Project Avalon Forum to be FREE again!

[DoctorWho]

Apologies to the admins if they wanted to get this out themselves, but since I visited Project Camelot first then came here, there is no mention of this yet. So on the Camelot homepage, this posting was added.
5 December 2009

• Avalon Forum to revert to FREE:

We are having our Avalon Web Admin convert the Avalon Forum to a free forum. The following message will be posted on the forum shortly:

Hi to all,

First of all, we want to sincerely thank all those who have purchased subscriptions to our Avalon Forum. After one year of operation as a subscription forum, we have decided that the contributions to our work generated out of this subscription format are not substantial enough to warrant continuing with the subscription-based model. Therefore, whereas, the money from subscriptions has helped to make our work possible and for that we thank everyone very much, we have found that donations (and other means tbd) are a better way to raise money in order to continue our work. Therefore, henceforth, this AVALON FORUM is now FREE for all those who wish to participate.

Note: We are in the process of expanding Project Camelot and hope to create more revenue streams going forward. Any assistance or advice in this area would be welcome. Feel free to send email with suggestions.

Thank you all for your patience and dedication to our work and this mission.

Love and light,

Kerry and Bill

So spread the word to those who left over the past year over the subscription issue and ask them to come back.
Bill "the Doctor"

[SWIFT]

Hope this means the rest of us get to post new topics?:mfr_lol:
Peace:thumb_yello:
SWIFTY

[Luminari]

Great move, although no doubt there will be more conflicting opinions the positive benefits of a massive influx of users should far outweigh any downside.

Happy days!

Brace yourselves though Moderators, I imagine if it gets anything like it used to be before the subscription you will have your work cut out for you. Best of luck and regards.

[burgundia]

I just hope it won't create a mess. i still remember how it was before subscription....a lot of "individuals" liked hanging around trying to lower the vibrations of the site....

[Spregovori]

I just hope it won't create a mess. i still remember how it was before subscription....a lot of "individuals" liked hanging around trying to lower the vibrations of the site....

Lower vibration? How? Can you give a few examples?

----

The 5 or 10 dollar subscription is...small. Converted to EUR is even smaller. 5$ is like going to a store to buy 230grams of bread and 0,5l yogurt.

And also it is a nice filter. I might be wrong but if I understand correctly they wish to get more people on the forum hoping there will be more donations? That might not be true, since people can already see and read the forum without paying for it.

If not. What is the reason?

Large number of people is a larger variety of thoughts but that is not always a good thing.

I myself would be much happier to have Bill and Kerry contributing on this forum or to have someone representing them on this forum (moderators are not that) and -if possibly- to have the people they interview on this forum. Would subscription than cost more? Ok...I am willing to pay a reasonable monthly fee to see quality discussions, fact backed arguments, inside information... and I think it would be a good idea - bringing all the people in one place.

EDIT:

They are also asking on how to increase the revenue. This might sound "idiotic" but how about - try not to?

Money has more sh** attached to it than anything else on this planet. My idea is to find people that would volunteer their time, knowledge and skills. Yes it is a Utopia-idea but why not try and start it? It has been put off far too long and the what is called "basic laws" are supporting this idea - attraction, intent, allowance, balance. Or am I wrong?

[Karen]

Hope this means the rest of us get to post new topics?:mfr_lol:
Peace:thumb_yello:
SWIFTY

Swift, you've always been able to post new topics.
You go here:
http://www.projectavalon.net/forum
click on Avalon or Camelot
and click a sub forum
and the button to start a new thread will appear on the left.

or you can work your way up.
Look at the top of this page for this string
Project Avalon Forum » Project Avalon Forum » Project Avalon » Project Avalon General Discussion » Project Avalon Forum to be FREE again! » Reply to Thread
and click Project Avalon General Discussion

[Karen]

Brace yourselves though Moderators, I imagine if it gets anything like it used to be before the subscription you will have your work cut out for you. Best of luck and regards.

We heard about this idea so long ago I thought they had changed their minds. Brace ourselves is right.

This is an official call for about 6 more moderators.
Description of what moderators do:
http://www.projectavalon.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17127

[14 Chakras]

hmm, certainly will be a change huh?

won't be possible to keep up with everything that's going on anymore... but that's alright... change is good... go with the flow... the River of Life ;)

[Karen]

I just hope it won't create a mess. i still remember how it was before subscription....a lot of "individuals" liked hanging around trying to lower the vibrations of the site....

Oh yes, how well I remember - I never had to deal with it as a moderator - I came on board just before we went subscription and then things really calmed down.

Just remember if people come on being rude and slinging cr@p - ignore them. It will ruin all their fun.

[Luminari]

Lower vibration? How? Can you give a few examples?



Stick around, you'll see..

Just wait till you get hit with; "Don't you know Jesus died for you" every 5 minutes.

Or people who will viciously and mercilessly attack anyone who doesn't agree 100% with their tunnel vision view on UFOs, life, love & the nature of personal reality...

Fun. :thumbdown:

I'm going to have to start taking valium I can tell :naughty:

Seriously I will do everything in my power to remain calm, loving and peaceful.

Its really the only way Spregovori, you can't win any other way. If you put up a fight everyone loses.

[Karen]

Spregovori,

What's the reason? Well I'm not sure. Behind the scenes, the payment system was a lot of hassle. This will cut one workload for me by a ton but then probably add 10 tons of other work. We will definitely need more moderators.

Project Light Warrior is one reason, I think. Those volunteers working on that project are now using the forum as a base for communication.

I don't think its about getting more people on the forum to get more donations.

I don't see Kerry and Bill coming back to the forum to contribute. I've tried to pull them back in about 4 times over the last year. Written communication takes a lot of time. There is talk of getting something like conference calls going that Kerry and Bill would participate in. I don't know if that would be free or fee-based.

The people they interview were part of the forum in the beginning, but those people all left. Very rude remarks and criticisms were directed at them - so why would they stick around to take the abuse?

There are old threads full of ideas of how to raise funds. I still like my idea of running a monthly donation drive on the forum - sort of like National Public Radio does.

Karen

[Jenny]

As a former moderator, having to deal with the chaos before subscription and debating the plan to go subscription I wish all moderators , new and old, good luck and lots of patience.

What I see for the future is some sort of GLP.

Have fun.:original:

[morguana]

woooohoooooo i think its good news :thumb_yello:,
lots of love to all avalonians past, now and in the future :trumpet:
bou x

[Spregovori]

Karen, by what you just wrote, I fail to see the benefit of going to free forum.

The only different thing can be the less work regarding subscriptions....but you also mentioned more work to come in case of a "people avalanche"

Time will tell...like always.

[rhythm]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

bring it on... new members

and o! how i hope

some of my dear old

freinds will now return ....

yyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeee
hhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

great thanks i give here for this news

happy bunny rhythmmm xxxx

[Karen]

Karen, by what you just wrote, I fail to see the benefit of going to free forum. The only different thing can be the less work regarding subscriptions....but you also mentioned more work to come in case of a "people avalanche" Time will tell...like always.

Project Avalon really did have a "people avalanche" in the beginning. (love that term you coined). I call what's coming the FreeForAll. I don't think the curve will be as steep as in the beginning. I can think of a few more reasons - one is it will stop all the people complaining about this being a paid forum. It will allow people who want to whistleblow to just come on and do it without having to ask for a freebie. I think it will increase good information as much or more than to offset the trouble stirrers.

[Karen]

I've seen some of our members be very effective at stopping potential flame wars. I will commend Dantheman62 for using a humorous one or two liner to defuse explosive threads. People don't have to be moderators to help out with the peace keeping.

Ways to avoid conflict is to use "I feel", "I think", "IMHO" rather than stating your opinions/beliefs as the one and only truth.

[Luminari]

I don't see Kerry and Bill coming back to the forum to contribute. I've tried to pull them back in about 4 times over the last year.

I've noticed Kerry logged in a couple of times over the last few days.

Maybe its just for the Light Warrior thing. I miss Bill's input in discussions here too... It was just some rude people on the Australian Ark thread Bill. Its safe to come back now. Give the forum some direction, anything would be appreciated.

[Karen]

I miss Bill's input in discussions here too... It was just some rude people on the Australian Ark thread Bill. Its safe to come back now. Give the forum some direction, anything would be appreciated.

Bill gave a response one time - I'm paraphrasing- that Camelot took off like neither one of them could have imagined and it keeps them running 24/7 trying to keep up. Bill is like me - he likes to make his writing perfect and that takes some time. Talking to us would take a fraction of the time - I'll see what I can to do get the conference calls (or something like that) going. Kerry and I have recently exchanged a couple of short emails about that.

[Karen]

I expect Gareth will have the change made in a day or two.
I hope not longer than that.
And old members can use the same user name and password!

If anyone wants a name change, an admin, Gareth or Anchor, can do that for you. It is not something you can do yourself.

[SWIFT]

Hi Karen,
Big LOL :mfr_lol:and yes it works.

Peace
SWIFTY:thumb_yello:

[Swanny]

Great news :original: we lost some good people and gained a few asreholes when it went to subs.
:naughty:

[SWIFT]

Yes ,
It depends on your point of veiw!

Cheers:trumpet:
SWIFTY

[hobbit]

What a boost to read this , brilliant.
Anybody thought about opening an E bay account in Camelots name?
Anyone with anything they no longer require could sell them on E bay and the proceeds go to Camelot?
The truth and nothing but the truth marching on.
Ignore any religious content in this, just glory glory hallelujah.
I hated the subscription payments, it was a private club similer to the masons.
YouTube- Battle Hymn Of The Republic By Robert Shaw Chorale
hobbit

[Swanny]

I wonder when they will start advertising on the forum??
That's the best way to make money.

[giovonni]

:mfr_omg: I just asked Karen for a free subscription

YEAH!!!!!!!!:lol3:

OH BABY!:roll1::shocked::roll1:YouTube- Guns N' Roses - Welcome to the Jungle

[Fredkc]

Karen;
I also notice yer "packin' heat" again. Back from vacation, eh? ;)

Sorry if I missed your return to mod status, I just noticed the change while reading this thread. I take it you have become "refreshed" enough to take up the gauntlet again. Anyway, good for you.

Re. the Trolls.
I'm not so sure there will be a resurgence. Optimist, I guess. But the place does have an established decorum which is much kinder, now, methinks. Trolls will stick out more now than before. "The trolls ye have with you always." - Jesus' online brother

The place definitely needs a revenue stream. Has to have one, given the time it takes to produce what goes by here.

I know, from several statements by K&B, that the idea of banner ads has always been anathema. Considering the subject matter of this place, I can understand. After all, who wants to have some long drug out conversation about stuff like the transmigration of souls through the universe, and the effects of extra-terrestrial life upon said beings, with a big ol' flashyClick here for live nude girls!
at the top of the page?
Neither am I even up to date on just what kind of money that can raise nowadays, anyway. But... Most people on the web have long ago perfected their "selective vision" to a degree that ignoring the less desirable ones shouldn't be too hard.

All that said;
I have always felt that a pay forum wasn't the best of ideas. Yes, I paid, and other than state that fact when it happened, I held my piece.

Part of the reason has to do wit the fact that the forum, is among other things, a great place for both learning by reading, and also through interaction with others. You benefit from other people's thinking by trying out your own thoughts. But none of that happens unless the place is self-sustaining. Even the guy at the park carrying a "The End Is Nye" sign relies on the support of folk to have a park, in the first place.

However they decide to raise money, that critter needs to be mentioned here, on every page. Even if it means banner ads for in-house stuff alone.

Forums are one of the best methods of gettin' butts in the seats, the Inet has yet to devise. Use it!!

By now, I am pretty sure that all of these have been thought of, but in case they haven't:

* Bill & Kerry; Write, damnit!! You have a world of experience in this area that few have, and a ready made audience in this forum.

* Compilations of other's work "Edited by B & K". You've a passle of people to draw from, published, and non, Revenue share or whatever you need to do, but this should also be a fairly quick-to-market revenue stream, for you.

* Amazon links within the forum. You can link to Amazon for books already published by authors mentioned here, and get paid a comission for the clicks on those links. No more obtrusive than this: Richard C. Hoagland. If you poke at Anchor (sorry Anchor) with a sharp stick a lil' bit you can even automate it. ;) If they're going to buy the book/tape/dvd/whatever anyway, you might as well benefit from people hearing about said product here.

Anyway.. food for thought from the cheap seats (and probably worth every penny, too), but at least it didn't go unsaid. ;)
______________________
BTW, I just love:Just wait till you get hit with; "Don't you know Jesus died for you?" every 5 minutes.My response has always been that, the Jesus I have come to know is, has, and will always be eternally alive, moment to moment, in every way I can possibly think of. Sorry about yours, perhaps what you need is a "bigger God". I have undertaken that search several times, in this life. Each time I come upon the same one, patiently waiting, though chuckling a bit, too. ;)

Fred

[Tango]

I hope the 'mod squad' is ready... I saw four registering at once....

I'm goin' back to cleaning carpet... I'll just watch the screen, I hope we get

good music...



Tango

[waitinginthewings]

Great news :original: we lost some good people and gained a few asreholes when it went to subs.
:naughty:

You should know:zip:

[Seashore]

Bill...likes to make his writing perfect and that takes some time.

I've noticed that on Camelot and I appreciate it very much. Kerry, too.

[Seashore]

Talking to us would take a fraction of the time - I'll see what I can to do get the conference calls (or something like that) going. Kerry and I have recently exchanged a couple of short emails about that.

Isn't their radio show coming back? We could call in to it?

[TruthWillSetUFree]

I believe the high vibration of the site itself will be enough for those who's intention is to bring it down.

The key is to keep the energy of the site high through our hearts wisdom

If you feel you are being triggered look inside and use the emotion as a tool to learn why you are under the illusion that words can make you feel anything other than what you say you feel or want to feel.

Words outside ourselves do not have this power over us, yet we live like they do.

Let us keep the energy vibrating high so low energies cannot thrive here.


I tell my daughter often

Don't allow another's darkness to take away your beautiful light

Love and Light to all.......let the games begin!

[Gareth]

The conversion back to a FREE forum is official and I will be working on that today.

I will post another response when it is done.

G

[DoctorWho]

I'm with Karen about doing a monthly support drive for the site. I'm on a couple of non-related forums that do this to help with bandwith/website costs or for saving up money for upgrades/extras for the members. If we set up a nominal goal of $500, 100 members giving $5 each would easily make that goal. And if we make more than that, we can set the bar higher the next month by going to $600 and so forth.

As far as Bill & Kerry's forum interaction goes, maybe instead of addressing the forum in their new radio show (which will seem to be Kerry-centric due to the time of the show), they can allot 30-60 minutes a week and just have a special show that would be posted in the forums only. They would talk about the questions and posts in discussion about various things we are talking about. It'd be much quicker for them to address us in this fashion than in board posts, as Karen has stated, it takes a while sometimes to formulate posts in a coherent manner so things don't get taken the wrong way. I think this format would be a fair balance of Bill and Kerry's interaction with the forum and with all the other stuff they have going on too.
Bill "the Doctor"

[Seashore]

I'm with Karen about doing a monthly support drive for the site. I'm on a couple of non-related forums that do this to help with bandwith/website costs or for saving up money for upgrades/extras for the members. If we set up a nominal goal of $500, 100 members giving $5 each would easily make that goal. And if we make more than that, we can set the bar higher the next month by going to $600 and so forth.

I like this because the members who have no objection to subscription fees would probably respond to this.



As far as Bill & Kerry's forum interaction goes, maybe instead of addressing the forum in their new radio show (which will seem to be Kerry-centric due to the time of the show), they can allot 30-60 minutes a week and just have a special show that would be posted in the forums only. They would talk about the questions and posts in discussion about various things we are talking about.

What do you mean posted in the forums only? Who would be able to call in? (I'm wondering about the logistics of how this could be set up.)

[THE eXchanger]

This is good news :)

and, also, i like the idea above to put a meter on the site
and, have 'good folks' contribute

10 stars on that idea !!!

love/susan
the eXchanger

[DoctorWho]

What do you mean posted in the forums only? Who would be able to call in?

Essentially, what I was thinking is that a show is recorded and posted only through the forum. I think Open Minds Forum does something like this. There would be a link at the top showcasing the Forum-only show.

Bill and Kerry would either go through the message board beforehand and pick out board topics that they would like to address, or as Karen once suggested, take a list of questions from we board members and have them answer them. Again, this stuff would only be for/accessible to forum members and not necessarily posted on the main Camelot site (unless there is something of major significance that should be known to the masses). An actual conference-call/call-in show might be reserved for either the regular new radio show or maybe allot once a month for some sort of Skype conference call or something through a service like Blog Talk Radio.

Does this make better sense?
Bill "the Doctor"

[Fredkc]

Good suggestion, Doc.

It gives people here some "connection" while not bogging K&B down so much.

I know, that sounds weird, like we are "the great unwashed" or something, but it isn't what I mean. The air time is precious, too, and doing it this way lets them choose topics they can prepare for, and find of interest.

I don't need them to find me a psychic to locate a lost puppy, and I doubt many folk would want to listen to them politely beg off the job from others, either...

Ok, I'm diggin the hole deeper here, methinks. You know what I mean, damnit!! http://fredsitelive.com/fun/rofl.gif

Fred

[Swanny]

You should know:zip:

Yea don't I ever :naughty:

[Seashore]

Essentially, what I was thinking is that a show is recorded and posted only through the forum. I think Open Minds Forum does something like this. There would be a link at the top showcasing the Forum-only show.

Bill and Kerry would either go through the message board beforehand and pick out board topics that they would like to address, or as Karen once suggested, take a list of questions from we board members and have them answer them. Again, this stuff would only be for/accessible to forum members and not necessarily posted on the main Camelot site (unless there is something of major significance that should be known to the masses).

So this would be Kerry and Bill with no guests answering questions that are pre-arranged.

That would give them time to think about the answers, which is good.

An actual conference-call/call-in show might be reserved for either the regular new radio show or maybe allot once a month for some sort of Skype conference call or something through a service like Blog Talk Radio.

The big advantage of this is interaction. A chance to clarify on the spot and to ask follow-up questions.

The thing that was confusing me about the idea is how in the world do you have call-in for forum members only? Is this simple to do?

[DoctorWho]

The thing that was confusing me about the idea is how in the world do you have call-in for forum members only? Is this simple to do?

Well, all they'd have to do is offer a time, place, and call-in number, post the info here on the forum (again at the top so everyone can see it), and members go there and either text or call in. That's kind of the way you would do it in Blog Talk Radio. They have live chat and call-in.
Bill "the Doctor"

[Seashore]

Well, all they'd have to do is offer a time, place, and call-in number, post the info here on the forum (again at the top so everyone can see it), and members go there and either text or call in. That's kind of the way you would do it in Blog Talk Radio. They have live chat and call-in.
Bill "the Doctor"

That's true. That would be simple.

And I like the fact that you can talk or write.

[Karen]

Yes, Kerry did mention using Blog Talk Radio.

[DoctorWho]

I thought I remembered that being mentioned as a place to do the new radio show. My father-in-law has a show on Blog Talk Radio about the paranormal. Maybe they could be guests on his.
Bill "the Doctor"

[Karen]

I am getting emails from people all excited to come and post here again :original: ... but they can't because Gareth has not completed the process yet. :sad:

In post 33 Gareth wrote: The conversion back to a FREE forum is official and I will be working on that today. I will post another response when it is done.

Apologies - the timing was a bit of a surprise to us ... It is now noon-thirty on Monday in New Zealand where Gareth is working on the switch over.

[Seashore]

I thought I remembered that being mentioned as a place to do the new radio show. My father-in-law has a show on Blog Talk Radio about the paranormal. Maybe they could be guests on his.
Bill "the Doctor"

But we wouldn't want to limit subject matter to the paranormal.

[SWIFT]

Hi Karen & Seashore,

Karen :I totally agree with the forum being free and this would encourage more whistlblowers who do not like leaving traces of memberships.

Seashore: Sorry to say but the forum needs a new jumpstart of life and Bill & Kerry have taken the right move and nothing last forever.

Peace:mfr_lol:
SWIFTY

[Gareth]

The Forum is now Free again to Registered members - the usual posting rules apply. Don't abuse the privilege people as the usual Moderation rules also apply as on most other forums.

We look forward to seeing some great posts from our other members as well.

G

[Seashore]

Seashore: Sorry to say but the forum needs a new jumpstart of life and Bill & Kerry have taken the right move and nothing last forever.

Peace:mfr_lol:
SWIFTY

What are you talking about?

[SWIFT]

But we wouldn't want to limit subject matter to the paranormal.

Hi Seashore,
Correct lets not limit the forum to just paranormal great idea. However, lets not turn it into a free for all thats what I mean.:mfr_lol:

Peace
SWIFTY

[Karen]

A true life story about trolls:

Trolls - the best solution is if you can get people to ignore them - it spoils all their fun and they go away. I have a perfect example of that with my indigo children groups.

I announced I would be gone for a few days on a trip and some child hating troller group pounced on the opportunity. The indigo-parents group took the bait and a nasty flame war ensued with insults being hurled back and forth at an alarming rate. I caught it the next day while at a library computer and cleaned up the mess.

The same people presented the IDENTICAL trolling to the indigo-children's group and they were ignored and not a hair got mussed.

Another lesson learned - never announce you'll be out of town, except to a trusted few.

[halebox]

Thanks and test

[Fredkc]

Karen, Karen, Karen...

That is kinda like a school teacher who announces, "I will be out of the room for 10 minutes.. behave", and leaves.

You get 9 minutes, and 30 seconds of total mayhem, followed by 30 seconds of complete silence, in the room.

And you're right. The best way to deal with a troll is to simply ignore them. Drives them Knutz! Not only that, the slow learners will continue upping their antics until they finally get themselves bounced.

Sadly, it is also one of the most difficult things to get people to do, in my experience. Some folk just can't resist taking the bait.
___________________________________

Welcome back Halebox. And well said! A most eloquent test. :D

Fred

[Myra]

Stick around, you'll see..

Just wait till you get hit with; "Don't you know Jesus died for you" every 5 minutes.

Or people who will viciously and mercilessly attack anyone who doesn't agree 100% with their tunnel vision view on UFOs, life, love & the nature of personal reality...

Fun. :thumbdown:

I'm going to have to start taking valium I can tell :naughty:

Seriously I will do everything in my power to remain calm, loving and peaceful.

Its really the only way Spregovori, you can't win any other way. If you put up a fight everyone loses.

Hahahahahaha! :lol3:

[Myra]

Thanks and test

Welcome back halebox :welcomeani: I hope everyone else in our So Cal Group will come back!

[Frank Samuel]

I just wanted to say hello to all, I hope I can contribute something to this forum, and I am looking forward to learning from everyone as well.
We are an open book with many hidden secrets left to uncover. As our experiences may vary so will our opinions and that's okay.

Blessings to all

[Luminari]

I just wanted to say hello to all, I hope I can contribute something to this forum, and I am looking forward to learning from everyone as well.
We are an open book with many hidden secrets left to uncover. As our experiences may vary so will our opinions and that's okay.

Blessings to all

Hi Frank. :original:

I'd love to know more about underwater UFOs in and around Puerto Rico if you have any experiences with that. There is a discussion here:
http://projectavalon.net/forum/showthread.php?t=13913

Thanks and welcome.

[Frank Samuel]

There are many underground experiments going on in this island since the early 60's.The Navy left a few years back however they are still docking submarines in the underground bases. While I do not have any first hand experiences with USO,I am certain the eye witness testimony of many people who have seem them are legit. After all planet earth is a galactic rest stop .

[Carol]

Somehow I think those who were the biggest pain in the patukka are happily enscounced elsewhere.

Take a deep breath and be at peace. The time for panic passed us by a long time ago.

[FIIISH]

The more things change.... :original:

[Mark]

Hi Avalon,

I must say that it is nice to be back with all you lovely people and aliens alike. I've never been too far away and have visited the many interesting posts daily, it's just nice to be able to post again.

Love and Light,

MarkXX...

<magic>

[oxiigen]

Hi all!

Yeah, it's great that I'm able to post finally! But on the other hand, sometimes I was really happy that I couldn't, because of my impulsive nature! :]

Cheers all, and thank you Karen! \o/

[Debby]

It's great to be back with my Avalon Family:original:

[Slim]

I`ve been away for so long, I didn`t realise the site was free again.
It took that stupid message that made me look again.
Been to a couple of other sites that just left me with a bad feeling.
Visited once and never been back.
Glad to be here again. Feels like home.

Cheers,
Slim.