"The game's afoot, Watson!"
Posted on 07/17/2017 9:48:56 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
Received a copy of the message pasted below that apparently is circulating via freepmail.
In response, all I can say is John is my son and my partner in FR along with Chris and Amy. None of us make a six figure salary. I designed and wrote the original version of FR back in '96, but it was my very first internet project ever. It worked, but codewise it was a dog. And virtually impossible to maintain.
When John came in with me, he rewrote the software and made it work greater than ever before and included maintenance tools that were sorely needed. I never dreamed that a homegrown internet site could handle the traffic and the millions of posts that we do. And even including the few times when we were down hard for more than a day, over the last 21 years we have better than 99% uptime.
And later, when our growth saturated and used up all the resources of our original ISP, John designed and built our multi-server hardware system, negotiated a contract for sufficient bandwidth and installed it at the San Jose data center. I'm not a techie so the hardware and software are John's baby.
And he and Chris are planning on running FR after me and Amy are gone. We are not about to let it die, assuming there's still a need and willing members.
This is about 20th warning being circulated during the last 20 years that FR's demise was imminent within the next year. Someday they may be right.
Lastly, if the guy who wrote the message below thinks he can do a better job than we do, he should go for it. And, for crying out loud, if he thinks he's being ripped off he should stop donating immediately and possibly should start posting somewhere else.
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“I don’t want to answer this question out in public, but I do want to answer it because I believe that many potential donors are in the same position. I have donated fairly regularly, but am becoming increasingly hesitant to continue on.
We see from the numbers that EXCLUDING expenses (collocation, bandwidth, legal, credit card processing fees, etc.) Jim (and I assume John shares) is pulling in a cool quarter million per year from this. Its his baby... he created it, he does what he can from home to babysit it... that’s fine... more power to him. It seems that his son John is the other principal who does the running to the data-center when things need fixing.
I don’t know how much John gets from this... but there’s enough profit there for BOTH Jim and John to make a six-figure salary. John apparently already has a full time job... he gets around to FR issues “when he can squeeze in the time”. If someone’s getting a six-figure salary to mind a system then that system ought to be sort of a high priority, not something that can be squeezed in on weekends now and then.
It is what it is... but here’s where it’s reaching the breaking point for me and I think many others:
Given the frequency of hardware failures, it’s becoming clear that it is now more likely than not that FR won’t exist a year from now. Many of us have suggested that hardware upgrades are becoming increasingly more of a priority... they’re now imperative.
There in NO discussion of this even being considered. I get it that Jim’s a stubborn guy... no one likes change, and a migration is a scary project.
But, without it, this site is going to evaporate... soon. Hardware is cheap... he could get a pair of great servers for $20K... the software is fine, no need to spend a ton of money writing some fancy new system. Just replace the hardware with something modern. Get some of the many experts here to volunteer a few days to work on the migration.
A brand new setup would cost less than one month’s “salary”... but would guarantee that FR survives. If giving up one month’s pay to invest in the future of his site (and the future of his income) is too much to ask, then hold a special freepathon to raise it. I can almost guarantee this money, if it was known that it was being allocated to a legit hardware upgrade plan, would be raised in a matter of a few days.
Perhaps Jim’s plan is to simply squeeze as much money out of it until it dies, then forget about it... we don’t know... he’s not saying anything (at least publicly that I can see). If that’s the case, he should at least be honest about the plan to the people he’s asking to pay his salary. If he has a plan for the site to continue, then he would be better served telling his donors what that plan is.... that would encourage more to be on board with the plan.
I would hate to see FR die abruptly and permanently. The likelihood of that happening soon is becoming very high at this point if these outages and other hardware issues continue on their current trend. If that’s NOT the plan, then I wish Jim would communicate to his donors about it and get moving to prevent that... before its too late.”
I can’t believe this idiot, most of us know the major amount of contributions go to maintain FR.
Being the wife of a retired computer/electronic teacher both as career 20 yr Navy, with a step daughter with her own business I know how expensive bandwidth, servers yes several servers are needed, plus the back ups and accessories necessary to run a site this large takes a tremendous amount of money and time.
Not everything is fixable with a few keystrokes when FR goes done, it is a major hardware glitch that takes time to trouble shoot.
Not to mention losings nights of sleep trying to fix what may be hard to trace down.
The 4 of you do a TREMENDOUS JOB, and conservatives would have no other outlet if FR ceased to exist.
THINK ABOUT THAT THE NEXT TIME THERE IS A HARD CRASH. YOU’D HAVE NO WHERE TO GO! YEAH WE GO THROUGH WITHDRAWAL WHEN FR IS DOWN, THINK ABOUT THAT.
In the fwiw dept, I’m going to be here until I’m horizontal and no longer sucking O2.
5.56mm
The idea that only PAYING members should be allowed to post a thread (anyone could post a reply) has been discussed.
Mods have said that breaches proprietary laws and rules.
Too bad.
One of the problems here at FR is garbage posts, duplicate posts, useless religion posts and other such clutter. If only paying members were allowed to post, I do believe 2 things would happen.
1. We would have tons more paying members and fundraising goals would be reached in days, not months.
2. Far less garbage postings which would make FR an easer reading site.
God bless you Jim ...
Jim,
I have never received such a letter, which leads me to believe that, who ever is sending them out has access to your donor files.
I asked a friend, who I know, occasionally sends cash anonymously, he too has never received one of those FreeMails.
Christ be with you ‘old’ man.
Bob
You need to zot all the computer nerds from the site Jim...nobody understands what the ‘eff they’re talking about anyway...
There’s one jerk in particular who doesn’t post threads/articles on any subject, and never posts articulate comments or analyses of the thread topic. He does precisely what you described; “insults for nothing” especially women and suggests many people should kill themselves...really.
He has probably caused many to abandon FR and stop donating. I almost joined that group very recently.
There have got to be security concerns in requesting help in setting up a more reliable site from tech heavy Freepers. I’d be interested in knowing the frequency and degree of attempted cyber attacks upon FR. You gotta figure that FR is seriously hated by the usual suspects and their cyber playpals who would like nothing better than to blow Free Republic out of the water. I’m giving Jim a pass on his admin policies on this issue alone. “If you want it done right, you gotta do it yourself” is a big part of my playbook and I’m glad it’s part of Jim’s.
LOL!!
Hilarious!!!
You should name this abominable miscreant that we may publicly chastise him.
Maybe even vote him off the island.
You need to report this behavior via the [Report Abuse] button whenever you see it.
I think many of us know exactly who you are talking about; it is a mystery how or why he stays on here.
Jim, I have been with you since the beginning and this site is my go to for news, etc. I am 76 years old and don’t know what I would do without FR. Thank you for all you do and have done through the years.
Ignore the grumbling and keep on keeping on.
"The game's afoot, Watson!"
I actually always enjoy their croaking. It's right out of the Fake News/Anonymous sources playbook. Here's what I see when I read the Croaking and Spewing:
“I don’t want to answer this question out in public, [because I'm a sleazy little troll!] but I do want to answer it because I believe that many potential donors are in the same position. [I can read their minds with my Toad Troll powers!]
I have donated fairly regularly, [If anyone believes this, I have a bridge on each coast of the USA I will sell to them!] but am becoming increasingly hesitant to continue on. [If I withhold the donations I've never given, just you watch what happens then!]
We [Me and my Legion of followers!] see from the numbers that EXCLUDING expenses (collocation, bandwidth, legal, credit card processing fees, etc.) Jim (and I assume John shares) is pulling in a cool quarter million per year from this. [Hope nobody notices my Toad/Troll gills quivering fluorescent green in envy ... Soros sure doesn't pay me that much!]
Its his baby... he created it, he does what he can from home to babysit it... that’s fine... more power to him. It seems that his son John is the other principal who does the running to the data-center when things need fixing. [Croak, Croak ... Grrrr! I hate these guys. All these years they have been accomplishing something and Me? Just a loser, a Toadish/Troll!]
I don’t know [Just skip over these three words!] how much John gets from this... but there’s enough profit there for BOTH Jim and John to make a six-figure salary. John apparently already has a full time job... he gets around to FR issues “when he can squeeze in the time”. If someone’s getting a six-figure salary to mind a system then that system ought to be sort of a high priority, not something that can be squeezed in on weekends now and then. [My never-has-been-successful threat to start a Web Site to replace FR will really, really happen ... really, really soon ... just wait and see!]
It is what it is... but here’s where it’s reaching the breaking point for me and I think many others: [Do I have to repeat myself? I read the minds of others ... many others!]
Given the frequency of hardware failures, it’s becoming clear that it is now more likely than not that FR won’t exist a year from now. [My Crystal Ball, though smeared from my slimy Troll hands, has told me this! Don't ask why I can't get the winning Lottery numbers from it!] Many of us [We are an Army .... of One!] have suggested that hardware upgrades are becoming increasingly more of a priority... they’re now imperative. [Doom ... FR is Doomed I tell You!]
There in NO discussion of this even being considered. I get it that Jim’s a stubborn guy... no one likes change, and a migration is a scary project. [Jim won't talk to me ... I need discussion ... and closure ... my feeeeeellllliiiinnngggsss .... He's so hard headed .... I'm so scared .... hold on while I get my Binkie!]
But, without it, this site is going to evaporate... soon. [Croak, croak, pant, pant ... even my Binkie isn't helping me .... Site evaporating .... I'm just so scared .... it's getting dark .... things are fading ... but ... I have a PLAN to save FR ... to Save the world ... to save the Universe!]
Hardware is cheap... he could get a pair of great servers for $20K... the software is fine, no need to spend a ton of money writing some fancy new system. Just replace the hardware with something modern. Get some of the many experts here to volunteer a few days to work on the migration. [De PLAN, de PLAN!]
A brand new setup would cost less than one month’s “salary”... but would guarantee that FR survives. If giving up one month’s pay to invest in the future of his site (and the future of his income) is too much to ask, then hold a special freepathon to raise it. I can almost guarantee this money, if it was known that it was being allocated to a legit hardware upgrade plan, would be raised in a matter of a few days.[My Dad, a Used Car Salesman taught me about making guarantees!]
Perhaps Jim’s plan is to simply squeeze as much money out of it until it dies, then forget about it... we don’t know... he’s not saying anything (at least publicly that I can see). If that’s the case, he should at least be honest about the plan to the people he’s asking to pay his salary. If he has a plan for the site to continue, then he would be better served telling his donors what that plan is.... that would encourage more to be on board with the plan. [Dammit, forget His plan ... no I don't know what it is ... you think I have a Crystal Ball or something? .... Just forget Him and His plan and PAY ATTENTION TO ME AND MY PLAN!]
I would hate to see FR die abruptly and permanently. The likelihood of that happening soon is becoming very high at this point if these outages and other hardware issues continue on their current trend. [Whoops, I almost forgot to emphasize my CARING ABOUT and FEELINGS FOR FR's SURVIVAL! But don't forget I still have those bridges for sale!]
If that’s NOT the plan, then I wish Jim would communicate to his donors about it and get moving to prevent that... before its too late.” [Don't let it be too late! Truussst in Meeee, Trussst in Meeee! Well, all done here for today, off to make some more Trolling for Soros $$.]
Too bad the weaselly little puke disseminating this crap
has to do it behind the scenes so as to avoid well deserved
criticism and rebuke. But weasels are like that, it’s axiomatic.
I know exactly who you mean. For the life of me, I do not understand why Jim doesn’t cut that guy out of here.
He’s the most disrespectful person. And never a valuable comment, just insults.
I have met a number of people who have cited him as the reason they wouldn’t come back. And with that is a loss of potential donations.
Doesn’t seem worth it to me.
And yet you cannot summon up the stones to reveal the name of this villain.
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