Donations, my personal view

[1959nikos]

I was thinking a long time now of opening a thread like this.
In fact I repeatedly asked Bryan and Paul if I should and their reply was always that I didnt have to, but Im doing it anyway.

Ill get straight to the point.
SR4L needs every month about 50 euros for expenses, that is cost of rent for servers and site.
Donations went good most of the time, but lately they are lacking.
That means that the cost must come out of Bryan and Paul's pockets.

This means that Bryan and Paul are literally paying for our fun here.
I object to this, I believe that admins are offering their personal work to have this site running, I think thats more than enough they should contribute, this place should sustain itself financially.

We are more than 15 people regulars here for almost three years running, I beleive we have all decided that this is our place, so we have to support it.
If you take it down to numbers, if we all regularly paid 3 euros per month, SR4L would have no financial problem whatsoever.
Think of it guys, its just the price for a couple of Cokes per month, and that covers our hobby's expenses.

I think contributing regularly such a small amount will do better good than having one or two guys donating big sums, I feel that this situation is not fair to these donators and I again feel somebody else is paying for my fun and I dont like this at all.

Please dont take the above the wrong way gents, yes its not polite to talk about somebody else's pocket, but I think what I am proposing is not a big burden to all us here.

[Hedlund]

I totally agree with you Nikos. And I feel a little ashamed that I haven't donated in a long time now. Last season I tried to donate 5-10 euros every - or every next - month. This season however, I've forgot about it. I honestly don't feel the same way about the league anymore. Personal reasons, but also: we have lost Marcel who did a great job and now Paul barely have time. It took a long time before this season was announced, and some races were announced very late - and missing on isiforums (where we find new drivers), now we are usually ~15 drivers while last season we were 20+ almost every race. No fun races anymore. Some race results are still missing (one of the Brianza races), and of course the two last races (yeah I know Paul will fix this asap), and points are not counted exactly as they are supposed to (we're not supposed to have 'most laps on lead' bonus).

I'm absolutely not blaming anyone for this, definitely not Paul. We just need someone who has more time to help.

This is no excuse not to donate however, as the server costs are still the same as before and we're still here racing, it's just a possible explanation. The interest for the league is not the same anymore? But I really enjoy racing with you guys. I hope sr4l survives.

Btw, regarding the race results and standings, I can do them manually instead if you guys want to. http://www.simracers4life.com/index.php?topic=967.0
After each event, we could post race results and standings in the news section so it was visible on the home page. Maybe a pic or two from the race? I could help with this.

Anyway...yes, we should donate more often. Sorry for 'off topic'. Have a nice day

[1959nikos]

I honestly don't feel the same way about the league anymore. Personal reasons, but also: we have lost Marcel who did a great job and now Paul barely have time. It took a long time before this season was announced, and some races were announced very late - and missing on isiforums (where we find new drivers), now we are usually ~15 drivers while last season we were 20+ almost every race. No fun races anymore. Some race results are still missing (one of the Brianza races), and of course the two last races (yeah I know Paul will fix this asap), and points are not counted exactly as they are supposed to (we're not supposed to have 'most laps on lead' bonus).

Though we all agree we are having a hard time without Bryan and Marcel around, I think we are doing much better than we thought we would.
Yes, we lost some drivers but we do keep getting new ones all the time.
Attendance at races certainly is not better but it isnt so bad, we lost no more than 20%.

At the same time we have established a honest league that has the respect of RF2 community.
Everytime there is talk about SR4L at ISI forum, all say we are a place where they find pleasant people and clean racing, and I feel very proud I belong here.

Functionality problems (late announcements, lack sometimes of results) should be looked upon with tongue in cheek IMHO.
After all this is a fun league, we are all kids having fun here, not proffesionals building our career.

One point I would like to make, and I believe strongly of that, is that SR4L is its members and its upon them to make sure this place continues or not.
If we feel we are having a good time here, we must support the place constantly, with its ups or downs, for better or worse.

btw, thanks for offer you taking over results, Im sure you will do a great job, lets hope Paul takes the decision to part with his XMLs

[gorgias1976]

I agree in all you say Nikos.

Even though I'm not taking part in many races I keep being part of this family.
If there's any help I can bring I'll be glad to. Server settting, maintenance, admin....
The BT20 league is about to finish, I've got my ideas about what to do next, but that's another chat we all should be starting, maybe I'll post a new thread later.

[1959nikos]

Please do Gorka.

[Paul Swire]

Well I'm overwhelmed with the love. Very kind words from all. I just wish I could devote more of my time for you.

Going forward we will share some of the duties to make things run smoother

[jerry 33]

ok, I just anti in for the first half of the year, using Nikos caluclations.. it should be about $22.00 U.S. dollars, so I am a big spender I put in $25.

I am not saying this for the guys who do contribute (to them I say THANK YOU) I am stating this as a reminder for the New guys and for those that need a nudge, that as Nikos says above - to keep this site and our racing going it is up to everyone of us.

as my mother would always say - Just to say........

[1959nikos]

Thats the spirit Jerry though I think smaller donations are better.

Small constant donations gentlement please, so we keep this place alive.

[argl]

Well then, is there a donation link somewhere? I could not find one (most probably my stupidity)

andi

[jerry 33]

it's on the home page Andi, right under the Shoutbox...

[Fergy]

I suppose you need to hear a little more about me and what happened to the input I had here.

First of all don't panic, SR4L is quite financial and in good shape in that respect. The the payments are made each month and come directly out of my account. Every three months I reimburse myself from PayPal to cover the expense.

Over two years ago Paul and I made some decisions that made SR4L operate as a package very smooth. We both offered something different, I more dealt with members problems and questions while Paul with this web skills pieced it all together. When I made the move back to Australia things changed dramatically for me. Those who no my personal situation will understand, enough said.

I hope to be in a better position later this year as I really miss SR4L, fingers crossed.

Donations are great and keep this site up and running. Big or small they are all important and it places SR4L in a great position in the future. Lets hope bigger things are to come with many options.

In the meantime the best thing we can do is promote the site and encourage new members to get involved to build those great race grids we were well known for.

Cheers for now,
Fergy.

[argl]

it's on the home page Andi, right under the Shoutbox...

Thanks, I was right then, its my stupidity.

[argl]

Donation done.

[jerry 33]

Thank You Andi -

[1959nikos]

Lately donations are droping back a lot, come on generous guys, dont have to be much, better small by few.

As for my part, recent situation in my country has completely frozen PayPal transactions. No money are allowed to leave the country.

[ricikrick]

you can count on my £5.....8euro ish every other month
think that's a bargain for so much fun
1 euro per week.....15 cents per day
i think we can all manage that

get them donations in guys and girls

[Petrolhead]

I contributed, well I think I did, so checked to see if my name was mentioned

It was after Mr Fox, can someone check they got the contributiuon please, thanks