flamingdog

Sorry if should be in another thread, but I didn't want to risk it getting lost.

Wouldn't it make sense to only make the 'donor' thing on a person's user info last a certain amount of time. Say, three months. Then it goes back to saying nothing.

I think those of us who have donated can sometimes feel a certain moral highground (that's not quite what i mean, but I can't think of the word) beacuse we have donated.

I think people who have donated once might be more willing to donate again if you take away the 'donor' label.

On the other hand, I'm in a tricky position because I'm outside the US, and can't easily donate online... I'm not great at organising things like sending cheques.

I don't want to see TFP go, or change. This is the best web forum I've ever been on, full stop, and I want to do everything I can to keep it going.

Liquor Dealer

The main thing is that everyone needs to help - it's wouldn't take a lot if everyone would pay something occasionally. Your idea might be good though...like every 3-4 months take it off if you hadn't paid, but it would take a lot of bookeeping and still wouldn't insure that everyone paid their share.

Mephisto2

I don't think that's a great idea. Seems kinda... petty or something.

I simply suggest that paying users get access to more forums.

Alternatively, introduce "levels" of donors

>$50 = Bronze donor
$50+ = Silver donor
$100+ = Gold donor
$200+ = Platinum donor

There's plenty of image concious people out there, with spare money, who would at least try to climb the donor ladder. I know I would.

Mr Mephisto

PS - I'm aware of the irony of me commenting negatively about donating when I have not done so myself; anyone caring to suggest how a non-US member could do so (without sending cash or cheques overseas), please feel free to do so.

feelgood

I would think that's a little insulting if you removed the "donor" remark under the user name. I'm lookin in donating some monie to Halx, maybe after Jan once I'm back in the books after paying for college fees. I wonder if he'll accept money order though...

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Liquor Dealer

Suerly even on the dark continent - no wait! thats the other "A" one.isn't it? ..... Money Order! Wire transfer! Or if all else fails, Yahoo PayDirect!

santafe5000

Even sending cash in your own countries type of currency shouldn't cause any problems. My Bank of America small branch office converts my foreign currency back to $US when i take in the small amounts i have left over from trips overseas. I would think any major bank could do it. Personaly, I like the way Yahoo paydirect, works, fast and simple.

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quadro2000

No sir, I don't like it.

Let's say I don't have any money to donate. But I really want to donate. So I scrimp and I save and I put away, and finally, after a few months of saving, I have enough money (say, $50 or $100) to donate to TFP. I donate, knowing full well that I won't be able to do so for at least another six months to a year.

If after three months - hell, after six months - my tag goes away because I haven't donated recently - I feel like I'm no longer important just because I can't donate on a regular basis.

What if I donate $1000 in one sitting? Should my tag still go away in three months?

It's great if people can donate a few times. But in my mind, once a donor, always a donor. I think it's great, though, that you're thinking of ways to try and improve TFP and increase donations, don't get me wrong.

I think Mr. Mephisto's idea of donor levels is a good one.

I also think we need a Donor FAQ. The same questions get asked repeatedly. (How do I donate if I'm overseas? Why can't we use PayPal? How soon after I donate will my tag get updated?)

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Mephisto2

Yahoo PayDirect does not support non-US based credit cards. And to think there's a whole world out there, beyond the US East & West coasts.

Who would have thunk it?

Mr Mephisto

OFKU0

I can see where you are coming from but in my opinion there are far to many forums as it is. But the good side to that is I can go away for 3 days,check into general discussion and see that virtually nothing has changed.

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flamingdog

Okay, forget it then.