Donation Drive to pay the annual server cost -- myArmoury.com

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

It's that time of year again. I just had to pay the annual server bill. It's not cheap and I need your help.

Please Give to our Annual Server Hosting Donation Drive.

The donation info is at the bottom of forum home page or you can click the button below:

Many members may have noticed that I've been putting extra time into the site to create new features such as the Marketplace Feedback Forum, Photobucket image hosting fix, and overall site-wide performance improvements. I've also continued to keep our Facebook community active, creating new content and sharing new things almost every day. The reason I've been able to do this is that I'm not working that much these days.

The downside to that means I really don't have a lot of cash coming in and just can't keep this site going out of my own pocket. myArmoury.com is going to be 14 years old on August 25th. This is the first year where I've seriously considered closing shop. It takes a lot out of me and my resources are drained.

I don't know what the long-term future holds for us, but I do know this: I've already paid the bill and we are good until next July. However, it was out of my pocket and I sure could use some relief from those members who can afford to help out. This will allow me to pay for, you know... stuff like rent and groceries and other necessities of life.

Thanks for reading.

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Sat 22 Jul, 2017 9:11 pm Post subject:

I was procrastinating starting the Fund Drive for around mid August, but Nathan got to it first.

He is usually reluctant to start these himself so I think that he really is more stressed for cash than in previous years.

I just made a donation a bit earlier than I was budgeting for, but it's not a strain for me.

It would be a shame if this great resource and site faded away due to lack of financial support, and we get a lot of value each years from this site in information and camaraderie.

A $5 0r $10 dollar donation shouldn't be too much to give once a year to keep the site alive and not have Nathan support it all from his own pocket.

( I'm not sure if $1 donations work with Paypal as they do with people who use Patrion to support their favorite Youtube channels, but it could mean that many more people could easily send $1 in addition to those who can afford $5 $10 or larger donations )

Also another way to support the site is by enhancing one's membership and paying a small annual fee, this also means a more predictable source of funds in addition to a yearly donation.

As with previous years donation drive I suggest that people post comments to keep this " TOPIC " at the top of the list of new posts so that people see it and donate should they wish to.

Also, writing what you get from the site and why you visit and post here, what you learn and enjoy can be interesting to read and motivational to encourage people to support the site this year.

Craig Peters · Posted: Sun 23 Jul, 2017 2:12 am Post subject:

I have made my donation.

Please give. Anything you can contribute will help. It saddens me to hear Nathan feels like he isn't sure if he wants to keep going without adequate support.

I'd especially like to reach out to those who haven't given before. There are some people who donate to muArmoury year after year; I laud you for your commitment and reliability in supporting Nathan and this site. For those who have not donated before, I hope you will take the time to see and appreciate what Nathan and this site have brought to you. The sad reality is that because Nathan and the other members of staff on myArmoury have contributed so much for free it's easy just to take it for granted, "Of course it's here!" But it takes time, effort, and money. Think of everything this site offers you: opportunities to learn of new makers and their work, discussion forums wbere you can ask about anything to do with arms and armour, tons of articles, the library, and more.When you realize you have gotten value from this resource, do what is right and give back.

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Aaron Hoard · Posted: Sun 23 Jul, 2017 11:04 am Post subject:

Done - thanks for keeping this site going. Will donate more later.

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Sun 23 Jul, 2017 11:37 am Post subject:

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Craig Peters · Posted: Mon 24 Jul, 2017 12:24 am Post subject:

I'd just like to acknowledge the following people thus far for their donations:

Steve Maly
Stefan Gruenewald
Marcus Kwa
Aaron Hoard
Joshua Waters
Daniel Sullivan
Lee O'Hagan
Antal László
Anonymous
Jean Thibodeau
Tim Lison
Radovan Geist
Wade McManus
Jim Lukow
Anonymous
Daniel Sullivan

Keep them coming!

Ryan McLaurin · Posted: Mon 24 Jul, 2017 1:12 am Post subject:

Though I rarely post, I enjoy this site greatly and access it at least three times a week. I have learned much from it over the last decade. Donation made.

Phil D. · Posted: Mon 24 Jul, 2017 8:46 am Post subject:

Is there a way to send it via Paypal "friends and family" feature so that you do not get charged the fee.

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Roger Hooper · Posted: Mon 24 Jul, 2017 9:27 pm Post subject:

I donated. So should you all.

Kai Lawson · Posted: Tue 25 Jul, 2017 4:12 pm Post subject:

Just donated. First time doing so, though I should have done so long before. I've used this website for sooo much research and information and questions--it's become very valuable to me, and I've met some very cool people on here. I'm glad I gave back in a small way to something that has become a tremendous resource for me.

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Wed 26 Jul, 2017 9:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks to everybody who donated so far, and even more for those doing it for the first time, although I hope that those who have donated in the past do so again. Wink

Seems like where are just short of half ways to the objective.

It seems that any amount can be sent using Paypal, even small amounts: So sending a few dollars by just skipping one coffee shop latte shouldn't be a hardship for anyone wanting to help pay for the running ( Survival ) of the site.

As I mentioned in previous years, people using the MARKETPLACE FORUM to buy or sell their collectables should consider how useful having this site is to them in finding a buyer or finding something to buy.

There are also the Industry Professionals who get exposure to people interested in what they make and who also can show their work to a knowledgeable audience for feedback and often possible future buyers of their work.

Also, we don't want Nathan to afford to just eat Kraft Dinner Mac and Cheese all year.

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

If you're looking for additional ways to support Nathan and the site throughout the year, consider using the myArmoury affiliate link to Amazon whenever you shop there. You can get there by going to the Bookstore and clicking the embedded Amazon.com link or any link to a book in the bookstore. You can also copy that link (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=myarmourycom-20&creative=331813&camp=15329&link_code=ur1&path=tg/browse/-/283155) and make it your official Amazon link in your favorites. By doing this a small portion of your purchase gets credited to Nathan and the site.

If you simply saved that link as your link for Amazon in your browser's favorites, then every purchase you make when you use that link could help Nathan. I bought a TV a month or so ago off Amazon and made sure to use that link. I was buying the TV anyway and knew it would help Nathan out. If you shop at Amazon anyway, using the link is an easy way to get what you would buy already while helping Nathan out. Best part: it costs you nothing! Happy

M. Eversberg II · Posted: Thu 27 Jul, 2017 11:27 am Post subject:

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

I appreciate everyone's concern and suggestions and whatnot. Please have faith that I am an intelligent guy who has done my homework for the best solution for my needs. The myArmoury.com donation drive is sitting on technology that I made. I do not have to pay for said technology because I created it. I chose PayPal as my payment provider because the percentage they take is less than other options such as GoFundMe, Fundly, Patreon, etc. Suggesting I go another route derails my efforts and distracts from this donation drive.

I'm looking for assistance to pay for the cost of running this place. I've set a goal that will pay for the payment I just had to make. It's not a random amount. It's the actual yearly cost that comes out of my pocket for the hosting bill.

Please Give to our Annual Server Hosting Donation Drive.

The donation info is at the bottom of forum home page or you can click the button below:

Carl W. · Posted: Thu 27 Jul, 2017 7:54 pm Post subject:

Nathan - Thank you VERY much for this site.

I can never remember how Paypal works as hardly ever use it, basically only for myArm donations. I'll dig up notes or figure it out again, just takes me some days to get to it after you remind us its needed. Only mentioning to help you relax a tiny bit - delays don't always mean lack of interest. Thanks again!

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Fri 28 Jul, 2017 10:30 am Post subject:

Last night I did a " DOUBLE TAKE " seeing that the objective had already been reached. Surprised

but

I can't help guessing that someone(s) gave a huge amount covering at least half of the objective amount ....... WOW Cool

Well if my guess above is accurate, many thanks to a generous supporter of the site.

As I'm mentioned in all previous year donation drives any extra money raised is a cushion against unexpected expenses during the year and gives Nathan some extra funds to do more things for the site.

Also considering all the time and unpaid work involved in running the site any extra money received is well deserved.

I also consider that more people making a contribution is more people showing their support and thanks for Nathan running this site: I personally donate because I get a lot from this site and I want to support it, I also see it as a way of showing my appreciation to Nathan.