Welcome one and all to our July Mailbag, where we answer those burning questions you've sent in during the slow month of July. So, without further delay, lets get started.
SlyGuy46 asks:
Bob, how much has it cost you to create and maintain the site?
Bob answers:
Well, it really depends on the year. If you would like a rundown though:
2004
Cost of Vbulletin Forum System: $160
Cost of domain name: $20
Cost 1 yr hosting: $100
Total: $280
2005
License renewals: $30
Domain renewal: $20
1 yr hosting: $100
Total $150
2006:
License renewals: $30
Domain renewal: $20
1yr hosting *new FAR better provider*: $105
CMS Purchase: $100
Total: $255
2007 is not exactly over yet, so you'll have to wait on that :). As you can see though, it can get a tad expensive. I pay for everything out of my own pocket, however we do have a "Powered by Site5" logo under our affiliates section. So, if you happened to sign up for hosting by clicking that link, I get a $20 commission on the yearly hosting fee. So…if you're ever thinking about hosting something…..
UltimaLink007 asks:
I know I hate it, and can't stand too much of it at one time without imploding, what is the staff's opinions of "netspeak"
Bob answers:
As per the TOS, you are permitted to use some netspeak, however if you begin using massive amounts of netspeak, you can receive spam infractions, as it would be considered such poor language you are spamming ;).
animaldude asks:
Why are staff usernames green, administrators red, noobies white, s.i.ts gold, sages silver, etc.?
Bob answers:
This is to signify certain ranks. Really, it is for both identification purposes and for the fun of it. Seriously now, doesn't it give you much more of an incentive to post simply because your username color will change :). As for staff members, these are for identification purposes alone. You will also notice we have rank bars for specific high ranks *S.I.T.'s and above*.
UltimaLink007 asks:
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Bob answers:
So, you think I would just answer with something simple eh? Upon research, Richard Thomas published an article stating a woodchuck could chuck approximately 700lbs of wood.
ZeldaGuardian asks:
How come someone gets blamed for something that they never did?? It seems to me that this certain is starting to taint ZS… What do you plan to do about it, and why blame the alleged?
Bob answers:
This is a member issue, not a staff issue, Staff members will never blame you for anything you have not done. Why? Simply this, we have tracking information on everyone's account that can prove something one way or another. Really, it takes no more than a few clicks from a suspicious staff member to find out everything they need to know to diagnose a situation. Normal members and Sages *Sages can not use a majority of the site tracking tools for security reasons* will have a harder time finding out about…lets say multiple accounts. In conclusion though, everyone has freedom of speech, although ultimately the staff members are the ones you need to worry about accusation's.
yoyolll asks:
Why are people so excited about a picture of the box of Phantom Hourglass? Do they not realize that by acting so hyped up about every little thing and hanging on nintendo's every word they're eating out of nintendo's hands like millions of pitiful enslaved people all around the globe? How excited is Bob about the release of this picture?
Bob answers:
We we receive news, we post it. As far as a photo of the game box, not much excitement surrounds this, in my own opinion. However, as a Zelda fan site we have a duty to our readers to provide each piece of information we receive. Members choose to be as excite or lack thereof as they choose.
Linkman asks:
After you posted up the news on the Zelda Puzzle Challenge, I started to wonder, will Zelda Sages ever do something like this?
Bob answers:
It's certainly possible, though we have no plans to do so at the present. Of course, times can change.
UltimaLink007 asks:
In the last mailbag, you said it was the mods' "pay" to make the member's lives miserable. Would you guys (and IheartNJ), really do that?
Bob answers:
Wow, the third question from you this month. Don't worry, we would never try to make any member's life miserable. At least, of course, not on purpose :).
Well, that's all for this month. Be sure to submit your questions during the month of August for inclusion in our August Mailbag to be published in early September. Until than, continue to enjoy your summer!
