I have no idea what this thread is meant for.

Kestas provides us with a site that lets us play our favorite game for free, and some of us want to help him keep it open for free, which is why we donate.

What "context" is there?

I have been enjoying my time spent here in the community, and excited about some of the developing in the works. I am ready to donate, particularly since I cannot code. We should soft fundraise around those dev plans, if that would make a difference. Can someone share some context to donating? What is a typical amount or maybe start a drive around deliverables. I'm game to step up, as I am sure some others are as well.

P.S. what is with the different levels of donation? Can we think of a re-occuring yearly amount, or a yearly campaign (if the monies make a difference)...

@zultar -- was typing, bud...

If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.

I think what he's saying is: "Donating: How, where, when, and how much is customary?"

When I askes elsewhere, I was told that it wasnt necessary because we're good for a few years. I was thinking about buying me a pretty badge, but if it's bringing water to the sea I'll keep it in my own little lake.

@hecks - that would be a good starting point!

"When I asked elsewhere, I was told that it wasn't necessary because we're good for a few years."

I'm a full-time fundraising professional, and this comment gave me heartburn. Always be raising for the next need!

@hecks - might I suggest you help shape the WebDip "program"... I'm all for free riding in general, but it's time to support the beast. Besides, who doesn't like shiny medals?

Well... if asked to help with fundraising, I'll help, but if Kestas feels like there's not a big need right now and is happy with the way things are, I won't push the issue. Meanwhile, though, how *does* one donate? Is there a site somewhere?

josunice, I assume any amount helps. I've donated $5, $20, whatever happened to be sitting around in my PayPal account, it adds up over time...

Is "full-time fundraising professional" the new politically correct thing to call a homeless dude with a cup?

"Is "full-time fundraising professional" the new politically correct thing to call a homeless dude with a cup?"

If that weren't funny, I'd be insulted.
I'm director of development at a museum. I've also raised money for an environmental group and a school for kids with cognitive disabilities.

"josunice, I assume any amount helps. I've donated $5, $20, whatever happened to be sitting around in my PayPal account, it adds up over time..."

And the PayPal account to send you donation to is... ?

(we're so close to getting him the info he asked for!)

http://webdiplomacy.net/faq.php Server Specific-->Donate

Any amount helps. I'm not exactly sure what the amounts are for the different badges, though.

@hecks

For this particular operation, it makes sense to occasionally make desperate attempts to make large amounts of money, rather than continually try for a small stream of money. That's just the nature of the Internet, especially a very small operation such as this.

It would be possible to offer funds on a project based basis, and then let those who develop specific projects take the fund (or re-invest it where-ever they like)

However, Kestas doesn't have to include new code in the main branch, there are lots of things on vdip (for example) which are not on the main branch.

I'd love to see some specific changes, and be happy to have them to play on separate servers - like fog of war, crystal ball, and tournament support. and maybe optional email notifications... oh and Instant messaging support for live games... not to mention skype integration.

Totally worth an investment if you ask me...

@abge, thanks for the link. But I am still left wondering:
1) Is there a need for operating funds? Again, happy to be a free-loader, but also happy to support something I get this much value out of. At a minimum I'll buy myself a shiny badge;
2) Would funds help improve the WebDip experience? Some great improvements hae been suggested which kind souls are working on for free, I assume, but would monies improve the process and get more updates? Would it help or hinder the prioritization process? @orthaic mentions development funds...
3) Currently, where do donated funds go if there isn't a "need" for them? Is there any accounting?
4) What is the difference between the badges?

I personally am looking for guidance on donating, but also looking to see if there is a way to make our contributions more meaningful...

1) The last I checked, we should have enough money to pay for the server and hosting (our only expenses) for another year. If you'd like to add to the pile now, you certainly can.

2) No. Development is done purely on a volunteer basis. Donating will not affect the development process.

3) They go to Kestas, the owner of the site. There is no public accountability.

4) Bronze, Silver, Gold, based on how much money you donate. I don't know the actual break points.

If you enjoy the site and you have the money, then you should donate. As a reference, I tend to donate $10-20 a year, almost like a subscription. Other ways to help the site are:

-Run a tournament
-Don't feed the trolls
-Volunteer for School of War
-Start interesting discussions on the Forum

@donating and the dev process.

This is an open source project, that means anyone can develop whatever they want, but it will be on their own server (which would have it's own costs, and get larger as it became more popular)

If you can't code and can't be bothered learning to code you can still try to focus on specific developments and attempt to offer funds toward developers who code the projects which you value - once done code can be integrated into this site, but any specific projects should be discussed on the dev forum if you expect them to be implemented on the main server. (see: forum.webdiplomacy.net )

Basically, there are no professional developers, but there is nothing stopping you from hiring one, and developing your own source from the current site - of course integration depends on how well the code is written, and nothing will be integrated into the main site until it has been thoroughly tested.

There is also a platinum star in the code, but it hasn't been handed out to anyone on webdip. Not sure if Kestas just decided that three levels were sufficient or if he plans on using platinum for something special. I think I heard that vdip has used the platinum star.

"There is also a platinum star in the code, but it hasn't been handed out to anyone on webdip."

I now have my first goal when I get a full-time job.

How much does it take for platinum? I have a huge tax refund coming in along with our first quarter bonus (almost 2 grand after tax - a second banner year under way)...

@Draug

No one knows. Just keep donating til you get it.

One grand should about do it.

I just want to get it and deny abge the "first platinum user of WebDip" title. <grin>

I'll do this before Thucy does:

PM me for routing number, Draugnar. :)

I'll make sure you will be the first and possibly the ONLY platinum user of Webdip.

On second thought, maybe I can just give myself a star...

I'll donate to beat Draug.

Don't listen to Aldy, the cake, um i mean platinum star is a lie!

Don't listen to Ora, he just wants to throw you off the hunt for the star so he can get it for himself!

I am totally enthousiastic about the dev idea!

I would pay good money if I knew it would go towards a joint development fund. We should totally do that. Otherwise, you just stimulate people to wait around for the next drive to come up for server costs.

@bo - Go for it. I jist want to deny Abge the pleasure. If you want to be the first, my desire is still fulfilled and I save a bit of money. But somehow I think even the silver spoon childhood you live doesn't equate to mommy and daddy giving you that much.

Perhaps we could look into using the Stars as mod badges?

Mod bias ^

And Draug, I probably don't have a thousand dollars... lol

See, that's the difference. I commonly risk that much and more at hi-stakes poker at least once a month.

I risk three digits on poker occasionally. I tend to win at least something... it's not all luck. Still I am putting most of what I make into savings.

$500 is my minimum buy-in and that's only if they $2-$5 tables have a long wait so I have to slum at $1-$3. And what are you, a juvenile, doing playing poker?