The WTM road ahead...

« WellTellMe • Forum • Coffee House • Announcements • The WTM road ahead... »

(Read 4349 times) [1] 2 3

The WTM road ahead...
« on: March 26, 2008, 07:03:34 PM » by Gabriel Anast

WTM Present:
1) A simple forum with an AMAZING moderator, let's hear it for HB!!!!
2) 4000+ registered users and 900+ active users... wow.
3) user integration with 7xS and UE...
4) A very sad and tired server that needs either to be put out to pasture... or sent to the glue factory Lips Sealed

WTM Future:
1) user blogs and blog entry "formatted types" (recipe, image set, how-to/tutorial, short story/poem, etc). The formatted types would be predefined types of blog entries that impose a certain format so that the blog entry can be used in other places...

2) PDF Creation features. Make a thread, or selected posts into a PDF. Make a set of selected "recipe type" blog entries into a PDF. Make a set of "tutorial type" blog entries into a PDF. Users can set license restrictions.

3) Paid services: Upload a video, an audio file, or a PDF (probably made from your blog entries and WTM posts) and offer it for sale through the WTM store... Users get paid royalties on their hard work, research, and knowledge.

4) Offerings for dads and kids...

Comments, criticisms welcome...

--gabe

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2008, 07:14:48 PM » by amy3js

I really love the blog idea and the paid services stuff. So exciting!

Logged

You get what you get, what matters is what you do with it.

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2008, 07:18:55 PM » by westernmama

This is exciting to see what Gabe & Beka's plans are for WTM! Grin

You all do know that WTM is already addictive enough, don't you?!

Logged

"The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 1:21b

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2008, 07:52:55 PM » by BJ_BOBBI_JO

Sounds cool to me. I can diffidently see where the blogs and paid stuff will be used a lot.

No doubt accomplishing all that set up and programming is tiring and very time consuming so I wanna thank you for doing all that. I assume this is not a high paying or a paying job at all and you all ( whomever all of you are ) have to take time out of your own schedules to do this. But please know that your work is helping tons of us who in turn are helping our families and friends with the knowledge we all gain from this forum.

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2008, 08:09:58 PM » by 1ofeach

*Trying not to panic about the blog thing* I know this site is priceless to me. I love the format of this site. I would gladly pay to be able to access this forum, much like Sonlight (homeschool company) charges for access to their message boards (or you get free access if you buy enough of their products.)

What do you mean by BLOG style? (I have a strict NO BLOG READING policy, lol) Will it be easy for some of us who are set in our ways? Am I smart enough access these new features you speak of? (I needed A LOT of hand-holding from HB just to get the Back to Basics podcasts, itunes.)

Thank you, Gabe, Rebekah and HB (and anyone I'm leaving out who does the business end of this) for all you do! Thank you, WellTellers, for all you teach me!

Logged

Local Harvest ~ Real Milk

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2008, 08:16:44 PM » by lovingmomof2

Please don't laugh, but I don't even know what a blog is. I admit it I was homeschooled. Wink

Logged

Proverbs 31:26
"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2008, 11:33:46 PM » by maceoghain

BLOG = Web log. Basically what's going on here, but...different. Most blogs I've seen are personal ones...like a family will have one to post news and pictures for extended family and friends to see.

As for a WTM blog...I have no idea, but I'm eager to find out!

Logged

All the way my Savior leads me...

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2008, 12:22:20 AM » by healthybratt

Quote from: lovingmomof2 on March 26, 2008, 08:16:44 PM

Please don't laugh, but I don't even know what a blog is. I admit it I was homeschooled. Wink

Here's just one example of a regular blog (it happens to be mine).

http://www.healthybratt.blogspot.com/

If you click on the links under "blogging buddies" on my page, you can see a few other examples.

Logged

My favorite herb book!!

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2008, 07:37:23 AM » by kamom

What if you kept it as is but charged for access? If there is enough interest people will pay to join.

Embarrassed

Sorry, I meant access, not excess, though maybe some of us should be carged for excess! Embarrassed

« Last Edit: March 27, 2008, 07:51:24 AM by kamom »
Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2008, 08:04:06 AM » by *MommaJo*

You know, I just have to take this time to say how much I appreciate WTM. Even more than what I've learned from you all, the friendships, though long distance, are priceless. Knowing that a family of believers is praying you through a difficult time in your life is worth so much to me. I think all of the new features are wonderful, but the connection we have with each other through Him is the best part!

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2008, 09:47:37 AM » by tonysgirl

I'm with 1ofeach, I don't even understand most of what Gabe wrote!!!! I'm way not into blogging in the sense I know...xanga type. (Absolutely no offense to anyone!!) I love this forum the way it is- yes I resist change!!! But I adjust. I have learned so much and received much help and it is extremely appreciated. I wouldn't mind paying to access or something.... God bless you.

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2008, 10:02:11 AM » by SarahK

Quote from: Gabriel Anast on March 26, 2008, 07:03:34 PM

WTM Future:
1) ...

2)...

3) ...

4) ...

Comments, criticisms welcome...

--gabe

Gabe, are you willing to divulge some more exact/estimated sorts of info like:

How much $$ are we talking for paid membership fees?

How much $$ are we talkin' for that new server?

Are ya gonna need some more staff?

Are the funds flowing in? Slow? Enough for basic maintenance "as is" but not enough to make improvements? Kids sleeping on cash stuffed pillows cuz' there's so much of it?

What can a concerned/interested member do to help boost the WTM economy?

What can the small business owner in our midst do to help boost the WTM economy?

Sarah K

Logged

I have learned enough to know I still have lots to learn. Teach me.
My WTM Intro updated 5/2009

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #12 on: March 27, 2008, 10:18:42 AM » by BJ_BOBBI_JO

(throws self on the floor kicking and screaming saying NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and displaying not very good training techniques LOL) Not all of us want a paid access forum and not all of us thinks it s a good thing.

Please ( insert crying, begging and pleading) don't make us pay to use the forum. Then many others who cant afford it, not even $10, will be driven away and just think of all the other newcomers down the road who would not be able to enjoy this great forum because they had to pay. Paid access forums IMO turns ppl away and might make them not want to mess with it. Then without tons of ppl on a forum then there is a ton less information and experiences to gain information and knowledge from.

I know the times I have stumbled across interresting forum's in search of information I did not join their paid accesses because I did not have a feel for who and what they are and because I did not know how much I would use it. I assume other newcomers down the road might think the same.

I know no there as been no mention by moderators and owners, as far as I know,about us paying to use the forum board but I thought Id throw my feelings in about it anyways since it is being mentioned. NO hard feelings. Grin

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #13 on: March 27, 2008, 10:30:56 AM » by SarahK

BJ-

I would venture to guess that Gabe isn't planning to shut the door to the forum with his fees. I don't know for certain of course, but I'm thinking that his plan is to add on to the existing concept (with a few tweaks like he always does - to keep it interesting for the geek in him).

These additions will probably be the things that will require fees for access. Kindof like the difference between being an anonymous guest and a member the way it is right now. Guests don't view profiles, have fewer neat gadgets available and so on. HUGE amounts of info are available to them but they don't get all the bells & whistles we have access to as members.

That's what I'm guessing of course (have I put in enough disclaimers? Hope so.)

Sarah K

Logged

I have learned enough to know I still have lots to learn. Teach me.
My WTM Intro updated 5/2009

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #14 on: March 27, 2008, 10:35:48 AM » by healthybratt

If I understood Gabe correctly, nothing about this forum is going to change (including "no charge") other than normal software & server upgrades as needed. The changes are to the company as a whole. This means that he intends to ADD things that may or may not cost money in addition to the free forum. A good example to this would be the bling/ornament you can purchase in the new WTM store.

« Last Edit: March 27, 2008, 12:37:15 PM by healthybratt »
Logged

My favorite herb book!!

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #15 on: March 27, 2008, 11:22:24 AM » by boysmama

I am with the others in hoping (begging Wink

) that the basic forum remain free of charge. WTM has been a huge blessing in times when I had no $$ for anything extra (but we still had internet access). I also have recommended WTM to many families who could not/ would not pay for access, but do visit, learn, and ask questions privately. For many of these families WTM has opened the door to learning how to use the web to find/learn info. Cool

I know y'all have done so much and will do the best thing possible! Thanks!

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #16 on: March 27, 2008, 01:23:22 PM » by Gabriel Anast

LOL,
this is Beka... Gabe is at work.
Gabe is totally devoted to the "free content" idea of welltellme. There will be no fees whatsoever to use the forum as it is now. I tried to talk him into charging a minimal fee for members to have a blog (one of the upgrades) but he insists that the blogs are also content and will be free. Using the forum will always be free, for sure.

The only "paid services" (that we have thought of thus far) will be those "items" that are for sale by the members themselves. For instance: videos, articles, e-books that you (the member) makes and puts for sale on WTM. WTM will get a "publisher cut" of the sale, and you the member will get a royalty cut of the sale.

This media "store" is not even part of WTM yet. It will cost a lot to develop, (Gabe will bear the cost himself) but it will be worth it! Imagine having how-to videos you can buy on everything from: how to make a great apple pie, to how healthybratt henna-dyes her hair. Wink

I can't wait! Start making your own home videos ladies! Home entertainment from me to you, and back again, is coming soon!

Quote

Gabe has born the cost of the server fees for two years, and will also pay for the new server when we can afford it. There will be no charge or expectation on the members to pay for these upgrades. We believe this is something God has called us to do, and He will provide. At least, I believe it most of the time, and am building faith in that area... Cheesy

The members (you) can boost the welltellme economy by providing content like I mentioned above: videos, articles, audio, e-books that people will want to buy! Both you (the author) and WTM (the business) will get a cut of the sales and this will make WTM a living, self-supporting entity.

If someone out there is interested in helping to fund (either a loan or investment from a certified investor) the development of the media store, you can PM Gabe for details/actual numbers.

healthybratt is our only staff right now, and is doing a fantastic job. She is paid far less than she is worth.

The advertisement on WTM helps us pay healthybratt. Advertise your business on WTM and support your favorite moderator!

Cash-stuffed pillows aren't healthy for a growing child... Grin

but I wouldn't mind a little extra neck support myself! Grin

I love WellTellMe and what it (all of us) has become through our sharing, researching, and caring for one another. The source of life that WTM has become is beyond monetary value. I believe that we (you and I) are saving and changing lives in the physical realm. We are becoming competent healers and caretakers of our own families. Not a day goes by that I don't just smile in delight at the though of all the children out there that are going to grow up healthy and wise to care for their own families. How amazing is that! Thank you - all of you, for being "WellTellers!" Kiss

Rebekah

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #17 on: March 27, 2008, 01:36:58 PM » by jenny4wen

Quote from: Gabriel Anast on March 27, 2008, 01:23:22 PM

LOL,
this is Beka... Gabe is at work.
I love WellTellMe and what it (all of us) has become through our sharing, researching, and caring for one another. The source of life that WTM has become is beyond monetary value. I believe that we (you and I) are saving and changing lives in the physical realm. We are becoming competent healers and caretakers of our own families. Not a day goes by that I don't just smile in delight at the though of all the children out there that are going to grow up healthy and wise to care for their own families. How amazing is that! Thank you - all of you, for being "WellTellers!" Kiss

Rebekah

I agree totally! Thank you all!

Logged

I'm smiling! Cheesy

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #18 on: March 27, 2008, 02:04:37 PM » by cecac

One thing I was just wondering about this week--is there any way to offer a place to present materials from doctors/caregivers that we members use? I have one particular doctor in mind, because his newsletters and supplement prescriptions have helped this family. But I don't think I can quote his things, because his newsletter and services are things I pay for. Undecided

Otherwise, lol, there have been a few times I've wanted to scan pages of his articles that are very pertinent to some of what goes on here, and post.

I want to contact this doctor and see if I could get him to actually somehow post Huh

for members here, or give me some permission to do so if I give all credit to him. Somehow is it possible he could get advertising for his newsletter doing that? I was just thinking, if I wrote to him and requested it, I may would get my foot in the door, so to speak, if there were some "official" WTM way of doing that. Maybe there is and you all can enlighten me. It would be good, too, if WTM could somehow benefit from something like that.

I dunno if this is the type thing you all are wanting to hear about, so I apologize if I'm off topic, just lemme know.

Lol, as to making videos or something--How about one that shows how a preggars lady can stay put in her recliner while the house is a mess sometimes, but the kids still manange to keep it all running smoothly? I don't know, there's no herbs, kombucha, or anything else going on with that. Grin

I hope it'll be okay for some members to just be members Roll Eyes

. I'm no good at all these the other things, although I do appreciate being educated!!

Blessings,
Cara

« Last Edit: March 27, 2008, 02:11:27 PM by cecac »
Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #19 on: March 27, 2008, 02:14:14 PM » by mommyoftwins

I just had a few questions about the things we will be able to put for sale in the WTM store. If there are several people wanting to sell the same thing, how will WTM decide which they will offer? Will this cause some competition among members, or possibly keep certain information from being shared in the forum?

Say someone wants to give step-by-step instructions for how to make their laundry soap that is the best soap ever, but would rather make some money for it. Instead of sharing it in the forum as we always have before, they decide to make a video & sell it.

What if 10 people want to show how to make laundry soap?

These are just a couple things I was wondering. If I have the wrong idea, please correct me!

Thanks!

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #20 on: March 27, 2008, 02:20:56 PM » by BJ_BOBBI_JO

Quote from: Gabriel Anast on March 27, 2008, 01:23:22 PM

We believe this is something God has called us to do, and He will provide.

I agree so very much. It is a blessing I have thanked God for. I pray that we members can some day afford to donate/help out as God sees fit.

Im excited about the upcoming additions and changes to WTM! How cool!

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #21 on: March 27, 2008, 02:29:28 PM » by Gabriel Anast

Quote from: cecac on March 27, 2008, 02:04:37 PM

We are going to advertise to people like this. We would love for them to avail their newsletters through the WTM media center as downloadable PDF's

Quote from: mommyoftwins on March 27, 2008, 02:14:14 PM

I just had a few questions about the things we will be able to put for sale in the WTM store. If there are several people wanting to sell the same thing, how will WTM decide which they will offer?

The videos will not be exclusive but competitive... you can have a video on Kombucha along with five others... then you can put out the Peach Kombucha vid, and someone else will put out the Kefir-bucha vid... or whatever that stuff is called, and then someone will make the "Kombucha: mass production for a huge family"... you get the idea.

Quote

Will this cause some competition among members, or possibly keep certain information from being shared in the forum?

Maybe, but the media server will optimize prices, which will generally make the videos quite cheap.

Quote

Say someone wants to give step-by-step instructions for how to make their laundry soap that is the best soap ever, but would rather make some money for it. Instead of sharing it in the forum as we always have before, they decide to make a video & sell it.

This might happen... but let's face it, in about a week or two the info will be on the forum for free anyway, and most people will still rather to buy the movie than read the forum Tongue

Currently we have about 900 active members... and 18,000 to 22,000 active readers! That tells me that content consumers will always vastly outnumber content creators... and believe me, the consumers (me) would rather have a movie for a dollar than "free info" after an hour of searching and reading.

--gabe

« Last Edit: March 27, 2008, 02:31:07 PM by Gabriel Anast »
Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #22 on: March 27, 2008, 02:33:01 PM » by Gabriel Anast

Quote

As many videos on laundry soap making that can be made and loaded on WTM will be welcome. The members will load the videos themselves. The BUYERS will decide what they want. Just like on You-Tube or any of the online video services, there may be thousands of videos available. THE BEST video will get the most downloads. Certain "film-makers" will gain a reputation of clarity, picture, entertainment, etc... and will become popular. The price of their video/media may go up in response to the popularity. We will manage the system enough to keep out potential "bad" videos by making the sellers/producers member-only, etc...

Also, the prices will be quite low. For instance, most media will be between .30 cents and $1.50
per download. This seems like a tiny cut for each of the parties involved. But if your video is good, interesting, informative... it might be downloaded 500 times (or more) in a month. WTM has 4,000 members and 15 - 20,000 individual readers every month! You do the math!

An industrious mama/producer could do lots of videos on all types of subjects: cooking, sewing, crafts, herbs, gardening, hey - some of you could do hilarious comedies! My kids are going to love getting into the film business! Cheesy

Of course, there are also audio possibilities; podcasts, teaching on a subject, music, etc...

This media engine is a huge undertaking of programming. If it interests you, please pray for us that God would make it possible to have it built/ implemented soon.

Rebekah

LOL - I see that Gabe is online too... Hi, Handsome! *waving*

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #23 on: March 27, 2008, 02:36:00 PM » by maceoghain

Quote

the consumers (me) would rather have a movie for a dollar than "free info" after an hour of searching and reading.

I agree!

Logged

All the way my Savior leads me...

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #24 on: March 27, 2008, 03:18:49 PM » by mommyoftwins

Thanks for clearing that up for me, Gabe & Rebekah! That makes sense. Definitely worth it to me!

One other thing. Since the downloads are going to cost so little, are we going to have a little account to keep a "tab" for us until the end of the month or so? That way we don't have to charge $.30 every other day. Just a thought!

Brooke

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #25 on: March 27, 2008, 03:30:55 PM » by Whiterock

Quote

most people will still rather to buy the movie than read the forum

Especially since the videos will be a great way to introduce non-WTM'ers to a subject.

WR

Logged

Who Needs God?

My Blog - Yarb d'Farb Knarb Check out the Wellness Wednesday tag for your health-related blog posts!

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #26 on: March 27, 2008, 03:41:03 PM » by Roehrmomma

Quote from: Whiterock on March 27, 2008, 03:30:55 PM

Quote

most people will still rather to buy the movie than read the forum

Especially since the videos will be a great way to introduce non-WTM'ers to a subject.

WR

Yep! When I was reading so much about kombucha and got overwhelmed I went to you tube. Roll Eyes

Much rather do that sorta thing here!

Emily

Logged

Homemade soap

www.simplycleansing.com

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #27 on: March 27, 2008, 05:09:19 PM » by lotsaboys

This discussion is making more sense, (thanks Gabe and Beka) and sounding fun (thanks welltellers)!

Logged

My WTM Intro

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #28 on: March 27, 2008, 05:59:33 PM » by freshisbest

Couldn't you set up a P.O. Box so WTM-ers could send donations? Even if someone only had a dollar , 4000 members = $4000 and thats gotta help get our server upgraded, no?

Logged

Re: The WTM road ahead...
« Reply #29 on: March 27, 2008, 06:20:03 PM » by herbs girl

Quote from: freshisbest on March 27, 2008, 05:59:33 PM

Couldn't you set up a P.O. Box so WTM-ers could send donations? Even if someone only had a dollar , 4000 members = $4000 and thats gotta help get our server upgraded, no?

Yes! Do you have an address that we could send donations to? Like she said if everyone would pitch in ........Im even thinking if everyone just give a $5 bill, Think how much that would help!

« Last Edit: March 27, 2008, 06:25:44 PM by herbs girl »
Logged