Ark Update

[SydTheSkeptic]

For those of you who don't know, Ning will cease to be a free hosting service on July 20th.

In order to maintain a Ninglet, if you have one, you'll have to pay about $3 a month to do so and even then, you won't be able to upload videos.

Here's a summary of the three plans they're offering >>> Ning Pricing

I've been so busy, I haven't had much time to explore our options as a teeny weeny video-sharing site, but here are the facts:

1. I've been paying $20 a month to keep the Ark ad-free. That's always been my choice based on my desire to have a home-base that is free of clutter, which is why I never accepted anyone's help to pay for it, even though many have offered (thank you so much for that).

2. To maintain the site as it is, it'll no longer be a choice to pay $20 a month and we'd have lots more flexibility with regard to the features (not much, though- just with regard to the design and functionality).
The bad news, HOWEVER, is that we'll no longer be able to upload videos directly to the site. We'll only be able to EMBED. This, to me, is a big deal. We won't lose existing content, it'll all still be here, but we just won't be able to add new content unless it's a video embed from another site.

3. Lastly, In order to still be able to upload to the site, the monthly fee would jump to $50 or there's an option to save %17 by paying the yearly fee of $500. That's a lot. I definitely won't be able to afford that.

I'm giving you guys a few days to respond here and give your thoughts before I let you know what my plan of action is. I may not be able to afford $50 a month, but I could pay one month just to buy us some time to decide on what to do.

Please let me know what you think, even if you've not been active for some time. The more ideas we have, the better.

Thanks Arkians!
-Syd

[SydTheSkeptic]

Heh- good to hear your thoughts on it, Doug.

I also looked to Vimeo as an option a couple of years ago and didn't find much of a community "feel" there but the staff were incredibly friendly and the whole feel of the place seemed cool.

I created a group called "The Vloggerhood" at that time and to my surprise (in my absence), that group has grown to about 70 members- lol.

There's some really fun channels and groups that pose creative challenges, kind of like Videolympics.

[SydTheSkeptic]

Heh- good to hear your thoughts on it, Doug.

I also looked to Vimeo as an option a couple of years ago and didn't find much of a community "feel" there but the staff were incredibly friendly and the whole feel of the place seemed cool.

I created a group called "The Vloggerhood" at that time and to my surprise (in my absence), that group has grown to about 70 members- lol.

There's some really fun channels and groups that pose creative challenges, kind of like Videolympics.

And I'm kind of right there with ya when it comes to feeling like Ning bites.

[SydTheSkeptic]

Mel- I hear ya. Glad I've got your email. You were just kidding about the restraining order, though...right?

;o)

[NatureJunkie]

I think Ruth's arguments in favor of Vimeo are very persuasive, so I will go check it out later and return with an opinion on it. I have visited it before and didn't find it very user-friendly and I didn't sense much in the way of community there. But I will look deeper.

But I'm also persuaded by Syd's "Simply disband :o( <--please, no." I feel that deeply. I'm very fond of this place, even with its low views and low activity. Under Syd's influence, it's been a wonderful, creative, poison-free atmosphere. I'll gladly kick in with part of the annual fee if that's the way we all decide to go.

[OmegaSquad]

I don't have much of an opinion due to my lack of video making in recent years but since I like to keep up with you guys I'll certainly follow The Ark wherever it goes and I would contribute to a "Keep Ark Afloat" fund if necessary.