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[dkst0426]

PLEASE HELP OUT! 
Ok, so this board's title is Christian Downloads Help. I'm going to take a slightly different angle on that--we're probably used to a lot of people asking for help here, but right now, I'd like to turn things around a bit and asked you for help.

So here's the deal:

Many of you may have noticed some lag issues or the site even failing to load properly or even at all. I raised the issue in this thread, and was asked to PM the Admins with more details about it from my side of the fence.

Well, I did, and here's the thing now: it's come to my attention via communication with a couple of the Admins that (1) the lag issue and general difficulty the server has with keeping up with the amount of traffic on this site is a very real problem indeed; (2) it's really a quite easy fix; and (3) if we all don't do something to help out soon, these issues are only going to get worse.

I'm not going to share the details of the correspondence I've had, simply because I respect private communication. What I am going to share is some numbers.

We have a board membership of over 33,000 members. If every single one of those members chipped in with just $1 per person, the site Admin in charge of hosting the site would be able to purchase a new server to handle the added traffic and the amount raised would easily cover a few years of site maintenance.

But I understand that not everyone's active. In general, I've noticed that internet message boards have between 5%-10% of its membership that would qualify as "active" member (logging in once or more daily). So, that percentage of 33,000 would be between 1600+ to almost 3500 members.

You see, there is not only the initial setup cost for equipment, but also the monthly cost of keeping the site up and running. You tired of seeing the slow page loads or even the Site Unavailable messages? So am I. Time to do something about it.

Folks, all it takes is a couple of dollars from each of us to help iron out some of the site stability issues and ensure that we get to view this site when we want to, for however long we want to, and have it load as quickly as we'd like.

A couple of dollars. That's all. Literally. And of course, if you'd like to give more, then by all means!

I have nothing to gain by coming forward and putting forth this request. I'm not a site staffer, nor am I much of a downloader. I just like some of the topic up for discussion.

It'd be nice if I could say that site maintenance would take care of itself, and we're just a Christian community so let's operate on faith that the money will show up somehow. I'm not that naive. I assume that we all enjoy this site, and would hate to see it crash from the server load. Sound too drastic? Well, the reality of the situation is that it can (and will) happen. If I recall correctly, it already HAS happened before, though I'm not sure if it was due to financial reasons--but that possibility is there.

So let's not take CDL for granted. It's not asking for a lot. Give as much as you want, give as little as you want, give whatever you think is appropriate. The site needs our help to keep being the site that we enjoy.

Donate Here

Remember, this site isn't run for free, and the folks who do run it aren't getting paid and have lives of their own. What we have currently is a huge act of generosity. Let's try to give back a bit. Put the "Christian" back in "Christian Downloads," if you will. 

P.S. We have a pretty young membership, and not many of them will have a PayPal account, so I'll leave it to an Admin to suggest how they can help. They could ask their parents to use their account if they have one, I guess. My personal suggestion is for those without PayPal accounts who can't otherwise obtain one to contact one particular Admin (you guys decide whom) whom they can PM and then mail cash or a check to.

PLEASE HELP OUT! 

Donate Here

[Autumn Wind]

I'll wish to help but my paypal account is still under 'limited access'. Ahaha...have to wait till they remove the limitation.

I'll donate some once it's done...

Btw dkst, good post!

[Colton]

Awhile back when they asked for some change I know I pitched in some, but I will be happy to do it again. Once my check comes through ill give some money!

[Vasahond]

Yeah -- I'm definitely going to help out. Actually; I think that it's safe to say that part of my tithe should go towards this community as it has been my conviction that this is my church where I do have fellowship with my friends in Christ. Besides, I get a lot of my spiritual food from this community, and it has led me to being a better Christian. I can pledge $15 per week.

[LetMyScreamsAttractYouAll]

Done abit for now, when I have more I will
Blessings guys from Australia

[dj91]

I would have donated much more than a dollar to CDL, but unfortunately i do not own a credit card, and i don't think my parents would allow me to donate money to this site for personal reasons. If i could I would do mail cash but I live in Australia and I'm not sure how that works.

Really sorry guys, I know if anyone should do it it should be me. 

[butrick]

I would have donated much more than a dollar to CDL, but unfortunately i do not own a credit card, and i don't think my parents would allow me to donate money to this site for personal reasons. If i could I would do mail cash but I live in Australia and I'm not sure how that works.

Really sorry guys, I know if anyone should do it it should be me. 

believe it or not i am in the EXACT same position. i don't have a credit card, my dad wouldn't let me donate to any site really, and i live in Australia and don't think it's too safe to send cash in the mail anyway.

[maluze]

I was gonna ask the same question as to why these forums have been slow lately. Could cloud computing (ie, Amazon) be cheaper than local data servers? Just a thought.

I really would donate via PayPal if I had a job currently, but alas I do not. I suspect that to be the case for a large majority of members here.

[Hated4Christ]

$33,000 could do a whole lot - like by new rims for my caddie and a slimline laptops in add to server cost. Maybe just try new host or at least show options before some ask to give that sort of money? Full operating cost - not for profit.

[Vasahond]

On the other side of things... Imagine what $33,000 could do for CDL; and I can tell you right now that the gentlemen that run this site are only looking to make sure it progresses; not to profit from it. $33,000 could mean some serious potential for CDL; whether that's additions, upgrades, or better upload / download.

[dkst0426]

$33,000 could do a whole lot - like by new rims for my caddie and a slimline laptops in add to server cost. Maybe just try new host or at least show options before some ask to give that sort of money? Full operating cost - not for profit.

I'm trying really really hard to not take that question the wrong way, and I'll attempt a rational reply:

As I shared above, I'm not about to get into the details of the communication I had with the Admins. That's between them and me, and I'm sure you are certainly free to ask them the above yourself--it almost seems misleading to ask a couple of things that almost make it seem like they hadn't already looked into those options. That may not be your intention, but that's how it appears.

Likewise, if an Admin reads this and feels compelled to share the information that was shared with me, then they certainly can (and I hope they will). In fact, I was given permission to quote the Admin who replied to me, and I did think about it, but decided against it.

Current facts:

A lot of hits - numbering in the millions.
The server load created by those hits is pushing existing servers to the limit.
Cost of maintaining site - currently undertaken by a couple of dedicated individuals.
Donations - very scant.

Re. the comment about $33000, please re-read what I originally said:

We have a board membership of over 33,000 members. If every single one of those members chipped in with just $1 per person, the site Admin in charge of hosting the site would be able to purchase a new server to handle the added traffic and the amount raised would easily cover a few years of site maintenance.

But I understand that not everyone's active. In general, I've noticed that internet message boards have between 5%-10% of its membership that would qualify as "active" member (logging in once or more daily). So, that percentage of 33,000 would be between 1600+ to almost 3500 members.

Nowhere did I at any point say that $33000 should be the goal, so I feel that the following:

Maybe just try new host or at least show options before some ask to give that sort of money? Full operating cost - not for profit.

was an unfair comment, simply because nobody asked "to give that sort of money."

If anyone thinks people are helping to put this site up and run it for profit, try this on for size: there's initial setup costs (purchasing equipment), monthly costs (power bill, webhosting cost, ISP cost), and extra costs as they arise (e.g. the need for upgrades, which is the point we're at now).

How much did you all pay to join this site and participate in what it has to offer? What's that? Nothing. That's how much I paid too!

So we get all that, and then there's the investment of time needed (as far as I know, none of the CDL staff does solely this for a living) by the ones dedicated to keeping this going.

And about "try new host or at least show options"..........if I may ask, could you please be a bit more proactive and (1) suggesting some other hosts to look into, and (2) suggesting some other options? Maybe the Admins really are in fact that negligent and haven't been looking into other options, and so folks offering such suggestions would be a bit more helpful than possibly insulting one's intelligence and saying "Uhh, hey, have you tried looking into other options?"

Perchance, has the thought crossed your mind that perhaps the option that has in fact been mentioned to me and the one that I hinted at is in fact the most feasible option after due diligence and research by the Admins?

It's very easy to sit back and take things for granted on this site. Honestly? We should be ashamed of ourselves if the integrity of the staffers when it comes to site maintenance is ever called into question, particularly since (a) it's a call for donations, not a straight-up fee being charged, and (b) there is no membership fee to join here at all.

[Hated4Christ]

List total site operating expense so that members know down to penny where money is going - just like anyt church - FULL DISCLOSURE. Take that in way you want. 


Edit: I juist see this

there is no membership fee to join here at all.

Should there be cost invovle to debate the word of God and learn about our lord savior Jesus Christ?

In my opinion  site should list if they are for profit or not and all server cost and operation expense like many Christian website do. A petition for money with no accountablity is no good. See Benny Hinn. Also, I no talking to you dkst specific but to any an all who see this. Integrity = accountability to peers

TY

[ai3gtmc]

aww I really want to help but I don't have money on my PP anymore.    Why not try some online money making things? That's how I get my money lol.. and if you join a site then the members will join under you then you get the money for CDL.. just wondering...

[dkst0426]

List total site operating expense so that members know down to penny where money is going - just like anyt church - FULL DISCLOSURE. Take that in way you want. 

Funny how this has never been a concern for anyone, except now when there's an obvious need and there's been an appeal. What was I saying about taking things for granted previously?

Edit: I juist see this

there is no membership fee to join here at all.

Should there be cost invovle to debate the word of God and learn about our lord savior Jesus Christ?

Do you have a habit of taking comments out of context? Did I suggest having a membership fee or bring up the merits of having one at all?

In my opinion  site should list if they are for profit or not and all server cost and operation expense

Is it really that hard to figure out if this site is run for profit or not?

like many Christian website do.

For example? I mean, I look at a site like Gospelcom.net, probably one of the biggest Christian resource sites around with tons of links and their "Support" page doesn't go into anywhere near as much detail as you're proposing. So I'm curious: what are some of these many Christian sites you're referring to?

[Hated4Christ]

My request is no unresonable - it is HONESTY?? I don't see why you fight Disclosure of donation funds.
Why hide it?

So you saying that this is a FOR PROFIT christian site? Which mean that they try to make money for service offered? I curious about this now. I no like Benny Hinn and how he try and hide how much money he make from his followers.

TY

[dkst0426]

So you saying that this is a FOR PROFIT christian site? Which mean that they try to make money for service offered? I curious about this now. I no like Benny Hinn and how he try and hide how much money he make from his followers.

That's the third time now you have completely misread what I've said and/or taken what I've said just about completely out of context. It's getting tiresome, really. Absolutely out of line, but maybe it's just me. 

1. Where did I say $33,000 should be the donation goal?
2. Where did I suggest a membership fee be added for CDL?
3. Where did I say this is a "for profit site"?

Please don't beat around the bush - all I'm asking for is simple answers to the three questions above. If you can't provide anything specific and explicit, I'd like to ask that you please kindly retract your statements. Oh, and PM me that response, please, because I'm quite tired of responding to these posts that have pretty much distracted from the purpose of the thread to begin with.

Awaiting your response......

[Hated4Christ]

Do not dodge question please is this a FOR PROFIT website?

[dkst0426]

Do not dodge question please is this a FOR PROFIT website?

Don't dodge the question: what are some examples of these Christian websites that you claimed offer full disclosure?

[Hated4Christ]

LOL 

[Hated4Christ]

aww I really want to help but I don't have money on my PP anymore.    Why not try some online money making things? That's how I get my money lol.. and if you join a site then the members will join under you then you get the money for CDL.. just wondering...

What about this? Free webhosting sound good?

[chicago72]

I think a donate button on the main page is appropriate the kind torentcrestin uses http://www.torentcrestin.net/login.php?returnto=%2Fbrowse.php%3Fbrowse_categories%26category%3D208

Grace alone,

flavio

[dkst0426]

Why not try some online money making things? That's how I get my money lol.. and if you join a site then the members will join under you then you get the money for CDL.. just wondering...

What about this? Free webhosting sound good?

I've used free webhosting for sites before. Looking beyond the issue of ads for a moment, there's also the issue of the content of the ads, which the staff won't have much control over. That's what I'd be primarily concerned about.

Also, having used free webhosts before, they really don't offer much more in terms of stability. To me, at least part of idea of paying for a webhosting service is so that you know that you don't have to worry about ads and that you'll have a stable site (depending on traffic, which once again, is why we're at this point here on CDL).

I'm also surprised that you'd find that option a viable one, given your concerns about financial transparency and disclosure. After all, what guarantee do CDL's owners have that anyone who signs up for these schemes would (a) designate their monies raised for CDL and (b) not be profiting somehow themselves?

[dkst0426]

I think a donate button on the main page is appropriate the kind torentcrestin uses http://www.torentcrestin.net/login.php?returnto=%2Fbrowse.php%3Fbrowse_categories%26category%3D208

Maybe you're using a different site skin, and maybe that skin doesn't have the following, but:

[Hated4Christ]

Why not try some online money making things? That's how I get my money lol.. and if you join a site then the members will join under you then you get the money for CDL.. just wondering...

What about this? Free webhosting sound good?

I've used free webhosting for sites before. Looking beyond the issue of ads for a moment, there's also the issue of the content of the ads, which the staff won't have much control over. That's what I'd be primarily concerned about.

Also, having used free webhosts before, they really don't offer much more in terms of stability. To me, at least part of idea of paying for a webhosting service is so that you know that you don't have to worry about ads and that you'll have a stable site (depending on traffic, which once again, is why we're at this point here on CDL).

I'm also surprised that you'd find that option a viable one, given your concerns about financial transparency and disclosure. After all, what guarantee do CDL's owners have that anyone who signs up for these schemes would (a) designate their monies raised for CDL and (b) not be profiting somehow themselves?

I don't know what ads they have it was suggestion based on trying to solve lag problem. If this site is not for profit i think laws for disclosure are differnt than if the site is company. The idea is that this is a Christian Website and supports, endoreses, the Holy scripture and professes divinity of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. These are moral issue that need to be address and not swept or hidden. If this site is FOR PROFIT that is fine if this site is NOT FOR PROFIT that is better as most site i know are not for profit. maybe instead of mess up this thread we should start another? '

Many ministry have been accuse of hiding mony or not disclosing donation I think this could be bad in number of ways becasue it give people who profess subservient to Jesus Christ and who determinw what is and what is not good bible doctrine ability to not be accountable for good stewardship with money simply by not addressing disclosure and why it is good or not good and why it for profit or not for profit.

I have no problem with people suppoort this site it is a good site and I read alot of thread here and see differnt ideas about bible that make me think more about God. I no feel right though about soliciting fund in the name of God and not have accountability for where fund go and how they are spent down to penny for all money received and money spent.

sorry maybe its just me.

TY 

[dkst0426]

**sigh**

Ok, this is the last time I'm saying this. First of all, I really don't appreciate your need to put the profit issue in bold. I don't know how long you've been around on this site, but if you've been around for a while, you'll surely have noticed the lag and stability issues. You really can't miss it. That being the case, it should be pretty obvious as to whether or not this is a for-profit site. I would've thought the answer to that question would be GLARINGLY obvious, but evidently it's just me.

I know the answer for a fact, but I've already shared my reasons for why I'm not divulging the information I have from PMs. That's based out of a simple respect for the idea behind private communication. Might I suggest you attempt the same thing with the Admins, rather than keep airing your skepticism like this? Seeking accountability is one thing, and I've already encouraged you to seek it out yourself on a personal basis.

Instead, you've taken statements out of context, and accused people of dodging questions you've raised when you have done the exact same thing. And you want to get on a soapbox and talk to us about being above reproach?

If you don't feel right about donating without the information you seek, then (a) ask the appropriate people for that information, and (b) if you don't like the response, then don't donate. That is entirely your prerogative. It's EVERYBODY's prerogative on this site.