January Fundraising Drive

[Hamma]

http://www.planetside-universe.com/news-january-fundraising-drive-2929.htm

It's that time again here at PSU! We have had quite a bit of new traffic over the past several months and introduced some new features that have increased our costs. As a result we are kicking off another Fundraiser to support the site!

As you know we at PlanetSide Universe are 100% community run and supported. This means that we have no advertisements and all of our support comes from donations and from the PSU Staff. Our main cost at this time is bandwidth that is steadily rising due to the release of Stat Signatures and in increase in usage of our Wiki. At the time of writing this news post we support over 3,000 statistic signatures. Last month we did about 850GB of data transfer whereas the previous month we did 550.

We have decided to do a donation drive with a goal of $1800! This will support us (at our current costs) for about 6 months, in addition to what remains from our previous donations that's about 7 months if costs remain the same. This money supports all of our services, domain registrations and any other costs that may arise as part of operating PSU's services. All donators will get marked as contributors on the forums and those who donate $100 or more will receive a gold username on the forums. Contributors are also able to see post counts and do a few other small things. We plan to add more features for contributors at some point in the near future. If you have suggestions for contributor features let us know!

Hit up the PayPal donation button over on the left side of the front page or in <a href="http://www.planetside-universe.com/news-january-fundraising-drive-2929.htm]http://www.planetside-universe.com/news-january-fundraising-drive-2929.htm">this news post</a>! Be sure that when you donate <a href="/profile.php?do=editpassword">you use the same e-mail</a>&nbsp;as you have registered here on PSU so we know who to mark as a contributor.

[Hamma]

As promised from the news post I wanted to go into a bit more detail about what we are running behind the scenes. We utilize the Cloud for all of our services. We currently run two web hosts with Apache/memcached. In front of this is a Cloud Load Balancer that balances traffic between our two web servers. This allows us to perform maintenance with less downtime AND it gives us the ability to add another server if we need to. It's also given us quite a bit more responsiveness during high traffic spikes which often occur when the Game Servers are offline. Our new Signature service also runs on the two web servers where we cache stat signatures for a period of time in static files replicated between two servers. We currently support over 3,000 stat signatures.

We also run a pretty low cost server for IRC - it barely breaks $20 a month and gets a fair bit of use.

On the Database side we utilize Cloud Databases. The reason we utilize this (it's a bit higher cost product) is during some of our major traffic spikes we encountered bottlenecks on our little mySQL server. This allows us to run an already optimized database on a faster storage infrastructure. We can also expand disk space as needed.

[Hamma]

Already two donations! thanks guys :)

[OpolE]

How much persuasion does PSU have over SOE making Planetside1 F2P?

[Ghryphen]

How much persuasion does PSU have over SOE making Planetside1 F2P?

Same as you

[Mastachief]

I'll throw some cash your way next weekend. The $100 thing is that total or as a one of payment?

[Ghryphen]

I'll throw some cash your way next weekend. The $100 thing is that total or as a one of payment?

It's cumulative

[Hamma]

Yep!

Up to $215!

[Rivenshield]

I threw in a buck. *Everybody* can afford a buck. They add up fast if people are conscientious about it.

[maradine]

/tips hat

Keep it classy, gents.

[Hamma]

Up to $466! :D

[AnamNantom]

As promised from the news post I wanted to go into a bit more detail about what we are running behind the scenes. We utilize the Cloud for all of our services. We currently run two web hosts with Apache/memcached. In front of this is a Cloud Load Balancer that balances traffic between our two web servers. This allows us to perform maintenance with less downtime AND it gives us the ability to add another server if we need to. It's also given us quite a bit more responsiveness during high traffic spikes which often occur when the Game Servers are offline. Our new Signature service also runs on the two web servers where we cache stat signatures for a period of time in static files replicated between two servers. We currently support over 3,000 stat signatures.

We also run a pretty low cost server for IRC - it barely breaks $20 a month and gets a fair bit of use.

On the Database side we utilize Cloud Databases. The reason we utilize this (it's a bit higher cost product) is during some of our major traffic spikes we encountered bottlenecks on our little mySQL server. This allows us to run an already optimized database on a faster storage infrastructure. We can also expand disk space as needed.

Ahh memcached! Many large sites run it! I've had to enable support for it on a few servers recently.

[vipjerry]

Its insane to know that after so many years and after all you have done for this game, SOE didn't think they should offer you money for your hosting. When i think again they dont care about own game so why should they bother to pay for some "unknown" website hosting problems...

[ShadetheDruid]

Its insane to know that after so many years and after all you have done for this game, SOE didn't think they should offer you money for your hosting. When i think again they dont care about own game so why should they bother to pay for some "unknown" website hosting problems...

Probably not the best idea. Considering i've seen people say that SOE secretly pays Hamma money to say what they want, imagine what it would be like if they did actually contribute.

[maradine]

Its insane to know that after so many years and after all you have done for this game, SOE didn't think they should offer you money for your hosting. When i think again they dont care about own game so why should they bother to pay for some "unknown" website hosting problems...

SOE has provided extraordinary access to PSU. Communications, in-person visits, data access and support . . .

Back on your meds, mate. This isn't that thread.

[vipjerry]

True, i was offtopic, sorry.

[Soothsayer]

This is tax deductable, right? :p

Thank you Hamma and all staff for providing this resource for the community. I think you've provided something really worthwhile and hope that you can continue to deliver such a good forum for the rest of us knuckleheads from way back... :D

[Sentrosi]

Managed to cash some cans in for some extra cash this month. So I figured I'd donate it to a worthy cause. Then thought about how much liquor and harm I could do to my body with that amount of liquor. So I donated it to the next best thing I could think of...PSU.

[Hamma]

:love: Thanks all!

Its insane to know that after so many years and after all you have done for this game, SOE didn't think they should offer you money for your hosting. When i think again they dont care about own game so why should they bother to pay for some "unknown" website hosting problems...

As mentioned, they repay us in other ways. We have gotten to be a part of some really cool things. That being said some devs have donated personally :)

Current tally: $676!

[Fujilives]

I'd be cool if the PS2 dev team introduced a PSU decal and donate the funds from the PSU decal purchases to the PSU website.

Not that this site was EXTREMELY USEFUL in marketing the PS2 game or anything.... I know it's where I came for all my information.

Give a little Take a little.

[Hamma]

Make that $776!

[DirtyBird]

Where do contributors see post counts and what are the other hidden gems they can do?

[maradine]

I'm pretty sure all we get is a smug sense of moral superiority. :D

edit: nm, I should read more often. It saves lives!

[Hamma]

Dirtybird, it should appear at the top right of peoples posts near the "Ignore Me" link. Something like [P: 711]

Current tally 796.00

[DirtyBird]

Ah ic as in post count per thread, not per account.
ie. [Ignore Me] #24

[Hamma]

AH! I will take a look at it.

[Hamma]

Fixed

[capiqu]

Well I guess about 1000 regular users if everyone gave $2 and that's IF EVERYONE you would have the year covered.
That said time to dust of the old prepaid debit card but on vacation. But will be Monday or Tuesday when I get back to work.
Great job Hamma and staff, you guys really deserve full support.

[Gonefshn]

I am throwing in $10 on saturday when I get my check! :))

[Canaris]

sent a lil something in appreciation for all you and the whole PS-U team has done for us Hamma :)

[Rago]

Gave a Small Sterling 15 Dollar Donation ! ;)

[Assist]

Without PSU I'd be really bored at work, even though I am still really bored at work ;P At least the day goes by faster now!
/donated

[Hamma]

Thanks guys! Over half way to our goal at 946.00

We haven't done the contributor sweep on the forums just yet so you won't be marked right away.

[maradine]

I dunno man - maybe next quarter, a telethon? You could have musical guests and cry for the camera. Oh, and hot "volunteer" operators.

Yes, I'm a product of the 80s.

[Hamma]

:lol:

[Baneblade]

You should enable PayPal's subscription option.

Anyway, I'd stuff more money in your g string, but we just had our first born on the 3rd, so a little strapped for liquid cash currently :(

[Chaff]

I've gotten far more than $100 worth of enjoyment in my relatively brief time on PSU.
It's only been one day, but I'm looking for my GOLD lettering soon....
Hats off to everyone who makes PSU such a great place to visit.

[Sylvanicus]

Honest to god you guys, if I'd had $1800 I would have at least considered giving it all to you. I'm not in any way the most active member, but this isn't about me. You guys are what makes this community... a community.

I did what I could, figured $10 would at least cover my personal use of your great site.

[bpostal]

:groovy::groovy::groovy:
Go Hamma! Go Hamma! Go Hamma!

[capiqu]

You need great stars like Higby and T-Ray to do a Twitchothon. Maybe they can Throw in a couple of dog tags or faction sneakers. As long as T-Ray dont go shirtless i'm sure you will meat your goal in an hour.:rofl:

[basti]

You need great stars like Higby and T-Ray to do a Twitchothon. Maybe they can Throw in a couple of dog tags or faction sneakers. As long as T-Ray dont go shirtless i'm sure you will meat your goal in an hour.:rofl:

And if T goes in shirtless the goal will be met in seconds! People will be throwing money at their screen!

[Rago]

And if T goes in shirtless the goal will be met in seconds! People will be throwing money at their screen!

I say let Maggie do this :cool: Of course im just Kidding, trolling:p
Don´t hate me for being me.

[Sarmane]

Great time to finally sign up and make the first post after seeing the Drive. Glad to help keep this place afloat. Keep up the great work Hamma!

[RSphil]

gave $25 but will donate more when I get paid in a few days. keep up the great work. :)

[Hamma]

Current tally $1202!

[Rago]

Looks like we will do this, fast :)
Great Place the Psu.

[Jennyboo]

Almost there everyone!! keep it up and thank you too all our contributors thus far!!!

[Hamma]

Jennyboo is going through marking folks as contributors you should all have the tags and gold names if $100 or over soon.

[Jennyboo]

Jennyboo is going through marking folks as contributors you should all have the tags and gold names if $100 or over soon.

Everyone who has donated thus far should have their contributor tags and medals :cool::love:

[RSphil]

cool lets keep it up, can't be far off now.

[Hamma]

We are at 1302 now :)

[Chaff]

seeing people respond here makes me feel a little better about life in general. I appreciate that feeling wherever I can find it. PSU has been an enjoyable place for me to spend time. It's a TWACKED Community, but it's Home for many good peeps. Thank you PSU for all your dedication & hard work. It does not go unappreciated or unoticed.
(and thanks for the GOLD font - it's so perdy)

[Hamma]

Thanks! :D We are pretty close to goal now I'll do another update soon.

[Hamma]

In a twist of irony we may have found an advertiser that will work well for us.

[maradine]

I'd prefer you just shake us down for money periodically, but I suppose a tasteful sidebar ad wouldn't be the end of the world.

[RSphil]

yay pay day. just sent ya some more $$$$$$ Hamma. think im up to my gold name now :)
keep up the great work and loving every second on here. best community for a game iv been involvd with for a long time.

[Hamma]

Awesome! I'll check on it when I get home.

Adverts would just be 768 leaderboards if we did them. This particular advertiser (http://intergi.com/) targets gamers.. so it's right up our alley.

[capiqu]

As promised back at work so sent in my contribution. Make sure we keep PSU as the number one Planetside fan sight.

[Hamma]

Thanks!! :D

We are currently at $1,397.00 and all caught up on the forums. Everyone so far should be marked as a contributor. Just over $400 to our goal!

[RSphil]

great job. nearly at the target, lets keep it up people. this site rules all and is far better then the official forums. lets support them all we can.

[psijaka]

Time for me to put my money where my mouth is!

[Baneblade]

In a twist of irony we may have found an advertiser that will work well for us.

I still think you should let outfits buy ad space.

[Hamma]

That would be cool.. but I think that would get complicated.

[Baneblade]

How would it be complicated? If you charged per click, it might be. But you could also just 'rent' out slots in a rotating ad reel or something.

[Twasta]

Send 15 $ your way :)

[Hamma]

Thanks guys!

We are at $1532 and $268 from goal!

[belch]

Did my part...thanks for the awesome site, forum and community!

[Hamma]

$218 left to go!

[Hamma]

So I've put up some ads as a test- probably run them about 24hrs and take them down to see what they look like stat wise. We've raised enough cash on hand to run the site as is for about 6 months or so roughly. Keep in mind.. run the site as is assuming costs don't change. :)

[Hamma]

Not impressed so far, slowing down page loads quite a bit in some cases.

[Rago]

Is the Add Banner new ? Never seen this before ?

Do you recieve something for Klicking it ?
I klicket it :P

Confirm that Side is slower

[Tatwi]

Not impressed so far, slowing down page loads quite a bit in some cases.

Waste of time, bandwidth, and goodwill for the end users who are on a device that does not have ad blocking. I ad block to save time and bandwidth, not because I fear that I will buy something if I see it. The banner ad thing in general seems like one giant scam to me and I feel bad for the companies who dump their money into them. Maybe I am the odd man out, but I have never purposely clicked one (I hate touchscreens, like this tablet...); I just don't care.

[Mox]

I hate these ads. Put it off again. The community will raise the money.

[Canaris]

not noticing a difference to be honest since you turned them on, high traffic days are the real killer around here ;)

[Rago]

As long its only that small ad up there, it does not hurt, its not much and we have many users, the Ad also gave me a recall on No no Kuni, which i still want to play (hope a PC Version comes out...i would buy it !)

[psijaka]

PSU forums very slow to load today, and a few "high traffic" failures. Something to do with the ad? Wouldn't have thought so but it is a coincidence.

[psijaka]

Sorry about the double post - service unavailable message came up and I thought that the post had failed.

[Hamma]

I think the downtime's this morning had more to do with patch/server downtime than adverts. By the way, if we decide to stick with the ads (if) I'd be hiding them for contributors.

[maradine]

But then how will we learn about the fine products and important services they offer? These Westminster dinette sets are of "fine craftsmanship" and "uncompromising quality", for instance.

[Hamma]

:lol: The irony is these ads are supposed to be targeted at our demographc.. I'm not seeing that so far for the most part.

[ShadetheDruid]

:lol: The irony is these ads are supposed to be targeted at our demographc.. I'm not seeing that so far for the most part.

Maybe they had trouble finding ads for space guns and questionably tight spandex outfits?

[maradine]

http://i.imgur.com/mVeAW.png

Don't ask.

[Chaff]

.
Does GEICO offer Aircraft Insurance ? If so, the ads are great. Cuz I needs me some Air Cert (timer) Insurance.

[Hamma]

http://i.imgur.com/mVeAW.png

Don't ask.

:rofl:

[Baneblade]

I'm tellin you man, the best ads you could run are locally managed outfit ads. We would buy at least one slot.

[Hamma]

I've tested out the contributor flag for adverts - after 24hrs (coming up here in a few hours) I will hide adverts for contributors.

[Hamma]

Adverts now hidden for contributors.

Those who are not marked as contributors yet my apologies! We have been busy tracking down some site performance issues.

[Redshift]

I have an advert here for nut splitters......

[Mastachief]

Sent you some dollars

[Hamma]

Thanks! Will get everyone updated as contribs tomorrow.

[Hamma]

I've caught up on everyone and we have $180 left to raise :)

[Ruffdog]

I've sent you some. Lets get there guys!

[Hamma]

Thanks guys!

We are at $1660

[Calisai]

Thanks guys!

We are at $1660

Just donated. That should get ya closer. :)

I appreciate the site, especially the sigs. :D

[maradine]

Push! Push!

[Hamma]

$15 bucks from goal! :D

[Jennyboo]

$15 bucks from goal! :D

Almost there!!! we can do it all :D

[Hamma]

Caught up on marking contributors. Not quite to goal!

[bpostal]

Caught up on marking contributors. Not quite to goal!

If we donate will you take our questions with you to California and ask them at the event?

[Hamma]

:lol:

And $1800 it is! bpostal put us to goal! Thanks everyone!!! :D

[RSphil]

awesome news Hamma, congrats. thanks to the great community. we are all PSU fans and i think we'd be lost without this site and all the hard work Hamma and the crew put in.

[Hamma]

Thanks RS! :D Wouldn't be here if not for you all.

[TheBladeRoden]

I threw in fi dolla

edit: uh, fer six months from now