Topic: The Death of AutoPuzzles?

[Ultra]

Contacted by our host yesterday. We are using too many CPU resources of the server and our site has been transferred to a virtual server. This drives the cost of the site from $50 a year to $50 a month.

I can't afford that.

I am changing some parameters of the site's search function and will be placing clamps on the web spiders in an attempt to slow them down. Also, ads will be back soon, with a vengenance. I am hoping to get some help with setting up a link for PayPal donations and I am accepting donations from members to help cover costs.



If I can't get help with costs, this site will die.

[Otto Puzzell]

Ouch!

I'm willing to kick in some $ when the link goes up.

Should I add some place-holder advertising frames to the front page?

[Ray B.]

Death of Autopuzzles? Isn't this a bit melodramatic, Charlie?
I am sure that solutions can be found.

[Ultra]

Death of Autopuzzles? Isn't this a bit melodramatic, Charlie?
I am sure that solutions can be found.

It's posts like this one that make me wonder if the cost and work are worth it.

I look forward to your help with the financing, Ray.

[Ray B.]

I foresaw that kind of reaction, Charlie. I'm not arguing. Like the sailorman, you are what you are, we won't change you.
I'll do my bit if we all agree on something. But I must say that you have a way to look for solidarity that isn't very efficient.

[DeAutogids]

I foresaw that kind of reaction, Charlie. I'm not arguing. Like the sailorman, you are what you are, we won't change you.
I'll do my bit if we all agree on something. But I must say that you have a way to look for solidarity that isn't very efficient.

I don't want to offend anybody, but you said back when Michiel was asking help with his site that it was nonsense that he needed so much money for running a site. That now comes back and bites you.

Now for the helping bit: I have no problem in helping out a bit, like through Paypal. But I cannot afford it right now. I will spend some of my money in december, if this is ok with you.

[Carnut]

We can't let it die.
I'm willing to chip in a reasonable sum (a reasonably small one that is!) provided it's not too much.

[Otto Puzzell]

I don't find the adds obtrusive. It helps that I've got a mini-crush on Flo from Progressive. 

[gilescooperuk]

Well if you publish a paypal link then I will contribute. Might be worth putting a tag under the username to say you are a supporter?

[Ultra]

I foresaw that kind of reaction, Charlie. I'm not arguing. Like the sailorman, you are what you are, we won't change you.
I'll do my bit if we all agree on something. But I must say that you have a way to look for solidarity that isn't very efficient.

The title of the thread is a question.  It is a question I asked myself when receiving the news from the host.  Frankly, I find your criticism of me in this thread typical of you, petty and unwarranted.  But, you are what you are.  Your offering it here speaks far further to your own quality than it does to mine.

After 5 years of, creating, programming and maintaining the site with Otto as well as footing the bill for this site on my own, the means and mechanisms are in place to enable all of you to help financially support the continuance and growth of this site. 

Here's to the future of AutoPuzzles, slainte!

Well if you publish a paypal link then I will contribute. Might be worth putting a tag under the username to say you are a supporter?

It is published on the top right of every page.  There are things in the works to denote the donators.

[Ray B.]

I was thinking of answering to this last one in the editors section, but, after all, we autopuzzlers seldom kept our feuds private.

So guys, this is my resignation as an editor. I'll just keep puzzling like the rest of you.

It 's been a long time since I've had words with Ultra and it's too bad that this has erupted, but I don't see why I should stand to be insulted by a guy when we're supposed to play in the same team. All I know is that you are totally deprived of any sense of humor, Charlie, totally unable to question your certainties. Sorry. I just can't get along with characters like you. Please strike me off the editors list.

[Otto Puzzell]

This saddens me. 

[Carnut]

This saddens me.  

Me too.  It's quite normal for grumpy old men to let off a bit of steam and perhaps be a little rude (the French are, lets face it, world-renowned for their prowess in rudeness!) - I know because I'm one myself (a grumpy old man that is).

But it should never be taken so personally and allow one to cut off one's own nose to spite one's face.  By our age we have surely learned to take it on the chin and shrug it off (another thing the French are masters at - the Gallic shrug!).

[Allan L]

Well I certainly hope the advertising has the desired effect.
It always amazes me how some well-known millionaires made their money by offering a free internet service where the rest of us would struggle to break even.
Anyway those of us who have had our fun here for so long and can afford to chip in will do so.

[faksta]

Seems I have missed something... It's just the fact that I mostly visit puzzles section, because other ones are being updated very seldom.

[Ultra]

I foresaw that kind of reaction, Charlie. I'm not arguing. Like the sailorman, you are what you are, we won't change you.
I'll do my bit if we all agree on something. But I must say that you have a way to look for solidarity that isn't very efficient.

I don't want to offend anybody, but you said back when Michiel was asking help with his site that it was nonsense that he needed so much money for running a site. That now comes back and bites you.

Now for the helping bit: I have no problem in helping out a bit, like through Paypal. But I cannot afford it right now. I will spend some of my money in december, if this is ok with you.

Actually, DeAutogids, if you go back and look (I did), you'll see that I said I wouldn't ask for help at the $50 a month I was paying and I never did.  After Go Daddy pulled on me what got pulled on Michiel, I went and transferred the site to In Motion hosting in order to keep costs down.  That transfer was a lot of work and still I never asked anyone for a dime.  Only after InMotion hosting has put the clamps on us and been far better to work with in the process than GoDaddy that I have come to the realization that we had grown beyond the $50 a month hosting plans.  The inline pics in the forum sections have a lot to do with that. 

So, all that said, perhaps I was a bit hard on Michiel and if he or any of you felt that way I do apologize for my manner.  While at it I am happy to say that Ray has been a huge contributor here and I appreciate all he has done for the site.  Thanks for being part of the team.

Hopefully, I haven't put any other noses out of joint.