Does the Forum Still Need Individual Donations?

[chitownjazz]

I assume the answer is yes, but I'm curious. I assume Harri doesn't want to release financial details, but I wonder what percent of expenses are covered by ad income from Kessler, Mauriat, and MusicMedic or other non-donation sources.

I'm curious because it seems things have been quiet on the donation front lately. Not too much activity in the "donate a mouthpiece thread" anyway.

[AhCheung]

Yes it would be interesting to know!
(but in my personal case an individual donation is not necessarily connected to the knowledge of the intrinsic financing of the Forum, I must have something decent and of interest to others to donate).

One problem is that there are two donation threads and I feel the location of the mouthpiece donation thread is not as propitious as the other one, right by the Marketplace (so if I post another mpc to donate it will be there).

I believe there still are a bunch of mpcs waiting for donors to show interest (cf. DRoach and others) at the moment in the mpc donation thread under "announcements"...

[Fred]

I like being a contributor regardless - it gives me a sense that I'm contributing to something worthwhile. If Harri starts rolling in dough, he can spring for a night on the town for the Moderators.

[DanCraven]

I was happy to donate a small amount just for the pleasure of being involved with this community, whether it was needed or not. Kind of a self imposed membership fee for a service I wouldn't expect to use for free.

I don't mind the ads at all, as I'm sure they create necessary revenue. Harri doesn't appear to be exploiting the advertising potential, by any means. I wouldn't argue if they changed around once in a while - I've memorized the look of the 55JX from that angle, and I no longer wonder what pads to choose, ever (...i promise!) I personally think the experience on the site would be better if ads were not animated, but then they wouldn't draw my attention time after time.

[Martin Williams]

If Harri decided that donations weren't necesarry, I am ALWAYS accepting! lol

I have ads blocked by my browser, makes for a less cluttered and quicker loading SOTW. Easier to read. I can't afford anything advertised anyway!

[Harri Rautiainen]

I assume the answer is yes, but I'm curious. I assume Harri doesn't want to release financial details, but I wonder what percent of expenses are covered by ad income from Kessler, Mauriat, and MusicMedic or other non-donation sources.

I'm curious because it seems things have been quiet on the donation front lately. Not too much activity in the "donate a mouthpiece thread" anyway.I haven't got the breakdown figured right down myself either.
Generally speaking SOTW is in good shape. Our banner ad supporters play an important role in that. Also, January 2008 was a very good month for donations. I guess some people waited over the new year to get the "Forum Contributor 2008" user title. What is even more delighting to see the past contributors donating on yearly basis and even more frequently.

Some of the professional sellers on the Marketplace pay their "tithes", but more of them are enjoying a free ride. I am setting Phil Barone as a positive example of a seller remembering to pay his dues. Certainly Kessler, MusicMedic.com and P. Mauriat are SOTW's supporters, too.

The original financial goal for SOTW was to cover all direct costs associated with running the site. Recently I have been able to cover secondary costs, too. E.g. the main use of my home computer is to do with running of this site.

Yes, I have to give more visibility to the "donate a mouthpiece thread". DaveR has donated so many that I haven't got the number on my fingertips right now. For this and more because his other merits he is one of the Featured SOTW Members of the Month (http://forum.saxontheweb.net/memberindex.php) for March 2008. The other two are abadcliche and Martin Williams. (More of this process later.)

Yes, we have still several "Forum Contributor 2008 (http://forum.saxontheweb.net/memberindex.php?do=usergrouplisting&groupid=36)" user titles available. :)
Click the link in the signature below, thank you,

[gary]

I would like to add that, even if corporate sponsors are covering the costs, there's nevertheless something ethical to me to about still contributing financially for the amount of information and comraderie that comes my way without my having to do anything more than just sit here and log in.

[abadcliche]

Agreed. This forum has played an irreplaceable part in making me a saxophone technician. Even if the financial stuff is doing well now, donating anyways can just make it better.

Whoa, just saw the featured member thing. Thanks!

[Martin Williams]

Whoa, just saw the featured member thing. Thanks!

Same here!

This forum is an incredible source for all sorts of info, and not just sax related. I'm glad the supporters do what they do, even if the adds get tiring sometimes.

[Gandalfe]

Even in making a decent donation each year, I cannot repay this forum for the experience I've gained, jobs I've gotten in part because of time here, and friends I've made. This forum is my primary example of a successful online resource for musicians of all types, caliber, and country. 8-)