Laura Corin Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I know that these forums help to advertise your products, but the problems over recent months must have cost you a ton of money, far beyond the boards' commercial value to you. Let us know. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I'll second that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abeille Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 This forum is one of very few online that I would gladly pay for. Following this topic. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nansk Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Was there a DDOS attack? I am willing to pay a small monthly fee or make z bigger one-time donation. I really missed the forums. I can't imagine how I can homeschool dd without this support! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 So it wasn't just me or couldn't get in. I would subscribe too but it would have to be quite a small amount or I couldn't justify spending the money on myself. I did just buy the PDF for WWE workbook 1 if that helps. Ps. I would have bought the hard copy if I lived near enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassy Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 This forum is one of very few online that I would gladly pay for. Following this topic. :) :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I spend too much time here but I don't think I can do without! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I know that these forums help to advertise your products, but the problems over recent months must have cost you a ton of money, far beyond the boards' commercial value to you. Let us know. Laura :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 This forum is one of very few online that I would gladly pay for. Following this topic. :) For sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I am on several forums. This is the only one I would pay money for, happily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynful Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punchie Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 This forum has been immeasurably helpful for me. I would have no problem paying a fee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Me too. I'm laid up in bed on painkillers. There's not much I can do and yesterday was awful without my WTM fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinmom Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I'm with you guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 :iagree: I'm in. I would not see a button for donations as offensive in any way, and those that wanted to could donate. I've gotten more information from this board than any book I have ever paid money for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laundrycrisis Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I would happily support this forum with a donation or subscription ! It has been an amazing resource. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbeym Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I would happily support this forum with a donation or subscription ! It has been an amazing resource. Me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca VA Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I would be honored to help support this board. Would you consider putting a "Donations Gratefully Accepted" notice somewhere on the site? We could donate through PayPal or some other means as we feel led to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkInTheBlue Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I would be very happy to make a donation. We'd lose a lot of people with a monthly thing but I'd definitely be here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AimeeM Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I feel the same. This board has been a source of support and guidance I never could have done without - my homeschool journey would have been over a year after it started, had it not been for your generous board! More than happy to donate. Like a PP stated, I would be happy to see a "donations welcome" button! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiana Daniels Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 A donate button is a perfect idea. No pressure on anyone but we can still help support the board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Can someone even explain what a DDOS attack is? I know someone slammed the board with requests to shut it down but don't know anything beyond this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shukriyya Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Everyone has echoed my sentiments. The other day I sat in a field early on a Saturday morning, hunkered down in my folding chair ever so grateful for the MP3 I was able to listen to. Susan's thoughts on literary analysis were very much appreciated but her cheerful, engaged manner and light tone were even more to the point. Nothing like listening to someone who loves what they do! This forum is a wonderful resource far beyond my imaginings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allearia Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I would very happily contribute! Let us know how. I can't imagine homeschooling without this site and the amazing resources and support I have found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I can't imagine not having the resources this board offers me. It's been amazing. I would very happily contribute if it would help at all. I definitely support the idea of a donate button. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Ditto. I am in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancer67 Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 count me in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Another Jen Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aslana Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Can someone even explain what a DDOS attack is? I know someone slammed the board with requests to shut it down but don't know anything beyond this. http://en.wikipedia....-service_attack Basically, because this is a high profile site, DDOS attacks are usually (with the intended purpose of) done to steal important information--it prevents the site owner from stopping the attack (like you can stop a virus). Of course, I don't see an intention to rule the world with classical and historical information as a bad thing :D but I don't think the attackers really thought that far ahead. :lol: :lol: (did anyone else get the captcha thing and have to "prove" you were not a bot?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giraffe Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I'm in too. I'm so far away from most homeschoolers that I'd wither away without this board. I NEED it. This IS my co-op!! Just say the word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Yep, a donate button would be great for one time or honor system donations. Even better, an annual subscription fee that came with a badge on your avatar. You know how we love our avatars. Supporting Member or something like that. 12/yr would be pretty painless, but could add up rapidly if enough of us did it. You could even limit access to posting on the classifieds to paid subscribers, and that might help discourage spammers and folks who only come here to sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom25girls Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Please contact me if there is a way that we can support the Boards. I've gleaned so much information and support here over the 15 years we've been homeschooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AimeeM Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Yep, a donate button would be great for one time or honor system donations. Even better, an annual subscription fee that came with a badge on your avatar. You know how we love our avatars. Supporting Member or something like that. 12/yr would be pretty painless, but could add up rapidly if enough of us did it. You could even limit access to posting on the classifieds to paid subscribers, and that might help discourage spammers and folks who only come here to sell. I say this gently. Let's please remember that there are a number of loyal, contributing board members who cannot spare even a minimal amount. I would hate to miss out on their advice because they can't afford a mandatory subscription fee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I'm wondering if charging for access (as opposed to simply making a voluntary donation button available) would change attitudes about moderation, though. I know I, personally, would feel quite differently about having a thread of mine shut down or a comment of mine deleted if I'm paying for a service than I do if I feel like I'm complying with the wishes of my hostess. And, yes, I do think we would lose a number of members who have contributed in their own way -- by sharing their thoughts and experiences and insights -- if we now told them that wasn't good enough without a monetary compenent. I would absolutely support a donate-if-you-wish button, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 :iagree: I'm in. I would not see a button for donations as offensive in any way, and those that wanted to could donate. I've gotten more information from this board than any book I have ever paid money for. Absolutely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 :iagree: I'm in. I would not see a button for donations as offensive in any way, and those that wanted to could donate. I've gotten more information from this board than any book I have ever paid money for. I agree. I have most of the books you've put out, multiple bags, the globe, coffee mug, etc. I also regularly push TWTM and PHP's related products. I have tried to do my part, but I would be willing to donate to help support the forums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 (did anyone else get the captcha thing and have to "prove" you were not a bot?) I did, for one post today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I did, for one post today. Me too. I used a word (in an innocent context) that could raise red flags if taken just by itself. Danger, Will Robinson! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I say this gently. Let's please remember that there are a number of loyal, contributing board members who cannot spare even a minimal amount. I would hate to miss out on their advice because they can't afford a mandatory subscription fee. Oh, I am sure that is the case. I wasn't suggesting mandatory fees. I suggested some "marker" showing your financial support -- sort of like the Sonlight badges. Just a thought. Similarly, charging for access to the Classifieds section might actually help us avoid certain sellers that would not be missed. :) I highly doubt Susan will monetize this site, but I personally think she can and should consider options to do it. Being a small business owner is tough, and this site must cost a lot to maintain. Doing it for free is a bit nuts, IMHO, unless you are loaded enough to do it for fun/charity . . . OR you have some way to really monetize it. She doesn't even advertise her own products here. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I say this gently. Let's please remember that there are a number of loyal, contributing board members who cannot spare even a minimal amount. I would hate to miss out on their advice because they can't afford a mandatory subscription fee. Oh, I am sure that is the case. I wasn't suggesting mandatory fees. I suggested some "marker" showing your financial support -- sort of like the Sonlight badges. Just a thought. Similarly, charging for access to the Classifieds section might actually help us avoid certain sellers that would not be missed. :) I highly doubt Susan will monetize this site, but I personally think she can and should consider options to do it. Being a small business owner is tough, and this site must cost a lot to maintain. Doing it for free is a bit nuts, IMHO, unless you are loaded enough to do it for fun/charity . . . OR you have some way to really monetize it. She doesn't even advertise her own products here. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aslana Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 A "donate as you can" button? Yes. A "pay for site"? Absolutely not. Too much potential for abuse, by staff, members. No way. Someone above stated it as well. Members who paid more may be inclined to hold members who don't pay enough to a lower standard than they do now. So much more could happen that I'm not listing, but a donate button would be much better than a subscription or paid for site. And make the donations anonymous to all but the site admins. No one needs to know that I only donated $5 this month as opposed to their $20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aslana Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Now charging for access to the classifieds? That would work. A small percentage would be charged to post your for sale ad (WTB ads should be free). This would definitely encourage everyone to contain their for sale items to one post (much easier) and not allow them to post 20 things for sale in 20 different posts that cause other posts to drift off the board. And it would discourage spammers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paisley Hedgehog Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Please no fee for the classifieds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdkidsmom Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 count me in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aslana Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I do understand the complaint to that. But I'd be more inclined to hit the donate button and drop a $1.00 for a classified post than I would be to a subscription fee. Plus, this has the added bonus of people paying more than just a flat donation with how busy the classified section really is. I'm going to pay $1.00 for one huge post that I can bump but someone else might pay $10.00 for 10 separate posts they can bump. I honestly do NOT like having to scroll through the classifieds on any site where one person makes 25 different posts of 25 different things for sale! It bumps things back to page 2 and beyond and no one reads past page 1 (because most things are usually too old past that page and are likely not for sale anymore so I'm not going to waste my time reading beyond page 1). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Element Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Susan. Really. Have you met us? We like to donate. All we need is a button with a link to a PayPal-friendly donation page. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I'd be happy to donate if there was a donate button. Given how much information we all get through the forum, I'm sure others feel the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 I'd be happy to donate! (I'm buying more books this week, too, but I figure you make less from that) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Wise Bauer Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Aww, you guys are SO kind. Thanks for the concern and for the suggestions. A few thoughts... This forum will remain free and open. In one of the revised TWTM forewords, Mom and I thanked the TWTM forum members because we've learned so much from you. That wasn't just puff--listening to how all of you and your incredibly varied kids/families/jobs/situations approach classical education has been (over the last ten years) eye-opening. We'll keep it going, both for your sake and for ours. Thanks to John's hard work, the monthly forum hosting costs are now DOWN (part of the reason for the software switch, those of you who were complaining) and that helps a lot. Yes, the switchover, etc. was expensive, but in the long run we'll be better off. The site will remain ad-free,except for Peace Hill Press banners, which I think is totally reasonable, given how much $$$ and (even more costly IMO) psychic energy it takes to keep the forums up and running. I have been contemplating various fee-based options, like a weekly podcast, or an audio book-group, or a PREMIUM classified site (where you'd know that your seller has gone through some basic vetting) as a way of getting some more income from the site--because you're right, it's expensive, and the publicity, while great, isn't really paying for the site at this point. I'll keep you posted, but rest assured that if we DO introduce some new fee-based service, it would be an addition to what you've already got for free-not a change. We won't take away or alter what we've built here. It took a long time to develop and I'm proud of it. Having said that, I'm always happy to hear opinions about what additional resources (ABOVE AND BEYOND THE EXISTING!) people would be willing to pay for. Because some well-designed subscription services would sure help pay for the rest. SWB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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