Clive;
I was pleasantly surprised to see notice of your generous donation in my inbox this morning. Donation gratefully accepted, and couldn't have been at a timelier moment - I take in a cheque for my new house (my first home) on Monday. Thanks for your generosity.
Just as a note on operation costs to those that are curious; I run two websites - this one, and one devoted to the study of tactical wargaming. I pay for webhosting fees on an annual basis (the cost for both are co-mingled so I can't separate them out), and I pay quarterly for the forum. I don't charge for the use of either the websites or the forum, but I do accept donations. They rarely cover my costs, but I also consider the opportunity of hosting discussions, "meeting" people, networking, sharing research material here, etc. a privilege for which I receive a tangible benefit (as do, I hope, many of you), too. My creditors think otherwise. No, seriously. Every time I go to the bank to pay my phone bill with anecdotes about battle dress shoulder flashes they have security escort me out.
I don't believe in launching overblown funds drives like some websites do, or being so vulgar as to announce in detail how much money I need to run the site or threatening to pull the plug if I don't receive blackmail from the users. If I didn't enjoy running the site, I wouldn't find the means to do it. And, once I am settled in to my new home, with library and writing room established, I hope to be able to turn attention to getting some serious writing/publishing done and at least make up enough money to let the forum and site pay for themselves. but as always, if anyone feels the forum has been of assistance to them in the last year and wanted to donate a small amount to help keep it running, the webmaster would be grateful.
And if you don't feel it has been all that helpful - I think that's a valid viewpoint too. I would welcome you to continue to use the forum as a respected and equal member of the community. I don't keep track of who donates, and there is no favoured treatment.
No, seriously. Every time I go to the bank to pay my phone bill with anecdotes about battle dress shoulder flashes they have security escort me out.