Edit: Thank you for all your help!

[Holger]

donated

 

[JohnRoberts]

As usual thank you Ethan for this remarkable forum.

JR

 

[Seeker]

I’m wondering if it would be possible, and better support the forum if the ads we see were targeted at our niche interest....  as of writing this I saw an ad for wireless earphones, not too far off, but many I see appear quite random....  anyway, just a thought.  Thank you Ethan!

 

[Rob Flinn]

Done

 

[hodad]

Just a thought:  Tapeop's messageboard has ads that defy the ad blockers.  Of course, they're all ads for audio gear--and isn't that a good thing?  I think far more annoying than ads is the invasive nature of advertising generators (there must be a real name for them), as well as some of the rather bizarre choices they make about what ads might appeal to us.  (certainly some strange ones have popped up here when I've not had ad blockers on.) 

It seems like something similar to what tapeop does could be done here, though it might be too much time and effort to pursue.

Anyhow, that's my 40% of a nickel.  Off to donate.

 

[JohnRoberts]

I’m wondering if it would be possible, and better support the forum if the ads we see were targeted at our niche interest....  as of writing this I saw an ad for wireless earphones, not too far off, but many I see appear quite random....  anyway, just a thought.  Thank you Ethan!

Most of those ads are pushed based on context of nearby content...

Back when I was deleting russian porn spam every night, the context based ad generators wanted to know if I would like a russian girlfriend.  :

JR

 

[Fuzz Face]

I’m wondering if it would be possible, and better support the forum if the ads we see were targeted at our niche interest....  as of writing this I saw an ad for wireless earphones, not too far off, but many I see appear quite random....  anyway, just a thought.  Thank you Ethan!

I often get ads for mouser and recording schools. As you say they are sometimes related but quite random


I donated a little bit yesterday and would happily continue to do so for this site whenever needed. I love the info and people here and I’m really grateful for it all. Thanks Ethan and everybody here

 

[Phrazemaster]

Donated.

I think once a year we should just all give a few bucks. Like an annual fundraiser.

Maybe we could even do away with the ads then if enough came in.

Thanks Ethan et al. I’m really grateful for everyone’s support and friendship.

Mike

 

[Ricardus]

Since I got back into DIY pretty hardcore last year this forum has been invaluable. I would happily donate more frequently if there were fundraisers.

 

[Phrazemaster]

How about make it a membership site? $1/month. Would keep our the spammers too...

 

[boji]

Thanks for keeping the site going Ethan. Donate button deserves a spot in the header as well as the footer, imho.

 

[mjrippe]

How about make it a membership site? $1/month. Would keep our the spammers too...

Membership makes it a club which makes it a business.  I do not think that a yearly "please donate" post  would bother anyone and I admit that it reminded me to hit the yellow button.

 

[ruffrecords]

I have a bunch of tubes I have been meaning to sell. Happy to donate the proceeds to the group. I will place them first in the black market.

Cheers

Ian

 

[12afael]

Donated.  We should have a GroupDIY day or something to remember us to donate and keep this fantastic community.

 

[Phrazemaster]

Donated.  We should have a GroupDIY day or something to remember us to donate and keep this fantastic community.

+1!

 

[JohnRoberts]

There is a donate button on the bottom of this page, perhaps it should be at the top?

We dodged the bullet this time, but Ethan can use more regular support. Perhaps a commission for stuff sold in the BM, etc.

Thank you Ethan as usual.

JR

 

[Phrazemaster]

Perhaps a commission for stuff sold in the BM, etc.

I think that would be a non-starter. People pay many different ways in the BM - there would be no easy way to harvest the commission other than asking them to donate after a sale. That’s awkward and not smooth.

If we aren’t going to make this a paid membership site - and I think $1/month is more than fair and would also weed out the scammers - then having an annual donate day as suggested would be the next best thing.

 

[JohnRoberts]

I don't pretend to speak for Ethan, he apparently chose to make this forum a free resource. I am not aware of many (any?) subscription fee based forums.

My suggestion about BM users contributing a commission would be completely optional (perhaps with a donate button in a sticky there). 

WM fees are not optional, but BM is still free and I do not suggest changing that...

Lets not fix it if it isn' broken, but we can keep this forum front of mind when we see the endless stream of money raising charity TV ads this holiday season.

JR

 

[hodad]

There is a donate button on the bottom of this page, perhaps it should be at the top?

I like this idea.  I often don't scroll far enough down the page to see the donate button. 

 

[rackmonkey]

I set up an automatic monthly donation via PayPal. Quick and easy.  Consider doing the same if you have the resources.