We have set up a "DONATE" Button

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Hey, everyone - 
With this new server and infinitely better features, the forum is no longer free for us to operate. From here on out, we WILL rely on donations in order to keep the forum going. 

We have set up a "donate" button at the top of the forum page. The button goes through PayPal, which is secure and quite easy to use with a PayPal account, or with a credit card. If anyone would prefer to mail a check, you can contact me privately; the only issue with that is that it does cost me 3.00$ to cash the check, so that will be 3.00$ less that will be added to the fund.

No one is obligated to donate anything, but it would certainly be appreciated. The fact is that we cannot afford to pay the server costs ourselves, so we will need these donations. I paid for the transfer to the new server, and am currently paying for the server hosting, but I don't know how long I will be able to.

ALL DONATIONS WILL BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR FORUM EXPENSES, AND NOTHING ELSE.

We are also looking into some effective, non-intrusive ways that we can get the forum to pay for itself without pop-ups, annoying banners or corporate sponsors, which would create a whole nest of entanglements. We do not want to be beholden to anyone, because that would quash a completely free and unfettered exchange of ideas.

Thank you -

Ron and Rusty

Edited by TasunkaWitko - 22 August 2017 at 17:09

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TasunkaWitko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator aka The Gipper Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Chinook Montana Status: Offline Points: 14749	Post Options Post Reply Quote TasunkaWitko Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: We have set up a "DONATE" Button Posted: 22 August 2017 at 12:16
	Hey, everyone - With this new server and infinitely better features, the forum is no longer free for us to operate. From here on out, we WILL rely on donations in order to keep the forum going. We have set up a "donate" button at the top of the forum page. The button goes through PayPal, which is secure and quite easy to use with a PayPal account, or with a credit card. If anyone would prefer to mail a check, you can contact me privately; the only issue with that is that it does cost me 3.00$ to cash the check, so that will be 3.00$ less that will be added to the fund. No one is obligated to donate anything, but it would certainly be appreciated. The fact is that we cannot afford to pay the server costs ourselves, so we will need these donations. I paid for the transfer to the new server, and am currently paying for the server hosting, but I don't know how long I will be able to. ALL DONATIONS WILL BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR FORUM EXPENSES, AND NOTHING ELSE. We are also looking into some effective, non-intrusive ways that we can get the forum to pay for itself without pop-ups, annoying banners or corporate sponsors, which would create a whole nest of entanglements. We do not want to be beholden to anyone, because that would quash a completely free and unfettered exchange of ideas. Thank you - Ron and Rusty Edited by TasunkaWitko - 22 August 2017 at 17:09
	TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen

RobertMT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 12 March 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4413	Post Options Post Reply Quote RobertMT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 August 2017 at 18:09
	Button seems to work
	Want to stop Drunk Drivers, from Killing Sober Drivers? Ban Sober Drivers from Driving. That's how Gun Control Works. NRA Benefactor Life, GOA Patriot, SAF

lizard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .30/06 SpringField Joined: 17 February 2016 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 298	Post Options Post Reply Quote lizard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 August 2017 at 20:42
	Button works. Thanks for all of your work Ron.
	Trigger Control is knowing when not to pull it.

TexasShooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 321	Post Options Post Reply Quote TexasShooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 August 2017 at 09:02
	Thanks for covering the initial transfer and the first month, Ron. A little technical background on the BSB: Several years ago, circa 2005, Ron had a friend hosting the BSB from his house, but unreliable Internet and computer issues caused an unstable environment. I got the forum database and other files from Ron and was able to re-launch it on a scavenged pc/server out of my house. There was an improvement in availability of the forum, but it still wasn't an ideal situation as I lived out in the country and got marginal-at-best Internet from a phone company that had just started their Internet offering. I was able to move the server up to my office and host from there, which solved the Internet performance issues. A couple of years later, with the help of a friend at work, we were able to move the BSB from the old server to a virtual computer with high performance disks. This allowed us to add disk space and any processing power or memory that we needed as the forum grew. However, I couldn't afford to upgrade the operating system or database software that ran under the forum software due to cost. It would have cost a couple thousand dollars or so. And so, the forum was stuck on a very old version of the software for a long time. The upside of the situation is that, barring a couple of times where I accidentally paid the domain renewal late or the virtual server crashed because of running out of space or whatever, the forum was running on some of the best equipment money can buy. We had fault tolerance, high grade firewalls, amazing Internet, frequent backups - stuff that costs a lot of money we got to use for free. When security and rules surrounding the kinds of things we could have on our network tightened considerably over the past couple of years, Ron and I had discussed that the day would be coming when the forum would need to be moved again. Then, a few weeks ago, the friend that had been helping keep the forum alive left to work for another company. Almost comically, within an hour of his departure, the age of the operating system and db server software finally caught up with us. A critical vulnerability was revealed in a sweeping security scan, and it became too risky to keep it on the network any longer. So, at that point, it became a pretty easy decision between trying to buy new equipment and find someone's house to place the server in, or moving to the Webwiz hosting services. Now, we don't have to worry about supplying the underlying equipment and software, Internet connection, backups, antivirus and security software, or the responsibility of upgrading the database and forum software frequently, etc. We pay a very reasonable hosting fee and these things are handled for us. Anyway, I know that was a wall of boring info to take in, but I just wanted to give some insight on how and why we got from A to B, and why B is a good place for us to "B" (sorry, couldn't resist). Take care, Rusty Edited by TexasShooter - 23 August 2017 at 10:52
	"For want of a nail the shoe was lost, for want of a shoe the horse was lost, and for want of a horse the man was lost."

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9343	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 August 2017 at 09:50
	Good one !
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

Irish Bird Dog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Too many Joined: 01 March 2009 Location: Midwest Status: Offline Points: 5510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Irish Bird Dog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 August 2017 at 23:48
	Thanks Tex for the history lesson on the BSB situation. I hope our donations will help keep BSB up and running. However, us BSBers need to be informed of when and how much needs to be covered each time payments are due to the host server folks. That way we can keep on helping cover those expenses.
	Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter

TasunkaWitko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator aka The Gipper Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Chinook Montana Status: Offline Points: 14749	Post Options Post Reply Quote TasunkaWitko Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 August 2017 at 09:59
	Hey, IBD - Good point, and I apologize for neglecting that information. Currently, the hosting comes out to approximately 161.00 per year, if paid monthly; however, if we buy a year at a time, we get a discounted rate of approximately 134.00. The server host is in the UK, so the rates are converted from British Pounds Sterling, if I remember correctly. There may be other little things that pop up along the way, but that is the basic and most fundamental expense that this forum has - one that will be with us every year. The rates could change a bit in the future, but that's what they are now; naturally, locking in a rate for a year has a lot of advantages. Considering the PhotoBucket debacle, I've been thinking that it might be worth it to come up with a solution that will allow us unfettered posting of photos, but that is a bridge we can cross if/when needed.
	TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9343	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 August 2017 at 10:15
	???? So like $15 a year for the core people ? Is there anyway to keep tract of us so we get a reminder What it's time ? C.R.S.
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

TasunkaWitko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator aka The Gipper Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Chinook Montana Status: Offline Points: 14749	Post Options Post Reply Quote TasunkaWitko Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 August 2017 at 12:04
	Hi, D - WebWiz give me a 2-month notice when the bill is due, so there should be plenty of time to get the word out. These folks at WebWiz are really good; I use them on my other forum (http://foodsoftheworld.activeboards.net) and they provide great service - I have full confidence in them. If there are any problems, they will definitely work with us.
	TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen

Irish Bird Dog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Too many Joined: 01 March 2009 Location: Midwest Status: Offline Points: 5510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Irish Bird Dog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 August 2017 at 00:09
	Thanks for the cost break down on the site. Pretty darn cheap rate for what we get. BTW...does this post go to the UK and then to TX and then to MT????....and back to WI when you answer this post? whew....that's a long ride....
	Irish Bird Dog NRA Life/Endowment 2nd Amendment Supporter

TasunkaWitko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator aka The Gipper Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Chinook Montana Status: Offline Points: 14749	Post Options Post Reply Quote TasunkaWitko Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 September 2017 at 11:16
	Thanks everyone for the donations so far - we're doing pretty well and are on our way to some very good security with our server. As I mentioned above, I paid the transfer fees and the first month myself, and that first month is about finished. We can save a dang good chunk of money (2 months' worth) by paying a year at a time, and it would be dang nice to pay two years at a time, so that we know we're secure. We've almost got enough to pay for one year right now (the due date is September 7th), and I'd like to propose that we consider raising enough for two years by the time the renewal comes around in September 2018. Some folks on the "Foods of the World" forum have come up with a good idea of setting up a small automatic donation each month (usually 1 or 2 dollars) out of their accounts, to help support the forum. I plan to do with for BSB and for FotW, and wanted to throw that out there for anyone who might want to consider doing the same. Thanks again to all - I think we're in fine shape right now, but if any "push" is needed right before September 7th, I'll let you know. Edited by TasunkaWitko - 01 September 2017 at 11:32
	TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen

RobertMT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 12 March 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4413	Post Options Post Reply Quote RobertMT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 September 2017 at 20:39
	I have several automatic donations, NRA, GOA, ect, set up on paypal, I think it has to be turned on, at the recievers end, to be availably, for members to use. When I sent paypal, I looked and didn't see that option available here.
	Want to stop Drunk Drivers, from Killing Sober Drivers? Ban Sober Drivers from Driving. That's how Gun Control Works. NRA Benefactor Life, GOA Patriot, SAF

TasunkaWitko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator aka The Gipper Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Chinook Montana Status: Offline Points: 14749	Post Options Post Reply Quote TasunkaWitko Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 September 2017 at 13:57
	Hi, Robert - I looked into this, and it appears that it can be set up at the "payer's" end (the one doing the donating). Somewhere in there, there is a "Payments" tab, and it can be set up there under "Pre-Approved Payments." I am still new at navigating things like this, so if anyone finds out any other information, please feel free to post it. Ron Edited by TasunkaWitko - 05 September 2017 at 13:59
	TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen

TasunkaWitko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator aka The Gipper Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Chinook Montana Status: Offline Points: 14749	Post Options Post Reply Quote TasunkaWitko Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 September 2017 at 15:23
	Hey, guys - I think that I have this "automatic" thing figured out. For anyone who wants to do this through PayPal, it looks like you can sign in, then click the "Settings"icon (It is in the upper-right hand corner and looks like a gear, next to the LOG OUT button). Once there, you get a series of tabs. Choose the "Payments" tab, and then choose"Pre-approved payments." Once there, I am assuming that you can set up the amount, frequency etc. This is an option that a few folks have used on the Foods of the World Forum, with good success. Thanks again, everyone - Ron Edited by TasunkaWitko - 05 September 2017 at 15:24
	TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen

RobertMT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 12 March 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4413	Post Options Post Reply Quote RobertMT Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 05 September 2017 at 17:39
	From PayPal's help section "Subscriptions Some sellers let you set up preapproved payment agreements, such as recurring payments, subscriptions, automatic billing, and installment plans. You might set up a preapproved payment to pay for a recurring subscription, or if you want to pay with PayPal every time you shop on a certain site. Here's how to view your preapproved payment information: Log in to your PayPal account. Click Settings next to "Log out." Click Payment Preferences. Click Update next to "My preapproved payments." Click the agreements you want to view in the "My preapproved payments" section. If you have questions about your plan, please contact the seller. You can find your seller's contact details in the email you received when you signed up for your plan. You can also find the contact information on the Transaction Details page for a payment that you made to the seller." My take from this, based on monthly subscriptions, my searchers of paypal's help section, I've set up and from recurring payments, to same vendors. It looks like you can only set up automatic recurring payment to a paypal set up as business account, which accepts them as payment. You can make a manual monthly payment, to anyone, with $1 as a minimum, but it must be done by sender, each time. Edited by RobertMT - 05 September 2017 at 17:43
	Want to stop Drunk Drivers, from Killing Sober Drivers? Ban Sober Drivers from Driving. That's how Gun Control Works. NRA Benefactor Life, GOA Patriot, SAF

TasunkaWitko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator aka The Gipper Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Chinook Montana Status: Offline Points: 14749	Post Options Post Reply Quote TasunkaWitko Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 September 2017 at 09:55
	Robert - thanks for posting this. I'll look through it and see what I can figure out.
	TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen

TasunkaWitko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator aka The Gipper Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Chinook Montana Status: Offline Points: 14749	Post Options Post Reply Quote TasunkaWitko Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 September 2017 at 11:57
	If I am reading things correctly, it is as Robert says. It looks like BSB would have to "upgrade" to some sort of business account in order to make it so folks could set up automatic donations. The ones who do these on FotW are from overseas, and it looks like they do it through some sort of service that they have available, so it must not be what I was thinking of. I am not sure if that same service is available in the USA.
	TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen

RobertMT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 12 March 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4413	Post Options Post Reply Quote RobertMT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 September 2017 at 22:29
	Even without automatic subscription service, you can hit donate button and do monthly, quarterly donations, if you so choose. I'm not sure what service fee, BSB pays for paypal or credit card payments, that could be problem, with small frequent donations. If CC processor takes $.50 per transaction for fee, $1 donations get ate up pretty quick.
	Want to stop Drunk Drivers, from Killing Sober Drivers? Ban Sober Drivers from Driving. That's how Gun Control Works. NRA Benefactor Life, GOA Patriot, SAF

TasunkaWitko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator aka The Gipper Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Chinook Montana Status: Offline Points: 14749	Post Options Post Reply Quote TasunkaWitko Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 September 2017 at 09:50
	I don't know if he wants it to be kept "anonymous" or not, but someone put up a substantial amount yesterday in memory of Jim, and I wanted to thank him very much for that.
	TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen

TasunkaWitko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator aka The Gipper Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Chinook Montana Status: Offline Points: 14749	Post Options Post Reply Quote TasunkaWitko Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 September 2018 at 13:14
	To all - please allow me to express my apologies; I have been slacking off quite a bit in thanking everyone who has donated. I forgot to post this earlier this year, but many thanks to all for your donations from the postal shoot, and a big thanks for the nice donation received right after the MYGAWDS Reunion, and for all others, as well. Also, I see that a couple of members have set up automatic, monthly donations via PayPal - thank you very much! I am finally in a position to start doing the same now, as well; and have done so, effective today. Edited by TasunkaWitko - 28 September 2018 at 13:25
	TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen