Yep, it's that simple. This write up is about Donations, or the Lack there of.
So, what's the story you may ask?
It happens from time to time that we get low on funds, usually after a major OWS upgrade, or yearly license renewal. This exact think has occurred. For those that didn't know. Ruger, was our Webhost for many years. Meaning, he ran a webhosting box, with multiple "groups/clans/communities" on it. The income he received from this helped pay the bill for OWS. In fact, in the beginning Ruger footed most of the startup costs for OWS. We have become self-sufficient since, but once again we are in jeopardy. This is due to lower donation over the last few months, and the purchase of our new Webhost.
So, how much does this think called OWS cost?
We are in a great position for OWS as it is concerned to usability. I think we have found a fantastic balance between price/performance. We have servers that run very well, and are easy to maintain, and our new Webhosting will allow us to do more/faster. However, in lieu of finances we have made some cuts to our scrim servers, and will be making some changes in regards to stats as well. This is to streamline our operating costs. And since we are talking about streamlining our costs, I thought I would share with everyone what we spend our money on. I do not know specific dollar amounts, and I don’t think sharing that publicly is prudent. But here is a breakdown.
1.) Website Hosting. (Monthly recurring costs)
2.) Website Name Registration. (Yearly recurring costs)
3.) Website Software Licensing. (Yearly recurring costs)
4.) GameServer Rental. (Monthly recurring costs)
5.) HLSTATSX Professional Hosting (Monthly recurring costs)
6.) Scrim server Rental/Ventrilo (Monthly recurring costs)
So as you can see we have many people to pay, both monthly, and yearly. With the purchase of our new Webhost, we should be able to host the stats ourselves, thus removing that cost. The stats has become a fairly significant cost due to the devaluation of the dollar against the Euro. The Stats hosting company is based in the EU.
With the very strange licensing requirements of Ventrilo, we are forced to rent this. We can host a Team Speak Server for free, but nothing more than I think a ten man free Vent. We get a great deal on Gameserver, and a Ventrilo combined, so cutting there will only save a little.
So, what does all this mean?
It means, we need Donations, and we need them NOW. I am linking the page to Donations for two reasons. First, to make it easy to go donate, now that you are both inspired, and informed. Secondly, I want you to see who our top Donors are. Tell them thanks the next time you see them. But most importantly, I want everyone to be a supporting member of OWS. I want EVERYONE to donate. I know it’s tough out there, but 5$ from everyone would boost our savings dramatically. It is not a contest, but a race. A race we would like to be running for very long. And everyone in OWS can make that happen, not the same few every month. Eventually those people will not be able to carry the load for everyone.
DONATE HERE
So, what is our current Situation?
Right now, we do not have enough money to meet the next month’s costs. Pretty Simple eh? And not to mention the end of year licensing requirements that will be coming up toward the end of the year. This may sound bleak, but……………..
Come on OWS!!
Can OWS count on you?
Donations-
trying 2 help!!
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