Pulling the plug on DTF

[DinoToyForum]

Dear all members,

We've had our ups and downs here on the Dinosaur Toy Forum over the last seven years or so, and while we have always managed to prosper, I regret to inform you that the time has come to finally shut up shop. I've made this decision (not lightly) for a variety of reasons...

Firstly, social media are making it easier for people to communicate about the things they love - Facebook groups may be impersonal, but they are easy to run, convenient for members, and growing every day. In the long run we can't compete.

Secondly, the hosting fees for this site and the domain, have become a strain on my finances that has become unsustainable.

Thirdly, I no longer have the time to invest in keeping the forum software up to date, administrating it, and so on. I'd love to have the time to be involved more but with a job and various academic responsibilities, it has become impossible. Me and the mods shouldn't have to waste our time running around after rude and unruly members.

Fourthly, recent events on the forum have made me realise that the forum is not appreciated by everyone - why should I continue to host and absorb the running costs of a community and provide free targeted marketing for companies when it isn't valued by those users?

So, I'm sorry to say that the forum will go offline, forever, at the end of today, April 1st 2014. Happy April fools day!

[Takama]

Please tell me this is a April first Joke................ This Forum is pratically my life, I come here everyday for updates, and to keep in touch with Brandem whose sculpting some models for me. Without This forum i wont know where to go. This is the only forum that i know that can help me learn more about what we love.. Dinosaurs. Without this forum I would never of learned some of the things i did about them.

[tyrantqueen]

Please tell me this is a April first Joke................ This Forum is pratically my life, I come here everyday for updates, and to keep in touch with Brandem whose sculpting some models for me. Without This forum i wont know where to go. This is the only forum that i know that can help me learn more about what we love.. Dinosaurs. Without this forum I would never of learned some of the things i did about them.

[SpittersForEver]

Ha ha it's a joke, right?

[sauroid]

Dr.Admin just wants to show everyone that this is a thankless job. we should all be grateful that the site is still running for everyone's benefit, so the only way we can show our appreciation is to just follow the rules.

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

You had me convinced until the last line! The big kerfuffle about Rebor made it much more believable.

[DinoToyForum]

  Got ya!

[Halichoeres]

Well played.

[Nebuloid]

Hehe, didn't believe it for a second. 

[Doug Watson]

Got ya!

I just hope you pulled the plug before the farewell cruel world notes got written. 

[Dinomike]

Haha! Got shocked for a moment - then remembered what day it is!

[docronnie]

Nice one Adam! After reading a lot  of April Fools Day messages on FB, I was thinking "Here's another".

But this post reminded me of what happened to our beloved Marvel Battle Dice forum.

[stargatedalek]

Man you really had me!

[BlueKrono]

Does it actually cost you money personally to run this thing?

[DinoToyForum]

Does it actually cost you money personally to run this thing?

Well, yeah, I pay for annual hosting of the database and domain, and domain registration, but the ads on the forum balance it out. I'd continue at a loss in any case.

[BlueKrono]

Well if you are ever in the red from hosting it you can count me among those who would be happy to chip in a little to help out. This is one of my most used sites on the internet, and as they say, you vote with your dollar!

[Killekor]

I have noted that you have post the First post of this thread in 2015, but in your post says 2014. Have you do this intentionaly?

Thanks.

Predasaurskillekor

[Takama]

I have noted that you have post the First post of this thread in 2015, but in your post says 2014. Have you do this intentionaly?

Thanks.

Predasaurskillekor

Yes it was to clue  people in as to what day of the year it was

[Killekor]

I have noted that you have post the First post of this thread in 2015, but in your post says 2014. Have you do this intentionaly?

Thanks.

Predasaurskillekor

Yes it was to clue  people in as to what day of the year it was

Ah, thanks. When i have seen for the First time this thread i have thinked:<<oh, my god, today the forum close. No, it says 1 april 2014 so the forum have closed in 2014 and a day they have re-opened the forum>> only when i have seen the other comments i have got that was a joke.

Predasaurskillekor

[DinoToyForum]

Well if you are ever in the red from hosting it you can count me among those who would be happy to chip in a little to help out. This is one of my most used sites on the internet, and as they say, you vote with your dollar!

I'm sure it'll never come to that, but that's good to know. I'm just glad people enjoy the site.

[Edited - because of a change of mind!]