Considering the recent issues at LET/B, where can I find your disclosures of business relationships?

[mikho]

I sold my companies and I have been just sitting back and relaxing/drinking and gambling.

Out of curiosity, are you still working at FTN? .... your username says FTN-Chris.

By the way, was it really some medical condition (read it on LET) which led Joel to disappear?

Yes, Joel had some medical issues that was affecting his online presence, but I don't think that was the reason for the sellout.

 

[Punjabi]

Welcome @Punjabi.


I am not as concerned about ad spots.  They are easily ad blocked  Issue isn't truly with ads, but what the ads are and who is profiteering from them.

Yep, that's exactly what I was referring to. Once it changed it's approach from community to a profit business, it simply went downhill.

Sorry, English being my second language, wasn't able to convey it better.

Vanilla, yeah, thread arrangement up front is interesting. Can't say I totally adored it, but different.

That's the reason liked it better. Since it was never as big (target audience wise) like other forums, so the lack of separate sections/forums layout (like all/most other forum/websites) really worked well (at least for me).

Yes, Joel had some medical issues that was affecting his online presence, but I don't think that was the reason for the sellout.

He could have handed it over to some active community member or assigned someone to manage it for him. Still missing the old LEA days.

 

[mikho]

He should have handed it over to some active community member or assigned someone to manage it for him. Still missing the old LEA days.

Well, too much money to just let it go

Joel had an idea on what he wanted to do with LEB/LET, putting everything under a "lowend network", providers should write their own offers and get reports back on clicks etc.. 

He was also talking about the possibility to mark threads on LET as "knowledge base articles" and they would show up on the wiki.

So he had great plans for it ..... but nothing really happened and I guess when he was approched by CC and they asked for a price and he replied with something that he thought was "to much" (Fransisco mentioned $50.000) and they probably just said "OK.".

What would you have done if someone offered you that amount of money?

I would probably do the same and sell it off ...Not sure since I've never been in that situation

 

[drmike]

Yes, Joel had some medical issues that was affecting his online presence, but I don't think that was the reason for the sellout.

Yes, he was suffering from enlarged pocketitis, a condition wherein your mobility is limited due to all the money stuffed in your pocket.

It makes sitting hard also.

 

[ChrisM]

Out of curiosity, are you still working at FTN? .... your username says FTN-Chris.

I registered this account while I still owned FTN.

 

[RaidLogic.NET]

Seems like everyone joined this forum which is great.

 

[mikho]

I registered this account while I still owned FTN.

Ok, welcome

 

[mojeda]

I just hope this forum doesn't pull the shit move of selling paid ad-spots like LET. Else it would just be a matter of time, this forum going the same path as LET.


By the way, was it really some medical condition (read it on LET) which led Joel to disappear?


I remember couple of users raised their voices once the word was out that Chief was actually Joel. I guess some of them even left the forum because of it, with one user even opening up a thread explaining his dislike for Joel's behavior, opposing his selection for running the operation & reasons for leaving.


PS. I really liked Vanilla, with all the topics in a single section/frontend, it was really nice.

You can use the "View All Content" page via: http://vpsboard.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=viewNewContent&search_app=forums


It's also in the header above the vps Board logo.

I registered this account while I still owned FTN.

You can change it: http://vpsboard.com/index.php?app=core&module=usercp&tab=core&area=displayname

 

[mitgib]

 I guess when he was approched by CC and they asked for a price and he replied with something that he thought was "to much" (Fransisco mentioned $50.000) and they probably just said "OK.".

What would you have done if someone offered you that amount of money?

I would probably do the same and sell it off ...Not sure since I've never been in that situation

Man, I've tried that approach with ChicagoVPS-Chris, so far he is resisting me, maybe I should offer him a higher price.

 

[mikho]

Man, I've tried that approach with ChicagoVPS-Chris, so far he is resisting me, maybe I should offer him a higher price.

treefiddy?

 

[drmike]

$50k isn't a whole lot to CC.   Seen reported income numbers from Velocity Servers which are fudged of about $750k.

Know they pushed a big computer giveaway to a school district in Buffalo and claimed $40k given (tax benefit no doubt).

LET/LEB is $120k roughly a year - 25% fee for ads = $90k. Given they've sold all inventory in the year at stated rates.  Based on old numbers - unsure if math is right now and especially next week

Which means, $50k break even point is 6-12 months all depending.  Actually even less when you pay the people doing the work nothing and the head person $100 a month.

 

[ChrisM]

You can change it: http://vpsboard.com/...rea=displayname

 

Done!

 

[KuJoe]

Great topic!

Yes, this server is hosted by BuyVM. Earlier today it was hosted on my personal server that I have with RocketVPS. I am affiliated with neither of these companies. I am paying for both servers.

With BuyVM I'm paying for a KVM VPS, DDoS filtered IP (just in case) and offload the DB to their nice and affordable MySQL solution. They don't get anything from this other than my money and my many many many thanks for getting vpsBoard transitioned to my server with them quickly. An unmanaged provider, but in a time of need went above and beyond what I'd expect from even a managed provider. They get my props.

Now, yes, I work for URPad at this current time. This is a personal site. I don't want to tarnish my reputation as an admin by posting URPad offers here, by advertising it here, etc. If my new boss were to ask me to use this site as a means to push sales, I would kindly decline to do that.

This place is yours as much as it's mine, so I do appreciate everyone joining today and finding this place fit to be your new home. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I would love to see something like this on an "About Us" page somewhere, just my 2 cents.

 

[drmike]

I would love to see something like this on an "About Us" page somewhere, just my 2 cents.

+1 for this.  Think it is good so it is clear up front to new people.   

 

[wlanboy]

Topic 1:

$50k isn't a whole lot to CC.

For a company this number is indeed peanuts. But for a normal worker it is the wage for 1-2 years.

I think everyone has his price. Just put in the number [your monthly income] * 15. And say that you would not consider it.

In my opinion all the shitload did hit the wrong persons. Ok you do not like CVPS - but what about Chief selling something he get for free?

Topic 2:

LET: Hosted by CC, run by employee of CVPS.

VPSboard: Hosted by BuyVM, run by employee of URPad.

So this is all about who you like, or do not like? Because the only difference is the name of the companies.

 

[Francisco]

Don't take the figure as fact.

Joel threw it out there in a convo so who knows what real numbers were in the end. Given the timelines Alex gave, Joel sold the site when it was still doing $500 - $800/m in gross profit. Getting a $50k offer off that? That's good money for something he had invested a few thousand into given a high charge out rate for his own worked hours.

Francisco

 

[NickM]

LET: Hosted by CC, run by employee of CVPS.

VPSboard: Hosted by BuyVM, run by employee of URPad.

So this is all about who you like, or do not like? Because the only difference is the name of the companies.

What we don't like is the fact that we were never told that ColoCrossing owned LE*.  They're being upfront about everything here, so we have no problem.

 

[rds100]

I don't blame ColoCrossing for buying LowEndTalk. I blame Joel for taking a good site, ruining it and selling it. Seems he is a real LowEndDick.

 

[drmike]

Topic 2:

LET: Hosted by CC, run by employee of CVPS.

VPSboard: Hosted by BuyVM, run by employee of URPad.

So this is all about who you like, or do not like? Because the only difference is the name of the companies.

I select Topic 2

There is a huge difference between these sites and communities.

To start over here it is transparent. There is no guessing who or what is behind the scenes.

Next,  BuyVM is only hosting the site.  They are not donating anything.  The service is being paid for.

Third, MannDude is going, going and about to be gone from URPad.   His two weeks there are winding done.  URPad has no affiliation with the site.  Unsure if current owners are on here or not.

Finally,  the folks over here are pretty decent.   I haven't seen threads disappearing for someone bashing URPad or BuyVM.   Moderation is straight, open and involved.  Accessible too.

All that plus, this site isn't being operated as a lead generation site for a server company or for the sake of getting rich on ad revenue.

 

[KuJoe]

I personally hate the fact that the LEB/LET fiasco is bleeding into vpsBoard. I vote for 1 thread about LEB/LET/CC/ChicagoVPS/Joel/Chief/Dinosaurs and let the rest of the threads (like this one) stay on topic.  B)