Don't go away, I'll be right back.
Posted on 11/28/2001 7:31:29 PM PST by Jim Robinson
Free Republic has had one helluva run over the last five years or so. We helped impeach one president and helped get another into office. We've been active in demonstrations and protests in nearly every city across the nation. We've participated in conventions, petition drives, activism campaigns and projects for dozens of conservative causes.
We've grown from a tiny web site with a few hundred posters and readers from the time of inception in 1996, to one with tens of thousands of participants today. Along the way we've made lots of great friends and, unfortunately, also made lots of bitter enemies.
We've grown from a small web site that I could manage myself on a part-time basis to a huge monster that has totally consumed all of my time and resources plus nearly all of John's time, plus the time and resources of many dedicated FReepers who volunteer or contribute large amounts of their own time and money.
The site is now consuming all of a 10 mbps dedicated line with two servers and we're still growing, and it consumes large amounts of money to keep all this running. In the early years, it only took a few thousand dollars per month to keep Free Republic on the air, but it is now costing over $20,000 per month to cover all expenses.
The major costs include approximately $8,000 per month for bandwidth, 3,000 for systems management and programming services, 7,000 for management, operating and administrative services, plus two or three thousand per month for miscellaneous office expenses, telephone, communications, repairs & maintenance, travel & lodging, postage, rentals, insurance, legal fees, accounting fees, etc., etc.
We anticipate a reduction in bandwidth costs next year as we renegotiate our contract (the market price for bandwidth has fallen recently), however, that will be more than offset by an expected increase in costs of our legal expenses. As most of you know, our pro bono attorney has left us and we've hired a new attorney to continue with our case, plus we have the suit against eschoir to pay for. My projections are that our regular monthly expenses for next year will be running in the neighborhood of $22,000 per month, or approximately $264,000 total for the year. This means we will need to raise approximately $66,000 per quarter.
Talking about making enemies, we've got several ex-FReepers and other detractors who are claiming on their anti-freeper web sites that I am ripping off the donors and that Free Republic is a fraud. Now, Free Republic is what it is, and it is definitely not a fraud. It is a conservative news discussion forum that encourages participation in politics and activism projects. It is not being billed as anything else. We are not selling or promising anything. And I am being up front about our operating costs. The costs of running Free Republic are what I've stated above and they are necessary to keep FR on the air. I do not have the financial wherewithal to operate this site without your help. If the majority of the FReepers feel that these costs are out of line or too much to bear or that Free Republic is no longer wanted or needed, then we will either cut it back or shut it down or do something altogether different.
I've also been criticized about not making our financials public. Well, the reason I do not want to do this is that I have been sued, both personally and as Free Republic, LLC. The people suing us want to bankrupt us and shut us down. They subpoenaed our financial records, but we refused to turn them over. The judge agreed that the plaintiffs have no right to the information, thus I have no intention of making any more of it public than I absolutely have to, until this lawsuit is resolved. You all know the amounts of money we raise if you follow the fundraising threads. It is all above board and out in the open. The totals posted by BadJoe are usually pretty close to the actual cash received and the amounts expended are pretty close to the amounts projected. No one is getting rich here and no one is being ripped off. The funds raised are being used for the purposes stated, and that is keeping this website on the air and that's it. Nothing fraudulent about it. Those who want to help fund us freely do so with nothing expected in return. Those who do not want to contribute do not have to.
There was a thread running this morning where people were making all kinds of accusations about Free Republic "hiding the truth" or whatever. These accusations are being made by Chuck Allan and others and fall along the same line with the accusations being made by some of the earlier banees or AFers including Mojo, Inspector Harry Callahan, Arator, keep U.S. Sovereign, TKEman and others. Some of these people are existing FReepers and some are banned. I am going to reinstate Mojo, Inspector Harry Callahan and Arator's accounts so they can join Chuck Allan, TKEman, K.U.S.S. and whomever else wants to get involved, and I invite them to come onto this thread and make their accusations public. As long as they do not go onto other threads and make a nuisance of themselves, I will let them have their say.
Like I said above, if it is time for Free Republic to go away so be it. Those who want to keep it going speak up. Those who want it to go away, tell us why. But if those who want it to be gone lose out in the debate, then I'd say they should just go away themselves, or, in the very least, shut up and quit whining about it.
Thanks,
Jim
I think this means if Jim Robinson is willing the votes are in and FreeRepublic.com wins.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
As much as I like FR I'm not going to 'donate' to a group who doesn't have enough self worth to charge for a service. This is no charity. At least 80% of what goes on here is just entertainment. People are just having fun. The idea that it's some great noble cause is ridiculous. Only those who have no 'real' life would ever think so.
I'm also not going to donate to a site where nazis are alowed to spread the vilest forms of Jew hatred with no restraint. I know that with a high enough subscription price most of them will be excluded.
Yeah Jim, I have heart trouble, and when I saw that you authored this thread, I just about had to call an ambulance!! Seriously you know that we all depend on the Forum. Is there anything we can do (in addition to sending $, of course). Maybe a discussion thread with suggestios as to how to make FR less of a burden on you and JohnRob. What one person can't do himself is easy with many hands. Perhaps some sort of virtual office -- I know that the moderators are one step in this direction, but there must be more we can do.
:(
No way. If you get as many hits as I think, you are paying through the nose for hosting.
Let's see the links! (I haven't read all 300 odd posts yet)
Whatever way is the best way for you is okay with me as far as free or charge. In the meantime, everyone who participates on a regular basis should be sending a monthly amount to you. Then, when additional money is needed, start a FReeperthon. I don't go to movies, but if someone can spend $7 for two hours entertainment and spends 30 hours a month on FR they should be sending at least that much the first of the month. Of course, some people are going through hard times and can't and that is okay. I would say, ask for voluntary donations on a monthly basis. Don't set an amount. Some will give much more than others.
Don't go away, I'll be right back.
I know that several other FReepers also tried to contact him to find out what the deal was, but he didn't respond. We did find out that he was bent out of shape when we first announced the cruise becuase we didn't mention it was a fundraiser (we thought it was kinda self evident, but, we discussed it and changed the ad immediately so as not to unknowingly mislead anyone). Chuck, who was originally ON the cruise committee, didn't mention he was so bent out of shape about this simple oversight (which was easily corrected), but, went over to an AF board and made it an issue.
At this point we still don't know where Chuck stands. There are many people who he was friends with that feel betrayed that he left without comment and starting posting over there. Although I doubt Chuck considers himself an AFer, he seems to be taking on some of the characteristics, most recently jumping on the "Why doesn't Jim account TO ME for every penny FR raises" bandwagon. Jeez. Now their making a stink about the cruise..."We demand to know what the money going to be used for!"
Whatever.
BTW - We made a small profit but don't have a final accounting or check from RCCL yet. I'm estimating we made 4-5k and it will be used for start up expenses of the Free Republic Network...COMING VERY SOON!
A little over a year ago, while following the presidential campaign of Alan Keyes, I was made aware of a website by the name the Free Republic by on of the heads of MR. Keyes' campaign. I only needed to visit the Free Republic once to become immediately rapt by the tremendous body of current news and information that it offered. I took advantage of the website as a source of information for some time before I began to take an interest in the commentary that accompanied the articles which were posted on the site. It eventually occurred to me that the site offered more than infomration or commentary. In fact, it offeres an opportunity for people who normally feel at odds and not in agreement with today's typically unthoughtful, politically correct, liberal society to be part of a powerful and very interactive community. You would be wisxe to appreciate the benefits that such a community offers to the conservative cause.
In the same way that Napster, with millions of files changing hands daily, has redefined the playing field for the music industry, Free Republic, with thousands of pertinent and thoughtful ideas being exchanged hourly, promises to do the same for conservatism. We both know that conservatives have the upper hand when it comes to being able to utilize the internet for our advantage. I know that after careful consideration, you will come to view the Free Republic as a very powerful pioneer medum of organization among internet literate conservatives. So far, it appears that you have only attempted to utilize the internet as another broadcast medium in your effort to co-opt it in your effort to reach out and touch your audience.
My advice to you would be to celebrate and embrace the Free Republic as the largest, most well informed, multi-way conversation taking place among conservatives today. Nothing but good can come of it for all of us.
Yeah... and those fiery-haired tresses actually compliment a lass's blush. Advantage, red-heads... once again.
At least in one fella's opinion. ;-)
A little over a year ago, while following the presidential campaign of Alan Keyes, I was made aware of a website by the name the Free Republic by on of the heads of MR. Keyes' campaign. I only needed to visit the Free Republic once to become immediately rapt by the tremendous body of current news and information that it offered. I took advantage of the website as a source of information for some time before I began to take an interest in the commentary that accompanied the articles which were posted on the site. It eventually occurred to me that the site offered more than infomration or commentary. In fact, it offeres an opportunity for people who normally feel at odds and not in agreement with today's typically unthoughtful, politically correct, liberal society to be part of a powerful and very interactive community. You would be wisxe to appreciate the benefits that such a community offers to the conservative cause.
In the same way that Napster, with millions of files changing hands daily, has redefined the playing field for the music industry, Free Republic, with thousands of pertinent and thoughtful ideas being exchanged hourly, promises to do the same for conservatism. We both know that conservatives have the upper hand when it comes to being able to utilize the internet for our advantage. I know that after careful consideration, you will come to view the Free Republic as a very powerful pioneer medum of organization among internet literate conservatives. So far, it appears that you have only attempted to utilize the internet as another broadcast medium in your effort to co-opt it in your effort to reach out and touch your audience.
My advice to you would be to celebrate and embrace the Free Republic as the largest, most well informed, multi-way conversation taking place among conservatives today. Nothing but good can come of it for all of us.
"...Like I said above, if it is time for Free Republic to go away so be it..."
Dear Mr Robinson, If anything we need FR and dedicated FReepers now more than ever to continue the good work you've started. Some people would complain if you paid them to read the news and post comments. They're so lucky to have free access to this great site and even more so to have the freedom to sit around and whine about it. Just consider the source and remember no one ever tries to take down an insignificant or unimportant entity. Now, lets not hear anymore talk about going away.
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