Question to the Admins & Staff here....

[Old Dood]

My question is:
Are all of the Administrators & Staff Members 'sure' you do not want any of us regular members to chip in financially wise to help in purchasing new equipment for the forum?

I can speak for myself that I can afford at least $25.00 toward a new server (if that is what you all really need) for the cause.

I will not speak for anyone else but, if I were a betting man I would 'bet' that others would want to help as well.

I would not want anything 'extra' for helping out.
I just am willing & able to help out.

That is all. That time of year.

EDIT: Please do not lock this right away. Allow others to voice their opinions. Thanks...

[Swahili]

Originally Posted by Old Dood

EDIT: Please do not lock this right away. Allow others to voice their opinions. Thanks...

I was going to lock it RIGHT until you said this . Haha j/k

As far as I know, Branden and the admin are currently seeking out a permanent solution for the server and the error messages we've been receiving recently. I won't speak for him, but I believe Branden would still like to keep this a completely free forum, whether that changes at any time in the future is up to him.

The admin may have more information on that decision so we'll wait for nsap or Rex to respond.

If you want to make a contribution, let me set up an account and give you the number. Oh yeah, it's for the server.

[likearock00]

Please let us help! It is well worth it to send a few bucks to eliminate the stress I am going through with this POS server. The kids have been struck twice by the computer so far and I'd be a shame for them to lose a limb all over GMI!!

Please let us know how we can contribute!! It can still be a free site. Donations should always be accepted though.

[Buick61]

The idea of Premium membership has been raised several times in the past. I just don't think it's going to happen.

[Bidler]

What a great idea to solve the problem. Keep it a free site, but accept donations from those of us who are willing to contribute.
Count me in !

[Old Dood]

I was taught NEVER refuse a person's willingness to give.

I am not asking for any 'Premium Membership' or will *I* ever come back and say 'Hey I helped out before....blah blah blah'. That is not the spirit of giving is to throw it up in someone's face. You might as well never give anything if that is how one thinks about why they give is to receive something in return.

The only 'receiving' I would be looking forward to is a smooth sailing ship here in regards to the server loads. That would be 'thanks enough' for me and I am sure for most here.

[Slack]

I agree. I wouldn't mind pitching in a few dollars if it meant clicking on a story would actually bring up the story every time, or we could be allowed more than one search every 60 seconds. I like the idea of donations, but not so much any type of Premium Membership.

[jfnz24]

Yea, count me in. Those "server are busy" messages get frustrating. However, on the bright side, I have gotten more other work done at that time...

[darndot]

If Brandon is making fist fulls of cash from the site, and not doing upgrades then I don't really want to help. I have a feeling that is not the case.

I don't mind pitching in for a new server. If Brandon is wanting to keep the site free, just post a paypal account just for site support and everybody could give anonymously. You wouldn't have to give us benfits or even knowledge it expect for a thanks.

[nsap]

I won't speak for Branden, but I don't believe finances is the issue with getting a new server.

[Swahili]

Originally Posted by darndot

If Brandon is making fist fulls of cash from the site, and not doing upgrades then I don't really want to help. I have a feeling that is not the case.

I don't mind pitching in for a new server. If Brandon is wanting to keep the site free, just post a paypal account just for site support and everybody could give anonymously. You wouldn't have to give us benfits or even knowledge it expect for a thanks.

Definitely is not the case. Branden makes a living elsewhere, GMI is a hobby (a very passionate one, but hobby just the same).

[paul8488]

Just so everybody knows... admins and mods don't have special back-door entry passes... we get the page loading errors too...





And trust me... I've begged and cried for such special treatment...

[darndot]

I guess one of the questions is it really a hardware problem or are we reaching the limits of software?

[coaster.n3rd]

Don't make it a pay site. But at least accept my favorite nation into the fold. That nation is donation.

I would gladly dump some foldin money into a GMi piggy bank.

[Old Dood]

Originally Posted by nsap

I won't speak for Branden, but I don't believe finances is the issue with getting a new server.

OK..that IS helpful.
As a lowly member here I simply do not know.
So with that in mind I simply offered what I might 'suspect' could be the case.....hard cold cash.

I know that there are members here (not all but quite a few is my guess) that are willing & able (that is the difference right there too) to want to chip in and help out.
Simply no more then a thank you toward the people behind the scenes and to get this sluggesh server cranking again.

I have noticed it seems to be when 'guests' reach 400 and 'members' reach around 100 (4:1 ratio) then the site locks up.

That is why I also 'suggested' to limit guests to only very limited areas when demand is high so the membership can have more 'server time'.
I am NO expert in this stuff but I thought maybe that could help out too...