State of AFN (2020)

[HashMaster]

"oopz, we're sorry, the world is currently being invaded by killer microscopic organizmz...plz try ur call again later" ppp

I actually got the old ma bell "all circuits are busy, please try your call again latter" recording yesterday and thought that exact same thing !

I bet I haven't heard that in 30 years....

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

That is what AFN is all about , Availability for every one . On a side note , I see there is around 44 company's with there names here , I am sure they can pay $50 a year each . on top of what they do now . even if it is a one off payment , they would have a fair bit to lose if we are not here , I can see the influence the site has on growers here and what they are purchasing . With the way the economics of the world is going , platforms like AFN will be even more important .

We cannot live like that. The other more important aspect to a member only supported forum is we are not beholding to a vendor and all our reporting about their products cannot be influenced by money! Just honest feedback.

@Guru_skux we are working to get this stuff fixed. It takes time and money. We are working on getting the money together and everyone working on the server/software for AFN is volunteers at this point so be patient we will get it fixed. We are in negotiations with some professionals to get pricing for the needed work.

 

[GeorgeCloney]

@Mañ'O'Green
I think you worded that perfectly.
It should reinforce the reasons why members have their say about the direction of this site.
Just a question but: has anybody brought this to the vendors attention?
Because unless told otherwise, this is a free ride for them. And , they're making money in the process with FREE exposure?
I am by no means accusing anybody of anything. Just bringing up the subject.
I still feel that their contribution should be in the form of products for raffle by the site.
Any vendor that wants to step up to the plate with a product donation for raffle deserves a vote of confidence by this sites members.
This leaves competition open to all vendors and makes them earn a properly earned reputation within our niche market.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

@Mañ'O'Green
I think you worded that perfectly.
It should reinforce the reasons why members have their say about the direction of this site.
Just a question but: has anybody brought this to the vendors attention?
Because unless told otherwise, this is a free ride for them. And , they're making money in the process with FREE exposure?
I am by no means accusing anybody of anything. Just bringing up the subject.
I still feel that their contribution should be in the form of products for raffle by the site.
Any vendor that wants to step up to the plate with a product donation for raffle deserves a vote of confidence by this sites members.
This leaves competition open to all vendors and makes them earn a properly earned reputation within our niche market.

Yes, Hobbes is already on this. The main form of contribution from vendors moving forward is kit for our members to test. Vendors will also need to be active in their forum to continue to have a space here. They must interact with us.

 

[GeorgeCloney]

This sounds fair for all.
Also probably what most want to hear.
If they don't want to play ball. It's not in their better interests.
Conversely, their advertising cost on the web isn't worth much when broadcast to the masses and only 1% of the populous buy a product.
Companies like Mercedes Benz sponsor golf tournaments for people with white lab coats. There is a reason.
And in all fairness , I think it's the proper way to advertise to your market.
Think about it. Who's in a better position to promote a cannabis related product than us, amongst ourselves?
Thanks for the explanation Mango

 

[Nosias]

This is pretty much the only canna community that I participate in anymore. I know its kind of silly to say that a weed forum feels like a wholesome family friendly operation, but danged if that's not exactly what you guys have done with it. This is a worthwhile community that I'm willing to support.

Very TRUE.

 

[Kinezokyprios]

I personally believe that the vendors must contribute, not the members.
They get a lot of free exposure/advertisement, by having a place to present their products at no cost.
Also they get a lot of indirect advertisement through members' comments, posts, photos etc.
Well we do have to reward them with our aknowlegement for their efforts and quality products, but it is the vendors that earn money in this process.
Members are mainly their customer base that just enjoy the final product that they purchase.
It is not fair for the consumer/customer/forum member to bear the cost that a business entity, which sells a product or service, avoids spending.
To those that rightfully claim that such a move will bring an administrative bias in favour of the vendors, I agree with your point of view, but there is also an alternative that vendors cannot ignore. When you make a small investment like this you cannot expect to buy the silence of the membership collective and individual consciousness. They also have to prove their quality, otherwise they will be enforcing mind/ control on a defunct forum, of which the membership will migrate to other fora. If they sell questionable quality products then nobody will stick here if they try to control the information.

 

[Mossy]

I personally believe that the vendors must contribute, not the members.
They get a lot of free exposure/advertisement, by having a place to present their products at no cost.
Also they get a lot of indirect advertisement through members' comments, posts, photos etc.
Well we do have to reward them with our aknowlegement for their efforts and quality products, but it is the vendors that earn money in this process.
Members are mainly their customer base that just enjoy the final product that they purchase.
It is not fair for the consumer/customer/forum member to bear the cost that a business entity, which sells a product or service, avoids spending.
To those that rightfully claim that such a move will bring an administrative bias in favour of the vendors, I agree with your point of view, but there is also an alternative that vendors cannot ignore. When you make a small investment like this you cannot expect to buy the silence of the membership collective and individual consciousness. They also have to prove their quality, otherwise they will be enforcing mind/ control on a defunct forum, of which the membership will migrate to other fora. If they sell questionable quality products then nobody will stick here if they try to control the information.

@Kinezokyprios ..there is a misunderstanding here...

Vendor have Always maintained AFN.
Bare in mind this is the first time in 9 years we have had to rely on donations.

We Hit unbelievable circumstances 2019 when we tried to do a Server upgrade and it all cocked up.

Since then we have provided the Vendors and members such a Bad service..that we don't feel we can ask the Vendors to pay site fees...

We have been Crap.

Out techies are Great..they have worked their socks off..but site problems are beyond them.
We need to be able to afford some outside tech to get site back to where it was..then our techies can maintain it.

Once we do that..and we are providing adequate service we will once again turn to Vendors paying site fees and AFN will run as we have done for the last 9 years.

Thank You everyone. You have all been Amazing.....you have given AFN Breathing time.

You should be Proud of yourselves.....AFN Family at it's Best.

 

[GeorgeCloney]

Perhaps a compromise can be reached.
If we open up a forum just for vendors. This would justify to them paying a site fee.
At the same time, as members we're NOT obligated to go see that forum.
The advantage to them is direct advertising without being imposing. I personally hate marketing spam etc..
They get the benefit of direct marketing without annoying me as a consumer re:spam, yet if I need advice on one of their products I've purchased. There is no middleman. As @Kinezokyprios said, the benefit to us is lowered cost and keeping the vendors on their toes.
Lets face it, the best advertising is word of mouth to promote a product.
Given the collective knowledge on the site
we're in a position to promote or destroy a product or service.
It goes both ways.

 

[HighnDry]

I can't imagine anything much will be changed in 2020. We've just been through a couple of server changes after being let down on the first and things very much need to be optimised. I believe @Mañ'O'Green has sourced and paid someone out of his own pocket to do this. Things just weren't moving quick enough for him, and very thankful we should be So that frees up all your lovely donations to keep the site hosted and tweaked when needed. Once we're fully optimised and back to our wonderful best we will feel a lot happier asking vendors for more kit, seeds and whatever else we can get shared around and tested. Battles are a bit up in the air what with shipping concerns but more to follow on that. Stay safe all!