I don't know if this suggestion has ever been formally asked, but I know it's something I've been pushing for for a while, though rather passively I admit. I'm sure everyone is very greatful for the time and money the admins have invested into j2o and the jcf simply out of genuine good-will towards the community and the game it surrounds, and I think that it's time we, as the community, could voluntarily help share the load.

Through paypal donations, the community could help cut into the cost of bandwidth, storage, time, and any other expenditure so that we could give something back to those who have helped lead this community on for years into what it is today.

I don't know how many people would be really able to donate, but I know once I could make donations, I would certainly pitch in. Many people are probably too young to directly donate through paypal but I still don't think it's something that should be pushed aside. Those who have really invested themselves into the community wholeheartedly deserve it.

You might even consider giving some "special features" to donators or giving them a special status on j2o, or something. All I know is that I think it would be an honost and good way for people to pay respects and really give something back without being obligated - particularly for Bobby and FQuist. I know they would never suggest something like this themselves, and I hope they don't mind that I'm jumping out and doing it myself. Anyway, that's my suggestion.

I concur.

I'm not sure that having a special status is a good idea, as people might just start lording it over the people who haven't donated.

*salutes*

It's not like I had any money to spend, but.. we'll see.

Originally Posted by Unknown Rabbit

I'm not sure that having a special status is a good idea, as people might just start lording it over the people who haven't donated.

There is always Derby who will remove flame tags or personal attacks!

Good idea. I probably wouldn't donate (yet), but anyway.

I think he means special feature as in a neat feature, not as in administrative access. I don't see much problem with that, although I'm not sure what that special feature would be.

I agree that we need a Paypal donation account.

~ Traft

1) it was my idea...
2) who will pay for it?
3) but yes, when Admins paid long time for make JJ2 alive, we can buy something for you (or you can to buy it from money, what we can give you and that's better.) ;p

Originally Posted by danyjel

1) it was my idea...
2) who will pay for it?
3) but yes, when Admins paid long time for make JJ2 alive, we can buy something for you (or you can to buy it from money, what we can give you ;p

I've been bothering FQuist and Bobby about setting up some sort of donation thing/getting sponsers/putting up banner ads for quite a while sporatically. It doesn't matter whose idea it is anyway. As far as I know paypal donations don't cost money to set up (that would be rather counterintuitive). Lastly, buying them specific things wouldn't be as beneficial as giving them money for the general use of maintaining j2o/jcf or for their use towards whatever they want.

If you set up a donation system, I promise to give you at least 25 cents.

Originally Posted by Spaztic

I've been bothering FQuist and Bobby about setting up some sort of donation thing/getting sponsers/putting up banner ads for quite a while sporatically. It doesn't matter whose idea it is anyway. As far as I know paypal donations don't cost money to set up (that would be rather counterintuitive). Lastly, buying them specific things wouldn't be as beneficial as giving them money for the general use of maintaining j2o/jcf or for their use towards whatever they want.

They have money to maintain j2o. They can have free phpBB, but no, there is something bigger, vBulletin. Own IRC channel, own more-than-30GB-server. No, it's not cheapest thing in the world. But they are still paying for it, so why don't to give some money to Admin to buy some nice thing for them? Now it's their money, it will their moneys still, only this will more commercial... You can put banner somewhere down to Homepage and tell to everybody "please click for long life of our Community ;p". Because you really made something big for us and you still making it. And, I will give some money only for their entertainment, THEY made it. Not only money. Not only web. Web didn't make web alone. THEY. (I only think they have lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot of money and they have everything. =D) I wanted to say don't give money only for j2o, but for them too...

Originally Posted by Spaztic

...buying them specific things wouldn't be as beneficial as giving them money for the general use of maintaining j2o/jcf or for their use towards whatever they want.

That's what I said, btw.

If you want to give the admins some money, they probably wouldn't object, but that would be outside of the community.

Something where people could donate money to go towards paying for server costs and whatnot sounds like a good idea. I personally still haven't gotten into paypal, so I don't know about that, but it's probably the best option.

Who's making all of the payments now anyway? Bobby? Might there be any regulations we'd have to be aware of so this doesn't get counted as income for whoever manages the funds, or something like that?

I think the admins are afraid to do this because they are afraid people will later try to force them to do things because "they also paid a part of it"

By the way Mono, I think bob pays for the host. The vBulletin license was paid by a number of people who visited the JJ2 meetings of a while ago.

Okay, just tell me, what do you will buy for those money to Community? (better coder and designer ;p)

Tough cookies.

People need to realize that any donation money will go toward what J2O needs, not what users want. User feedback will be involved, but I'd bet most of it would go to hosting costs.

In other news, where did this hideous smilie come from: ?

~ Traft

Thank Fishy, Trafton. =b

So I can't say what to do with MY money?

That's why you call it a "donation".

We already have better coders and designers. They're in J2Ov2. Your money will (possibly) go towards upkeep and whatever else seems to be NEEDED - if you want your money to buy other things, buy them yourself.

Originally Posted by Trafton

In other news, where did this hideous smilie come from: ?

Wisety made it. He's JCF administrator, remember?