"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

[j.argese]

Right, I’ve seen them in the past. My point? I would imagine it’s still Mr. Robinson’s choice to release that information as opposed to being a requirement by law, such as public corporation or charity.

[Let's Roll]

I give $10 a month. If my situation improves, that donation will increase. There are a lot of regular posters on FR. It seems like people who can afford a computer and an internet service provider could also commit to a regular FR donation.

Please FReepers, let’s get it done.

[GeronL]

Hold on...Mormons are conservative? /s :-)

So are most of their wives I heard. //just kidding

[TnGOP]

Why on earth FR HAS to have a Religious Forum beats me.

I agree!! Politics and religion don't mix.

[paulycy]

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'm not sure why you reposted this, but for this to happen Jim would have to hand over ownership of the site. That is a pretty significant event. A lot would have to happen before that occurred.

[lewislynn]

FR is currently seriously underfunded. This is something we FReepers can do something about.

Comments? Suggestions?

Donate what you can.

Mind your own business (If this was my site you would already be gone).

Go away

Build your own "FreeRepublic" if you don't like this one

[writer33]

I can’t believe that. I just don’t know if I could live with myself if I thought we didn’t have a big tent. /s :-)

[Beaten Valve]

"And no, we’re not going to invite a bunch of strangers in to get their hands on our secure systems.

All I can say is, if someone else can do it better and cheaper, then please step right on up and get ‘er done!!"

A bit of a contradiction, but I think that I can understand Mr. Robinson's frustration. In for $50.00 from California...

[Mr. K]

If John has been programming since age 14 I HOPE he went to college for Compter Science

Some of the best programmers I ever met were ALSO from a background like that- but without a background learning the fundamentals you might now have the best DESIGN abilities.

I have a computer science degree AND a physics degree.

I had to teach them a lot, about why you do things certain ways, but I also learned a lot from their long years of experience.

I think you have a fundamental database design problem. Not beyond repair.

Call up MDBS and ask them about TITANIUM (CODASYL networked database model)

I bet there are some freepers there

[Salvation]

**This is not an indictment of all who post there, of course.**

Thanks, Minute Gal.

[metmom]

If someone wants cutesy they can go somewhere else. I like having a place to come for information and (mostly) intelligent discussion

EXACTLY!

Spare me cutesy.....

[DrewsMum]

I just donated..

I’ve been unemployed for 8 months and uneligible for unemployment....

Currently do not even have a place to live...literally homeless...yet, I gave...it was only $5.00 b/c it’s all I have....but I gave....b/c FR is valuable to me....if I ever expect to get a decent job and live in a robust economy I have to keep up w/politics and head these goons in Washington off.... FR helps w/ that...

If I can give, you all can too...just a little...if we all did it would make a difference....

[Osage Orange]

Yeah...it’s crazy talk I know.

[beezdotcom]

FR is an interesting study. It claims to be a conservative website etc. and yet depends on a PBS fund raising model, without the government grants.

I think this is a good thread to have for open discussion. Folks who use the site for “free” really don’t have a dog in this discussion though. Paying members though do in my humble opinion.

Uhn-uh. As much as we would prefer only tax payers and/or land owners to have the vote, we are already in a system where any schmoe who thinks he has nothing to lose has to be convinced that he really DOES still have something to lose, in order to vote differently.

Given that you say we are already in the PBS model, I think the same rules need to apply here - you also have to convince the freeloaders that this or another model would work.

I think one important distinction, however, is that even if you don't pledge to NPR, you are still paying tax money for part of it (assuming you pay taxes). Since I don't pay for FR unless I donate directly, I don't think it's completely fair to draw the comparison.

[CottonBall]

I don't debate Religion and I don't post ideas counter to Conservative values and ideas.

Many were banned for opposing amnesty. Since when is amnesty a conversative value?

But other than that relevant example, there are many fine lines and we can't always define or follow only the truly conservative line. ie., whether to have supported a RINO or not in an election. The McCain debates were fast and furious. Differences of opinion, even in the conservative arena, occur all the time.

[Uncle Miltie]

Be like Lazmatazz and “Hit it!” I did.

[Mr. K]

I’ll gladly take it over if you deside to let it die Jim.

This site is too important for our country.

I spend time ere every day - I’d gladly pay a subscription fee

I am a computer engineer with 25 years experience AND A college degree in it, and a ton of colleagues willing to help.

[paulycy]

Mind your own business (If this was my site you would already be gone).

I addressed that very point with Jim on the thread I referenced in this thread. He has the power to zot me if he choses. I openly acknowledged that to him.

But, discretion being the better part of valor, so far has has chosen to let me live. My guess is that is why I am on his successful site in the first place and not on yours.

[metmom]

I have been here 13 years, and with the exceptions of a 2 year absence, I have not seen DAILY attacks on MORMONISM.

I don’t spend a lot of time on the Religion section so maybe that is where it is occuring. Just don’t frequent that section if it bothers you THAT much.

It's a two way street. They can dish it out with the best of them.

Same with any other group that whines about *haters*, *antis*, and persecution.

[Freddd]

Stop insulting people when they put up a post would be a good start for some.