The fundraiser update in Site Updates
Revised: 06/01/2018 7:57 p.m.
- June 1, 2018, 7:12 p.m.
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- Public
Hey everyone!
Mochi and I were traveling last week on a much needed vacation along the Oregon coast, and before I go any further I have to share this picture of him enjoying beach life:
I can’t get over it. THAT TONGUE.
Ok, let’s chat.
I’m happy to report that I’ve found a super talented DevOps contractor to work on the site! We’ve spent the past few weeks hammering out the details, and we’ve landed on a quote that accomplishes everything we need to have fixed.
The amount we need to raise to fix the server issues and set up a solid foundation is $1500.
That sounds like a lot of money, I know, but the going rate for specialized work like this can run anywhere from $60/hr to $140/hr and several of the quotes I got back were considerably higher. With Prosebox being such a customized setup and there being so many possible unknowns, a specialized (read: expensive) skillset is needed. We want this work to be done right the first time, and we want it to last.
I’ve recently gotten Google Analytics up and running again, and now have some reliable numbers on site traffic. We have just over 6000 active users. If 10% of those users donated $2.50, we’d get there instantly. Put another way, I’m trying to raise $0.25 for every user so I can hire someone to get things to where they need to be.
So, how’s this all going down?
Starting next week, there will be a (tasteful, I promise) Wikipedia-style banner across the site explaining what’s going on and linking to a fundraiser page that explains the situation. I’m including a close button that hides this banner and keeps it hidden. After you close it, it’ll be gone until the next day.
Ew, why run a banner?
Now that analytics are back in place, I’ve been keeping an eye on the amount of traffic that comes to these posts. Compared to the rest of the site, it’s a pretty small fraction. I want to link to an informative page to make sure everyone knows what’s going on and anyone that wants to contribute can do so.
How long will you run the fundraiser?
I’ll be running it for two weeks starting on Monday.
What happens if we don’t hit the goal?
We’ll talk about it. I intend to be 100% transparent about the financials of the fundraiser. Honestly though, with the number of users we have and how much everyone cares about the site, I’m feeling optimistic. Even $1 adds up.
What will show up on my bank statement if I donate?
I know privacy is important, so my initial thinking is that it will be “PAYPAL*PB”. It can be PAYPAL*Anything though, so if you have any suggestions I’m all ears.
Anything else?
Anyone who donates to the fundraiser will get an optional “badge” of some kind that will display on their profile page. More to come on this as I figure out the details.
Edit: Just kidding! Turns out nobody wants this!
Please feel free to chime in with your thoughts! This is my first time doing something like this, and I’m eager to get it right.
<3,
-J
Last updated June 02, 2018
ConnieK ⋅ June 01, 2018
Looking forward to it. If you don't reach goal, let us know so those of us who can (and want to) will have the opportunity to give again, if needed. Having just wrapped up a major fundraiser (won two prizes!), I believe your small request will be appreciated and bring good results. Great inclusion!
Newzlady ⋅ June 01, 2018
Glad to hear it!
Make it PAYPAL*PORN so that female users can rest assured their spouses will never question it, and male users can just apologize and promise to never do it again. LOL
EvequeFou Newzlady ⋅ June 01, 2018
Yes, but when there's a subscription option, we want the male users to do it every month, too. ;-)
Firebabe ⋅ June 01, 2018
Wow. $1500 is...unexpectedly reasonable.
Well, I had my heart set on hiring Nathan Fillion to come to my birthday party and play steel guitar while singing epic ballads in my honor and riding on the back of a white elephant, but I guess I can make do with Tobey Maguire playing the accordion on the back of an old Chevy Nova. Bring on the fundraiser!
Deleted user Firebabe ⋅ June 01, 2018
Exactly what I thought.
Deleted user Firebabe ⋅ June 01, 2018
I wouldn't turn down an invite to EITHER of those parties :D
josh Deleted user ⋅ June 01, 2018
I assume Fillion lives in LA too so this could be on the table..
Firebabe josh ⋅ June 01, 2018
Don't toy with me man!
hugadog Firebabe ⋅ June 01, 2018
Can't we still try for Nathan?
•kitkat• hugadog ⋅ June 01, 2018
I vote still trying for Nathan.
Silverstar46 •kitkat• ⋅ June 01, 2018
Me too! Bring on the Fillion! Also, $1500 is nothing.. I was thinking it may end up being 5 grand or something.
•kitkat• Silverstar46 ⋅ June 01, 2018
After the PTO meeting where it was announced we need to find a way to raise $40,000 for the school, $1500 is a breeze.
I know we have enough people on Pb to make this, and Nathan Fillion, happen.
dickson. Firebabe ⋅ June 02, 2018
Did you know NF is from my city? When one of our local theatres went up in flames, he helped us out big time with the rebuild.
Firebabe dickson. ⋅ June 02, 2018
I wish I really could meet him. He just seems like he'd be a super cool dude.
Deleted user ⋅ June 01, 2018
This all sounds great. I'm glad you are giving it until two weeks from now as I'm already broke from paying bills and will get paid again by then :) Anything technical costs an arm and a leg. I honestly thought you'd come back at us with a much higher price. I'm hoping we can raise more than that just in case it ends up costing more than the guy quoted. Thanks for taking this on.
Jigger ⋅ June 01, 2018
I'm against a badge, but throw that link up and let's get it done. $1500 ain't squat compared to what I'd expected. [See: Nathan Fillion/Tobey Maguire.]
Firebabe Jigger ⋅ June 01, 2018
I bet we could get Henry Rollins to do a cameo.
Jigger Firebabe ⋅ June 01, 2018
He's so creaky. Maybe Indiana Jones could understudy. Wait. Were we talking about my cat, or human Henry Rollins?
Firebabe Jigger ⋅ June 02, 2018
Both!
hippiechica15 ⋅ June 01, 2018
$1500 seems extremely reasonable!
Witchy Woman ⋅ June 01, 2018
Totally reasonable goal and I think we as a group can help reach or possibly exceed it. hope hope hope!
Badges? I say neigh. We don't want people to be all up in others business about how much or little they were able to help out. I'll do what I can, but I don't want anything telling anyone about it. 💋
Thank you for all you do and your honesty and openness along the way.
josh Witchy Woman ⋅ June 01, 2018
The neighs have it!
And you're very welcome :)
NeonLady ⋅ June 01, 2018
$1500, that’s not much. We got this!!
GypsyWynd ⋅ June 01, 2018
$1500 is less than I would have thought. Don't like the badge idea. Glad you changed your mind about it. Count me in. PB is definitely worth supporting.
Love that Mochi!!
Lyn ⋅ June 01, 2018
I'm in.
Deleted user ⋅ June 01, 2018
I also poo poo the badge, but I'm super broke so I apologize in advance for my piddly donation.
josh Deleted user ⋅ June 01, 2018
No need for an apology! Every little bit helps :)
Lobbastah ⋅ June 01, 2018
I'm poised with my credit card. (Willing to pay extra for Nathan Fillion party.)
•kitkat• ⋅ June 01, 2018
Count me in! I’ll donate what I can, whenever needed. This site is home and I wanna help take care of my home.
I’m not a huge fan of the badge idea, either.
I'm an Okking Fool ⋅ June 01, 2018
Mochi and his tongue are ridiculously adorable!
I'm super excited to donate :)
Walking Crow ⋅ June 01, 2018
I am excited to donate!!!!! Woohooo!!!!
I also see no problem with there being an optional badge. If a little Optional web badge causes drama it's only going to cause drama with people rearing to cause it anyway. Either way, I don't give a hoot just let me DONATE DONATE DONATE <3 Thank you so much for the transparency and moving forward so quickly on all this!
Deleted user ⋅ June 01, 2018
I am in ! This is great !
Mercurial Muse ⋅ June 01, 2018
For the record, I also say nay to the badge idea.
I too have my card ready for PB and Nathan!
Park Row Fallout ⋅ June 02, 2018
Will 100% add PB to donations!!
Love Oreogon :) Is that haystack rock in the background?
josh Park Row Fallout ⋅ June 02, 2018
It is!!
Park Row Fallout josh ⋅ June 02, 2018
Love Haystack! Though... it was the first time I realized my overly-helpful nature could cause me trouble, lol. I found an awesome tide pool while climbing and helped people reach it... but on the way got absolutely sliced up by razor clams! I thought those scars would stay forever but I lucked out and they healed after about 5 years, lol!
Nash ⋅ June 02, 2018
Badges! Ve don't need no steenking badges!
btwn bd tth ⋅ June 02, 2018
Honestly, I'd pay you just to see a weekly picture post of Mochi.
But this sounds good too.
Camdengirl ⋅ June 02, 2018
1500 seems v reasonable...reckon you will smash that!
masquerade~ ⋅ June 02, 2018
I'm down. I have no idea what this type of work would typically cost to carry out, so $1500 sounds good! When you worked out that its like $0.25 per active user, it makes it seem like such a small amount! And I like how if we raise over the $1500 that is needed, it goes to future emergencies/work needed etc
Seacláid ⋅ June 02, 2018
Will this work for those who are outside of the US?
Cat Mommy Seacláid ⋅ June 02, 2018
Paypal is worldwide.
Seacláid Cat Mommy ⋅ June 02, 2018
I meant for those who aren’t paying through paypal as not everyone has a paypal account.
Cat Mommy Seacláid ⋅ June 02, 2018
Except you don't need a Paypal account to donate through Paypal. Just a credit or debit card.
Cat Mommy ⋅ June 02, 2018
I see nothing wrong with an optional badge. I have it on other sites I've donated to. Like someone said previously, if it gets used to start drama it will be just an excuse to cause drama. Badge or no badge.
Eurynomus ⋅ June 02, 2018
I guess its good most people are optimistic, I remain the opposite, cant help it, its good the site stays up and running, but I sure remain skeptical.
As long as I can remain here freely without suffering consequences of these changes, then I dont complain.
I cant contribute, even if I wanted to, thats why I was on a free site and on OD before it got paid
Deleted user Eurynomus ⋅ June 02, 2018
I am in the same boat. I just can't afford it. 😢
Marg Deleted user ⋅ June 03, 2018
Please don’t worry guys - there are those of us who are willing to put in extra to cover this. I honestly feel the amount will be reached in days because so many folk are on board with the whole idea so no need for any concern. (And this is why I am so against a reward system for those who donate - don’t feel it’s fair on those who can’t manage).
dickson. ⋅ June 02, 2018
Dude, you gon get $1500 immediately. That's nothing!
Deleted user ⋅ June 02, 2018
I'm in for the fundraiser. I'm more then happy to donate no badge though. Looking for the said banner to show up.
Always Laughing ⋅ June 02, 2018
I think this is a great idea . Also were you on the famous beach where Goonies was filmed? I was there last summer and fell in love with Oregon. Also Mochi is the cutest :-)
NorthernSeeker ⋅ June 02, 2018
Some of my friends here really can't afford a paid service so I will put in extra $$ for them.
Cat Mommy NorthernSeeker ⋅ June 02, 2018
I like this way of looking at it. :)
Deleted user ⋅ June 02, 2018
The banner, will it have some kind of thing to tell us how much has been donated so far and how close we are to the goal?
josh Deleted user ⋅ June 02, 2018
Everything's being done by hand by me behind the scenes, so something that dynamic probably isn't possible. I'll post a status update when we get there for sure though!
Deleted user josh ⋅ June 02, 2018
Awesome! Thank you!
summertime sadness. ⋅ June 02, 2018
Those who donate should receive a literal badge of Mochi and his tongue to display proudly on their lapels. My winter jacket has been missing a certain je ne sais qoui.
Deleted user ⋅ June 02, 2018
Can it be possible to donate without you or anyone knowing which diarist it came from? I might sound paranoid, but I'm not keen to have my diary name linked to real name/location and whatever else. I'm happy to donate, but only if the two aren't linked.
josh Deleted user ⋅ June 02, 2018
Yep, I'll have an optional field with diarist name for those that are interested, but it's completely optional.
Naiad ⋅ June 02, 2018
Pffft, I thought the price tag on a devop engineer would be a lot higher! And I agree, badges after for fancy braggers. We're just folks here. ;p
Tempestuous1 ⋅ June 02, 2018
Love the tongue too! :) Question, and maybe someone else asked it and I missed it, so I apologize. You're not going to make PayPal the only payment option? I think there is some way to pay by credit/debit card THRU PayPal, but still not having to log-in or have an account? I ask as I have had problems with PayPal, and won't have an account with them again, but would love to be able to donate by debit/credit. I am so in as far as donating, even if I am poor too, because this site and the community offer so much support to me. I'm also not a fan of the badges. If someone wants to let others know they donated that badly...write it on your profile page, or diary entry.
josh Tempestuous1 ⋅ June 02, 2018
Hi! Glad we're on the same page about the adorable Mochitongue :D
I'm using Paypal because it's the easiest to spin up (and most ubiquitous) but you won't need an account to donate. I'll be able to take credit/debit cards. Really appreciate you being open to donating, I'm excited to get things to a stable place.
Hear you all loud and clear on the badges :)
Deleted user ⋅ June 03, 2018
You'll have no trouble raising that much here. Thanks for the update!
Mystery ⋅ June 03, 2018
I don't want a badge but I do want to say that the site is running a bit slow and I don't like ads being placed above our entries. They're better on the sides. Why have them both on the sides and on top of the entries? :-) if you want to place 2 ads per page, can you move the top ad to the bottom of the entry?
Marg ⋅ June 03, 2018
I’m definitely in - bring it on! 😁
Deleted user ⋅ June 03, 2018
I cannot get over that dog!
Tux ⋅ June 03, 2018
I don't care one way or another about badges, but am willing to kick in a buck or two. Sorry I never joined the dev Slack, I kinda have Slack PTSD from my last job and even looking at the icon kinda makes me feel edgy.
josh Tux ⋅ June 03, 2018
Haha! All good!
cricket_factor ⋅ June 03, 2018
Count me in, too. I love that Mochi!
pandora ⋅ June 04, 2018
Good luck and keep us posted as to how we're doing in case we can pitch in a bit more at the end if needed. I am pretty sure you'll far exceed your goal though! Thanks again. :)
pandora ⋅ June 04, 2018
Also, Mochi is amazing! I love that we have a PB doggie mascot, sort of.