Posted on 01/11/2011 5:28:06 AM PST by paulycy
FYI -
Here are statements from Jim about the future of FreeRepublic.com for those who missed them. They are quite serious.
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"Well, I can say that there are definitely two things that will never happen. 1) Banner ads. 2) Oracle [a completely new database system.] And a third is a total replacement [of the current damaged system.] Don’t have the financial wherewithal."
"To those who wish to leave because of it, see ya."
"If FR dies, that’s that."
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[To: paulycy]
Hey, you want us to get an all new system with all new software and add a few more pricey techs, system programmers and database administrators to keep it all working 100% of the time 24/7/365? Well, start coughing up the big bucks.
It’s going to take tens of thousands of donations and many with at least three zeros each after the comma to accomplish the task. And that would be EVERY month like clock work to make the payroll. Once you take on a big load of expensive overhead, there’s no going back. As it is, we get a couple thousand donations per quarter averaging about $30 bucks each and there’s no guarantees we can cover this quarter’s expenses much less next quarter. We’re on a pay as we go system and we have zero employees.We just ask for enough to pay the bills.
Throwing more money at the problem won’t solve it. [This latest glitch] was a technical issue and we just had to keep troubleshooting until we found it. And no, we’re not going to invite a bunch of strangers in to get their hands on our secure systems. John has been programming since he was 14 and he’s pushing 40 now. He built these systems and he’s an expert in them.
And no, we are not going to throw out our software and rewrite it and no we’re not going to move on to some other database system. There are no guarantees that any other system can do a better job and not without hiring a staff to build and maintain it and that’s for sure. And we don’t have the financial wherewithal to do any of that anyway. Maybe if we had a couple million bucks at our disposal and a couple years to do it in we could build an iron-clad system. And maybe not.
All I can say is, if someone else can do it better and cheaper, then please step right on up and get ‘er done!! I’ll bow out and retire. Thankyouverymuch.
Hit it boys:
https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/
And no, we have no plans of taking FR commercial. I like it the way it is. Not sure I could handle getting rich.
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- Jim Robinson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2653583/posts?page=168#168
Well, you may be right about that. We typically ban abortionist/homosexual activists on their first post. We give long-term posters more leeway when they first come out of the RINO closet, but not much. We find that newbie abortionist/homosexualist/gun-grabbing/big spending/big taxing/open-borders RINO type activists rarely work out, so best just to exclude them right out of the gate and save both sides a lot of grief.
DJ, this isn't about keeping the forum tidy. It's about rethinking the business model and generating a much-needed revenue stream.
I think I've said at least twice now, that the site could be configured so that paid members would not see the ads, but non-paying members would. As a regular donating member, you'd never notice the difference, but the bank accounts of Free Republic sure would.
No matter. Jim made his thoughts on this clear at post #588.
Yes they are paul and in many ways makes us look like kooky nuts by outsiders.
“Every time you ZOT an aspiring conservative with an open mind but who could be an asset to the cause with a little bit of steering in the right direction, you’re making a conscious decision to sending them over to the RINO conversion shops - Hannity’s or the Daily Mail forums in the UK - or worse, to left wing talkboards like Guardian Talk.”
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Two types of zots are at play here at Free Republic.
1. The troll who just signed up to post something stupid and inflammatory.
2. The suspension of a long time FReeper. I’ve seen more than a few zots of FReepers who have been around - many who’ve been around longer than I.
But I’ve NEVER seen a real FReeper get the zot who was not first counselled and warned. Maybe even ignored. But after much persistence on their part - they finally get their wish and are zotted.
I see Jim as a very tolerant man. One who puts up with a lot of liberal garbage on his site. But after a certain line is crossed ~~~~ ZOT!
Not sure what that means. Paying advertisers won't get many clicks from bs artists. Besides, members' screen names wouldn't be associated with their banner ads, unless they pointed to them on their 'About' page.
It's a moot point, though. Jim has indicated that he's not interested in hosting ads.
That's understandable. Good policy.
Well, it is if you have older users. There may come a time when FR can't raise the needed money. It hasn't happened YET.
I am totally against paid members. We have Freepers who are out of work and broke. One on this thread is homeless. I'm not ok with making them "lesser" posters because Obama is destroying the country.
I'm sending a freepmail about something else.
Especially one of those living rooms with dusted knick nacks; white carpets; white sofas; white doileys etc.
Now a down home log cabin room with a fire place and a raised heart . . . has possibilities.
Then if they didn't like to see the banners, they could donate.
Exactly. Even someone donating cash through the mail can put their screen name on a sticky tab in the envelope. That would ensure that they didn't see the ads.
I hope that Jim thinks on this concept for a while, and chooses to explore it. The appearance and function of the site needn't change for donating members, but unpaid members would see the ads, and some would do business with the advertisers.
I believe that it's a good, workable, and capitalist solution that shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.
I agree that I have never seen reaganaut do anything of the sort.
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Thank you.
Awesome! You are all doing a great job. Wouldn’t know what to do without everyone here at FR.
THANKS FOR THE INFO.
More than understandable.
You’re the boss.
I assume, though, that you won’t kick it back if folks designate something over their usual toward the debts.
Yup. Clean freaks wouldn’t understand. Down home folks would feed ya beans for supper. ;-)
God bless ya Jim.
None of them are FR's management or moderators, but they seem to think that they're in charge of who is a conservative and who is not, and Jim, they use your name all the time....
The next time I get into a spat with one, I will definitely point them in the direction of this post.
Don’t remind me ... ;)
I AGREE.
HORRENDOUS LEVELS OF ATTACHMENT DISORDER from father hunger in our land is epidemic, imho.
75-95% of prisoners have had serious levels of attachment disorder—usually from absent to abusive fathers.
That is the most ignorant statement I have ever read. You have no clue about our hearts or our motives.
Don’tcha just hate being dead?
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