[FFML] [ADMIN]Asking for donations, and the state of the system

[Dennis Carr]

Hokay, here's what's up.

The good news is that the server I run the list on is functioning well,
and is not showing signs of needing any sort of emergency repairs.
Financially, we're doing well also.

The annoying news, however, is that this stuff costs money.

Now, before I go on, I"m going to make something clear.

THIS IS ENTIRELY VOLUNTARY.  

It is a donation, this is the nature of them. A failure to donate does
not constitute you losing your subscription, me finding advertisement
sources, or stupid stuff like that. chez-vrolet.net is not going
anywhere. I'm just asking for a little bit of help from those who use
the system.  Also, I am fully aware that these are probably not the
best economic times to be asking for this kind of help.  So if you
can't donate because of job loss or school or something to that effect,
I totally understand. Crap happens, and you have to eat.  Support
yourself first, please.

So as far as what this money would go to, quite simply, it's system
upkeep, maintenance, and if possible, upgrades, along with the
expenses thereunto pertaining.  

For the rack space, well, it costs money.  I get it at a steep
discount from the market rate, but it still costs money.

For the system itself, A quick diagnostic check reveals nothing wrong,
but both disks are aging - they're 4 and 5 years old, if not older.
That, and the server is only about 700 MHz - it's doing fine for what
it's doing, but soon will be the time for a system upgrade.  As I
bought it used from Craigslist, I have no idea just how old this
thing is.  That, and the machine is in a rack in Oakland, California
- a new 1U rack unit would have to be shipped down, and/or I'd have to
work out the logistics for getting down there from here in Seattle and
doing it myself.

For those wishing to donate, I have nothing more than my heartfelt
thanks to give for the donations.  Sorry.  If anything, I'll create a
list of people who donated, and thank you all publicly. =)

In any event, if you wish to donate, there are two ways to get it to
me. 

PAYPAL - send it to my other email address (dennisthetiger at gmail.com)
and I'll get it that way.

US MAIL - if you don't like Paypal, of course, there is the old
fashioned way that, at this time, costs US$.42 - mail it to me. 

Dennis Carr
PO Box 1314 
Bellevue, WA 98009-1314

Naturally, currency is discouraged if you go this route - but a note as
to who you are is encouraged, so that I can thank you later. =)

As far as equipment donations, I would discourage this, but if you wish
to, contact me and I'll evaluate the options.  Please, NO used PC parts
- this is a rack server, and not only do PC parts not fit, they require
downtime for installation and burn-in.  That, and the server needs
neither sound nor video cards.

Thanks,
-Dennis
(List op)