Donate To Keep The Site Ad Free - Donation Button Above Threads

**Randall Flagg** · 10-26-2014 11:16 AM

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, hardware, 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 significant 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.

Paypal Gift address is: crownandcola@aol.com
It's my wife's PP address, so don't freak out when the payee is "Dolores".

**Lot guy** · 10-26-2014 11:40 AM

RF,
What is a reasonable amount for each member to donate in order to meet the expense?

**Randall Flagg** · 10-26-2014 11:48 AM

A one time donation of $36.50 (for 1 year of pleasure) from each member would be appreciated. That's a dime per day.
More is better, as only a few people actually helped last year (several were very generous).

**carlosdetweiller** · 10-26-2014 12:29 PM

Are you thinking of adding a donation button to the site or would you prefer we just send donations to your e-mail address via PayPal? Or something else?

**Br!an** · 10-26-2014 12:34 PM

I found the PP Test1 Subscription in Settings a while ago and have been sending you a buck a month. Would you prefer I use this email instead of the zoidsmith one?

Either way I'll up the monthly amount for you.

**Randall Flagg** · 10-26-2014 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by carlosdetweiller

Are you thinking of adding a donation button to the site or would you prefer we just send donations to your e-mail address via PayPal? Or something else?

There should be a PP donation button at the top of each Forum, Thread, and Post (scroll up to see).
The best option is to PP gift to:
crownandcola@aol.com

Paypal takes a huge cut on the button, however a PP gift yields (nets) more.

I earlier mentioned a dime per day. That's not too much for what we (the community) provide. Honestly, I feel it's worth a dollar a day per person, but that is probably a stretch.

**Lot guy** · 10-26-2014 01:06 PM

I'll send donation to the ordered email then.
Thanks for having this site up & putting in the time for all of us!

**Merlin1958** · 10-26-2014 04:47 PM

Question 1: What is your "fiscal cycle" for the site fees?

Question 2: Are we donating for 2015 or 2014?

Question 3: Is there a "dollar menu"? LOL

Just curious, J. If you decline to respond I would understand. You can count on me to help out in any case!!

**Merlin1958** · 10-26-2014 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Lot guy

I'll send donation to the ordered email then.
Thanks for having this site up & putting in the time for all of us!

Thank you, thank you!! He couldn't do it without me!! LOL J/K LOL

**Ben Staad** · 10-26-2014 05:25 PM

I'm in as well. Love the site, including all the characters that seem to be drawn to this corner of the web.

**stroppygoblin** · 10-26-2014 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Ben Staad

I'm in as well. Love the site, including all the characters that seem to be drawn to this corner of the web.

"It's a small town son, and we all support the team"

**Shannon** · 10-26-2014 06:17 PM

You bolded significant, so I figure I'd ask the question, do you think you'll pull in more money if the members voluntarily donate what they can per year or from ads/popups?

**Merlin1958** · 10-26-2014 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Shannon

You bolded significant, so I figure I'd ask the question, do you think you'll pull in more money if the members voluntarily donate what they can per year or from ads/popups?

From what I understand, opening the site to "Ads" would be much more lucrative than member donations. We all visit the site often, at least quite a few do, and a donation seems reasonable to me to keep the site, "Ad-Free".

**Roseannebarr** · 10-26-2014 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Ebola Gay

Originally Posted by Shannon

You bolded significant, so I figure I'd ask the question, do you think you'll pull in more money if the members voluntarily donate what they can per year or from ads/popups?

From what I understand, opening the site to "Ads" would be much more lucrative than member donations. We all visit the site often, at least quite a few do, and a donation seems reasonable to me to keep the site, "Ad-Free".

Small donation made! Love the site!

**webstar1000** · 10-27-2014 03:41 AM

I believe in helping the site.. RF knows this as well. I, along with what I have done so far, would give more BUT I ask the question... what kind of ads would be on here? Cemetery Dance, Sub Press, etc? I, have no problem with that ans would kind of like it if it was done right... The right advertisers would add something to it don't you think guys? AND if it helps RF even make a little for all his hard work.. isn't that even better? I am game for whatever just brain storming here...

**Randall Flagg** · 10-27-2014 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by Shannon

You bolded significant, so I figure I'd ask the question, do you think you'll pull in more money if the members voluntarily donate what they can per year or from ads/popups?

Most likely from ads.

**Randall Flagg** · 10-27-2014 04:49 AM

Originally Posted by webstar1000

I believe in helping the site.. RF knows this as well. I, along with what I have done so far, would give more BUT I ask the question... what kind of ads would be on here? Cemetery Dance, Sub Press, etc? I, have no problem with that ans would kind of like it if it was done right... The right advertisers would add something to it don't you think guys? AND if it helps RF even make a little for all his hard work.. isn't that even better? I am game for whatever just brain storming here...

Check this site out to see what I wouldn't want the site to look like:
http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...x/classic-cars

**webstar1000** · 10-27-2014 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by Randall Flagg

Originally Posted by webstar1000

I believe in helping the site.. RF knows this as well. I, along with what I have done so far, would give more BUT I ask the question... what kind of ads would be on here? Cemetery Dance, Sub Press, etc? I, have no problem with that ans would kind of like it if it was done right... The right advertisers would add something to it don't you think guys? AND if it helps RF even make a little for all his hard work.. isn't that even better? I am game for whatever just brain storming here...

Check this site out to see what I wouldn't want the site to look like:
http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...x/classic-cars

Yeah your right... that is not as nice for sure. So YOU prefer no ads at all RF?

**Randall Flagg** · 10-27-2014 05:00 AM

I abhor ads.

**stroppygoblin** · 10-27-2014 05:06 AM

I think everyone here would prefer zero ads. The idea of having small publishers like CD or PS advertising is nice, but I feel unrealistic. Pretty much every member here is aware of them and announcements of new works are already done - why would they spend extra money on advertising?

How much control over adds would you have Jerome? I could live with a clickable advert section that appears at the top or bottom of a page, but Popups are a definite NO for me.

Personal contributions are great, I have no problem in making a monthly donation (and have already signed up to do so) but it stops being workable when it's the same few that are always donating...

**webstar1000** · 10-27-2014 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by stroppygoblin

I think everyone here would prefer zero ads. The idea of having small publishers like CD or PS advertising is nice, but I feel unrealistic. Pretty much every member here is aware of them and announcements of new works are already done - why would they spend extra money on advertising?

How much control over adds would you have Jerome? I could live with a clickable advert section that appears at the top or bottom of a page, but Popups are a definite NO for me.

Personal contributions are great, I have no problem in making a monthly donation (and have already signed up to do so) but it stops being workable when it's the same few that are always donating...

I agree... I would pay to use this site for sure as most would. I also would be ok with a small amount of ads in a specific location. As for popups? No way. The problem will be just that to Simon... same people paying.

**Iwritecode** · 10-27-2014 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by Randall Flagg

Check this site out to see what I wouldn't want the site to look like:
http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...x/classic-cars

The layout looks like hell but I don't see any ads there...

**stroppygoblin** · 10-27-2014 06:05 AM

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

Originally Posted by Randall Flagg

Check this site out to see what I wouldn't want the site to look like:
http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...x/classic-cars

The layout looks like hell but I don't see any ads there...

triple ad banner across the top, at least 3 different ad spaces down the right hand side. Do you have some ad blocking software turned on?

and..

**Dan** · 10-27-2014 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by stroppygoblin

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

Originally Posted by Randall Flagg

Check this site out to see what I wouldn't want the site to look like:
http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...x/classic-cars

The layout looks like hell but I don't see any ads there...

triple ad banner across the top, at least 3 different ad spaces down the right hand side. Do you have some ad blocking software turned on?

and..

I didn't see any ads. I use ADBLOCK PLUS on Firefox. But, I also sent a payment to Jerome and am quite happy paying a small fee to keep ads off this forum.

**Iwritecode** · 10-27-2014 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by stroppygoblin

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

Originally Posted by Randall Flagg

Check this site out to see what I wouldn't want the site to look like:
http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...x/classic-cars

The layout looks like hell but I don't see any ads there...

triple ad banner across the top, at least 3 different ad spaces down the right hand side. Do you have some ad blocking software turned on?

and..

It’s possibly due to my out-dated browser that I can’t update.

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