Author Topic: Site Cost...Possible changes (Read 6009 times)

Flyin6 · « **on:** March 16, 2018, 11:25:26 AM »

Ladies and Gents.

Our hosting company has sent me a rather sizeable bill to maintain the premium services we have here at RealMan.
I have paid $30 monthly for the site, which is a wash, and I'm fine with it. But it seems that is never enough. I have to buy all sorts of additional services just to insure the thing actually functions!
I have a bill for nearly $600 in front of me at the moment which I refuse to pay. Fellas, it's a lot, and I am just like everyone else. Having to pay a thousand dollars a year for this is a bit of a stretch for me, and this time I am not going to do it.
I can't seem to get them as they hide their human contact phone numbers.
I plan to move the site over to a server which I own in the future so there will be no costs at all and you can continue DOTing the thing up all you want. But for now, this bill for almost $600 isn't going to be paid. I hope we just don't disappear off the net, but it is a possibility, I'm afraid.
I'm working on it, but be prepared...

stlaser · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2018, 11:30:11 AM »

Bummer, this being the only site that bans me and keeps letting me post up....

KensAuto · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2018, 12:43:55 PM »

Heck Don, if that's the only way to get rid of Shawn, I'm down with that.

..sorry, just trying to make light of downer.

stlaser · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2018, 12:51:28 PM »

Quote from: KensAuto on March 16, 2018, 12:43:55 PM

Heck Don, if that's the only way to get rid of Shawn, I'm down with that.

..sorry, just trying to make light of downer.

Unlike you knucklehead ol Big D knows it ain’t that easy to get rid of me! He knows my wife & I’m sure she has told him she has been trying to get rid of me since we met. Btw, we were little kids when that took place so that’s a long time trying!

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2018, 02:58:18 PM »

Please set up a paypal or the like and we can add to the efforts

Don do you have number of actually participating members ?

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TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2018, 08:02:53 PM »

Yup. This^

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stlaser · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2018, 09:29:56 PM »

I agree with Dave & Charles however Don stated he wasn’t going to pay them & he was having trouble talking to someone. So my thought is Don believes he doesn’t owe $600 first and foremost as I don’t see Don skipping out on a bill he in fact owes.

cruizng · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2018, 09:35:53 PM »

I’m in

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Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2018, 09:59:37 PM »

I understand the not paying a bill, but I also know how much I value our positive forum. While I lack the knowledge and know how to put together something like this myself. I would be willing to contribute to keep this open until we find a more feasible solution. Or we skip the forum. Start a giant group text message chain on our phones and blow each other’s phones up with texting each day

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Farmer Jon · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2018, 07:36:57 AM »

I can throw in a few bucks if need be. Shoot if all the regulars threw in 20 bucks we would have it. I do think they are just trying to get more money out of you out of greed.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2018, 08:54:53 AM »

I knew that if I posted something you boneheads would come in and help...just hard to stop good men from doing what thetY think is the right thing
I didn't really want anyone's money, whenever you donate, I like to use that to bless
And there u
Is another issue here, but frankly I see it everywhere
And that is in the fact that just a few often standup and do the work for many. Some of you regulars will donate money but the guest, that guy who has been on here for three years will just go on and take advantage of involved men's efforts
That does bother the secular Don, but the spirit in me from him tells me to just continue because someday the truth in that word could change and save that mans life
So for that reason I would continue.
Ok if the REAL men here want to pay this bill I'll track the money in the donations section. Anyone can donate there on the available tab.
And allow me to call out big Dave from the great salt lake who contacted me privately to donate. I'll use as an example of who I think is true. He is living in a basement I think, and building a house and raising a family. He offered $50 without hiccuping. That's standing for something and leading. He is my poster boy for this
(Dave, did I do that well enough?? Yea, you'll get your 25%...). ;-)

Ok $567 is the numba
I'll continue to get the $30 a month, that seems reasonable
And
I'll endeavor to move us onto a new server asap where the cost will be near zero

stlaser · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2018, 09:45:13 AM »

I had a thought while driving yesterday. You sure pay a lot to have Ken and the likes of him ride you and give you a hard time daily as you document your hard work and suffering.............

I can't believe some of those guys

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2018, 09:48:05 AM »

Now if remember correctly you can’t donate on the mobile app correct?

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KensAuto · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2018, 10:03:45 AM »

Yes Dave, you are correct.

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Nate · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2018, 11:25:47 AM »

I just donated

Flyin6 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2018, 12:34:40 PM »

OK,
So you genemens decided to donate money, some of you
Well, I'll just let the Lord do his work here. I was driving back from the farm this morning, spent the night there, but woke to the pitter patter of rain drops on the tin roof...;-/
On the way back, I was praying and talking to God about things. I asked him what should I do with the web site. He immediately said, "I'll pay for it."
Not so much words, but a strong awareness as if I was reading the headlines and it said...
So, I want to think that was him, so i'll just go on that and see what comes of it. It may just have been me generating the answers I wanted to hear, but that isn't my sense of it at the moment.

So here we go, Bill is $567
One member gave $100...Thank You
Another gave $25, Thank you as well
A third just gave $50, Thank you

$567- $175 = $392 outstandin'

...As of 1234EST 03172018

Actually, I just looked at PayPal and it said this:
Available
$169.73 USD
That's Pay Pal math

So, actually, $398 balance...Not bad!

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2018, 01:07:39 PM »

So apparently PayPal takes a cut of what you pay huh? Fancy that

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 17, 2018, 02:01:15 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 17, 2018, 01:07:39 PM

So apparently PayPal takes a cut of what you pay huh? Fancy that

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They always have.
Even the Christmas donations are siphoned off...I made up the difference, was never a big deal, isn't now

Flyin6 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 17, 2018, 04:17:42 PM »

We had some more donate money

Thank you men, although I have very mixed feelings about this.

On one hand I love seeing men stand up and do the tough stuff.

On the other hand, I never intended to have anyone other than me pay for any of this. I wanted to think of it as a service I provided all of you, but with this single stroke, a group of dedicated men are coming in and helping. Well, when the time comes, I hope I can repay this kindness in some way

So more PP math

Donated:

$100, Thank you Sir
$25 Second donation from this individual

Pay pal math $125 = $121.50

So that leaves $277ish

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 17, 2018, 06:10:59 PM »

I think this makes it so I can’t get fired right? Takes a vote now to get kicked off the island lol

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 17, 2018, 08:22:18 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on March 17, 2018, 06:10:59 PM

I think this makes it so I can’t get fired right? Takes a vote now to get kicked off the island lol

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I think you may have earned a bye or two...

Tommy13 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 18, 2018, 11:11:56 AM »

Don, I'd say God is paying for it. Through those who have benefited from your ministry here. I for one appreciate everyone here.

JR · « **Reply #22 on:** March 18, 2018, 01:11:14 PM »

I sure like it here. Solid bunch of guys and a few gals mixed in. Maybe a sponscer or 2 would offset that bill somewhat?

I hear black rifle coffee is expanding bigtime, might be worth a shot. Maybe Randys as we all use that too regardless of Tates input.

Well, I will donate my pay for sure,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

fenriswolf039 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 18, 2018, 03:17:06 PM »

Curious.... what are these extra services that cost $600?

Flyin6 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 18, 2018, 06:14:49 PM »

Quote from: fenriswolf039 on March 18, 2018, 03:17:06 PM

Curious.... what are these extra services that cost $600?

I'll go find the invoice...
I know a service that is called "Clementine" and I believe I had us moved onto our own server with much wider in and out BB size, and constant monitoring. Kyle, if you're looking at this, (he's our IT guy) perhaps you can chime in.
In summary, me not being an IT guy, and not having all my time to shadow over the site...Need it to just run. So that heralds the extra monitoring. We get a report every week or so of the number of scans they run, the percentage of the site scanned, and problems found and resolutions that were made.
Earlier in the history of the site we were bombarded by advertisers from Russia and other places, and adware, and other crap that we had to sort through that often shut down the website. However, I don't think we have had many few if any problems since the "Clementine" service.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 18, 2018, 06:20:22 PM »

We get a report like this weekly: (poor copy, doesn't copy well...)

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for protecting your website with SiteLock.

Below is your SiteLock Platform Digest for the previous week.

The SiteLock Platform Digest provides you with a high-level security analysis of the health and risks associated with your website. We deliver your website scanning results on a weekly basis – ensuring you always have visibility into the security of your site.

If you'd like to learn more about this report and how to read your results,

Flyin6 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 18, 2018, 06:32:01 PM »

Here is the current billing...Obviously the April 14 stuff is what I am being charged for at the moment...

Showing 1 to 4 of 4 entries
Product/Service   Pricing   Next Due Date   Status
BASIC   $20.00 USD
Annually   Sunday, September 9th, 2018
ACTIVE
CLEMENTINE
real-man-truckworks-and-survival.com   $495.00 USD
Annually   Saturday, April 14th, 2018
ACTIVE
LEVEL 2 CLOUD VPS
vps.real-man-truckworks-and-survival.com   $35.00 USD
Monthly   Friday, October 9th, 2015
Cancelled
PREMIUM
real-man-truckworks-and-survival.com   $79.99 USD
Annually   Saturday, April 14th, 2018
ACTIVE

Flyin6 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 18, 2018, 06:37:51 PM »

Thank you men...

Came home today and three more stepped up to the plate
$50, Thank You
$110, Thank You
$50, Thank You

PayPal math $210 = $203.51

So, $277 - $203 = $74 remaining

Amazing, watching this...

And looking at the billing, I don't see the $30 a month, but I know they took it out of my account last I looked, so I am going to call them (If I can get to a human) to see what's up with that...???

JR · « **Reply #28 on:** March 18, 2018, 08:04:16 PM »

Maybe there is a similar monitoring service that isn't $500 a month?

Is it possible to get sponsors that pay per link? No $$ up front from them, but when a sale is linked to RMTW with maybe a sale? Few pennies here and there will add up quick!

Bob Smith · « **Reply #29 on:** March 18, 2018, 08:08:43 PM »

OH crap.... the Russian thing

stlaser · « **Reply #30 on:** March 18, 2018, 08:11:04 PM »

Quote from: JR on March 18, 2018, 08:04:16 PM

Maybe there is a similar monitoring service that isn't $500 a month?

Is it possible to get sponsors that pay per link? No $$ up front from them, but when a sale is linked to RMTW with maybe a sale? Few pennies here and there will add up quick!

From the bill he posted those were annual prices not monthly

JR · « **Reply #31 on:** March 18, 2018, 08:11:45 PM »

Wheres Mueller when you really need him?

OK, see it now

I was thinking that was his kabota payment taken away!

KensAuto · « **Reply #32 on:** March 19, 2018, 12:24:39 AM »

Sounds like they're charging for each individual pixel of those 100 megapixel pics Don keeps uploading. ;P

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stlaser · « **Reply #33 on:** March 19, 2018, 12:47:01 AM »

Quote from: KensAuto on March 19, 2018, 12:24:39 AM

Sounds like they're charging for each individual pixel of those 100 megapixel pics Don keeps uploading. ;P

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Didn’t Kyle say something about imgur.....

Flyin6 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 19, 2018, 08:43:52 AM »

OK, you bunch of wonderful knotheads

Woke up to three more donations

$5, Thank You
$65, Thank You
$5, Thank You

That begat $75 which when fuzzied up by the money grabbas then equals $71.91

I think that did it and put cash in the rescue account for a quoffee or two for the highway exit peeps. (I decided to give the beggars along the side of the highway Micky-D's gift cards) instead of monee. I'll put any excess to that in you Men's name. No worries about who gets credit, our Lord and God knows full well who sowed amongst the least of his...

Well, I love you guys for doing this.

First in a personal way, it helped me, obviously

In a larger sense it reinforced my vision of what all of you really are, good, salt of the earth men, the 1%ers who actually do things.

It spoke to me on a spiritual level, because when I asked God what to do on the drive back from the farm some days ago, he immediately said "I'll take care of it." so I got to ask the question, hear him answer the question, then see his instruments play his beautiful music right out in front of me with all these donations.

This was fulfilling for me, hope it rewarde you in a like manner.

It won't be very long and this web site will be moved over to a secured server, a big one, that I own. THat server does not exist at this very moment, but soon, it will. From that point onto infinity there will no longer be any costs, not concerns. Therewill be a professional staff looking over all things going on here.

For years now I have been a part of something rather larger...actually just keeps getting bigger all the time. That thing is about to become formalized in a tangible company/organization. That organization will be well financed, and a total work of God itself. The people there know of this and the work it does, and will protect it.

I have never taken a dime of compensation for the years of work over there, but soon I will. When that happens it will be my sincere joy, to host this quiet place of God's people for as long as you or your children choose to ruin other's threads, discuss meaningless things, and look at incredible recipes concocted by an old artilleryman...

OK, thank you from my spirit heart. God is faithful

CM

cruizng · « **Reply #35 on:** March 19, 2018, 10:06:04 AM »

Don,

I get so much more out of this site and the great group of people involved than I could ever give back so I would support any changes going forward. I just appreciate all of the work you and everyone does on the site to make it available.

Sounds like big changes and opportunity lie ahead so hopefully that comes through for you.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #36 on:** March 19, 2018, 10:08:52 AM »

Quote from: cruizng on March 19, 2018, 10:06:04 AM

Don,

I get so much more out of this site and the great group of people involved than I could ever give back so I would support any changes going forward. I just appreciate all of the work you and everyone does on the site to make it available.

Sounds like big changes and opportunity lie ahead so hopefully that comes through for you.

Oh, it's coming through...
I'll be humbled to share with everyone when the time is right...

Flyin6 · « **Reply #37 on:** March 19, 2018, 10:11:23 AM »

OK, so God is going a little over the top here...

HAd another donation of $100/paypal = $97.91

So, thank you very much!

And everyone can stop sending money, we paid for the site

I'll either save the money for the web site, or Christmas, or maybe go buy a bunch of gift cards to give away to bridge and off ramp people.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #38 on:** March 19, 2018, 04:41:13 PM »

I would rather you not support bridge people, Christmas seems to provide fruitful returns spiritually vs The Who knows from the bridge folks

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JR · « **Reply #39 on:** March 19, 2018, 04:52:55 PM »

Can I get a raise while your in a good mood?

Flyin6 · « **Reply #40 on:** March 19, 2018, 09:16:19 PM »

Quote from: JR on March 19, 2018, 04:52:55 PM

Can I get a raise while your in a good mood?

Sure!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #41 on:** March 19, 2018, 09:17:51 PM »

OK, just paid the invoice.
Was $574, not $567. This fuzzy math crap if for the birds!
Anyway, another year and we should have navigated into protected airspace by then...

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #42 on:** March 19, 2018, 11:09:44 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on March 19, 2018, 09:16:19 PM

Quote from: JR on March 19, 2018, 04:52:55 PM
Can I get a raise while your in a good mood?
Sure!

10% of nothing is still nothing lol

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TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #43 on:** March 19, 2018, 11:11:40 PM »

Run it like a bank, Don. Make everyone a Vice President! Titles are important if you aren't paying well...

stlaser · « **Reply #44 on:** March 19, 2018, 11:29:51 PM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on March 19, 2018, 11:11:40 PM

Run it like a bank, Don. Make everyone a Vice President! Titles are important if you aren't paying well...

It only took me firing 3 separate banks and 4 Vice Presidents of lending to finally realize me & banks don’t work well together.....