Allotments 4 All

Well what happened was ....

It appears we have become to popular - the shared server we were hosted on can not take the load of our popular little site!

The host I now use moved the site to a dedicated server, as a temporary measure, but this change caused a temporary outage while the internet caught up.

I'll have to investigate what now, as dedicated hosting costs quite a bit more than shared !

Anyhow, sorry and I hope we are all back now!

Cheers

Dan

More money? It'll be worth it - just hear the screams when the site goes down!!

:) I did wonder what happened, but thought you must be doing some work as it went down so quick & then came back as quick with the SC as well ;D Well done Dan  ;D Not sure how we get around the expense  ::) it's such a good site  ;D ;D Thanks  ;D ;D

 ::)WOW felt ill there for a moment! Thought I'd done something wrong!!!
Helen

There must be some way we can all chip in we cannot loose this site, i shall end up in rehab .

This will probably end up with either compulsory paid membership (groan!) or two 'classes' of member;  full paying members/subscribers who get the full 'service'/site and limited free membership.

Not a happy choice  :(

The other i suppose is to become a commercialy sponsored site - probably resulting in rules as to what we can and cant refer to in our posts.

Again not really desirable but better than loosing the whole site.

Never mind i am sure our Dan will sort something out.

Phew, I thought I had broken some cardinal rule and been thrown off the site!! Spent a very worried hour trying to go over my posts, and wandering what on earth I could have said!  Great to be back!! Thanks Dan.  Lottie

This isn't the first time I've come across this problem with boards like this; the software creates an environment which enables a friendlier site than the impersonal Yahoo Groups format, and the next thing is the server can't cope. You'll be getting some money off me next month when I get my annual tax rebate.

Could we not have a sticky topic on the total cost of the account for the coming year with a list of donators and how much they have donated, they could if they choose be anonymous, then when we see the target being reached we could stop donating for that year, any left overs could be carried over to the following year.

Is that not a very good idea as I was thinking it would encourage more folk to donate when they see the target figure being reached?

I wouldn't want my name to be on a sticky list of donors, and it would be embarrassing for anyone who genuinely couldn't pay. But something to indicate what was needed, and what the current total collected was, might help.

Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on June 17, 2005, 08:28:08
I wouldn't want my name to be on a sticky list of donors, and it would be embarrassing for anyone who genuinely couldn't pay. But something to indicate what was needed, and what the current total collected was, might help.

Then you could be incognito that way you would know your payment has been received, there would only need to be one annonymous to save face but I have seen this done on others boards and most were anonymous, some of the big payers used their real names.

Now is the Time to Have OUR   A4A [ G8 Summit] :D

Dan: ;)

Set out your Ideas and the Projected Costs Per person that
is needed to Continue Here. ???

How do we make a Contribution from this Side of the Water
Via Paypal Maybe. ???

Its time now to Have your [ Points of View ] 8)

or those Ideas....miss it and its too  late...Its our Site [ Sorry Dan Your Sight] for us ...so lets get it Sorted. ;) :D

Lets not lose this Outstanding Site :'(

Quote from: Roy Bham UK on June 17, 2005, 08:38:41
Then you could be incognito that way you would know your payment has been received, there would only need to be one annonymous to save face but I have seen this done on others boards and most were anonymous, some of the big payers used their real names.

That really grates; 'Look at me, see what I gave'. It would be better if it was all anonymous.

 :) Agree  :) :)

Robert :D

Dont have to publish a list....but a modest Contribution

Divided into the Number of Members Using the Site....Should'nt be too Heavy for Anyone!! If it is them
that can be resolved

I don't see that it would be too difficult to organise subscriptions in a way that's free just to read messages but with a small annual charge for posting facilities.  It should be easy enough to set up a credit card account so the site stays open to those of us not in the UK and therefore without checking accounts.

If the contribution were kept to a small, round figure, eg £10 sterling it should be within the means of most users and could be reviewed up or down after one year's trial.   I have no idea how much a dedicated server would cost so please feel free to hurl abuse/constructive comments.

This site is so good and comprehensive it needs to be kept going in a way that holds a tenable future for it and us. 

I was thinkning of maybe offering some kind of membership which offered a benefit, not at the detriment to all other members.

Something like, for an annual subscription, access to the picture posting, and no adverts.

What do people think about that ?

I'm going to be a little busy for the next few days, so forgive me if I don't respond.

Cheers

Dan

That would work too but I have to say I don't mind the ads.  We can ignore the ones of no personal interest to us so why cut off this source of income?

Quote from: TULIP-23 on June 17, 2005, 09:21:20
Robert :D

Dont have to publish a list....but a modest Contribution

Divided into the Number of Members Using the Site....Should'nt be too Heavy for Anyone!! If it is them
that can be resolved

Disagree, that would put people in an embarrassing situation that could ill afford to contribute or plain simply didn't want to, plus the figure of 2318 members is fictitious as a large majority of these folk may have registered just to make one or two comments, died, left the country etc; There are probs only a handful of hardcore active members, I would guess around 200? If that and maybe 20% willing to part with a fiver and that would bring in £200 and I would expect that to more than cover a years subs if not change the Host, I believe Eziboard is one of the greediest Hosts and that was well under £200 the last time the hat went round. ;D

Another option (and I gathered this off our Chancellor GB ;D) is to ask members to pay a ¼ of a penny per post per year ;D

Where's the door? ;D

  :) Made some very interesting comments there Roy, tend to agree  :) :)

Well, I think we should pay something, I know I spend a Lot of time here (Too much, it has been said.....), I've had some sterling advice and met some lovely people.  Surely it's no different to a club Membership? Free to browse, but pay to belong and receive benefits. Lottie

I would rather pay than lose this site.

How about an annual membership? Full members would be able to do everything on the site (including not stare at ads!) Newbies (and existing members) who haven't paid would be able to post for a limited period, in order to encourage them to join and then after that time view only?

I assume Dan's not doing this for profit, so all extra money could be paid to charity?

Quote from: Roy Bham UK on June 17, 2005, 13:14:41

Quote from: TULIP-23 on June 17, 2005, 09:21:20
Robert :D

Dont have to publish a list....but a modest Contribution

Divided into the Number of Members Using the Site....Should'nt be too Heavy for Anyone!! If it is them
that can be resolved

Disagree, that would put people in an embarrassing situation that could ill afford to contribute or plain simply didn't want to, plus the figure of 2318 members is fictitious as a large majority of these folk may have registered just to make one or two comments, died, left the country etc; There are probs only a handful of hardcore active members, I would guess around 200? If that and maybe 20% willing to part with a fiver and that would bring in £200 and I would expect that to more than cover a years subs if not change the Host, I believe Eziboard is one of the greediest Hosts and that was well under £200 the last time the hat went round. ;D

Another option (and I gathered this off our Chancellor GB ;D) is to ask members to pay a ¼ of a penny per post per year ;D

Where's the door? ;D

Roy... Membership...or a Small Contribution!! Were is the Problem!!

Can we go to the Supermarket...Garage....Garden Centre...etc...etc and get everything for free....just because we cant afford to pay..... ???

200 Hard Core members at 5:00 Pounds 5x200 =1,000 pounds
surely more than enough ???

I would be pleased to pay a fixed sum for the pleasure of continuing in A4A.  I have met so manynice folks in here and had so much fun over the past 18 months I feel I ought to contribute something.  But, please make the payment simple  i.e. a cheque or postal order for a fixed sum or even a standing order form.  I have tried already to contribute via PayPal and just went round in circles. 

Mike sorry to sound like I’m knit picking, but you are altering what you are saying in your quotes and your sums don’t add up either, or is it me? 20% of 200 = 40 x 5 = 200?

And let us not forget that the Internet World Wide Web is free to all and sundry and we can travel all around the World talking in message boards totally free if we wish and at speed with little or no trouble and a loaf of bread is a necessity that most folk are only too willing to pay for.

I would be willing to pay but i do not want to be on a donated X amount list that would not be fair, just either pay a sum or not some peeps maybe struggling to make ends meet anyway, they do not need a donation list in their face making them feel awkward.  I am sure the BOSS will sort it out.

>:( Who started this doom and gloom >:( (hope it wasn't me ;D) this isn't about the site going to the wall, ::) it's about the success of a site that has blossomed so much that it is playing hell with the servers because it has been fertilised so much it is bursting at the seems. 8)

We should be celebrating not passing the hat round. (Shouldn't we?)
::)

I agree there  Roy my friend......it will sort its self out...with the help of Dan

Oh arent we being a bunch of doomsayers then?  Pay up now or loose the site!

I'll agree in theory that those of us who contribute a lot  and get a lot out of it should help towards the cost of running the site . However not all of us can afford £10 or even £5 a month. To say to those 'Sorry if you cant pay the required amount you cant post' would be a little harsh. I myself am able to contribute a pound or two a month but not much more.

Someone suggested a 'per post' contribution. This again is good in theory (those who use the site most pay the most),but it might put people off posting too often for fear of totting up a large bill! Bit like dialup internet - a bit restrictive. Plus theres administering it. Voluntary contributions are far easier to manage than having to work out what people owe and then sending out reminders (by email). Then there's collecting the money ::).

No i think the solution that dan himself is considering, a membership which gives additional benefits and no adverts, is the best solution, leaving those who cant or wont pay with a more limited/basic service.

::) My goodness me ::) Does anyone bother to read these posts? ???

I wouldn't want my name to be on a sticky list of donors, Solution be anonymous.

That really grates; 'Look at me, see what I gave'. It would be better if it was all anonymous.Solution be anonymous.

Don’t have to publish a list....Why? Isn’t this encouraging?

This years Target…………………………………………..….....£200.00
Donation received 18/06/05                            .    £  5.00  Balance £195 by anonymous
Donation received 19/06/05                                £10.00      “        £185 by anonymous
Donation received 19/06/05                                £ 1.00      “        £184 by anonymous
Donation received 19/06/05                              £184.00      “        £nil   by Kelcoo

There must be some way we can all chip in we cannot loose this site,

I don’t recall Dan saying this popular site is heading for the wall?

However not all of us can afford £10 or even £5 a month….We are talking yearly subs.

Someone suggested a 'per post' contribution…. Sorry I was being a little flippant. :P

Quote from: Roy Bham UK on June 18, 2005, 10:52:46
::) My goodness me ::) Does anyone bother to read these posts? ???

I wouldn't want my name to be on a sticky list of donors, Solution be anonymous.

That really grates; 'Look at me, see what I gave'. It would be better if it was all anonymous.Solution be anonymous.

Don’t have to publish a list....Why? Isn’t this encouraging?

This years Target…………………………………………..….....£200.00
Donation received 18/06/05                            .    £  5.00  Balance £195 by anonymous
Donation received 19/06/05                                £10.00      “        £185 by anonymous
Donation received 19/06/05                                £ 1.00      “        £184 by anonymous
Donation received 19/06/05                              £184.00      “        £nil   by Kelcoo

There must be some way we can all chip in we cannot loose this site,

I don’t recall Dan saying this popular site is heading for the wall?

However not all of us can afford £10 or even £5 a month….We are talking yearly subs.

Someone suggested a 'per post' contribution…. Sorry I was being a little flippant. :P

ER yes some of us DO read the posts Roy. My post inparticular was my response to them. No need ot get 'funny' with us!

Shall we all put this to bed now and leave Dan to sort it otherwise i can see bad feeling rearing its ugly head.

 ::) absolutely agree rosebud  ??? :-X :-X I think it's called jumping the gun !!!!!  ;)

what happens happens
there is no need to get upset and angry
dan will tell us if he needs our help and i am in no dought that we will all come up with a idea to save the lotti site
lets just wait and sea
matt
p.s what a lovely day

Goodnight.......Account Suspended. 8) ;D

Well said...You Ladies

 ;D ;D ;D Well said I don't know what all the fuss is about ;D ;D ;D

hey i am not a womon well i was not when i last looked
me and my wife use this
matt a man xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 ;D And your Wife wipes her feet on it? ;D

Everybody calm down, Roys idea is great up to a point.
The problem being that as far as work and anonimity is concerned, its not practical.
How about Dan makes a total figure for all of his expenses, sticks it in the corner of the site and have it deduct every donation made- that needs a bit of programming but is a simple and easy way of doing things both for him (as its a simple formula) and for us (as we can identify how badly donations are required at a glance, rather than simply guessing whether Dan has enough).

??? Uh! Isn’t that what I said in the Target list ??? The target being the sum (fictitious) that Dan may require to keep the board running smoothly, not to keep it afloat as the scare mongerers are trying to indicate` because it is simply not sinking. Now I've either missed something or now I'm not reading what you are posting.

Let us not forget a donation is a voluntary gift and it leaves a nasty taste in the mouth when people try to prise money out of me just like cripples in wheel chairs that try to block doorways in shops whilst shaking a money box in my face, there I've said it now, my button has been pressed.

P.S. return of the mac, no reflection on your post BTW ;)

Roy ;D

Maybe a better word would be Disabled Persons....
Cripples are what happens  with these little Bas...ds in the Lotties that you Catch!!

That do all the Damage.

Just maybe Roy a Lot of our Friends here could be Disabled
Think about it for a moment....like an arrow the spoken word never comes back!!

I'm going to close this topic now, have a think, do some sums and come back to everyone in a few days.

Cheers

Dan