EA Forums

Just an update on where we stand financially. As most of you know, we rent space on a server to host our site: the forums, the fiction archive, and the personals section. We have had to do this since BME stopped hosting us, which they were doing for free. The transition from BME to a free standing site is the source of the many changes that have and are still occurring here over the past 8-12 months.

The server currently costs us $119 US per month. Other expenses include $70 US annually for a PO Box, annual domain registrations (4 of them), back up computer and any repairs needed (the backup is provided free, but not any of the few repairs we've had), and bank and PayPal fees. Other unanticipated costs sometimes come up. Further, the backup computer is old and may one day need to be replaced. A reserve for that would be good. That is our picture overall right now.

Currently we have approximately $1400 US on account. A prudent reserve for tougher times would probably be about $1000 US - that would keep us "on the air" for about 7-8 months without other funds. So, it is getting time to start encouraging member contributions again.

Contributions are strictly voluntary in any amount you can afford or care to give - we do not currently charge a membership fee. We have had contributions in the past from all over the world. We get mostly US currency, but sometimes others. They do cost to convert, but we can do so - US is preferred, but not insisted upon.

To contribute to our ongoing existence, please use the following resources:

Checks, Money Orders, and Currency (please wrap it so not seen through the envelope) may be mailed to:

PO Box closed. Please PM Kristoff to mail donations.

Contributions may also be made via PayPal. Use the following email address for transfers (sorry we don't take credit/debit card directly - too expensive)

WyrmWyvern @ Live.com

Contributions of ALL sizes are welcome, and all make a difference.

I will periodically update this post with our progress.

Thanks!

Kristoff

$119 / month sounds a little high. What is the traffic like, and have you experienced issues with other web hosts for the content? I use Arvixe and they've been great ($50 / year for extremely low-traffic personal hosting).

Just some ideas; there's the rackspace cloud (1.5 cents / hour = $11 / month) and Amazon EC2 (there's a limited free tier, and micro tier for 2 cents / hour). I've used EC2 for some [failed :p] HPC attempts, and know that you start out by imaging the Linux distro of your choice [installs Ubuntu / SuSE / whatever onto your VM], and then you get an SSH terminal to do whatever you want with. So, you'd have pretty much power if shared hosts sound like a bad idea.

After situation with wikileaks, I would not trust Amazon with hosting anything questionable.

I have experience with web hosting companys here in the UK and such.

Do you have problems with other companies hosting the EA site for any reason?

Backup should be simple. What is the total webspace used in MB's including the databases and monthly usage (bandwidth) from users?

Ryan

hungrycat (imported) wrote: Sat Nov 19, 2011 9:54 pm I have experience with web hosting companys here in the UK and such.

Do you have problems with other companies hosting the EA site for any reason?

Backup should be simple. What is the total webspace used in MB's including the databases and monthly usage (bandwidth) from users?

Ryan

Yes, there were some that would not host our content.

purpletomato (imported) wrote: Sat Nov 19, 2011 5:21 pm $119 / month sounds a little high. What is the traffic like, and have you experienced issues with other web hosts for the content? I use Arvixe and they've been great ($50 / year for extremely low-traffic personal hosting).

Just some ideas; there's the rackspace cloud (1.5 cents / hour = $11 / month) and Amazon EC2 (there's a limited free tier, and micro tier for 2 cents / hour). I've used EC2 for some [failed :p] HPC attempts, and know that you start out by imaging the Linux distro of your choice [installs Ubuntu / SuSE / whatever onto your VM], and then you get an SSH terminal to do whatever you want with. So, you'd have pretty much power if shared hosts sound like a bad idea.

We thoroughly shopped our needs. Small business hosts are not suitable. The several hosting companies we contacted often wanted $200 or more for our traffic. The $119 is actually a very good price, and we'll live with it.

Sounds good, I can guess how things get more expensive when you have to support a real site. It's good knowing the admins are in control of the data; this site seems very well run.

What's wrong ?

I don't see no pledges!

moi621 (imported) wrote: Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:29 pm What's wrong ?

I don't see no pledges!

Maybe some members prefer to donate privately rather than make public pledges.

Okay.

T'is the season, and I'm in the spirit of giving, so I just sent my $50.00 (USD) via Paypal.

I always wish I could afford more, but well... I send what I can.

C'mon folks, surely the EA deserves a nice Holiday season too. Every dollar counts. Let's get the donations flowing. Personally I'd like another year of not worrying about if we have enough to stay online.

When you are budgeting your presents this December, maybe you can set aside a few dollars to the place that gives us so much enjoyment the rest of the year.

Thanks for every donation.

Cainanite

Okay.

Cainanite (imported) wrote: Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:06 am T'is the season, and I'm in the spirit of giving, so I just sent my $50.00 (USD) via Paypal.

I always wish I could afford more, but well... I send what I can.

C'mon folks, surely the EA deserves a nice Holiday season too. Every dollar counts. Let's get the donations flowing. Personally I'd like another year of not worrying about if we have enough to stay online.

When you are budgeting your presents this December, maybe you can set aside a few dollars to the place that gives us so much enjoyment the rest of the year.

Thanks for every donation.

Cainanite

Your contribution has been received. Thank you!

In the past 2 months since the original post, we have received $450 USD, and spent $238 USD for hosting and traffic, and $5.00 for monthly service fees. That leaves us with an approximate balance of $1550 USD, $550 USD over our reserve.

Contributions are still welcome. I would like to see a balance of about $2,000 USD. With the reserve, that would keep us on the air for about 18 months, which would be pretty comfortable!

Thank you to all those who have contributed. We ALL appreciate it. Everything counts, big and small, as your ability and desire allows.

Kristoff

Note to the holiday gift list: Wyrm, Wyvern to not be forgotten.

Bump.

While doing your last minute charitable contributions, please remember the Archive. Although we are not tax deductible, we are a good cause.

K

I just sent 31$ via paypal as a donation.

I hope, that I have done everything right, this is my first time using paypal for such payments.

fhunter wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:14 am I just sent 31$ via paypal as a donation.

I hope, that I have done everything right, this is my first time using paypal for such payments.

I just looked in the account email. Your contribution did, indeed, come through just fine. We all thank you for contribution to our ongoing effort. Much appreciated.

K

kristoff wrote: Fri Dec 09, 2011 12:38 pm In the past 2 months since the original post, we have received $450 USD, and spent $238 USD for hosting and traffic, and $5.00 for monthly service fees. That leaves us with an approximate balance of $1550 USD, $550 USD over our reserve.

Contributions are still welcome. I would like to see a balance of about $2,000 USD. With the reserve, that would keep us on the air for about 18 months, which would be pretty comfortable!

Thank you to all those who have contributed. We ALL appreciate it. Everything counts, big and small, as your ability and desire allows.

Kristoff

Just an update. After some very generous contributions over the past few months, our current bank balance stands at just over $1800US, which is 6 months of server time past our reserve. While we are working on separate, different server situations, we still need to maintain our reserve and active funds.

Contributions may be made by check, money order, or cash, at:

kristoff wrote: Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:30 am PO Box closed. Please PM Kristoff to mail donations.

or by PayPal at

kristoff wrote: Fri Dec 09, 2011 12:38 pm WyrmWyvern at live dot com

Once again,

thank you to all those who have contributed over the past several months. It is most welcome and appreciated by the many thousands who use our site every day.

K

kristoff wrote: Mon Mar 12, 2012 12:14 pm Just an update. After some very generous contributions over the past few months, our current bank balance stands at just over $1800US, which is 6 months of server time past our reserve. While we are working on separate, different server situations, we still need to maintain our reserve and active funds.

Contributions may be made by check, money order, or cash, at:

kristoff wrote: Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:30 am PO Box closed. Please PM Kristoff to mail donations.

or by PayPa

kristoff wrote: Mon Mar 12, 2012 12:14 pm l at

kristoff wrote: Fri Dec 09, 2011 12:38 pm WyrmWyvern at live dot com

Once again,

thank you to all those who have contributed over the past several months.

It is most welcome and appreciated by the many thousands who use our site every day.

K

Another update: Our current balance, after tonight paying for our latest server bill, stands at US$1,464.50. This is sufficient to pay for our server for another year, not including things such as recent back up server repair, PO Box rentals, and domain renewals. We like to keep a prudent reserve of about US$1,000.

Remember, the EA is member supported. We are no longer supported in any manner by BME. It is all you, the user, the reader of the EA who supports this sight.

We are looking for contributions to keep our site in sound condition and financially stable. As a result we need YOUR help.

Contributions may be send by mail to:

kristoff wrote: Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:30 am PO Box closed. Please PM Kristoff to mail donations.

Or by Pay Pal at:

WyrmWyvern at Live dot com

Thanks to everyone who cares to help.

K