Forum Costs -- Seeking Support!

[DDGator]

Hello all,

The time we knew would arrive is here!  My most significant carrying costs for the forum are web hosting costs with BlueHost.com.  My last three year subscription is expiring at the end of the month.  With some jostling around that should be invisible on the front end, I have managed to secure another round of "starter pricing" -- as low as $3.95 per month.  The best deal is to lock-in 36 months, for a total cost of $142.20 for three years. 

I also would like to move the domain name registry to Hover.com.  Three years will be about $35, I believe.

The web hosting costs are much cheaper than they used to be, which is nice.  This does not include minor other costs, such as maintaining the related e-mail account, and relies upon me asking my friend, TechGuy, for a few more favors.

Nevertheless, it looks like the bottom line cost to secure another 3 years of the forum is roughly $178.

It appears that our advertisers, for obvious reasons, are not renewing.  I thank all of them over the years for their generous support.  The banners will be coming down soon unless someone steps up and wants to buy a spot. 

Nevertheless, I am faced with either coming out of pocket in the next two weeks or so, or passing the tin cup.

If you would be interested in helping to support the forum, please let me know.  I can easily accept PayPal at duane@daiker.net, or provide a mailing address for checks.  Heck, I can even take credit cards! 

Thanks!

[MICHPATRIOT]

Thanks for the great spot to gather with other Rohrbaugh folks...

[Magrred]

Duane,
I will send donation tomorrow or next day when I get back to my computer.
Thanks for keeping the forum going.
Magrred

[DDGator]

We have had a few donations -- thank you!  Any amount is appropriate and I really appreciate the support.

That being said, we are only about $35 so far. 

Eric Rohrbaugh offered to fund the whole cost of three years, but I declined.  Eric's support over the years has been incredible, and his new level of involvement is one of the things that will potentially keep this forum alive and interesting.  I can't take that kind of money from him.  Thank you, Eric.

The forum simply has no economic viability for advertisers.  In the history of the forum, we have had only 7 people take out ads -- and some were only to take pity on us.      If we want to keep this going, it's going to be up to us to fund it.

I will come out of pocket for the difference to fund the next year of operation if I have to -- I have done so before.  But, if we don't have $178 worth of interest out there, I don't see it making sense to fund a three year commitment.

Thanks again to all who have supported the forum -- now and in the past.  Let's raise a few more $ and lock in the next three years at least.

[PhilZ]

Guys,
We just had a TheRohrbaughForum group buy of $5000 of magazines.  Some bought one, some bought ten.  Duane needs $178 to keep this going.  Let's each chip in $5, $10, $20 or whatever to keep this forum online.  Let's hit $700 and he can get a new $500 laptop from Costco.  Duane, post your Paypal account email and I'll be your next contributor.  Thanks for the last ten years.  Phil

[DDGator]

Thanks, Phil -- I appreciate it.   E-mail for PayPal is duane@daiker.net.

If there is extra, I am going to send TechGuy a gift card for his help.  I can't do the real technical web stuff.

[PhilZ]

PayPal sent.

[cargaritaville]

I am shocked that after Duane's posting of looking to raise $178.00, that he has only raised $35.00 to date. Guys!!! That is embarrassing!!! I only contributed $10.00 because I felt that the response would be overwhelming and the goal reached quickly. I obviously was mistaken. All that ordered magazines...where are you now? Should the goal of $178.00 not be reached by tomorrow night, I will put up whatever is left. This is pathetic. My neighbors daughter sold more in Girl Scout cookies.

[johnny]

Duane can you send me your mailing address?

[MRC]

PayPal sent.

Sorry for the delay Duane.

[mz368]

PayPal sent.  Thanks for all you and Techguy do for us.

[dddonkey]

PayPal sent.  Thanks for all you and Techguy do for us.

X2

[Magrred]

Donation sent by PayPal. Please keep us posted on results. If I need to send more I can.

Thanks for your efforts.

Magrred

[72AV8R]

Donation sent via PayPal.  Thanks for keeping the forum running.

[Richard S]

Duane:

I just checked in and saw this thread. PayPal sent.