Discussion and poll: Donations

[White Warlock]

Well, seeing as my posts are being deleted in the other thread, i pose it here:

You have made it clear that you wont donate in 3 separate threads now. I get it, you wont donate. I allready said that discussion about this goes in the other thread, Only post here if you voted 1 of the two options that require it, and only to express the reason.

Not true. In one of the other threads i said, "Actually Aitana, i already voted yes to donations, but so far the discussions about putting it all in one place that is being discussed here, and being posed now in the other thread, i'm frankly quite uncomfortable with."

As to how much i am willing to donate, it depends on the donatee, but i've donated, to ALFA hosters and builders, a few hundred over the years.

I prefer to donate directly to a recipient, or at least to some well managed institution. But, at present, donating to people in ALFA is really difficult, and requires an 'active' effort to find who to donate to, and then how to donate to them. It's an uphill battle to donate, and this is the animal that needs to be addressed, not these ill-presented pet projects.

We know now, that ALFA will not be incorporated, and we know that many people are still interested in making donations. These are good news.

No, we don't.

I still think incorporation is a possibility, but it needs to be presented appropriately, with homework committed before proposal. The vast majority of people are 'intimidated' at the idea, because they have little to no information as to what incorporation constitutes, and little to no information as to how incorporation would benefit this project.

Now its time to look more closely at what our target products might be, and how to best implement the donation system itself.

The solution is simple, and i presented it my earlier post (Here), as well as far earlier in previous discussions on these threads.

[zicada]

Well, everyones entitled to their own opinions obviously.

Personally, I think the majority is against incorporation because they feel its overkill for a hobbybased gaming community. There's also the issue about wich country to incorporate in, as well as countless others. Allthough Im personally against it, i would obviouslly support it if the majority wanted it. I also think that many of the ones who do support incorporation only do so because they feel it would be the only way to make donations,- eg they dont want incorporation itself as long as it doesnt lead to donations.

Now, lately ive contacted alot of businesses to get quotes on various serverhosting packages to see just where we would be re monthly charge. If the ones who do wish to donate can agree on a montly sum and cosign a 6 month or 1yr contract with a serviceprovider, were basically going in the right direction IMO. Many of these serviceproviders accept payment through paypal directly fyi.

[White Warlock]

Well, everyones entitled to their own opinions obviously.

Kinda hard for me to believe you think that, considering...

Personally, I think the majority is against incorporation because they feel its overkill for a hobbybased gaming community. There's also the issue about wich country to incorporate in, as well as countless others. Allthough Im personally against it, i would obviouslly support it if the majority wanted it. I also think that many of the ones who do support incorporation only do so because they feel it would be the only way to make donations,- eg they dont want incorporation itself as long as it doesnt lead to donations.

Because you are against it, you shouldn't present a poll on it. The manner in which that poll was presented doomed the poll to a rejection. How about letting someone who actually 'believes' in the idea present the poll. Someone, or a group, that 'knows' what they are talking about regarding incorporation, and can present the FAQ on all the potential issues associated with setting up an incorporation, rather than present a poll that is so offhanded, it begs for a no vote.

Now, lately ive contacted alot of businesses to get quotes on various serverhosting packages to see just where we would be re monthly charge. If the ones who do wish to donate can agree on a montly sum and cosign a 6 month or 1yr contract with a serviceprovider, were basically going in the right direction IMO. Many of these serviceproviders accept payment through paypal directly fyi.

Sounds like information beneficial to that project team i mentioned earlier. At this point, i'm thinking two project teams should be created: One for hosting issues, and the other for incorporation. Get these two ideas fleshed out, then present them again, with greater clarity and a helluva lot more professionalism.

After all, you are talking about this community's expenses and donations.

[Rotku]

At this point, i'm thinking two project teams should be created: One for hosting issues, and the other for incorporation. Get these two ideas fleshed out, then present them again, with greater clarity and a helluva lot more professionalism.

I'm going to second this request. Let us actaully get the info researched and presented properly before making the call.

[Rusty]

As WW notes, we are in danger of putting the cart before the horse. Polls are appropriate after a thorough discussion of the matter in question; as a preamble they do little more than measure prejudice.

Incorporation and centralised hosting are both profound changes to ALFA and would be well served by a detailed consideration. (Certainly the former, and quite possibly the latter, would require an overhaul of the Charter.) Any community decision is best left until after a full examination of the consequences, and, preferably, would take the form of a vote on precise, detailed plans.