Donations to the websites: Good idea or too much?

[Richard Fisher]

Right then chaps, I had a sleepless night thinking of how best to approach this one.

Over the past few years, several people have suggested that I make it possible to allow donations to the running of the website. Some people have made donations in their own way (a few pounds / dollars / bits of kit) and they have been gratefully received. I have also recently seen it done on a couple of other forums with a list of who has made donations.

While the costs of this site aren't huge, they are an impact and I have always shouldered the burden as part of my personal expenses. I have been able to do this with ease as I have residual income, which may go soon as me and the girlfriend are looking to buy a house.

I have sometimes considered that they are a bit 'forward' and may suddenly view the site as a commercial entity, however, at the same time, I can see that they can really help out and always keep the site running.

I would be interested to hear your views on this one. I am NOT hawking for money (as I am not that sort of person) but it has been suggested outside of this forum and I want to hear what the users - that's you - really think of such schemes.

Many thanks,

Richard

PS If such an idea is out-of-hand then I apologise but I didn't know the best way to approach it

[Kev]

Hi Richard,I guess someone is going to have to break the ice on this and it looks like it may as well be me

I know and understand that web space and the bandwidth it uses is provided as a commercial entity and as such someone either through advertising or subscription (or both) has to pay.

This being so I appreciate the 'sleepless night' post and feel that as you have had the 'bottle' to address us with the situation it would be inconsiderate to ignore it and move on to another part of the forum.

OK,I'd like to come here for free,if it came to it and the forum closed I suppose we could all go our different ways to other forums.

Speaking for myself I am more than happy to donate to help out and keep things sweet. It would be a price worth paying for the info I have gained and the good friends I have made here.

I have participated on other forums where donors have a symbol or similar by their user name on posts so that it can be seen they have helped out.Others have had files that can only be downloaded by donors.
Anyone have any ideas ?......Would sponsorship be a practical from a dealer/s or would it cause grief if other (non sponsoring) dealers names were to be mentioned in posts ?)

How about putting up a link to a Paypal or similar link and an address where those who would like to donate can send something to help out ?

OK,thats my 2p's worth, I hope others will see fit to add to this thread and say what they think.

Kevin

[Tim]

Hi richard ,
I for one would be perfectly willing to chip in , i think that lots of us have paypal accounts to make such donnations a private and extremly simple method of chipping in .

Should anyone have any questions about transparency
thier are the moderators to take into account and they could always have a butchers at what comes in and goes out ( not that i doubt Richard in anyway) ;D

i personnally would suggest that identifying those that do and do not donate would be a bit of a no no , but thats just my feeling .
regards
Tim

[warren]

I have no problem kicking in a few "bob" for the cause.
Cheers,
Warren

[emmagee]

I too would be glad to contribute to help out.



Harry

[Richard Fisher]

Well, thank you very much for your views and support. I have received the first donation to the site and I am most grateful (somebody did a bit of work and made a payment without the donation system being in place).

I will put a 'donation' button onto both websites and will place donations received within the relevant site area of this forum. If people wish to remain anonymous then they can.

Once again, many thanks,

Rich

[emmagee]

Hi Richard,

How can we make donations? Have you set up a Paypal account for the purpose?

Thanks!

Harry

[Richard Fisher]

I have added links to the contents pages of the approiate sites:

www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk
www.weapons.org.uk

Thank you very much,

Richard

[mattgibbs]

I think its totally unnacceptable!!!!

[mattgibbs]

;D
Oh the rest of my reply seems to be missing....

I meant in this day and age its totally unacceptable for such a stirling forum not to be supported by its members and I will indeed be making my "two bobs" worth of donation. Funny thing is I can't find Bobs in the currency list on paypal - go figure!

Seriously though, I think its a good idea, after all we the users do reap a lot of benefit with all the contacts and help we get out of it.

Kind regards and Best Wishes to all
Matt Gibbs