Future of ChessForums.org - Chess Forums

Phobetor · 08-05-2007, 11:38 AM

http://www.sitepoint.com/marketplace/auction/10591

Apparently we have been sold for $1.800...

I'm sure Greg had good reasons for it, but it's a pity I had to find out about this on another site.

Fromper · 08-05-2007, 03:13 PM

--Fromper

deanmadden · 08-05-2007, 08:38 PM

was wondering why greg had stopped posting

Phobetor · 08-05-2007, 09:14 PM

Some anonymous guy bought ChessForums.org... Could you please tell us who you are? And do you have plans of maintaining the forum like it is now, or do you have new plans with this site?

buti_oxa · 08-05-2007, 11:12 PM

They sell us like cattle - counting heads.

I'm sad.

flushrivet · 08-06-2007, 12:38 AM

I'm off. Nice talking to you fellers... see you elsewhere

Perseus · 08-06-2007, 03:08 AM

3 things.

1. It's a pity to see posting drop, people are on vacation though and it's only natural for forums to go asleep.
2. I would like to hear things confirmed, preferably by the likes of Greg on these issues.
3. If it's true that this forum has been sold in the interest of profit I'm utterly disgusted. Also it makes me feel cheap.

I will take my leave from these forums most likely. Might pop in at sometime to have a look if the aforementioned apocalypse failed to take place but that's about it.

Perseus · 08-06-2007, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Greg

Hi all,

I can confirm ChessForums has been sold, but I can assure you its in the forums best interests. Mark, the buyer, has greater chess knowledge and experience and will be developing the site to see its full potential with the members interests in mind. I will still be active in the forums, I have unfortunately had some personal issues to deal with, which is why I haven't been online much, also another reason for the sale.

I can assure you the forums are going to a good owner, and I look forward to seeing how the site develops to see its true potential!

Thanks,
Greg

My commentary:

First of all, is a forum a commodity to be bought and sold like a pack of milk? Oh I'm aware that when you click the 'have read and agreed to all terms' thing, you give up a series of rights.
I don't think there is anyone here who will oppose a shift of authority to another head administrator, granted of course he will take good care of the forum. What bothers me that there was money involved.

$1800? I know a thing or two of what's involved in running these kinds of forums, that can hardly be an accurate representation of the effort involved on your part to get this forum this far (which value I estimate at $200 maximum). It's hardly accurate including the members posting here on a regular basis either (raising the value to $500 but that's stretching it).

That all being beside the point, selling the forum is not only selling your contributions, but ours as well and some do not approve or appreciate regardless of your alledged right to do so. A matter of principle I suppose.

Another thought I would like to share. I dislike things once free and open source to become commercialized; I remember the ICC practically banning guests from their server and hiding their video material behind membership requirements. Oh I'm sure nothing quite that drastic is involved here. I cannot help but feel that there is a sentiment of moneygrabbing involved; nothing personal.

deanmadden · 08-06-2007, 02:03 PM

What your valuation doesn't take into account is the cost of an IT professional working x amount of hours to develop and market the site. If someone's willing to pay for it, then it's worth that amount to them. But I agree in that I find it difficult to figure out how the new owner will get a return on his investment. Presumably by selling advertising and adding premium services.

Perseus · 08-06-2007, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by deanmadden

What your valuation doesn't take into account is the cost of an IT professional working x amount of hours to develop and market the site. If someone's willing to pay for it, then it's worth that amount to them. But I agree in that I find it difficult to figure out how the new owner will get a return on his investment. Presumably by selling advertising and adding premium services.

Actually I did in a way. The value of the time invested by aforementioned IT professional is in this case in essence always more than the actual achieved value.

Selling, advertising, premium services. I hope I'm not the only one disturbed by that kind of words. Regardless, it's the pricetagging that really ticked me off.