Yes, it's that time of year again when we need to pay for another year's rental on the server! I've always held that this forum is owned by the people who contribute to it, and the only reason we are still up and running (the server has been running continuously for 297 days) is because of our members who generously donate their hard earned cash, as well as those who generate discussion with their posts.
Since this time last year, our members have created 2,900 new threads, and have written a staggering 60,382 posts. It is with this dedication in mind that the staff humbly ask for donations to cover the cost of the server (and various other expenses, such as domain registration) for a year.
I am currently unsure as to whether the 20% discount we got last year is still in place, and so for now I am assuming it is not. This means that I am setting the donation target at $700 USD. The cost of renting the server for a year is set at $662 (this may change depending on whether our discount is still in effect), and the additional $38 is for domain registration and other expenses we may incur within the next year.
So, what are your incentives to donate? Well, there is always the lovely feeling you get when helping a community you are part of, but in case you need more encouragement, all donators are put into a special group in the forums, where they are allowed a different coloured username (light green). I am also considering adding several "premium" features to the forum (mainly in customisation) this year, which only donators will be able to use. No current features will be removed from non-premium members; any features given to premium members will be completely new.
To keep track of donations, I will be updating the donation bar at the top of the forums daily, and will add a list of members who have donated under it. We need to pay for the server on 30th April 2011, so that gives us just over 2 months to make 0% turn into 100%. To donate, either click the donate button, or go to: http://atheistforums.org/donate.php
If you make a donation and want to be in the donators group, you will need to PM me with the details you used to make the donation (email / name) so I can link the donation to your account on the forums. If you don't do this, I won't be able to add you to the group, and your donation will be listed as "anonymous".
Thanks!
-Atheist Forums Staff
Since this time last year, our members have created 2,900 new threads, and have written a staggering 60,382 posts. It is with this dedication in mind that the staff humbly ask for donations to cover the cost of the server (and various other expenses, such as domain registration) for a year.
I am currently unsure as to whether the 20% discount we got last year is still in place, and so for now I am assuming it is not. This means that I am setting the donation target at $700 USD. The cost of renting the server for a year is set at $662 (this may change depending on whether our discount is still in effect), and the additional $38 is for domain registration and other expenses we may incur within the next year.
So, what are your incentives to donate? Well, there is always the lovely feeling you get when helping a community you are part of, but in case you need more encouragement, all donators are put into a special group in the forums, where they are allowed a different coloured username (light green). I am also considering adding several "premium" features to the forum (mainly in customisation) this year, which only donators will be able to use. No current features will be removed from non-premium members; any features given to premium members will be completely new.
To keep track of donations, I will be updating the donation bar at the top of the forums daily, and will add a list of members who have donated under it. We need to pay for the server on 30th April 2011, so that gives us just over 2 months to make 0% turn into 100%. To donate, either click the donate button, or go to: http://atheistforums.org/donate.php
If you make a donation and want to be in the donators group, you will need to PM me with the details you used to make the donation (email / name) so I can link the donation to your account on the forums. If you don't do this, I won't be able to add you to the group, and your donation will be listed as "anonymous".
Thanks!
-Atheist Forums Staff
Might be a little while considering.
![[Image: mybannerglitter06eee094.gif]](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=i118.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo112%2Fpussinboots_photos%2FBikes%2Fmybannerglitter06eee094.gif)
