1 of 1- Lorne
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- From: Toronto, Ontario
- Registered: December 30, 2018
- Posts: 1,543
A special announcement about this board
Boardhost has advised me that they are discontinuing their free service plan, which is what this board has been using since I set it up in 2018. They have made this decision because of declining ad revenue, which is no longer sufficient for them to continue to offer their free service.
The cost to switch to Boardhost's paid service would be about $173 US/year, or about $240 for me in Canadian dollars. However, there is another free, similar service offered by ProBoards, and I feel that it offers a good alternative for us.
In addition, there are some other aspects to the situation that have me thinking that a new site could be worthwhile. Over the past several years, there haven't been as many new people join this board as I would have hoped for originally. Our most significant source of new members has been from my local radio-tv forum, where the moderator has helped promote this board by periodically referring to it and including a link to it on the forum's index page. And that's been very much appreciated, but I've wished that there would be more people finding us through other means, such as from doing a Google search. So while I don't know if it will make any difference, I figure that using another site could be worth a try.
In addition, I've been thinking about how radio stations with a classic hits format (focusing more on the 1970s and beyond, but sometimes also including 1960s music), are increasingly popular compared to stations with an oldies format. And while I still think of oldies in a positive way, and that era of music remains my favourite, my understanding is that classic hits can be more appealing and relevant to many people who are younger than I am.
So I think that a new name and website could be of some benefit to us. Accordingly, I have set up a new site called The Oldies and Classic Hits Forum. That name still gives primacy to oldies, but could also be more inviting to people who are more oriented towards classic hits.
So I would encourage everyone here to come join the new forum and see what it's like. Finally, Boardhost will be continuing to provide free service for the next three months, so that will help to provide the time needed for people here to become aware of the new site.
- aflem
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- Registered: August 11, 2019
- Posts: 1,781
Re: A special announcement about this board
This is both good news and bad news. The bad is I liked the Boardhost fomat. The good is this place is just moving, not leaving.
I like the current board but will welcome the new one when it gets populated. I guess the best things in life AREN'T free, after all.
Good luck with the new site Lorne. Thanks for all your work on this one. I've already joined the newcomer.
Although I have to admit, I'll miss my "An Oldie But A Goodie" thread that has over 160,000 page views!
See you on the other side on the web!
aflem
- Little Rich
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- From: Juneau, Alaska
- Registered: December 31, 2018
- Posts: 414
Re: A special announcement about this board
What both of you, Lorne and aflem, said. We are just expanding which is okay in my book. We are not deleting, simply adding on. I, personally, welcome the idea. We changed once (that I'm aware of) when Lorne, so graciously, volunteered to take the reins and at that time we decided to accept comments and messages that addressed topics beyond the '50s, '60s and '70s. Formats and subject matters have changed, including entirely different array of rock genres, subgenres, sub-subgenres. I've seen a few "new" names that have contributed info for the "good of the cause" and many of been very informative. IMHO, we need to remember that rock has no time dimension because the current music has roots back, at least, 100 years. One of my favorite albums is Eric Clapton's "Me and Mr. Johnson" with Clapton acknowledging Johnson's talents and contributions to rock music - back to the 1930s. In addition some of the great artists continue to kick out some great, great music, e.g. The Rolling Stones' most recent album, Foreign Tongues, with sounds that nostalgically take me back some of their great tunes of the '60s and '70s.
Personally, I have learned a lot since I signed onto the original web site back in about 2003 and I am forever grateful for all the people who have contributed their vast wealth of knowledge and experience. I continue to share that with my listeners on my weekly 2-hr radio show. However, I recognize it's time for me to put some changes in style and format and a part of that is to add more contemporary music with which I am not familiar, but staying within the broad spectrum of "rock." I'm going to sound "old" but I, personally, will not embrace or stay in rhythm or cadence with the hip hop or rap.
With Lorne's suggestion,we can expand our resources and learn from a larger cadre of rock enthusiasts.
I applaud Lorne for his efforts and knowledge for several years. You're a good man Lorne and thanks for the ideas and your service Sir.
Rich
Last edited by Little Rich (June 15, 2026 3:47 pm)
- Roman
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- Registered: January 5, 2019
- Posts: 368
Re: A special announcement about this board
I'm in. Rock on!
- memphis boy
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- Registered: December 30, 2018
- Posts: 301
Re: A special announcement about this board
I'm there, without thinking clearly I used Rob instead of Memphis Boy
- GrimsbyFan
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- Registered: December 30, 2018
- Posts: 427
Re: A special announcement about this board
I'm sure hoping that the focus of the new board does not end up with less and less discussion of "true" oldies (50s, 60s, 70s). Guess I'm one of those dinosaurs.
The pessimist in me says that it will, just going by what has happened to the oldies radio format. Unless you are willing to pay monthly for the likes of Sirius/XM, or you can track down some of the niche oldies shows on the internet, you can no longer find a true oldies format anywhere. As Lorne described it, that format has been expanded to appeal to a wider audience, with the result that the late 50s and 60s music is just an afterthought. Sure hope that doesn't happen on the new board.
I also fear that we might lose some of the visitors to the old board. It's very difficult to carry watchers, listeners. or readers with you when you make a change to a different location. Maybe getting some new visitors will compensate.
Off to register on the new board and see if we can stir up some interest with a new topic for discussion.
Thanks Lorne for all you do.