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mudcat.org cannot afford to continue...
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Subject: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Max Date: 30 Nov 12 - 04:49 PM ...without your help. (sorry about that {sheepish-shrug} but I needed to get your attention.) While we are planning a more organized/sophisticated/less-poorly-timed fund raiser in January 2013, we could use some funds now to keep the fires of progress stoked thru December. You see, mudcat.org is in the process of a major overhaul, which again I will explain in more depth in the very near future. The short version is that we are currently at the mercy of some rather oppressive keepers, namely Microsoft and Adobe, who's software keeps mudcat.org clicking and humming. Keeping that software up to date (something we are WAAAYYY overdue for) is not something we can currently afford (SQL Server - $4,500, Adobe ColdFusion $4,300, Windows Datacenter $4,800). We are essentially redirecting those software license funds to... So the upgrade is the complete rewriting of mudcat.org, not a single line of code remains of this version which I type into now, to an entirely opensource mudcat. We're going to switch from Microsoft Server to Linux, SQL Server to MySQL, and ColdFusion to primarily PHP and other scripting/ODBC-connectivity/application languages. All of which are free to use and keep up to date. We've been testing technologies all year and actually have a few different versions of the new mudcat running on varying platforms now. We are ready, at this juncture, to make the database switch. For this I need to employ a database specialist for the data transfer and server setup (who happens to be available for December) as well as hopefully procure some hardware. I really would like to get started on this now, so I am asking for your help. I know the holiday season is not the best time to ask you to check your fancy-party-clothes pockets and under the couch cushions, I haven't in years' past and certainly wouldn't bother if I didn't think it was important. Please know that every little bit helps, whenever you can muster. I have some very good people willing to help and they are working as affordable as they can for us here, really generous deals to be sure, we can really get a lot done for very little. Keeping this short, the best way to contribute in via Paypal. They have been very good to us over the years, cut us a break on their cut cuz we're awesome and allow us to accept any sort of currencies without conversion/transfer/banking fees. The account is max@mudcat.org which you can enter manually or by clicking the following links and buttons: USD: GBP: EUR: AUD: CAD:
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Will Fly Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:03 PM Dollars donated. Good luck, Will |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: kendall Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:04 PM Ok folks, time to shift or get off the pike. Our contribution just became our Christmas gift to each other. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Keith A of Hertford Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:04 PM OK Max. Will do. keith. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: catspaw49 Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:05 PM Sent via PayPal.....Sorry it isn't more. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: DebC Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:09 PM I just put all four of my CDs into the Auction. Opening bid is $45 and I'll donate the shipping. 100% to Mudcat. The auction ends Dec. 7 and CDs will be shipped to the winner on Dec. 8th. You can go to my website to see the CDs and listen to music Debra Cowan |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: johnadams Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:12 PM A few dollars more. Every little helps. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: maeve Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:14 PM I've just sent out my gift, Max. Thank you for the Mudcat that was, is, and shall become. Maeve |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Dan Schatz Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:16 PM Done! Merry Christmas, Mudcat! Dan |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Ann N Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:22 PM Sent via Paypal ... every little helps .... :D have a Merry Christmas Ann |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Dug Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:52 PM Donated via Paypal. Keep up the good work. Doug Jenner |
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Subject: RE:mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: sharyn Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:55 PM Money is the toughest thing for me to come up with at present. May I copy DebC and contribute a CD to the auction? (I have hundreds of them in my closet). And I'll publicize Mudcat's plight -- how 'bout that? |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Steve Gardham Date: 30 Nov 12 - 05:55 PM Okay, it looks like this is already in operation, but perhaps it needs a little more organisation. We check the attic for surplus folk books/CDs/etc put them up for auction here. The seller is donating said item(s) plus postage and the buyer donates the winning bid. Though I'd suggest avoiding international shipping. I know I have at least half a dozen surplus books which I'll check out tomorrow. Steve |
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Subject: RE:mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: it'smagic Date: 30 Nov 12 - 06:01 PM What about amazon.de? |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue.. From: maeve Date: 30 Nov 12 - 06:16 PM MoorleyMan- For UK 'Catters, Max said, "In the UK, the kind kind folks knows as The (UK) Friends of Mudcat can help, hopefully posting below the information you will need to see that the funds are directed such that we can avoid the banking fees usually associated with international bank transfers." So one of the UK Friends of Mudcat will, we hope, post soon with donation information. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue From: Spleen Cringe Date: 30 Nov 12 - 06:19 PM done. good luck with this. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue From: bill\sables Date: 30 Nov 12 - 06:22 PM UK Friends of Mudcat have just this week sent a cheque for £300 to Max. I would expect one of the organisers of FOM will post here explaining how you can donate. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: maeve Date: 30 Nov 12 - 06:23 PM The Donate button is working fine for me right now, showing US dollars as the method of payment. Max will sort it. When I donated, I went straight to Paypal. Folks might want try that if the Donate button doesn't work for them right now. |
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Subject: RE:mudcat.org cannot afford to continue. From: artbrooks Date: 30 Nov 12 - 06:32 PM PalPal cash enroute - but please assure me that we aren't going to have to use Linux to access Mudcat when the dust has settled. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: bobad Date: 30 Nov 12 - 06:33 PM It shows US dollars but when you go through the process it is converted to the currency of your location - at least that's what happened with me. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Rapparee Date: 30 Nov 12 - 06:38 PM I could waste the money I just donated on worse things.... |
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Subject: RE:mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Bill D Date: 30 Nov 12 - 06:56 PM Will send a paper check........ |
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Subject: RE:mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: GUEST,999 Date: 30 Nov 12 - 07:19 PM We too will help keep folk and blues alive, Max. Postal money order: Yankee bucks, Canuck stamp. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Rapparee Date: 30 Nov 12 - 07:24 PM You won't have to run Linux to access MC, Art. It's the server's language, not that of the person accessing the site. MANY servers use Unix or Linux and you can access their sites just fine. |
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Subject: mudcat From: kendall Date: 30 Nov 12 - 07:25 PM Damn straight! |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Nigel Parsons Date: 30 Nov 12 - 07:40 PM It's not a lot, but donation made through PayPal. I'll watch the auctions with interest. I'm considering adding a copy of the Scottish Students Song Book, but I can only cover the postage if it's a UK buyer. Is there any UK interest? (PM me if so) Cheers Nigel |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: gnu Date: 30 Nov 12 - 07:46 PM I donated a good portion of the budget of Mudcat years and years ago when it was required through the auction and otherwise and I know others who did so as well. I was flush back then. I ain't flush now... FAR from it. Took some severe hits due to health problems and the economic downturn and others. But this is just as dire and perhaps moreso than it was back then so I am gonna scratch up some scratch and do my part. This community of wonderful, intelligent, talented... and so on, as you know... people... would be a GREAT loss for me if it was gone. See you at auction. Anyone who don't know my history at auction... don yer big boy pads. |
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Subject: RE:mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Janie Date: 30 Nov 12 - 08:01 PM Thanks 999 and Nigel. Donation sent. Paypal button worked fine for me. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Jeri Date: 30 Nov 12 - 08:03 PM It's not supposed to allow people to post HTML tags, so maybe that's it. I'll see if this goes through. I'll send some $$, but I just got my first oil bill today, so I ain't loaded. I think the whole point is for a lot of people to donate, so we don't need a small number of people with deep pockets. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue.. From: John Routledge Date: 30 Nov 12 - 08:04 PM FRIENDS OF THE MUDCAT Payments in UK pounds can be made direct into the above account which is UK bank based and these funds are transferred to Max without foreign exchange fees being payable. Thus very cost effective. If anyone who wishes to donate in £Sterling sends me a PM I will let them have bank details to make an online payment direct to the bank Payment can also be made via cheque or bank transfer in the usual way. Let me have any questions via the thread or PM Thanks in advance |
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Subject: RE: donation From: *#1 PEASANT* Date: 30 Nov 12 - 08:18 PM Had you asked for donations of debt I could have given much more but I gave what I could squeeze out at the time being covered in book publishing debt- but if I sell more books well then....I can give more http://www.cbladey.com buy books help me give more to mudcat..... thanks for being here..... Conrad |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: BanjoRay Date: 30 Nov 12 - 08:42 PM All done - hope we all contribute enough - times are hard! Ray |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: woodyguth3 Date: 30 Nov 12 - 08:44 PM Am happy to help. Just did my part. - Tom |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Rapparee Date: 30 Nov 12 - 08:46 PM I done did a donation. Now I think I'll sell some books from my personal collection to help the Mudcat. Duplicates, probably...a dup of my first folio of Shakespeare (autographed by Bill, of course), the duplicate Guttenberg bible, the duplicate autographed Bible, my autographed photo of Jesus...stuff like that. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Joe Offer Date: 30 Nov 12 - 08:47 PM Well, I could fix it, but I don't usually negate what Max hath wrought. Let this be a test, to see how well posters follow the instructions to remove the HTML tags from the message title. -Joe- P.S. I put a check in the mail tonight, Max. |
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Subject: RE:mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Nigel Parsons Date: 30 Nov 12 - 08:48 PM Rap, You can't really have an autographed photo of Jesus. Ball-pens hadn't been invented then! |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: GUEST,999 Date: 30 Nov 12 - 09:11 PM I ain't touchin' that one, Nigel. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Charley Noble Date: 30 Nov 12 - 09:36 PM Max- Donation on the way via credit card. Best of luck! Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE:mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: katlaughing Date: 30 Nov 12 - 09:58 PM just sent some from my Rog and me. remember folks, a "widow's mite" can really add up exciting news, Max!! luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Deckman Date: 30 Nov 12 - 10:32 PM the money is in the mail Max. Thanks ... bob(deckman)nelson |
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Subject: mudcat org. cannot afford to continue From: Ron Davies Date: 30 Nov 12 - 11:29 PM Ditching Macroslop and going to Linux sounds like a great idea. I'll be glad to vote with my wallet for that. Ron |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Joe Offer Date: 30 Nov 12 - 11:55 PM OK, 999, I gotta try it. I don't quite believe you, but maybe you're right. ...and if the rest of you havne't donated, please do. I did, even though I agree with the complaint about Mudcat being slow earlier this week. -Joe-
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Subject: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue. From: Genie Date: 01 Dec 12 - 12:39 AM Will do what I can, Max, going to Amazon via Mudcat, buyins some Mudcat CDs, etc. Will help spread the word too. Gotta feed the (mud) kitty! Genie And, Gargoyle, the loo is not the place for flowers (though there's great fertilizer there). |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue. From: Neighmond Date: 01 Dec 12 - 12:54 AM Well, I just paypaled some along.....not nearly as much as I wish I could but such as it was. Cheers! Chaz |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 01 Dec 12 - 01:15 AM goodonya, Max, keep up the good work sent my bit & the receipt arrived in my Inbox before I even logged out of Paypal! sandra |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: georgeward Date: 01 Dec 12 - 01:35 AM Done! Love PayPal. Go 'cat! |
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Subject: RE:mudcat.org cannot afford to continue.. From: VirginiaTam Date: 01 Dec 12 - 09:22 AM I would prefer to just donate directly through my paypal account. I don't mind paying fees on my side. Do it all the time when I send money to kids in the US. Max or Joe please PM me the email address for the mudcat paypal account. |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Charley Noble Date: 01 Dec 12 - 09:23 AM Evidently one doesn't have to be a Paypal member to use a credit card to make a donation, as I've just done. Oh, and I just delete the BOLD COMMANDS in the subject box and my posts seem to go right through.....to somewhere. Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Roger the Skiffler Date: 01 Dec 12 - 09:30 AM As always I'll send some cash when I'm flush, not likely this side of Xmas, though. RtS |
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Subject: RE: mudcat.org cannot afford to continue... From: Pete Jennings Date: 01 Dec 12 - 09:47 AM My contribution made via the paypal donate button, with no problems. Pete |
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