Clean up the hosting forum

[Hoot]

Hello!

So currently the Hosting section is pretty messy with various duplicate requesting threads from people looking for the same 2gb mc server as everyone else, as well as offering threads from both summer hosts (hosts that only last a few months) and the real hosts trying to actually make something.

I think it would be best to split the section into a few sub forums.

Requesting - Users can post and request hosting that fits their needs.

Hosts - A section where anyone can offer hosting services.

Verified Hosts - A section that has requirements to post in. Skme requirements maybe include:
- Legal company registration such as an LLC or sole proprietorship.
- Be in business for more than 6 months.
- Business reputation (possibly no less than X positive rep on the user offering services).

Maybe 2 of 3 requirements must be met.

General Discussion - Users can post review threads, ask for help, etc.

Also just a side note Mick, this can make you more money on sticky threads as you’d have 2 hosting sub forums to buy a sticky from, hosts and verified hosts.

Please let me know your thoughts as I’d like to hear what others think could be done to organize this better.

 

[Ajdin]

Yes but why would anyone ever want to use the 'unverified' sub forum?

Exactly my point. Why would anyone want to use a subforum which is filled with (mostly) illegal and unregistered businesses. This is the whole point of this suggestion. This is a filter for the people who actually take the whole hosting industry serious.

When you're a registered business, you had the funds, paperwork, investment and legitimacy to register yourself. In Belgium(using as an example as I have a Belgian company) an investment of €16 800 is required for a limited liability company. This already means something. It means that the company has funds, a business plan(which had to get approved by a bank), a proper strategy, etc compared to your average summerhost which starts in July and ends in September.

As Taafe stated, MCF did this. It worked great for them that they eventually completely disallowed non-registered businesses. This only makes sense.

A lot of people don't actually realize it's illegal to represent yourself as a company and to actually accept money as a company while you're not filed as a registered business as businesses have a lot more legal obligations than let's say a freelancer.

Overall, this will increase the quality of the section immensely.

 

[Zeiyon]

Exactly my point. Why would anyone want to use a subforum which is filled with (mostly) illegal and unregistered businesses. This is the whole point of this suggestion. This is a filter for the people who actually take the whole hosting industry serious.

When you're a registered business, you had the funds, paperwork, investment and legitimacy to register yourself. In Belgium(using as an example as I have a Belgian company) an investment of €16 800 is required for a limited liability company. This already means something. It means that the company has funds, a business plan(which had to get approved by a bank), a proper strategy, etc compared to your average summerhost which starts in July and ends in September.

As Taafe stated, MCF did this. It worked great for them that they eventually completely disallowed non-registered businesses. This only makes sense.

A lot of people don't actually realize it's illegal to represent yourself as a company and to actually accept money as a company while you're not filed as a registered business as businesses have a lot more legal obligations than let's say a freelancer.

Overall, this will increase the quality of the section immensely.

I see what you mean, but that just doesn't make sense here. This is a Minecraft Forum. I don't think this is a place where people with thousands of dollars come to invest.
If for example, I wanted to start a host, this would cause a real problem. All the customers would just be interested in the big hosts, who are now on the front page. While I have to run my host, get a few customers here and there, and then hope that the time comes when I am eligible for the main section.
This stops (or decreases) competition, which is never good.

 

[Hoot]

I see what you mean, but that just doesn't make sense here. This is a Minecraft Forum. I don't think this is a place where people with thousands of dollars come to invest.
If for example, I wanted to start a host, this would cause a real problem. All the customers would just be interested in the big hosts, who are now on the front page. While I have to run my host, get a few customers here and there, and then hope that the time comes when I am eligible for the main section.
This stops (or decreases) competition, which is never good.

If you were to start a host you can easily become verified. For example in the US, LLC filings can cost as little as $90 if I remember right (Mine was only about $130). If a "company" can't afford something that costs less than $100 they shouldn't really be in business.

Also just another note, a sole proprietorship costs only $25, which is next to nothing considering the cost of running a business in the first place.

 

[Zeiyon]

If you were to start a host you can easily become verified. For example in the US, LLC filings can cost as little as $90 if I remember right (Mine was only about $130). If a "company" can't afford something that costs less than $100 they shouldn't really be in business.

Also just another note, a sole proprietorship costs only $25, which is next to nothing considering the cost of running a business in the first place.

Oh, I thought there were more regulations.
Like you had to be active for a time period before getting verified.
If its just getting a company, I agree.

 

[Wesley]

Definitely support this, seems like common sense for this to be implemented.

 

[Keenan]

Please Do this. Love the idea.

 

[Klanx]

Sounds amazing. This would greatly slash the legit business's from the fake ones.

 

[NarutoAlts]

Good Idea

 

[Chad Griffith]

I don't like this because there is also reviews

Nobody asked what you like.

 

[BuildNIX]

Vouch I definitely agree this should be added Mick Justis. I know I tagged you but it seems to be a winner

 

[Mick]

I’ll move this to pending. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Ajdin]

I’ll move this to pending. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hey Mick. It's been 2.5 month since this was moved to pending.
Do you have any planned changes or ideas?

It'd be good if you shared them with us so that we can give our input too.

 

[Lockett]

Hey Mick. It's been 2.5 month since this was moved to pending.
Do you have any planned changes or ideas?

Would also love to see some sort of update on this.

 

[TonyMaster21]

10/10 idea

 

[Carlos.B]

I absolutely agree with this. I agree with Hoot that there should be a Verified Hosts forum and another forum for the other hosts. And like ive seen BeBosny and others say multiple times, this is more than fair. This I believe will help the customers know what companies they can rely on. New hosts or “summer hosts” will be open 2-3 months and then once the owner feels like shutting it down or cant pay it it screws over all of the customers. Sometimes the owner is nice enough to give them a heads up, sometimes the heads up is the machine shitting down and see ya! Totally would love to see this implemented!

 

[CheekyMonkey]

Yes, It does need a little clean up 100% Agree with this!

 

[BrettPlays]

I’ll move this to pending. Thanks for the suggestion.

SoonTM?

 

[Ally]

Why wasn't this done in the latest announcement, it would have fit right in...