Fundraisers & Donations

[Jorge Banner]

Either by being too much of a newbie or by chance, I’ve never run into the problem at the root of this thread. OTOH, a rule is a rule and I don’t have any problem with it, not that it would matter in the least, if I did. I’m in someone else’s house and her rules are my rules as long as I’m her guest.

And on a related matter if a monthly or yearly fee is instituted for the forum, I’ll be very much in agreement with it.

[PhotonWrangler]

+1 from me for the new rule. Sasha's only looking out for the good of our community and this is simply one more tool in her toolbox for keeping things humming along smoothly.

[Greta]

Thank you all for your kind words and support...

Yes, there are days when I ask myself if I really need this... but it usually doesn't take long for it to become obvious that I DO. CPF keeps me grounded... (my family says it keeps me out of their hair... )... and I've learned more here about so many things that basically it has become invaluable to me... in so many ways. The few times that I've thought about pitching it all have been very brief. And the times when I need to take a break, I know I can without having to worry what fresh hell I'll return to. This is in large part due to the staff I have working right along side me and in no small part due to the members themselves. I've been told on numerous occasions that CPF has been used in marketing as an example of how an internet community should be. That is a very high compliment! And you all deserve the credit for that. So thank you... once again... I am humbled...

[Empath]

300k may be a little much... But I say lets chip in and buy Sasha one of these.....

That was a pretty large shoe; impressive but not practical enough.

We need to get her something useful, like shoes for her ride.

[Greta]

Gee Empath... I was thinking about trading my blue 350Z in for a carbon silver 350Z. Those would look smashing with the carbon silver!

[SenKat]

I guess that is why he IS the Empath.....LOL !

[Nereus]

This new rule makes complete sense and after reading this entire thread, is absolutely understandable.

But on a totally different thought
Are you serious? I like this forum, have learned a lot from its members, and have read some truely amazing BS, but this takes the cake. There is no way on Earth that we should have to pay a salary to someone who has chosen to operate a forum. Even entertaining the thought that 25k+ people should pay money to Shasha, or any administrator for that matter, is quite illogical. Supporting the forum to stop advertising is one thing, but that proposition is quite another.

I, for one, would forfeit my membership if I had to pay to be on this forum. And though there will be many kowtowers that disagree, I believe there are a large number of people that would agree with me.

Hopefully, this suggestion will be stopped dead in its tracks by Sasha herself...

I am dead serious with my suggestion - yet, I understand that there will never be consensus on the topic.

CPF is growing fast and something has to be done to make things run smoothly also in the future. Something has to be done to make Sasha run smoothly also in the future. 1 USD (or whatever suitable amount) per month per member is not too much in my opinion. Compare that to the amount of money you use to your flashlights! E.g. I have used some 5000 USD to my flashlight modding hobby during 3+ years - 1 USD / month is nothing compared to that!

Let me list some good aspects (other CPFers may list the bad aspects) briefly:

- More commitment to the forum from the members: you do not want to trash something you have paid for.
- More discipline: getting banned for one week hurts more if you have paid for that week (even 1/52 USDs).
- Less "server is busy, visit EDC forums (and jam it too)" messages.
- Payment "filters" new members in a positive way - they surely try to find the info on CPF first for free. This means less frustrating newbie questions that could have been easily answered with the simple use of the "search" function.
- It is more unlikely that Sasha gets fed up with weirdos like us and technical problems.

*If* there will ever be a payment for CPF we have to remember that no matter how small the payment will be it may be too much for some people. Some kind of support system might be needed for the poorest CPFers.

Sasha, if my idea is just plain stupid, please stop the discussion (but please not by banning me...). On the other hand, if there is any relevance in my idea, how about establishing a poll and asking CPFers directly how do they feel about the payment? Also, you and moderators must have discussed this topic, what is your opinion?

And Sasha, I know that I hi-jacked your thread... But i guess that you will forgive me. Perhaps I should open a new thread about this.

- N

[pcmike]

May I be the first to point out (just one point) where your plan fails...

----
- Payment "filters" new members in a positive way - they surely try to find the info on CPF first for free. This means less frustrating newbie questions that could have been easily answered with the simple use of the "search" function.
----

The search function is probably the single most TASKING function available on CPF and you're purposing we offer it for free to people who don't pay so that we don't have to answer the same old questions. That hardly seems fair. Let the people who contribute pay the bill for those who don't.....

[dyyys1]

Making members pay would be a perfect way to kill CPF. Sorry to use harsh words, but it's true. Part of what makes a place like this great is that it's free and costs nothing other than the time you spend here. That's what draws people. How many of the people here, even the longest-standing, most active CPFers, would not have joined in the beginning if there was a fee? There is always another free forum where people can get the same information. You must remember that only the dedicated will want to pay. How many people here were only brought into their full flashaholism as a result of spending time here? Do you think those people would have been willing to spend good money here before they got really interested? I think that supporting our mods and admins is a wonderful idea, but I don't think a mandatory membership fee is the right way to do it.

[Empath]

User fees and salaries are getting quite a bit off-topic, and can easily generate emotional responses totally separate from the topic at hand. Getting back to our new rule would be a better direction for the thread.

[PJD]

Sasha and Admin...rule noted. Unfortunate, but overdue. Thanx for yet another way you've found to keep our community a little safer! I think the entire administration of this forum !

PJD

[Nereus]

User fees and salaries are getting quite a bit off-topic, and can easily generate emotional responses totally separate from the topic at hand. Getting back to our new rule would be a better direction for the thread.

I opened a new thread in the Cafe forum for the discussion about the payments.

-N

[Christoph]

Sasha .

[prof]

Sasha,

Thank you for protecting CPF. I for one did not know about all the requests you've been getting. I'm sorry that you and all the staff had to take action. However, I appreciate the flexibility you built into the rule to allow action in some cases--good job!

[cerbie]

Seems like a nice common-sense rule to me, perfectly in line with the forum's ideals.

[Chronos]

I don't know if my opinion matters, but I'm completely behind this Sasha et al. I don't envy you and the decisions you must make.

The scammers are prevalent. This is one of the most generous communities I've ever participated in. A little caution is justified IMHO.

[Wyeast]

I'd say a LOT of caution is justified. Having been a moderator for a high traffic forum I've seen scams on a constant basis.. You name it, they've tried it. Every clever ruse or heartwrenching sob story they'll try to pick your pocket as quick as they can. The larger we become, the more traffic we get, the more attractive we become to anyone trying to make some cash or generate some traffic for some other site they've got.

More important to me than whether or not a "fundraiser" benefits CPF even partially, is that Sasha is trying to cut down the number of requests she has to hand-screen to make sure it's legit.

The only potential hitch I see to the rule as it's written is the mentioning of "sale of individual items" - which kinda conflicts with the whole B/S/T section of the board. Unless you're considering putting in a "tax" on B/S/T items, which at face value I'm not wholly opposed to, but it does add a level of complexity to the transaction that'll probably turn a lot of people off.

--> Andy

[Greta]

Andy... you have a good point. And I'm trying to remember why I included that part. I know I had a reason... a specific incident in mind. I know it sounds stupid... but I've forgotten what it was... ... I'll remember... or remove that part... give me some time...

[nethiker]

Andy... you have a good point. And I'm trying to remember why I included that part. I know I had a reason... a specific incident in mind. I know it sounds stupid... but I've forgotten what it was... ... I'll remember... or remove that part... give me some time...

Could it have been to prevent using sympathy to promote personal sales?

>> I'm selling xyz to help out so and so....

Seems reasonable to limit the advertising of items to personal gain only. What one does with that gain is then a private affair and not an expectation of the sale.

[UncleFester]

....The only potential hitch I see to the rule as it's written is the mentioning of "sale of individual items" - which kinda conflicts with the whole B/S/T section of the board. Unless you're considering putting in a "tax" on B/S/T items, which at face value I'm not wholly opposed to, but it does add a level of complexity to the transaction that'll probably turn a lot of people off.

--> Andy

Andy... you have a good point. And I'm trying to remember why I included that part. I know I had a reason... a specific incident in mind. I know it sounds stupid... but I've forgotten what it was... ... I'll remember... or remove that part... give me some time...

"They" say the mind is the first thing to go........
In all seriousness I wondered about that part too, but decided I didn't understand and hoped that the thread would clarify it.(yes I actually read threads)

[TorchBoy]

Could it have been to prevent using sympathy to promote personal sales?

>> I'm selling xyz to help out so and so....

Seems reasonable to limit the advertising of items to personal gain only. What one does with that gain is then a private affair and not an expectation of the sale.

In that light the inclusion sounds very fair and I strongly approve - no selling of personal items for "fundraising". Selling for personal profit sounds OK, I guess.

[UK Dazzler]

Sasha,

I've been around on CPF for about 2 years now and as you can tell i'm not a huge poster, but I check in here almost everyday and take in the vast amount of knowledge CPF and its members have to offer. This truly is a very special community full of very good people interested in mostly one thing, things that light up! There would be a huge hole in my life if CPF was to become no more and I think I can safely say that on behalf of most members.

So, I just want to give you and your staff a big thank you for:-

Keeping this Forum alive,

Doing all you can to keep us safe,

Dedicating all your time so we can continue to discuss our favourite pastime.

This new rule is fine by me, it is sad, but there are vermin out there wanting to take advantage of the good people and the step has been taken to prevent such actions, even if it does ruffle a few feathers.

I think you, your Admin and Mods Team do a great job in keeping us all in line and on the straight and narrow.

Thank you for making this a great place to be.

Let the world unite, in a pool of light.



UK D.

[Lee1959]

Having been both (currently and past) on other boards I can say that

Administrator/Moderator = Long hours + Headaches + Thankless Criticism

Usually the only time you know they exist is when there is a problem with the forum, equipment, or bad posts. Then they magically turn up and fix it, amid usual bikering/bit**ing and everyone seems to think they answer to them and owe them detailed explanations or exceptions to what are generally common sense rules.

Sasha, you have chosen your helpers well. Both you and they run the place as well as any I have seen. You are all to be congratulated, and thanked for actions such as this, even if they are sometimes unpopular, that maintain user security/safety, and the integrety of our community.

Thank you, and keep up the good work.

[guiri]

I hate to see such a great gathering place diminished in any way over something as small as this.
Eric

I'm new too but I like this forum and I hate if people take advantage of it.

That's never right

George

[LED61]

New rule noted and will comply. May I add once again we are GUESTS in this beautiful place.

[BVH]

It would seem that the fewer words I type, the better I do. I should make note of that!

Darell - Too many words!

"The fewer words I type, the better"

That would have been shorter.

(Sorry, couldn't resist)

[TorchBoy]

It would seem that the fewer words I type, the better I do.

Not always, mate - you didn't credit my quote. You trying too hard to save on words?

[ghostrider1]

I am a member on a few forums. I have helped several freinds and people I don't even know. Have i been scamed? I don't know. But thanks to the mods and owners of the forums the risks have been very low. Guys its her forum. She is looking out for us as well. There are allways exceptions to the rule. Ask her, if is legit. i am not pointing fingers or acusing amybody. Its not my place or business. Lets enjoy this forum for what it is for. If you fel the need to ask for help, use the PM. your friends are still here. Some things just do not need to be public. Sorry if my post offends anyone, but I think it is pretty self explanitory and straight forward.

Sasha, thanks for making this forum available for my enjoyment and sharing my love of flashlights with others.

[vaism]

A necessary move. I'm with it..

[DrJ]

Well my pet stuffed Gopher Max (who may actually have died of cancer, I'm not totally sure though) is desperately in need of a new home...his was destroyed by Katrina (well actually my neighbor Katrina's cat knocked his old display case off the shelf and shattered it)...does this mean that I won't be able to start a fundraiser for poor homeless loveable (and my bestest friend in the whole wide World) Max???

(I guess not, huh.)