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Post by PB on Aug 15, 2019 6:31:43 GMT
While I have no immediate plans to vacate planet Earth, the thought as to what happens to our Forum were I to encounter some misadventure comes to mind.
The "One-Stop" Forum came into being as I felt it necessary to preserve as many Blackbushe photographic records as possible in one place, a place that would be accessible to all and offer safekeeping. Stuart, as a 'co conspirator' has provided many photos and his precious accounts of aircraft types that once frequented Blackbushe's precious acres. The loss of this material is unthinkable.
From my part, the Forum represents an annual outlay of cash with no returns, and somewhere between two and three thousand hours of dedicated application.
At this time there is no 'insurance plan' to protect the Forum in the event of an editorial vacancy occuring. We have over 500 members and many visitors each day from around the world, the Forum is nicely established and hopefully an embellishment to the Blackbushe 'product'? I know it could do with some of the bright lights of social media sources, but there is no other source of freely available 'reference' nostalgia from "we were there" accounts and assorted pictures..
The Forum has taken between one and two hours of creative time each day for the past almost three years. To me that's a personal investment that must not be lost.... If a suitable offer was presented whereby the Forum's contents would be guaranteed safe keeping, maintenance and continued development I would be pleased to enter discussions. May I presume that makes some kind of sense - or not?
PB
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Post by flyboy on Aug 19, 2019 11:56:35 GMT
Very pleased to hear that you are not planning to depart this planet in the short term but as you know I am concerned as to what will happen to the results of all the effort you have put into our forum on a daily basis over the years.
As I see it there are two separate issues that need addressing. Firstly the cost to you of the photo library and secondly what will happen to the forum should something happen to you.
To address the photo library finances I would be prepared to offer help myself to lessen your burden regarding the cost - perhaps we could discuss this further as it's difficult without knowing the sums involved and others might also be able to offer help. I suppose another idea might be to reluctantly introduce some form of limited subscription fee or ask for donations.
So far as the continuation of the forum is concerned it appears obvious that, should in the worse case your contributions stop, the content should be somehow preserved if no-one could be found to carry it forward.Possibly with a local museum? Stuart.
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Post by PB on Aug 21, 2019 21:56:34 GMT
Thank you Stuart, I can confirm there are still no plans for interplanetary travel or any other forms of departure involving travel to some higher plain.. We have to face the fact that life's path leads to some inevitable gate beyond which there will be little scope for working on this or any other forum. However, it's good to have one's ducks in a row regardless...
Your offer of helping with costs is very much appreciated, but whilst it would be very kind of you I do not feel it would be fair for another individual to take on what is a venture much of my own doing. Your contributions have generously already put meat on the Forum's bones and added greatly to its 'market price'. I think 2020 will be looking for an increased investment as our photo provider have hauled their rates higher, probably around £100 for next year although the figure is not confirmed as yet... There are ways to make the Forum 'self financing'; by running our own advertising campaign for example, but that would involve paying the Forum provider to offset the revenue they make from the adverts we all see everyday.. A lot of hassle would follow with selling advertising space, producing copy, and taking the payments etc etc. That would not be my idea of fun time - unless it were to prove particularly lucrative!!
As yet no other suggestions received regarding the Forum's future so we'll plough on a while longer, although how long does not come with any assurances.
Trust you and Sandra are well?? Meanwhile I'll keep taking the tablets and exercising POTD each morning!!
Peter
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