Quote:
Originally Posted by icemage
yeah my point is my parent's wouldn't let me so now I can't get a sig forever unless I win a contest which is unlikely... and why didn't you just go on freewebs or something? or ipbfree.com those are free forums
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Ok, your situation is understood. I'm sure there are many members under similar circumstances.
Most compare running a series of forums such at Nick does to a typical website that we all can get somewhat inexpensively. This is not a fair comparison.
First lets review "free" sites.
Free sites generally do not offer any sort of forum software adequate to run a forum anywhere near this scale. Those that do offer forums restrict modifications, security tracking, and usually force THIER advertising content on you. Nick is adamant about maintaining appropriate content for a family safe environment, not having enough control over content eliminates this option.
Inexpensive hosts (typical that we general users all may get)
These sites may seem to have all that would be necessary, but often lack the ability to load a forum package such as vBulletin in the form necessary to run a set of fansite forums of this magnitude (AND PERFORMANCE). Most sites that recieve this volume of traffic will likely be getting cancelled by hosts, or getting addition bills for resources they did not anticipate you using. Implementing forum software would still require licensing for an adequate forum package (ie vBulletin). There are still limitations on what one can do, because these are also usually in a 'shared' environment, sharing hosting resources with the webhosts other customers.
Professional hosts (high end, full server/web boxes, multiple site management).
Full access, do everything you need to do, modify, secure, manage to your hearts content (THIS COST $$$ BTW). This would be the solution necessary to run sites of this nature, traffic, and magnitude. Licensing of the forum software, etc not being included runs up costs. Inclusive bandwidth, and possibility of costs for bandwidth over alloted amounts may come in to play. The can install/configure/modify as the owner/operator wishs.
Simply put, the free/inexpensive options adequate enough to run almost everyones personal pages or guild site, are just not adequate enough to run sites of this size and magnitude. Thier features, and access/abilities to manage them are simply not a grand enough scope to maintain forums in the manner Nick's forums sites have been known for, and will continue to strive for.