Airliners.net Sold to Demand Media!

[nwafan20]

A little common sense shows that they aren't into aviation...

They have several websites, quite a few are just full of ads, nothing else, they are a company whos goal is to make money... I don't see how you think otherwise....

Either way, I don't really care one way or the other, it doesn't effect me all that much, i'm just pointing out the facts.

[NIKV69]

They have several websites, quite a few are just full of ads, nothing else, they are a company whos goal is to make money...

Ads are a way to generate money. Johan did it on his site long before DM came along. If you read what Johan wrote he and henks and the existing infrastructure will stay in place. DM will manage the hardware and other stuff like programming etc. They are a company that provides a service and for that service they get paid. I doubt they are going to take over the site and fill it with pop ups so they can collect millions but if that is how you feel don't upload there and don't patronize the site.

i'm just pointing out the facts.

Actually your pointing out assumptions based on what you feel. Also rooted in some sort of bitterness it sounds like.

[nwafan20]

Also rooted in some sort of bitterness it sounds like.

Haha, no bitterness at all! I enjoy A.net, don't upload much just due to the fact that I hate waiting 2 weeks for photos to be screened. and like I said I am indifferent to what happens with DM and A.net, I understand how business works and quite frankly, if I was in Johan's position I would probably cash out as well.

I respect his decision, but you would be nuts to say that Demand Media is into aviation the way Johan was. Obviously they aren't in it to look at pretty pictures of airplanes. They will try to make as much money off of it as possible without driving people away (Less people = less hits = less money) There is no other reason they would buy it up. Just think about it...

But again, no bitterness, I don't see why you would say that.

[mirrodie]

Listen, I've watched you all bicker enough to tell you, none of you know what you are talking about.

I don't claim to know all the details. But I can say this. While Demand Media, the company, does not bill itself to be "into" aviation as you think, rest assured that a few of the members of DM that I have talked to are into aviation.

Seriously into aviation.

If they chose to go into further detail to refute the ridiculous speculations here, that is their right.

BUt its sad to see such an amount of speculation when you have nothing to go by.

[NIKV69]

I hate waiting 2 weeks for photos to be screened

We are all sociopaths to an extent and always want instant gratification but 2 weeks is not a long period of time to wait. In fact the wait time lately has been 7-9 days.

I would probably cash out as well.

You missed the point again. He didn't cash out he just brought someone in to do the grunt work with the servers and programming crap something he didn't want to do.

but you would be nuts to say that Demand Media is into aviation the way Johan was

Never said that, in fact how do you know how much Johan or anyone else is into aviation. Is there a special police unit like the fashion police that investigate how passionate someone is about aviation? Your probably right that they are not as into it as Johan but if you read Johan's thread he met with them and was happy with them. So they must like aviation a little bit.

They will try to make as much money off of it as possible without driving people away

How would they drive anyone away?

BUt its sad to see such an amount of speculation when you have nothing to go by.

Exactly..

[nwafan20]

We are all sociopaths to an extent and always want instant gratification but 2 weeks is not a long period of time to wait. In fact the wait time lately has been 7-9 days.

I understand, but the way I work is I can never get it off my mind until it is done with screening, that is why I upload to JP.net more, because it's only 2-3 days.

You missed the point again. He didn't cash out he just brought someone in to do the grunt work with the servers and programming crap something he didn't want to do.

Demand Media purchased A.net, they weren't just "hired" to do the grunt work.... Technically (it won't happen) but if they wanted to they could shut down the site, they own it now, Johan has no control over that.

Never said that, in fact how do you know how much Johan or anyone else is into aviation. Is there a special police unit like the fashion police that investigate how passionate someone is about aviation? Your probably right that they are not as into it as Johan but if you read Johan's thread he met with them and was happy with them. So they must like aviation a little bit.

Are you telling me Johan isn't into aviation? If he wasn't into it, why did he create a website from the ground up devoted to it? It sure wasn't for the money....

How would they drive anyone away?

Too many ads.

BUt its sad to see such an amount of speculation when you have nothing to go by.

There is speculation on both sides, you are speculating as well, that is really all we can do, but the future will show us who was correct.

[PhilDernerJr]

Johan said he'd only stick around for the TRANSITION. Once complete, it seems like he's leaving for good.

[bonanzabucks]

but you would be nuts to say that Demand Media is into aviation the way Johan was

I was one of the original members of A.net. Actually, I had a discussion about this with a few members of this forum. I don't recall Johan ever being deeply involved with the aviation forums, not even when the site was really small. I'm sure he liked aviation and aviation photography, but I don't think he was such a fanatic about it like we are.

[mirrodie]

you are speculating as well,

No. Actually, what I said was fact. Not speculation.

I don't feel I have to divulge further details but I'd rather stop the train in its tracks than let the rumors continue.

Now again, for the record, I do not know nor claim to know if "Demand Media" is 'into' aviation as as company but having gotten to know at least 2 of the heads of the group, I can tell you they are seriously into aviation.

If and when they feel like divulging that info, they will.

-M

[Mateo]

The difference is that a.net was created by an enthusiast for enthusiasts. If he made money on it, great, we all wish we could have done the same. Selling it, fine, a business decision. But now, the beneficiary of the generosity of the users is no longer an enthusiast and a member of our community, but a company that holds a.net as a part of its portfolio. Any submission now is simply giving Demand Media, a company with no demonstrated connection to the enthusiast community, equity without any compensation in return.

[PhilDernerJr]

I can agree and understand that, but what if they improve on the site, and in return for your patronage, give you an amazing service? Does that mean nothing to you?

What if they improve Anet to the point where they make major contributions to the hobby. Is it really all negated just because they're a corporation?

[mirrodie]

*sighs* :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

see http://www.airliners.net/discussions/si ... 62921/1/#1

Reply 92 and 121


I can't understand why some here cannot actually fathom that you can A) be a corporate entity and b) also be an enthusiast :roll: :roll: :roll:

[njgtr82]

I can't understand why some here cannot actually fathom that you can A) be a corporate entity and b) also be an enthusiast :roll: :roll: :roll:

I agree Mario, and on that I hope it works out well for all involved.

[NIKV69]

I can't understand why some here cannot actually fathom that you can A) be a corporate entity and b) also be an enthusiast

Because you have people that believe that you have to behave a certain way to be an enthusiast and be a "proper" spotter. It's all a smoke screen.

[Mateo]

Saying that there's someone with a PPL who likes airplanes at Demand Media is no more equivalent than saying there's someone with a PPL who likes airplanes at any medium-sized company. The database of 1.X million photos is now an asset for Demand Media, an asset that was built solely through the generosity of the uploaders, who neither sought nor were offered compensation. Now that a.net and its prime asset is a line item on a balance sheet, there's little reason to essentially drop money in Demand Media's bucket without getting anything real back (goodwill and intangibles are not a return).