UMassHoops.com

jj · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:12 pm Post subject: OK GUYS (And Gals)- Important

If you came to the site this morning and were frozen out, you're aware that UMASSHoops.com blew away the bandwidth limit this month. I just took a substantial out of pocket hit to get this thing unfrozen and back running so that you all can get back to posting.

Mike and I are in the process of figuring out some new levels to keep this thing running, but two things are going to have to change:

1- Users posting useless crap just for the sake of posting and running up their post count. I'm not mentioning names, but you probably have a good idea of who you are. The final call is up to Mike, but I'd like to see those of you who are posting up a storm and not contributing a dime to this endeavor deactivated from the site. That brings me to item #2....

2- Donations. This site exists out of the graciousness of Mike Fetterer. He has footed the bill since day one in addition to doing all of the updates that make this site what it is. I eat a pretty good chunk of cash yearly as well, as I keep Mike's server costs way below market levels. That's my contribution as a UMASS fan and someone who appreciates Mikes work. I highly encourage everyone here to make a donation, and to not forget what this site means to you. If you were lost this morning without it, think about what that would be like on a permanent basis. Donations are something that we're going to monitor, and if enough help isn't coming in, then something has to give. Mike has resisted the big outfits like Rivals for a long time. I personally can't stand that format, and if you can't either, you should think long and hard about helping out here.

End of rant, guys. Please do what you can to help this board and website remain in its current form.

Jay

Jeff93 · Junior Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 742 Location: Auburn, MA

I've mentioned this before, but I think Mike has been too humble to do it - but move the PayPal link to a more prominent position on the home page and add it to the forum pages (like in the top right corner or something). JJ's totally right, we need to support the work done here. Though he and Mike seem too proud to ask, they have earned the privilege of at least not having this site COST them money.

What would be a reasonable contribution? I'll ask straightup, JJ or Mike, what are the annual operating costs of the site? We can all see the total number of users, so figure 25% of those are us "active" users and we can all see what we should each pony up to help out. I donate, but am never sure if it is reasonable...and don't give us that "every little bit helps" crap.

jj · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jeff. When I have a minute, I'll spell out some quick facts about the website.

ktabz16 · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

i will say this... would it be that bad to put a few ads on here? maybe not in the middle of the posts but the sides and top area might be something to consider... judicious use of local links might be a good idea...

i can't afford to donate much but i'd be willing to donate some time selling some ads to businesses that would have an interest in reaching umass basketball fans (i have a little bit of experience in this area)

i'm not talking about a complete overhaul, but 3-4 well placed ads couldn't slow things down that much could they? if i'm way off base here let me know, if not PM about the sales idea jj or mike... i'd be happy to do it

ShadesOf96and98 · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:13 pm Post subject:

nobody appreciates mike and your work more than the people on this board, myself definately included, and i'd like to do whatever i can personally do to help you guys out. just remember that some of us are young pups that can barely afford gas to and from work. id love to make a substantial donation and if there comes a time in my life when im actually making money, this will be one of the first places i will donate too, but right now i make chump change and just cant afford to donate.

as i said, if i ever find a place in the sports writing industry that pays well, y'all will reap the benefits, but in the meantime don't hold it against some of us that love it here but cant actually donate. any other possible way i can help, including keeping the bullshit that comes out of my keyboard down to a a new minimum, i would be more than happy to do

MassDynasty321 · Senior Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 1026 Location: St. Louis

This is part of why I brought the Prediction Game here (I will start doing final scores after March Madness), because I'm only in high school and I can't really donate any money, so I tried to bring something else to the table. If theres anything additional that I could do, I'm perfectly willing to do it.

Scott O · Senior Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Posts: 1006

jj/Mike - where is the paypal link?
_________________
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Floyd · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:53 pm Post subject:

C'mon anyone can afford $10 or $20 bucks at least here and there. It's only a few beers somewhere. I still say a small annual dues from everyone would keep the cost down and still help to cover the costs jj & Mike incur

jj · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:57 pm Post subject:

Alrighty, some quick information....

I have had a number of offers via PM to help secure new hosting for the site. While I appreciate them, let me first explain my relationship here: Mike is the sole owner/operator of UMASSHoops.com and has been since its' birth in the early 90's. Some years back, Mike's old host realized that they hadn't set a bandwidth throttle on the UMASSHoops.com account, and they quickly froze the account and demanded a bunch of coin along with a monster future package upgrade in order to continue hosting it. At the time, I owned (and still do) a small premium webhosting company and volunteered to help get the site going again. As a fan of the program and a longtime reader/poster/fan/asshole antagonist associated with the board, I felt like it was the least I could do. I think we're now on year 3 or 4. Maybe 5, but I've lost count.

In a nutshell, the server that I currently have this site residing on is located with a lot of mission critical stuff at One Wilshire in Los Angeles. It is extremely expensive, but it is also extremely reliable and results in the least amount of downtime possible. Cheaper hosting is certainly available (HostRocket, Rackfast, etc), but with it comes the hassle of shitty customer service, network burps, DNS hassles, and you name it. In short, at One Wilshire, the site is accessible when people want to use it, and that's a huge plus. I'm also not being woken up at all hours by a beeper if something drops off. My people handle it.

Many have asked what a reasonable donation to Mike is. In my mind, $20 bucks a year (or more) from those of you with 1000+ posts is not too much to ask. In fact, it's downright economical. For those of you that relish engaging in the art of the shitstorm (which eats bandwidth like its going out of style), I'd say $50 a year is a great donation. Lets face it- A lot of us visit this site a ton of times during the day- sometimes unconciously, and would be lost for a while without it.

I'm going to kick some ideas around with Mike in the near future, but none of them, including going to a value host, should dissuade you from contributing to Mike's endeavor. Especially if you enjoy this place.

Links:

Donate to Mike via Paypal Here

About One Wilshire

shovelhd · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:07 pm Post subject:

No wonder this site is so fast no matter where I am accessing it, you're at a micro-NAP. Keep up the great work, JJ. Moving to a value host would be a huge step backwards. We don't need ads, all we need is the paypal link on every page.

senior citizen · Junior Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 333

A suggestion: Set a $$ goal. Let us know what the goal is. Keep us informed as to the progress being made on reaching the goal. People are more likely to feel part of the effort and more likely to donate when that approch is taken.

lane one · Junior Joined: 17 Aug 2003 Posts: 674

JJ,

Thanks for giving a brief blurb on the finances. You an Mike run a top notch site. Thanks.

I just checked my old credit card expenses, and realized it was almost a year to the day that I sent my last donation (dumb luck).

I would be happy to continue my donations on a year-to-year basis. I know its more work on the administration's side, but is there a mechanism to send yearly reminder emails to people to make an annual contribution. I would be happy to add my email to the list of solicitaions.

And for you young bucks: I just contributed for 1.9 of you 1000 posts/per year types, in addition to my bandwidth use. Here is what I am asking of you - continue to increase your contributions to UMass as your capability increases. Mike needs your help, the athletics department needs your help, your major needs your help. If you graduated last year, $25 to some UMass cause would be great this year. Whats that, 8 bad cups of coffee at Starbucks? If you can double that each year for the next 6 years, and then culminate it with $1000/year for your 7th year and on you will be a STUD! Start the process now. Its not that hard if you budget for an anual gift. Send Mike a check, then the rest directly to a Coach or a Department head. They all can use it!

xlgman · Hall of Fame Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 2752

deke · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:04 am Post subject:

How about a Sons Of Sam Horn-esque paid membership model? Levels include "Member", "Supporter", and "Lifetime". I think the costs are $10/year; $20/year; $99 one-time charge.

Mills-Hamlin 69 · Junior Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 420