<font color="#ffccff"> I agree with Epona, compulsory donations is not the way to go. Some one was argueing against Z setting up a formal subscription that we could all just do the donations on a regular basis.....well with a "formalized" subscription set up, I would be 100% likely to get my donations in on time...without it...I will probably forget since my life is just a tad hectic and will remain so for a while yet. I subscribe to magazines, to services and to a whole host of things so that I don't have to remember them....I would like to be able to do this with my donations to IW. I also really like the Idea of a running "money meter" to let us know how our IW account is doing so that everyone knows the score.

Edit: it might be time for IW to incorporate....with enough subscriptions we could pay for regular hardware upgrades, better bandwidth etc, etc.</font>

[ 04-01-2003, 10:15 AM: Message edited by: MagiK ]

Ok, I just sent some funds. I can send that every other week if needed. Probably more. Please seriously consider my offer about sub-renting space. Whether you go with my offer or not, thank you for running such an awesome website. That's 1 of the reasons I would like to be affiliated with you. Take care and God bless.

WOW! We just got a good size donation!! We only have $100 left to go!! WOW!!! We're going to make it guys!!!

PS: I'm still selling my stuff on Ebay (it's going to take a few weeks to get the price guides and stuff) but I'm selling lots of Startrek TNG/DS9/VOY figures -- some are autographed--7of9, Troi, Tuvok, and a bunch of others.. as well as some other stuff.

Z have you got any transformers? I could give you the names of places where you could sell them for a fair price.

(Ebay being the obvious one)

Z have you got any transformers? I could give you the names of places where you could sell them for a fair price.

(Ebay being the obvious one)</font>[/QUOTE][img]smile.gif[/img] . I'm keeping all my G1 Transformers for my heir [img]smile.gif[/img] . I know what those and my 1980's GI Joes are worth. I Still can't find the new commemorative Optimus Prime except at collector shops, and they want $50+ bucks for it.. pff.. can't afford anything anyway. I'd rather trade. found some nice stuff trading..

There is a problem with this - and that is that there plenty of us who cannot afford $1 a month, or whos parents would not allow it.

I don't mind people knowing a few personal details about my life, so here goes. I lost my job back in December last year, and I'm having trouble finding a new one. I am not entitled to benefits or welfare of any kind. I have NO income. $1 is a lot to someone who scrabbles about down the back of their couch trying to find enough small change to go out and buy a carton of milk. At the moment the internet is my lifeline - I would quite simply go insane without it, since I can't afford to go anywhere or do anything. I am in debt up to my eyeballs, and quite frankly life is a bit of a nightmare at the moment. Even when I find work I will probably spend months paying off debts, because friends and family have been good enough to pay my mortgage to stop me becoming homeless.

The internet is pretty much the only thing I can do for free, talk to people, get stuff of my chest. A compulsory subscription would not be possible for me to pay. When you have $1 to spare it's easy to think that it's not much money - but I get excited if I find 5p on the pavement. So please please do not go down the road of compulsory subscriptions! We have members here with good jobs who can maybe afford to donate monthly, but it should be optional. When I get a job, I will donate, but I can't afford it right now :(

(Oh and by the way, in case anyone thinks I've lost the plot cos they remember me talking about buying clothes in Cloudy's Cafe, and thinking I can't be that strapped for cash - the clothes are a birthday prezzie from my mum ;) )</font>[/QUOTE]It's ok Epona. They aren't saying to pay if you can't pay. Just saying that if you can pay, to please help out. We all go through different times in our life where we either have money or we don't have money. I've gone through a fair share of it myself. It wasn't until the last 3 years where my life started to change again. The job I got here in FL is a pretty decent one, but what really helped me out is that my grandmother left me her house in her will. It's amazing how much extra money you have when you don't have to pay rent. You shouldn't feel bad or ashamed (and I know you don't, but I am referring to anyone that might) that you don't have a great deal of money. As long as you have friends (here and in RL), that's all the payment you really need. It's good to know that you have people helping you out. During some rough spots, my family has helped me. To date, they are the only people that have helped me. So, I'm kind of envious you have friends doing what they are for you. I've had to go through a lot myself. Came close to being homeless a couple of times, but I always found a way out. Sometimes it meant not eating so I could pay the rent, other times, it meant not going/doing stuff so I wouldn't spend the money I needed. That's why I went hog wild on e-Bay a few years ago. I had lived with nothing for so long, it kinda felt good to be able to splurge. I'll admit that I got carried away with it. Still trying to find a level that is good, but I'm doing better. Anyways, keep your chin up. Things get better. I've seen that firsthand myself.

The best deal I can find for the commerative series Optimus Prime right now is $70 (buy and its yours) or the $55 one (which people are still bidding on).

This one right-

http://ebay2.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_...a3c9/i-1_B.JPG

There's also a deal for the original Prime being solld for $44

And another deal where you could buy reissue Prime and Sideswipe for $75 but it was just brought :D

Ah well, the reissue Prime is hard to come across now adays, Sideswipes getting even rarer too but I have my Generation 2 Sideswipe. Unfortunately when I was child I destroyed all three of my Optimus Primes, he was too fragile :D

<font color=plum><font color=yellow>Ziroc</font> - I hope you aren't selling off you're sci-fi figures just to pay for Ironworks. You shouldn't need to do that. I'm sure we will have enough members "pitch in" to start handling the monthly costs.</font>

Hey, I know you don't want to use special avatars for membership, but what about credit towards # of posts? Say I put in $5, maybe you could bump up my post count some. Not sure what would be fair, but it could help some of us that don't post a lot to get to the next levels sometime in our lifetime? LOL. Seriously though, it's just a thought.

I'm glad to know that Ironworks may make it - I haven't been here for a while and I was shocked when I saw the first couple of pages of this post! But it seems like Ironworks may just make it...(no thanks to me...sorry). I love the new look, Z! Really great, looking good! It would be a shame to see this forum go after installing that...though I dunno whether that could be old...anyways, it feels good to be back! I love Ironworks, my first and favourite forum! I should be getting a part-time job soon, so I'll be able to help out..until then I'll pray for you and your household, Z! Good luck! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

What are you complaining about, Tobbin? You've only got 22 posts to go to get out of the Emerald Dragon Tidal Pool! Me... let's just say I hope I don't get called for spam :D

You misunderstood me. I wasn't complaining. I've been at the Emerald Dragon for over a year though. LOL. Yep, I know it's gonna change soon, but still, at this rate, to get to the highest rank, it would take me more years than I have left to live probably. LOL

Great news, Ziroc, I'm glad you're so close now. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

I *was* going to donate tonight, but this shaking nonsense has put me off. Z, do you really think THIS is the way to rally us? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Seriously, I will donate tonight just SHUT IT OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!

bump

Still waiting on how to subscribe. Like MagiK, I never can remamber.

We still need just $100 to reach our goal!!! The bill is due in a few days!!

Okay, now we're close. $100 away is as bad as $1000 away if it's not covered. C'mon all you stragglers who've been waiting to send in that little bit of $$$.

Hows it going Z? Sent something a few days ago, just wanted to see whether I need to send more

COME ON People!

BUMP

We need $90 now! We have 3 days till I send the bill off. It's getting close guys!

I sent some last night, even though I cant get in from home anymore. Couldnt send much though.

BTW, Im getting faults both at home and at work. At work its simple DNS failure, hosts file fix lets me back in. At home im getting some very weird gateay 504 errors. A tracert ends up at 10.102.196.196. Any idea what could be causing this?

And come on guys, if this site goes down due to a lack of $90, It would be a tragedy.

Hey Z, have you thought about my offer?

WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [img]graemlins/awesomework.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/awesomework.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/awesomework.gif[/img]

I just deposited to the bank account so I can send the bill out! WOW! Thanks to everyone that helped get us through this! It usually won't be this tight, so don't worry! [img]smile.gif[/img]

We're here to stay! [img]graemlins/choc.gif[/img] says thanks as well! (He donated a treat) ;)

Well, Z, now is the time to get the subscription service into place, so you will have a regular source of income. Congratulations!!!

Great news, Z. Hamsters and Rangers everywhere - REJOICE!!!!!! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

Now, I'll add my voice to the good doctor's: if you can get some sort of monthly payment system in place, you've got two registrants lined up already.

IIRC your costs, 50 folks at $5 a month pays the bill. I'm all for it. Hell, I spend tons more time here than on AOL and I pay those bastards $23.

Yeah, Z. I actually have 2 aol accounts, so I'm doubling TL's cost. I'm sure several regulars will pony up

Count on me for the same donation as last ones Z. Returns have to come first.

Glad you made it!!!</p>Atrayu, master of the woodland stride.

<font color=steelblue> Great work guys!!! I would gladly pay 5 bucks a month. [img]graemlins/dance.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/dance.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/dance.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/dance.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/dance.gif[/img] </font>

<font color="plum">GREAT NEWS, <font color=yellow>ZIROC</font>!!! [img]graemlins/yippee.gif[/img]

Let me add my voice to <font color=tan>Timber</font> and <font color=orange>Attalus</font> regarding the monthly donations. Just let us know what the monthly cost for <font color=yellow>Ironworks</font> is and hopefully you won't need to make any more of these threads in the future.

Like I mentioned before, knowing the amount needed and having a Donation Meter listed at the top of each page would show us immediately how we were doing on a daily basis.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WHOLE <font color=yellow>IRONWORKS</font> FAMILY!!!

Like all good families, you pulled together when the chips were down. That's what makes this the best site on the net. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] </font>

If a subscription came into place i would definantly subscribe.
Not a second thought, Ironworks would have to be the greatest websit i have ever been to,Honestly!!!. I have also taken the liberty of telling all of my friends about it. And after they saw it they have al decided that they want to sign up. so although signing up may not help, i think that they would subscribe aswell.

Well done Ziroc! May Ironworks live forever, but now I feel guilty.
Well done everyone who donated. May your time here be long and happy.