"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

[DJ MacWoW]

It's frightening that fathers have been told they don't matter and some have believed it.

When we still had TV I hated the commercials that made Dads look foolish or simply look like open wallets. Programs were even worse.

[Windflier]

I am totally against paid members.

Somehow, I'm not getting my concept through.

DJ, FR already has "paid" members. Everyone who even ponies up $5 is a "paid" member. What I'm suggesting is that Jim keep the same business model (straight donations), but configure the site so that those members who donate do not see banner ads on the site.

This can be done. The Delphi Forum network has been doing it for years and years.

There may come a time when FR can't raise the needed money. It hasn't happened YET.

That's exactly the point of this thread. Freepathons are taking longer and longer. The site is running on band-aids and duct tape fixes. Either the members have to start donating more, or Jim needs to find another source of revenue to keep the site up.

And so what if those who are too poor to donate see a few banner ads? It won't appreciably detract from their overall experience at FR.

In the end, it's Jim's call, of course, but accepting paid advertising would create the kind of revenue stream that would ensure the health and well-being of the site.

And again ~ as a donating member, you would never personally be bothered by the sight of these ads anyway.

[metmom]

I’m not the one whining about FR and my iPhone.

THAT’S pathetic.

[DJ MacWoW]

Don’tcha just hate being dead?

They do a GREAT job for being dead!

[vox_freedom]

You hit #1,000, dear FRiend onyx.
For that you get a replay of my favorite post on this thread!

Abortionists, homosexualists, wacko environmentalists, militant feminists, pacifists, gun-grabbers, globalists, statists, liberals, progressives, socialists, communists, Marxists, traitors, cowards, RINOs, and other assorted and sundry leftist or political whores can all stay the hell off of FR!!

Jim Robinson's post #84

SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC - DONATE HERE AND CONSIDER DONATING MONTHLY!

Abortionists, homosexualists, wacko environmentalists, militant feminists, pacifists, gun-grabbers, globalists, statists, liberals, progressives, socialists, communists, Marxists, traitors, cowards, RINOs, and other assorted and sundry leftist or political whores can all stay the hell off of FR!!

[Peter W. Kessler]

You’re not going to get rid of me so easily...

That’s because I

DONATE MONTHLY DONATE MONTHLY DONATE MONTHLY DONATE MONTHLY
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DONATE MONTHLY DONATE MONTHLY DONATE MONTHLY DONATE MONTHLYvDONATE MONTHLY DONATE MONTHLY DONATE MONTHLY DONATE MONTHLY
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And, if you’re not DONATING MONTHLY, you should be.

So there

[Soothesayer9]

Like the saying, “Risk rewards the brave, and rejects the cowardly”.

Those who dare, win.

[DJ MacWoW]

The humor did indeed not come through.

That happens when there are only words and not facial expressions.

[vox_freedom]

Did you just use the word "dead" in association with the Sidebar Moderator?

Hook up the battery cables, HE'S ALIVE!!!

[DJ MacWoW]

Here I sit hungry and you HAD to say cornbread!

[Netizen]

I haven't been on FR long .... Every time you ZOT an aspiring conservative with an open mind but who could be an asset to the cause with a little bit of steering in the right direction, you're making a conscious decision to sending them over to the RINO conversion shops

Not having been on FR long, you wouldn't know that those that get zotted get zotted because they already have outed themselves in some way or form as being RINO or not conservative to begin with. jmo

[onyx]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH WONDERFUL, FABULOUS AWESOME FREEPERS!!!

   2011 Q1 Scoreboard — ranked by total receipts   

Rank	Location	Receipts			Monthlies
		Total	#	Avg/Per	Total	#	Avg/Per
1	Texas	$2,785.00	61	$45.66	$883.00	62	$14.24
2	California	1,975.00	41	48.17	1,307.00	74	17.66
3	Arizona	1,464.99	14	104.64	370.00	16	23.12
4	Virginia	860.00	19	45.26	750.00	32	23.44
5	Pennsylvania	755.00	21	35.95	410.00	22	18.64
6	Florida	720.00	26	27.69	525.00	33	15.91
7	Ohio	720.00	14	51.43	270.00	15	18.00
8	Maryland	680.00	13	52.31	132.50	8	16.56
9	Colorado	635.00	12	52.92	220.00	15	14.67
10	New York	625.00	12	52.08	362.50	23	15.76
11	New Jersey	615.00	8	76.88	205.00	10	20.50
12	West Virginia	600.00	4	150.00	35.00	2	17.50
13	Georgia	570.00	12	47.50	310.00	18	17.22
14	Alabama	460.00	11	41.82	150.00	11	13.64
15	Missouri	446.25	12	37.19	155.00	13	11.92
16	Tennessee	420.00	12	35.00	240.00	14	17.14
17	Washington	405.00	12	33.75	378.00	22	17.18
18	Illinois	378.00	13	29.08	270.00	14	19.29
19	North Carolina	355.00	13	27.31	355.00	22	16.14
20	South Carolina	355.00	6	59.17	60.00	6	10.00
21	Alaska	350.00	2	175.00	50.00	2	25.00
22	Arkansas	340.00	5	68.00	65.00	5	13.00
23	Michigan	270.00	11	24.55	185.00	11	16.82
24	Connecticut	266.00	5	53.20	90.00	7	12.86
25	Oregon	265.00	7	37.86	175.00	9	19.44
26	Idaho	200.00	7	28.57	215.00	9	23.89
27	Indiana	200.00	11	18.18	190.00	13	14.62
28	Nevada	173.00	5	34.60	50.00	3	16.67
29	Mississippi	171.00	5	34.20	141.00	6	23.50
30	Maine	150.00	2	75.00	80.00	3	26.67
31	Massachusetts	130.00	6	21.67	183.00	10	18.30
32	Oklahoma	130.00	5	26.00	215.00	10	21.50
33	Louisiana	130.00	4	32.50	125.00	6	20.83
34	Wisconsin	110.00	3	36.67	120.00	9	13.33
35	Minnesota	105.00	4	26.25	170.00	12	14.17
36	Utah	100.00	3	33.33	135.00	8	16.88
37	New Mexico	100.00	1	100.00	50.00	3	16.67
38	Nebraska	85.00	3	28.33	10.00	1	10.00
39	Montana	80.00	2	40.00	50.00	3	16.67
40	Canada	70.00	2	35.00	10.00	1	10.00
41	Kansas	65.00	3	21.67	130.00	10	13.00
42	Germany	60.00	3	20.00
43	Rhode Island	55.00	2	27.50	50.00	2	25.00
44	Hawaii	50.00	1	50.00	115.00	6	19.17
45	Japan	50.00	1	50.00
46	Iowa	50.00	1	50.00	20.00	1	20.00
47	Vermont	40.00	2	20.00	6.00	1	6.00
48	Kentucky	40.00	2	20.00	40.00	3	13.33
49	Delaware	36.00	3	12.00	26.00	3	8.67
50	New Hampshire	33.50	1	33.50	98.50	5	19.70
51	South Dakota	30.00	2	15.00	55.00	4	13.75
52	El Salvador	30.00	1	30.00
53	Wyoming	20.00	1	20.00
54	Australia	10.00	1	10.00	10.00	1	10.00
	District of Columbia				20.00	1	20.00
	Armed Forces - Europe				15.00	1	15.00
	Norway				10.00	1	10.00
	Congo				10.00	1	10.00
	North Dakota				10.00	1	10.00
Never Never Land		3,290.00	89	36.97	750.00	52	14.42
60 locations total		$23,108.74	542	$42.64	$11,062.50	656	$16.86

THANK YOU VERY MUCH WONDERFUL, FABULOUS AWESOME FREEPERS!!!

   2011 Q1 Scoreboard — ranked by total receipts   

Rank	Location	Receipts			Monthlies
		Total	#	Avg/Per	Total	#	Avg/Per
1	Texas	$2,785.00	61	$45.66	$883.00	62	$14.24
2	California	1,975.00	41	48.17	1,307.00	74	17.66
3	Arizona	1,464.99	14	104.64	370.00	16	23.12
4	Virginia	860.00	19	45.26	750.00	32	23.44
5	Pennsylvania	755.00	21	35.95	410.00	22	18.64
6	Florida	720.00	26	27.69	525.00	33	15.91
7	Ohio	720.00	14	51.43	270.00	15	18.00
8	Maryland	680.00	13	52.31	132.50	8	16.56
9	Colorado	635.00	12	52.92	220.00	15	14.67
10	New York	625.00	12	52.08	362.50	23	15.76
11	New Jersey	615.00	8	76.88	205.00	10	20.50
12	West Virginia	600.00	4	150.00	35.00	2	17.50
13	Georgia	570.00	12	47.50	310.00	18	17.22
14	Alabama	460.00	11	41.82	150.00	11	13.64
15	Missouri	446.25	12	37.19	155.00	13	11.92
16	Tennessee	420.00	12	35.00	240.00	14	17.14
17	Washington	405.00	12	33.75	378.00	22	17.18
18	Illinois	378.00	13	29.08	270.00	14	19.29
19	North Carolina	355.00	13	27.31	355.00	22	16.14
20	South Carolina	355.00	6	59.17	60.00	6	10.00
21	Alaska	350.00	2	175.00	50.00	2	25.00
22	Arkansas	340.00	5	68.00	65.00	5	13.00
23	Michigan	270.00	11	24.55	185.00	11	16.82
24	Connecticut	266.00	5	53.20	90.00	7	12.86
25	Oregon	265.00	7	37.86	175.00	9	19.44
26	Idaho	200.00	7	28.57	215.00	9	23.89
27	Indiana	200.00	11	18.18	190.00	13	14.62
28	Nevada	173.00	5	34.60	50.00	3	16.67
29	Mississippi	171.00	5	34.20	141.00	6	23.50
30	Maine	150.00	2	75.00	80.00	3	26.67
31	Massachusetts	130.00	6	21.67	183.00	10	18.30
32	Oklahoma	130.00	5	26.00	215.00	10	21.50
33	Louisiana	130.00	4	32.50	125.00	6	20.83
34	Wisconsin	110.00	3	36.67	120.00	9	13.33
35	Minnesota	105.00	4	26.25	170.00	12	14.17
36	Utah	100.00	3	33.33	135.00	8	16.88
37	New Mexico	100.00	1	100.00	50.00	3	16.67
38	Nebraska	85.00	3	28.33	10.00	1	10.00
39	Montana	80.00	2	40.00	50.00	3	16.67
40	Canada	70.00	2	35.00	10.00	1	10.00
41	Kansas	65.00	3	21.67	130.00	10	13.00
42	Germany	60.00	3	20.00
43	Rhode Island	55.00	2	27.50	50.00	2	25.00
44	Hawaii	50.00	1	50.00	115.00	6	19.17
45	Japan	50.00	1	50.00
46	Iowa	50.00	1	50.00	20.00	1	20.00
47	Vermont	40.00	2	20.00	6.00	1	6.00
48	Kentucky	40.00	2	20.00	40.00	3	13.33
49	Delaware	36.00	3	12.00	26.00	3	8.67
50	New Hampshire	33.50	1	33.50	98.50	5	19.70
51	South Dakota	30.00	2	15.00	55.00	4	13.75
52	El Salvador	30.00	1	30.00
53	Wyoming	20.00	1	20.00
54	Australia	10.00	1	10.00	10.00	1	10.00
	District of Columbia				20.00	1	20.00
	Armed Forces - Europe				15.00	1	15.00
	Norway				10.00	1	10.00
	Congo				10.00	1	10.00
	North Dakota				10.00	1	10.00
Never Never Land		3,290.00	89	36.97	750.00	52	14.42
60 locations total		$23,108.74	542	$42.64	$11,062.50	656	$16.86

[Sidebar Moderator]

A Mod’s work is never done. Even beyond the grave ;)

[DJ MacWoW]

Jim’s 1030 explained why no ads. I didn’t know any of that.

[Mashood]

“Somehow, I’m not getting my concept through.”

Your message got through but its not workable: there are inherent costs to going commercial as stated by JimR:

“Now we could go commercial. We could sell ads. We could sell subscriptions or memberships, We could sell t-shirts and hats. But the moment we do, we invite scrutiny and copyright lawsuits. Before going commercial we would have to scrub our archives of any possible copyright violations. And we’d have to tighten up our current operations to make sure no one posts anything that could get us into trouble with any publisher of stories, photos, images, etc. And with sharks like Righthaven swimming around, there will always be room for trouble. And going commercial still wouldn’t guarantee enough income to build and maintain a paid staff, bullet proof software, redundant systems, etc.”

[Sidebar Moderator]

hehehe ;)

[DJ MacWoW]

LOL!!!

[greyfoxx39]

Maybe the self-deprecating Yorkshire humor I’ve grown up with, loses something in the translation from English to, er, English.

That's OK...snarkiness is a valued characteristic in a FReeper, and is quite handy at times.;0)

[Windflier]

If we run ads we’re commercial. If we are commercial we run into more problems claiming fair use. We’d have to scrub our archives and really clamp down hard on our posters. I’d rather do with less income and retain more freedom.

Understood, Jim. I saw your thoughts on this in post #588, and have indicated to a couple of folks that the paid advertising route is apparently now a moot point of discussion.

I may have failed to note your concerns about 'fair use', in your earlier reply. I'll admit that having to scrub the archives, and clamping down on posters is a large drawback.

That said, what are we to make of other websites and blogs that post links to articles on the net, yet who have banner advertising throughout their site pages? Are they having to deal with 'fair use' issues, or fight off battalions of lawyers? Straight question. I really don't know the answer.

If there's just no way out of the advertising pickle, then perhaps the idea of giving screen names unique colors to denote their membership status would help. That's one idea I've seen today that also has merit.

[Windflier]

Your message got through but its not workable: there are inherent costs to going commercial as stated by JimR

Jim posted his thoughts on advertising in post #588, then reiterated them directly to me upthread. I understand his position now.