Time To Renew The Site

[Supertom]

Hey all,

It's that time of the year to renew the site.  The last fund drive we had was three years back, and it was enough to renew the site three times plus pay for server overage costs.  As the contract expires in five days (I forgot to update my email address so I never got the notification until I suddenly remembered today) I'll go ahead and pay the $65.  I usually have no issue with this but I'm short of cash this year (trying to accelerate paying off my post-divorce debt) so if possible I'd like to ask if you guys are willing to help with contributing to the upkeep.  Once I'm out of this debt I'll be able to go back to paying for the site 100%.

I've never been able to add a sponsor site that worked but I believe I've figured it out a way to add the banners without it being overpowering yet still noticeable.  As Chris707 had contributed a sponsor fee last, I owe him a year's worth of banner advertising.  

Anyway, I have a few questions:

1) As we refer to ourselves as "Whiffers," should we change the name to Whiffers.com?

2) If contributions wind up matching US$61.20, this would go towards the renewal fee.  Any excess funds would be used to pay for server overage fees (we seem to do at least once a month, costing us an extra US$5).  

3) I've talked to the Steve from ARC and Mike from Britmodeler and they are quite enthused about the newest version of Invision's Forum software.  You've seen it for yourself and allows for quite a bit of personalization and flexibility.  It's also more secure/hacker-proof from what I understand.  Unfortunately it's also about US$245.  If we can pool US$310 this year (renewal + forum software) would you guys be interested in converting to the new forum?

4) I guess we could also have an upkeep sale - we sell kits and monies would go towards site upkeep.  I've got a few kits to get rid off that I'll be listing on the Swap Shop.  Anything you want to contribute should have a notice that it's for the site upkeep.

Concerns:

1) Whilst the site and the forum belongs to us all we as a group have to take ultimate responsibility for it (aka the buck stops here !) - all members are considered to be a vital part of it.

2) As we try to make this a community for all, and please understand if decisions are made that may not agree with you.  You can't please everyone, but we sure try!

Lemme know.

[dragon]

1) As we refer to ourselves as "Whiffers," should we change the name to Whiffers.com?

We should not change the name.  Reasons:
1.  We have members that come and go and return to the site.  If we change the name, these boomeranging members will not be able to find their way back, making the site poorer by their )now permanent) absence.

2.  By changing the name to something only the truly hardcore understand, we would only get fewer members and even fewer converts.  "What's a WHIFF?- Is this wiffleball enthusiasts?  Is it an X-rated site? " etc.  

As the Americans say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Where do we send our donations? B)  

[ysi_maniac]

Where do we send our donations? B)

Yeah, where? B)    

[Supertom]

Uh, okay, don't send it yet, I need to set up a mechanism so that I don't accidentally mix money earmarked for the site vs money not for the site.

The last time we did it we did money orders and Paypal, with some people helping to coordinate from other countries if money orders were sent.

[Joe C-P]

I can donate cash and/or some models I'll never build.

JoeP

[Shasper]

I like the idea of the newer forum software. Unfortunatly I'm a little flat rgt now, but once I get back to school & work in a month I could send a donation. The idea of a kit sell-off does have a ring to it, I might try that.


What ya got in mind for the main page?

Shas B)

[Spey_Phantom]

how a bout a weekly newsletter, and a gallery similar to that on ARC.
where the best models of the forums will be placed on the front page  B)

just a thought    

[Brian da Basher]

I'd certainly be glad to make a contribution, Tom.  Not to worry, I'm more than willing to help.

I vote we leave the name as is, but the new software might be worth a try if us skinflints can put up enough cash.

Brian da Basher

[anthonyp]

Name same, too lazy to update bookmarks.

[PanzerWulff]

I think I have 20+ bucks in my PayPal Acct from selling off some of my old Magic the Gathering Cards I'd be willing to send the forum's way

Keep the name It's who we are
"Panzer"

[gunfighter]

If there is a mechanism through which I can send a contribution from Spain, let me know.  

[Jennings]

As the Americans say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Too bad our leaders don't adhere to that maxim, eh?



J

PS:  I'm expecting some PayPal $$ in a couple of days, and will be happy to contribute my share.

[Damian2]

Tom I'm quite skint at the moment but if you'd like to sell some kits for the cause then I can do that!

My vote: keep the name

[PolluxDeltaSeven]

Changing the name could be a good idea as we now are more than just modelers (I'm thinking about the back stories, alternate worlds, profiles, CGs etc...).
But the guys are right, the name as it actually is is the one we know. Changing it could be a problem for us, but also for those who want to find us ("what-if model" is probably a more plausible key-Word on Google than "whiffers")

For the other modifications, I think having a galerie like the ARC one could be cool,  even if it is not uploaded every day, of course!

Personnally, I would very apreciate if the site could be a support for us when we want to show our products. For example, maybe we could have a gallery with every works we complete, and everyone could find a model/profile by searching a precise model (F-14, F/A-18 for example etc... Just like it already is in the actual galery) or the name of the member.

Well, I'm sorry if I'm not understandable, I didn't practice English for weeks.


For the moment, I have not a lot of money, but if I could help you by any other meanings, like the daily updates, selecting the galeries etc etc... just tell me!! I'll be there!    

[Scooterman]

My $0.02 worth.

Keep the name.  As for funds for the site, let me know where to send but I do also like the idea of having a kit sale.  I'm up for either.