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
This is definitely one of the problems as of late in FReepathons. The recession has gone on sooooo long that only a few want to part with a dollar.
It may not be more than anything. There is a problem with simply having FReepathons in which we pour money down a dark hole and never know specifically what we're getting for our money except a website that stumbles as much as much as it does.
Now, we've already argued over all the reasons for it, but until the specific solutions are presented, along with the price tags, the donations are not going to come in in appropriate amounts.
It is common sense that we are not going to buy something without looking at the menu, seeing the prices and choosing something that we, personally, can afford. We need to see the choices available.
For instance:
Replace the dead server: approx $xx,xxx, 30 days.
Have John fix the broken Activity tab software: $xx,xxx, 3 months.
Add polling to the home page: $xxx, 7 days
See what I mean? If you give people specific things to spend their money on then they can decide to spend it with confidence. Otherwise they are just pouring money down a dark hole with little feedback and although we thoroughly trust Jim we can't help but think that maybe something more can be done to help things along besides just spending money...
I’ve watched it for 12 years as it has degenerated into hatefulness, name-calling, nastiness and division among freepers....and the warfare never ends.
Do you see what I see? Indeed you do. I happen to believe those doing the degenerating, are not freepers at all, but they are sure using this board for their porpoises.
Because he has used this site to attempt to plug into the Tea Party movements psyche.
Why do you think he became so defensive about O’Donnell.
Most here supported her with MONEY and activism. She was a great dissappointment, but the truth was that Rove did tap into the sentiment of the Conservatives HERE. IMO.
Class of ‘98 here and long time monthly donor via automatic Paypal payments. I see no rational reason for not accepting ads on the site. I have no problem with that if it means the continuation of this VITAL resource to the Cause.
Exactly. I donated $20 for the first time last week, and that’s with NO WORK in our shop right now. We always seem to get by, so I thought it was time to pony up!
Before I start contributing regularly I would like to feel that I will be welcome here in the future.
After listening to him for 25 years I can pretty much anticipate what Rush is going to say on any given day.
I could run a pretty convincing scam where I print a comment, and when Rush “echoes” it claim that proves he listens to me.
Yup. We have some very good people that are struggling.
I make up business cards with the FR logo and it’s mission statement and URL and hand them out to interested parties.
Have no way of knowing how many people actually come, but it is a way to get the URL into people’s hands with out them having to ‘try’ and remember it. I just print it on plain paper and cut them out.
I’ve been doing this for at least 3 years now. I print them 1 sheet at a time, 10 to the page. I use Borderbund Print Shop.
Oh, dear God! I just know you didn't say that. Well don't be upset if God loves me more than you. /s :-)
I seriously doubt Beck would donate to FR, given the anti Mormon atmosphere that seems to thrives on FR. The recent thread that was moved to the Breaking News section also shows one reason it is allowed to thrive here. While I believe Beck is above the scuttlebutt, his faith is certainly not welcome here. So he might, but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't feel like donating.
As for Rove, he went to High School in Utah, so he might be an outcast too. ;-)
I’m a Software Engineer and make a product that would be very effective in re-writing a new “Free Republic”. However, it is Microsoft .NET technology and I think the FR is all non MS stuff.
Freeper businesses, books, organizations, companies with shared values, etc. Some decent ads would generate enough to make this site a lot batter
Free Republic tote bags!!!
Thats the answer!!
No. There isn't a problem. There is info floating all over this thread. Laz gave some great info. Others have on other threads. The bottom line is that posters are complaining and have NO idea what's going on. And they will use and complain about FR but refuse to support it. Tell me where else you can use a product, b*tch about it's performance and not pony up a dime? (no. i'm not talking about you)
Jim Thompson Chia Pets!
Become the official Tea Party info and linkage system.
Banner ads and/or a sidebar menu for ads.
I mostly use the "breaking" and "articles" links, occasionally one of the news services....so perhaps a back to basics to strip out all the unused junk.
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