An Important Message - Please Read!

[Illuvatar]

Well Folks,

Another state of the union address. As you may know we had a very successful appeal to raise funds for upgrading our server to deal with demand and gain some economies of scale. This has worked well so far with us growing and hosting many sites.

Now we have increased revenue through hosting, though we do host most sites for free, subsidized or at cost. This is practical and subsidizes our costs somewhat. However, the three-month delay in launching subscription has left us in a pickle of some urgency.

Although it is now running and many generous folks are subscribing gradually. We are going to be $600 short this month, payment due on 20th of April. Fatty has advised the sites we host of this and the need for subscription to top 250 people in order for us to break even. We will then host them for free, since the various site users will in fact be paying for the costs.
When we launched subscription we had hoped the benefits, competitions (win a Sting sword at moment) and the site itself would merit a good % of people signing up. we are aware of our demographic and know some of you simply cannot help in this way.

However, given the number of users/visitors that visit the site on a daily basis, we feel that making the site self-sufficient is something that can be done.

So what we are saying is...well... the site may shut on the 20th April, though please be advised that we are doing everything we can to avoid this. However, we are also ensuring that funds are available to refund hosted sites pro-rata and to refund subscriptions in full, should this event take place.

To be honest had things went to plan we might not be in this position and we do not relish the task often appointed us to write these emotional pleas for help. But when it comes down to it, we have a lot of personal attachment to the site, the staff and the visitors. In this light, Fatty has prepared a donations page for those who are willing and can. But, we would emphasize that gaining subscribers is really the only viable means of maintaining the site and server.

So if you don't want to see a redirect on this page then donate, subscribe or both. We know that sounds melodramatic but that is the situation.

Some have said they do not want any extras and so will not subscribe, what we want to make clear is that although there are benefits to the Subscription program that is by way of thanks. Really it is about paying for the site. An apology if that was not clearly explained.

In summary if we need to raise the $600 by the 20th, and in order to avoid this kind of thing regularly we need 250 subscribers.
The subscription page is here (http://www.warofthering.net/subscribers/subscription.shtml) and the donations page is here (http://www.warofthering.net/donate.shtml).

Thanks to all who are helping us, and those we host. We will endeavour to keep you all informed. If you have any questions please just e-mail us at Fatty@warofthering.net or Illuvatar@warofthering.net

Regards

James aka Fatty and Terry aka Illuvatar on behalf of all the staff at War of the Ring.net

Sites we host:
Orlando Bloom Multimedia
Council-of-Elrond
Musings of Viggo
Fool of a Took (with sub site LOTR Action Figure Story Book)
Took Talk
The Quintessential Lord of the Rings Site
A Hobbits Tale

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

Yes guys, it's disastrous! mecry
Please subscribe if you have the ability to! And keep the donations coming!

[Frodo's Love]

I tried to subscribe yesterday but had some problems with Penpal... Fact is that I don't have one of those credit cards needed, although I lately did a transaction without needing such a card (just my account).
Yesterday it didn't work mecry, and without a credit card I could not go further. Can someone help me with that? :blush:
(I really lack some vocabulary here- if I sound confused, please tell me ;) )

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

hey hey good for u Frodo's luv, but I have no idea about this. I'm sure someone will come along to help you soon.

[Illuvatar]

Here I am! lol

You should be able to link Paypal directly to your checking account, in fact according to them it's preferred. this was there are no funky charges for processing plastic. All you should need is your routing number and account number for you bank.

Thanks everybody for your overhwelming response, the subscriptions have increased dramatically! And we are very humbled and pleased by the response so far.

[Frodo's Love]

Thank you Illu! I will check that out immediately.
lol I wrote "Penpal" earlier. roflmao Now I don't wonder anymore why it didn't work... ;)

[Orkybash]

Yeah, I wasn't going to subscribe cause I didn't know if I wanted the subscriber-only stuff... but once it came down to subscribe or lose WotR, I'd gladly pay the subscription fee!

I don't know if it went through, though, as I haven't heard anything regarding my subscription...

[Illuvatar]

Ahhh....

Very kewl Orkbash and we appreciate your support mate! :thumbs:

Fatty is processing all of the ones we've recieved between yesterday and today as we speak, and you should be recieving an email from him soon.

[Cuiel Rilwen]

Just a thought...my first concern when donating to the new server was the fee Paypal would take for the transaction, cuz the banks in my country are generally very clever at raking in money that way, and I'm far from being a wealthy woman. When the question about subscribing arrived, I remembered that Paypal charged me a fee of appr. 1 dollar. I got worried that they might charge this fee for every transaction, and that kept me from subscribing. Shows how good my teflon brain works! Had to go check the pricelist again, and since I'm such an airhead I was thinking maybe there are more like me out there in the forum? Therefore, when suggesting what way to make the subscription payment, I think maybe it would be a good idea for you admins to emphasize that sending money through Paypal actually is FREE OF CHARGE. They only charge you the first time!

I love this place and the people who inhabit it...if anybody had told me a year ago that I would be a regular at a web- forum, I would have laughed! But there it goes, I'm here, and I hope this place won't go away cuz I would miss it terribly! Sure hope loads of the forum members sign up, so the site can continue to brighten our days!:thumbs:

[Frodo's Love]

So finally I managed it... the only problem was that there wasn't enough money on my Paypal-account and it may take 3 or 4 days to be there. ( :trout: herself because of her stupidity) ;)
So my subscription is on its way... that it will arrive a few days later than I have actually planned will be no problem, I hope...

[Illuvatar]

No problem at all!!!

Thank you! You and all the folks that have answered the call, or who are even have us in your thoughts are the best!! :thumbs:

[Astaliel]

How is everything going? Is the site going to close?!? I've been anxious about it ever since I heard. Tell me someone!!

[Illuvatar]

We're doing better actually.......still not all the way there, but I think we're going to make it for this month at least. It's getting secure so that we don't have to face this crisis anymore that's the key.

See, the main goal of the Subscription program is to provide long term site sustainability (if that's a word hehe). For about the entire 1st year the site was paid for by myself, Elendur, and Fatty, but when you figure that the costs to run the place have reached almost $14,000 a year, you can see why we could not face it alone anymore.

The way we see it, is that if we all chip in a little bit on a monthly basis, then we'll be able to keep on celebrating Tolkien and his works in our own special way. :p

[Adunauriel]

I've been worried to Astaliel, but I'm sure they'll let us know soon.. Keep the faith, I'm sure we'll make it...:thumbs:

[Wilwarin]

I'm advertising it in my siggy since I don't have any extra money right now. I hope that helps a little. I wish I could do more! mecry

[Adunauriel]

I'm with you Wil, my funds are so meager I'm barely surviveing.. Maybe I'll put something in my siggy too...:thumbs:

[A! Elbereth]

I wish I could subscribe and donate! I want to so much, but I am powerless! I have no money and the parentals aren't going to let me subscribe!

I am working on my convincing tactics. I will put somethin in my sig as well. It's the least I could do

[Alatar]

I suppose if there was money left over after you get enough subscibers and donations and such, yous would be able to possibly think about doing things with the site that yous couldn't before, becuase yous would have some financial stability now were as before it was a rollercoaster of bills

[Astaliel]

I put stuff about this problem in my sig. I would subscribe if I could, but my parents won't let me..mecry I'm supporting you guys all the way, though!! Go WotR staff! :thumbs:

[Amoraq]

I'll add something in my sig also. I'd hate it if this place were to dissapear.

I wish I could subscribe mecry But I don't have the money and my parents wouldn't let me anyway. :(

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

So um... how's it going with the subscriptions? has the possibility of closing down of the site decreased?

[YayBoromir!]

Well, I asked my Dad yesterday and he says he'll think about it, so fingers crossed... of course I don't mind paying the money, it's just how you pay it...but I should be able to convince him sooner or later lol
Come on everyone, keep subscribing! :thumbs:

[Orkybash]

Originally posted by Winyaél Greenleaf
So um... how's it going with the subscriptions? has the possibility of closing down of the site decreased?

Well, umm... if the poll on the front page is any indication, we're doomed.

[Illuvatar]

Well, guess what? We're not doomed yet!! lol

Fatty has just updated the news on the main page, and I will go ahead and provide an update here.

As always, we were very humbled by all the response to our plight. Many have subscribed and many have just flat out donated, and while that's very much appreciated, it's the subscriptions we really need.

The main reason for the criticality was due to Fatty's extended absence. We had a donation campain in January and had a few months cushion on hand to allow the Subscript program to build momentum. But 2.5 months of absence (which could not be avoided, so no real fault to our man Fatty) chewed that up. Needless to say, in that time, I became a page building fool of a Took! But there were still accesses that I did not have and so could not launch the program on my own. But we are rolling now, our other founding member has also returned, so with his and others donations we will be fine for this month. How we fare over the next few months is really dependant on the folks subscribing

The main goal of this is to make the site self sustaining. And we have taken other steps to accomplish this as well with our site hosting plans along with paid adverts, etc., but that only covers a small portion of the site costs which run $1,150 a month or about $14,000 a year, and that's just not something that 3 of us can foot the bill for anymore.

Well although we have enough for this month and indeed dozens of people are subscribing (chart coming soon), we still need a lot more subscribers to avoid this kind of thing happening every few months.

We've also noticed some folks putting adverts into their signatures in regards to the Subscription program and the current crisis. For all you, who cannot contribute, but have gone this extra mile for us, just the fact that we are in your thoughts is enough! We appreciate and value each and every one of you whether you can contribute or not!

And of course the adverts don't hurt either! lol

Keep the faith folks! We're looking forward to being here for a long, long time.

[Orkybash]

Yay! That's excellent news!

I'm glad you're getting results, even if more needs to happen for the site to run continuously. But, at least now I won't come back from spring break (which is next week for me) all ready for a posting spree on WotR only to find it shut down! :)

[Amoraq]

Oh, I'm glad that things are doing better. I'll make another stab at getting my parents to let me subscribe.:) Though the chances aren't too good for that happening :(

[Adunauriel]

Well, atleast you tried Amoraq, and that's the most important thing.. Don't feel bad if you can't subscribe, just give your support anyway you can...:thumbs:

[YayBoromir!]

I've been shot down :( They're not letting me subscribe until after my exams...but then I will :grin: My exams will have finished by June...

[Bonos-Girl]

kewl!

well...as noone seems to reply to my post in the subscription thread in the staff section: can i pay by a UK postal order for £10?

[Winyaél Greenleaf]

hey I did! You asked about the currency exchange, and I gave you the site! lol
Haha, in that case, I'll leave the advert in my siggy until 20th April, then I'll shorten it to a line so I can add back the old stuff. Haha. veryhappy
Hooray for the safety of WotR!

[Bonos-Girl]

i knew the exchange..but i wanted to make sure that i could pay in pounds with a postal order....someone? lol

[Illuvatar]

And the answer is YES! At least I think so! lol

Since your over there, you'll be sending it to Fatty who's over there as well so that should be just fine.

[Amoraq]

so for subscription. If I'm paying by mail do I just fill out the form online and then send the payment out by snail mail?

[Illuvatar]

Yip Yip! :)

[Amoraq]

Great! I can subscribe as long as I pay myself. That's what the parents said. :)

Only problem is I missed the mail today. :blush:

[Alatar]

What happens if say someone doesn't have the money in there bank or forget to send postal order?. Do they just pay double the next month?

[Fatty]

Alatar if you dont have money in say your paypal account or your credit card is not working, then whoever you paid with (paypal 2checkout) will try to take it a couple of times. It depends on the bank as to what will happen then, some reject it other charge you etc. Liek any payment you tryt make with insufficient funds. I am not up on USA bank or credit card procedures. Usually in UK with credit cards, if you are over limit it jsut gets rejected.

With people forgettng to sendor such. We will email them when there payment is overdue and ask if they wish to continue.

[Alatar]

ahhhhhh ok, thanks man:thumbs:

[Bonos-Girl]

ok....so....does anyone know whether i have to fill anything else in on the postal order other than 'James Wray' where it says something like 'receievers name'?

[Amoraq]

I think for the postal order you need to include all the info in the form you filled in online.

[Illuvatar]

Nah....just the standard postal or stuff is all that's required. We will match up the info with what your filled in on the subscription form.

Thanks

[Bonos-Girl]

ok....theres a line (one that you write stuff on) with a bit that says 'received/signiture'. does anyone know what thats about? what do i hve to put there?

[Amoraq]

Ahh, I've got the big silver ring by my name now! Does that mean you got my payment?

[Adunauriel]

Originally posted by Bonos-Girl
ok....theres a line (one that you write stuff on) with a bit that says 'received/signiture'. does anyone know what thats about? what do i hve to put there?
I think that's where the person your sending it to signs, so I'd leave it blank....:thumbs:

[Illuvatar]

Why yes it does! And thank you very much!:thumbs:

You should be getting an email thank-you letter from Fatty here shortly as well, and it will have all the info in regards to the "goodies". But I have gone ahead and modified you account in the Subscriber's Gallery to Silver and feel free to send me your custom avatar and custom title to Illuvatar@warofthering.net

Thanks again!

[Adunauriel]

Woohooo! Once again, my dad being a Potsmaster has paid off.....:whoohoo:lol

[Illuvatar]

Ohhh..ooops.......

I was replying to Amoraq! lol

I have nooooo clue about that signature bit on the money order! :blush:

[Adunauriel]

Well B/G said that the space said Recieved/Signature.. So I told her it looked to me like that where the reciever would sign...;)

The only other option is to take it to where you bought it, and they should be able to help you fill it out properly....:grin:

[Bonos-Girl]

ok....i might do that tomorrow...i haven't been able to get anywhere useful (being town or the web) for like 5 days!! lol

[Adunauriel]

It's ok, I'm just glad you've finally seen my recommendation....:thumbs:

[Bonos-Girl]

thanks! i can't believ i didn't think of that before though...how dumb am i?! lol

[Adunauriel]

Ah even after I posted the reply, I still asked my Dad what he thought....;)

[Bonos-Girl]

arrghh...i am so annoyed...why don't post offices open on sundays?! lol i now won't be able to find out how to fill it out for like 2 weeks....i am so busy during May its unbelievable! lol

i had a look on the royal mail website but its not very helpful at all! lol

[Adunauriel]

Sorry about the Post Office not being open, but even they deserve Sundays off... Don't worry tho, I'm sure you'll get it all figured out...;)