Contribution Button Atop Forums

[Randall Flagg]

“Contribute to Help Keep TheDarkTower.org Ad Free” donate button:
For some years now I’ve been able to maintain the site without asking for contributions because most of the costs were minimal. My son, due to the nature of his business, was able to host the site and maintain the server free of charge. The other costs were, for the most part, nominal and I have been absorbing them in order to keep the site here for all of us.
Unfortunately my son’s work situation has changed and I now have to pay for the server storage and maintenance as well as hosting and software.
(So far the labor has been free)

As much as I would like to maintain a Free Dark Tower site the costs have escalated to a point where I cannot shoulder the entire burden on my own and still keep the site operating as it has been.
I have other options – I can inundate the site with ads and pop ups which would generate enough revenue to keep the site going. I could also ask for either monthly or annual membership fees. To me both options would be last resorts. I would rather see members show their appreciation by contributing what they can, when they can, and as a group keep the site ad free.
This is a “beta” test from now until 1/1/2014

[TwistedNadine]

Ill happily contribute - just jeep those damn ads off our site!

[Merlin1958]

I already chipped in $5 and will donate more as well. Is there an approximate "Goal", Jerome? A number that needs to be "hit"?

I've said before that we should be able to help out with the costs for this wonderful site!!! Good deal!!!

[EXPLORER]

I'll join the Club and donate ... Oh wait, we are not a club....
................... Even so, I think there is enough value in this site that providing some support to remain un-POP-UPed would be a logical option.

[Randall Flagg]

I already chipped in $5 and will donate more as well. Is there an approximate "Goal", Jerome? A number that needs to be "hit"?

I've said before that we should be able to help out with the costs for this wonderful site!!! Good deal!!!

No number at this time as it is a test until 1/1/2014.
We usually start the Haven Foundation Fundraiser on 1/1 and I don't want to have two Paypal buttons, since the HF starts 1/1 and runs through 5/13

[pathoftheturtle]

Prevent advertising? Now, that is a good cause!
If there's no goal, can you give a suggested contribution? Come now... "much as you can" isn't really fair.

[Merlin1958]

I think we should all get behind this effort and do what each person is capable of doing, considering their individual circumstances. $5 or maybe $10 a head? For the ensuing year? That seems really cheap for the ability to visit this site to the extent we all do right now. I would venture to say that if the bulk of our members could afford to do that much, the site would be self sustaining. And that is how it should be, no?

[Merlin1958]

Oh, very cool!! You can make it a "Monthly" donation, so if everyone pledged a $1 even, that would be $12 a year from every capable member!!!! $5 a month even better, which is what I opted for as a regular contribution.

You get a receipt as well so, "Spamnon" can list it on his corporate books as "Marketing expenses"!! LOL

[Ben Staad]

I love the site and happy to help the little I can.

[Merlin1958]

I love the site and happy to help the little I can.

$1 a month will do just nicely, if you can easily afford it, that is.

[SirFolio16]

This site/community is def. Worthy of a donation. I just donated a lump sum and will gladly donate $5.00 a month to help with the expenses.

You should consider an auto debit option for people who want to donate monthly.

[Bad Penny]

Definitely on board with this one - a small price indeed to pay each month to keep advertisements and popups from these hallowed hallways of horror !!!

[dnemec]

I agree with the above! Plus it's hard to say no or plead poverty when this site has enabled me to spend over $1000 on books so far this year (and I only joined on May 30th!). I wanted to get a feel for how much you guys were looking for. Contributing now!




UPDATE: And now I'm getting an error when I hit the Donate button: "We were unable to decrypt the certificate id."

[The Library Policeman]

Most definitely up for donating. It's a great idea. This is one of only 2 websites I visit almost every day without fail.

[Ben Staad]

There are two screens to access this from. This happened to me as well. Try the donate now button from the "forum" page.

I agree with the above! Plus it's hard to say no or plead poverty when this site has enabled me to spend over $1000 on books so far this year (and I only joined on May 30th!). I wanted to get a feel for how much you guys were looking for. Contributing now!




UPDATE: And now I'm getting an error when I hit the Donate button: "We were unable to decrypt the certificate id."

[Room 217 Caretaker]

Happy to donate. I look at it as cheap daily therapy.

Mulleins

[Jon]

I'm in, next pay day in two weeks.

[Shannon]

Crow-Man, I know it's a test, but if you could give us an approximate dollar amount per person and how often, that would be great. Because let's just say that everyone donates $5, and it's fine, but then Big Bill comes through and donates a hundred, thinking that is what's needed ... Just a little guidance on the cost would be great.

[Br!an]

I agree with the above! Plus it's hard to say no or plead poverty when this site has enabled me to spend over $1000 on books so far this year (and I only joined on May 30th!). I wanted to get a feel for how much you guys were looking for. Contributing now!

Amen sister! You're preaching to the choir.

I donated too.

[Randall Flagg]

Crow-Man, I know it's a test, but if you could give us an approximate dollar amount per person and how often, that would be great. Because let's just say that everyone donates $5, and it's fine, but then Big Bill comes through and donates a hundred, thinking that is what's needed ... Just a little guidance on the cost would be great.

Once the test period is over. I will have a better idea. It's unlikely (but not impossible) that I will have two Paypal buttons during the fundraiser period-1/1-5/13, so in essence the button would likely only be up 7 months of the year.
I will think on the issue.

[TwistedNadine]

You should consider an auto debit option for people who want to donate monthly.

Good idea. I would sign up for that

[Randall Flagg]

You can check a box on the Paypal donation form to contribute monthly.
Is $3 a month too much? A dime a day.
Opinions?

[TwistedNadine]

Im signing up for $5 a month.
Well worth it as far as Im concerned. I dont want pop up ads and I dont want a forced membership
I also want the option to contribute more if something really cool is posted that I benefit from - sorta like leaving Positive Rep but in the form of $

You can check a box on the Paypal donation form to contribute monthly.
Is $3 a month too much? A dime a day.
Opinions?

[SirFolio16]

After I made my lump sum contribution I tried to go back go back and do a monthly contribution but when I hit the donate button on the home page I am getting the following error:

"We were unable to decrypt the certificate id."

Any idea?

[Dan]

Same error for me. I will try again later on my laptop.