Atheistforums.com

The Lobby => Announcements => Topic started by: Naru on December 04, 2017, 10:47:17 AM

Title: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Naru on December 04, 2017, 10:47:17 AM
Hello Everyone,

It is that time of year again when the 2018 bill to keep the site up is coming. The price for the site is $190 a year. The price increased because we have to have SSL installed to be part of google search. Any donation will be helpful.

Thanks you for being part of the community
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Naru on December 04, 2017, 07:21:13 PM
Just want to update everyone that for this year we are going to try something new. We are going to keep the donation up all year long instead of just opening near the end of the year. Let me know how you guys feel about this change or do you think it would be better to just keep it close and only open it near the bill date.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: SGOS on December 05, 2017, 08:28:05 AM
For me, end of the year seems like a better idea, although I don't have a vested interest in this.  I only mention it because you asked.  All year seems too easy to disregard, at least to me.  When it only comes up when it's necessary, it creates in me an sense of saving the forum when it needs to be saved whereas saving the forum all the time doesn't seem to be as purposeful.  Others may not react that way, so maybe try it an see which gets the best response.  As a side note, I appreciate you covering expenses that are not met, but I really don't think you or anyone else should have to do that.  But thank you. 
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Mr.Obvious on December 05, 2017, 09:33:18 AM
Sorry, I donated last year and hope to donate next year.
But the GF and I are renovating and we don't have much to spend.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: SGOS on December 05, 2017, 10:18:51 AM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on December 05, 2017, 09:33:18 AM
Sorry, I donated last year and hope to donate next year.
But the GF and I are renovating and we don't have much to spend.
I hear you.  For some reason in retirement, things have gotten much easier for me financially, something I never expected, and I fully realize that for some people meeting monthly expenses is a major event in itself.  And I know about renovating and building houses where simple improvements often come in denominations of $1,000 and they just keep coming.  I remember finally getting to a point where my wife and I both working could replace threadbare tires without having to sacrifice something else.  I had a feeling that I could breath for the first time in my life.  Then I got divorced and was back on half the income, and making charitable donations was no longer an option.  I'll have to replace my roof sometime in the near future, and I may not be able to help out the forum for a year or two.  Don't worry about it.  I'm glad you are here.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Jason78 on December 06, 2017, 12:49:47 PM
Remind me with a message at the end of January.  I'll have money then.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Draconic Aiur on December 06, 2017, 07:36:35 PM
Get a few ads?
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Sal1981 on December 07, 2017, 11:50:01 AM
Quote from: Draconic Aiur on December 06, 2017, 07:36:35 PM
Get a few ads?
A few Google or whatever ads wouldn't hurt.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: wolf39us on January 02, 2018, 12:52:11 PM
Hey guys!  Hope you all had a great New Year / Christmas!

I just want to give you guys a heads up that we haven't received enough in donations this year to keep the lights on.  We've received some donations, but have a $177 dollar bill remaining.  Any help to keep things rolling on this site would be greatly appreciated!

Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Draconic Aiur on January 02, 2018, 03:58:38 PM
Quote from: wolf39us on January 02, 2018, 12:52:11 PM
Hey guys!  Hope you all had a great New Year / Christmas!

I just want to give you guys a heads up that we haven't received enough in donations this year to keep the lights on.  We've received some donations, but have a $177 dollar bill remaining.  Any help to keep things rolling on this site would be greatly appreciated!



Im poor
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Draconic Aiur on January 02, 2018, 04:15:23 PM
Quote from: wolf39us on January 02, 2018, 12:52:11 PM
Hey guys!  Hope you all had a great New Year / Christmas!

I just want to give you guys a heads up that we haven't received enough in donations this year to keep the lights on.  We've received some donations, but have a $177 dollar bill remaining.  Any help to keep things rolling on this site would be greatly appreciated!



Im soooooo poor.

*throws penny at you*
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: trdsf on January 03, 2018, 12:46:01 PM
Soon as I clear some bills and events, I'll see what I can do.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Naru on January 04, 2018, 08:03:14 AM
Hello everyone,

Just want to reach out to let everyone know that the site has been renewed for another year. No need to worry about the site going down. We still need more donation so I will keep the donation link up.

Thanks for your guys donation and understanding.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Mr.Obvious on January 04, 2018, 02:55:04 PM
Quote from: Naru on January 04, 2018, 08:03:14 AM
Hello everyone,

Just want to reach out to let everyone know that the site has been renewed for another year. No need to worry about the site going down. We still need more donation so I will keep the donation link up.

Thanks for your guys donation and understanding.

Thanks Naru... I just want to apologize for being a freeloathing bastard. Sorry.
But I really can't spend anything, I'm purposefully even avoiding real-life things with friends so we can pay our bills. When something opens up, I swear I'll think of this place.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Naru on January 05, 2018, 04:00:19 PM
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on January 04, 2018, 02:55:04 PM
Thanks Naru... I just want to apologize for being a freeloathing bastard. Sorry.
But I really can't spend anything, I'm purposefully even avoiding real-life things with friends so we can pay our bills. When something opens up, I swear I'll think of this place.

No worries. Life cost too much. If you can not donate then don't donate. We might be looking into a cheaper hosting solution for 2019. Wolf39us and I are looking into that.

Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: aitm on January 07, 2018, 07:50:49 PM
I am going to be sending in about $500.00 here real quick just as soon as I scratch this last spot on the ticket and.......crap.....uh.........*cough*
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: AllPurposeAtheist on January 10, 2018, 03:56:57 AM
Quote from: aitm on January 07, 2018, 07:50:49 PM
I am going to be sending in about $500.00 here real quick just as soon as I scratch this last spot on the ticket and.......crap.....uh.........*cough*
I was about to say that soon as the last big power ball ticket gets blown into my hand during a hurricane I was going to prepay the cost of running the site for the next 50 years.
Unfortunately and completely out of my control is the fact that there were no active hurricanes right before the lucky fucker in New Hampshire won it. You just can't rely on the weather when it comes to the lottery. Dammit!
There was a big storm up that way,but it didn't blow anything to South Carolina from New Hampshire to the best of my recollection .. If it did the winning power ball ticket wasn't among them..
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Cavebear on January 10, 2018, 02:12:04 PM
Quote from: Naru on December 04, 2017, 07:21:13 PM
Just want to update everyone that for this year we are going to try something new. We are going to keep the donation up all year long instead of just opening near the end of the year. Let me know how you guys feel about this change or do you think it would be better to just keep it close and only open it near the bill date.

Out of curiousity, what do you need per year?
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Hakurei Reimu on January 11, 2018, 03:49:36 PM
Plonk!

I'm one of those people who needs the reminder...
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: wolf39us on January 14, 2018, 11:32:46 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on January 10, 2018, 02:12:04 PM
Out of curiousity, what do you need per year?

It's around $250 ish / year if I recall correctly. 

NaRu actually gets the bill so he can tell you the real numbers.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Cavebear on January 18, 2018, 06:45:46 AM
You are working on pocket change?  Its that cheap to run a site like this?
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Baruch on January 18, 2018, 01:48:50 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on January 18, 2018, 06:45:46 AM
You are working on pocket change?  Its that cheap to run a site like this?

It isn't the money that makes it, it is the people.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Cavebear on January 18, 2018, 03:23:58 PM
Quote from: Baruch on January 18, 2018, 01:48:50 PM
It isn't the money that makes it, it is the people.

Then, shouldn't they be asking for people?
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Baruch on January 18, 2018, 09:39:27 PM
Quote from: Cavebear on January 18, 2018, 03:23:58 PM
Then, shouldn't they be asking for people?

Not everyone who visits is a person.  Dogs, ponies & cavebears .. oh my!
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Naru on January 26, 2018, 07:23:00 PM
This year the bill was $254.28, This pays for the server access and malware/virus protection. In May the domain name is up for renewal and that cost $28.98 for the year.

Compare to other sites, this is somewhat cheap. There are sites that cost few hundred dollars a month but this is for dedicated servers. We are on a share server with other sites so our resources is split up between them. Right now this is fine so we do not need to upgrade at all.

We only ask for donation because we keep the site clean from ads. I am not the type of person who is going to put ads on this site to save money. There were many years I pay most of the site and only got $100 or less. Like I said before, I do not mind paying for the site but we do not make any profit from doing this and any donation shows me that people are interested on keeping this community alive.

I have always said this, if you can not donate, then don't. I am not upset from it. Either way, the site will be paid and I will continue to keep it up.

I want to thank everyone who have donated and to anyone who are active members in the community because without you guys, I will not be doing this.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Cavebear on January 27, 2018, 12:33:24 AM
Quote from: Naru on January 26, 2018, 07:23:00 PM
This year the bill was $254.28, This pays for the server access and malware/virus protection. In May the domain name is up for renewal and that cost $28.98 for the year.

Compare to other sites, this is somewhat cheap. There are sites that cost few hundred dollars a month but this is for dedicated servers. We are on a share server with other sites so our resources is split up between them. Right now this is fine so we do not need to upgrade at all.

We only ask for donation because we keep the site clean from ads. I am not the type of person who is going to put ads on this site to save money. There were many years I pay most of the site and only got $100 or less. Like I said before, I do not mind paying for the site but we do not make any profit from doing this and any donation shows me that people are interested on keeping this community alive.

I have always said this, if you can not donate, then don't. I am not upset from it. Either way, the site will be paid and I will continue to keep it up.

I want to thank everyone who have donated and to anyone who are active members in the community because without you guys, I will not be doing this.

Back in the early 90s, when my office first got desktop computers and internet access, the first searchword I tried was "atheist".  I found a streaming chat site and stayed there for several years.  Then there were several. 

I found American Atheists and chatted there for some years until some guy dedicated to gay rights kind of took over.  I'm fine with gay rights and many other causes, but there wasn't much atheism involved after a while.

I found you folks about 18 months ago.  I'm glad to see it mostly focussed on atheism.  I don't know any outright admitted atheists in real life, so this place is good. 

I understand that funds are required to keep such a good site functioning.  I sent some.  I hope others do too.  Everyone who enjoys the benefits of talking to other atheists should do the same.  Every bit that keeps the site operating should do the same to the extent they can.

Keep up the great site please...  And I thank you for it...
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Baruch on January 27, 2018, 08:56:54 AM
You are a good man, Charlie Bear.
Title: Re: Site Donation 2018
Post by: Cavebear on January 27, 2018, 09:05:08 AM
Quote from: Baruch on January 27, 2018, 08:56:54 AM
You are a good man, Charlie Bear.

So you donate to the site too?  If not, why not?  Got a dollar?