Will, how about giving the readers a genuine quote to supply a dedicated server and running costs per month - our present one not the upgraded one we're working on now.
Present spec: 1U rack server. 2 by 1ghz processors: 1 gig memory: 2 by 30 gig scsi raid hard disks: daily dat back up: 24/7 tech support for reboots etc - we do the rest by remote and finally 400 gigs of bandwidth per month over a dedicated T1 line.
PPRuNe has an unnaturally high proportion of IT pros on board. There is a correlation between that industry and an interest in aviation. However, I've asked for an open and honest quote at commercial rates from one of our pros 7 time over the past 5 years to no avail. No one in the industry has felt able to allow readers to get an honest idea of the scale and costs inherent to this monster.
Will and any others in the IT business reading.
Would you please let PPRuNers know just what they're getting for free and so they can make up their own minds as to the value they get from us. Let PPRuNers make an educated assessment of what running the site entails.
If you feel unable to quote for the hardware for commercial reasons please tell PPRuNers the cost of the 400 gigs of bandwidth per month along with the backup and T1 line. If you're still shy about that would you at least giver readers a direct comparison to the type and scale of company that would need this type of server and throughput.
As to Evo's investment plans, well I suspect he should stick to the Southampton shares
Think about it. PPRuNe's USP is the anonymity - especially for the pro aviators, Atcers and engineers it was set up for. Contracts and operations manuals have specific sections regarding this.
Therefore we have a mail list with a demographic advertisers and researchers would kill for. That's also why every e-mail address for PPRuNers is encrypted - IT pro's pull up the page source code and check for yourself - and that's the catch 22. Looking after our readers with a religous zeal is our strength and flogging the mail list would kill the site within days.
One last point - any of you can set up a website or newsgroup. Other than registering a domain it won't cost you a penny. There is nothing to stop any of you building a better mousetrap - have a go. PPRuNe started exactly the same way - through discontent at what was out there. There is no written law that we are the best, will remain that way or that you can't do better. Just bear this in mind PPRuNe is where it is through Danny and I putting in 5 hour days while working and 11 hour days when we're not. That's gone on for 8 unpaid years to get where we are now. Other than that it's a doddle
Regards
Rob Lloyd