Rational Response Squad server ChipIn

Gizmo
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Rational Response Squad server ChipIn

THIS THREAD IS MOOT NOW. RRS HAS PURCHASED A SERVER AND TAKEN ON THE BILL.

I am finally asking for some help. I took over the server at the beginning of July and frankly, it's getting to the point where I am having a hard time paying for it. Since July, the bills just for the rent of the server and bandwidth have exceeded $1k, which has been charged to one of my personal credit cards, which increases my own personal debt. If you have extra funds and you would like to donate towards the cost of keeping up this site and the other RRS network sites, I would highly appreciate it.

 

 

Quote:
EDITED IN BY SAPIENT: Gizmo initially started this chip in module asking for $1,000, however the server fees are phenomenally high and will only get higher with the addition of new sites that are being brought on for free, so I've asked him to raise it to $4,800. His volunteer time alone would have cost well over $10,000 if we had to pay for an outside company to do it.

It has been one of my goals to help construct other atheist sites that can be integrated into ours that would share the same name and password. A large community could be built with our diverging views. The last person who helped with server expenses was not helping as much as Gizmo. In the last month or two, Gizmo has volunteered no less than 50 hours per week of his time and about $250 per month of his own money to help pay for the server. In my ideal world, our server bill would be $500 per month. We would require a server that is fit for running a network of sites all within the top 25,000 most popular in America... and that day could come.

Technically RRS headquarters could afford this cost. It would be tight, but it could be done. We have budgeted for and grown accustomed to having donations pay our server fees. As far as I know, the money from the chip in module that Gizmo has set up goes straight to him. Please consider contributing to help the following sites stay online, and many more to come.

Server costs as they stand are $3,000 per year. They'd be higher if I knew I could add more sites on (that need our help, and were not created by us). We'll keep this chip in module up for a while to help cover this over the long run. Seriously, please keep in mind this server will help many others, not just us.

 


Brian37
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This stuff isnt free folks.

This stuff isnt free folks. I am sure that the paying gold members are apreciated, but if anyone can, maybe cut out a fast food meal or new cd or trip to the movies, and send it to keeping the server up, it does add up.

I know on my meger wages I find a way to do it. It doesnt have to be hundreds or thousands of dollars, although for those in higher tax brackets I'm sure this site wont complain about that kind of donation.

I am not speaking on behalf of RRS, just myself as a poster. But this oasis in a world of theism is needed. I know without sites like this I would be much more lonely and it would be more difficult to express myself.

Show your apreciation for the hard work of the admin and for RRS by donating.  

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Here, here. Think of it in

Here, here.

Think of it in terms of beer or cigarettes.  If you have one less pack a week, and skip one six-pack a month, you can chip in $20 a month.

And we all know that all atheists smoke and drink, so I know you folks have the money.

If need be, you could even cancel your membership at "GiganticTaTas.com."  I know that's asking a lot.  

YOU CAN DO IT!

 

 

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Hambydammit wrote: Here,

Hambydammit wrote:

Here, here.

Think of it in terms of beer or cigarettes. If you have one less pack a week, and skip one six-pack a month, you can chip in $20 a month.

And we all know that all atheists smoke and drink, so I know you folks have the money.

If need be, you could even cancel your membership at "GiganticTaTas.com." I know that's asking a lot.

YOU CAN DO IT!

 

lol yeah thats right, I read recently that all atheists smoke (tho I don't smoke, so im sure someone would try to claim that means im not an atheist using some really shoddy logic) ;p

 

 


Nero
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Alright, Gizmo, send me a PM

Alright, Gizmo, send me a PM on what the monthly cost is.

 

Update:  Ok dude, sent you $40.  Hope it helps.

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Thanks guys, anything helps

Thanks guys, anything helps (and I do mean anything ;p).  We are hoping that soon we will have a bunch more sites on here like ComedyJesus and Greydon's so the more the merrier.  Also don't forget to Digg/etc stories as that brings more traffic which in turn brings more ad revenue. 


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I just put in $30.

I just put in $30.


Gizmo
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MattShizzle wrote: I just

MattShizzle wrote:
I just put in $30.

Thanks Smiling 


Raki
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I just sent 15 dollars in.

I just sent 15 dollars in.


Magus
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25 dollars heading your

25 dollars heading your way.  I wish I could afford more.

Sounds made up...
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Thanks Raki and Magus. 

Thanks Raki and Magus.  And as always every little bit help Smiling  Especially since you are a gold member Magus, you already give so I appreciate the extra amount Smiling

 


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.

.


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I just kicked in $20.00

I just kicked in $20.00.   This site has certainly been more entertaining than the last three movies I saw, so I think I got a bargain.

 Sorry, I don't smoke or drink (the latter due to an unfortunate genetic abnormality) so I can't contribute cigarette or beer money.

 Thandarr


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Thandarr wrote: I just

Thandarr wrote:

I just kicked in $20.00. This site has certainly been more entertaining than the last three movies I saw, so I think I got a bargain.

Sorry, I don't smoke or drink (the latter due to an unfortunate genetic abnormality) so I can't contribute cigarette or beer money.

Thandarr

Thanks Thandarr Smiling  And yeah, movies lately have been going down in quality. 


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You guys are all fucking

You guys are all fucking cool.  Thanks!

 

Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin

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Sapient
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Gizmo

Gizmo wrote:

 

Gizmo initially started this chip in module asking for $1,000, however the server fees are phenomonally high and will only get higher with the addition of new sites that are being brought on for free... per Gizmo suggesting it.

It's been a goal of mine to help build up other atheist sites that work together online that share the same name and password so a large community can be built even if there are diverging views. The last person who operated our server and helped incurr it's expense was not helping in this area nearly as much as Gizmo. In the last month or two Gizmo has volunteered no less than 50 hours per week of his time and about $250 per month of his money to help pay for the server. In my ideal world our server bill would be $500 per month as we would need a server fit for running a network of sites all within the top 25,000 most popular in America... and that day could come.

Yes technically RRS headquarters could now afford this cost. It would be tight, but it could be done. We've budgeted and got accustomed to having help paying our server fees. As far as I know the money from the chip in module that Gizmo has set up goes straight to him. Please consider contributing to help the following sites stay online, and many more to come.

Server costs as they stand are $3,000 per year. They'd be higher if I knew I could add more sites on (that need our help, and were not created by us). We'll keep this chip in module up for a while to help cover this over the long run. Seriously, please keep in mind this server will help many others, not just us.

 


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In answer to your question

In answer to your question on the ChipIn, yes it goes directly to me (Paypal of course) and then I can transfer that to the credit card that currently has been paying for the server. 


Sapient
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Gizmo wrote: In answer to

Gizmo wrote:
In answer to your question on the ChipIn, yes it goes directly to me (Paypal of course) and then I can transfer that to the credit card that currently has been paying for the server.

 

With that knowledge, we donated $100 tonight.  Thanks for everything. 


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Thanks Mr. Sapient (and

Thanks Mr. Sapient (and Rook and Kelly) Smiling

 


Nero
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*bump*

*bump*


Magus
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I want to bump things I

I want to bump things I feel are important (namely this) am I allowed to do that or would the mods get angry at me.

[edit: added the word 'are'] 

Sounds made up...
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Gizmo
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I severely doubt any mods

I severely doubt any mods would get upset about bumping this one ;p

I certainly am happy (tho mind you this post is stickied, however if responded to it does show up in the recent posts.)  So thanks for the bump Smiling

And again thanks to everyone who has contributed. 


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    There are some

    ; background-color: red; min-height: 0pt; min-width: 0pt; line-height: 0.8; visibility: hidden">There are some key threads here that should be bumped even if it would be considered spam.  This is one of them.  

I should note for people... Gizmo's contributions are extremely important.  There aren't many guys out there as willing to help, as loyal as he is, as good as he is, and as independent as he is.  He is willing to help quite a few more sites get up and running, and would be a huge asset if the 20 or so sites that he's hosting for us could have a guy like him full time.  In an ideal world, Gizmo would make enough here to work full time, and he'd be worth every penny.

Please consider donating whatever you can.

I'm throwing in $5, and will do so every time I bump this thread.  I challenge you to come up with your own number you can afford every time you bump it.


latincanuck
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daft question, how do i

daft question, how do i donate?


aiia
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latincanuck, Click

latincanuck,

Click the CHIPIN! button

You will need to set up a Paypal account.


Brian37
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Bump  

Bump

 

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers."Obama
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bump

bump


Sapient
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I talked with Gizmo at

I talked with Gizmo at length today and he has alerted me that the financial situation is rougher than originally thought on his end. He's working on debt consolidation plans just so he can maintain paying the cost of our server. I put $50 in the chip in this time instead of $5 and plan to do so as often as I can. Obviously RRS funds will have to cover any differences when it comes down to it, and I'll do so if neccessary.

Please contribute with the chip in module above, any amount. It all goes directly to Gizmo who has done an amazing job at maintaining our server in addition to paying for it. If we had the money to afford it we'd be on an even more expensive server, in an ideal world we'd be paying $100 more per month for a total of $350 a month for even higher speeds.

I've made many alterations to the site in the last few days.

Some of those changes include:

1. removal of buddy lists (we weren't using them as intended and they slow us up)

2. removal of search function (slows up loads on all pages and taxes server when used, it was also broken anyway) Search here now: http://www.rationalresponders.com/google_search_rationalresponders_com

3. reduction of images and the size of images loaded on the sides of pages

4. complete removal of the right sidebar for anything on the message board forum.

5. reduction in sidebars that load up on homepage itself

And much much more... Additionally in the last 3 weeks our site has gone from the 240,000th most popular site in the world to the 170,000th. In the last week we were the up to the 49,000th most popular site in the world, and the 25,000th in the US. We are on a mission to have our ideas win out in the marketplace of ideas. Increasing page load speed, and ability to access our server at all times without error is of vital importance to the goal.

6. While we still believe theism is irrational, and should be listed in the DSM so that extraordinary cases of theistic delusion can be treated with the appropriate medication, we have removed that wording from the header banner. This move will reduce the amount of traffic that views one page of the site and then leaves (due to being instantly turned off).

Every move we've made in the last 3 weeks has been highly centered on increasing web traffic which increases server load, while at the same time Gizmo is worried that he wont make rent. Traffic alone on our website doesn't always convert to dollars. Google ads, amazon, and subscriptions alone simply don't cover it all. If we are to have a secured spot in the number two slot (RDF #1) we need to prepare to not only afford to pay for the server we have now, but to be prepared to pay $100-$300 more per month as we grow.

We currently have several websites interested in becoming part of our shared network in which name and passwords are shared amongst all sites. However we are reluctant to jump on all offers and inquiries due to the potential problem it would cause for our own site if the new sites are also as successful as we are.

Sites that could be on board now if Gizmo (and crew) had the time/money to dedicate to the effort....

www.greydonsquare.com (the new www.thecomptoneffect.com)

www.comedjesus.com

www.religionisretarded.com

www.fsgp.org

And 5 other sites run by semi-large atheist organizations that would all come on board if I knew that we could handle the load.

So instead of sending RRS an extra $20 this month... would you please send it directly to Gizmo using the chip in module in the first post?

 

RRS is fiscally responsible!

At their recent convention FFRF (Freedom from religion foundation) boasted a membership base of over 11,000 people. They have memberships ranging from $25-$500 (most memberships are $50 or more). If we take an average of $50 per member at 11,000 people they are pulling in $550,000 a year to maintain their organization. Our gross income will be about 1/10th that number for this year. AND WE GET MORE TRAFFIC!

We also get more traffic than Way of the Master: Way of the Master currently has a donation drive (above and beyond the hundreds of thousands they pull in on merchandise) to help keep their tv show alive. They've raised almost $400,000 in a few weeks. Again this is above and beyond the money they take in on merchandise. Putting your ideas in the marketplace is not cheap.

We are equally as effective as FFRF and WOTM at what we do, and we do it with one tenth the income.

We feel we manage our limited funds wiser than all of the comparable sites in our genre, we hate asking for money... but it's a neccessary evil. Please donate directly to Gizmo today! Any excess money will eventually go to increasing the strength of our server, but from the looks of it, we won't have any excess.

LINKS TO PROVIDE PROOF OF OUR GROWTH OVER WOTM AND FFRF:

Our WORLDWIDE SITE RANK for the last seven days compared to FFRF and WOTM. (at the time of posting FFRF doesn't even make the chart, wotm barely gets on, and we are kicking both of their asses)

Our WORLDWIDE SITE RANK for the last MONTH compared to FFRF and WOTM. (at the time of posting FFRF barely makes the the chart, and we are still crushing wotm)

This graph represents PAGE VIEWS over the last month. Notice our steady incline since the beginning of the campaign for growth (about Oct 20).

 

If you can't donate... at least help us crash this server by using Digg, reddit, stumbleupon, and de.licio.us! Smiling

 


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Bumping this thread again...

Bumping this thread again... funds a little low right now... gonna throw $25 at it for the bump.  Someone match me... PLEASE!


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Just matched the $25. I'm a

Just matched the $25. I'm a bit broke, too. Some of y'all should be contributing too if you're on here a lot. Seriously. Don't make me bring my pimp hand down on some of you!

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Sapient
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I put another $100 in the

I put another $100 in the chip in module today for Gizmo. Will anyone match me today? How bout 2 people?

Last night at 4 am est as I again stayed up all night working on the site, I lost track of certain precautions I normally take in order to ensure I don't break the site. Html coding is not my specialty, however in the last few weeks I've taken it upon myself to get some long overdue work done in that area. With that said... at 4 am est time today I fucked the site up royally. I mean I fucked it good, like it's never been fucked. There aren't enough fucks in the world to express how fucking fucked up I fucking fucked myself and this fucking site.

So I start scrambling... fumbling around for a fix I know I don't have. I start calling Gizmo on his cell phone left and right. I was on a mission to wake his ass up and I called at least 10 times in as many minutes. I hit him up on skype and he answers instantly telling me his phone was off. And so we get started.... he half asleep and needing to be at his real life job in about 5 hours, me on my 50, 60, 70th hour of work (I can't even keep track anymore).

We analyze the situation together and we come to the determination that we are fucked. But just like every other time anything like this has ever happened Gizmo has been there to help. He never ceases to amaze me with how fast he can figure out our issues. Running a site like this and the coding that goes behind it is not his forte, as he'd tell you. He has an unbelievable amount of dedication, loyalty, and curiousity to learn more... and as time permits he has been there for us in a more critical role than any one of us have ever been on this site. If Margaret Downey is the glue that unites the most elite gathering of atheists in the world(and she is), then Gizmo is the glue that unites us all on this forum.  Within 15 minutes he had a solution that I'd have never thought of, nor would have likely any of you (sans a few experts).  Had he not come up with this backdoor solution, you'd be looking at a completely new version of this website.  And 12 hours of work from both Gizmo and myself just to get things looking a little like normal.  

I can't even begin to express my appreciation of his hard work and his financial contributions in the last year. We spoke tonight in more detail about his financial situation, and due to some changes in his life it's become harder to afford to help with the server. He has some credit card debt and can only pay the minimum balance each month if he continues to pay for the server on his own. I've offered to pay in so many different ways and every time I do so, you can hear the pain in his voice that he might have to take the money from me. He wants to contribute just as much as always, but can't technically afford to do it. He's a man that has a hard time asking for the money. We all have a hard time asking... but someone has to compete with this...

 

We were the number one ranked atheist website in the world this week, and we plan to hang with the big boys for a while... the ones with the deep pockets.

 

See the numbers below for LivingWaters (Wayofthemaster) VS. RationalResponders.com in the last week. We're ripping them up in server usage, and we make much less than 1/10th what they do. Folks... servers aren't cheap. Our network currently resides on a $250 per month server.

 

Ray Comfort gets beat by Rational Responders

Not only were we the most popular atheist website in the world this week, but we want to add more, and expand. In order to do the things we want to do and help the people we want to help we'd need a server of up to $1,000 per month.

I put another $100 in the chip in module today for Gizmo. Will anyone match me today? How bout 2 people?


Gizmo
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I want to throw in another

I want to throw in another thank you for those that have chipped in.  It has helped immensely on finances for the server. 


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The server crashed and I

The server crashed and I lost some of the last posts.  Feel free to repost for those that have donated since the last restore if you like.  Again thanks for your donations.


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A little holiday server

A little holiday server assistance is on its way.


Iruka Naminori
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Magus wrote: I want to

Magus wrote:

I want to bump things I feel are important (namely this) am I allowed to do that or would the mods get angry at me.

[edit: added the word 'are']

Yes, you're banned for bumping this thread, you horrible person, you....

Sticking out tongue

Sticking out tongue

Sticking out tongue

 

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Iruka, you're silly. I'm

Iruka, you're silly. I'm sending in my movie money for the month ($15)... good luck!


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Gizmo wrote: HELP

Gizmo wrote:
HELP CONTRIBUTE FOR SERVER FEES AND THE SITES OF OUR FRIENDS

Ok, you got $20 coming your way...

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Iruka Naminori
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I was looking for this

I was looking for this thread. I chipped in and decided this thread needed a bump.

So...BUMP!

 

On edit: Do I have to ban myself now? 

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Sapient
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Within 24 hours we'll

Within 24 hours we'll update this chip in module to reflect a new direction and a new need to help pay for assistance.  While Gizmo paid for the server fees he accrued somewhere between 1,500 and $2,000 in expenses.  Feel free to chip in to him for a few more hours before we need massive assistance in a new direction.  This thread will show you how to find the new thread looking for help.

You should feel increased speed and reliability from the network today, each day or two the work will become incrementally more noticeable until finally we take this site from 16 seconds a page load to 3 seconds a page load.

We're on a plan to be settled in a new home around Feb 5th if all goes well.  I'm slightly scared to pull the trigger on a $3,000 investment, so if I miss the cut off we're talking March 5th to have all major work done.  This will include many special features and benefits to any paid member or elevated free membership (ie: mods and free bloggers).