Here's your chance to tell me what to do. Options

[94bird]

As I stated early on I'd gladly contribute myself to keep away from 2 things:

1) Popups
2) Restricted posts based on who's a sponsor of the site

[GlennCMC70]

As I stated early on I'd gladly contribute myself to keep away from 2 things:

1) Popups
2) Restricted posts based on who's a sponsor of the site

i'm nominating you for President of FRRAX.com!

[Jon A]

As I stated early on I'd gladly contribute myself to keep away from 2 things:

1) Popups
2) Restricted posts based on who's a sponsor of the site

3) The site stalling because it's contacting oz.valueclick.com.or who the fuck ever.com that I didn't want to go in the first place while the banner add loads.

[sgarnett]

As I stated early on I'd gladly contribute myself to keep away from 2 things:

1) Popups
2) Restricted posts based on who's a sponsor of the site

3) The site stalling because it's contacting oz.valueclick.com.or who the fuck ever.com that I didn't want to go in the first place while the banner add loads.

Yep, I'd gladly chip in to avoid all 3. However, if sponsors and ads do happen, please don't make it anything that streams continuously.

I don't know if the continuously scrolling banner streams or downloads once and repeats (hopefully), but anything that generates traffic automatically (without clicking) is inherently "not work friendly". Personal use of the internet connection at work is allowed on a limited basis, but features such as tickers that update continuously "keep the meter running" so to speak, and it is DEFINITELY tracked.

[Chris 96 WS6]

As long as I own this site it will NEVER have:

1. Pop ups of ANY KIND
2. Restrictions on posts to avoid offending a sponsor
3. A bunch of banners, scrolling, etc.

At mtfba.org we put our sponsors' 100x45 banners in a rotating banner at the top of the forums. Each time you visit it loads a different one randomly. There is never more than 1 on the screen, it is small an unobtrusive, and there are not rotating or animated features that slow your machine down, etc.

I'm not going to go out soliciting for sponsors, but if someone approaches me and wants to support the site then I'm not going to turn them away, as long as they understand they are not going to get special treatment or be insulated from criticism.

[mitchntx]

I guess I'm on the other side of the fence.

I would prefer to pay for access, as opposed to dealing with sponsors.

In my mind, Chris, a donation is the same thing as a gift. In this case, the gift would have some return on it (this site), but I wouldn't expect anything refunded. There will always be something down the road that needs monetary attention.

From what I'm seeing of the members of this place, is that it's not the typical "surfer". Most, if not all, realize that nothing in life is for free and that respect is a precious commodity.

In one month, this place already has a great archive of information.

[Chris 96 WS6]

I understand and appreciate it, but put yourselves in my shoes. We are not talking about very much money (~$200 a year) and while donations would wipe that out quickly.

However, I guess its something of a personal pride thing that I would not want to accept "charity", as it were, to fund the site. Donations would be more "right" in my gut if it were a pay-for-access site, but that would destroy the membership base pretty quickly.

[mitchntx]

Charity is something given for someone in need.
Donation is somethng given to support what one believes in.

I don't mind donating to a good cause, however, charity is something I doll out to only thsose who I think need it. If a racer needs charuty, that person needs to quit racing.

Think of it this way ...

If you and I were at a track and I broke brake rotor and you had a used spare, would you give it to me for me to be able to continue m event?

Would you consider that charity or a donation?

[94bird]

Chris, don't make it a "pay for access" site, but if you would appreciate donations, just give us an address to contribute to. Paypal, checks, whatever. I'm sure you'd get your $200 pretty quickly and it would take a burden off you that none of us meant to create.

[mitchntx]

I would prefer to pay for access, as opposed to dealing with sponsors.

Oooops ..... Don't misunderstand that comment ...

By pay, I mean donation, not a charge ....

[Chris 96 WS6]

Alrighty, say I set up a paypal deal.

Should there be a minimum and or max donation, a set amount, or wide open for whatever you want to contribute?

Should I continue to accept donations in excess of what is needed, for use toward future years and possible increases in fees due to bandwidth, or do I close donations once we hit the necessary amount for the year?

I'm not being stubborn here, you guys are winning me over, but I guess it is the details that concern me.

[mitchntx]

I would think a Paypal account would do nicely.

Keep it open, because when a request goes out for donations, they will come in. But then they will be forgotten ... until the next request goes out.

Kind of like Salvation army ... I put my change in the pot during Christmas time because that's when I remember to do it ...

[rmackintosh]

I agree with Mitch...

You could post a "stickie" somewhere that gives the goal you are aiming for, and keep it updated on how close we are to it so you don't get to concerned about getting too much and what to do with it....

[mitchntx]

I agree with Mitch...

You realize that could be fatal, don't you?

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[sgarnett]

Hey, maybe you'll get enough for the interest alone to sustain the site (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I wouldn't worry about getting too much. Both time and growth will increase the operating costs. If you end up with a surplus, hang on to it as a buffer against future expenses (including the unanticipated things, like repairs).

[Trance]

Nice idea on the Paypal account. I say keep it open. You never know when this place might need a faster cpu/more memory/more bandwidth.