had so many people tell us "no, that's not the right thing to do." Honestly, the support recently to keep this going has been relentless. And that's pretty awesome. We have some really great, amazing people here, both staff and non-staff, that know that we are just hitting some speed bumps on our way through this obstacle course and finding our way through it all.

To feasibly pay the server hosting, license renewals, backup storage, etc, $2000 is about a close average of an annual operating cost. That doesn't include service work, "what if's," etc. No incidentals. And will just go up as the needs of the site increase. I would like to get us a specialist to look at optimizing our server and forum setup as well, we can talk about the laggy pink elephant in the room, and if we can figure that out, then we'll do it.

We've setup a GoFundMe (which gave us the greenlight when we asked them if we could do this as a canna forum,) if anyone would like to donate towards this cause.

Donate to AFN Community Campaign, organized by Jordan Harker

The Autoflower Network (AFN) is an online community forum that provides a friendly environment fo… Jordan Harker needs your support for AFN Community Campaign

www.gofundme.com

At present, this would keep the site going annually, 100% community sponsored, not vendor sponsored.

We want to be transparent with what comes in and goes out too. That way there's no accusations or "is this really going for what it's meant for." Then this is what is, this is what we brought in, this is what went out, no one is bullshitting anyone here.

Before anyone starts raising the flags and banging the war drums, AFN is -NOT- in any way at risk of shutting down or closing our doors. Instead, we're trying to get back to why this forum was created. For learning, for sharing, to have a just chill place for people to grow at. Putting the science to the anecdotes. Having a place we can always call home because you know it's consistently this "good vibe of the tribe" kind of place.

We appreciate any consideration and everyone that helps make this community what it is. There's not much of a forum without the community members and that's what has always made us shine, our strength in diversity!

Thanks for listening!

strength in diversity for the win! (well that, and a whole LOTTA bong hitz! ) Up The Ironz! ppp

 

[Trichome farmer]

 

[GeorgeCloney]

As one of the first comments posted,I hope more new members (as myself) read my post in consideration of the value to contribute.

Most seeds bought on the web cost about $50 for 10 seeds (roughly).
If you could save just one grow of seeds purchased without messing up and loosing a grow.
Your contribution just paid for free membership (seen that way).

Life has taught me that we usually get what we pay for.
As far as I'm concerned, just getting expert unbiased advice from other experienced growers here on AFN.
Is priceless.

The atmosphere here at AFN is always friendly.

The interesting undelying fact about this site is that we're always talking about mutual passion we share.

Most days after reading something new on AFN, I question which is growing fast & better.

Me, or my plants.

Thanks for keeping this site up and having the forethought of having this site grow Sonny.
As well as an appreciation to all those people in the side lines that make this site what it is.
Having said that, I dropped a few coins into the hat to keep the site running .

Lets toke to that

Cheers,
GC



.

 

[Boognelson87]

I wouldn't have anywhere near the knowledge I have now on growing nor the equipment I use now if it wasnt for this site and the helpful people on it. Thanks for the work everyone puts into this site. Staff or not. Donation sent

 

[DesertDweller]

I only found this forum in the last 12months & I'd hate to see it go
I'm happy to chuck in some $$ Keep up the great work!!

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

I found AFN when I was banned from another site for my strong opinion against the paper towel method of germination their "Recommended" method. Most peeps here know how I feel about that . The Mods here did not even blink at my point of view on it and I have been here ever since.

I have 3.5 years of documented grows on here; the drive space alone is worth my support. I have learned so much from watching other grows and seeing how things can be done. The truth about a products usefulness. All of this worth real money!

The people have become my friends and that is priceless.............. even the ones that think I am a dick

 

[JohnEMad]

I have been here for just a few short months but decided almost right away this would be a great forum for me. Has the right atmosphere to learn, contribute and have a laugh. Count me in. I Appreciate what has been built here.

 

[AutoWonders]

Last night I strongly felt that it was time for me to hop the train and wave goodbye to this forum. My frustration ran high. In lieu of this post, I'll be happy to throw in some greenbacks and see what comes of it.

I signed up in 2014, but completely forgot that I had an account until around 2016. This is the only forum that I am currently a part of and is the forum that I have created the most posts in, so leaving would have been a bit tough.

AFN is just the second forum that I found during my entire online experience that is an easy going site with no vacuous flaming wars and other like behaviors. That is outstanding and speaks volumes regarding its integrity. I hope the specialist works out well.