YES! THE370Z.com is finally moving to a new server this week. Last few months, I had complaints from members about slow performance and DB errors here and there. But problem got really serious in last couple weeks including a 2 hours downtime one night. I’m very sorry for the slow performance last few weeks and I’d like to personally thank each one of you for your patience.
The server we are moving to is TWICE as powerful and all these DB errors/slow performance should easily be gone once we move to the new server ( :fingers crossed: ). However at the same time, it’s TWICE as expansive. Performance always comes with a price. I could just increase the price of the sponsorship/vendorship or premium membership just like any other ADMIN but I’m not sure I can just do that. It doesn’t feel right. I feel that the premium price of $15 and with decal $20 is a very reasonable amount. If I increase it, I’m afraid I may get less premium members each month : ( (not to mention all the cancellations I already get because the current price being too high :shakes head:). So I don’t think I’m going to increase the price of the premium. However, I’m totally not ruling out taking some features away (like sig, bigger profile pic, etc) from regular members.
As for vendors, I have NOT increased the price of the sponsorship 1 penny since November 2008! Gas prices went from $1.54 to $4.08! But our rates are still the same since the launch of the site. We have gone though 2 server upgrades but I have NEVER increased the price 1 cent. The reason is that I want my members to have as many vendors or as many resources as they possibly can. I don’t want to hike the price and scare off (small) vendors (or lose vendors). THE370Z was never about money. It’s about providing my members with most resources possible and making this site a ONE STOP forum/site for all thing 370Zs (Zs). I want THE370Z to be superior in EVERY aspect compare to other Z sites. So with that said, vendors, you guys should feel comfortable about staying here at THE370Z and continue to provide BEST products and services to my members. Perhaps you can provide more discounts or group buys as your vendorship price is NOT going to be increased. You can also suggest other vendors that you know about our site. I know how the Motorsports scene and mod markets are in this tough economy. I feel your pain.
I want to keep the prices the same but the same time I don't want THE370Z fund to go down as well. We still need to run this site with a healthy forum fund. So, what I AM planning on doing after the server move is to put a small
DONATE link on the top. It’s a Paypal donate link where you can pick money denomination (like $5, $10, $15 etc). Regardless if you’re a member or vendor and you want to help THE370Z with some extra change to cover for the new expansive server (regularly or once), you are more than welcome to do it. I always feel that donation should be from heart. One should never force someone to do it. If you feel that THE370Z has helped you (or your company) in any way and you want to give something back, you can do that by using the donate button (which should be up once the server is moved).
Now back to important server move detail:
Once my server is built and ready (I’m hoping Monday), you guys should expect downtime. The downtimes are usually a. when data is being moved to the new server b. when the nameservers are waiting to be registered on the internet. Moving the data should be done once the server is built and the registration should be at the end. So, if you see that THE370Z is down, DON’T panic. Please come to our sister site
THENISMOZ.com. It’s just as friendly as THE370Z :). Feel free to
register now so that you know where to go during the downtime. Also, if you like to be updated as things progress, you can also become a fan of our FB page
The370Z Forum | Facebook . You can always get in touch with me from these two sites.
Again, I’d like to thank you for being a part of this forum. Without your help and support, THE370Z would not be where it is now. THANK YOU :tiphat:. Server moves are ALWAYS painful. During last server move, I think I slept 4 hours in 72 hours and barely ate anything because of the stress. Hopefully this time it's gonna be easier (which I highly doubt as our member base and post/thread count etc has DOUBLED! I'll keep my fingers crossed :) )
