Anyone using Throttlebox or Clonebox?

[Bec]

If you are, can you give me some feedback on just how necessary and thorough you found them to be in conjunction with your paysite maintenance?

For those that don't know what these are: https://bettercgi.com/

[gaybucks_chip]

We use Throttlebox and it's amazing. It's cut down on the people who join for a trial and download everything and then quit, and has also improved overall access to the site by managing bandwidth.

Took a little while to get it tweaked to the point that it was reasonable so members didn't bitch, and we got a few complaints until we made a custom error page that pops up when people exceed their bandwidth allocation. It explains why we manage bandwidth, what they can do to fairly use the site and avoid the errors, and gives a link if they want to comment about it. Since the error messages, I think we've gotten maybe two complaints total.

It also gives great reporting so if someone claims they didn't have access to the site and asks for a refund, you can run a report of every video and still image they've viewed. I've defused several bogus refund requests that way.

[PFLJayden]

We use PhantomFrog.com. It only allows them to download so much in a time period. It protects against password sharing, depth linking, automated customer support, GEOIP tracking, I've found it to be better than strongbox, and far much better than pennywise.
Switching to Phantom Frog, it's really helped in terms of bandwidth on the server.

From what Chip Said.... We get the same features with Frog. And our trials do stay longer.

Of course, you'll always get the bitchy members who want everything this instant. With the custom error page, it cuts down on the bitchy members.

[Bec]

It sounds like one of these is a must have then. Do you have to buy these for every site, or is this server based, and works with multiple domains?

[PFLJayden]

PhantomFrog, it's per domain. I can't remember about strongbox.

[raymor]

Here's another thread on gayWide where several people commented on Strongbox:
http://forums.gaywidewebmasters.com/...14287&posted=1

[Bec]

Here's another thread on gayWide where several people commented on Strongbox:
http://forums.gaywidewebmasters.com/...14287&posted=1

Thanks Ray for pointing that out, but I'm wanting more info on your Throttlebox, and its pricing.

[raymor]

Certainly feel free to give us a call to discuss any details and your specific needs.
In the US, 979-530-1300. Phone numbers for other countries are on our web site.

On pricing, you actually have a couple of options we normally offer and in
unusual situations we can also work out custom pricing to fit your needs. Normally
we do a straight purchase, on Throttlebox or Strongbox, not a monthly lease like
"the other guys" who have the simple bandwidth counters. At $65 / month, the
monthly ones cost you $2,340 over three years. We think something like $150
is a lot more fair, rather than $2,340. However, a couple of webmasters have
asked for a monthly option, so we give you that choice, at $25 / month. Some
people use that to give it a try for a month before purchase. In the long run, the
purchase is so much more cost effective I hate to see people "throwing away"
thousands of dollars by leasing, even if they are throwing it our way.

We also want our systems to be affordable for the new webmaster with a small site,
and $150 is within reach. At the same time, the networks with 25 sites want more
support and such than $150 will cover, so some of them insist on paying a
fair price for our time. We've found per-site pricing to fit well - the guy running his
own solo site with 12 members can be protected, and the huge network can get the
tools and support they need. There are discounts as you get more sites.
It starts at $150 for the first site, with discounts starting at five sites (or $25 / month).

Clonebox uses several new technologies to offer a really amazing value.
Essentially, you get four spare servers, copies of your site at four different points
in time, for as little as $28. The pricing is based on how much disk space you
use.
Small to medium sized sites are covered by the $6 and $28 options. If you have
more than 200 GB of content, the easiest way to get your cost is to use the tool
on our web page. You put in the amounts of space you need and it tells you the
price:
https://www.bettercgi.com/clonebox/pricing.html

The Clonebox pricing is another example of our high value pricing, making sure you
get every bit of what you pay for. With most companies, you have to choose between
package A or package B, or perhaps package C. You've seen it with hosting -
they offer a 50GB plan and a 500 GB plan. What if you need 65 GB? You're forced
to pay for 500GB anyway, so you're paying for 435 GB that you aren't using.
The hosts (and other companies) make a lot of money that way, but we think
it's more fair to charge you just for what you use.

[gaybucks_chip]

All other things being equal, I know there's PhantomFrog and whatever that other one that's always hyping why they're better than everyone else in less-than-completely-forthright ways... but I'll go for Ray's stuff every time.

I've had extensive conversations with Ray about the theory behind both Throttlebox and Strongbox (and about security and bandwidth management in general), and it's really clear to me that he has a depth of understanding that pretty much runs circles around anyone else in the business.

When you look at the way that Strongbox and Throttlebox do what they do, the elegance with which they do it, the minimal-to-nonexistent server load the applications create, and the VERY reasonable pricing, with no ongoing fees, costs or charges, plus the really rapid response if you need help... it's hard to argue with that sort of commitment to your customer.

I'm sure that the other two are perfectly decent proejcts, but I seriously doubt they have the level of sophistication in their application AND the level of commitment to the customer that you'll find with Strongbox and Throttlebox.

[Bec]

I'm sure that the other two are perfectly decent proejcts, but I seriously doubt they have the level of sophistication in their application AND the level of commitment to the customer that you'll find with Strongbox and Throttlebox.

I'm heavily leaning in favor of the Strongbox and Throttlebox combination. I really can't say I've ever seen anything negative about Ray's products in the seven or so years I've been on the boards. Plus I really like the buy it and own it and not have to be making monthly payments. And as already mentioned, the prices are very fair.

Ray - I did notice your affiliate link isn't working on your www.bettercgi.com website ... have you pulled your program?

[raymor]

Ray - I did notice your affiliate link isn't working on your www.bettercgi.com website ... have you pulled your program?

It's working now. To stop all of the automated registrations, I was in the process
of adding a Turing image (captcha) to the sign up form.