Site Problem: Please Read!

[BEER30]

Just a thought and I really do not know , but what would be the cost to set up your own server ? I know we have a few Computer Geeks/Guru's here whom will know .

Also having another thought , how about 2 sites in one . A freebie for newcomers and a donation funded site for the regulars whom can donate (premium site) . Those whom frequent the site , but cannot afford may request permission to enter the premium side based upon whom they are and income . Also on the premium side , members personal issues would be more secure (I think) as it will not be part of the public to view .

In saying the members whom are willing and can afford to help in the finance of the premium side , can also help those whom cannot afford . The non-paid side still can and have certain information to help in maintanence issues and M & E announcements . In time when they can afford or donate , they themselves can contribute when they can .

There's no need for you Don to foot the bill for all of us to have the pleasure of all the great wealth of knowledge and friendship this site has given .

But before anyones feathers get ruffled , most of us know whom can or cannot afford to shell out a little bit more to help the site out . Just think as this site is another piece of shiny chrome ! Not to say anyone has a problem buying chrome !

 

Just an idea and my thoughts on this . ......By the way , I just donated because it was time for me to step up to the plate ! Enough members here have when I needed help , so it's my turn .

 

 

BEER30

[BoomerCPO]

For the tech info and experience that is shared at this Site I would gladly pay a fee in whatever manner or amount you specify Don. Quarterly or Annual payments or whatever.....set it up any way you like.

 

Regards.........Boomer

[fixit3546]

Ditto All, and THANKS!!! Don

[chocking]

Glad to pay a reasonable fee.. The tech talk and advice alone are worth $$$$..

Do what you need to do.

Aprreciate all that you do.

 

Clay

[Yammer Dan]

I have to check the remember me box or it won't let me log in.

 

Whatever it takes Boss.

[lonestarmedic]

No big thing if you need bucks. Also no problem if you need site help. I can offer both. Heck, I have a spare server case and board if you want a starter kit! Dual Xeon P4 and holds more ram than a Dodge 1 ton. Got a couple drives and a SCSI raid server with the new style cables. Also have all the software for the raid board. I'm sure any other odds and ends can be scrounged up. As to the bandwith, I think we could all cough up enough to buy a decent connection.

 

JB

 

PS - do you think a Tandy 1000 and a 2400 baud modem would be enough?

[Dano]

JB

 

PS - do you think a Tandy 1000 and a 2400 baud modem would be enough?

 

I've got a Commodore 64 still in the box in the attic if it will Help!!!!!!!

Seriously, if we all just donate 15 bucks, we can cure this disease!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm in for it.

 

Dan

[BuddyRich]

Site seems slow today and sometimes I gettin a blank page. Think they may still have issues.

[eagleeye]

Site seems slow today and sometimes I gettin a blank page. Think they may still have issues.

I was going to say the same thing.

As far as donating, I belong to both venture sites and pay at one and donate at the other.

I have always supported user fees-----It only seems fair.

Steve

[rjmalizia]

Glad to pay a reasonable fee.. The tech talk and advice alone are worth $$$$..

Do what you need to do.

 

Aprreciate all that you do.

 

Clay

 

Amen to that.

 

 

This is such a great site, it would be such a shame to see it become a fee driven site with mandatory fees. Being a cheap-as(s) that I am (just ask the kids) I never would have joined to begin with...and that would have been my loss! but if enough folks don't join the site will eventually die. [understand?]

 

How about an annual fund drive/fund raiser. Like it was stated earlier, if everyone gave a couple of bucks, i think we would/could hit "our" goal...or Don't get mad, but what about [more] advertisements on the site? hate to see them clutter things up...but if it would help the site financially, i'm for it.

 

Anyway...Don thanks a million. I'm here for you like the rest; just give the word. Hell the kids didn't want to go to College anyway. Seriously though, it's not a lot: enjoy it or use it, you've more than earned it!

 

Ron

[rjmalizia]

Start with a say, 10 dollars a year "site maintenance" donation request. Send it out with the email people get when joining but say its not required. Then send out a reminder once a year on the members joined date.

Now as an incentive add the features such as seeing who has read a thread and the chat room to all those that have paid the site maintenance fee. ...

 

I think you've hit it right on the head! Excellent Idea.

[Redneck]

Heck Don there are enough people addicted to this site you could get rich holding it hostage.

Here is what you do every couple of months make a post that the server wants money and you are broke so the site will be shut down in 10 days if funds are not found.

You should be able to retire soon.

[Snarley Bill]

well the way i look at it alot of us use the site more than don does, and don does all the work and has all the head aches. if a mandatory fee would make dons job easier count me in. i'm sure the ones that enjoy the site as i do would be willing. the ones that aren't willing well i'm not going to say anything and put my foot in my mouth.,but ya got the idea. bill

[foxman]

Don,

Thanks for all you do for this site. Just say the word and I'll send some funds also.

[DragonRider]

We got your back on this issue Don, whatever it takes, Im sure we can handle it.........and it would likely make some people happy to pay for all the goodies they been getting here...............I know my Venture wouldnt be running or in one piece if it wasnt for VR.

 

Thanks for all you do Don...........UDAMAN!!!!!

 

 

[Sweetnothing]

I think the idea of a annual fund raiser would be a good idea!!

Don....If we pay for a year at a time will they give us a discount? could we do a fund raiser once a year and all donate, say by a certain date to get our donations in, in time to pay that ammount? I would certainly help you out on that one!

[Cinderella]

on Lonnas idea

 

how about a fund raiser /raffle........

 

kinda like the trailer for the international rally.....

 

only something smaller...like a gps or a gift cert to a parts place.....or anything that a lot of people would like to win........

 

sell tickets for 15 . 20..whatever it will take.....everyone who pays ( donates) has a chance to win and all the proceeds go toward paying the bill for our own server.......

 

do this once or twice a year...that way its more like a raffle than paying for memberships!!

[jonesy]

I for one visit this site daily, I've got many answers to my ???. It must be a great deal of work for freebird and cost so that we have this site and can use it as we please. So put a membership fee on it, and a yearly one to give freebird some working capital to take the burden off him. Freebird, you you know what you need, so come up with a ### and those of us that care will pay. You could limit access to non members, just my 2 cents.

[Carbon_One]

I vote going with a fund raiser/ raffle system. Like Cindy says we might win something out of it, Don gets the site running great at no expense to him, and we all benifit with a much better site.

Can't beat that I think

Larry

 

PS: I also hit that donation button.

Edited May 7, 2008 by Carbon_One

[BEER30]

Please excuse me for saying , but sounds like we have crisis at the present time . Fund raisers ....raffles and all good deeds are great for the future , but the problem is now !

Everyone is saying they are willing to pay ....."well crap or get of the pot !" is what my grandpa used to tell me put in a nicer way .

I know Don is doing the best he can , more panic over anything and he doesn't ask for anything or much at all . But it time for us that say they are willing to commit , then please do so . This our home , just need to pay the rent somewhat .

 

Now excuse me , I'm having a bad too . So I will go sit in the corner until beer:30 !

 

 

BEER30

[1BigDog]

As Gene so eloquently put it.........I just Crap!!....Can I get off the pot now??

[Tom]

Please excuse me for saying , but sounds like we have crisis at the present time . Fund raisers ....raffles and all good deeds are great for the future , but the problem is now !

Everyone is saying they are willing to pay ....."well crap or get of the pot !" is what my grandpa used to tell me put in a nicer way .

I know Don is doing the best he can , more panic over anything and he doesn't ask for anything or much at all . But it time for us that say they are willing to commit , then please do so . This our home , just need to pay the rent somewhat .

 

Now excuse me , I'm having a bad too . So I will go sit in the corner until beer:30 !

 

 

BEER30

 

I have a feeling alot of us are contributing as I type...some may not be able to send,and it is TOTALLY understood, but just a thought,4700+ members,$1.00=$4700.00.

[rjmalizia]

Annual Fund Raiser / Quarterly Raffles - great ideas. As long as they are on a donation basis. I'm sure that we have a Tax Accountant or two out there...would an annual "Fee" create a tax issue for Don or however it is that owns the URL/site?

 

Anyway...boy the site is Rock'n now. something must have gotten fixed!

 

Good job Don!

[VTirelli]

Whatever it costs I'm staying......just tell us what you need Don.