[RFNAPLES]

I guess I should be clear about the word partnership since I agree that non-compatible partners become a hassle. I was referring more to limited partners and joint ventures. Perhaps you could use the word associates.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by RFNAPLES
Bubbling Under The Top 100 Greatest Music Albums, Part 1 by RFNAPLES

[albummaster]

that's ok, I understood the meaning and don't worry GARY, BEA wouldn't partner with Facebook (although we do use some of their widgets here). If I was Amazon, I'd partner with something a bit bigger (and dare I say, more functional) if I wanted access to a ready-made music portal.

I think we are steering in the right direction here and I can see the site growing again once some of the milestones on the roadmap have been reached. Until then, I think we just have to bear with things and see how they pan out.

An interesting discussion so far, and it is helping to clarify my thoughts, so thank you for that.

[RFNAPLES]

Check out these investors:

http://www.dfj.com/
http://www.jafco.com/
http://www.khoslaventures.com/
http://www.ktbvc.com/
http://www.sequoiacap.com/us/internet/
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/businesses/detail/tw_investments/index.html
http://www.trueventures.com/

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by RFNAPLES
Bubbling Under The Top 100 Greatest Music Albums, Part 1 by RFNAPLES

[albummaster]

thanks for those links.

Let's say, 12 months labour was needed to implement the planned improvements to the site and the venture capitalist injected the money to pay for the development (e.g. programmers and graphic designers etc), it would cost them many thousands of dollars, and any venture capital company would then want to know in return: (a) what their return might be, and (b) how long they would have to invest for until they can get their money back out.

But, look at Last.fm, they made a loss of £3 million in 2009 despite a huge investment by CBS - http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/03/lastfm-protit-2009-figures. There's no guarantees even with venture capital, and I happen to think Last.fm is a fantastic site. It just seems music is the wrong space to be at the moment and perhaps we just have to accept that it's days were left behind in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Even if the improvements go down fantastically well with everybody and there is a massive surge in activity, there is still nothing to generate cash and keep the site afloat (unless traffic increased ten-fold). Because if we had more adverts, people are so blind to them that they are next to useless. People don't buy music any more either (apart from a very small number of people), so referral sales of CDs are not a money-spinner either. You are only really left with subscriptions after that which might be viable with a huge active membership, but not with the volume of people here at the moment.

It's a very helpful debate. I must admit, I've always wanted to grow the site organically because I hate the idea of debt, but I never thought it would take this long or require this much work.

[RFNAPLES]

If you could further develop this site along the lines of IMDb it might help. Allow (for a fee) labels to post bios of artists/bands. Perhaps labels could offer digital downloads directly through BEA (for a cut). Allow Indies to post bios in return for free MP3s. Enhance the ability of members to catalog their collections (for premium members). Branch out from media only to hardware sales, magazine/internet subscriptions, music related book sales, etc.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by RFNAPLES
Bubbling Under The Top 100 Greatest Music Albums, Part 1 by RFNAPLES

[RFNAPLES]

The Impossible Dream (The Quest)

Song composed by Mitch Leigh
Lyrics written by Joe Darion
for Man of La Mancha (1965) musical
MP3 from MGM film (1972) sung by Peter O'Toole as Don Quixote de la Mancha

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by RFNAPLES
Bubbling Under The Top 100 Greatest Music Albums, Part 1 by RFNAPLES

[bcaie16]

Not sure if you already have one, and I know that they can be marginal, but why not set up a pay-pal style donations option like Wikipedia has. I'm sure there are a few members that would be willing to give a little for an awesome website. It won't supply an income, but I'm sure it won't hurt.

[Zoso]

I think because you have such a tight-knit community you would have some make donations but in terms of a growing website, that won't really work..

I think do one or both of these, get a second moderator/administrator who knows coding/has the time etc to help you out, there's enough loyal members here I'm sure you have your pickings

and then advertising. With forums there's just no other way, there's so many free forums out there by charging or donating it won't survive. I can get you some details if you like..

Plus, before anyone complains, we're all so oblivious to web banners and advertisements because of their ubiquitous nature, it won't be that big a deal..

[Zoso]

lol see there's advertising in this thread and I hadn't even noticed, so maybe you're already on it.. unless you're using a free based forum

[albummaster]

that's the point really, most people are ad-blind these days (or using ad blockers) so ads just get ignored and I'm not in favour of making then more obtrusive by using 'pop-unders' and so on as I don't want to p1ss people off.