The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 27th June 2013

[$hoguN]

Cheers for the being so up-front about the costs A&C. It's a real eye-opener. I hugely sorry that, because of they way things are with work and stuff I simply can't offer anything by way of a contribution - as I haven't been able to for a few years. What I can say, though, is that I am enormously grateful to everyone who runs and mods this excellent site. It really is a joy to lurk on these pages most days, witnessing the 'all human lifeness' of things, and getting the lowdown on our mighty club.

And, if I do come into any money, I'll happily send some in, by owl, or Raleigh Chopper courier.

Even if you cannot afford to donate, people can make a difference to the site by adding the affiliates links to their bookmarks, so the site always gets a cut when you spend money on amazon, tesco, etc.

EDIT: My wife even goes through the affiliate links to ensure I don't moan at her

 

[Hoopspur]

I think we should devise a system that calculates a subscription rate based on your current ratings.

ooooooo look, i have loads of positives!!

Yeah you're right, the more 'positives' you get the more you have to cough up for all that ego massaging. Sounds fair enough to me.


Edit - oi, you lot can stop doing that also!! Talk about double edged sword!

 

[Mattspurs1982]

This forum is my daily saviour. I'd cry if it ever stopped - it gives the rest of us an escape from work, the WAGs and daily stresses! Donated - keep up the good work : )

 

[ryantegan]

ok the ratings subscription was a bad idea

 

[Singayid]

I believe it was I who first solved the goat's latest cryptic

I gave you a winners medal because that is what I thought having read it all through this morning albeit 7 hours behind.

Well done Max!!!

 

[Rob]

it saddens me that A&C even had to explain the finances of the site. People should just take it on good faith.

I've just read some idiot on that 606 site reckon we could host here on £50 a month as "bandwidth isn't expensive"

I can't be arsed to sign up on there but it seems that they're reading here so I thought I'd let him know that bandwidth is practically free and isn't where the cost is (although we can push 1TB a month). What costs money is having a server that is capable of handling thousands of database connections at the same time. Really for a site this size we should have several servers with at least one dedicated to just running the database. You'd be looking at something like a grand a month for the "ideal" setup for here but instead we only have the 1 server doing everything (costing £330 a month) and with things optimised as much as possible (largely thanks to the great work by the guys hosting us at Nimbus). Even then, we struggle at the end of the window when things go mental.

Hope that's cleared things up for anyone who saw those posts over there and were misled by the guy who didn't know what he was talking about.

 

[ernie78]

Been meaning to make a donation for while but the breakdown just gave me a big kick up the backside - Donation made

 

[ilikeost]

it saddens me that A&C even had to explain the finances of the site. People should just take it on good faith. And you know what...........would it even be a problem if this site made a profit given the time we are all on it and the information and entertainment it gives? And I shudder to think how busy those that run it must especially during the windows..........going to donate £50 in a minute but I would rather those that run the site brought yourselves a couple of beers with it for all the great work!

People should never donate to something if they don't know where the money is going. I wouldn't have a problem with A&C using donations for beer, hookers and beerhookers if thats what they say the money is going to, it's my decision to donate or not. But on the other hand if A&C says that the money will only be spent on support of the site and I donate thinking this and then A&C uses some money on a new set of egg cups made from skulls of decapitaded kittens, well then we have a problem.

Just to be clear, I do not think that A&C/Rob/etc use the donations for anything else than to support the site, I've no reason to think otherwise. But I would like more transparency when it comes to donations, the more the better I'd say. It would eliminate any lingering doubt and claims made by people who for some reason dislike the site.

 

[andyp8080]

Strongly disagree.

I appreciate the fact he explained the costs (inspired a mini-donation on my part) - I'm not going to throw my money blindly at a chat forum without some consideration.

don't get me wrong, it's interesting to know these things and transparency is never a bad thing. I meant it's sad that A&C felt obliged to do it following the criticism from what was seemingly just one poster

 

[Gedson100]

Although I'd happily subscribe, not doing so would be akin to flushing a junkie's stash, I think there's something to be said keeping it open and free.

What about that once in a lifetime ITKer that rolls up here just wanting to share?

Plus in a closed forum, private, off limits, away from prying eyes, one can only imagine the level of depravity that would set in, and quickly.

 

[Rob]

We've always said that we'd never go into a subscription-only model unless there was no other choice so I don't see that ever happening. If we had something extra to add for subscribers we'd consider that but basic access would always be free.

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

How the hell did anyone link the three amigos with Roberto Martinez folks?

 

[jassthebass]

Donated iii]

 

[Rob]

How the hell did anyone link the three amigos with Roberto Martinez folks?

That was their nickname when the 3 Spaniards joined Wigan at the same time.

 

[talkshowhost86]

We've always said that we'd never go into a subscription-only model unless there was no other choice so I don't see that ever happening. If we had something extra to add for subscribers we'd consider that but basic access would always be free.

I like the idea of an SC 'Private Members Club'.

Will we get virtual cigars and brandy?

Also don't let Bill Oddie join.

 

[chrissivad]

How the hell did anyone link the three amigos with Roberto Martinez folks?

check out the thread in the RO

I added the link in there so people could see and its the easy to find

 

[jedimonkey]

Donated my last £3. Sorry it's not more, but hopefully you will receive a few other donations today to make up for my lack of funds.

 

[CrazyConrad]

I've just read some idiot on that 606 site reckon we could host here on £50 a month as "bandwidth isn't expensive"

I can't be arsed to sign up on there but it seems that they're reading here so I thought I'd let him know that bandwidth is practically free and isn't where the cost is (although we can push 1TB a month). What costs money is having a server that is capable of handling thousands of database connections at the same time. Really for a site this size we should have several servers with at least one dedicated to just running the database. You'd be looking at something like a grand a month for the "ideal" setup for here but instead we only have the 1 server doing everything (costing £330 a month) and with things optimised as much as possible (largely thanks to the great work by the guys hosting us at Nimbus). Even then, we struggle at the end of the window when things go mental.

Hope that's cleared things up for anyone who saw those posts over there and were misled by the guy who didn't know what he was talking about.

Well, people can believe and think what they want but a simple google will tell everyone that hiring a dedicated server to handle the traffic this sites get is not cheap. 330 a month is actually on the low side of what you can actually get and as Rob says, if you go up to 1k a month for the server it would make the site better.

The 606 guys might have a few hits everyday and a handful of members and with that they can host their own servers in their mamas basement for free. I donate 5 quid a month to this site and will continue to do so. I 100% believe the money is spent on running the site but if Rob and A&C spends it on shemales in Thailand I couldnt give a flying fuck.

SC to live forever.

 

[TottenhamLegend]

A&C - is there any way of setting up a regular, automatic donation?

I'd happily donate £10 a month, but it would be nice if I only have to do it once and from then on it just comes out of my account each month.

 

[soup]

I'll admit I've been slack donating, it's one of those things you always imagine 'everyone else' is taking care of, but if it comes down to only £50pm at times, then us lot are clearly not doing our bit, as you are Rob.

£20 done.