Well...XS11 needs to UPGRADE our HOSTING PLAN!

[JP]

how much in donations would you like to see for individual members ??? t and thank you for a great job!!

Thanks, man.

Whatever you're comfortable with. Most folks donate between $5 and $25. Some donate more than that and that's wonderful. Paypal fees are a higher percentage for lower amounts but 4 donations of $5 spread out over a year is fine if someone is uncomfortable with a 1 time donation of $20. Or even just a 1 time donation of $5 if that's what you can do.

Whatever works for each of you, really.

[slow mo]

donations

how much in donations would you like to see for individual members ??? t and thank you for a great job!!

[JP]

Sometime in the next hour I'm supposed to get a call from the hosting company.

Because I've received 24 donations (thank you again) in the last 24 hours, I'm going to authorize them to move us to a dedicated server. I'll let you know when that's going to happen and if that means that there will be any down time. I'm hoping that it won't but we'll see.

We will still need to receive some donations each month throughout the year to keep it going, but based on what I've seen so far I don't think it's going to be a problem.

So, if any of you have been thinking "I'd like to donate something, but second half of the month? No can do man." then pick your time and make whatever donation you can whenever you can.

[Old Red]

I want to thank everyone that helps make this the great site it is. My son-in-law and I have gotten one XS11 back on the road this year. I have also put together enough parts to get another XS11 (Old Red) back on the road. Info from this site has helped so much. I did make a small donation,

The Other Earl

[JP]

Based upon the math of the figures TC and JP shared, it looks like the cost for the site (for the host anyway) is 15 X 12 or $180 a year.

Actually because of many factors including the size of the forum's database and the bandwidth allotment, it's quite a bit more than that. (BTW, it's not our bandwidth that got us suspended - it's the impact of our bandwidth to other clients that got us suspended.)

Point being, if you are comfortable giving $2, then give that, $10 then give that, every bit helps, small amounts will make a sizable dent.

I am personally not into posting who contributed or how much they contributed (not knocking on the folks who did post what they put in). Mostly because it may be uncomfortable for someone who is scraping change to give the $2 when someone gives $20-$50-$100 who may not even really feel that money out of their budget.

Exactly! It's a tough economy and nobody is being measured by the size of their donation. Not by me anyway. This is also the biggest reason why I don't want to identify who has donated and who hasn't. If someone donated, they know they did, they know how much they did, and they know why they did. And if someone didn't, they know they didn't and that is their business and none of mine.

As for the value of the site, well, how many here have performed the Dremel fix on your bike, how many would have known about that fix or even tried it without this site, and how much would it have cost to have it fixed or fix it yourself without that knowledge? That alone would be savings above and beyond the sites annual cost.

Thank you for saying that. I believe a lot of other folks feel the same way as you.

And that's why I believe the site will continue on.

[Tat2demon]

If we are talking about server upgrades we should have some mobile app services (i.e. Tapatalk, etc) added to the server since a good number of people use phones now to access the site.

I sent TC a PM about that last night. Its very easy to install, free for the forum (costs about $3 for the app on your phone) and a hugely useful mod.

[XSRAY1100]

$$$

Donated.....Hope it helps.....I love this site....

[DGXSER]

Based upon the math of the figures TC and JP shared, it looks like the cost for the site (for the host anyway) is 15 X 12 or $180 a year. Now, if you count just the actively posting members, daily or even weekly, I believe you would find it to be less than $5 a head to cover that cost. Now, there is more cost to this site than the host, somewhere is a bunch of hardware that needs to be kept up with, and electricity to run that hardware....so an annual cost is going to be higher than the $180.

Point being, if you are comfortable giving $2, then give that, $10 then give that, every bit helps, small amounts will make a sizable dent.

I am personally not into posting who contributed or how much they contributed (not knocking on the folks who did post what they put in). Mostly because it may be uncomfortable for someone who is scraping change to give the $2 when someone gives $20-$50-$100 who may not even really feel that money out of their budget.

As for the value of the site, well, how many here have performed the Dremel fix on your bike, how many would have known about that fix or even tried it without this site, and how much would it have cost to have it fixed or fix it yourself without that knowledge? That alone would be savings above and beyond the sites annual cost.

[Aches n Pains]

One other thought. PLEASE don't change platforms. I recently had one of my favorite fishing forums change vendors and now none of my bookmarks work. I've probably got 1,500 bookmarks from this site classified by subject matter. Please don't change.

[Aches n Pains]

Just sent in $100. I'd pay anything to keep this site in operation. Otherwise I'd have three very heavy boat anchors.

Aches n Pains (Doug)

[oldyam80sg]

Just Paypal'ed $15.00 Wish i can do more-in time i will!

[crazy steve]

With that all said I would make a suggestion about donating... I see some forums have a title under the users name if they are a donating member or not JAT. Not that we need to shame anyone into donating but it might be a good tool to get some contributions from the more infrequent visitors..? This doesnt mean you have to donate to use the site.

I like that idea, although it may be a PITA to implement. A small icon next to the members name that expires after a certain time period (a year?). Be an easy-to-see reminder to the member, and an incentive to the non-donators...

Not having all the banners/ads is a huge plus IMO, one of the things that makes this site enjoyable. But as an alternative, maybe a separate forum of 'supporting vendors' who we use for specific XS/XJ parts (like Georgefix, PartsNMore, HVC Cycle, etc). Squeeze a few bucks out of them....

[Prothec]

1. You could sent out a one time mass email to all users whose settings allow if not enough response
2. Hopefully some vendors who have generated revenue from the members well help out

I haven't donated yet, however I certainly will soon!

If anyone has received help from a specific member who has gone above and beyond, donating on their behalf would be an excellent gesture!

[MarkLubyHoward]

You guys are awesome!

I'm a new member, and just got my first XS1100 last week, but you have already saved me way more than my donation in time/effort/supplies through the incredible information on this site. Thanks so much!

Mark
North Platte, NE

[WMarshy]

I'd like to say this is probably the only forum site I've ever been to that doesn't have a whole bunch of spam adds on it and I think its awesome!

Functionality wise the site is more than adequate but, there are some bells and whistles that could be added to bring it up to date. I dont really care for some of them like the inbeded movies because I view this site mostly with my mobile and get full screen when I use the youtube AP. I have not tried tap and talk bu if I was available on this site I would probably get it...

With that all said I would make a suggestion about donating... I see some forums have a title under the users name if they are a donating member or not JAT. Not that we need to shame anyone into donating but it might be a good tool to get some contributions from the more infrequent visitors..? This doesnt mean you have to donate to use the site.

P.S. THANK YOU!