SUBSCRIPTIONS! Get image uploads and no ads!

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digitalscreamdigitalscream Frets: 26397
edited November 2023 in Help & Feedback

The news

Yes, I finally got it working!

We now have an account on Patreon, where you can sign up to be a subscriber and support the forum's ongoing existence, should you so desire.

You can subscribe by clicking here

What is it?

As a subscriber, you'll get the ability to upload images (through the usual button in the editor, and drag-and-drop works too), and - since it's not really fair to take your money and show you ads - the ads will be removed too (with the exception of the top banner - that's exclusively for our tFB Traders to provide deals or PSAs that benefit our members, and we never take a penny in return for them).

Currently images are limited to about 2.1MB each, although I'm working on trying to fix that; there's a good case for upping the limit to 3MB, since that seems to cover most pics taken by phones. Later, I'll also work out how to fix Vanilla's image resizing code, so that we'll take care of that for you.

Important note: You'll need to use the same email address on Patreon as you used to create your account on tFB; if they're different, it won't be able to automatically find your account and enable the new functionality for you. If you can't do that (eg you already have a Patreon account under a different email address), or if the ads haven't disappeared when you've subscribed, just email me at admin@thefretboard.co.uk with your username and both email addresses, and I'll get it sorted for you as soon as I can.

How much?

There's only one tier at £3.50 + VAT/month (£4.20), although if you're quick you can get one of 20 spots at £2.50 + VAT/month (£3). You can actually pay whatever you want above that if you're feeling generous, but that's not really necessary (I couldn't see how to easily remove that option).

The pricing's based entirely on the cost of hosting images pretty much forever, but I do understand if that's a bit much for you. In fact, there's no hard sell here...it's entirely optional, and you can always carry on doing things the way you always have.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Sometimes, it can take about 10 minutes for Patreon to tell our system (behind the scenes) that you've paid, so don't panic if nothing changes immediately. If it gets to half an hour and you're still seeing ads, email us at admin@thefretboard.co.uk and it'll get sorted ASAP.

Does it have to be monthly?

When I originally asked about pricing, there was a request to have longer-term billing options - Patreon do allow annual billing, but I can't activate it until we've got a history of keeping the account in good standing. As soon as it becomes available, I'll enable it and you'll be able to switch over.

UPDATE: Patreon still aren't offering it, so as an alternative...you can send £42 to PayPal instead and that'll get you a year's membership. Don't forget to put your username and "Annual Subscription" in the notes!

What if I don't want to subscribe?

Well...no worries, you'll still be able to use the forum as you always have. I'm not going to start splitting the forum's membership into them-and-us - in fact, there won't be any obvious way to see who's subscribed and who hasn't (unlike, for example, the tFB Traders). There certainly won't be any restriction of access to content for people who aren't subscribed; subscribers get additional functionality, and the warm fuzzy feeling of helping this place survive and grow. That's all.

What next?

In terms of the future development...most functionality that gets added to the site will be covered in this tier. I'll only be adding extra tiers or changing the price if the cost of running the new features (or an increase to the cost of hosting) is significant enough to risk there not being enough in the coffers to keep the site alive. This won't ever affect people who're already subscribed.

What's the fine print?

The only fine print here is...you do still need to abide by the site's rules. Being a subscriber doesn't make you immune from bans or being stuck in the cooler. However, we're not assholes, so in the case where someone gets banned outright we'll refund a pro-rata amount of their most recent payment made (assuming your subscription is still active). This is likely irrelevant to most folk for monthly subscriptions, but when we get annual subscriptions enabled it'll be more meaningful.
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Comments

  • digitalscreamdigitalscream Frets: 26397
    edited April 2022
    Also, in related news: if anybody wants a rant about the quality of Patreon's developer support, I'd be ecstatic to oblige.
    <space for hire>
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  • NeilybobNeilybob Frets: 730
    Wowsers
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  • JonathangusJonathangus Frets: 4421
    Yay!  No ads.  Thanks Lee.   :)
    Trading feedback | How to embed images using Imgur

    As for "when am I ready?"  You'll never be ready.  It works in reverse, you become ready by doing it.  - pmbomb


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  • skinfreakskinfreak Frets: 200
    Ads go bye bye. Nice.
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  • Andy79Andy79 Frets: 888
    Utterly bargainous. 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • digitalscreamdigitalscream Frets: 26397
    Just as a note, it looks like they're charging VAT on it - I need to look at the options, will see what's going on.
    <space for hire>
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  • DesVegasDesVegas Frets: 4501
    edited April 2022
    Note. This sticky can't be seen if you're not logged in

    Yet when you're not logged in it says see new sticky

    Well it does on my phone anyways (android)

    I'm guessing help & feedback section not viewable if you're not logged in?
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • THR1LLHAU5THR1LLHAU5 Frets: 180
    Awesome! Signed up. 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • JonathangusJonathangus Frets: 4421
    Anyone got the image upload working?  Popped a couple in the Test Posts thread but showing blank.  Both less than 1 meg.
    Trading feedback | How to embed images using Imgur

    As for "when am I ready?"  You'll never be ready.  It works in reverse, you become ready by doing it.  - pmbomb


    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • digitalscreamdigitalscream Frets: 26397
    Anyone got the image upload working?  Popped a couple in the Test Posts thread but showing blank.  Both less than 1 meg.
    They look fine to me - both logged-in and as a guest.

    DesVegas said:
    Note. This sticky can't be seen if you're not logged in

    Yet when you're not logged in it says see new sticky

    Well it does on my phone anyways (android)

    I'm guessing help & feedback section not viewable if you're not logged in?
    I've opened that section to guests, let's see how it goes...
    <space for hire>
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  • digitalscreamdigitalscream Frets: 26397
    Just as a note, it looks like they're charging VAT on it - I need to look at the options, will see what's going on.
    OK, for what it's worth...I can't get rid of the VAT, even though I'm not actually getting it! I've adjusted the main post accordingly. It's annoying, but if I dropped the prices any further you lot would cost me more than the hosting on the images ;)

    It's just another irritation with Patreon...they bill it as "We take care of the VAT for you!", but it's actually "We don't give you any choice, even if you're not VAT registered!".

    Apologies to anyone for the mix-up. Totally get it if you want to cancel at this point, given that it's basically costing 20% more than (initially) advertised.
    <space for hire>
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  • poopotpoopot Frets: 9098
    edited April 2022
    If we pay for a subscription can we still be banned?

    asking for a friend

    edit: and if someone previously banned is happy to subscribe can they sign back up?
    3reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • JonathangusJonathangus Frets: 4421
    Anyone got the image upload working?  Popped a couple in the Test Posts thread but showing blank.  Both less than 1 meg.
    They look fine to me - both logged-in and as a guest.
    This is what I'm seeing:


    Trading feedback | How to embed images using Imgur

    As for "when am I ready?"  You'll never be ready.  It works in reverse, you become ready by doing it.  - pmbomb


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  • digitalscreamdigitalscream Frets: 26397
    poopot said:
    If we pay for a subscription can we still be banned?

    asking for a friend

    edit: and if someone previously banned is happy to subscribe can they sign back up?
    Post updated ;)

    And no, subscriptions don't override the rules (ie the terms and conditions of the site). If somebody's banned, they're completely banned and signing up again will just result in them being banned once more. If they manage to subscribe before we ban them again, we'll refund it.
    <space for hire>
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  • mrkbmrkb Frets: 6589
    Signed up, I’m happy to pay a monthly fee to keep the place going.
    Karma......
    Ebay mark7777_1
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  • TTonyTTony Frets: 27308
    Just as a note, it looks like they're charging VAT on it - I need to look at the options, will see what's going on.
    OK, for what it's worth...I can't get rid of the VAT, even though I'm not actually getting it! I've adjusted the main post accordingly. It's annoying, but if I dropped the prices any further you lot would cost me more than the hosting on the images ;)

    It's just another irritation with Patreon...they bill it as "We take care of the VAT for you!", but it's actually "We don't give you any choice, even if you're not VAT registered!".

    Patreon would have to be VAT registered given the amount of funds they'll be receiving, so they'd have to charge VAT on anything they receive whether or not the person/organisation that are using them to collect the funds are VAT registered or not.


    even though I'm not actually getting it!
    If you did get it, you'd have to register for VAT and pay it all over to HMRC.  You don't want to get it! 
    Your only worry is income tax, unless you're going to create a more formal vehicle to own/run the forum and receive/pay monies relating to it.
    Having trouble posting images here?  This might help.
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  • GrangousierGrangousier Frets: 2616
    My vanity demands that I point out I got in quick enough to get on the £2.50 tier but I chose not to because I'm a virtue-signalling prig. 

    Nah, the Fretboard has changed my life. Into someone who's skint and doesn't have any space that's not occupied by guitars, admittedly, but it's worth it. 
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  • digitalscreamdigitalscream Frets: 26397
    My vanity demands that I point out I got in quick enough to get on the £2.50 tier but I chose not to because I'm a virtue-signalling prig. 

    Nah, the Fretboard has changed my life. Into someone who's skint and doesn't have any space that's not occupied by guitars, admittedly, but it's worth it. 
    You're a prince amongst men, good sir ;)

    By the way, you hit a bit of a bug when you signed up - I've fixed it now, and updated your account.
    <space for hire>
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  • GrangousierGrangousier Frets: 2616
    Ooh, thank you! What was the problem?
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  • TTonyTTony Frets: 27308
    Ooh, thank you! What was the problem?
    Check your bank account - you signed up for £350 / mth.

    but it's worth it. 

    Having trouble posting images here?  This might help.
    6reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
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