Help With New Server

[DanceMentor]

It is wonderful how this site has grown over time. We have over 200,000 posts, and get around 5000 different visitors per day. To help pay for the costs of running the site, we have ads at the top and bottom of each page. Sometimes there is enough money through these ads to pay the hosting bill, and sometimes not, in which case I foot the bill.

I need your help. While the Silent Auction is around the corner from now, I don't think we should wait to upgrade. There have been a couple of different times recently (including today for 2 hours) where the server just could not handle the load.

We have a strong community here. If each person could each donate a few dollars to the cause, it will be easy to get this done. I need to raise $99 for the setup fee, and $250 for the first month billing. I will cover some of this, but I would REALLY appreciate it if some of you could chip in a little. Please go to http://www.dance-forums.com/donate.php and click on the Donate link.

Thank you in advance,
DanceMentor

[DanceMentor]

Okay, just got the first donation of $5! 8)

[cornutt]

Ah, that explains what was going on at lunch. I've dropped a few pennies in the well. Good luck!

[macha]

I'm plotting and scheming, keep your fingers crossed (but type slowly so I can't bash you for bad Spellin'! :P )

[alemana]

how's this effort going, DM?

[macha]

:( False alarm. The server I was going to suggest one, but it isn't any better than the one hiccupping- sawy.

[Ms_Sunlight]

I've bunged you a few quid as well. I don't doubt, knowing how lovely DF people are, that you'll get enough. *hint* *hint*

:D :D :D

[DanceMentor]

Hey, I have been working at the studio. I'm on break for a sec.
I wanted to let everyone know that we have raised $169 (based on a quick count). That is wonderful! :)

I'll follow up again when I get home this evening, and we will start making plans for the upgrade.

Thanks,
David

[DanceMentor]

We have raised $204. Thank you so much for your help. :D
That totally rocks! 8)
This is enough for me to pay for the setup of the new server, and about half of the first month's bill. I will leave the link at the top up til morning. If anyone else wants to help, it would be appreciated.

I sent a personal thank you to everyone who donated. I hope everyone received the thank you note.

[Ms_Sunlight]

Yay! Hopefully now the silent auction will bring in enough moolah to keep the new server running beautifully for some time to come.

[Rosa]

I'm not sure what to do, as I'm in the UK. Do you pay in dollars or pounds sterling? What should I put in the 'payment' box - should I use a dollar or £ sign?)

If it's the dollar sign then I'm on a steep learning curve.. but I'm sure I'll figure it out!

Rosa :)

[SDsalsaguy]

Yay! Hopefully now the silent auction will bring in enough moolah to keep the new server running beautifully for some time to come.
That's the idea Ms_Sunlight! :D

Remember everyone, donations to the silent auction do NOT have to be dance related! The point is that the bids generated go to supporting the DF.
Check it out :arrow: http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=11094 :D

[DanceMentor]

Just realized it is going to be $280/month rather than $250/month.
Thanks to everyone, I'm off to a good start, and with the silent auction, it should help me pretty well through the Winter. During this time, I'll be working on ways to make sure we are solid. Thanks to everyone for your continuing support.

Do you think I should put a link to donate at the top right?

[Medira]

Do you think I should put a link to donate at the top right?I think a permanent link up there would be a great thing. :)

[lynn]

definately! and in big print - for us visually challenged :lol: !!

[DanceMentor]

I'm transferring some funds from the paypal donations over to my bank account. In a couple of days we'll be up and running on the new server. It will likely happen in the middle of the night for US users (I'm thinking 4 am to 6 am would be a good time). I hope that is okay, and I apologize to those in other areas.

We're going to have a Dual Xeon server with 100 mbit connection, menaing we can handle around 4 times the current load.