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    The Staff of SOH

  • Server side Maintenance is done. We still have an update to the forum software to run but that one will have to wait for a better time.

Time to Evaluate SOH Viability Is Now

Milton Shupe

Milton Shupe

Staff Contributor
Staff member
In 10 days, Ickie must pay for the flight server, and in 30 days pay for this server. We are at 41% of our goal now.

Because of where we stand now, we must evaluate alternatives to providing SOH services.

As you know, only your donations keep SOH going. As members, we must step up or be willing to consider other sources for our community involvement. Time is getting short and Ickie must consider alternatives now.

Do we wish to support this site and keep it alive and well? Only we as members can answer that question.

Time is getting very short and decisions need to be made pronto.

We need to meet a substantive part of our goal shortly to keep SOH active in its current state.

Decision time.

We greatly appreciate your support. If you can comfortably do that, now is the time to step up.

Thank you for whatever you can do.
 
In the admin lounge we were talking about the good old days when SOH had low bandwidth allotments.

Roger and Ickie were talking about how at the end of the month the downloads would have to be turned off to avoid hitting the bandwidth limit.

Those days maybe coming back soon if we can not raise enough money.

We know we have enough members to support the site but the number of unique donators has been on the decline every year while the number of people who download has continued to go up.

If you find SOH a value to your hobby please donate.
 
Donations to S.O.H.

Not necessarily my place, but COME ON GUYS! Those of you who use this site and haven't donated yet cough up some $ to help keep it going. Give up a carton of cigs , a 18 pack of beer or a nite out to eat. :encouragement:
 
highpockets,
Please take no offence to this. Its not directed at you in anyway. Nor is it to anyone really.

If I was working then I might be able to give a few dollars. As it is I can't afford oil to heat my house. Sorry but I won't be giving any money. I hope they'll understand. If not, well to bad thats how it is.

On to better things now...
 
Blood_Hawk 23

No offense.

This post was meant to those who can and maybe just not paying attention to the sticky thread. I have no idea who has donated or who hasn't and have no need to know. I have used this site for years, expecially the CFS 2, but also the other CFS sites and FS 2004. I so much appreciate the work done by those who labor to keep the sims up and running and filled with their creative "goodies" for dummies like me who really is only a user.

:smile-new:
 
Reply...

Highpockets,

Thanks for starting this.

Blood_Hawk23,

No worries on your end. Your life and health come first.

In general,

I have given this matter some considerable thought, and after having a discussion with Greg (Shadow Wolf 07) and others, I thought I'd share my thoughts with all of you.

1) As you know, the post-holiday period is typically a bad time to raise money, because everyone's budgets are blown out from heating bills, holiday gifts, and the madness that is the holiday season. Some staff members have suggested, and I am inclined to agree, that we have donation drives two times a year...a summer campaign and a winter campaign, to lessen the severity of the financial crunch SOH needs to pay its bills.

2) When it comes down to it, what we really need are new members to donate, not just the stalwart supporters.

Now, "back in the day..." Sim-Outhouse had a product called "Donationware," where CFS2, CFS3, and FS9 aircraft were designed by members and given to SOH to be sold for a modest asking price of five or ten dollars. These were very popular in their time, and the profits from these aircraft went directly into the SOH coffers to pay its bills.

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?catid=32

I liked this idea for two reasons...

1) The aircraft were (and still are) top-notch products, and HEAVILY used by us simmers.

2) The facts are that altruistic giving to support SOH is all well and good, but sometimes, we all want something in return. Yes, donations keep the site running, and keep us free of adware. However, it would be nice to have a nice, shiny carrot in your hangar for your giving.

I thought of a few people who have the necessary skills to form a "new" Donationware team.

Some people I had thought of are...The B24 Guy, Allen, kelticheart, Shessi, baldy, and anyone else you can think of.

Perhaps some old soldiers like thicko could lend their expertise on this matter. I'm open to any other suggestions you guys might have on this, so let's see if we can come up with some more potential names or ideas.
 
I don't think of my work as "Donationware" worthy but if any one thinks it is feel free to donate the money to SOH for me.

I do think that a summer campaign and a winter campaign would be a good idea as well.
 
Maybe two fund raisers a year beginning sometime into the year might be better.
The inital intent of my post was only to remind some of us wandering minds that there was a need . :kilroy:
 
This is a great site...

...and worth every cent you can spare. There is no other that supports our game(s) so well and the people on it are first class. I can say I've learned and gained a lot for my favorite game (CFS2). and have made a few good friends here. A few ducats will go a long way folks! :wavey:
 
Donation Drive Goal Reduced ...

Ickie has been researching for a better Flight Server deal and came up with a savings of $3000. Therefore the Donation Drive goal has been reduced from $14K to $11K. Thank you all for your feedback, input, and support. And, thank you Ickie for your efforts on this. :applause:
 
Sorry don,t have the accepted payment types , I used to have Ickies addy , but I think he,s relocoated , since , my last contact with him , So could an Executive Pm me an addy and I,ll ship out a cheque , for allimony support :biggrin-new: Tanks Sarg
 
Too modest

Well boys and girls. While I am very pleased that Ickie found some shortcuts to savings, I still think the goal should be the same, just in case. Actually I don't think we are doing so badly, since there is enough money for the first and most short-termed payment, and money still flows in. In order to serve this great site a certain small reserve capital would come in handy, I think - all of a sudden there may come unexpected bills, like when we saw the server breakdown recently.
Having said this, I too believe that two yearly drives would be far better than just one in january when the purse is at its slimmest. Therefore I humbly suggest that the "revised" goal of 11.000 is maintained, but that we try to raise another sum of same, or maybe a little less size around mid-year.
Please remember how many fine simming-sites there once existed, and most have "gone west" by now. Thus we should fight to keep this one alive and kickin'
To all of you geniusses who keep CFS-2 alive: I love you!
Finn
 
Ickie ,

After waying my financial position , I,ve decided
on a patriotic unselfish contribution , to your cause .
Just so that your aware of the ultimate sacrifice ,
and hardship this donation has in curred ,
It cost a six month supply of propolactics that would
have been rendered at the exclusive halls of the
Beaver Palace ,
Irregardless , I promise to scout through the majestic
mountains ,and push on to the naked valley , between
the hump back ridges , With out my shield ,
There fore if unintended circumstances ,arise beyound
the natural instincts of man , I will hold up
my clenched left fist and proclaim one for the
Gipper !! and I,ll name it after You !!

Your Honurable Servant
Sarg Willy
 
SW...........

...........as long as it is not a..."charge into the valley of death". I will go no further on that, just use your imagination.:very_drunk::monkies:
 
SOH is a great site which plays a big part in keeping CFS2 alive and interesting, even after so many years!

In my opinion, everyone who downloads stuff from here should give a contribution to keep it alive (if the personal situation permits such an expense, of course).

Thanks to Ickie & team for all the work!
 
Reply...

Kelti and others,

I'll be making another donation at the beginning of February. We'll get there...let's just keep the fire going. :redfire:
 
OK

So will I - AND if you make that second drive in mid-year, I'll be there too (funding permitting) Let's keep this fine site well and alive.
Finn
 
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