SGCafe For Sale, Or May Close By End Of 2009 - SGCafe - Cosplay | Anime

Kenshin · 15-09-2009, 01:40 AM

I'm sad to deliver this news, but I guess it's either now or never. As the topic says, SGCafe will be put up for sale or may be closed down by end of year 2009. I've been deliberating over what to do with SGCafe for quite some time. but I think it is for the best for both myself and members that I make this decision.

Since the launch of Google ads in April 2008, and the launch of premium membership/donations in December 2008. Till now, I have collected an approximate of S$3,000. That's about S$250/month if you assume about 12 months of revenue. My cost of running the server is way over this amount, but of course I believe there are cheaper providers out there, but I do have a good arrangement with my current host for burstable bandwidth (remember the 30mbps after EOY 2008?) during post-events so moving to another provider isn't the best idea either. Assume my monthly costs to be around S$1000, I'm losing S$750/month to keep SGCafe going.

The main problem I face isn't cost, but time and commitment. I won't say I spent a lot of time on SGCafe, in terms of improvement and creating revenue, work has kept me very busy over the past 2 years so I really don't have much time to commit. However, I still spend time processing the new registrations manually, moving threads and other day-to-day stuff in the forums, so it isn't 0 time spent either. But the time spent isn't enough to make SGCafe better. I'm still using the default skin simply because it's easier to update later on. The logo you see up there would never have surfaced if not for KeoKepa's help.

I personally know people who grew their small hobby-based forum into something much larger, for example Mobinauts (former PPCSG) and VR-Zone. These guys spent time and effort to grow their site, and currently most of them are actually generating decent revenue. When I built SGCafe, I was betting on the fact that I could personally fund this site without external help, just a small community of members who enjoy each others' company. Sadly, costs got to the better of things and with exponential growth of SGCafe from the previous SGAnime membership of 400 in 2002, to the current 12000 today, I think I've gone a long way by myself (financially) in the last 6 years.

There are a lot of things I would have done but never gotten around doing. Increasing SGCafe presence in Singapore, customising the skin, building the credit based system, sourcing for corporate advertisements other than Google that pay more and monthly, and the list goes on. SGCafe can be improved and grow even bigger, but because of the lack of time on my hands, and the fact that I refuse to delegate work out to anyone else in the forums, there is no way SGCafe can grow in my hands.

I'm expected to be even more busy in the coming 1-2 years, mainly due to increasing workload and other personal commitments. Thus, my decision to sell SGCafe to someone who would be able to bring SGCafe to greater heights, rather than let SGCafe continue at this pace. Of course, this would mean the management of SGCafe would change, policies would change and probably a lot more, but I'll leave this to the possible new owner(s) to decide.

Anyone who is interested to purchase SGCafe can contact me via PM to discuss further. I would like the potential buyer to write a proposal of what he/she/they will be doing with SGCafe, any major changes they will be introducing and of course, a price. All SGCafe related data (forums + gallery, total around 32GB as of 15th Sep 2009) will be handed over, but not the vBulletin licenses and PHP files as I have done customised modifications to vBulletin which I do not wish to handover. The domain name sgcafe.com will also be included in the sale (duh), but NOT the current SGCafe logo as that is copyright to KeoKepa. Hosting requirements for SGCafe would be at least 32GB of storage space, bandwidth usage ranges from 1mbps to 4mbps during different hours of the day. Depending on the agreement, I may be willing to assist to transfer the site to the new server to make the migration smoother.

I'm sure there will be disgrunted members who will probably complain about what I'm doing, but end of the day, if SGCafe doesn't get sold to someone, I'll just close it down end of this year. So hopefully everyone can understand where we're headed, and that for someone to come in and take over SGCafe completely isn't a bad thing at all.

It has been a fun 6+ years with you guys and girls. I had fun, and still enjoy reading the interesting threads all over the place. I hope you guys had a fun time in SGCafe even though this sadistic and tyrannic Kenshin has been ruling the forums with an iron fist. Let's all hope for some good news, whether a confirmed sale or maybe some miracle happening to me (lottery please!). Thanks everyone, without you guys and girls, it won't feel like SGCafe anymore.

KeLW · 15-09-2009, 02:21 AM

Thats some amount of money you have to pay minus advertisments.

This forum has grown huge in terms of influence and legacy!
Lets hope for a generous buyer!

どうけもの兔子 ღ · 15-09-2009, 02:58 AM

OH NO.

oh please dont, there are so many forums out there who died in the hands of someone who thinks he or she can rule my world with money.

Can we all work out a donation and perhaps u get some moderators to help do some minor stuff?
I'll help, i'll even swear not to ever call someone ugly again.

Oh ****!
I've now so ashamed for not being a premium member, is it not too late if everyone of us do so?

oh dear, there must be a way!
This forum is really the best place for all of us with the same interests!

*IM NOT BEING SACARSTIC, I LOVE THIS PLACE SINCE 3YEARS AGO AND IM NOT PLANNING TO SEE IT DO DOWN A PATHETIC PATH*

Shiroro · 15-09-2009, 03:15 AM

wahhh.. T^T dont close down!! If it helps i dont mind contributing. Dont want see this forum go down.. I love this place too >\\\\<

Knife · 15-09-2009, 05:16 AM

At times like these, members pool together their resources and take SGcafe off your hands and continue it quietly.

If I know something about servers, hosting and forums, I wouldn't mind taking up SGcafe but I don't.

Phoenix Seikun · 15-09-2009, 08:04 AM

Nooo, I don't want Sgcafe to be closed down.. This is the place where I can get the latest information and some other stuff.. >__<

tanaka_yuki · 15-09-2009, 08:51 AM

I worried abt ppl making use of authority if they were to buy over, because by then Kenshin might nt be able to come back.

suki.luna · 15-09-2009, 09:04 AM

i kinda grew up here, through my secondary school years and now it might be gone...

cg_dude · 15-09-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by どうけもの兔子 ღ

Can we all work out a donation and perhaps u get some moderators to help do some minor stuff?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenshin

The main problem I face isn't cost, but time and commitment.

.

retsu · 15-09-2009, 09:56 AM

...what can i get for $5?

どうけもの兔子 ღ · 15-09-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cg_dude

.

Eh ****tard,
like duh, i mentioned in that same sentence u quoted - that about asking kenshin to consider getting help from the members like eg. moderators , since he has time and commitment issues which im sure he had tried his best to work with the forum despite the problems as we all love this place especially him and we know he wouldnt wanna give it away.

You quote semi-lan trying to hint i cant ****ing read when u cant ****ing read urself. This thread is about epic frantic and despair so **** off and dont come here and post meaningless epic fail trying to gain perhaps a ****ing pathetic second of fame. Smart ass fail.

I think money and time are both factors taking into consideration as he did mention cost is not his MAIN problem, Read the big guy's post carefully and try not to troll. Maybe he have more problems at hand but he cant just come here and post his life story. We have to respect the big guy's worries for alot of problems in sgcafe includding stupid trolls wasting more time and bandwidth of his etc and yet without profiting or abusing this authority in any way he kept the forum going.

h0rse · 15-09-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cg_dude

.

at least think in another perspective, the least we could do is to probably reduce his losses yea? =/

どうけもの兔子 ღ · 15-09-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retsu

...what can i get for $5?

a punch in ur face by me for choosing this time and thread to ****ing gain a post count or sound witty- if u are.

what?

okuno mike-kun · 15-09-2009, 10:07 AM

You have done well kenshin =]
Must be really hard on you to make so much lose every month and all the time cmmitted
Will always support you (i did nothing much tho... xp joined 2 months ago only)
All the best =D

deathbymugging · 15-09-2009, 10:41 AM

i could say that i will donate money to help kenshin pay for the monthly cost, but since he's also talking about time and commitment, i'll respect his decision. lets just hope the person who buys it will NOT turn this into another sgclub.

15-09-2009, 01:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kenshin Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,030	SGCafe For Sale, Or May Close By End Of 2009 I'm sad to deliver this news, but I guess it's either now or never. As the topic says, SGCafe will be put up for sale or may be closed down by end of year 2009. I've been deliberating over what to do with SGCafe for quite some time. but I think it is for the best for both myself and members that I make this decision. Since the launch of Google ads in April 2008, and the launch of premium membership/donations in December 2008. Till now, I have collected an approximate of S$3,000. That's about S$250/month if you assume about 12 months of revenue. My cost of running the server is way over this amount, but of course I believe there are cheaper providers out there, but I do have a good arrangement with my current host for burstable bandwidth (remember the 30mbps after EOY 2008?) during post-events so moving to another provider isn't the best idea either. Assume my monthly costs to be around S$1000, I'm losing S$750/month to keep SGCafe going. The main problem I face isn't cost, but time and commitment. I won't say I spent a lot of time on SGCafe, in terms of improvement and creating revenue, work has kept me very busy over the past 2 years so I really don't have much time to commit. However, I still spend time processing the new registrations manually, moving threads and other day-to-day stuff in the forums, so it isn't 0 time spent either. But the time spent isn't enough to make SGCafe better. I'm still using the default skin simply because it's easier to update later on. The logo you see up there would never have surfaced if not for KeoKepa's help. I personally know people who grew their small hobby-based forum into something much larger, for example Mobinauts (former PPCSG) and VR-Zone. These guys spent time and effort to grow their site, and currently most of them are actually generating decent revenue. When I built SGCafe, I was betting on the fact that I could personally fund this site without external help, just a small community of members who enjoy each others' company. Sadly, costs got to the better of things and with exponential growth of SGCafe from the previous SGAnime membership of 400 in 2002, to the current 12000 today, I think I've gone a long way by myself (financially) in the last 6 years. There are a lot of things I would have done but never gotten around doing. Increasing SGCafe presence in Singapore, customising the skin, building the credit based system, sourcing for corporate advertisements other than Google that pay more and monthly, and the list goes on. SGCafe can be improved and grow even bigger, but because of the lack of time on my hands, and the fact that I refuse to delegate work out to anyone else in the forums, there is no way SGCafe can grow in my hands. I'm expected to be even more busy in the coming 1-2 years, mainly due to increasing workload and other personal commitments. Thus, my decision to sell SGCafe to someone who would be able to bring SGCafe to greater heights, rather than let SGCafe continue at this pace. Of course, this would mean the management of SGCafe would change, policies would change and probably a lot more, but I'll leave this to the possible new owner(s) to decide. Anyone who is interested to purchase SGCafe can contact me via PM to discuss further. I would like the potential buyer to write a proposal of what he/she/they will be doing with SGCafe, any major changes they will be introducing and of course, a price. All SGCafe related data (forums + gallery, total around 32GB as of 15th Sep 2009) will be handed over, but not the vBulletin licenses and PHP files as I have done customised modifications to vBulletin which I do not wish to handover. The domain name sgcafe.com will also be included in the sale (duh), but NOT the current SGCafe logo as that is copyright to KeoKepa. Hosting requirements for SGCafe would be at least 32GB of storage space, bandwidth usage ranges from 1mbps to 4mbps during different hours of the day. Depending on the agreement, I may be willing to assist to transfer the site to the new server to make the migration smoother. I'm sure there will be disgrunted members who will probably complain about what I'm doing, but end of the day, if SGCafe doesn't get sold to someone, I'll just close it down end of this year. So hopefully everyone can understand where we're headed, and that for someone to come in and take over SGCafe completely isn't a bad thing at all. It has been a fun 6+ years with you guys and girls. I had fun, and still enjoy reading the interesting threads all over the place. I hope you guys had a fun time in SGCafe even though this sadistic and tyrannic Kenshin has been ruling the forums with an iron fist. Let's all hope for some good news, whether a confirmed sale or maybe some miracle happening to me (lottery please!). Thanks everyone, without you guys and girls, it won't feel like SGCafe anymore. __________________ Rurouni Kenshin

15-09-2009, 02:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
KeLW Post-Crazy Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: シンガポール Posts: 1,019	Thats some amount of money you have to pay minus advertisments. This forum has grown huge in terms of influence and legacy! Lets hope for a generous buyer! __________________ Im BACK IN SGCAFE! 3 LINES? ------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------

15-09-2009, 02:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
どうけもの兔子 ღ Post-Crazy Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: carrying the bazooka Posts: 3,268	OH NO. oh please dont, there are so many forums out there who died in the hands of someone who thinks he or she can rule my world with money. Can we all work out a donation and perhaps u get some moderators to help do some minor stuff? I'll help, i'll even swear not to ever call someone ugly again. Oh ***! I've now so ashamed for not being a premium member, is it not too late if everyone of us do so? oh dear, there must be a way! This forum is really the best place for all of us with the same interests! IM NOT BEING SACARSTIC, I LOVE THIS PLACE SINCE 3YEARS AGO AND IM NOT PLANNING TO SEE IT DO DOWN A PATHETIC PATH* __________________ { Contact Lenses Spree ;} Buy My Clothes } Self-Intro } http://coquetry-cupcakes.blogspot.com/~} http://sgcafe.com/ye-olde-shoppe/54621-punk-strawberry-skirt-aristocrat-blouses-clearance-sale-w-trade-ins-welcome.html~}http://sgcafe.com/self-introduction/55240-self-intro-w-post4618669.html

15-09-2009, 03:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
Shiroro Member Equipped With Machine Gun For Posting Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: In a room filled with bishie gaiz!!! -locks door- Posts: 16,975	wahhh.. T^T dont close down!! If it helps i dont mind contributing. Dont want see this forum go down.. I love this place too >\\\\< __________________ "Dont have to be the best, Just be different." -Eugene Ong from UrbanHair by Ginrich.

15-09-2009, 05:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
Knife Member Equipped With Machine Gun For Posting Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 16,766	At times like these, members pool together their resources and take SGcafe off your hands and continue it quietly. If I know something about servers, hosting and forums, I wouldn't mind taking up SGcafe but I don't. __________________ deviantart

15-09-2009, 08:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Phoenix Seikun Post-Crazy Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: カイン様の傍に Posts: 1,609	Nooo, I don't want Sgcafe to be closed down.. This is the place where I can get the latest information and some other stuff.. >__< __________________ http://sgcafe.com/books/47707-selling-manga.html http://sgcafe.com/merchandise/44673-selling-cards-poster.html

15-09-2009, 08:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
tanaka_yuki Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 5,986	I worried abt ppl making use of authority if they were to buy over, because by then Kenshin might nt be able to come back. __________________

15-09-2009, 09:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
suki.luna Member Equipped With Machine Gun For Posting Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: ekam eveileb Posts: 10,544	i kinda grew up here, through my secondary school years and now it might be gone... __________________ COSPLAY WIG BLOGSHOP http://chunkydrizzle.blogspot.com Email us at chunky.drizzle@gmail for more info!

15-09-2009, 09:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
retsu Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: blanc x noir Posts: 5,843	...what can i get for $5? __________________ umzi umzi umzi..

15-09-2009, 10:07 AM	#14 (permalink)
okuno mike-kun Post-Crazy Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: with Rin-chan, Saber-chan, Miku-chan and Tsukasa-chan ^w^ Posts: 4,769	You have done well kenshin =] Must be really hard on you to make so much lose every month and all the time cmmitted Will always support you (i did nothing much tho... xp joined 2 months ago only) All the best =D Last edited by okuno mike-kun; 15-09-2009 at 10:13 AM.

15-09-2009, 10:41 AM	#15 (permalink)
deathbymugging Member Equipped With Machine Gun For Posting Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: With Ellis, and maybe Nick. hurhurderp. Posts: 16,089	i could say that i will donate money to help kenshin pay for the monthly cost, but since he's also talking about time and commitment, i'll respect his decision. lets just hope the person who buys it will NOT turn this into another sgclub.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode