Awesome! Happy being a part of this amazing community.

That is great news, glad to be a part of it.  OGR is the BEST!

Thank you Rich for providing this forum. It has been an enormous help to all of us.

Great, come on more people!!! More ideas~!

That is a remarkable gain over last year. Nice to see the forum generating such a gain in interest. 

Bob

We have a good leader.

Good show !!  Congratulations.

Rich, 

thank you for your vision and dedication.

And umm, putting up with some of us.

Thanks Rich 

OGR forum is the best !!!!!

Alex 

Great to hear!

John H posted:

We have a good leader.

John, that's a very kind thing to say, but this forum is not growing because of me. It is growing because of people like YOU and the thousands of others just like you who post here every day.

You should all give yourselves a big, "Atta boy!" 

That is great news Rich.  It really is a great forum with great folks and great trains.

I was spending much time reading the OGR forum, so I subscribed to the digital edition of OGR to help support the forum. I still spend more time reading the forum than the magazine. I have learned much information from the forum that has saved me much time working on my layout. There is much useful information out there, and a lot of people willing to share this information. Thanks to all who contribute.

Kudos, high fives, and congrats to all of us, Rich, for making OGR forum the success it is!

Great going gals and guys.

Fantastic!

Peter

Frenchie member says: bravo! 

jpv69

Rich:

Your humility is admirable, but this forum would not be nearly as successful without your policies and active management. 

Other O Gauge forums have come and gone, I think folks tire of wading through the petty name calling and bickering that's allowed there.  I know that after I look at one of those others, I feel like I've wasted my time and resolve never to go there again.  I visit this forum multiple times every day and always find something of value.

YOU and the folks that help you police this forum certainly do deserve substantial credit for it's sucesss.

Thanks!

Excellent News!!!

That's good news!  Thanks and congrats to all who participate here, and to Rich and the OGR Team.  A special shout out to the "Ad Man" Alan Arnold and to all of the Forum sponsors, too.  Let's keep it going!

OK, I will be the one who asks.  Please define billable page views.   Is there a floating advertising charge to the advertisers?  Is this the view count of forum pages or advertiser's banner clicks? Thank you.

"Billable Page Views" is the number that Hoopla uses to determine how much they will charge us for the month. We were on a service plan that allowed up to 10 million pages per month before surcharges kicked in. We just moved up to a larger, more expensive plan with a 15 million page view monthly limit. Good thing we did!

The number is how many pages were viewed by forum members in the month.

Apparently this just proves that the many make this forum great. The forum seems to have gained momentum despite the few departed that preached its demise without them. Oh my. 

This is an fantastic place.  I come here several days a week after work and on weekends.  Unable to contribute layout or modeling things just yet, but get inspired by all the ideas, info, and great stuff in so many scales.  I am into O and S scale - but find myself drawn to the HONGZ forum and now the tinplate one also.  Thanks and thanks to a great community of train enthusiasts.

OGR Webmaster posted:

"Billable Page Views" is the number that Hoopla uses to determine how much they will charge us for the month. We were on a service plan that allowed up to 10 million pages per month before surcharges kicked in. We just moved up to a larger, more expensive plan with a 15 million page view monthly limit. Good thing we did!

The number is how many pages were viewed by forum members in the month.

Sounds like that level won't last long...is there a 20 million plan?

Great news Rich.  I have said many times that the Forum is is one great source of (GOOD) information.

Amazing stats!!!  This place is really hoping

OGR Webmaster posted:

I just copied and pasted this from the stats page on the forum web server. These are the stats for the month of March 2016:

Total Billable Page Views For Month - 11,876,426

That is a new record for March!
Last year the total for March 2015 was 8,116,288.

Thanks everyone!

Awesome!!!  I wonder if it has something to do with the new forum upgrade format. Now people have easier access by using their cell phones and tablets.

Congratulations to OGR, to all the forum members for their participation and sponsors for their support. And a big thanks to OGR for providing the forum and all the work needed to make it possible and also to all the participants that make it beneficial to everyone here.

After getting back into the hobby a few years ago, I have learned more here than all other places combined. Probably the best place anywhere to learn about our hobby. I also thank all the members that share their vast knowledge and help others here, which makes it possible for us all to learn. I wish continued success to all involved in the operation, participation and support of the OGR forum. I hope it continues for many years to come.

This is Awesome!!!!  Looks to me like there is a huge growing interest in our hobby.... and not a diminishing interest as some may want to believe.  

I'm delighted to be part of such a wonderful community as we have here on the OGR Forum!

trumptrain posted:

This is Awesome!!!!  Looks to me like there is a huge growing interest in our hobby.... and not a diminishing interest as some may want to believe.  

I'm delighted to be part of such a wonderful community as we have here on the OGR Forum!

It is awesome, but I don't think you can make that correlation. Page views of a hobby forum aren't a good indicator of hobby growth. It would be nice if it were true, but it isn't. 

Rich,

That is an incredible number.  But you are not giving yourself(s) nearly enough credit.  The  work OGR puts into managing this is what makes it such a great place.  In any group of people there will always be 1 or 2 that just want to cause trouble.  You shut them down pretty quick.  

Lastly, were  it not for the information sharing the forum provides and the amazing members always willing to help me my layout would still be 4x8 piece of plywood with some track and that's all.

Thank you,

Ed

P.S. Can you post some photos for those of us who cannot attend the mega gala celebration you surely will be having at OGR World Headquarters?

Congratulations to the entire OGR Forum team.

Keep up the great work.

That's great news.

Good luck, John 

Congrats to all involved!!!

Congrats, Rich, and thanks for maintaining/operating the Forum.

When I saw the stats a week or so ago...I was amazed!!  Rich and I had discussed that we needed to let you all know since it is YOU that have made this forum so active.  I am glad he waited until the end of the month for the final stats since in just about a hand full of days, we added over a million page views!!!

MartyE....thanks for the "observation" in your first post above....yep, we are still here and growing tremendously.  I have had folks write, call, and email me letting me know that they come to the OGR Forum because it has become "the one stop shop" where those in our hobby can come and not only have train related discussions with the vast and helpful knowledge our members are willing to share but can also find just about anything they want or service they are needing through our extensive list of sponsors/advertisers. 

Kudos goes to all of our members and subscribers along with our advertisers.....!!  Without you all, we would not be!!

Thank ALL of you so very much!!

All the Best,

Alan

Big  "Atta Boy!"  To Us All!!!

 Chief Bob (Retired)

Awesome! 

Happy to be here. 

I'm not much of a "joiner", but I find this forum (which I visit daily) to be a wonderful community, that I'm proud to be part of.

Rich and Crew,

Please let me second Pat Marinari's comments!

What sets this forum apart from so many others is the time and effort you and the moderators and both Allans put in to manage and fund it. The civility and high quality of information is a reflection of your efforts. We are all beneficiaries of a structured environment that allows creativity and sharing to flourish.

Thanks! This forum has been tremendously helpful!

Fred

This place has great ideas and discussions. I find several things to read daily. Glad to have been part of March!

MartyE posted:

Sounds like that level won't last long...is there a 20 million plan?

LOL. Yes, there is. It just takes more money...

Jayson Vilett posted:

Awesome!!!  I wonder if it has something to do with the new forum upgrade format. Now people have easier access by using their cell phones and tablets.

Jayson, I think that may have something to do with this. Good observation.

Thanks again for a great site. Congrats and carry on.

FANTASTIC!

I think I use OGR Forum "SEARCH" more than I use Google.  What a fantastic resource!

Thank you.

OGR Webmaster posted:

"Billable Page Views" is the number that Hoopla uses to determine how much they will charge us for the month. We were on a service plan that allowed up to 10 million pages per month before surcharges kicked in. We just moved up to a larger, more expensive plan with a 15 million page view monthly limit. Good thing we did!

The number is how many pages were viewed by forum members in the month.

Great news, Rich!

... and per your last sentence, above: Does this mean that people who are not forum members who browse this great forum, are not included in the stats?

Also, is there a way to contribute ($) to the forum without being a forum sponsor? (The only other forum I visit daily, in addition to the OGR forum, is the AccurateShooter forum, and you can contribute any amount, anytime, which I do.)

Thank you for your hard work.

Alex

Not to shabby!!! . 

This is great news. For me the new format has increased my use on my iPhone especially while traveling and commuting. The ease of taking photos on the phone and uploading onto the forum is amazing making for a more enjoyable experience. 

That is very impressive!

Thank you everyone; OGR staff for administering the forum, sponsors for helping pay for the forum, and contributors for all the great information and friendships that are shared!  I am glad I found this forum 4 years ago!!

Ingeniero No1 posted:

OGR Webmaster posted:

"Billable Page Views" is the number that Hoopla uses to determine how much they will charge us for the month. We were on a service plan that allowed up to 10 million pages per month before surcharges kicked in. We just moved up to a larger, more expensive plan with a 15 million page view monthly limit. Good thing we did!

The number is how many pages were viewed by forum members in the month.

Great news, Rich!

... and per your last sentence, above: Does this mean that people who are not forum members who browse this great forum, are not included in the stats?

Also, is there a way to contribute ($) to the forum without being a forum sponsor? (The only other forum I visit daily, in addition to the OGR forum, is the AccurateShooter forum, and you can contribute any amount, anytime, which I do.)

Thank you for your hard work.

Alex

Alex....contact me as we do have opportunities for members if they are interested in contributing in some way through $$$.

Thanks,

Alan

All this makes  Alan's job easier !!

Ingeniero No1 posted:

OGR Webmaster posted:

"Billable Page Views" is...how many pages were viewed by forum members in the month.

... and per your last sentence, above: Does this mean that people who are not forum members who browse this great forum, are not included in the stats?

Good catch, Alex.

This is the total number of pages served to members AND NON-MEMBERS who view this forum. Non-members who browse this forum ARE included in those stats.

I didn't state it quite right, did I? 

Rich, Rich, Rich, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Rich!! RA!

To All OGR Forumites,

The OGR Forum is the go to place for all problems and solutions.

If an answer is not posted right away, one will be posted by a member shortly.

Where else can you find such help from a group of Highly Respected and Technical Personnel.

Thank You Rich, you know I'm responsible for about .000001 % of those hits.

It's and outstanding forum with great leadership and membership.  The information provided is always valuable, the members are always there for help and assistance.  I remember I had a problem around midnight while running my trains on my test track and I threw the question on the forum and Marty Fitzhenry and Jim Barrett jumped on in there and assisted me all the way.  I was happy,  believe me, just because it was midnight and somebody was up and about and willing and able to help, but what really made it special for me was they stayed the course with me until my problem was solved.  Need I say more !!  The videos, magazines, up to date on Open Houses, YORK, etc., etc., etc., I think I've painted a pretty good picture.  Nonetheless, see y'all at York this weekend.

As they say on just about every pizza box in NY, "You tried all the rest, now try the best!"

For me, this is the best and I can get many opinions with good solid advice and few laughs thrown in from time to time.  It's a truly an amazing resource and wealth of knowledge.

THE  place for all O scale railroaders for sure......

And I wonder what the count would be if I had been hanging out here like normal and not using 99% of my spare time on my Mustang restoration????? 

Thanks OGR gang

OGR set another record because they earned it!   This is because people can relate to OGR in a way that the other magazines cannot touch.  Your people are out there in touch with the model railroad community. Whether its the dinners at York, the booth (and the picture) at Allentown, or the presence at Trainstock, the OGR staff is there, receptive , cordial and helpful.  We know your people and they know us. You have brought people together and created a big family atmosphere. This type of business model is scarce in today's world and the results show that people appreciate it.

Kudos to all the OGR staff, to you Rich, and to all the members who make this site so awesome.

And because of this thread I can now understand why it takes substantial $$$$ to run the forum, and why solid sponsors are necessary to make it all tick. I think a lot of us take for granted all the stuff that goes on in the background that must work to make it all a success. Great info!

So the forum is operated by Hoopla, and presumably all the information and countless pages of contributions is maintained on their servers, and they charge in billable page views for the service, right? Seems reasonable. Any statistics as to what volume of storage space the forum occupies on their servers?Would it get to a point somewhere that it might make economic sense for OGR to operate its own servers to handle the forum? Just thinking out loud......

Rod

That's great news keep up the good work!!