Significant News

[WishfulSpirit]

I have very little time or money to help out, but I do know how to put funding campaigns together. Maybe we could set up some kind of donation system for people who post regularly who want to help out with costs? I'm sure one of the mods (or several) might be willing to help with admin.

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

I don't know about others; but it does feel like activity is lower than it was in the past. Could just be shifting preferences, especially as Message board activity shifts to other places like FB and Reddits.

I think that's what Raps was getting at. Someone new could overhaul the design, cull some of the lesser used forums, do a little more to get the word out about us, redesign the homepage, etc, etc.

I would be MORE than happy to donate to a gofundme or other effort to keep this place going. $150/month is a bit rich for me but I could definitely contribute financially as well as time. Please, anyone and everyone, consider me available to assist with any efforts to carry this place forward.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Would you use the same name? I don't really comment there, but I read it every day. I'll look for ya'.

I dunno. Maybe something different. I have a few ideas <_>

[Jetfire]

BTW, is anyone else a little bit confused by this statement?

I personally am quite happy with the site the way it is right now, not sure what anyone else thinks.

I don't know about others; but it does feel like activity is lower than it was in the past. Could just be shifting preferences, especially as Message board activity shifts to other places like FB and Reddits.

I would hope that if someone does keep the site going, that board software upgrades would be in the works. Another board I know upgraded and is using modern Xenofora software which feels really nice and flexible nowadays.

[MoonCat]

BTW, is anyone else a little bit confused by this statement?

someone who can develop the place and make it live again.

I personally am quite happy with the site the way it is right now, not sure what anyone else thinks.

[Mental_Mouse]

As a fairly new arrival, I'd be sad to see the site go away -- at this point, it's well-known and long-standing enough to qualify as part of the history of the Internet. And it includes quite a bit of useful advice and examples for dealing with SCs, so it's something of a public resource to boot.

Unfortunately, I haven't a hope of being able to buy it out myself, but I hope you'd at least consider selling the site in toto to some group that would maintain it. Two thoughts occur to me in this vein:
(1) Perhaps collective contributions (Kickstarter/Patreon?) would let you set up a foundation or trust for it, with subscriptions to cover the ongoing costs.
(2) Alternatively, one of the other existing sites, such as "Not Always Right", might be willing to buy you out.
(3) Someone upthread did say they had the money to do it; I'll note for them that if some of the existing staff come along, the funder doesn't actually need to be a major techie -- just competent enough to be capable of holding the reins, and willing to de-wheel an admin if they get badly out of line.

I also don't have a Facebook account, and really would rather not have one for all sorts of reasons.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I've been thinking of commenting on the Retail comic strip. I may just do that.

Would you use the same name? I don't really comment there, but I read it every day. I'll look for ya'.

[Nickelplate]

Wishing you the best of luck. This is a great forum.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I wouldn't follow to FB either ... I don't trust work to not 'snoop' on my activities on FB.

Hopefully we can find someone to take over the site, or move elsewhere

I hardly look in on my FB page these days . . . considering deleting that account due to not feeling as if I can freely post as I've got quite a few coworkers showing up as friends there.

I am subscribed to the CS group . . . guess I need to look up the password for FB and log back in.

And I bought up Christmas cards for next year as well . . .keeping fingers crossed I'll get to use them.

This place is home for a lot of us. Myself, I've been around for 15 years or so now. Been through Mr. Slugger's time here, and have seen Raps' tenure. I hope someone does come along and we can still be around for some time to come yet.

[Rapscallion]

My goodness! I'm glad I found this thread!

I found a website that estimates how much a website is "worth"...and I don't know what kind of offers Raps is getting...but CS is "worth" more than I thought, based on the website I used.

Good luck to him! I hope he gets what he's asking for...

The first two sites I found through Google (high on the rankings) are massively overestimating the value, though apparently in similar ways. Others are far more moderate. In the end, something in worth what someone else will pay for it.

Rapscallion

[Kit-Ginevra]

I'm sure we can crowdfund between ourselves. Let's say £150/month-50 of us contributing £3 a month would not be a hardship for anyone I think.

[otakuneko]

I could afford the site, even on the $150/mo quoted, and I have a technical background, but not specifically in php. I could certainly keep the lights on.

I don't know if I'm the person to revitalize the site, as Raps desires. I'm not very outgoing, and not much of a marketer (web or otherwise).

[cindybubbles]

Why not start a campaign on a crowdfunding site, like gofundme.com, and hand over site admin responsibilities to the mods?

Or better, yet, ask us for donations? I don't have Paypal, but I'm sure that others can help out.

[mjr]

My goodness! I'm glad I found this thread!

I found a website that estimates how much a website is "worth"...and I don't know what kind of offers Raps is getting...but CS is "worth" more than I thought, based on the website I used.

Good luck to him! I hope he gets what he's asking for...

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

You'll be missed. There's a lot of people who'll be missed.

I've been thinking of commenting on the Retail comic strip. I may just do that.