(Yahoo) groups

[GayGroupGeek]

There used to be QueerIT. Where did they go? I have found this link with their former logo on it:

queerit.zzn.com

Then there was xxxratedgroups now routing to a Plesk default install page.

xxxratedgroups.com

It would appear both of these have been taken down, but why? Cost of operating? Legal issues? 2257?

There are some new social networking platforms of course and some appear to allow adult and gay content. However, it is likely they would eventually take the route of Y! in arbitrary group deletion.

With the collective talent here, is it possible to establish a groups site using out-of-the-box or open source ware? A business model that might be applicable is that of SNAPP, where among other ad revenue, Google AdSense proceeds are split between the group operator and the hosting site:

me.com/snapp.php

What about group/social net ware? I have been looking at the following:

FREEWARE:

PHPizabi - phpizabi.net/

COMMERCIAL:

PHPFox - phpfox.com/

E-Friends - alstrasoft.com/efriends.htm

Any other links or ideas? Thanks in advance and thanks to ASVICS for making me aware of this forum.

Kyle

[Tyler Mac]

yeah, in my opinion I have never found a better sysetem to "advertise" than yahoo groups... if done right can be a cash cow :-)

[Fister]

Some of the MSN adult groups converted over to http://www.worldgroups.com/. I haven't perused it in a long time, so I don't know how popular it is.

[hdkbill]

Yahoo can be a good source of revenue but if it's porn...especially anything they consider unusual....fisting, bareback, etc., all it takes is for one person to complain and WHAM...it's gone. Or, even worse, they ban or delete the Owner so the group stays there and it it's moderated WHICH IT SHOULD BE, they no one can join and no post can go get posted.

What I've done is to create 4 or 5 different Yahoo ID's, then I start a group under a certain ID as the owner. Then I join the group under all of the other Yahoo ID's and make them moderators. So, if the owner gets banned, the other ID's can continue to moderate, post, approve members and post by members. All Yahoo groups should be moderated and memberships should be approved by the moderators. And, then, of course, don't allow spam and be very cautious about sending any of your own advertising to the group. I usually do it by sending photos of our films with our watermarks on them and only do a message to the group when we are having a sale or a new release comes out.

Google groups is also catching on in popularity and is doing really well for us and you don't have to worry about get banned or the group getting shut down. Google believes in 1st Amendment rights much more than does Yahoo.

Bill