View Poll Results: What should Chuck do with the 928 Registry?
928 Registry - I've read post #1 and I thoughtfully say sell it!
66
73.33%
928 Registry - I've read post #1 and I thoughtfully say donate it to the OC!
19
21.11%
928 Registry - I haven't read the post and I do not have an opinion.
5
5.56%
Voters: 90. You may not vote on this poll
928 Registry website
09-17-2012, 11:50 PM
#31
Rennlist Member
Most interesting topic. I have been one of those few donors, not much but a little bit a couple of times. I think it is a very valuable resource.
As to selling, allow me for a moment to be the killjoy lawyer that I am - once you attempt to sell it, you may trigger Porsche to step in - they own the brand identity of the 928. It could get complicated fast. There are licensing and trademark issues that would need to be addressed with respect to any sale. You have IP in it and certainly so does the manufacturer. Would IB or anyone else want to buy into that potential situation? What would the purchaser get, and what reps could you give with respect to the IP being sold? Hard to say. Maybe you've already addressed these issues with Porsche and you own what you own, and have permission to sell something that is heavily branded with their mark. Anyway, giving it away might be the better avenue, and even that could stir Porsche. Or, try offering it to Porsche? Not sure how these varius registries work, and whether the manufacturers have their say in them (I would if I were the manufacturer - the brand is everything).
Whatever the outcome, I hope to see it continue and thrive. It is too valubale to let die.
As to selling, allow me for a moment to be the killjoy lawyer that I am - once you attempt to sell it, you may trigger Porsche to step in - they own the brand identity of the 928. It could get complicated fast. There are licensing and trademark issues that would need to be addressed with respect to any sale. You have IP in it and certainly so does the manufacturer. Would IB or anyone else want to buy into that potential situation? What would the purchaser get, and what reps could you give with respect to the IP being sold? Hard to say. Maybe you've already addressed these issues with Porsche and you own what you own, and have permission to sell something that is heavily branded with their mark. Anyway, giving it away might be the better avenue, and even that could stir Porsche. Or, try offering it to Porsche? Not sure how these varius registries work, and whether the manufacturers have their say in them (I would if I were the manufacturer - the brand is everything).
Whatever the outcome, I hope to see it continue and thrive. It is too valubale to let die.
09-18-2012, 01:03 AM
#33
Rennlist Member
+1 on Roger or Mark taking ownership. Kind of sucks the way it currently is... people search and find legacy stuff on their car and can't update it. If it goes to the OC, people will have to become a member to update information on THEIR OWN car--and that seems like a bad idea.
09-18-2012, 05:35 AM
#35
Cottage Industry Sponsor
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If you have created something of commercial value, you have all rights to sell it - whether it is for profit or just to recoup some of your cost.
Whether there is a buyer who pays a significant amount of money is a different question. I have no idea what it would be worth to a 928 related business.
I had at some point proposed to the 928OC to provide an area where members could self-register their cars and upload pictures. As we know, this never happened, and I don't have much hope it ever will. Perhaps the buyer of this website (and the information contained therein), could tackle this challenge. This way, owners could update the info on their car like a progression (timeline), and new owners could register and pick-up from there.
I doubt anybody will put in the effort to keep this up manually...
Best of luck, and enjoy the Aston!
PS: The pictures of my car are outdated - it has evolved since. And I put a whooping 6k miles on it since the last update in 2008!
Whether there is a buyer who pays a significant amount of money is a different question. I have no idea what it would be worth to a 928 related business.
I had at some point proposed to the 928OC to provide an area where members could self-register their cars and upload pictures. As we know, this never happened, and I don't have much hope it ever will. Perhaps the buyer of this website (and the information contained therein), could tackle this challenge. This way, owners could update the info on their car like a progression (timeline), and new owners could register and pick-up from there.
I doubt anybody will put in the effort to keep this up manually...
Best of luck, and enjoy the Aston!
PS: The pictures of my car are outdated - it has evolved since. And I put a whooping 6k miles on it since the last update in 2008!
09-18-2012, 07:52 AM
#37
Burning Brakes
I also think Roger has the tools and level of sustained involvement to keep the site going. It was one of my first stops when looking for a car, as others have posted. No comment on the feasibility of selling vs. donating. But, the site should be in good hands with Roger as his connections in the global 928 community are unsurpassed IMO. On both a personal and professional level.
Best,
Ben
Best,
Ben
09-18-2012, 09:15 AM
#38
Drifting
My suggestion would be to give it to Roger to update and have the option to take it back if it is not updated / running per the original agreement. I think, like others have mentioned, it would be hard to put a price to it and get that price, because at the end of the day it is just a data base. Just my $.928.
09-18-2012, 09:49 AM
#39
Supercharged
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First, thanks for having done this. I know it was a passion that drove you to develop it.
It's ultimately up to you, my friend. I voted option number three, but keeping it in the 928 family make sense. I also agree with some of the statements about not giving it to the OC. If you followed the elections this year (hopefully you didn't) it's pretty clear that the future of the OC is questionable at best.
Aligning it with a vendor is a great idea. Picking which one is the difficult part. I know you're a good salesman, so if you want to extract as much value as you can, you have the skillz.
Whatever you do, please do not let it die a slow painful death. Thanks again.
It's ultimately up to you, my friend. I voted option number three, but keeping it in the 928 family make sense. I also agree with some of the statements about not giving it to the OC. If you followed the elections this year (hopefully you didn't) it's pretty clear that the future of the OC is questionable at best.
Aligning it with a vendor is a great idea. Picking which one is the difficult part. I know you're a good salesman, so if you want to extract as much value as you can, you have the skillz.
Whatever you do, please do not let it die a slow painful death. Thanks again.
09-18-2012, 10:14 AM
#40
Track Day
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I'd like to share my opinion and another option.
When you created the 928 Registry, you didn't do so for a profit. You did so because you wanted to share your 928 passion and enthusiasm with other like minded enthusiasts. You put years and thousands of hours of development into it and watched it grow into something special, something you and other contributing 928 owners can be proud of.
Ask yourself this question. "Why would someone want to buy such a site?" There is really only one answer, and that is to turn a profit. How would a new owner turn a profit? By selling advertisement space, soliciting vendors, sponsors, etc.... Once you cross that bridge, everything you've worked so hard to create will be sold into prostitution. The place will slowly erode as the personality that you built is lost to "Group Buys", "Featured Product Reviews" and "Act Now".
Is it really worth it? I suspect you wouldn't be able to get a whole lot for such a niche website. Ultimately, only you can decide whether the price is worth the sacrifice. If it were me, I'd rather see the registry live on with the personality and value that you've worked so hard to create.
Option 3:
Donate the site to a non profit group that you know will keep it tied to its roots, who you know can find quality people to maintain, cultivate and grow it as you originally intended so many years ago.
Confession #1:
I am the creator and owner of the PCA Cayman Register, an affinity website dedicated to the Porsche Cayman. The Cayman Register is 100% non profit. I have spent thousand of hours of my free time making it what it is today. I am very proud of what it has become, and I would never, ever consider selling it because I know what would happen (anyone familiar with Planet-9?).
Because the Cayman Register is a PCA (Porsche Club of America) resource, I know I can count on the PCA to provide all support necessary to keep the place up and running. Software licenses, server space, hosting, URL registration fees, etc... As part of the PCA, I also know that I can count on Porsche for support. They only recognize two clubs in the USA, thats the PCA and the 356 Registry. They have been an incredible partner to us, providing giveaways, technical resources, and connections to internal departments, access to historical data, etc....
You could contact the PCA, ask if they would like to keep your site going and if they could find a team to do so. You could tell them that you'd like to stay on as a silent leader and/or adviser. You could train and teach that new team, and check in as much as you'd like. You can tell them that you insist they meet your set of ideals, or you will revoke permission to use your copyrighted material (all you have created - that belongs to you). You could use the PCA to see to it that your work lives on and continues to provide value to the 928 community.
Confession #2.
I am also the PCA Register Group Coordinator. Feel free to give me a call if you'd like to discuss this as an option. (I'll PM you my contact info). I would love the opportunity to help you insure the future of the 928 Registry, and I'd love to share some ideas on how we could take it to the next level.
When you created the 928 Registry, you didn't do so for a profit. You did so because you wanted to share your 928 passion and enthusiasm with other like minded enthusiasts. You put years and thousands of hours of development into it and watched it grow into something special, something you and other contributing 928 owners can be proud of.
Ask yourself this question. "Why would someone want to buy such a site?" There is really only one answer, and that is to turn a profit. How would a new owner turn a profit? By selling advertisement space, soliciting vendors, sponsors, etc.... Once you cross that bridge, everything you've worked so hard to create will be sold into prostitution. The place will slowly erode as the personality that you built is lost to "Group Buys", "Featured Product Reviews" and "Act Now".
Is it really worth it? I suspect you wouldn't be able to get a whole lot for such a niche website. Ultimately, only you can decide whether the price is worth the sacrifice. If it were me, I'd rather see the registry live on with the personality and value that you've worked so hard to create.
Option 3:
Donate the site to a non profit group that you know will keep it tied to its roots, who you know can find quality people to maintain, cultivate and grow it as you originally intended so many years ago.
Confession #1:
I am the creator and owner of the PCA Cayman Register, an affinity website dedicated to the Porsche Cayman. The Cayman Register is 100% non profit. I have spent thousand of hours of my free time making it what it is today. I am very proud of what it has become, and I would never, ever consider selling it because I know what would happen (anyone familiar with Planet-9?).
Because the Cayman Register is a PCA (Porsche Club of America) resource, I know I can count on the PCA to provide all support necessary to keep the place up and running. Software licenses, server space, hosting, URL registration fees, etc... As part of the PCA, I also know that I can count on Porsche for support. They only recognize two clubs in the USA, thats the PCA and the 356 Registry. They have been an incredible partner to us, providing giveaways, technical resources, and connections to internal departments, access to historical data, etc....
You could contact the PCA, ask if they would like to keep your site going and if they could find a team to do so. You could tell them that you'd like to stay on as a silent leader and/or adviser. You could train and teach that new team, and check in as much as you'd like. You can tell them that you insist they meet your set of ideals, or you will revoke permission to use your copyrighted material (all you have created - that belongs to you). You could use the PCA to see to it that your work lives on and continues to provide value to the 928 community.
Confession #2.
I am also the PCA Register Group Coordinator. Feel free to give me a call if you'd like to discuss this as an option. (I'll PM you my contact info). I would love the opportunity to help you insure the future of the 928 Registry, and I'd love to share some ideas on how we could take it to the next level.
09-18-2012, 10:19 AM
#41
Rennlist Member
Perhaps the data can be 'given' to a suitable vendor who then can provide suitable resources.
Then the vendor could make a donation and avoid the potential legalities?
Roger gets my vote.
Then the vendor could make a donation and avoid the potential legalities?
Roger gets my vote.
09-18-2012, 10:26 AM
#42
Rennlist Member
I'd like to share my opinion and another option.
When you created the 928 Registry, you didn't do so for a profit. You did so because you wanted to share your 928 passion and enthusiasm with other like minded enthusiasts. You put years and thousands of hours of development into it and watched it grow into something special, something you and other contributing 928 owners can be proud of.
Ask yourself this question. "Why would someone want to buy such a site?" There is really only one answer, and that is to turn a profit. How would a new owner turn a profit? By selling advertisement space, soliciting vendors, sponsors, etc.... Once you cross that bridge, everything you've worked so hard to create will be sold into prostitution. The place will slowly erode as the personality that you built is lost to "Group Buys", "Featured Product Reviews" and "Act Now".
Is it really worth it? I suspect you wouldn't be able to get a whole lot for such a niche website. Ultimately, only you can decide whether the price is worth the sacrifice. If it were me, I'd rather see the registry live on with the personality and value that you've worked so hard to create.
Option 3:
Donate the site to a non profit group that you know will keep it tied to its roots, who you know can find quality people to maintain, cultivate and grow it as you originally intended so many years ago.
Confession #1:
I am the creator and owner of the PCA Cayman Register, an affinity website dedicated to the Porsche Cayman. The Cayman Register is 100% non profit. I have spent thousand of hours of my free time making it what it is today. I am very proud of what it has become, and I would never, ever consider selling it because I know what would happen (anyone familiar with Planet-9?).
Because the Cayman Register is a PCA (Porsche Club of America) resource, I know I can count on the PCA to provide all support necessary to keep the place up and running. Software licenses, server space, hosting, URL registration fees, etc... As part of the PCA, I also know that I can count on Porsche for support. They only recognize two clubs in the USA, thats the PCA and the 356 Registry. They have been an incredible partner to us, providing giveaways, technical resources, and connections to internal departments, access to historical data, etc....
You could contact the PCA, ask if they would like to keep your site going and if they could find a team to do so. You could tell them that you'd like to stay on as a silent leader and/or adviser. You could train and teach that new team, and check in as much as you'd like. You can tell them that you insist they meet your set of ideals, or you will revoke permission to use your copyrighted material (all you have created - that belongs to you). You could use the PCA to see to it that your work lives on and continues to provide value to the 928 community.
Confession #2.
I am also the PCA Register Group Coordinator. Feel free to give me a call if you'd like to discuss this as an option. (I'll PM you my contact info). I would love the opportunity to help you insure the future of the 928 Registry, and I'd love to share some ideas on how we could take it to the next level.
When you created the 928 Registry, you didn't do so for a profit. You did so because you wanted to share your 928 passion and enthusiasm with other like minded enthusiasts. You put years and thousands of hours of development into it and watched it grow into something special, something you and other contributing 928 owners can be proud of.
Ask yourself this question. "Why would someone want to buy such a site?" There is really only one answer, and that is to turn a profit. How would a new owner turn a profit? By selling advertisement space, soliciting vendors, sponsors, etc.... Once you cross that bridge, everything you've worked so hard to create will be sold into prostitution. The place will slowly erode as the personality that you built is lost to "Group Buys", "Featured Product Reviews" and "Act Now".
Is it really worth it? I suspect you wouldn't be able to get a whole lot for such a niche website. Ultimately, only you can decide whether the price is worth the sacrifice. If it were me, I'd rather see the registry live on with the personality and value that you've worked so hard to create.
Option 3:
Donate the site to a non profit group that you know will keep it tied to its roots, who you know can find quality people to maintain, cultivate and grow it as you originally intended so many years ago.
Confession #1:
I am the creator and owner of the PCA Cayman Register, an affinity website dedicated to the Porsche Cayman. The Cayman Register is 100% non profit. I have spent thousand of hours of my free time making it what it is today. I am very proud of what it has become, and I would never, ever consider selling it because I know what would happen (anyone familiar with Planet-9?).
Because the Cayman Register is a PCA (Porsche Club of America) resource, I know I can count on the PCA to provide all support necessary to keep the place up and running. Software licenses, server space, hosting, URL registration fees, etc... As part of the PCA, I also know that I can count on Porsche for support. They only recognize two clubs in the USA, thats the PCA and the 356 Registry. They have been an incredible partner to us, providing giveaways, technical resources, and connections to internal departments, access to historical data, etc....
You could contact the PCA, ask if they would like to keep your site going and if they could find a team to do so. You could tell them that you'd like to stay on as a silent leader and/or adviser. You could train and teach that new team, and check in as much as you'd like. You can tell them that you insist they meet your set of ideals, or you will revoke permission to use your copyrighted material (all you have created - that belongs to you). You could use the PCA to see to it that your work lives on and continues to provide value to the 928 community.
Confession #2.
I am also the PCA Register Group Coordinator. Feel free to give me a call if you'd like to discuss this as an option. (I'll PM you my contact info). I would love the opportunity to help you insure the future of the 928 Registry, and I'd love to share some ideas on how we could take it to the next level.
09-18-2012, 10:36 AM
#43
Rennlist Member
Roger get my vote too! Particularly is Laura V is up for it. Maintaining the site may be right up her alley.... that is, if she has time. (Not trying to suggest extra work for you Laura!)
My only concern is that folks are really busy at 928sRus.
Roger, will your team have time to devote to this project?
My only concern is that folks are really busy at 928sRus.
Roger, will your team have time to devote to this project?
09-18-2012, 10:46 AM
#44
Rennlist Member
I voted to sell it too.
But I don't know what you'd get for it.
Aside from that, the maintenance is such a pain as it is now.
How do you make this a self-service wiki type site?
Now that would be great.
But I don't know what you'd get for it.
Aside from that, the maintenance is such a pain as it is now.
How do you make this a self-service wiki type site?
Now that would be great.
09-18-2012, 10:51 AM
#45
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Guys, thanks for all your thoughtful responses and suggestions. You are all very much appreciated.
I'm going to take a couple days and think about what to do.
Here's where I'm at right now (in no particular order):
- Sell the site to someone or entity who will keep it going and enhance the site?
* one of the 928 specific vendors seems like the most suitable option
- Donate the site to the 928 OC
* I was/am completely unaware of the situation with 928 OC that AO mentioned (did a search and still not completely up to speed but I take it there was/is some major drama? In any case, I'm not involved and will not get involved.) when I made my comment about sustainability.......
* This seems an unlikely option at this point.
- Something I never thought of was PCA!
* My reservations with PCA are:
1. I went to the Cayman Registry site and I cannot find the cars..... Great looking site though!
2. You have to be a PCA member to access the site?
3. Most things associated with PCA are usually limited in the number of pictures. Take a look at Panorama...... Light on pictures to say the least.
4. 928 enthusiasts sometimes feel slighted by PCA? Not me, I have a great history w/PCA. Was pres of the Carolinas Region in 1999 and have many good friends as a result.
I'm in no hurry to do anything so please, keep your thoughtful ideas/comments coming.
Best to all,
I'm going to take a couple days and think about what to do.
Here's where I'm at right now (in no particular order):
- Sell the site to someone or entity who will keep it going and enhance the site?
* one of the 928 specific vendors seems like the most suitable option
- Donate the site to the 928 OC
* I was/am completely unaware of the situation with 928 OC that AO mentioned (did a search and still not completely up to speed but I take it there was/is some major drama? In any case, I'm not involved and will not get involved.) when I made my comment about sustainability.......
* This seems an unlikely option at this point.
- Something I never thought of was PCA!
* My reservations with PCA are:
1. I went to the Cayman Registry site and I cannot find the cars..... Great looking site though!
2. You have to be a PCA member to access the site?
3. Most things associated with PCA are usually limited in the number of pictures. Take a look at Panorama...... Light on pictures to say the least.
4. 928 enthusiasts sometimes feel slighted by PCA? Not me, I have a great history w/PCA. Was pres of the Carolinas Region in 1999 and have many good friends as a result.
I'm in no hurry to do anything so please, keep your thoughtful ideas/comments coming.
Best to all,