"If FR dies, that’s that." - Jim Robinson [Jim's reply at post # 588]

freerepublic.com ^ | 1/11/11 | paulycy

[paulycy]

FYI -

Here are statements from Jim about the future of FreeRepublic.com for those who missed them. They are quite serious.

===

"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."

===

[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.

===

- Jim Robinson

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2653583/posts?page=168#168

[JohnG45]

... we have a good thing going ...

"We had a good thing going, going gone." Stephen Sondheim

I hope we won't find ourselves singing that song.

[Responsibility2nd]

Bump

[driftdiver]

I saw on one of these threads there are 300,000 registered users on FR. I have no idea if that’s accurate.

Jim said a couple thousand people give $30 a quarter. Thats $60,000 which isn’t much to keep servers and bandwidth running.

If 100,000 gave $10 it would blow it out of the park. Its not Rush’s job to support FR just because he’s rich.

If a person can’t afford $10-$20 a quarter to support FR they should probably sign off and work a little harder. Just my 2 cents.

[metmom]

Before I start contributing regularly I would like to feel that I will be welcome here in the future.

If you don't feel welcome, then why keep coming back?

Keep it objective. If you use the site, donate.

Not donating based on hurt feelings just doesn't strike me as being terribly mature. And it's not just you who's made comments like that.

If you use the service, pay for it. If you don't like it and don't want to pay for it, don't use it. It's simple really.

But don't try to hold FReepers and JR hostage with threats of withholding money until they fall in line with what you demand in behavior.

Not liking how a business is run is no justification for not paying for service received.

[tgusa]

All - if you aren’t monthly supporters, give a little. We all probably spend more on cigarettes or beer or wine, or in my case soda, in a month than a monthly donation would amount to.

[Marty62]

OH pahleeze. I’m Catholic and have suffered a great deal of anti-Catholic postings.
It is the nature of America that people have their own personal prejudices,and they are allowed to voice them.

do I take it personally NO.
Is it my responsibility to defend YES. Although most of the time I just ignore.
If Beck is THAT thin skinned and vindictive then you are right he shouldn’t donate.

[wita]

Text is king here, and I like it that way. Generally speaking.

Agreed!

[Ripliancum]

You bring up a good point. If the 3rd party, all or nothing, my way or the highway approach can work, then FR fund raising should be a good barometer for the financial effort it will take to elect a 3rd party candidate.

If the recent purges have a negative impact on FR, what does that say about the future political fallout?

[Scythian]

Jim said a couple thousand people give $30 a quarter. Thats $60,000 which isn’t much to keep servers and bandwidth running.

In all honestly that's a shit-load of money, we host for far, far cheaper, a fraction of the cost actually. It's costing the FR almost a half mill to host per year? You can do the same for pennies on the dollar.

[GeronL]

I guess you haven’t seen the ratios

I saw the numbers that Greg West fool vomited up and they were probably made up out of thin air. Even if true it amounts to less a thread a day, big whoop.

[writer33]

Not donating based on hurt feelings just doesn't strike me as being terribly mature.

Stop this silliness with maturity, metmom. Now, really! /s :-)

[musicman]

"I think each person who posts should get a star by their name for donation."

But some people might think
that you COULD be
if you don't do the "people thing"
and Donate to FR!!
Click Here !!

[Ripliancum]

Beck is hardly thin skinned or vindictive. But I do not think he would financially support a site where his faith is openly mocked on a daily basis. There are plenty of good causes out there asking for money.

[j.argese]

Just a few points:

1. The problem with pay to post is quite clear. A sugar daddy/mammy makes a significant contribution, posts a hateful lib screed, gets banned and revokes donation.

2. Politics = passion, like it or not. How many purges have occurred since I started reading here in 2000? I wasn't a fan of George W Bush then. Had an anointed aura about him and thought Ambassador Keyes was a better choice.

3. Many people don't feel welcome him based upon the actions of several cliques of FReepers. Self-appointed guardians of what is and isn't conservative, incorrectly.

4. Bloggers are a point of contention. The ill-conceived war on bloggers, poorly planned and more poorly executed is absolutely ridiculous. Bloggers are a potential source of revenue. If you wish to "pimp" your blog, pay the piper, if not, no more excerpts. If they wish to take advantage and harvest readership, make them pay.

5. When I grew up, it wasn't polite to ask somebody how much they got paid. Asking for a breakdown of costs lacks class and nobody's business.

[Mom MD]

Agree as well. One of the reasons I just became a monthly donor. If someone wants cutesy they can go somewhere else. I like having a place to come for information and (mostly) intelligent discussion

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

PS:Since you post here I guess you like this horse and buggy too. Hypocrite.

I visit because I'm a news junkie. Any other insults you want to hurl?

[writer33]

You, sir, are going to hell! /s :-)

[battletank]

“Then it would be a non-profit if Jim wanted that I suppose.”

Someone up thread posted this which got me to thinking....

I have absolutely no idea what being non-profit would entail, or what requirements would have to be met. Perhaps they are insurmountable and/or against principle in some way? Would it help to be non-profit by allowing tax write offs for donors? Perhaps that would bring in more high dollar contributions?

I know...I’m dumb as a rock about this, but sure would like answers?

[Ripliancum]

Were have you been the last couple of months?

[listenhillary]

Maybe 10% of the registered users are active posters.