Update and TWeb needs your help...

[Dee Dee Warren]

As you most are aware we are in the works of planning a major upgrade to Tweb and said straight from the beginning that this was a thing that was going to take some time, and since that time, the lives of the owners have been pretty crazy but we are still plodding along. To just explain the major issue is that we can't simply make the changes and go on. VB (our forum software) has totally reworked their code meaning that we basically have to a complete rewrite of all the special features very slowly on a test forum (we purchased two VB licenses in order to have the test forum open at times to contributors without violating Jelsoft's policies on VB licensing) - the only other alternative is to upgrade to 3.5 immediately on the real forum and lose all of our special features and be a stock out of the box boring VB board and slowly customize it. We chose not to do it that way so literally a totally reworking of code has to be done.... this is going to take a long time, and I wanted to give you guys the update why.

Also most of you know about the great TWeb downtime when we frantically had to find a new server - which server has more than met our expectations. However in making a decision on what we needed and could afford we found ourselves having to choose between storage space and speed. Since we were bogged so much on the former server, we chose speed, and I think the speed is pretty obvious. However, if you remember several months back TWeb got really buggy all of a sudden and we fixed the problem for the time being. This involved a significant outlay to get the storage we needed. God providentially right before that moved a member to give TWeb a significant gift which allowed us to promptly make that change. Now however with some time going by with the higher server charges than before and the normal attrition rate of subscribers (no one is expected to subscribe forever) we frankly need subscribers or one time contributors.

If you like this forum's philosophy that you don't have to pay to use the shoutbox, or have certain signature lines, or upload pictures etc - please consider a gift, not because of the special privileges you can have over other members, but because we have already given all members those privileges.

The only advantage that contributors receive is access to a very low key area where they can address concerns or chat with the mods and first look previews on new additions to be our reviewers and guinnea pigs. In the coming months there is going to some of that, which is a good reason to subscribe.

We hope to never have to be in the position to have a pay-for-privilege plan - please support the site if you can and it is of use or entertainment to you.

Here are the relevant links

Information on support

and

One time or regular subscription

You know we don't ask often and we hope to always have the lowkey approach that doesn't create classes of members, some who can do some things, and others who can't.

Thank you.

[Dee Dee Warren]

I want to clarify the above. We are not at "bankruptcy" or about to close our doors. The owners have promised to pay whatever is not given as gifts themselves as long as they are able. But before this years changes the site was in a healthier shape - being able to advertise and have a cushion for emergencies. Right now we have stopped our advertising (that is not "essential" but it does help bring in new and diverse members which is what the community is all about) and we are going month to month on the server bill. That is a bit on the edge for us as we are conservative in our planning.

Please do not take my post as a IF YOU DON'T HELP WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE AHHHHHHH! thing. It isn't. But we do need to build back up agaiin where the site was nearly self-supporting not just in server fees but in advertising as well. If all of our diehard users who are able would become a minimum subscriber it would be a done deal. Not all can, I have been there and done that. If you can, even a small one time gift makes us healthier. We are in a position where we maintain the balance of having just enough. The site does not, and is not intended to ever "make money" - our outgo ALWAYS exceeds our income, and that is how a hobby enterprise works. But right now we are down to bare minimums and would like to be able to do more.

If this stirs you to assist, thanks. This is no call for some megabucks champion at all. In fact that is exactly what we do not need as the site needs only just enough, not excess. If anyone decides to become a subscriber at any level, that is what we need. Our budget per month is not in the thousands, it is in the low hundreds without advertising and in the mid hundreds with advertising. A few doing a little helps. Please don't panic, I didn't mean to come across like that. If it were do or die, I would tell you. If when we needed more storage God did not providentially move a member to give what we needed we would have come to you and asked.

But the future does hold for us to try to build a fund for additional server upgrade. The plans we have are big, and there may be a time when one dedicated server will not cut it.

Please do not panic or give under obligation. Here has been my philosophy with things such as this (I am a financial supporter of other theology debate sites because I use their services) - if I use a service, and I have the means, I give a little - it helps pay for those who can't.

I hope I have clarified. It is important to rebuild our health, but we are not shutting down tomorrow if everyone ignores me.

Believe me if we were, I would yell it from the rooftops. We do need some help but it is not terminal.

[Dee Dee Warren]

...ummm but we still would appreciate your subscription

[Sparko]

:ebunny:

[quaist]

I really do want to subscribe, but now I can't, because I don't get any money at the moment from my parents. But I'll get some at christmas, maybe then I'm able to subscribe.

I'm really looking forward to the great update, thanks to everybody who spends lots of his/her sparetime to make this forum even better as it already is! This forum is the best platform I know to talk about religion and personal beliefs. A big "Thanks" to the staff!

[Dee Dee Warren]

Thanks! And have had a member respond (we don't publicize who does or does not - that is up to the member if they mention it). Thank you very much, it is so much appreciated.

[spiritmech]

Okay, okay, okay. I owe you guys a ton. I'm buying stuff in the store.
sm

[JillPole]

So how would a person with no credit cards (other than BestBuy and a bank card that I don't know how to activate) be able to donate money to tweb?

[Sparko]

So how would a person with no credit cards (other than BestBuy and a bank card that I don't know how to activate) be able to donate money to tweb?

I use pay pal. Pay Pal can charge the fee to a credit card, or directly from a checking account.

[mossrose]

So how would a person with no credit cards (other than BestBuy and a bank card that I don't know how to activate) be able to donate money to tweb?

Jill, since I live in Canada, it is easier for me to make a one-time donation. Just a money order sent does the job.

[JillPole]

Jill, since I live in Canada, it is easier for me to make a one-time donation. Just a money order sent does the job.

How would I send a money order?

[Dee Dee Warren]

Jill I am off to bed for the night, shoot me a quick PM and I will get you that information.

[Ryokan]

I feel guilty, but I am broke. Can I make a 1 time donation after Christmas, or are you guys desperate now?

[luv1another]

ryokan I dont believe they are desperate... if I read DDW's posts correctly... I am sure any donation at any time is much appreciated

[Dee Dee Warren]

Hey Ry, luv has got it down. For instance right now, I just paid our server bill, and we do not even have left another month's server bill at this moment but only about 2/3. Now by the time our next bill comes we will have enough to pay it, but to be healthy, we should have at a minimum two months server fees in reserve and be able to advertise. This means we are about $300 short in reserves, and I am not really sure how much in regular contributors.