Wednesday, January 29th 2020
Support TechPowerUp on Patreon, Unlock New Features
People have often asked how to thank us through donations, to show their appreciation for our PC enthusiast content, free software and databases, but we could never find a good mechanism for that. Today we're officially launching our Patreon page, which gives you an easy method to financially support us in a simple way, and get some nifty site-wide features as our own way of saying thank you.
Over the past weeks I've worked on site engine changes to include additional benefits with Patreon membership, so you can actually enjoy tangible returns for your contribution. If you've never heard of Patreon before, it's a platform that lets creators receive voluntary payments for their work directly from the audience — a virtual tip jar. This does not mean TPU is in financial trouble, quite the opposite, we're doing better than ever, and our readership keeps growing — we're not going away. Some forum members have already discovered our Patreon campaign in the test phase and have contributed to it, and we greatly appreciate all the feedback they provided in the past few months that has helped shape this platform.
You can help us do what we do best, by supporting TechPowerUp on Patreon.
I've created three pledge levels that each unlock incremental features, so you may choose according to your financial situation. As always, we appreciate your time and consideration here, even if you are not able to sign up at this time.
Over the past weeks I've worked on site engine changes to include additional benefits with Patreon membership, so you can actually enjoy tangible returns for your contribution. If you've never heard of Patreon before, it's a platform that lets creators receive voluntary payments for their work directly from the audience — a virtual tip jar. This does not mean TPU is in financial trouble, quite the opposite, we're doing better than ever, and our readership keeps growing — we're not going away. Some forum members have already discovered our Patreon campaign in the test phase and have contributed to it, and we greatly appreciate all the feedback they provided in the past few months that has helped shape this platform.
You can help us do what we do best, by supporting TechPowerUp on Patreon.
I've created three pledge levels that each unlock incremental features, so you may choose according to your financial situation. As always, we appreciate your time and consideration here, even if you are not able to sign up at this time.
- Bronze: For as little as $4 a month, the entry-level tier, all ads on TechPowerUp are removed, including banners and sponsored content. You also receive a shiny new "Supporter" badge for our forums, and can access the otherwise hidden Patron-only forum where you're free to discuss anything.
- Silver: Take it up a notch for $7 per month. In addition to all the features of the "Bronze" tier, you get the "single page view" feature in our reviews and articles. You can now read them seamlessly, by simply scrolling down, no more clicking "next page." We also let you pick a custom user title on TechPowerUp Forums.
- Gold: This $9 per month tier brings with it early access to most of our unpublished reviews. Read coverage of products to help make your purchase decisions before others! You also get all the features of the "Bronze" and "Silver" tier.
206 Comments on Support TechPowerUp on Patreon, Unlock New Features
:big_th0hk:
Im talking about clickbait and 'sensationalist' articles and of course who could forget the hit peice on GamerNexus earlier in the year...
Do you know how badly that knocked TPUs reputation?
It's not the first time that this certain individual has been called out about his writing. He did it with an MSI article when there was a rumor floating around that they were locking off older boards from being compatible with the newer ryzen series. These are just two examples off the top of my head but I'm sure there are a few more....
TPU has got to evolve and bring the standards of writing back up. Some reviews occasionally feel pretty lazy and uninspiring. I understand that often the reviewers might not have have all the time in the world to pour into the reviews but sometimes going above and beyond that really puts the quality out there.
There's a lot TPU could learn from GN rather than write articles accusing people of being paid shills.
GN hasn't struggled for backers on patreon the same way that TPU has since they started up their patreon page.
Make TPU Great Again
That being said I totally agree with the above but I also see moment where bta is trying to do better. If he keeps that up, it's all just a learning experience as far as I am concerned.
I'm more upset about the choice of software key "partners" frankly.That was my sig for a bit, but I got a bad vibe from it, lol
At least the cryptocurrency trend died. That was sad as well.
As for reviews: more and more accessories (dozens similar RGB mice lately), but less things TPU did so well earlier (like cases).
And on the forum front (also part of experience): very aggressive, subjective moderating, removing posts without notice. Lately I got points because a mod didn't understand my comment. Like, seriously, WTF?
edit: I'm referring to the cheap buy windows license type adverts, not the Patreon. Patreon is great idea.
uhmmm...
I really hope TPU would listen to its community, and while "the money" doesn't come from it, this is a core that is a pillar to this site, i feel.
W1zz is a very technically talented individual, and he is the main reason i like opening TPU a bunch of times a day, but other aspects of the website feel alien and changed for me since what they were just a few years ago.
Forum moderation changes is a big part of it - many of us "gave up" on being more active due to some unfortunate decisions from staff.
While i never got punished, i see many other users who do, over stuff they shouldn't.
With reviews - I have no idea why the pipe is so damn long from when a review is written to the moment its published. I know for a fact that some reviews in recent years waited months to be published. Why? That's a dis-service to both the community and reviewers. There are a bunch of talented individuals here.
We already have some review aspects stuck in 2007 with how products are tested and how results are being produced. Its 2020 and we don't have noise regulated case and cooler testing, we don't have min 1\0.1% lows and deeper frametime analysis of GPUs, we don't even have in-depth deep-dives into driver features and important tweaking tools. Not anymore.
In front page - The waves of meme PR news, regarding stuff that's pretty far away from common interest. I know people bash mr news editor, and 2019 would definitely be a year to learn from, but i know he can produce great content, he clearly has the technical capability of doing so. We're all human, we all can slip at times. 2020 is a year to improve.
I'd love to support TPU financially when some of those crucial issues will be addressed.
- $500: Interactive charts like the ones at computerbase.
- $1000: Choosing sensible game graphic settings for GPU reviews.
- $2000: 0.1% lows charts in GPU reviews.
- $3000: Stop the clickbaiting and senseless rumors in the main site by firing btarunr.
The way I see it, services like Patreon actually help reviewers who want to be objective to remain that way. When one has independent funding, one is much less reliant on the benevolence of hardware manufacturers. It is what allows Gamers Nexus to still review hardware if they are unhappy with how a manufacturer is handling NDAs or cannot take criticism and blacklist them, etc. "You don't want to provide a sample for review because you are butthurt over something? No problemo, we are going to purchase it with our own money, and do whatever we want."
27 comparison cards x 21 games x 4 resolutions = 2268 test runs currentlysend me your resume and some sample posts
It has the makings to be great and would love to see it expand but for me, TPU has to re-prove itself a bit before I would consider becoming a patreon member.
And it's way less clickbaity than it was some years ago. Also Clickbaits and reddit conspiracies are just signs of the times. There are no bastions of light, we all have to eat. Even bta.
The moderation stuff people talk about are complete unknowns to me, and that is coming from someone who recieved a ban with no end date set.
There's times in the past where I've needed feedback on my builds and went to this site only to see similar type of forum questions turn into personal attacks. I hope this Patreon weeds out the older, disgruntled accounts.
also the forums I find stress free and people always willing to help and chat
go TPU :toast: