Morning all
Just read the PM about ads on the site and i'd like to "ad" my two pence worth.
Firstly, i think it's great that members and even non members step up and donate every month, and i notice every month that donations go over the required amount. By donating i think it gives you a sense of ownership. Ads are all very well as long as they don't become too intrusive and we don't end up getting spammed to death! Personally, i think that XI are likely to earm more dosh from Google Adsense, i personally click on several ads throughout the day but it's very rare i'll buy anything, if i'm thinking of making a purchase, i'll go to sites i know and trust. What's the chances of me wanting to buy something from an ordinary ad, particularly if the XI site is only going to have a few select ads.
I myself would rather set up a regular payment to XI to donate a set amount every month than have to look at lots of ads. We currently have over 400 members by my math $10 x 412 = $4120 or even $5 a month would swell the XI coffers by $2060 a month, far, far more than is currently donated, what could XI do with that?! I appreciate that not every member is well off, i'm certainly not, but when i take into consideration the amount of time i spend on the servers, it works out at a few pennies per hour. I ain't gonna be able to spend 100hrs at my local cinema, bowling, or football (soccer) ground for $10 dollars a month!
So, surely members could step up and pay $5 a month? remember, it's YOUR XI you facking idiot!