SimRacing.org.uk

SRou => Announcements => Topic started by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on October 11, 2005, 09:04:52 PM +0100



Title: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on October 11, 2005, 09:04:52 PM +0100
Please read this post (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=754.msg646472#msg646472) for an explanation as to why we're not going to be asking for donations after this round of funding.

Please spare a moment to read this

We are able to host these races at Simracing.co.uk due to the time and effort generously given by like minded enthusiasts and by donations.

If we charged for racing it would currently work out to about 50p per driver per race (based on the final quarter of 2010) - that's what it costs Simracing.org.uk to provide the server for all the series.

So, if you currently don't donate, please consider how many races you will partake in for three months and times that by 50p. Not much is it? So how about making that your minimum amount to donate? Of course you may wish to donate more, that's entirely up to you.

But this is the stark reality. If you don't donate, Simracing.org.uk will cease to be.

Donating is simple - see below for details.

And remember the only person that profits from all this is you.

Thanks for reading.



I've put a button at the top of the page which will take you to a PayPal payment screen; the button only appears when we are short of funds. If possible, for UK members especially we would prefer to receive donations via direct bank transfer to avoid PayPal's transaction fees (and future hassles from them - I've already been through the wringer once!). Please PM Picnic (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=5) or myself directly to get bank account details.

If you do not need to pay by credit card, you can send funds from an existing PayPal balance or via bank transfer into PayPal using http://paypal.me/gizmo71 (http://paypal.me/gizmo71) without incurring fees.

Where practical, we would prefer that teams collect donations among their members and pass them on in a single transaction, especially if donating via PayPal.

I propose that we keep donations anonymous (only I will have any idea who has sent what) and will keep the members updated as to the total made.

We only collect money to cover costs already incurred; typically that is just the next three month's server rental.

Thanks in advance for any and all donations!



Note that UKGPL have their own server fund, details of which can be found in this topic (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=7555.0).


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on October 17, 2005, 10:28:00 AM +0100
Just a brief update; so far we've raised £130. Thanks to everyone who has contributed.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: David M on October 17, 2005, 03:27:31 PM +0100
Wow, excellent.

Sorry I can't donate, no job and school leaves nae much time to work really.. >:(


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Jamera on October 17, 2005, 10:10:39 PM +0100
SUPERB response guys!!!!!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: fozzmeister on October 17, 2005, 10:48:49 PM +0100
Nice one, I'll be re-donating for S2 Enduro. The donations no doubt don't cover all the costs, but Picnic can at least have beers on us :-)

Thanks again Picnic, Dave, Shark, Paul968 and anyone else I forgotten / don't know about who takes part in the running of UKGTR/SimRacing.org.uk

Fozz


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on October 18, 2005, 09:06:02 AM +0100
I would like to thank everybody who has generously donated to the fund. If I can, this money will be used to finance a server upgrade so we can perhaps support larger grids. Not sure if this is possible as I am 5 months into a 12 month deal, fingers crossed tho, it is in the hands of the hosting company.

Thanks Pete


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: locutos ukgtr on October 18, 2005, 10:18:45 PM +0100
Kewl, keep us posted Picnic, tnx.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Jamera on November 05, 2005, 04:28:27 PM +0000
How are the donations going Dave, do we need any more???


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on November 05, 2005, 05:28:46 PM +0000
How are the donations going Dave, do we need any more???

Always. ;) :D

I handed £140 over the Picnic, and have received another £25 donation since; I'm waiting for that to reach £50 so I can get it out without PayPal relieving me of more of it on the way out. ::)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: mclaessen on November 05, 2005, 05:51:47 PM +0000
oh my  :o only that much?

I think the problem is that people really don't have any idea how much money hosting a server costs  :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: greg130 on November 05, 2005, 06:26:41 PM +0000
Or how much would be a reasonable amount to contribute.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: fozzmeister on November 05, 2005, 06:31:37 PM +0000
Well really the problem is that hardly anyone donates (prolly). There's a shed load of us, even if you just count the regulars.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Truetom on November 05, 2005, 07:00:42 PM +0000
I thought we'll be having a surplus?!  ???

Maybe donations are too low. 20 ppl * 20 pounds = 400 . Or is the math different nowadays? I think 20 should be low sum enough to contribute.  :-\


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: fozzmeister on November 05, 2005, 07:29:14 PM +0000
Well there have got to be more than 20 people racing regularly, the grids are 24 and they are often full, and most people don't compete in everything.

Hosting is probably 100 a month(ish) for that spec machine, if not more, so we are no way covering the costs, but I don't know if the machine has another job, forinstance it could be a web server or something too???????

I didn't donate 20, I'm personally donating a fiver for every championship, every season, so I've donated 10 so far.

Fozz


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on November 05, 2005, 07:39:27 PM +0000
I am not that rich Fozz  ;) The server costs me a little over half that per month but I did have to commit to a years hosting. Sadly the deal is for gaming bandwidth only so I can't use it for web or file serving, not that I'd want to on a games server where performance is an issue.

At the moment I have not been able to arrange an upgrade deal on the current system, but that route is not yet dead. I would still rather use the money to upgrade what we have. We shall see, I am sadly in their hands having a year's deal.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: popabawa on November 05, 2005, 07:51:15 PM +0000
I think Fozz's idea of donating per series is a good one, I'm doing a similar thing.  8)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on November 17, 2005, 06:27:44 PM +0000
I've now sent another £62 Picnic's way. Thanks to everyone who has contributed. 8)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 29, 2005, 07:50:15 PM +0000
We've collected another £45 since the last lot; I'm waiting until it hits £50 to send Picnic more because below that I have to pay PayPal to transfer it out and as a tight fisted northerner I refuse to do that. ;) :P :D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: [ZiP]Tyf on January 10, 2006, 11:09:44 PM +0000
Heck they gave me a cc once, why not use it! ;)

T


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 24, 2006, 03:44:58 PM +0000
Another 50 English pounds on their way to Picnic... ;D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: popabawa on January 24, 2006, 03:50:11 PM +0000
That reminds me, a donation for S0 GTL is in order!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Madd-RIP on January 24, 2006, 04:34:55 PM +0000
 :-[  How much do we donate? Is there a set amount?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: popabawa on January 24, 2006, 04:44:44 PM +0000
Whatever you can afford / feel is appropriate  :)

Pops


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Madd-RIP on January 24, 2006, 04:50:05 PM +0000
Ah, okay ta


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: fozzmeister on January 24, 2006, 05:03:59 PM +0000
Well I'm just doing a fiver for every series I enter full time. Don't know what other people are but basic maths tells me that people aren't and we don't anywhere near cover Picnic's costs :(

Nobody his is gonna go hungry from a fiver.

Fozz


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: David M on January 24, 2006, 05:49:10 PM +0000
I would donate in a flash (even though i've not raced this season, last season was great - and i'll be racing somepoint in the future) but for my bank balance reading -£4.15, and no money to put in it :(

£5 per series sounds reasonable to me


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Adam Parle on January 25, 2006, 09:15:34 AM +0000
Right, given the fun races and the GTL-S0 I thougt it was high time I donated ... so I did!  Agree with Fozz's idea of the fiver a series though, it does only seem fair - I mean you look at the monthly subscription rates for the MMO's and all of a sudden you realise you're getting a bargain.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Rich_A on January 25, 2006, 09:47:35 AM +0000
I have no problem paying £5 per series. If everyone does two series a year, that's potentially 40 drivers which is £200. Even that isn't very much but it would help right? I think it ought to be mandatory to pay - and if it's mandatory I would like to see more rules for joining, like hardware requirements and time trials. Cause surely you don't want some guy with a 1.6ghz AMD Ti4200 racing with a keyboard to join!! And then maybe the time trial can be you got to submit a hotlap that's within 107% of UKGTR qualifying record for any track.

Also I would like to see more folk painting and then carpack's being made - obviously it's not certain GTR2 will support standalone cars but if that's possible then it will be simple enough to do. Would be great to have drivers using one car all season and perhaps cars are chosen in somekind of hierachical order i.e cars chosen in order of previous endurance final driver standings. This way you don't get same car being used and it's a alot more like FIA GT - and drivers have to do well to get a larger choice of cars.  :)

If it's like this then there is much more effort involved in participating which imo will make for a much more respected series - and so more appealing to the more enthusiastic teams/drivers out there.

Well that's quite alot to consider, but in fact if it was like that I would pay £10 - £20 per season np. And I would moderate and make carpack's if you want.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: PaulW on January 25, 2006, 09:55:32 AM +0000
I think you just need to start your own series Rich ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Rich_A on January 25, 2006, 10:01:10 AM +0000
Yea it's something I would like to do, but probably not until I retire and have plenty of time. But i'm only 27 and would like to see this series step up a gear.. !


Now of course you can do what you like when you are paying for it, there's no harm in me contemplating different things though.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: popabawa on January 25, 2006, 10:09:31 AM +0000
Quote
But i'm only 27 and would like to see this series step up a gear.. !

Well, I'm extremely happy with the current inclusive nature of simracing.org.uk and would strongly oppose some of your suggestions Rich.

In fact, pretty much everything in this post (except more donations :));

I have no problem paying £5 per series. If everyone does two series a year, that's potentially 40 drivers which is £200. Even that isn't very much but it would help right? I think it ought to be mandatory to pay - and if it's mandatory I would like to see more rules for joining, like hardware requirements and time trials. Cause surely you don't want some guy with a 1.6ghz AMD Ti4200 racing with a keyboard to join!! And then maybe the time trial can be you got to submit a hotlap that's within 107% of UKGTR qualifying record for any track.

Also I would like to see more folk painting and then carpack's being made - obviously it's not certain GTR2 will support standalone cars but if that's possible then it will be simple enough to do. Would be great to have drivers using one car all season and perhaps cars are chosen in somekind of hierachical order i.e cars chosen in order of previous endurance final driver standings. This way you don't get same car being used and it's a alot more like FIA GT - and drivers have to do well to get a larger choice of cars. :)

If it's like this then there is much more effort involved in participating which imo will make for a much more respected series - and so more appealing to the more enthusiastic teams/drivers out there.

Well that's quite alot to consider, but in fact if it was like that I would pay £10 per season np. And I would moderate and make carpack's if you want.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: fozzmeister on January 25, 2006, 10:10:33 AM +0000
The rule already say that if your connection is not upto scratch you will be asked to leave, likely this will be the case with every technical issue, a few people who have been unable to get the game running stable have pulled out of championships themselves.

How good, bad or stable GTR is, seems to have zero correlation with the spec of someone's PC anyway.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: AdrianD on January 25, 2006, 10:19:02 AM +0000
Happy to contribute but I joined paypal a few of years ago and never had cause to use it much, I never wrote down the details and now no matter what I do, requesting password change, changing payment, e-mail, all no luck , it's screwed up for me at the moment >:(

Is there any other way to get a donation through?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Rich_A on January 25, 2006, 10:30:22 AM +0000
The rule already say that if your connection is not upto scratch you will be asked to leave, likely this will be the case with every technical issue, a few people who have been unable to get the game running stable have pulled out of championships themselves.

How good, bad or stable GTR is, seems to have zero correlation with the spec of someone's PC anyway.

GTR is quite a soild piece of software. It's only lack of understanding your system that causes problems - but I will make long post on troubleshooting in a bit.

Well I payed £5 to watch ALMS seasons on crash.net [Revs TV] and it's ace. I think by making payment mandatory you gain alot because it makes drivers first make sure there system is up to it, and so you can gurantee that attrition is lowered in races.

Drivers are forced to take it a little more seriously which can only be a good thing. Yea you can say, 'but it's against the open ended nature of the series' well that's a bit of a pathetic response. Sometimes freedom and open endedness can be mis-interpreted as carelessness. This can lead to chaos, and the last thing you want on the race track is chaos!!

You can still have an 'inclusive natured series' different countries, different backgrounds, very welcoming and freindly series - and at the same time you can have also mandatory payments. £10-£20 per series is not asking too much financially and of course Picnic takes less of the financial strain, but it's more what having to pay means - it means you don't just join up and lathargically find out your system can't handle it or you got controller problems which in turn affects potentially both standings and other drivers' attitudes towards the culprit and so the series. Each and every driver is a reflection of the series as a whole. You as a paying driver, have to be more sure that everything is working well otherwise you'll be wasting your money.

I would certainly feel taken more seriously if I had to pay, cause then I can be sure that those i'm racing with and against know to a greater extent what they are doing!!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: fozzmeister on January 25, 2006, 10:46:38 AM +0000
Drivers are forced to take it a little more seriously which can only be a good thing. Yea you can say, 'but it's against the open ended nature of the series' well that's a bit of a pathetic response. Sometimes freedom and open endedness can be mis-interpreted as carelessness. This can lead to chaos, and the last thing you want on the race track is chaos!!

I would certainly feel taken more seriously if I had to pay, cause then I can be sure that those i'm racing with and against know to a greater extent what they are doing!!


Afaik Endurance isn't open, your place has to be earnt to a degree. I think your mis-interpretting the fact that there is no rule saying you must have X, Y and done Z, we have something better, a Dave making sensible decisions on who is in and out.

We need sprints, fun races and less serious things to bring people on (and into SimRacing.org.uk) and ensure that we have sufficient skill to have an Endurance. If we had a million members and a thousand really active racers, you'd have your uber serious elitest top league. If your proposing enforcing with hard rules right now, we'd have a grid of maybe 10 at best.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: popabawa on January 25, 2006, 10:51:08 AM +0000
Quote
I think by making payment mandatory you gain alot because it makes drivers first make sure there system is up to it, and so you can gurantee that attrition is lowered in races.


I think that by making payment mandatory you exclude a lot of good guys who can't afford to pay or don't see the worth as they can only participate infrequently.

Quote
Yea you can say, 'but it's against the open ended nature of the series' well that's a bit of a pathetic response. Sometimes freedom and open endedness can be mis-interpreted as carelessness. This can lead to chaos, and the last thing you want on the race track is chaos!!

If you are implying that the relatively open nature of simracing.org.uk is causing chaos on the track I'm really not sure which races you have been driving in ???

And it's not "pathetic", openness is one of the foundations this community was founded on.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Rich_A on January 25, 2006, 10:51:48 AM +0000
Well ok i'm maybe jumping the gun a little..

But maybe eventually the top division 1 series is mandatory pay. Then sprints and fun races are for introduction.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Rich_A on January 25, 2006, 10:54:56 AM +0000
Quote
I think by making payment mandatory you gain alot because it makes drivers first make sure there system is up to it, and so you can gurantee that attrition is lowered in races.


I think that by making payment mandatory you exclude a lot of good guys who can't afford to pay or don't see the worth as they can only participate infrequently.

Quote
Yea you can say, 'but it's against the open ended nature of the series' well that's a bit of a pathetic response. Sometimes freedom and open endedness can be mis-interpreted as carelessness. This can lead to chaos, and the last thing you want on the race track is chaos!!

If you are implying that the relatively open nature of simracing.org.uk is causing chaos on the track I'm really not sure which races you have been driving in ???

And it's not "pathetic", openness is one of the foundations this community was founded on.

Pathetic is maybe wrong word, my point is that it can be easily misinterpreted and in actual fact have the opposite affect of what it is trying to achieve which is attraction.

If you can't afford the Division 1 series then stick to sprints and fun races where you'll find folk being disconnected and system/controller issues. But in Div 1, you have to pay - you know what you're doing and you are sure everything is running AOK. If you can afford a computer system though i'm sure you can afford to pay to race, this is not about 'only the rich can race' don't give me that. If you can sit and type on these forums then you have, rather than have not. And also if you can afford and even build system then i'm sure you're willing to work at making it run well in all aspect, i.e connection, system and controllers.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 25, 2006, 11:01:10 AM +0000
Both Picnic (who owns the server) and I (who own the website) are very uncomfortable with the idea of this becoming a "pay to play" club. For one thing, once it becomes a subscription instead of a donation, the level of responsibility and expectation increases; our friendly "little" club works well partly because we the moderators are able to enforce our benevolent dictatorship.

I should also take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed so far. 8)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 25, 2006, 11:02:45 AM +0000
But maybe eventually the top division 1 series is mandatory pay. Then sprints and fun races are for introduction.

It's simply not going to happen unless we have absolutely no other way to pay for the server, so let's move on please.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: fozzmeister on January 25, 2006, 11:10:10 AM +0000
Lol, lets not beat up the selfless (is that the word) admins

Thanks Dave & Co :-)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: PaulW on January 25, 2006, 11:15:08 AM +0000
Um,  :o


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Rich_A on January 25, 2006, 11:20:11 AM +0000
I understand not wanting mandatory pay..

I will make post see if I can help with problems from Anders cause I know a fair bit and got my system running like a rock although it's due an annual clean up soon.  :-*


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Simon Gymer on January 25, 2006, 11:58:52 AM +0000
Thanks again to Picnic for his generosity as well as everybody who has donated it is appreciated by everyone who races here. Even those that haven't donated, your participation in this club is also appreciated.

The league is administered, moderated and raced in on mainly good will alone and long may that continue. If Gizmo ever starts looking like Bernie Ecclestone I will be the first to kick him in the teeth a bit just so at least he stops wearing such awful wigs at the very least!

The rest has been said already.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Edza on January 25, 2006, 12:02:44 PM +0000
Hell lads, when I win the 150,000,000 euro lotto this weekend we're all doing this for real!  ;D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on January 25, 2006, 12:03:41 PM +0000
I think some of Rich's ideas are idealistic rather than practicable. I like the idea of one car all season and have taken the Morgan in the sprints for S2 execpt for the first race (the backroom boys hadn't got it ready ;)) But enforcing such rules will lose us a lot of interest, I don't doubt a few may join us as a result but the balance would be many more go. Similarly for payment, plus it might become more of a job for those accepting it. You'd expect something for your pennies, quality of service etc. Currently informality is beneficial  :)

I enjoy the online nature of our races, I am by no means fast so need a few others not so good to compete against. The larger the base the more chance of that happening.

Everyone is free to use the server for our races, fun/league or otherwise. I entered into the server rental without any expectation of donations, these are gratefully received and thanks to all who've contributed, but there will never be a pay-to-play here if we can help it.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: [ZiP]Tyf on January 25, 2006, 12:13:01 PM +0000
Amen to that.

Hmmm, and I'm not even religious, actually opposed to any form of it, but let's not start a rant on that as well... Enough ranting in this thread already...  :-[ :-\ :-X

 >:(

T


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Jamera on February 11, 2006, 02:22:16 PM +0000
Just been reading through this thread, and as one of the first members to suggest and advocate contributions to the cost of running the server/ community I am a little alarmed at the suggestion of a mandatory payment. It was only ever meant to  be a voluntary payment based on what members could afford and were willing to pay. I feel to move to what would in essence be a fee based service does not sit comfortably with me and seems to fly somewhat in the face of the ethos we have here


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on February 11, 2006, 02:37:22 PM +0000
and seems to fly somewhat in the face of the ethos we have here

Exactly, it won't happen. I'm sure we will always find one way or another to keep racing available to all  :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: LEUVEN on February 11, 2006, 04:15:27 PM +0000
Is PayPal the Only way to Donate?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on February 11, 2006, 04:21:45 PM +0000
Is PayPal the Only way to Donate?

At present, yes, although I'm sure if you asked Picnic privately he'd supply the sort code and account number into which UK bankers could submit beer e-tokens directly. ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on April 10, 2006, 05:27:32 PM +0100
And another £95 on its way. Thanks to all those who've contributed. :thumbup2:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on April 10, 2006, 06:18:49 PM +0100
Wow, thanks peeps  :rockon:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Simon Gymer on April 17, 2006, 07:12:24 PM +0100
The current server contract runs out in May which means no more UKGTR/UKGTL.  :(

JUST KIDDING!  :P :angel:

Both using the donations from all our generous members and the rest being bank rolled from the back-bone of Team Shark (Picnic, Gizmo and myself) we will be moving provider and getting a better, upgraded server. The best thing about this is that we can increase grid sizes, thus supporting more drivers per race.

We're moving from 4uServers to Jolt and going from a P4 2.4 to an AMD 4000+ with 1GB RAM without too much of a price hike.

The new server will cost £775 for the year, £380 of which will be paid for from the donations recieved from the previous year. Any further donations will be very gratefully recieved and help us continue to fund a server for the SimRacing club in the future. New donations will be put towards next years server.

I'd like to thank Picnic for his generosity of allowing SimRacing to use his server for the past year, it has provided a fantastic years worth or racing. Cheers!

Finally, I hope we all enjoy another year of SimRacing with the new server where we will move into GTL championships, continue with GTR (until it's sequel) championships and potentially delve into some more new sims like netKar pro and whatever else is coming out in the next year.

 :rockon:




Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: popabawa on April 17, 2006, 07:49:15 PM +0100
Amen, you guys have done us proud.

You deserve one of these...  :-*


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: [ZiP]Tyf on April 18, 2006, 12:56:01 AM +0100
:race on:

:P

T


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: ginsters sponsored on April 18, 2006, 09:39:51 AM +0100
I had no idea how much server cost, ouch  :-[. Thanks once again chaps and a donation for season 3, and the promised netkar league   ;), is on the way.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: locutos ukgtr on April 18, 2006, 05:04:52 PM +0100
Thankyou Picnic, Gizmo and Shark.  :thumbup2: :clap:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Aagramn on April 18, 2006, 05:18:09 PM +0100
Thanks server bankrollers & all contributers for giving us somewhere to race.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Don on April 18, 2006, 05:22:46 PM +0100
Thanks to everyone involved.This has got to be one of the best on-line communities out there ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: greg130 on April 18, 2006, 05:42:51 PM +0100
Yes a big thanks guys for making it all possible.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: whitham69 on April 18, 2006, 07:22:59 PM +0100
I have enjoy racing here and know what hard work it can be to keep things going smoothly. Thanks to all involved. If there are going to be more cars on grid i guess my 24th spot finish is look unlikely ;D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on May 08, 2006, 10:39:04 PM +0100
Another £65.68 is now on its way to Picnic; thanks to all those who contributed.

This and any future donations will go towards next year's server rental.

Many thanks to Picnic for sorting the server out. :thumbup1:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on September 04, 2006, 01:37:10 PM +0100
Another quick update; since the last post another £50 has been donated. Thanks to everyone who was contributed.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on October 15, 2006, 07:11:58 PM +0100
Thanks to some generous donations triggered by last weekend's server discussions we now have another £115 towards the server. Thanks everyone! :thumbup1:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Jeffrey on October 15, 2006, 07:24:37 PM +0100
Thanks to some generous donations triggered by last weekend's server discussions we now have another £115 towards the server. Thanks everyone! :thumbup1:

I heard Picnic had instruction how somebody can donate without a CC. Dunno what it was called, but I'm interested in it, as I want to donate. Thanks in advance.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: jan duijs on October 21, 2006, 04:09:16 PM +0100
Thanks to some generous donations triggered by last weekend's server discussions we now have another £115 towards the server. Thanks everyone! :thumbup1:

I heard Picnic had instruction how somebody can donate without a CC. Dunno what it was called, but I'm interested in it, as I want to donate. Thanks in advance.

No CC for me too.Happy to donate,by bank or Post-giro ;D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on November 04, 2006, 01:29:19 PM +0000
Another £60 has been donated since the last update. Thanks to everyone who has contributed. 8)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: The Stig on November 22, 2006, 08:49:23 PM +0000
Couple of questions:

How much does it cost to rent the server?

How much would it cost to have your own server?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on November 23, 2006, 07:36:23 AM +0000
How much does it cost to rent the server?

How much would it cost to have your own server?

You're first question was answered just one page back in this thread (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=754.msg21214#msg21214).

As for the second question, there's not much value in putting together our own server because (at least when we last looked) to have it co-hosted would be nearly as expensive as simply renting one, and by renting we can upgrade the spec each year without additional outlay.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 13, 2007, 11:35:02 AM +0000
Since the last update another £110 has been donated. Thanks everyone. ;D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on April 04, 2007, 03:51:43 PM +0100
We'll be renewing or replacing the game server in a few weeks time so any last minute donations will be gratefully accepted. We're up to about £450 at the moment, and are expecting the server to cost somewhere between £500 and £800 for the year depending on spec. Cheers!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: popabawa on April 04, 2007, 03:54:53 PM +0100
Thanks for the reminder Dave, I hadn't donated anything for S5 :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: jan duijs on April 04, 2007, 03:57:18 PM +0100
Is there a possibility to donate not by Creditcard, a bankaccount maybe?

Jan


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on April 04, 2007, 04:18:36 PM +0100
PM sent Jan :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Jeffrey on April 04, 2007, 04:20:11 PM +0100
PM sent Jan :)

Can you sent the same PM to me as I dont have a CC but also want to donate via bank.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on April 04, 2007, 04:38:24 PM +0100
On its way :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Jeffrey on April 04, 2007, 04:45:01 PM +0100
On its way :)

Thanks. I donated €50,- (33,8 pounds). Not much, but I'm a poor poor student  :).


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on April 30, 2007, 08:23:09 PM +0100
Just a quick "thank you" to everyone who has contributed over the past year - Picnic was kind enough to sort out the new server once again and we were less than £50 short, a shortfall we were happy to make up between us. Thanks very much everyone. 8)

Further donations will be held against next year's renewal costs.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: popabawa on May 01, 2007, 09:04:01 AM +0100
It's a bit of a shame we couldn't quite cover the total cost between us but it's good that you guys didn't have a massive amount to cover.

Maybe we need a Blue Peter style totaliser to ramp up the fund-raising efforts!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Adam Parle on May 01, 2007, 09:09:34 AM +0100
Maybe we need a Blue Peter style totaliser to ramp up the fund-raising efforts!

That'd be good.

I'm still working on a pay-per-series basis.  So that's the Clubman Enduro, GT1 sprint, and then I've lumped the GTL events together for me.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Truetom on May 01, 2007, 06:58:47 PM +0100
I feel the obligation as well. Will do.  :)

TT


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on May 01, 2007, 07:34:35 PM +0100
Maybe we need a Blue Peter style totaliser to ramp up the fund-raising efforts!

It is on my radar, but usually we only know how much the server rental will be a few weeks before we renew (since prices tend to drop) but we collect donations all through the year.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on August 02, 2007, 10:35:43 PM +0100
When the new site goes live over the weekend, we will also be running an affiliate programme with the new web hosts which means that we get US$90 for each sale made as the result of a click-thru (the button will be quite obvious ;) ). I've no idea if we'll actually make any sales through it but there's always hope... :laugh:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on August 20, 2007, 09:13:58 PM +0100
First update since the last server renewal, and long overdue; I believe that we now have £135 in the kitty against next year's server renewal, plus any money donated directly to Picnic. Thank you very much to everyone who has contributed. 8)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on August 30, 2007, 06:54:12 PM +0100
We're now up to around £167, once again thanks everyone.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on August 31, 2007, 06:44:37 PM +0100
Now £188.57 precisely. :D :thumbup1:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on August 31, 2007, 08:33:12 PM +0100
And now £208. 8) I'd do a "thermometer" type thing but I've no idea how much we'll actually need when the renewal comes up again next year. :D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Simon Gymer on November 01, 2007, 09:11:16 AM +0000
Does anyone know if there is a way to setup a regular payment, say monthly, via Paypal to submit donations?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: psuedo on November 01, 2007, 09:58:15 AM +0000
I think it must be possible....probably arranged from the receiving end first though. I pay our teamspeak server through paypal and that goes out automatically every month.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on November 23, 2007, 08:19:33 AM +0000
We're about £140 in the black at the moment - thanks to everyone who has contributed. 8) Once we've worked out exactly what the monthly cost will be I'll attempt to do something about a donation meter...


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 02, 2007, 01:40:42 PM +0000
I've built a rather ugly looking donation gauge at the top of the forum now, but haven't yet loaded it with the correct data. Since we're paying for the new server on a monthy basis, the gauge will show our ongoing position rather than concentrating on an annual donations drive like we have done in the past.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Simon Gymer on December 02, 2007, 01:50:03 PM +0000
I've built a rather ugly looking donation gauge at the top of the forum now, but haven't yet loaded it with the correct data. Since we're paying for the new server on a monthy basis, the gauge will show our ongoing position rather than concentrating on an annual donations drive like we have done in the past.

What do the colours mean?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 02, 2007, 02:02:21 PM +0000
What do the colours mean?

Green means we've received more than we've spent, red the opposite. The needle is 0 straight up, and up to £200 either way.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on February 11, 2008, 07:09:03 PM +0000
As you can see, we're now gently into the black. Our sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed. 8)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Simon Gymer on March 19, 2008, 02:56:15 PM +0000
How often is the donation meter adjusted? Does it show the monthly donation stats cause the server is paid for monthly?

I just find it a little confusing. I like the one at no grip that simply says "monthly server cost = £1200" and then below in red "donations received this month = £600". Maybe that would help my poor little brain. ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on March 19, 2008, 03:18:21 PM +0000
How often is the donation meter adjusted? Does it show the monthly donation stats cause the server is paid for monthly?

I just find it a little confusing. I like the one at no grip that simply says "monthly server cost = £1200" and then below in red "donations received this month = £600". Maybe that would help my poor little brain. ;)

Sadly, Shark, the donations don't cover funding me spending time implementing every single thing I'd like to do to the website.

It's updated manually, usually within a few days of the expense or donation; I believe the server is currently being paid for on a quaterly basis to save some pennies.

EDIT: TBH in some respects I'd rather donations were made in arrears rather than up front just in case something should happen to the league.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on March 19, 2008, 05:28:41 PM +0000
Server is being rented quarterly as Dave said, saves us a few pennies. Seemed a reasonable compromise between monthly extra costs vs. yearly more exposure as before. Although I do trust these guys a bit more, Simbin use them as do RSC.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: MortenS on March 20, 2008, 11:57:57 AM +0000
How often is the donation meter adjusted? Does it show the monthly donation stats cause the server is paid for monthly?

I just find it a little confusing. I like the one at no grip that simply says "monthly server cost = £1200" and then below in red "donations received this month = £600". Maybe that would help my poor little brain. ;)

It is my understanding that if it points straight up it tells us that the next payment is covered.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on March 20, 2008, 12:06:41 PM +0000
It is my understanding that if it points straight up it tells us that the next payment is covered.

No, it means the last payment has been covered. So next rental, due end of next month, for roughly 270 quid has 39 quid so far pledged towards it. So currently the league is in credit for 1 months rental and 39 quid ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Simon Gymer on March 20, 2008, 01:31:10 PM +0000
I think that's what's confusing, it points to green when it's not really green cause that isn't enough to cover the costs. Just think that if people see figures in the red and how much it costs to run and what we're getting in donations every month they're more likely to donate.

Out of interest, roughly how much since we started on the new server has been covered by donations and how much by kind individuals running the league?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on March 22, 2008, 01:15:44 PM +0000
Out of interest, roughly how much since we started on the new server has been covered by donations and how much by kind individuals running the league?

We're just about breaking even - although I'm subsidising the card handling fee from credit card donations and also paying for all the website costs myself.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on June 21, 2008, 03:07:13 PM +0100
I'm happy to report that Picnic has recovered £352.52 from the cost of the 4u Server rental, which you may recall ended with them going bankrupt. We'd had just enough donations to cover costs for the quarter just ended - thanks, everybody  8) - so the recovered money will cover the quarter just about to begin, plus a little more.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Simon Gymer on June 21, 2008, 08:41:53 PM +0100
Fantastic! Well done Pete on getting that out of them.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Zacari on June 21, 2008, 10:31:06 PM +0100
 :o  well done Pete!! :thumbup1:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: popabawa on June 22, 2008, 11:03:48 AM +0100
That's great news Pete :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on October 09, 2008, 11:44:50 AM +0100
The server is now paid for until January - we're £94 in the red as a result, so any donations in this financially turbulent time (yes, I do have money in IceSave - or did, anyway! ::) ) will be very gratefully received. See the link at the top of the page.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Picnic for his continuing tireless contribution to the SRou community in keeping the game server up to date, and starting UKGTR events and posting the results and replays like clockwork. Without him it wouldn't be much of a league!
:clap:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: jimmer on October 09, 2008, 12:39:39 PM +0100
thanks team for running a great server/league. Donation made to help aliens keep there skills up  ;D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Mark J on October 09, 2008, 12:50:28 PM +0100
lol Dave, yeah me too with Ice-save, had my blinking ISA with them  >:(

donation sent  :angel:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: spanner on October 09, 2008, 06:15:55 PM +0100
Donation sent 8)

Thats my offering to be alllowed to run with you aliens :P


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on October 10, 2008, 06:57:03 PM +0100
Thanks to some generous donations we're now £5 in the black. ;D Thanks everyone!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Kerr on October 10, 2008, 07:30:59 PM +0100
It's good to see things look healthy here, whereas others seem to be struggling to make ends meet. I've put my little share in now. Hopefully before the next quarter comes it's already covered. 


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on October 17, 2008, 07:49:27 AM +0100
Paypal in their infinite wisdom have decided to effectively suspend my account as all these donations have pushed me up beyond some sort of trigger limit (£600 a year I think). Since I must now be laundering money for the mob I've temporarily suspended donations via PayPal; we're £50 above what we need until January in any case, and in the meantime if anyone really, really feels the need to donate, they can do so via BACS (or IBAN, I think) by contacting Picnic directly via PM.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Simon Gymer on October 17, 2008, 08:42:32 AM +0100
Perhaps it was the way you dressed and acted that gave them the idea...
(http://entertainers.co.uk/tribute-bands/tribute-bands/yankee_blues_brothers/Yankee-Blues-Brothers-Picture.jpg)
(SRou staff party)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Wiltshire Tony on October 17, 2008, 08:58:07 AM +0100
I've been through this from Paypal. They usually take a 1p of your credit card and want you to sent them the transaction code ref.
This apparently proves that your not an International crime boss.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on October 17, 2008, 11:13:09 AM +0100
I've been through this from Paypal. They usually take a 1p of your credit card and want you to sent them the transaction code ref.
This apparently proves that your not an International crime boss.

I've been through the verification process once before, but now they demanded a load of extra info about who I was and what I was doing, and are now demanding proof of non-profit status etc which of course we can't possibly supply as all I'm doing is moving dosh from one place to another. ::)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: JPS on December 30, 2008, 08:41:24 PM +0000
I was going to make a donation Gizmo but the link just keeps sending me to the beginning of this thread, can I take it donations are suspended for the time being?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 30, 2008, 09:08:45 PM +0000
can I take it donations are suspended for the time being?

Yeah, I'm trying not to get too far ahead of what we've spent, it's simpler and safer to ask for contributions towards money we've actually spent than build up a war chest.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: JPS on December 30, 2008, 10:01:21 PM +0000
Ok Gizmo thanks for the reply :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 06, 2009, 07:49:01 PM +0000
Thanks to the pound's plummeting value, the next 3 months' server rental leaves us needing donations of £200 to cover it.

I have turned on the PayPal button again - but please read this post (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=754.msg9138#msg9138) before donating. Thanks!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Wiltshire Tony on January 07, 2009, 08:50:58 AM +0000
Dave, it's just so convenient to use Paypal tho. I didn't even realise they charged for paying money's in. Can you tell me what they charge and I'll cover it with my donation.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 07, 2009, 09:09:01 AM +0000
Dave, it's just so convenient to use Paypal tho. I didn't even realise they charged for paying money's in. Can you tell me what they charge and I'll cover it with my donation.

It's around the 5% mark (it varies with exact donation amount and also the number of donations in a given day).


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: spanner on January 11, 2009, 10:47:10 PM +0000
Whats happened?? According to that graph we either lost money or the bill has got bigger? It said -200 earlier.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 11, 2009, 10:53:44 PM +0000
Whats happened?? According to that graph we either lost money or the bill has got bigger? It said -200 earlier.

It was actually pegged out as low as it would go - I've adjusted it so the negative range is bigger. I didn't actually realise it was more than £200 when I posted before. :-[ We've had £70 in donations which has nearly go us back to £200 needed; I expect some teams are collecting donations as a group so I'm not panicking about the level of donations quite yet... ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Wiltshire Tony on January 12, 2009, 12:07:36 PM +0000
Dave, it's just so convenient to use Paypal tho. I didn't even realise they charged for paying money's in. Can you tell me what they charge and I'll cover it with my donation.

It's around the 5% mark (it varies with exact donation amount and also the number of donations in a given day).
This shows the Paypal fee structure for Personal Transfers. https://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/helpscr?cmd=_display-fees
Seems to be free if your NOT using a credit/debit card. Sorry but you will have to be logged in to Paypal for the link to work.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 12, 2009, 01:14:25 PM +0000
This shows the Paypal fee structure for Personal Transfers. https://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/helpscr?cmd=_display-fees
Seems to be free if your NOT using a credit/debit card. Sorry but you will have to be logged in to Paypal for the link to work.

Correct, no PayPal fees if just transferring existing PayPal balance. I don't think I've ever seen it happen though! :D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 17, 2009, 11:58:28 AM +0000
We're now within £70 of our target. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 24, 2009, 05:29:41 PM +0000
Thanks to another generous donation we're now £6 in credit. :) Many thanks to everyone who has contributed. :thumbup1:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Blunder on May 28, 2009, 07:59:08 PM +0100
Guys,

Big apology..

I have been on here for 3 years and never realised or asked where the money came from!
How stupid am I !? Only, realised today after talking to Legzy.
Dave, PM me the account details and I'll make up for being such a wally.

M.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Legzy on July 03, 2009, 01:47:56 PM +0100
If possible we would prefer to receive donations via direct bank transfer to avoid PayPal's transaction fees

Just want to check that the bank details are the same from the beginning of the year before I proceed please Dave?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on July 03, 2009, 02:07:57 PM +0100
Just want to check that the bank details are the same from the beginning of the year before I proceed please Dave?

Yep, no change. (Change is bad! :wheelchair:)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on August 27, 2009, 10:04:45 AM +0100
Just to draw your attention to it, after the last set of server shenanigans, we're now paid up until November, so there is a £307 shortfall in funds.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far, including the person who gave 50 unprompted quid yesterday having spotted the donate-o-meter plunge. :notworthy:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on September 02, 2009, 06:02:41 PM +0100
We've made up nearly half the shortfall in under a week, a big Thank You to everyone who has donated. :thumbup2:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on September 19, 2009, 10:26:36 PM +0100
We're now down to under 50 quid needed. Another big thank you for all the donations. :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 06, 2009, 10:09:41 AM +0000
After another quarterly renewal we need another £150 - thanks to all those who've already donated in the last couple of weeks.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Simon Gymer on December 06, 2009, 10:40:40 AM +0000
Does the calculation now include donations required for the scheduled iRacing events?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 06, 2009, 10:45:57 AM +0000
Does the calculation now include donations required for the scheduled iRacing events?

No, we're not currently tracking those amounts. Just the dedicated server.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: popabawa on December 08, 2009, 02:02:01 PM +0000
Paul and I are taking the iRacing hosting costs on for this season, maybe we need to look at formalising the payments for next season, especially as there seems to be some demand for practice sessions.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Blunder on December 08, 2009, 02:05:58 PM +0000
Let us know how you want to handle all this... I notice we are at -150 at the minute on the SROu donation-ometter!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 08, 2009, 03:52:02 PM +0000
Let us know how you want to handle all this... I notice we are at -150 at the minute on the SROu donation-ometter!

Hence my post - that's money already spent, so we need to cover it ASAP.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 08, 2009, 03:53:17 PM +0000
Paul and I are taking the iRacing hosting costs on for this season, maybe we need to look at formalising the payments for next season, especially as there seems to be some demand for practice sessions.

I was thinking about a 'gift token' registry which the server starters could dip into as needed, and people could donate into by buying the credits and entering the codes somewhere. But I guess that deserves a thread of its own as the time looms when we need it...


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 13, 2009, 11:06:56 AM +0000
We still need another £150 to cover the cost up until the end of February. I shouldn't have to say that if we can't meet the current cost of the server, we won't be renewing it next time... :o


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: spanner on December 13, 2009, 05:16:25 PM +0000
Presumeably thats aim at us to keep on donating or else we can pack that steering wheel away!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Kerr on December 13, 2009, 05:25:30 PM +0000
Are we just running with the one kitty for iRacing and all?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 13, 2009, 07:41:29 PM +0000
Are we just running with the one kitty for iRacing and all?

At the moment, Paul and Pops (and the practice server starters) have been paying for all the iRacing sessions out of their own pocket. The £150 is money we're already spent on the SRou dedicated server.

Presumeably thats aim at us to keep on donating or else we can pack that steering wheel away!

Well the server doesn't pay for itself... ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Paul968 on December 13, 2009, 07:46:31 PM +0000
At the moment Pops and I are effectively 'donating' to the league by paying for the iRacing sessions. The idea is that others using iRacing will continue to contribute directly to the league instead.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Mark J on December 13, 2009, 08:28:54 PM +0000
donation sent  :angel:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Kerr on December 13, 2009, 09:35:26 PM +0000
At the moment Pops and I are effectively 'donating' to the league by paying for the iRacing sessions. The idea is that others using iRacing will continue to contribute directly to the league instead.

On that basis I've put a money in the pot to cover.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Blunder on December 14, 2009, 08:02:49 AM +0000
Donation sent  :angel-wings:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Fred Basset on December 14, 2009, 11:58:47 AM +0000
Donation sent

Regards
Gary


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 14, 2009, 12:51:35 PM +0000
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far - we're now just £35 away from being fully funded again. ;D 8) :thumbup1:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 17, 2009, 09:34:04 PM +0000
A big thank you to everyone who has donated - we're now fully funded until February and then some. :clap:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on May 24, 2010, 05:36:22 PM +0100
It's that time of the quarter again and we need £268 to cover rental until August. I know there's a recession on, but we only need a tenner from 30 drivers and we've more than covered it.

Thanks in advance!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on June 02, 2010, 09:20:56 PM +0100
We've more than halved the deficit in a little over a week - I bet Britain's coalition government wishes it could manage that!

Thanks to everyone who has contributed and keep those donations coming. :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on June 09, 2010, 12:31:05 PM +0100
We seem to have 'stuck' a bit with under £130 to go. Please keep those donations coming.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: purdie on June 09, 2010, 06:07:46 PM +0100
will do


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on June 10, 2010, 07:37:57 PM +0100
Many thanks to everyone who has responded - we're 11 British pounds in the black again. :thumbup2:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on August 25, 2010, 06:18:18 PM +0100
It's that time of the quarter again - one donation has already been gratefully received before I've even had a chance to post this! ;D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Wiltshire Tony on August 25, 2010, 07:02:02 PM +0100
 :angel:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on August 28, 2010, 09:26:16 PM +0100
Bank holiday weekend *bump*... ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Craske on August 31, 2010, 06:12:32 PM +0100
Hi, could I please have the details to make a donation via bank transfer.
Also whats an average donation? bearing in mind I work in the motor trade and am therefore poor.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Mark J on August 31, 2010, 08:07:09 PM +0100
Hi, could I please have the details to make a donation via bank transfer.
Also whats an average donation? bearing in mind I work in the motor trade and am therefore poor.

Craske, top right hand corner of this webpage...where it says 'make a donation'  ;)  uses paypal.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Craske on August 31, 2010, 08:43:46 PM +0100
Quote
Craske, top right hand corner of this webpage...where it says 'make a donation'  ;)  uses paypal.

Thanks but I didn't want to do with paypal because they charge the privalige, all sorted now tho.  :angel:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on November 26, 2010, 04:46:38 PM +0000
Are people still happy to contribute into a global SRou pot now that we're talking about running UKiR events on Sunday night alongside UKGTR ones?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: pribeiro on November 26, 2010, 05:10:31 PM +0000
My little contribution will probably be send this weekend Dave.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Wiltshire Tony on November 26, 2010, 06:39:34 PM +0000
Quote
Craske, top right hand corner of this webpage...where it says 'make a donation'  ;)  uses paypal.

Thanks but I didn't want to do with paypal because they charge the privalige, all sorted now tho.  :angel:

Odd, cos I use Paypal to pay Dave straight out of my bank account and they don't charge me any extra. I assume Dave receives the full amount that I intend to send?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on November 27, 2010, 10:22:50 AM +0000
Odd, cos I use Paypal to pay Dave straight out of my bank account and they don't charge me any extra. I assume Dave receives the full amount that I intend to send?

No, I get charged a service fee which I make up as 'my' donation. Hence:
If possible we would prefer to receive donations via direct bank transfer to avoid PayPal's transaction fees


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: TT-Beta on January 03, 2011, 10:06:39 AM +0000
Please send me bank details.

If you don't mind the mobile chicane racing with you.

Andy

Team Tortoise.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on February 27, 2011, 12:49:06 PM +0000
We'd almost caught up with the cost of the dedicated server before this quarter's amount was due; the cost has actually gone down by a third but with grid sizes being so low for the dedicated server we're now struggling more than ever to recover the costs. :( My sincere thanks to everyone who contributed. :thumbup1:

Picnic very graciously gave us three months interest free credit for the last quarter, but that situation cannot be allowed to continue. If we cannot cover this quarter's costs within the first month we need to look very seriously at whether we've reached a stage where, especially in the current economic climate, we can no longer afford our own dedicated server; I probably don't need to say what effect that will have on the GTR2, P&G and GTL activities here. :-\

Anyone got a hat?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: spanner on February 27, 2011, 03:11:26 PM +0000
Being that we struggle to get the quarterly costs, in a quarter, you dont need to be Einstein.......


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Wiltshire Tony on February 27, 2011, 03:37:31 PM +0000
I will see if I'm able to do a direct bank transfer at my Post Office counter. If I can't then it will be Paypal.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Legzy on February 27, 2011, 06:14:58 PM +0000
Dave, I'm probably being a bit simple, but if our monthly cost is now down to £220, how come we're looking for £266?

Also, another silly question, how come the cost has been cut by about a third?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on February 27, 2011, 06:29:40 PM +0000
The cost is 220 per quarter, just over 70 a month. The price came down 3 or 6 months ago, can't remember, as our provider reduced the prices for new sign ups and I moaned ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on February 27, 2011, 06:31:58 PM +0000
Dave, I'm probably being a bit simple, but if our monthly cost is now down to £220, how come we're looking for £266?

Because there were additional costs for iRacing not shown until I did a reconciliation for this quarter and realised I hadn't put them in yet. :-\


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Kerr on February 27, 2011, 10:17:07 PM +0000
Dave, I'm probably being a bit simple, but if our monthly cost is now down to £220, how come we're looking for £266?

Because there were additional costs for iRacing not shown until I did a reconciliation for this quarter and realised I hadn't put them in yet. :-\


I would like to see the costs split up to see where the shortfall comes from.

I've not been racing much but I'm happy to put a few quid in to the kitty if it was covering where I was racing.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Truetom on March 01, 2011, 10:07:12 PM +0000
All the politicians are saying the crisys is over. 50 quids each and we're done. :-*


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Simon Gymer on March 03, 2011, 11:28:31 AM +0000
Do you have a breakdown of how much is being spent on iRacing hosted races versus the dedicated server as I'm not sure I want to put money in a big pot anymore for both as I haven't used the dedicated server for quite a while and have no intention of doing so, perhaps until rFactor 2 (depending on whether it's actually any better than rFactor 1)?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on March 03, 2011, 11:58:14 AM +0000
Do you have a breakdown of how much is being spent on iRacing hosted races versus the dedicated server

Nope - last time I asked nobody wanted to know, so I have no easy way of telling (and no way to know what preference people had for donations). We know the quarterly cost of the dedicated server though (it's shown above) which will give you some idea of where any donations will go in the immediate future...


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on March 05, 2011, 03:58:44 PM +0000
Thanks for all the generous donations so far 8) but we're still a long way from our target for this quarter. Keep 'em coming. :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Kenn on May 16, 2011, 11:35:48 AM +0100
Hi,

Where is the Pay Pale button at the top of the page please?

Many thanks.

Ken


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Ade on May 16, 2011, 12:29:06 PM +0100
I don't think Dave likes using PayPal for various reasons.
PM Dave or Picnic for details..

"If possible we would prefer to receive donations via direct bank transfer to avoid PayPal's transaction fees (and future hassles from them - I've already been through the wringer once!). Please PM Picnic or myself directly to get bank account details."

                                                          Cheers Ade


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on May 16, 2011, 01:19:42 PM +0100
Where is the Pay Pale button at the top of the page please?

We only put it up when we're in the red - I try not to build up too much of a war chest.

And don't call me Pale. ;) :laugh:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on July 21, 2011, 08:24:23 PM +0100
Thanks for all the recent donations; we've back in the black again. :thumbup1:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Wiltshire Tony on July 21, 2011, 09:47:24 PM +0100
phew


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on February 15, 2012, 05:12:01 PM +0000
Just a quick note to say thanks for all the recent donations, much appreciated. :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 19, 2013, 08:48:22 AM +0000
Thanks for all the donations so far, we're within £65 of having the server paid up until the end of February. If just 13 people donated a fiver we could be in the black before the snow stops turning the countryside white. ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Wiltshire Tony on August 27, 2013, 06:34:01 PM +0100
Looks like we need to empty our pockets again  :(

I notice that on other sites, kindly donators have their avatars adorned with  "Donator" wording. Is this something we could adopt?



Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on August 27, 2013, 10:08:07 PM +0100
Looks like we need to empty our pockets again  :(

Yeah - "Will server for cash". ;) Thanks to everyone who donated in the last quarter, we need everyone's help again as we didn't break even and we can't keep this up indefinitely. :'(

I notice that on other sites, kindly donators have their avatars adorned with  "Donator" wording. Is this something we could adopt?

It's on my "to do" list but between being too busy to work on the site much and trying to avoid changes before I've a chance to look seriously at upgrading the forums to SMF version 2 it probably won't happen any time soon.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on September 21, 2013, 10:44:46 AM +0100
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far - just over sixty pounds to go before we're back in the black for this quarter. :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on October 03, 2013, 06:57:24 AM +0100
Thanks, everyone - like AC/DC, we're back in black! ;D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Wiltshire Tony on November 26, 2013, 01:43:35 PM +0000
Is it that time again?  :-[


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on November 26, 2013, 01:47:29 PM +0000
Sadly, 3 months comes around very quick these days!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Erling G-P on January 22, 2014, 10:37:02 AM +0000
I'd like to make a server donation, but can't find the 'Donate' button that's mentioned.

Is it because it's not time to pay right now, or am I missing something ? (I haven't read the entire thread, as it starts in 2005, so I expect there must be some obsolete information in it by now).

Cheers,
Erling


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 22, 2014, 10:47:21 AM +0000
Is it because it's not time to pay right now, or am I missing something?

Yes, the button gets hidden when we're in the black as I try not to end up sitting on a war chest. :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Wiltshire Tony on January 22, 2014, 11:30:18 AM +0000
Don't worry, we'll shout when we want your dosh  ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on July 07, 2014, 03:14:41 PM +0100
Thanks everyone - we're back in the black again. :)

For anyone who still has my old Smile account details (account number ending in 121), please drop me a PM so that I can give you updated details. That account will remain open for the time being, but I'd like to start moving things over. Thanks.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on December 18, 2014, 07:47:37 PM +0000
Back in fundraising mode - thanks to everyone who has already contributed. 8)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on September 17, 2015, 09:39:00 PM +0100
Many thanks to everyone who has donated this time round. 8)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Chunky on November 13, 2015, 10:32:12 AM +0000
is there a paypal account I can use?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on November 14, 2015, 06:58:18 PM +0000
is there a paypal account I can use?

A button will appear at the top of the forum pages when we need funding; it disappears when we're in the black because we don't want PayPal getting a cut when we don't need donations. ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Clive Loynes on November 14, 2015, 10:41:26 PM +0000
Do you not avoid the fees if people make donations as a transfer to friends and family?


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on November 15, 2015, 08:38:48 PM +0000
Do you not avoid the fees if people make donations as a transfer to friends and family?

You can, and I've added a link in the first post, but that won't work for those wishing to pay using a card, and I've previously had hassles from PayPal where they froze my account whilst I explained why I was getting all these small payments, which is another reason why I discourage its use.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Clive Loynes on November 15, 2015, 09:14:41 PM +0000
........... and I've previously had hassles from PayPal where they froze my account whilst I explained why I was getting all these small payments, which is another reason why I discourage its use.

LOL
Yes they did that to me too, because of the payments that I receive for RC Car "go faster" bits.  They kept telling me that I had to send them a copy of my passport.  And I told them to bog off.  In the end it transpired that they would settle for a copy of my drivers licence as photo ID, even though it doesn't have a picture on it!  Apparently they are now happy that I really am me and I'm not money laundering.   ::)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 14, 2017, 11:12:52 AM +0000
Big thanks to everyone who has donated, we're back in the black. :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Linus27 on January 23, 2017, 01:10:22 PM +0000
Hi Dave,

Just sent £10 via paypal. Will do more when pay day comes round :)

thanks,

Michael


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on January 30, 2018, 06:31:29 PM +0000
In the black again - thanks all. 8)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dominick on May 02, 2020, 02:33:52 PM +0100
Hmm, I can't find any Paypal button or link. Is that because it's the green again? So say I just had my bills, payments and budget planning day and discover there's a trifle left for SROUK which I can't guarantee will still be there when it's in the red again?

Also, as a general remark: as long as the UK is in the SEPA-zone, bank transfer costs should be guaranteed to be zero, naught, nil. Though with that Brexit thingy I'm not sure how that goes or still is the case. The SEPA-zone is different from the EU, different from the Schengen zone, different from the EURO-zone, etc. So it's best to check for your country in all cases.

Personally, I'm willing to have a try with it, I'll be notified of any costs before committing the transfer.


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on May 02, 2020, 02:46:48 PM +0100
Hmm, I can't find any Paypal button or link. Is that because it's the green again?

The link disappears from the banner when we're in the green, but can still be found in the first post of this topic. ;)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on September 02, 2020, 09:53:21 AM +0100
Sorry for the large negative jump on the totaliser meter. When I renewed the server rental back in May I was actually in hospital and to be honest it wasn't on my priority list of things to do. After I got out I plain forgot until this quarter's bill arrived in the email. So the totaliser thingy has just be hit with 6 months rental  ::)

Thanks in advance if you're able to support us  :thumbup2: :clap: :thumbup2:



Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Nappe1 on September 02, 2020, 02:17:25 PM +0100
Sorry for the large negative jump on the totaliser meter. When I renewed the server rental back in May I was actually in hospital and to be honest it wasn't on my priority list of things to do. After I got out I plain forgot until this quarter's bill arrived in the email. So the totaliser thingy has just be hit with 6 months rental  ::)

Thanks in advance if you're able to support us  :thumbup2: :clap: :thumbup2:



Donation sent.  :)
I will also continue supporting GTL side of the online racing with organized championships, new mod releases and keeping my own dedicated server as back up for unseen problems with the main server. :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on September 05, 2020, 10:20:02 AM +0100
... and we're back in the black. :thumbup2: Many thanks to everyone who contributed. :clap:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on November 30, 2020, 04:08:52 PM +0000
After just one day we've covered our costs to the end of 2020 - very much appreciated everyone, especially after such a difficult and crazy year!
O0 :thumbup2: :thumbup1: :clap:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: picnic on September 05, 2021, 04:28:33 PM +0100
Sorry but things got away from me 3 months ago and I never entered the server rental costs in to LM2. That means 6 months of rental cost just added to the system.

Thanks in advance if you're able to support us  :thumbup2: :clap: :thumbup2:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Nappe1 on September 06, 2021, 02:28:28 PM +0100
This is becoming yearly tradition. :)

Donated. Thanks to keeping up the site and servers. :)


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Daz9 on September 06, 2021, 05:42:14 PM +0100
I've also donated as a measure of thanks for the work that gets done here. It is really appreciated from my side that we get the space here to race on such a regular basis, even if I can't do as many of them as I would like..... ;D


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: MichaW on October 03, 2021, 11:23:45 AM +0100
I have now also made a donation via Paypal. Sorry guys, I know it's not your favourite way to donate, but the donation text is once again hard to understand for me and I don't have the other providers to donate to.

Thx for all your work!

Glück auf!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: SpecialKS on October 03, 2021, 12:04:45 PM +0100
Donated too with a big thanks to all your work!


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on October 14, 2022, 07:04:26 PM +0100
Thanks, everyone - despite these tough times we've made it back to a small surplus for the quarter.  :thumbup1:


Title: Re: Server donations
Post by: Dave 'Gizmo' Gymer on May 11, 2023, 09:58:25 AM +0100
As you may have read in this thread (https://www.simracing.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=34262.0), it's been decided to discontinue the renting of a dedicated server at the end of this month, in favour of individually hosted servers. Between reduced grid sizes, some series ending and improvements in the quality of domestic broadband, there isn't a strong case for a paid server any more.

I want to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed, not just to this round of funding but over the many years prior. SRou would not still be here today without you. And another big "thank you" to Picnic who has worked tireless behind the scenes for the best part of two decades to keep the server running.

Thank you everyone!