Wildguzzi Price Increase

[Luap McKeever]

All, just passing on some information. Seems inflation is affecting us now too as our managed services and site security subscriptions have gone up. Well worth it as over 10,000 hack attempts have been stopped this year alone and I've had to use the managed services a couple times too. In total, a $420 per year increase for these services. Luckily, the hosting services and cPanel prices haven't changed in years. Hope nobody tells them

Anyways, the donation page has been updated to reflect this change (https://www.wildguzzi.com/donations.htm). We are $1107 shy of our yearly goal.

Some have asked, so here is the total transparency:
Taxes and PayPal fees are figured into this amount as well. That means to collect the amount needed, I need roughly 23% over that to cover taxes and fees. So, when a donation comes in, I automatically dismiss 23% of it for those reasons. e.g., if you send a $40 donation and if that came from PayPal who charges an average of 3%, the $40 donation minus PayPal fees of $1.20 and taxes on gross of $8, that $40 donation is credited as $30.80. I always round down for extra security, so the $30.80 will show as $30. Sending a check, the credit will show as an even $32.00 since there's no PayPal fees. Clear as mud, huh?

Lastly, the amounts listed above only cover the basic costs of operation. Any extra donations will go into a separate fund that takes care of the things listed below:
* Professional American-Based 3rd party support, and consultation.
* Improved technical support memberships for when there are issues beyond my control. 
* Application research and development. 
* Domain Administration and Services, so that this domain will be around for a very long time to come.
* Maintenance, security purchases and upgrades to keep the site free of malware, viruses, etc.
* Software purchases to improve functionality and ease of use.
* Software upgrades to better serve both you and I.
* Crash recoveries made seamless due to improved backup resources.
* Administrative Labor (meaning if possible, I'll take my wife to dinner a time or two during the year)

I tell ya, running an unofficial "non-profit" can be challenging for sure.

Thanks,
Luap

[inditx]

Keep up the good work.
Best forum on the planet!
Can I give my 2024 donation early or should that be a separate one?
Thanks!
inditx

[fotoguzzi]

Thank you for keep this site up!
Lately it runs much faster than ever.

[Luap McKeever]

Keep up the good work.
Best forum on the planet!
Can I give my 2024 donation early or should that be a separate one?
Thanks!
inditx

Please don't do that. It messes up my system pretty bad for the tax thing. I do appreciate the sentiment though.

[Luap McKeever]

Thank you for keep this site up!
Lately it runs much faster than ever.

You're welcome. It's faster because I had to hire support (thanks to donations) to investigate the cause of the last issue. The host couldn't find an issue with hardware, but the guys I hired found it and we now have about a 80% faster load time by cleaning up the nonsense.

[RinkRat II]

 Interesting Luap and Foto, If I'm having connectivity issues I always try Wildguzzi first 'cause it always loads so quickly. Glad to know your problem was resolved. Again, Kudos //for all you do Luap.

   Paul B

[kballowe]

Please don't do that. It messes up my system pretty bad for the tax thing. I do appreciate the sentiment though.

Yes, but can we simply go to the donate link and send a non-specific donation ?

[Luap McKeever]

Yes, but can we simply go to the donate link and send a non-specific donation ?

Sure

[Tom H]

I just kicked in a coupla bucks. Already did this year, decided to do a  bit more. Then when next year rolls around, I'll do it again.

Come on kids, to cover the basic yearly expenses, it only takes 130 people at $40.

Tom

[kballowe]

Sure

OK, sent my end of year donation.  LOL

[inditx]

Please don't do that. It messes up my system pretty bad for the tax thing. I do appreciate the sentiment though.

 

[cliffrod]

Luap, is your fiscal year for WG Jan 1-Dec 31?  If so, we can make an additional donation before Dec 31 without detriment, correct?

[Moparnut72]

I was doing a $10 a month debit card paypal donation. The card got hacked and then blocked by the bank. I just reinstated it but used a different account. If you visit here regularly you should chip in something if you aren't already.
kk

[kballowe]

When ya click on the donate button, there's an address to send checks or money orders.

I wonder if we could get away with sending cookies ?

[Luap McKeever]

Luap, is your fiscal year for WG Jan 1-Dec 31?  If so, we can make an additional donation before Dec 31 without detriment, correct?

Yes, but I need to credit the year I actually receive the donation. Many donate more than once per year and we have several the do the $2 per month thing.

It is indeed Jan 1 to Jan 1 the way I count it.

When ya click on the donate button, there's an address to send checks or money orders.

I wonder if we could get away with sending cookies ?

I'm not a big sweet eater but our dogs love cookies 

[egschade]

Thanks for the update Luap and we really appreciate all you do for the forum.

I use auto-pay on PayPal which is easy and provides a regular cash flow for these expenses. $5, $10 or even $20 / month isn't going to have much impact on most of our budgets and will help Luap keep the lights on.

[chuck peterson]

 

Thank you! Done with true guzzi grit! Site works great..

https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WRQH3GA8MQFWU&source=url

[guzzimaster]

  You have been doing such a great job. 
I know exactly what you've been experiencing because I set up and managed the first few Guzzi forums & discussion lists back in '95.
I'll be off to make my donation

[Luap McKeever]

Many thanks everyone. You all are awesome. We're well on our way to meeting the goal for the year.

Luap

[Johncolleary]

I just realized I never donated this year.  Thanks for all you do.  Donation made.

[StuCorpe]

I was going to make an additional donation by credit card but can not do so because I do not have a cell phone and it will not let me as there is only an option for cell phone text message notification.  That is the same reason I no longer use PayPal as they do not let you do anything without a cellphone.  I will wait and when I renew after the 1st of the year will double my previous donated amount instead.

[Mark Dasher]

Done!

[guzziart]

I was going to make an additional donation by credit card but can not do so because I do not have a cell phone and it will not let me as there is only an option for cell phone text message notification.  That is the same reason I no longer use PayPal as they do not let you do anything without a cellphone.  I will wait and when I renew after the 1st of the year will double my previous donated amount instead.

FWIW, if you have a computer at home and on-line banking there is always the "bill payer" function.....no transaction fees, no stamp & envelop needed, ezpz.

Art

[Dragonknee]

 :thumb:Sent a donation  Thanks for keeping it going

[Turin]

oops... donation sent.

[StuCorpe]

guzziart, Thank you I was not aware of that.  Sometimes this new technology gets to far ahead of some of us "old folks".

[guzziart]

guzziart, Thank you I was not aware of that.  Sometimes this new technology gets to far ahead of some of us "old folks".

Yeah, it all has to do with my desire to lessen my overall expenses (guzzi content).  While I think the USPS is awesome, postage rates keep increasing like everything else and I'm one of those folks who really doesn't like creditors (cable, utility, etc.) just hitting my credit card for monthly charges so I do the electronic checking thing.  I remember sitting down once a month for a half hour to write out a half dozen or so checks, return addressing envelops and adhering postage.  These days it takes me less than 5 miinutes do accomplish that work and no usps stamps to worry about having on hand & their expense.
Art

[Luap McKeever]

Hi all, I do believe we're going to make our goal before the end of the month. I appreciate it.

https://www.wildguzzi.com/donations.htm

Luap

[vintagehoarder]

Thanks for all you do!

[JJ]

Thanks for all you do!

Yes, agreed 100% +++ !!

...and again, best to send one's annual donation in Jan, 2024, for tax purposes, yes?