EDIT: Fund raiser is over!
Howdy, folks!
TheRPGsite.com currently resides on a server controlled by the previous management. They have beneficiently allowed us to squat in their territory. But this site costs money to keep open. Our plan is to continue with our current gracious host, who incurs $360 a year in expenses. The lion's share of the server's usage comes from our site. I'm here to ask you, the members of the forum, to step up to the bar and pony up some cash. I'm putting ten bucks in the kitty myself and I ask you all to consider donating whatever you can. User TonyLB has already kicked in ten himself. Are you going to let a big jerk like him show you up? (Just kidding, Tony. You're aces in my book.)
To make a donation, just go to PayPal.com (https://www.paypal.com) and send money to jrients@gmail.com.
That goes to my paypal account. Please note that I'm not set up to accept credit cards. This fundraiser will end Monday, May 21st, two weeks from today.
Some Questions You Might Be Asking Yourselves
Q: Why are we sending the money to you, Jeff?
A: You can't beam the money to "theRPGsite.com" because the site has no legal corporate existence. RPG Pundit is our first among equals, but he doesn't have a PayPal account. And the fact that I use my real name ought to be assuring to some folks who'd rather not send money to someone known only by an internet handle. It's not like I can stroll off with the cash. My name is in the phonebook. There are registered users who live a short drive from my house. I don't want joewolz or obryn to kick my ass.
Q: What benefits do I get for my donation?
A: You get to help theRPGsite stay in operation. Some sites like to give donors access to what I call "Cool Kids Club" perks. We don't roll like that around here. The Cool Kids Club consists of the registered members. Throwing some cash in the hat makes you totally awesome, but in the crazy populist spirit of this site no one is going to let that go to your head. Hell, in the future if you see someone using the fact that they donated as some sort of rhetorical weapon, please report the post and I will hop on the thread and call them a poopyhead. Seriously. I'm not afraid to use harsh language like that.
Q: What happens if we don't make the goal of $360?
A: Well, damn. That's a downer future to consider. First off, all donations will be returned. Secondly, I personally will consider not reaching our modest goal as a vote of no-confidence by the site membership. I think the only right thing to do would be to shut the site down and call this experiment a failure. But that wouldn't be my call to make. My own resignation as an admin would be assured. That's not meant as some sort of crazy passive-aggressive Oral Roberts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_Roberts#Criticism_and_controversy) threat. I just want the stakes of the game to be clear to all the players.
Q: Why aren't the admins not paying this themselves?
A: Jeez, you're full of impertinent questions, aren't you? Our motive ties back into that "vote of no-confidence" thing I mentioned above. The admins don't want the site to be about us. Pundit and I already have our blogs if we need our Stuart Smalley-style daily affirmations. We want theRPGsite to be about you. This fundraiser is a way of proving that the kind of thing all of us do around here has value to the members, that theRPGsite is on the right course. Also, we are cheapasses.
So anyway, please consider making a donation. If times are tough and you have to choose between the medicine and the website, feel free to blow us off. But if you can spare a few bucks, why not donate? If you do, you totally have my blessing to give yourself a big pat on the back and smugly assure yourself that you're better than everyone else.
Quote from: jrientsHowdy, folks!
TheRPGsite.com currently resides on a server controlled by the previous management. They have beneficiently allowed us to squat in their territory. But this site costs money to keep open. Our plan is to continue with our current gracious host, who incurs $360 a year in expenses. The lion's share of the server's usage comes from our site. I'm here to ask you, the members of the forum, to step up to the bar and pony up some cash.
:aaa:
You guys are getting
screwed if your tab is in any way related to that number, but as soon as I know how much I've got left in the PayPal account after grabbing Art of the Duel (waiting on an invoice), I'll pony up.
I really didn't want to post, so as to keep this from turning into a "look at us being cool and helping" thing - maybe even a lock to prevent it? - but it's 2007, folks. Hosting is a buyer's market.
It's really not that bad of cost considering the site has a near dedicated server and the admins are not respnosible for maintaining it. :D
I tossed in a few bucks.
I had some spare change, now you do.
-clash
Christmas Ape, this is totally the right thread to bring up any concerns about the fund drive or anything related to it. We looked into some other hosting options. In the end we decided to go with our present arrangement rather than a cheaper but probably less responsive alternative. To my non-tech-savvy eyes I find it pretty cool to have a direct pipeline to the dude who can put his hands on the server.
Thanks to everyone who has chipped in so far! We're well on our way to our goal! As soon as my own funds clear (sending money to your own account is NOT instantaneous), we'll have over $140 bucks in the pot.
Awesome! I'd rather pay you guys to not be a member than pay rpgnow to be a member. Of course, I'd never join any club that would have me as a member anyway... :D
-clash
Hi all, I'm the guy who owns the server, in case you weren't already aware of that.
Quote from: McrowIt's really not that bad of cost considering the site has a near dedicated server and the admins are not respnosible for maintaining it. :D
That's kind of the key to it right there. I originally tried running VBulletin on a server owned an operated by the ISP I used to work for, and this software is so bandwidth and resource intensive that not only were we exceeding bandwidth usage, but it was also running like crap, and interfering with the other sites. Sure it was free hosting at the time, but we couldn't stay there. That would have been the equivalent of $15/month hosting, and it was a site with about the same amount of traffic as this one gets.
The $360 a year is actually a pretty sweet deal for the server co-location. The going rate for plugging your own server directly into an ISP is usually around $300 per month. Again, I'm getting a good deal on this because I used to work for them.
Also, since I run a couple slower sites on this server, any amount of money I raise is also being added to the pot. So far this amounts to $45. So it looks like the running tally so far is approximately $185. We're over half way to the goal already!
Jeff,
I really want to throw in a few bucks, but have some issues with Paypal. Can you PM me or otherwise work out a way where I can send some fundage your way? Thanks!
Well, if you or anyone else wanted to send a check, just mail it to me at Jeff Rients, 1107 Brighton Dr, Urbana, IL 61801. Just give me a clue what the money is for, like writing "RPGsite donation" in the memo field of the check or a sticky note to that effect.
Edit for clarification: make checks payable to Jeff Rients as well.
Quote from: jrientsWell, if you or anyone else wanted to send a check, just mail it to me at Jeff Rients, 1107 Brighton Dr, Urbana, IL 61801. Just give me a clue what the money is for, like writing "RPGsite donation" in the memo field of the check or a sticky note to that effect.
Consider it done! I'll get it in the mail hopefully tomorrow!
I sent in 10.01, because I had to humiliate TonyLB.
FEEL THE BURN, TONY!
I'll chip in later on this week.
Seems only fair. :)
-O
I sent a little. Hope it helps.
I'll do for theRPGsite what I've never done for rpgnet, send money.
I'm in. Hey, wait a minute. This isn't a Palladium site, is it?
:)
Pete
Apparently, I can only send paypal $$$ on my credit card... sigh... will mail check tomorrow.
I can probably send some over- let me see what i got and what I owe.
Sent $25 - had to pay some artists with the rest, but man was I tempted.
I made a contribution, I'd rather the place survive than not.
hey jeff, you said your paypal wasn't set up to do credit cards. how about debit cards? sometimes they're treated as cc's (most retailers) but sometimes not (like when attempting a car rental, f'rex).
Quote from: beeberhey jeff, you said your paypal wasn't set up to do credit cards. how about debit cards? sometimes they're treated as cc's (most retailers) but sometimes not (like when attempting a car rental, f'rex).
A PayPal personal account can accept 5 debit and/or credit transactions per year. I've gotten four already as I type this. When I get a sixth I'll have to choose to either return the money or sign up for a "premiere" account. A premiere account accepts more kinds of payments, but I have to pay a fee on ALL future transactions. Since I use the account mostly for eBay purchases, that would kinda suck.
Quote from: pspahnI'm in. Hey, wait a minute. This isn't a Palladium site, is it?
Only you, our devoted fans, can say us from this Crisis of Shitwehavetopaythebills. But it's not my fault! Some other guy is responsible!
FUND DRIVE UPDATE: We've got a little over $230 now. You people are super-awesome!
Sent in a little to help the site along.
I don't like funding PayPal from my bank account, but I have a transaction pending which will put funds in...so as soon as that happens, I'll toss some of it rpgsite-ward.
Bah... put some google ads on the site or sell t-shirts or something, but stop the begging. :talktothehand:
Quote from: mhensleyBah... put some google ads on the site or sell t-shirts or something, but stop the begging. :talktothehand:
An annual thread is hardly a big annoyance - easy to ignore a thread. It's not like those bastards at PBS.
or NPR. with multiple stations in my area, sometimes their pledge drives go one after another, after another. . . :crazy: :suicide:
Quote from: beeberor NPR. with multiple stations in my area, sometimes their pledge drives go one after another, after another. . . :crazy: :suicide:
On the other hand, at least PBS has some good concert programming, so suffering through the fundraising crap isn't quite as painful.
I don't think we're exactly bashing people over the head with demands for money here.
I think it would be a much bigger annoyance to the average user if this site was full of Ads, even gaming-related Ads, then that there be a single thread on the site that no one has to even read if they don't want to. I chose to go this route because it is the way that is least annoying to the general user base.
Nor do contributors here get any special perks, or status, or anything else. If you like the site and can spare a few bucks, go for it, we really appreciate it. If not, you don't have to.
Also, may I say thank you very much to all those who have contributed thus far.
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPunditI don't think we're exactly bashing people over the head with demands for money here.
No, this is actually very reasonable and well done.
QuoteI think it would be a much bigger annoyance to the average user if this site was full of Ads
As a single user, I don't have a problem with ads. I can turn them off on RPG.net but often leave them on - sometimes I see something new and cool and go check it out.
Quote from: jrientsWell, if you or anyone else wanted to send a check, just mail it to me at Jeff Rients, 1107 Brighton Dr, Urbana, IL 61801. Just give me a clue what the money is for, like writing "RPGsite donation" in the memo field of the check or a sticky note to that effect.
Edit for clarification: make checks payable to Jeff Rients as well.
AH!!!
Thank you.
I also DO NOT have a paypal account.
Conmsidering things said last fall - I am now oddly shocked that I am now actually seriously considering donating...to keep this forum going.
- Ed C.
sure this place can be fucked up, but i really enjoy the size of it. i find it to have a comfortable amount of members. not to say new folks aren't welcome, tho, far from it!
i particularly like the different time zones of users that we get here. adds a weird "24 hour gamer!" kind of feel to things, a la otaku no video.
just like chippin' in for pizza, why the hell not?
Quote from: jrientsA premiere account accepts more kinds of payments, but I have to pay a fee on ALL future transactions. Since I use the account mostly for eBay purchases, that would kinda suck.
It's only the incoming transactions, but yeah, it is annoying at times. I've got a payment coming in from an auction and I'll see about tossing some of it your way this evening.
Props to Bullitt for letting us stick around on his server.
Quote from: mhensleyBah... put some google ads on the site or sell t-shirts or something, but stop the begging. :talktothehand:
Nobody PM'd or emailed you asking for money. No one is running around the forums spamming about the fundraiser.
If you don't want to donate, BFD, don't. If this sort of thing bugs you,why the hell did you bother to read this thread or even post in it?
Our total at this point is $319.17. We're within site of our goal, folks!
Quote from: McrowNobody PM'd or emailed you asking for money. No one is running around the forums spamming about the fundraiser.
If you don't want to donate, BFD, don't. If this sort of thing bugs you,why the hell did you bother to read this thread or even post in it?
If you want to give money to the site - wonderful. Personally I'm very, very tired of everyone and everything asking me for money. Websites, the government, relatives, charities, churches, girl scouts, bums, etc., etc. I'm done with it.
I posted in this thread because I found the OP to be annoying. It was basically - give us some money or we're taking our ball home. Boo fucking hoo. Somebody else would start a new forum the very next day. Either suck up the cost of the site as part of your hobby or find a way to make it pay for itself.
Quote from: mhensleyIf you want to give money to the site - wonderful. Personally I'm very, very tired of everyone and everything asking me for money. Websites, the government, relatives, charities, churches, girl scouts, bums, etc., etc. I'm done with it.
Sorry to be the straw that broke you camel's back, man.
QuoteI posted in this thread because I found the OP to be annoying. It was basically - give us some money or we're taking our ball home. Boo fucking hoo.
If you don't want to contribute I got no problem with that. But I don't understand your need to be a jerk about the situation.
QuoteSomebody else would start a new forum the very next day. Either suck up the cost of the site as part of your hobby or find a way to make it pay for itself.
So this site isn't part of your hobby, too? Are you only here for the snacks?
Quote from: mhensleyPersonally I'm very, very tired of everyone and everything asking me for money. Websites, the government, relatives, charities, churches, girl scouts, bums, etc., etc. I'm done with it.
I dunno. I pledge to NPR every year. I'll donate here, too. It's a site that I use at least a few times a week, and I waste plenty of time here.
Call me crazy, but I don't mind putting in my fair share for a pseudo-public service that I enjoy using.
-O
Quote from: mhensleyIf you want to give money to the site - wonderful. Personally I'm very, very tired of everyone and everything asking me for money. Websites, the government, relatives, charities, churches, girl scouts, bums, etc., etc. I'm done with it.
I posted in this thread because I found the OP to be annoying. It was basically - give us some money or we're taking our ball home. Boo fucking hoo. Somebody else would start a new forum the very next day. Either suck up the cost of the site as part of your hobby or find a way to make it pay for itself.
Eh, I was happy to contribute, I get value here so I don't have an issue with giving some money.
I thought the OP was fine, I think either you take the view it's worth contributing to or you don't, and either is fine, but I don't see any point in bitching about it.
I didn't know there were snacks though, where do I find the snacks?
Quote from: mhensleyIf you want to give money to the site - wonderful. Personally I'm very, very tired of everyone and everything asking me for money. Websites, the government, relatives, charities, churches, girl scouts, bums, etc., etc. I'm done with it.
Sorry to hear that the bums and girl scouts are after your cash. Talk about an excellent modern horror game hook :)
QuoteI posted in this thread because I found the OP to be annoying. It was basically - give us some money or we're taking our ball home. Boo fucking hoo. Somebody else would start a new forum the very next day. Either suck up the cost of the site as part of your hobby or find a way to make it pay for itself.
Come on, it's a site volunteer trying to raise money among those who are willing to keep the site going. The thread is easy to ignore and donating is completely voluntary - why shit on other folks' efforts?
Quote from: C.W. RichesonCome on, it's a site volunteer trying to raise money among those who are willing to keep the site going. The thread is easy to ignore and donating is completely voluntary - why shit on other folks' efforts?
(http://hiphoprepublican.com/uploaded_images/boondocks-712311.jpg)
Sounds like a hater to me!
Bullitt has just informed me that we're just a few dollars shy of our goal. Since he's expecting a little bit more to come in and one or two checks might be in the mail to me, we're ending the fund raiser immediately. YOU DID IT! YAY!
Although we're still working out the details, any money that trickles in after this point will be socked away for next year's expenses.
Thank you to everyone that participated!
Been fightin' with my bank and missed my chance. Guess I'll chip in towards next year.
Yes, thank you to all. Its reassuring to know that this site and its mission statement is sufficiently supported by the people to make its financial needs met within only a few days.
RPGPundit
I was about to send something, but you reached your goal much faster than I imagined. This place is certainly worth it. :) Remind me next time, and I'll send in my 2 bits. :D
Quote from: RPGPunditYes, thank you to all. Its reassuring to know that this site and its mission statement is sufficiently supported by the people to make its financial needs met within only a few days.
RPGPundit
This will sound very backward I suspect, but you've had my support from the first moment I told you to fuck off in a thread and nothing happened to me other than I got told to fuck off back.
Actually, mostly I find your posts interesting and entertaining and some have changed my mind on topics (Qin for example), but that for me was a litmus test of what the site is about.
Put another way, well done for sticking with it.
Damn that was quick!!
I get my paycheck later today and was going to send my donation off tomorrow.
- Ed C.
Quote from: BalbinusThis will sound very backward I suspect, but you've had my support from the first moment I told you to fuck off in a thread and nothing happened to me other than I got told to fuck off back.
Actually, mostly I find your posts interesting and entertaining and some have changed my mind on topics (Qin for example), but that for me was a litmus test of what the site is about.
Put another way, well done for sticking with it.
Or, in other words: "You had me at fuck off."
:)
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Pete