Donations

[Human No More]

Again, ToS is in need of more donations for server expenses. I have just put as much as I can in, but right now that is very limited, and we want to thank you all for keeping ToS going, but we currently need more in order to pay for next month's server costs. Irayo

[apache_blanca]

I find it very sad that, with 1052 members on ToS, an admin has to ask for donations & to remind to people that the Tree needs "water" in order to grow & even stay alive! Just a dollar from each member, & the server expenses would have been sorted for quite a while (imho).

I'll beat my drums & send you some "rain" when I get back from the RDA.

[Human No More]

If we had 1052 active members, there wouldn't be such a problem... Sadly, any site that doesn't profit does have to ask from time to time, and we've tried to relatively rarely, last time was quite far back into last year. Irayo

[apache_blanca]

*sigh* I guess you're - sadly - right about not All ToS members being active. The longest ToS Pause yours truly managed to have lasted... two days. Then I had to climb a tree in order to post cos I was in a low coverage area in the countryside, that says something, doesn't it. But I realize some people come here - then go away away - then come back - then... Ah, whatever. We're all different but like your signature says "Remember, Avatar brought us together" (a loose quote).

I know you guys ask for donations only when there is No other way. What to do, let's just go with the flow for a while & see what happens.

(*sorry I haven't "called the rain" yet, was too tired yesterday, but I'll do it like I usually do)

[Alan]

I say, HNM, if you don't mind me asking, how much do we need to raise each month to keep ToS going?

Alan

[Human No More]

I'd need to check to know exactly, but IIRC, it's ~$70.

[zongtseng]

It's currently $79 a month for the hosting. We also need to convert to VB4 at some point here, which will be a significant expense, and a TON of time spent.

Btw, thanks Alan, you have been most generous over the life of ToS. We'd not be here right now without your donations, or if we were, it would be in a reduced form.

[Human No More]

The expense part of VB4 I should hopefully be able to cover if things go well in the next month or so for me, but if we do end up 'in need', we will try to give a lot of notice.

[Alan]

Kaltxi Zongtseng,

I'm kinda embarrassed as I did know folks knew I put a few pennies in, but at the end of the day, I have received so much friendship from here that it is may way of giving back a little.

Yeah do keep folks aware of the need to keep contributing, especially if there is some maintenance upgrade required.

Anyway, it is easy to chuck a few pennies in, but to keep it all running like you guys do, now that is what takes effort and dedication. So a MASSIVE IRAYO to you good folks who work behind the scenes.

Eywa ngahu frakrr ma

Alan

[Human No More]

The real thanks go to everyone who makes it a living site - there wouldn't be much point in having a server up if nobody used it

[Aaron]

I wouldn't mind seeing a donations thermometer at the top of the site every now and then--maybe not all the time, but... It does help to know what's needed and when. Honestly, I've been a little surprised for the last few months that this subject hasn't come up.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Human No More

The real thanks go to everyone who makes it a living site - there wouldn't be much point in having a server up if nobody used it

True. I guess it is all perspectives.

Originally Posted by Aaron

I wouldn't mind seeing a donations thermometer at the top of the site every now and then--maybe not all the time, but... It does help to know what's needed and when. Honestly, I've been a little surprised for the last few months that this subject hasn't come up.

That is a great idea Aaron. I guess the trick would be to put it up only when funds are running low as people would notice it more than if it was always there. If there needs to be a bit of a drive for an upgrade or maintenance perhaps there could be a tag line to go with it? Worth a thought.

Alan

[Advent]

Hmm, while I can't do much right at the moment, I'll see if I can donate a good bit in the next week. I've got about $100 left from Christmas, a decent amount I can spare.

[Niri Te]

Ateyo and I parted with a bunch of money for the meetup this month, but now thaty the room has been reserved, bus tickets from El Paso to Phoenix, and back have been secured, you can count on our monetary support when I get my retirement check on the first of March. Please PM me and tell me how to get the money to you to help with the upkeep of my second home and family.
Niri Te

[apache_blanca]

Originally Posted by Aaron

I wouldn't mind seeing a donations thermometer at the top of the site every now and then--maybe not all the time, but... It does help to know what's needed and when. Honestly, I've been a little surprised for the last few months that this subject hasn't come up.

good idea. How much do we still need?