CZ: Changes to CowboysZone Supporter System - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**Reality** · 08-12-2009

For well over a year, we have had internal discussions on how to improve the recognition that users who have donated to CowboysZone receive. Our goal was to give better recognition to the most recent users who donated while at the same time showing appreciation to those who have donated in years past. We are very excited to announce we have finally created a new system for Zone Supporters that will do exactly that.

In the new system, users who have donated from January 1st of the current NFL season (ex: 2009) through the Super Bowl of the current NFL season (ex: February 2010) will have the CowboysZone Supporter image displayed below their name/avatar. After the Super Bowl, the CZ Supporter system will be rotated and only the users who have donated since January 1st in that year (ex: 2010) will retain their CZ Supporter image. However, every year a user has donated will always be displayed below their name/avatar regardless of whether or not the user is a current CZ Supporter.

On a personal note, I want to let everyone know that donations are always appreciated but not required. I put this site online many years ago so that Cowboys fans would have a family friendly place to support, discuss, debate and complain (when necessary ) about their favorite football team. Over the years I have upgraded the site and the servers to support its constant growth in popularity and activity. I have always avoided placing annoying advertising and sponsorships on the site because I wanted to keep the site clean and fast.

While I have always been happy to cover the operational costs of running CowboysZone, I do appreciate the donations that users make each year. I am glad that the new CZ Supporter system will acknowledge the users who donate, both past and present, so that other users can see who is helping to make CowboysZone the best Cowboys forum site on the internet!

Note: To support the new system, every user must be updated manually so it will take some time to complete this process.

-Reality

dallasfaniac · 08-12-2009

How frequently do we need to donate to make the banner adds go/stay away?

SteveOS · 08-12-2009

How much do you have to donate, to get this status? Great idea, BTW.

Hostile · 08-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveOS

How much do you have to donate, to get this status? Great idea, BTW.

We have never set an amount necessary because some people can't donate a lot. Every donation is appreciated and every dollar goes into this site. No one makes a profit from this site and it easily could given our traffic numbers.

I was asked earlier about non paypal donations. So even though you aren't asking I want to get this information out to the members. Yes, we do accept them. They are mailed directly to me and I donate them for you.

Angus · 08-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile

We have never set an amount necessary because some people can't donate a lot. Every donation is appreciated and every dollar goes into this site. No one makes a profit from this site and it easily could given our traffic numbers.

I was asked earlier about non paypal donations. So even though you aren't asking I want to get this information out to the members. Yes, we do accept them. They are mailed directly to me and I donate them for you.

Hostile, how can donations be sent to you?

Hostile · 08-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angus

Hostile, how can donations be sent to you?

I send people my mailing address and they can mail the donation. Then I will make the payment and give the donation info to Reality. Several people have donated this way. Including one of our Mods.

TheSkaven · 08-12-2009

This is a good idea. It's no coincidence that I always donate after Reality posts the donation stickies. If he didn't do that, I'd always forget. When you see the same button in the same place month after month, you just don't see it anymore when you visit... if that makes sense?

DEZBRYANT x88x · 08-12-2009

Yeah guys whatever you guys need money wise let me know.

**Idgit** · 08-12-2009

This is good, guys. I mean to donate more frequently than I do, and sometimes it just slips my mind...the 'supporter' icons are helpful.

JonJon · 08-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveOS

How much do you have to donate, to get this status? Great idea, BTW.

Hey Steve, just wanted to give my appreciation for the operationsports.com gamers page. You have done a fantastic job over there. I am known as jdub2k4, the same in which I was formally known as over here.

Hostile · 08-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dallasfaniac

How frequently do we need to donate to make the banner adds go/stay away?

Yearly donations will be needed to keep the ads away. As posted we will give a yearly cushion of up to and after the Super Bowl. So a donation in January covers you for 13 months.

No matter what else we do though we will not turn this site into an ad machine and it very easily could be. We will run the minimal amount of ads we can. Revenue from the ads and the donations does not cover the costs of running this site. Reality pays for most of it out of his own pocket and is glad to do so.

We appreciate any and all support.

Dodger12 · 08-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile

Yearly donations will be needed to keep the ads away. As posted we will give a yearly cushion of up to and after the Super Bowl. So a donation in January covers you for 13 months.

Great idea. I couldn't figure out why I was seeing the adds after getting used to not seeing them for some time. And as someone mentioned earlier, it's a great reminder. You guys (and gal) do a great job and I couldn't imagine going online without having CZ around. Nice work........

Maikeru-sama · 08-12-2009

So if you donate, you can have the ads removed?

dreghorn2 · 08-12-2009

Sometimes it is very difficult to quantify exactly what something is worth to you.

I access this site multiple times per day and have done so for years. I also read several other forums most of whom are well run, this site however, without question is the finest i have seen.

The traffic is enormous and the information fast and topical (the daily zone is fantastic for up to date information). In addition there are many members with specific skills, insights, and contacts all of whom make the "being a fan of the Dallas Cowboys" experience so much deeper.

The moderators here do a terrific job of keeping an overwatch of the board. This is not an easy thing to do and a lot of time is required by people who are just volunteers. I have seen many forums, all with great intentions, disintegrate from lack of supervision.

It is easy to see that this is a labor of love for those involved, and i hope that if the time ever comes that serious financial help is required, that they do not hesitate to request it.

This is a great site and i hope it continues to be run in the same manner for a very long time.

**Reality** · 08-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwood2

Sometimes it is very difficult to quantify exactly what something is worth to you.

I access this site multiple times per day and have done so for years. I also read several other forums most of whom are well run, this site however, without question is the finest i have seen.

The traffic is enormous and the information fast and topical (the daily zone is fantastic for up to date information). In addition there are many members with specific skills, insights, and contacts all of whom make the "being a fan of the Dallas Cowboys" experience so much deeper.

The moderators here do a terrific job of keeping an overwatch of the board. This is not an easy thing to do and a lot of time is required by people who are just volunteers. I have seen many forums, all with great intentions, disintegrate from lack of supervision.

[View Full Quote]

Very well said and appreciated!