For Sale: p2pnet
Hello, all:
Short version:
I’m afraid time and money have run out for p2pnet.net and I’m going to have to sell it. I’m looking for offers starting at $30,000.
If you’re interested and you’d like to talk about possibilities, please email me at p2pnetsale@shaw.ca and I’ll be glad to call you back, anywhere in the world [I have a Vonage phone] or you can call me.
Want to know more? Keep reading.
Long version:
I’ve never seen myself as addressing an audience, so to speak, a ‘reader base’. Instead, in my mind, I’ve been talking to a group of friends around the world, and that’s still the way I see it. But if I’m to continue talking to them, I have to put p2pnet on the block.
What are the stats? I’ll be glad to pass on the url to the counter I currently have running, bearing in mind the output won’t reflect reality because 99% of p2pnet stories have numbers at the end, meaning the counter doesn’t see the pages. And I don’t at this point have access to the raw log data. However, any new owner could easily see where things are at if they have an accurate analyzer on the server.
For now, although I really hesitate to mention Alexa.com because, among other things, it only shows visits from IE, it at least gives an idea of p2pnet’s traffic. As I write this [January 18, 2007], it ranks me at 31,604 , not too bad for a one-man, DIY site. p2pnet’s ‘reach’ is at 45 million and as a friend says, “You could probably safely double the Alexa numbers.”
The first-named sites linking to p2pnet, according to Alexa, are: Wikipedia (Rank: 12); Flickr (Rank: 37); Soso (Rank: 76); Digg (Rank: 75); MSNBC News (Rank: 2);
Community.livejournal.com (Rank: 71); and, Google News (Rank: 3).
Below is the current ‘per million’ Alexa.com chart, fed from Alexa.com.
Advertising
I’ve supported p2pnet, and met our personal bills, through the ads you see on the page. At one time they were enough, but only barely and even that was quite a while back.
Now, thanks to the fact Warner Music, EMI, Vivendi Universal and Sony BMG, the members of the Big 4 Organized Music cartel, have shut down two of my advertisers, and two others have cut back, there’s no way I can keep going.
People keep saying, What about Google Adsense? I’ve been there but they’ve blocked me out. I’ve also tried most of the other suggestions,Yahoo, for example. Moreover, p2pnet has a certain flavour which makes it definitely unpalatable to Google, Yahoo and others of their ilk. Which isn’t to say the site has no potential.
p2pnet was never intended to be a business, but if it’s to survive, clearly, it has to expand so it can at least break even, and this means advertising. If posts are sent to separate sections instead of one big archive, if there’s someone around to look after the tech end and someone else to take care of advertising, it has a huge amount of potential.
NPR
Last week, I was talking to a friend who’s a senior, independent analyst working the middle of the corporate entertainment world. “You’re like public radio,” he said. But unlike public radio, I don’t have teams of people on telephones regularly processing thousands of donations during funding drives. There’s a donations panel on the left, but it hasn’t brought in more than around $2,000 in total since 2002.
“People take you for granted,” said my analyst friend. “If you go, they’ll be really sorry you’re not around any more.”
I’d be sorry, too, but if I can find a buyer or a collaborator(s) or partner(s) and/or someone willing to hire me as a writer, editor, or whatever, p2pnet will stay online.
What next?
I’ve had three firm and two tentative offers to host p2pnet. But although I’m truly grateful, unfortunately, new hosting won’t be enough by itself. My wife, Liz, and I figure we have enough to pay the bills for another two months. I could hang in and hope, as I’ve been doing. But we have a 10-year-old daughter, a mortgage and all the other expenses of life to look after and I don’t want to leave myself with only two week’s money in hand. I don’t have money in the bank, and I don’t have a pension.
So here are the two options as I see them:
Favourite
Sell p2pnet to someone who’ll keep it going, with me in the editorial chair. I turned down $25,000 for p2pnet in 2003. More recently, $30,000 was on the table in a deadline offer made when I first posted that I’d reached critical point. That deadline has expired, but I figure $30K is still a fair place to start.
Not favourite
Sell p2pnet.net, sans content, outright to the highest bidder, hoping the new domain name owner will treat it and its readers well. In that event, I’d be happy to give everything from the last four years to some responsible person so it could be archived. There’s a lot of good info and data here and it’d be a shame to see it vanish.
And please, if you like p2pnet and you’d like to see it continue, either let me know by email, or post a comment below. And please, if you decide to comment, give your post a title so I can keep track.
That’s about it.
Cheers! And thanks. And all the best …
Jon Newton, Vancouver Island, January 18, 2007
======================================
January 18th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
I would sell it on eBay. Probably get a better price…
January 18th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
It would be superb if the site went as a going concern, handled by someone who really cares about all the issues p2pnet covers. If it had to close or became somthing not so good it would be a huge loss. It’s a real shame it had to come to this. Thanks for all the great work though, Jon.
January 18th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
It’s too bad that it has come to this but you have to put your family first. You’ve had a very good run and you should be proud of your work.
You probably already know where to list your site, but here are a couple of links anyway:
SitePoint – http://www.sitepoint.com/marketplace/
You can create an auction for $20. There seem to be a lot of serious buyers on that Website.
Sedo – http://www.sedo.com
You can list your site for free and they have an escrow service
Thanks for sticking it out this long and best of luck in the future.
January 18th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
I think what needs to be addressed is whether a potential buyer would also inherit Jon’s legal problems with Sharman.
January 19th, 2007 at 12:53 am
Good question. If you don’t know what’s behind it, please go here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5230776.stm
Meanwhile, a domain name is a piece of property which can be bought and sold. It isn’t a legal entity like a company which carries with it all of its debts and obligations. If you bought a TV from someone who happened to be in a lawsuit, that doesn’t make you party to, or liable for, the suit.
The parties in my case are: JON NEWTON, INTERSERVER, INC., JOHN DOE, JANE DOE, RICHARD ROE and JANE ROE. They don’t include p2pnet.net.
Of course, the buyer would have to decide, and be legally responsible for, whatever they publish on p2pnet (or any other domain, come to that) in the future.
Cheers!
January 19th, 2007 at 1:34 am
I’m very sorry to hear this Jon. As was mentioned, you’ve had a great run. Even the cartels have had silent monitors of the site. That speaks highly of you. Normally they will never admit publicly such is happening even though we always suspect.
I’ve been with you a long time it seems but rarely if ever do I use my registration. It has been very important to me that the anonymity offered by you through the site. I’ve always wished the words that I might write stand on their own merit; just as you have done. You can almost earmark some of my posts either by the complaint of xx amount of times to validate or by ^^Spam^^. I guess I cared for this site and it mattered to me.
From time to time you’ve been nice enough to take those words to make a new post from reader comments. I first met you on another site, the one you came from to make this one. You and perhaps the long term folks know of it. Even there, at times I’ve seen recopies of the posts here (mine own included). I’ve no ill will on that, it is after all the internet.
It is regretful that unless some means is found that you will close the doors here. It’s been a wonderful service you have provided the public and myself as well. I’ve seen your articles all over the net as reprints and copies. That says well for you in that you are both well known to the community and your words are worth hearing. Even the trolls have had their say.
I would end this by wishing you the very best of the best as you continue on in life. I hope our paths cross sometime in the future again. I would send the money to support your efforts were it possible but alas, my conditions aren’t much better than yours for other reasons.
I would ask one last favor from you. Please remove this registration info including the nick before sales. While long association has taught me I can trust you; I can not say the same for someone who is a total stranger. Should you return, should you manage to keep the site up and running, or should some other method open up, I will return to re-register.
Best of luck to you and yours, Jon. It’s truly been my honor to text here.
January 19th, 2007 at 2:03 am
Yup. We go back aways : ) But as I just emailed someone else:
“This shouldn’t be seen as a cave-in, an attempt to take the money and run. It’s the exact opposite, in fact. Because I’ve run out of personal resources, I’m trying to find another way to keep p2pnet online …”
I’ve incurred a very large amount of personal debt to keep p2pnet going and I just can’t manage any more.
But having said that, you know that Fat Lady? Well, she hasn’t even tuned up : )
Cheers!
January 19th, 2007 at 2:17 am
In form or another, pleace keep up the good work, Jon! Your articles have been a pleasure to read and I certainly will miss them! I hope you will find a way to keep p2pnet running.
Good luck! o/
-LW-
January 19th, 2007 at 2:21 am
bye!
January 19th, 2007 at 2:23 am
I’ve been reading your posts for about 5 months now. I know it is not very long but this is one of my favorite sites. It would be a shame to see it go Jon. You and your family are in my prayers. God Bless
-kcdude
January 19th, 2007 at 2:23 am
Man, may you have happy days!!
but i just can say sorry for the bad news.
I have been interested at put the articles here onto my msn blog… that seems to a little sick. I use MS’s space to abuse them.hah
Thank you very much for everything you brought and bring, hopefully, maybe someday, will bring us.
Thank you
January 19th, 2007 at 4:18 am
I’ve always appreciated that this site does not flood users with endless ad banners and popups, but for a “commercial” site, I must admit it’s rather sparce on advertising.
With viewer numbers that good, anyone could make a killing on this site if they really wanted to, though the big question is how much they’re willing to lower their morals and ethics to go after the really big money by partnering with porn and scam ads and popups.
But aside from the questionable and annoying ads, there are many legitimate advertising companies besides Google that are always looking for new sites to place their ads. For a replacement for the commercial P2P companies that dropped off, Usenet firms are hot right now.
January 19th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Jon, you have provided a valuable service to the p2p community and I do understand your reasons for having to sell the site. Even though I am saddened at it’s possible loss.
Hopefully, as you say, someone can come along with the idea to keep you writing the articles here, if not, it has been a swell ride.
Thanks for all the information you have provided and for your dedication to this site! I wish you well in the future…whatever happens.
January 19th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Jon, I’ve come to think of p2pnet as synonymous with you.
I am so proud to call you a friend.
Throughout the precariousness that is inherent in being p2pnet, the interpretive dances with Big Online Music, lawsuit silliness, etc., you’ve made the place shine and kept the idea of freedom of ideas and music on the net alive in more than one mind.
The fight for this freedom is not a sprint, but a relay race, and while it’s sad that it may happen that you need to pass on the baton, I am confident others will step up to the challenge.
Of course, Jon Newton is not finished. Your spirit and ability to raise awareness of important issues despite cash-laden efforts to distract from them will no doubt find another manifestation. I’m looking forward to that!
Wishing I had thirty grand,
-maggie council dipietra
January 19th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
hey jon – I see lots of good writeups, ecept for slyck of course. what else is new there? right?
i really hope you keep the site going
January 19th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Why don’t you just continue blogging casually with a free host like Blogger? You can keep your domain and redirect it to the new address. AdSense would surely accept you if you used Google’s own blog hosting platform. Problem solved, no?
I enjoy your work, Jon. I sincerely hope you’re not hanging your hat yet. Since hearing an interview with you on a college radio station in Toronto I have newfound respect for your standpoint on issues that matter greatly to me.
January 19th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
___ i really hope you keep the site going __
That’s the plan and things are starting to happen. With a bit of luck, I’ll be able to do a post tomorrow which’ll at least set one possible scenario : )
Cheers!
January 19th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
The Fat Lady sung a long time ago….
January 20th, 2007 at 10:09 am
I just wanted to wish you good luck on everything. You deserve it.
January 20th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
33,000 and lower on Alexa and an inability to break even? News sites are in trouble everywhere you look, and you’re not even including the content.
Sorry it’s come to this, but I reckon Slyck is barely worth what you’re asking for this pile of opionated dirt – the site’s a become a risible liability.
If you were really putting your family first, it would never have got to this state.
January 20th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
I mean, don’t think this is negative because I am trying to be supportive. If you are wanting money for the site and time and have no urge to continue the site, that is one thing.
If you had free hosting are you still willing to participate in the submission of news? I don’t know how news headlines are submitted to begin with.
this site couldn’t cost THAT much to host. If you are interested in discussing it let me know but i have plenty of bandwidth and load to handle the site. You would maintain control over the domain name entirely and I wouldn’t even want you advertising me, in fact i’d prefer you not to.
I think, if you aren’t just wanting money, and you were really interested in keeping p2pnet free and operational, if hosting is your only problem, let me know.
January 21st, 2007 at 4:36 pm
I work on p2pnet 24/7, 12/12. To do that, I’ve both spent our personal savings and gone into debt to a large (for me) extent, and I need to dig myself out of the hole so I can continue. I know it looks corny in words, but publishing p2pnet has become a commitment. If it means selling the site so I can keep on posting, which obviously means I also have to become solvent, that’s the way it’ll be.
p2pnet is a dissenting voice. It’s a small one, agreed, but in an age when the corporations control just about every aspect of our waking (and sleeping) lives, and they want to control it all so they can continue milking us, we need all the dissenting voices we can get. It’s the way we can make a difference. Look what Michael Moore has, and is, achieving?
But before you start posting comments asking how I dare to compare myself to Michaal Moore, that’s not what I’m doing. I’m merely saying one, ordinary person CAN make the bloated companies sit up and pay attention. If enough people shout, they don’t have to be as brilliant as Moore. Their voices will be enough.
p2pnet is only one site but more and more are going online every day and that’s what’s ultimately going to make the difference. Bank on it. And I want p2pnet to continue being a voice.
Cheers!
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:11 am
While, i will admit p2pnet is a great site, the sum that you want $30,000 is way to steep. Not only because the site can be easily rebuilt from scratch but there is also the legal issues that are still pending from Kazaa and their crap. The advertising isn’t also quite much a revenue.
January 23rd, 2007 at 11:51 am
“p2pnet is a dissenting voice”
And a very good one.
Lack of dissent (apathy) is a major casue of the world’s problems. It would ba a loss if p2pnet had to shut down.
To Jon, have you considered the following as a temporary measure until the storm passes?:
1. Look for a way to run p2pnet on a part time basis, while getting others to collaborate. Perhaps then you can generate income from other activities.
2. Expand p2net to cover other areas of interest. p2pnet is a great source of information about the music and Internet industries (that is why I visit p2pnet everyday I can) and it would be great if it also covered other fields in a similar fashion. Just as he music field is mostly, at least in the USA and most of the world, is run by unethical businesses so are the politics, medical and legal industries. These industries are ripe for a p2pnet like place where all abuses are discussed. Just imagine, a p2pnet-medical page or a p2pnet-law or a p2pnet-politics page. Yes, politics is not an industry but it certainly is run like one.
In all events, I salute Jon for a great job done and wish him the best.
Rafael Venegas
http://www.gvenegas.com
January 31st, 2007 at 3:54 am
I know you aren’t a fan of free market capitalism, but maybe you can still make this work with a slightly different mindset.
Not every entertainment enterprise is looking to eliminate so-called truth-tellers. There are businesses who are on your side, yet still have their eyes on the potential billions of dollars in this space.
Greed ain’t good, but wealth and free markets is great.