Sending AAS samples to independent, accredited laboratory in Europe

[1forthegeeks]

the underground is what drives the traffic here. people come for sources- usually nothing else. they stay because in searching for a source the fall in love with the cacophony that is meso. AAnything that reduces traffic is a failure- this is a website. the more eyes that see what we do the more chance we make sweeping changes in the industry and culture. make anyone pull out a credit card and you are done.... we are offering free pussy and it is the basis of our popularity. geeks- chill the fuck out. rob is a good guy and it was a little ironic with you commenting on driving off yourself

How does lynch mobbing anyone who gives a new source a chance contributing to sweeping changes to this culture?

 

[johnnyBALLZ]

Alright, let's settle down on this fine Saturday evening!!

1-4 already took a few days of beatings when he first came back IIRC.. I remember the whole explanation he gave and everyone thought it was sufficient at the time..

Can't take any of this too personally though 1-4!! The beatings are probably not done yet..

 

[Millard]

It is the handful of companies/websites recognized on the right that financially support the website's commitment to the principles of free/uncensored speech, lab testing and high-quality original content. That accounts for most of the limited source of funding for meso. I'm open to suggestions for alternative fundraising methods. But it is likely the best possible method at the moment.

 

[johnnyBALLZ]

Hey Millard, Anyway you can take the GETM advertisement down? Makes me sick every time I see it since the MASS SPECS on their gear came back. I would definitely donate especially after all that money I wasted.

I'm guessing they're paid up through a certain point..

 

[RockStar]

It is the handful of companies/websites recognized on the right that financially support the website's commitment to the principles of free/uncensored speech, lab testing and high-quality original content. That accounts for most of the limited source of funding for meso. I'm open to suggestions for alternative fundraising methods. But it is likely the best possible method at the moment.

I totally understand you need sponsors to keep this great site up and appreciate everything you do.

 

[lightspan]

1-4, I went back and actually read the PEP thread. You need to take your lumps bub, you earned them. @GigaloRob is rightfully being skeptical and a bit harsh on you, so save the "stop being passive aggressive" comments. Let's focus on the topic.

The idea of charging for access to the underground is a specious one, at best. Brutus hit the nail on the head, it will kill traffic, and traffic is the lifeblood of meso. Without "sponsors" in the typical source board scenario feeding the monster, the cute GE-TM banners (or whoever will pony up the cash for banners) are a necessary evil.

 

[1forthegeeks]

So more sponsors then?

No one said we had to choose my idea, but the money has to come from somewhere.

 

[devildog93]

We could have a bake sale, or an annual cookout. Of course finding a spot and and keeping our faces off of LE radar could be a problem.

 

[Millard]

@RockStar thanks for your understanding. If it makes you feel any better, the banner doesn't link anywhere and it never has.

@brutus79 and @lightspan are correct - traffic is crucial to the goals of meso. The general idea of a paywall, while raising some funds, would guarantee the rapid decline of traffic and along with it - sponsorship funding.

But @1forthegeeks may be on to something with the $25/month subscription-based model. Rather than a paywall, it could be for a value-added service as a way to complement the existing revenue stream.

The current business model may be unsustainable and incompatible with the long-term goals of meso for obvious reasons.

With this in mind, the goal of an expensive harm reduction, steroid-testing initiative is more than a little ambitious.

 

[shredded]

Subscription might not be such a bad idea and to encourage subscription you could give those that subscribed some added privileges like a bigger Avi for instance, or more space in your mail box.
You would want to be careful not alienate those that wish not to subscribe but im sure there could be other perks added that may encourage members to support this other than the oblivious.

 

[weighted chinup]

It is the handful of companies/websites recognized on the right that financially support the website's commitment to the principles of free/uncensored speech, lab testing and high-quality original content. That accounts for most of the limited source of funding for meso. I'm open to suggestions for alternative fundraising methods. But it is likely the best possible method at the moment.

I will readily admit I have no idea how much the monthly fees for maintaining a site this size are, but I have seen other communities unrelated to AAS fund their servers and activities by crowdfunding.

Having something like a tracker at the top of the page for each month saying how much $ meso needs to stay up and using anonymous donations from the sites user base to meet that monthly goal might be an option. No paywall / subscription, just anonymous donations.

Again though, I understand there are additional costs to running this site outside of the monthly server fees (like front page content) so this option might not be viable.

 

[Millard]

I will readily admit I have no idea how much the monthly fees for maintaining a site this size are, but I have seen other communities unrelated to AAS fund their servers and activities by crowdfunding.

Having something like a tracker at the top of the page for each month saying how much $ meso needs to stay up and using anonymous donations from the sites user base to meet that monthly goal might be an option. No paywall / subscription, just anonymous donations.

Again though, I understand there are additional costs to running this site outside of the monthly server fees (like front page content) so this option might not be viable.

I always felt the Wikipedia-model of soliciting donations would be the most credible way to fund the site. I am skeptical it would work for MESO. In the 14 weeks that we've announced the acceptance of anonymous Bitcoin donations, we've only received the equivalent of $30 from website visitors. So, we've essentially scrapped that option for now.

 

[brutus79]

As opposed to waiting 4 months to say the gear I openly promoted might have been just a little fake? hmmmmm. I say the lynch mob is more effective. the only thing that is worse tham providing the funds for a scammer to operate when you have been advised not to is running the actual scam, but one could not survive without the other. SSorry- thought I saw the horse breathing and had to beat it some more.

 

[weighted chinup]

I always felt the Wikipedia-model of soliciting donations would be the most credible way to fund the site. I am skeptical it would work for MESO. In the 14 weeks that we've announced the acceptance of anonymous Bitcoin donations, we've only received the equivalent of $30 from website visitors. So, we've essentially scrapped that option for now.

I think part of the issue might be there wasn't much emphasis put on the donation model.

Obviously its not wise to transition directly into such a model because it could easily turn out to be a failure, but I think an experimental phase with more emphasis being put on potentially using the model to permanently fund meso might be more successful.

Some things that might be worth doing if meso were to conduct such an experiment:

• Let the members know that if the experiment turns out to be successful Meso might partially or fully transition to a donation driven model (I'm sure most of us would be on board with that).

• Run a trial month where Meso tries to see if it can raise a months worth of funds via crowdfunding (still keeping sponsors ads up incase the idea fails).

• Emphasize how being funded by the community directly with donations would make meso even more special than every other board out there, adding another aspect that is completely unique and special to an already very special board.

Another thing is I feel that if such a model were to work, even in an experimental phase, there needs to be a constant visual reminder of Meso's crowdfunding goals, nothing too egregious, but I'm sure having something like this at the top of the page would make the world of difference :

I think a model like this is ultimately the way to go, the feasibility of it is the only concern. But I'm sure most of us would agree that crowdfunded/ donation based funding is the funding method most compatible with Meso's goals.

 

[Millard]

@weighted chinup excellent advice! I've bookmarked it for future reference. Thank you.

 

[weighted chinup]

@weighted chinup excellent advice! I've bookmarked it for future reference. Thank you.

No worries ! Always glad to contribute. This is the only board I go to and its probably the best asset there is right now for AAS harm reduction, so seeing the board grow and reach an even wider audience is probably the best thing for AAS users.

Most other harm reduction initiatives related to AAS don't properly address the real issues associated with underground labs so I think its imperative that Meso reach an even wider audience.

 

[johnnyBALLZ]

@weighted chinup excellent advice! I've bookmarked it for future reference. Thank you.

Just make it with another payment method in addition to bitcoin maybe..

 

[mike0507]

Just make it with something else in addition to bitcoin maybe..

I second that. I like the concept, but the process of buying bitcoin always seemed a bit sketch to me.

 

[johnnyBALLZ]

I think part of the issue might be there wasn't much emphasis put on the donation model.

Obviously its not wise to transition directly into such a model because it could easily turn out to be a failure, but I think an experimental phase with more emphasis being put on potentially using the model to permanently fund meso might be more successful.

Some things that might be worth doing if meso were to conduct such an experiment:

• Let the members know that if the experiment turns out to be successful Meso might partially or fully transition to a donation driven model (I'm sure most of us would be on board with that).

• Run a trial month where Meso tries to see if it can raise a months worth of funds via crowdfunding (still keeping sponsors ads up incase the idea fails).

• Emphasize how being funded by the community directly with donations would make meso even more special than every other board out there, adding another aspect that is completely unique and special to an already very special board.

Another thing is I feel that if such a model were to work, even in an experimental phase, there needs to be a constant visual reminder of Meso's crowdfunding goals, nothing too egregious, but I'm sure having something like this at the top of the page would make the world of difference :

I think a model like this is ultimately the way to go, the feasibility of it is the only concern. But I'm sure most of us would agree that crowdfunded/ donation based funding is the funding method most compatible with Meso's goals.

Well done, sir!! This is one of the most constructive posts I've seen in a while!! Hopefully you have Millard's wheels spinning..

 

[Unleashed]

What if testing results from the harm reduction initiative were placed in a separate section/thread here at Meso and a certain $$ was required each month for access to that area?? Those who kept paying would be more up to date than those who maybe paid once in awhile. And yes, I realize that some info would be leaked. That would be hard to control. Or you could pay once every 3 months and keep up to date, but maybe the info could be limited or members access could be limited in some way so that those who paid more frequently would have more/better access???