"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

[paulycy]

What is the problem? What are we trying to solve?

The long term financial and technical stability of FreeRepublic.com.

[netmilsmom]

>>FR should require a paid subscription to post any article.<<

Great idea!

[mel]

Banner ads don’t bother me, I can’t even remember them.
They are wasting their money on me.

[writer33]

FYI ping.

[Crusher138]

I have little problem with selling ad space to raise revenue. Jim could consider being selective regarding the type of businesses allowed, possibly giving preference to Freeper business owners.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

FR should require a paid subscription to post any article.

While I understand why you're saying it, all the same, actually doing this would kill the site dead. Which, perversely, would solve the current problems, in a way.

[wita]

Absolute quintuple AMEN to that suggestion.

...but only if it helps the situation.

[Condor51]

*** What is ‘oracle’? ***

It was an ancient Greek Fortune teller ...
but that's not important right now.

[central_va]

It's more than obvious to me that FR is a source of much of Limbaugh's commentary.....it'd be nice if he waved the financial wand now and again.

Totally agree.

[writer33]

It's more than obvious to me that FR is a source of much of Limbaugh's commentary.....it'd be nice if he waved the financial wand now and again.

He probably does give, but he shouldn't have to carry everybody's water.

[bronxville]

Just donated. Thanks for the thread.

Thanks for FR. Keep on keeping on...

Best Regards,

bronxville

[MrsEmmaPeel]

I don’t know why anyone would consider Oracle, except in specific circumstances. I’ve found SQL Server to be far more nimble and dependable for projects in the multi-million record range

Oh, absolutely. And Microsoft has some very generous Developer programs where you can get their software (full blown-- not limited versions) at little or no cost.

[LibsRJerks]

I like this idea.

I would be willing to “join” FR for a monthly fee. I really would. I’d have a nervous breakdown w/o this site. It’s essential to my well being.

[matt1234]

Hey, Celtic Cross, didn’t I see you on a SarahPAC map?

[Fawn]

I just sent over $25.00.....we need FR to survive.

[jellybean]

I would be willing to “join” FR for a monthly fee.

You can do that now! Click below to become a monthly donor:

Click to donate!

[SE Mom]

Thank you.

[CincyRichieRich]

Yes, I would suggest seeking anonymous donations from Walter Williams, Mark Steyn, Rush, Hannity, Mark Levin, Ann Coulter, etc. Hand written letters guaranteeing their anonymity.

[WaterBoard]

As a programmer, I am interested in how FR works. It looks like the site is using Linux/Apache, so I would guess that the database they are using here is MySql. Hopefully, not a flatfile system. Linux, Apache, PHP, and MySql are free software.

The big cost would be in the hosting bill/bandwidth per month at NTT America, Inc. Plus throw in switches, back up storage, a firewall, and whatever GUI server software they use, it can get expensive.

One problem I noticed is that this website does not take advantage of compression using Gzip or Deflate which would speed up access. Most modern websites use this easy to implement change.

Example:

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/*/index is not gzipped

Actual Page Size: 71.67 KB
Size if Gzipped: 22.15 KB
Potential Savings: 69.09%

[Dick Vomer]

I think he should charge money. It's a free country and if we want this service I'd be willing to pay $30 per year or $58 for two year subscription. Heck I do that with online tennis magazines and web sites.

FReepers should support this site and make the libs pay to see what we're writing about. I wonder what the rate would be if Jim did that?

Should be easy enough to find out how many people post on this site divided by costs. Then it would be a non-profit if Jim wanted that I suppose. There is very little else other than Drudge and Fox that I use the computer for. But I always start at FR.