Subscriptions?

Xyzzy · 2021-06-28, 02:24

Currently this forum (and mersenne.ca) is funded by anonymous generous donations.

Donation thread: https://www.mersenneforum.org/showthread.php?t=13922

We are now offering a very simple monthly subscription model.

The subscription can be cancelled at any time.
Subscribing doesn't get you anything you don't already have.
We will still update the donations thread (monthly) with dollars received and spent.
Subscriptions will be anonymous. Nobody using the forum will be able to tell who is or who isn't a subscriber.
This is entirely voluntary! The whole point of this forum is the FREE exchange of ideas!
The subscription is via Paypal. (We will still accept donations via other methods but we suspect most people will prefer this.)
If we somehow start receiving more money then our operating costs we will figure out an ethical way to spend the excess.

Subscribe here for $1/month!

If you have any questions please ask. (We are also interested in your thoughts about this move.)

Uncwilly · 2021-06-28, 03:32

Have you looked at Patreon? You can be "creating a community", I think, to satisfy their criteria. Yes, there is loss in the transaction and some folks don't like it. (But as the Great Cheesy One [may his wedge be elevated] would say 95 cents is great than no sense.) But, it is easy. And for those of us who are already Patreons of others it is easy to throw in another sub.

paulunderwood · 2021-06-28, 12:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

Subscribe here for $1/month!

:

A great idea. I'll arrange something soon.

BudgieJane · 2021-06-28, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

Have you looked at Patreon? You can be "creating a community", I think, to satisfy their criteria. Yes, there is loss in the transaction and some folks don't like it. (But as the Great Cheesy One [may his wedge be elevated] would say 95 cents is great than no sense.) But, it is easy. And for those of us who are already Patreons of others it is easy to throw in another sub.

You're right, it's easy; too easy. Imagine my disgust when I saw Patreon was charging me value-added tax on the slice of my hard-earned old-age pension that I choose to give away to the artiste of my choice, especially because I do not consider my Patreon subscription as the purchase price for goods and/or services. No doubt, before the year is out, they'll be deducting US income tax on what I send her, given that the cash can be described as part of her income.

Apart from that, I have no objection to contributing to the upkeep of this organisation. But you may find me sending something like £25 once every three years, to avoid the bank charges and foreign exchange losses that sending $1 per month would incur.

LaurV · 2021-06-29, 06:33

buymeacoffe.com is a good alternative. I do not have a creator page there, therefore I don't know how is when you get money (probably you have to pay a commission or so), but I am following few "artists" for which I bought coffees, guitar strings, etc. and didn't have to pay a dime more than the bet.

xilman · 2021-06-29, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BudgieJane

You're right, it's easy; too easy. Imagine my disgust when I saw Patreon was charging me value-added tax on the slice of my hard-earned old-age pension that I choose to give away to the artiste of my choice, especially because I do not consider my Patreon subscription as the purchase price for goods and/or services. No doubt, before the year is out, they'll be deducting US income tax on what I send her, given that the cash can be described as part of her income.

Apart from that, I have no objection to contributing to the upkeep of this organisation. But you may find me sending something like £25 once every three years, to avoid the bank charges and foreign exchange losses that sending $1 per month would incur.

I am in agreement with you.

I still have some American green (beer vouchers) left over from business trips > 10 years ago and it seems unlikely that I will be visiting the US again any time soon. Perhaps I should put them in an envelope and send to Mike.

Xyzzy · 2021-06-30, 11:54

We will be refunding everyone's money. This plan didn't work out at all.

Apparently Paypal has a minimum fee (34¢) for each transaction. That mean roughly ⅓ of each donation is wasted. (We had expected the usual 3% fee.)

We apologize for the inconvenience we have caused.

paulunderwood · 2021-06-30, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

We will be refunding everyone's money. This plan didn't work out at all.

Apparently Paypal has a minimum fee (34¢) for each transaction. That mean roughly ⅓ of each donation is wasted. (We had expected the usual 3% fee.)

We apologize for the inconvenience we have caused.

What a pity -- i'll endeavor to make a one-off donation like Jane suggested.

Where is the donations link?

firejuggler · 2021-06-30, 13:08

look for a dot on the forum frontpage

axn · 2021-06-30, 13:11

Patreon is comparatively better, but IIUC, it still takes 20c off a $1 subscription.

paulunderwood · 2021-06-30, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by firejuggler

look for a dot on the forum frontpage

The only thing I find is Mike's login page. Can you provide a link to the subscription page for us?

Perhaps there should be a golden M with two vertical bars through it as an icon.

View Poll Results: ?
Chocolate!	4	40.00%
Vanilla!	6	60.00%
Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll

2021-06-28, 02:24	#1
Xyzzy "Mike" Aug 2002 2⁵×257 Posts	Subscriptions? Currently this forum (and mersenne.ca) is funded by anonymous generous donations. Donation thread: https://www.mersenneforum.org/showthread.php?t=13922 We are now offering a very simple monthly subscription model. The subscription can be cancelled at any time. Subscribing doesn't get you anything you don't already have. We will still update the donations thread (monthly) with dollars received and spent. Subscriptions will be anonymous. Nobody using the forum will be able to tell who is or who isn't a subscriber. This is entirely voluntary! The whole point of this forum is the FREE exchange of ideas! The subscription is via Paypal. (We will still accept donations via other methods but we suspect most people will prefer this.) If we somehow start receiving more money then our operating costs we will figure out an ethical way to spend the excess. Subscribe here for $1/month! If you have any questions please ask. (We are also interested in your thoughts about this move.)

2021-06-30, 13:08	#9
firejuggler Apr 2010 Over the rainbow 5050₈ Posts	look for a dot on the forum frontpage Attached Thumbnails Last fiddled with by firejuggler on 2021-06-30 at 13:10

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Thread subscriptions...	Xyzzy	Forum Feedback	5	2006-06-17 03:17

2021-06-28, 03:32	#2
Uncwilly 6809 > 6502 """"""""""""""""""" Aug 2003 101×103 Posts 10011000111001₂ Posts	Have you looked at Patreon? You can be "creating a community", I think, to satisfy their criteria. Yes, there is loss in the transaction and some folks don't like it. (But as the Great Cheesy One [may his wedge be elevated] would say 95 cents is great than no sense.) But, it is easy. And for those of us who are already Patreons of others it is easy to throw in another sub.

2021-06-29, 06:33	#5
LaurV Romulan Interpreter Jun 2011 Thailand 22613₈ Posts	buymeacoffe.com is a good alternative. I do not have a creator page there, therefore I don't know how is when you get money (probably you have to pay a commission or so), but I am following few "artists" for which I bought coffees, guitar strings, etc. and didn't have to pay a dime more than the bet.

2021-06-30, 11:54	#7
Xyzzy "Mike" Aug 2002 2⁵×257 Posts	We will be refunding everyone's money. This plan didn't work out at all. Apparently Paypal has a minimum fee (34¢) for each transaction. That mean roughly ⅓ of each donation is wasted. (We had expected the usual 3% fee.) We apologize for the inconvenience we have caused.

2021-06-30, 13:11	#10
axn Jun 2003 11673₈ Posts	Patreon is comparatively better, but IIUC, it still takes 20c off a $1 subscription.