Supporter-Only Contests?

[bonesbr549]

Oh it's like RoZan Rozanadana's mother use to say "Rozan Roazanadana it just goes to show you its always something!" 

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

The nice thing about these contests is that you can chose to opt-in, or you can simply ignore them and go about your day without any ill impact.

 

[peter halle]

Disclaimer:  The following is intended for those who have a sense of humor within their bodies.  If you do not, please do not read further.  Neither the poster, the Forum ( otherwise commonly known as FOG), nor the administrator of the FOG, will accept any responsibilities for the actions of those who read further.

Hey Matthew,

Why don't you take a vacation on all the extra money you make on income derived from this forum.  And while you're gone, why don't you hire a guest moderator.  I would suggest Gordon Ramsey the chef.  I would love to hear - read- his response to those who are complaining about this.  My guess is that he would say or write so eloquently in his British accent - PISS OFF!

Matthew do what you want to do - the majority support you in spirit.  I hope that more will support you in dollars.

Peter

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Peter,
That is funny!

All the donations that have come in throughout the entire history of this forum barely cover the extra expenses for regular operation.  If I figured it out on an hourly basis, well...let's not go there!

I'd like to make sure some simple and essential points are not lost in the details:

• I have never expected, or wanted, donations to be anything other than a statement of confidence from members
• This forum was not conceived, nor was it ever managed, as a source of monetary profit
• Supporter-only contests are simply one of the ways I'm tying to thank supporters

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Joe Jensen]

Everyone,
I've corrected an error in the original post.  The contest includes everyone who is a "2008 Supporter" or a "2009 Supporter."
Thanks everyone,
Matthew

Too bad, this looked like a good way to incent forum users to contribute for 2009

 

[Joe Jensen]

I think Wayne is in the vocal minority.  I appreciate the time and effort spent on this forum and I am happy to show my support.

Wayne, stop whining.  :

 

[butzla]

Matthew,  This seems like it would have been a good way to get around the "lottery" problems with Henrik's Walko giveaway.  Donate $10 and qualify for the give away.  I mean, how is this different?

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Afternoon,

Too bad, this looked like a good way to incent forum users to contribute for 2009

That's because I'm really not trying to push people to contribute for 2009.  Honestly, I meant this as a way to thank those who have made the step of supporting the forum.

Matthew,  This seems like it would have been a good way to get around the "lottery" problems with Henrik's Walko giveaway.  Donate $10 and qualify for the give away.  I mean, how is this different?

It's very different.  People who made a donation up to a year ago -- long before the giveaway -- are eligible for the prize.  Also, any donations made to the forum are for the forum in general, not the giveaway.  The giveaway is something I came up with as a separate venture.  With the Walko drawing, the money was being given specifically, and only, for the drawing.  You were purchasing a "chance" to win something.  Not so with donations.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[PeterK]

Thank you Matthew for the way you are handling this. Very professional and much appreciated in my opinion.

Pete

 

[Daviddubya]

Even though there is no pressure to donate, I did.  So there.  Nanananananana.  ;D ;D ;D

Did I win the prize yet?

 

[sw1211]

Even though there is no pressure to donate, I did.  So there.  Nanananananana.   ;D ;D ;D

Did I win the prize yet?

It doesn't say 2009 Supporter under your name, did you give this year?  I thought this contest was only for 2009 support, who cares who gave last year?

 

[Daviddubya]

It doesn't say 2009 Supporter under your name, did you give this year?  I thought this contest was only for 2009 support, who cares who gave last year?

I donated in 2008 and again earlier today.  It says 2009 Supporter now.

If you would like to have a 2009 Supporter label under your name, click on the donate button.

 

[butzla]

Even though there is no pressure to donate, I did.  So there.  Nanananananana.   ;D ;D ;D

Did I win the prize yet?

How much did you donate?  I just don't want to look like a cheap-skate.  :-\

 

[Daviddubya]

How much did you donate?  I just don't want to look like a cheap-skate.   :-\

Noone will ever know the amount.  Wear your label proudly.  ;D

 

[sw1211]

It doesn't say 2009 Supporter under your name, did you give this year?  I thought this contest was only for 2009 support, who cares who gave last year?

I donated in 2008 and again earlier today.  It says 2009 Supporter now.

If you would like to have a 2009 Supporter label under your name, click on the donate button.

I donated in 2008 and something seems to have happened to my 2008 Supporter label, guess I must have done something to warrant having that removed.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

I donated in 2008 and something seems to have happened to my 2008 Supporter label, guess I must have done something to warrant having that removed.

I wouldn't imagine you've done anything wrong - note the wording in the thread entitled 2008 and 2009 Supporter Designations which says:

So, if you gave a donation in 2008, your profile will continue to read "2008 FOG Supporter" for up to a year after your donation.  The designation won't go away just because it's the new year.

So by my reckoning, if you donated on 1 April 2008, your profile would read "2008 FOG Supporter" until about 1 April 2009, whereupon it would disappear. A further donation in 2009 would show you as a "2009 FOG Supporter" for a period of 12 months after that donation was made, taking you into 2010.

Forrest

 

[sw1211]

Forrest, as usual you're a wealth of information, thanks for the clarification.  I went back and looked, you are correct it was last April.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Morning,
As Forrest expertly explained, I set up the donation system so that "supporter" shows for one year following a donation.  This way, no matter what time of year the donation came in it is the same.  To be even more precise, "credit" is given for the entire month in which you donated, no matter which day.  For example, if you donate on February 1st, the donation goes through until March 1st the following year.

I had to come up with a system, and this seemed to make the most sense.

Thanks again to all supporters, and to Forrest -- the link master!

Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[L2theP]

Matthew,
first and foremost i would like to thank you on behalf of my self and the rest of us FOG members that actually appreciate all the hard work you are putting in to give us all a common place to resolve issues, talk about our festools, tricks and jigs it's not very often you find other festoolers hanging around job sites.
second, people that donate as much of their time to creating, monitoring, and participating a website such as this usually get paid for it and make quite a nice living.

I can't even begin to comprehend how someone can come into your domain and accuse you of extortion or making money and trying to hide it. 
Well i hope you are making money, you damn well deserve it for all your hard work, and to all  you people that have a problem with this contest or anything else on the site i would like to say be glad you didn't come to my house and insult me this way because i would have kicked you so hard in your ass you'd be able to taste the shit i stepped into earlier.

Matt, once again don't pay attention to the haters / loosers (they got nothing better going on in their life so they try to pick on others), most of us appreciate all your hard work.
this is your site, do as you wish, if some don't like it, ban them.

 

[osipbloonst]

:A whole lot of fuss about nothing.

I agree with the other David and am "donating" as soon as I finish typing this , to FOG

So there.!!

                David  :