alert Important Notice - This site and COVID 19

[Admin]

Hosting for the next month has been paid. There was almost $200AUD in the First Class Member kitty (a good month with 4 First Class Members) and the total needed was $280 with the exchange rate so all good for another month while we try and come up with a longer term solution...just hope the exchange rate doesn't drop more

[facthunter]

It's hard to find one "good" factor in it all, Ian. Soldier on old buddy. Nev.

[onetrack]

Ian, what is the main reason you're paying a U.S. operator to host the website? Is there something they can do, that we can't do here in Oz?

I mean to say, I thought hosting only involved the use of a big server and the occasional attention to that server. Why can't we purchase a big server here, and you host the site on that, and you attend to the server maintenance?

I was under the impression that a big server with reasonable capacity, is not a huge cost outlay, around $2000 to $3000? With a server under your control at your location, you could also host other websites, and bring in income?

You're halfway there, you already have the IT skills to maintain a data centre. At $280 a mth in hosting costs, it is only going to take less than a year to pay for a server of your own.

[acrofan]

After losing Pacific Flyer and Sport Pilot I miss them sadly and badly, am more than happy to donate to this excellent forum to help keep it operating, it's too good to lose.

[Admin]

You can't really host a web server needed for say this site at home

[Old Koreelah]

... If every member became a first class member there should be enough cash to keep running although perhaps not enough to keep Ian fed.

This site seems to have become an expensive hobby for Ian- and we have been the beneficiaries.

We should at least raise enough to cover his costs, such as rental payments for the server.

 

Many of us could afford a nominal subscription. Upon my retirement I rationalised my subscription outlays to just a few worthwhile ones.

Collectively they cost less than many people spend on beer or coffee.

[Butch]

After losing Pacific Flyer and Sport Pilot I miss them sadly

There's over $100 subscription for these two publications!

I've been trying to encourage people to donate for ages to help this site survive!

Ian donates all his time and effort and shouldn't be expected to be out of pocket to keep it afloat.

Don't look at it as a donation, think of it as a subscription.

Ian you have done a great job all the time I have visited this site . Don't be afraid to except help from all of us forum users "we are all in this together"

I'll start by donating $50.00 if you put the donation button back up and I'm sure there are many more out there that will help.

Remember the old saying "you don't know what you have got till it's gone!"

.

[Jerry_Atrick]

Ian,

 

First and foremost look after your personal matters...

 

Although this appears to be a hobby in which we have benefited (why would UK and US aviators patronise this site otherwise?), you should be open to accepting our support! It is not defrauding us - you have been up front all the time and stated the problems; if we decide to kick in, that is our decision. And if you make a bit of money on the way, kudos to you. Subscription shouldn't have to be mandatory as that would kill growth in numbers, but separating/developing a members only section over the longer term would help..

 

We are all happy to chip in it seems. It is time to that PM hat on and develop a plan (and then execute) to get it on a sustainable footing...

 

PM me your server spec.. I am sure we can think of something to decrease the cost in the short term.

 

JA

[hihosland]

Thank you Ian for all that you have put into this site

I'm one of those willing to pick up again the "first class" button when the button comes back,

or sign up for a subscription

[Jerry_Atrick]

I would add the Donate button and in red either above or below have a hyerlink saying "Read this before donating"... Or hyperlink the donate button to this thread and have the real donate button at the top of each page (not sure the latter can be done for a single thread)

[jackc]

I am prepared to throw in for the forum to keep going.......no free lunches here, but definitely better setup than Swampbook.

[pmccarthy]

Ian we need this site in the short term next few months and you should not rule out donations. We may all be stuck at home with only our RF friends to lift our spirits . Longer term, perhaps some other way.

[red750]

Dead right Peter. For some of us old buggers, RF is all we have left. I can't afford cash donations, but will do what I can to maintain interest with the Showcase and brain teasers. The aim of Men's Sheds is to stave off depression, but they are being suspended due to the risk of spreading the virus. The online version was withdrawn a couple of years ago. As Peter says, when we are isolated at home, RF could be our only lifeline.

[Mike Gearon]

Hosting for the next month has been paid. There was almost $200AUD in the First Class Member kitty (a good month with 4 First Class Members) and the total needed was $280 with the exchange rate so all good for another month while we try and come up with a longer term solution...just hope the exchange rate doesn't drop more

That’s excellent news. Now, just need Australia to take the bloody virus seriously. I just read in the Age that people arrived Thursday from Vietnam with no temp check. I get checked 4 to 5 times a day and most of Asia is same. Really worried for everyone there. I’m stuck in Taiwan and feel guilty about feeling safe!

[Admin]

Firstly, thank you to those that have supported this site by posting comments in this thread.

 

I have read every one of your posts and taken onboard your suggestions and I think there is potential for the site to weather the storm over the coming times and come out on top even if I can't get a job so I am working on a plan that includes both short and long term strategies...for example:

• Site donations (could there be different levels like Gold Class, Silver Class etc but how would that work...Benefits?????)
  
• Google ads in side column (highly unlikely to be much benefit as most users just go to the Whats New page and flick between new posts)
  
• ClearProp current stock item specials
  
• Site management board
  
• First Class Member benefits (not sure what more could be done here)
  
• ClearProp to list prices as simply "Cost + $x" as cost prices can change daily due to the exchange rate
  
• Site user supplied services (example a user is an insurance agent so what deals can be offered to other users by them...win/win)
  

Any other wild and weird ideas?

[hihosland]

Ian,

I believe that the site is worth a subscription at the same rate for everyone.

I feel that Gold class etc will only complicate a simple equation ie site needs cash, users need to contribute.

That is unless gold class can provide some substantial benefits to differentiate above normal rates.

As an indication print magazines cost around $50-$100 for 12 issues from the discount outlets.

best wishes

Davidh

[facthunter]

Win/Win is usually heads … you win.. Tails.... I lose.. Nev.

[ClintonB]

How about we have like a sausage sizzle at home where every member (who can) puts in $2 on 1 weekend a month like at Bunnings. I prefer to donate here than to homeless kitty cat shelters etc.

we have lost most of our aviation orientated magazines that are relevant to most of us.

i like my forum time here and don’t have or want FB, snippy chat or any of the others.

cheers

Clinton

[FlyingVizsla]

I would like to donate more. I support sites that I appreciate. I am not looking for "extra benefits" as I am happy with what I have (eg longer editing window).

Perhaps a Gold Member (donates more than $50 pa.) and allow us to nominate a figure each year. Or just leave it as First Class and let us give more than $50.

[Old Koreelah]

I recall a story about restaurants with no prices. After eating, patrons were free to pay what they thought the meal was worth. The concept apparently enjoyed limited success, but it may work on this site.

[Admin]

I remember that however I recall they went broke and closed...could be wrong

 

Edited: they are still going Lentil As Anything

Edited March 21, 2020 by Admin

[FlyingVizsla]

Perhaps we could sponsor a month on the calendar (to pay the server fees) - imagine the calendar with Mr FV as April?

Events - May - bought to you by .... OK, Facty, et al. Avatars please, as I think the real thing (all over 70) might be a bit frightening. ?

Several magazines we used to pay subscription to have ceased, so might as well support this site with the $$$s saved.

 

Can't imagine life without Wreck Flying, build blogs, forum and the NES.

[Old Koreelah]

...Can't imagine life without Wreck Flying...

Listen here Sue: most of us may be old and decrepit, but no need to write us off completely!

[Wirraway]

TLDR, Yeah, I know, piss-poor excuse....but i did read many posts.

Am willing to contribute.

Wjat are the bank details??? Please???

[BirdDog]

Mate - I have dedicated hosting solutions that probably has capacity for the site. I would hate to see it go, so if I can help you - reach out mate. We can discuss the long term plans too!