3 ms·

I don't mean to question what it almost certainly a well-meaning comment, but could someone from metafilter (I already saw cortex in the thread) endorse this or

I don't mean to question what it almost certainly a well-meaning comment, but could someone from metafilter (I already saw cortex in the thread) endorse this or suggest an alternative? I'd love to send a few bucks that way to keep the wolves from the door but just want to make sure they're going to the correct bucket.

JackC 12y ago
That donation link appears on this page: https://www.metafilter.com/about.mefi https://www.metafilter.com/about.mefi "Supporting MetaFilter The site and server can always use upgrades of hardware, software, and bandwidth. If you'd like to chip in, you can donate via this PayPal link." Which does in fact link to https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PPKPHJFYASBTU https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_b... The site's getting hammered right now, but if you can't get through directly you can also check through the Google cache: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:NMFYgwZH8EwJ:www.metafilter.com/about.mefi http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:NMFYgwZ...
- devindotcom 12y ago
  Thanks, I was looking in the wrong place for potential donation links.
joshmillard 12y ago
That is our existing paypal account, yes. We aren't formally doing any fundraising at this point -- that's an account we've had set up for ever mostly for the once-a-month "hey, here's five bucks, buy yourself a beer" tip from a random happy/guilty user -- but if you toss money in that, it ends up with us, and I won't tell you no. If you want to be extra sure about the paypal link, visit the one at the bottom of Metafilter's about page, here: http://www.metafilter.com/about.mefi http://www.metafilter.com/about.mefi
- devindotcom 12y ago
  Thanks. Sorry to hear about the trouble at Mefi. I'm blackleotardfront there. It might be superfluous to say but we are all 100% behind the staff and site and whatever you guys decide is the best course of action we will support to the best of our ability.
- dave5104 12y ago
  Doesn't sound like you may necessarily want to expand this funding source, but if you do, I also run a content-heavy site that currently runs on donations. I've been doing it without paying a dime myself over the past 8 years or so. Some things I've learned: - Ask for specific dollar amounts. It'll give users an idea of what they should type in. - Make that donation link more prominent on the page. The "this PayPal link" <a> tag is pretty hidden at the bottom. - Offer incentives. I give my donors a trophy for their site account when they give something, and there are certain tiers (e.g. gold trophy for $50, silver for $25, etc.) Requires a bit of management on your side of things, but it could pay off.
  - rmc 12y ago
    Ask for specific dollar amounts. It'll give users an idea of what they should type in. Yep. I was at a museum and they had "please donate €5" donation box, which was full of fivers. Otherwise it'd be full of coins.
- splitrocket 12y ago
  Cortex: as a single datapoint, I'd pay a totally voluntary subscription for metafilter. Make it an option, and I'll do it.
- groby_b 12y ago
  You know, if you offered me a way to subscribe, I would :) Heck, I just saw donations can be recurring, so let's do that instead. If you made this a bit more prominent, I'm sure quite a few people would love to chip in.
  - zevyoura 12y ago

JackC 12y ago

That donation link appears on this page: https://www.metafilter.com/about.mefi https://www.metafilter.com/about.mefi "Supporting MetaFilter The site and server can always use upgrades of hardware, software, and bandwidth. If you'd like to chip in, you can donate via this PayPal link." Which does in fact link to https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PPKPHJFYASBTU https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_b... The site's getting hammered right now, but if you can't get through directly you can also check through the Google cache: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:NMFYgwZH8EwJ:www.metafilter.com/about.mefi http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:NMFYgwZ...

devindotcom 12y ago
Thanks, I was looking in the wrong place for potential donation links.

joshmillard 12y ago

That is our existing paypal account, yes. We aren't formally doing any fundraising at this point -- that's an account we've had set up for ever mostly for the once-a-month "hey, here's five bucks, buy yourself a beer" tip from a random happy/guilty user -- but if you toss money in that, it ends up with us, and I won't tell you no. If you want to be extra sure about the paypal link, visit the one at the bottom of Metafilter's about page, here: http://www.metafilter.com/about.mefi http://www.metafilter.com/about.mefi

devindotcom 12y ago
Thanks. Sorry to hear about the trouble at Mefi. I'm blackleotardfront there. It might be superfluous to say but we are all 100% behind the staff and site and whatever you guys decide is the best course of action we will support to the best of our ability.
dave5104 12y ago
Doesn't sound like you may necessarily want to expand this funding source, but if you do, I also run a content-heavy site that currently runs on donations. I've been doing it without paying a dime myself over the past 8 years or so. Some things I've learned: - Ask for specific dollar amounts. It'll give users an idea of what they should type in. - Make that donation link more prominent on the page. The "this PayPal link" <a> tag is pretty hidden at the bottom. - Offer incentives. I give my donors a trophy for their site account when they give something, and there are certain tiers (e.g. gold trophy for $50, silver for $25, etc.) Requires a bit of management on your side of things, but it could pay off.
- rmc 12y ago
  Ask for specific dollar amounts. It'll give users an idea of what they should type in. Yep. I was at a museum and they had "please donate €5" donation box, which was full of fivers. Otherwise it'd be full of coins.
splitrocket 12y ago
Cortex: as a single datapoint, I'd pay a totally voluntary subscription for metafilter. Make it an option, and I'll do it.
groby_b 12y ago
You know, if you offered me a way to subscribe, I would :) Heck, I just saw donations can be recurring, so let's do that instead. If you made this a bit more prominent, I'm sure quite a few people would love to chip in.
- zevyoura 12y ago