Mongo's questions about the future of Planet

Mongo · Post by **Mongo** » 25 Aug 2011, 01:07

Well this thread started off with shops too hot, whatever, as far as I am concerned, if the fish are healthy, I am quite happy to suffer any discomfort for an hour or two, especially if they are offering a wide and varied selection of fish. Getting more and more difficult in the UK, purchasing power from the far east and restrictions being imposed, Brazil comes to mind.

I'm not a retailer, but really what is on offer here. Advertising, well this usually comes at a cost. If so what is the cost of advertising on Planet Catfish? Maybe not now, but in the future, if your purpose is altruistic, well I'll commend you.

Now when it was stated that £45000 was required to fund something, for the life of me I'm not sure what. The PC seal of approval. It strikes me that somebody is seeking a source of income. Why not, it is the way of the world, but is this site supposed to be a point of reference? Or is the long term goal to generate income?

I do understand that viewpoints change, I know mine have over the years. The difference is that I don't accept donations. I'm sure when people are donating, they would love to know what the long term objective of this site is.

Looking forward to the reply

Mongo

Neo · Post by **Neo** » 25 Aug 2011, 10:25

Mongo websites dont host and run themselves, it is a donation not a mandatory payment after all, I own many websites too and if it was not for donations from users I could not afford to host many of them as I could not afford to do so by myself

Donations are just that, donations from users who find websites useful and would like to contribute towards the running costs, nothing more and certainly not for finacial gain

This site does not expect you to pay to use it so whats the problem here exactly?

Mongo · Post by **Mongo** » 28 Aug 2011, 01:39

My point is:

Is this run as a point of reference, or a stepping stone to run a business.

If the latter or the former so be it, but a degree of honesty would be appreciated.

As you have stated Neo, a site doesn't run itself, but the people who donate should be entitled to know what they are donating to.

As in Jool's post, £45000 is what he needs to set up in a business, what is being offered for this outlay.

As somebody who has this sort of money, I would like to see some sort of business plan.

All the best

Mongo

I'll accept the plan and an offer by pm.

Or is it $%^&&*()$#(mod edit-by Birger, this kind of language is not tolerated here as we have a wide and often young audience, consider this a warning)

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 31 Aug 2011, 11:58

I split this off from a previous topic as it seemed like it was veering way off topic. We can carry on-topic below.

Jools

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 31 Aug 2011, 12:08

Now that it's split off, what is the question here? It seems to be asking is PlanetCatfish.com for sale?

Well, if someone offered me a lot of money for it then yes, I'd seriously consider it. However it'd be a lot more than £50K!

That said, my expectation however is that it remains with me at the helm and my aspiration is that it remains free and more or less keeps doing what its been doing since 1997.

The £50K mentioned was around a new venture based on the IPR embedded within Planet being leveraged into a new online fish store platform. I can't see how that affects the strategical future of Planet or affects anyone who has been good hearted enough to donate towards the sites hosting costs in the past.

Cheers,

Jools

Dave Rinaldo · Post by **Dave Rinaldo** » 31 Aug 2011, 12:13

My interpretation is that Mongo is talking about a PC retail store (aquarium)?

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 31 Aug 2011, 12:18

Dave Rinaldo wrote:My interpretation is that Mongo is talking about a PC retail store (aquarium)?

To be honest, I don't really understand the question, but I hope what I've written above helps clear things up. I've always wanted to open an LFS, but it is not something I plan to do at all. At least not before I retire from my career and that's a long way off! There are no plans at present for a Planet store.

Jools

crkinney · Post by **crkinney** » 31 Aug 2011, 12:49

If a planet store is as good as your web site you will become a rich man!
mule

Mongo · Post by **Mongo** » 04 Sep 2011, 03:35

For the life of me am I dreaming, or just can't find a previous thread, even though it is now split. Maybe people who have followed both threads can confirm.

My recollection was that Jools had approached the powers at be at one of the major chains of UK aquatic stores and they couldn't see the benefits of what he was proposing. Got to be honest nor could I. The figure of £45000, was a figure stated in a previous thread(gone missing or I can't find it or I dreamt it)by Jools, and that the running cost, or break even would be achieved in three months if a major chain came aboard, or three years if they didn't.

Now this doesn't strike me as long term goal, as no business that I have come across plans 20 years ahead.

Mongo

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 04 Sep 2011, 03:56

The thread you are looking for is here.

Mongo · Post by **Mongo** » 04 Sep 2011, 21:33

Thanks Racoll, I had already found that thread.

It appears to have been edited.

I really didn't conjure £45000 out of thin air, or the approach to a major chain.

Guess posts on a forum being rewritten or edited, it's down to the owner.

Guess it's only a matter of time, when I look at this forum to see what I have written.

Mongo

mummymonkey · Post by **mummymonkey** » 04 Sep 2011, 21:45

Mongo wrote:Thanks Racoll, I had already found that thread.

It appears to have been edited.

I really didn't conjure £45000 out of thin air, or the approach to a major chain.

Guess posts on a forum being rewritten or edited, it's down to the owner.

Guess it's only a matter of time, when I look at this forum to see what I have written.

Mongo

Is this the post that's caused you so much angst?
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... 20#p225950

andregurov · Post by **andregurov** » 04 Sep 2011, 22:02

Ahh! The conspiracy has been debunked. I was getting worried.

Mongo · Post by **Mongo** » 06 Sep 2011, 22:08

Hi again

No angst, no grief and no worries.

First of all I will commend the site, second to none in respect of info.

It seems Jools had difficulty understanding my questions, I do have a tendency to ramble.

So first of all how much does it cost advertise on PC?

Secondly, is the PC website part of any future private business plan?

Mongo

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 07 Sep 2011, 09:33

Mongo wrote:It appears to have been edited.

Guess posts on a forum being rewritten or edited, it's down to the owner.

Dave,

We've established that there was no editing, no cover-up, no conspiracy. Thank you for the compliment about the info on the site, it is a direct result of the contributions of many good folks.

Posts on this forum may be edited by myself or members of the moderator team - such as the bad language you used in a previous post - however we try to be as open and straight about everything as possible. Posts are very rarely deleted. Users can edit their own posts at any point.

Your direct insinuation about my conduct (going back and removing/editing posts) however is very, very close to trolling. To put it another way, posting what the poster knows to be inflammatory, without any identifiable further merit in the post, is one of the things the team moderate on and may issue warnings for. Could I suggest you avoid personal attacks in future please? As you say, would be good to remove angst etc from this discussion.

Mongo wrote:So first of all how much does it cost advertise on PC?

You mean sponsorship? That's commercially sensitive and individually negotiated with sponsors. We are not looking for sponsors at present. Would you mind telling me why you ask?

Mongo wrote:Secondly, is the PC website part of any future private business plan?

The PlanetCatfish website is not in a future private business plan at present. It is mentioned as an asset, and by way of some background information, in a current plan. As it stands it's actually in my will to pass on to my children.

You seem to think PlanetCatfish is some sort of transparent public service - it is not. So, feel free to ask more questions - but I may not be able to answer them. Certainly I would be better able to respond if you could expand a bit on what your interest is.

What do other rank and file members of the site think about these issues?

Jools

Dave Rinaldo · Post by **Dave Rinaldo** » 07 Sep 2011, 11:01

Jools wrote: What do other rank and file members of the site think about these issues?
Jools

I don't see any issues.

The.Dark.One · Post by **The.Dark.One** » 07 Sep 2011, 11:03

My personal opinion is that these matters do not even enter my head. The site is excellent and I couldnt care less about anything else.

I havent made donations but if I had it wouldnt even cross my mind to wonder what the money was being spent on. At the end of the day it is something I and all users get something out of, so what does it matter what, if anything, the money is spent on or what the intentions are of the owner? It's not a charity so I can't see what the problem is.

Tappers · Post by **Tappers** » 07 Sep 2011, 11:33

I'm with The Dark One (now that's a T shirt that needs printing) in that I see this as a matchless resource for catfish knowledge and don't really question anyone's motivation outside of enthusiasm for this group of fishes.

Speaking as a man who tried to get over a hundred aquatic retailers to accept that a Trilineatus label was the right one for their their 'julii' corys, I think you'd be a welcome addition to the ranks of retail!

wrasse · Post by **wrasse** » 07 Sep 2011, 14:30

Hey Jools, you're a talented chappie... if you see a gap in the market just go for it.

Meanwhile, what did you leave me in your will?

Here's a business idea... that photo of your foot covered in bites... have it made into a postcard, with the words 'wish you were here?'

Martin S · Post by **Martin S** » 07 Sep 2011, 15:56

The.Dark.One wrote:My personal opinion is that these matters do not even enter my head. The site is excellent and I couldnt care less about anything else.

I agree with Steve whole-heartedly.
I have made a donation, and do intend to again. I did so as a small sum to help towards the obvious running costs and in the hope that it will keep the site running for others to enjoy. My reasons for any future donations will be the same as above.
Martin

andregurov · Post by **andregurov** » 07 Sep 2011, 16:17

In several years of dropping by here - although never a very active member - I have seen the manner with which Jools carries himself, communicating openly and clearly, using discernment and a polite touch; rare values amongst those in the hobby, and rarer still in how generously he shares them with us.

I don't see any issues either.

Narwhal72 · Post by **Narwhal72** » 07 Sep 2011, 17:40

I have enjoyed this site and continue to do so on a daily basis. I find no issues.

Andy

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 07 Sep 2011, 20:40

wrasse wrote:Meanwhile, what did you leave me in your will?

My signed copy of "How to be a gardener" by Alan Tichmarsh.

Jools

wrasse · Post by **wrasse** » 07 Sep 2011, 22:10

Jools wrote:My signed copy of "How to be a gardener" by Alan Tichmarsh.

OMG, you must hate me.

I can't stand that smarmy git

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 07 Sep 2011, 22:16

wrasse wrote:
Jools wrote:My signed copy of "How to be a gardener" by Alan Tichmarsh.
OMG, you must hate me. I can't stand that smarmy git

I thought of the thing you would most not like as a suitable retort!

Next talking catfish post you make, please do in the style of AT!

Meanwhile, sorry for off topicness, back to Planet Mongo (Gordon's Alive...).

Jools

wrasse · Post by **wrasse** » 07 Sep 2011, 22:21

dispatch war rrrocket ajax... to brrring back his body

okay okay sorrry

wrasse · Post by **wrasse** » 07 Sep 2011, 22:55

And btw- none of my catfish will volunteer to play the role of Alan Titchmarsh. I asked them, I can't repeat what they replied on here...

Mongo · Post by **Mongo** » 09 Sep 2011, 22:18

To be honest when I started posting on this thread, I had no idea where it was going to go.

There are many people who start forums, with varying degrees of success, and the success as far as I can see is determined by the people who contribute to the site or sites. Whether it be money, information or posts. Obviously the administrators, moderators and owners contribute to this. They set up the site, moderate what is said and collate the information submitted.

To set up a site like this, Jools really is a smart chappie.

In previous posts, £45000 cash injection to make a business model work, whether in 3 momths or 3 years. Or Jools stating that it would take more than £50000 to buy the site, which I don't want to buy. I'm computer illiterate, I can't even find posts I've looked for. This it seems has been thought about, so really it struck me as a venture being supported by donations of money, pictures and information.

And bequeathing something in your will, this really does place a value on things.

I do like the site, and it is obvious that the site is increasing in value by the day.

So the question I ask, is the site for posterity or until the right offer comes in?

Mongo

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 09 Sep 2011, 22:56

I thought Jools made it clear that the site is not currently for sale, but there is a saying that "there's a price for everything" or "an offer you can't refuse". However, the amount of work that has gone into the site, I'd expect the price is a lot more than £45K.

The £45k was the price for a company (say Maidenhead Aquatics) to get access to SOME of the data from a parent database - I don't know what Jools was thinking that would cover, but I expect a bit of programming to make customised pages for the company, and some costs of setting up the site(s) for the company, etc.

It doesn't change what we get to see here on Planet Catfish. It just allows another view, customized for that company, of the same (or mostly the same) data.

--
Mats

Mongo · Post by **Mongo** » 13 Sep 2011, 23:54

My point here is!

There are many web sites around, some have come and gone, and one has been incorporated into this site. Gone plecofanatics and incorporated zebrapleco.

The question really is this a business?

What makes a site is the members, the numbers and the contributions they make, whether it be pictures or posts.

When I was posting on zebrapleco, my feeling was that it was a labour of love. On plecofanatics the same.

It was not me who raised business models here. I also appreciate everything has a value. But earlier posts made me think, while some people get recognition for posts, and perhaps there is some sponsorship, is this really a business in the making?

A bit of clarity please for the members who contribute for nothing.

Mongo