Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Ichingcarpenter it was silly of us not to recognize that you're the *only* member here providing valuable content. Terribly sorry. After a lengthy discussion it was decided that all future donations will go towards a statue in your honor. I hope wood doesn't offend you. Marble is a little out of our price range, I'm afraid.
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
This did make me smile! Especially the potential 'bullet hole'!! Everyone of those hats could tell so many stories about the adventures of Bill Ryan!
With love, Angel of the Mists x
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
I don't live in a trailer, but the way things were going I was sure I was going to end up under a bridge. I have a recurring donation and am happy to give it while I can. If it gets too rough for me then I may not be able to give anything, but I am going to give what I can when I can.
Avalon is the first place I landed after my "experience" where I was warmly welcomed and given a vast amount of information and confirmation to sift through.
Keep on rocking in the free world.................
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Quote:
Posted by
ichingcarpenter
[...]
You still need to thank the rest of the orchestra that makes your site work.
ichingcarpenter, and all other contributors -- anonymous or known -- thank you for your support and contributions to the signal over noise ratio; that does count :)
However, there is a bottom line:No $$ to keep the servers going and no one can contribute no nothing to anything no more!
It's that complicated!
To anyone unable to contribute financially, your frustration is understood and duly acknowledged and we feel sorry for your being in such a situation.
As Bill mentioned:
Quote:
If you really wanted to contribute to the energy here, even with pennies to your name, the other thing you could always do is say something friendly.
That's free. :)
(my emphasis...)
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
itchingcarpenter.....Sorry you have such a narrow view of life AND a failure to understand what Avalon is all about. There are many who "give" in many ways here, but feel no need to be recognized for it as each one is a part of the picture at large.
The Library we have available to us is simply astounding & many have contributed. No one is asking for "praise" for their part in it. Mature people do not require "praise" for their actions, but instead, are available to help others along in their own personal growth.
Some advice from this friendly Grandmother....GROW UP!!! :bigsmile: If you don't feel comfortable here, maybe this isn't the place for you!
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
I wasn't really aware the situation was so dire... is the forum in danger of being shut down, or am I reading between the lines too much?
I've considered donating but as a person with no way to transfer electronically it's a bit problematic. If it's possible to donate by postal mail with cash or money order please post details. I could mail Canadian money or a money order.
Also in regards to costs of running the site, I realize is none of my beeswax what's being paid. I do have quite a circle of friends in the web development industry though, so if someone would like to PM me privately I'd be happy to look into cheaper alternatives for you. I strongly recommend https:// as well, this is becoming the new standard and LetsEncrypt is free.
From Bill: There's no imminent danger of being 'shut down': at least no more danger than faces any other alternative platform.
But the costs are a little over $4,000 per year, and that's a LOT for a non-commercial site with not a single advertisement or monetization initiative anywhere.
It's just that in this current climate it's smart to pay the bills on time, and once or twice we've fallen over a month behind. But so far, it's all been good in the end.
The members all contribute to the community, of course, but then the community also contributes to each member. It's a symbiosis. We ALL need to thrive.
The Avalon customization, in various complex forms, means that it's not at all viable to change our web host (SingleHop), who do an excellent job for us.
We've had other hosts in the past, all of which have ranged from unreliable to disastrous. It's definitely best not to change the engines in mid-flight!
Re https, this has been discussed by Paul here. It's a tricky technical problem (for Avalon), with no easy solution in sight.
Finally, many thanks indeed for offering to send something in the mail. That's super-kind. Paul is happy to receive anything like that, and will automatically convert it to PayPal.
Do please PM him, and he'll let you (or anyone!) know his postal address in Texas.
:sun:
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Wow. Well, what an interesting series of posts. :)
Sometimes, a grain of sand in the oyster creates pearls.
I just got a $5 donation from a non-member, someone who'd not been in touch before, and who may read this post (thank you!) as a guest. They wrote as their kind note attached via PayPal:If you can't say anything nice, say nothing at all.
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
♡
Quote:
Posted by
Bill Ryan
I just got a $5 donation from a non-member, someone who'd not been in touch before, and who may read this post (thank you!) as a guest. They wrote as their kind note attached via PayPal:
If you can't say anything nice, say nothing at all.
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Quote:
Posted by
petra
From Bill:
Finally, many thanks indeed for offering to send something in the mail. That's super-kind. Paul is happy to receive anything like that, and will automatically convert it to PayPal.
Do please PM him, and he'll let you (or anyone!) know his postal address in Texas.
:sun:
Yes - send me a PM and I can arrange to receive donations, that I pass along to Bill. I can receive donations in just about any legal form that's possible in the US.
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
ichingcarpenter if you feel the need to make snarky comments about donations because you have a chip on your shoulder about money then perhaps this site isn't for you?
I am happy with arrangement of donations, and occasional polite prompts for donations as a means of helping out. So are many others. Others contribute in other positive ways as you have pointed out.
And you have to agree that PA's setup is a darned sight more superior than the godawful Godlike Productions, for example, with its ads for "5 pairs of Fun Women's Socks Cute Cat Animals Funny Funky Novelty Cotton" and other assorted crap.
From Bill: Like this, maybe! :)
http://projectavalon.net/Avalon_Fun_Socks_sm.gif
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Quote:
Posted by
ichingcarpenter
Like
Hahn playing Mozart violin Concerto No. 3
You still need to thank the rest of the orchestra that makes your site work.
He does, all the time. Bill simply needs to pay the costs of the infrastructure to this site which allow you and I to contribute. His infrequent polite requests are never intended to offend you or any other member, I'm sorry you took it as a personal slight on your valued contributions, I'm sorry you misunderstood.
I did love your Mozart video. Magnificent work. Such dedication, passion and teamwork. Did you notice that the Pope applauded the whole work, the whole orchestra, he didn't single out the conductor or point at individual violinists that he liked? So it is with a great painting, we miss the small strokes and see the whole wonderful picture. Your still new here, exhale. It's no big deal if you cannot afford it yet or ever, but be mindful of the Streisand effect... Be well... N
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Ichingcarpenter- Much love and welcome to a world of kindness, patience, deep understanding, tolerance, guidance, honestly listening, encouraging, expounding thoughts and a general sense of communication without judgment. This is my personal experience with the moderators and the many personalities on PA -through our words. Words can be misconstrued or provide clarity. Either way Ichingcarpenter-- I KNOW YOU ARE caringly EMBRACED here! We give value through our hearts and sometimes add our wallets. Warm hug ICC
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Quote:
Posted by
Paul
Quote:
Posted by
petra
From Bill:
Finally, many thanks indeed for offering to send something in the mail. That's super-kind. Paul is happy to receive anything like that, and will automatically convert it to PayPal.
Do please PM him, and he'll let you (or anyone!) know his postal address in Texas.
:sun:
Yes - send me a PM and I can arrange to receive donations, that I pass along to Bill. I can receive donations in just about any legal form that's possible in the US.
This is great, thanks guys! I'm just kind of pre-occupied...soon as Paul gets back to me I'll have the info. I live next to a post office so It's not hard to mail things :)
Side note: I imagined it'd be nice to have a public mailing address... but that'd actually be terrible (ha ha).... so good call on not having that public and making me face palm at the same time.
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Quote:
Posted by
raregem
Ichingcarpenter- Much love and welcome to a world of kindness, patience, deep understanding, tolerance, guidance, honestly listening, encouraging, expounding thoughts and a general sense of communication without judgment.
Thank you Raregem for this. It's hard not to seek recognition an a world that has stopped giving it.
Bob Dylan said it best: " I'm not looking for anything from anyone there's not that much to take ".. "I'm not looking for anything in anyone eyes." The Moral:you do it for yourself, your own recognition , I stumble with the words but not the thoughts, I like to hear good job, but it does not stop me from carrying on.
Here is a quote:
“What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.” ~ Confucius
I want to be a superior man and i know Ichincarpenter does too.
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
:bump:
Quote:
Posted by
Bill Ryan
Folks, Hi: :star:
[Bill continues ...]
This post is primarily for our newer members of the community, who may not know this thread exists.
We're delighted you're here, and I hope you feel that way too. As you've seen, there's no advertising here of any kind, the entire thing is subscription-free, and you now have access to an immense library of searchable information, and the opportunity to participate and add to that as much as you wish.
In various ways, it all costs quite a lot to maintain.
We do need your voluntary financial support. A few of you have already made a donation on joining, and we very much appreciate that. (And there are other longstanding members reading this who regularly donate: we SO much appreciate that. :flower: )
Even small amounts help. If every active member donated just $1 a month, the effect would be significant. $5 a month, and it's transformational.
Please think about it. My own commitment is to continue to make the Forum freely available to everyone, including our MANY regular guests and visitors.
Thanks for all your contributions, in every way. Those who've already made donations, thank you again, and you know who you are. It all counts.
PayPal address: donation@projectavalon.net. To set up a recurring donation, large or small, please use the orange HOW TO DONATE button at the top right of this page.
Thank you. :star:
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Quote:
Posted by
Bill Ryan
Folks, Hi: :star:
[Bill continues ...]
This post is primarily for our newer members of the community, who may not know this thread exists.
We're delighted you're here, and I hope you feel that way too. As you've seen, there's no advertising here of any kind, the entire thing is subscription-free, and you now have access to an immense library of searchable information, and the opportunity to participate and add to that as much as you wish.
In various ways, it all costs quite a lot to maintain.
We do need your voluntary financial support. A few of you have already made a donation on joining, and we very much appreciate that. (And there are other longstanding members reading this who regularly donate: we SO much appreciate that. :flower: )
Even small amounts help. If every active member donated just $1 a month, the effect would be significant. $5 a month, and it's transformational.
Please think about it. My own commitment is to continue to make the Forum freely available to everyone, including our MANY regular guests and visitors.
Thanks for all your contributions, in every way. Those who've already made donations, thank you again, and you know who you are. It all counts.
PayPal address: donation@projectavalon.net. To set up a recurring donation, large or small, please use the orange HOW TO DONATE button at the top right of this page.
Thank you. :star:
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Gosh it's been so long since I posted anything although I read religiously every day on this forum..I guess I'm just shy. I have gone ahead and gladly decided to donate 5 dollars a month(4.03 sterling) after reading how much it cost to run avalon annually..might have to cancel my regular monthly wheelie bincleaner though 😂😂but who cares! I'd rather this forum stays alive and my brain be properly educated and informed and I'll try to be more regular with my input 💖 to all who read this and all who don't xx
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Quote:
Posted by
janette
Gosh it's been so long since I posted anything although I read religiously every day on this forum..I guess I'm just shy. I have gone ahead and gladly decided to donate 5 dollars a month(4.03 sterling) after reading how much it cost to run avalon annually..might have to cancel my regular monthly wheelie bincleaner though 😂😂but who cares! I'd rather this forum stays alive and my brain be properly educated and informed and I'll try to be more regular with my input 💖 to all who read this and all who don't xx
thanks Janette! and please do post more:flower:
with each post we get better and better at articulating thoughts and ideas, and over time develop a style to communicate with all sorts of different personalities. it's an invaluable tool!! communication is the art/glue that holds the world together..or if done wrongly, pulls it apart. here on avalon we get the perfect opportunity to improve daily. the fact that we discuss topics i really like is just icing on the cake for me; i think the awareness we create about conspiracies and the role we play spreading the word on various paranormal topics is secondary to the skills we're developing along the way as the result of having to deeply think about something and then having to articulate that something in writing. in this way it's a totally unique opportunity.
a donation here n there is just an acknowledgement of these things.:sun:
Re: A reminder: please don't forget to donate to the Forum
Your welcome Mike. I totally agree with you..when I come here it's like my favourite comfy place where I can hide from all the people who think I'm crazy and I can also be heard and maybe even listened to by people with enquiring ,thoughtful,clever and patient minds..Thank you avalon ..Thank you Bill Ryan for keeping me sane x