Subject: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Max Date: 26 Mar 13 - 05:48 PM Well gang, I am humbled, honored and pleased as punch at the overwhelming success of our December round of fundraising to work on the database end of the mudcat upgrade. While I just hoped for a few bucks to keep us plugging thru the (seemingly endless) cold winter months of central Pennsylvania, we actually got halfway to our total programmatic budgets extending thru the summer. To date, the specialists and I have a fully functional opensource database slave in operation. At this juncture it is passively (attempting) mirroring our production server, serving as a backup and testing to make sure it accepts, stores and redelivers the data (in all it's infinite international diversity of crazy characters, encoding format, html tags, sanskrit... and spaw's posts). Incidentally, we will soon be sending out a request to verify your membership email addresses, update your passwords and I know of a few of you who may have to change your usernames slightly due to strange characters. More on this later... Living in a college town and therefore using a lot of college staff as helpers, the summer is where we need to get the bulk of our programming done. While I am not hiring students, their absence affords us the time to invest outside our usual semester load. Our third and final phase is planned for fall and will be for hardware to create basically 2 exact servers for redundant fail-over. That is to say, no more "mudcat is down" stuff. So here I am with hat in hand once again requesting you to dig deep and give what you can to keep us going. All the same is still the case in how's and where's which you can find below. Thanks all, having a ball with the work and I'll have more info coming soon.
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:
|
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Abdul The Bul Bul Date: 26 Mar 13 - 05:55 PM Ha! First to say dunnit! Al |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Jeri Date: 26 Mar 13 - 06:43 PM I can't be first, but I can be second. I CAN be first with the following: So, how much do you actually need? How much did you need last time, and how much did you get? Why? Will you be posting a detailed list of what you used the money for? Are you wearing tighty-whities, shorts, a G-string or none of the above? If you have 6.7 oranges and 3.178 kumquats and put the bananas on a train traveling west at 65 MPH, what color is an invisible dirigible? |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Max Date: 26 Mar 13 - 08:53 PM Got about seven grand since December, need another eight for summer and ten more come fall... plus the five we need to get thru any year tho the ads are covering that nowa days. Money is for labor mostly, myself and those much smarter than I, hardware, cloud space for backup, and if we get enough, a redundant internet connection. I'm really trying hard to create a sustainable model here, really doing things the right way, no band-aids, hacks or put off something for another day or we'll regret later. I may call on several uber-specialists as we come across different issues. Like the traditions stored within, mudcat's great substance is that we've stood the test of time in a world where giants have come and gone. I'm vested. You build something that gets 17 years in and a guy, this guy, gets to feel like its worth his time to build something that could last forever. I suppose in other trade terms I could say that I'm trying to put a copper roof on the old shack. They last 100 years. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: GUEST,Dani Date: 26 Mar 13 - 09:28 PM Thanks, Max, but you didn't answer Jeri's Question, just her question. Dani |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: katlaughing Date: 26 Mar 13 - 11:30 PM jeri: queen of irony/parody/sarcasism/ and such...love it |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: katlaughing Date: 26 Mar 13 - 11:32 PM btw...anything from this house will have to wait until we all get a new computer for Art Thieme |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: GUEST,Dani Date: 27 Mar 13 - 07:36 AM Anyway, it all feels very grown-up, Max. As hard to imagine as the time between holding toddlers' hands, and visiting them at college : ) We're lucky to have you raise this baby to a strong, strong adult. Dani |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Pete Jennings Date: 27 Mar 13 - 07:56 AM I'm in. Jeri, the invisible dirigible is white with vertical green stripes, each exactly 8.7cm wide, excatly 8.7cm apart. (Let's see if anybody gets it...) Pete |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: DebC Date: 27 Mar 13 - 08:40 AM I'd be more than happy to do what i did previously and put all four of my CDs in the auction. Gnu was wonderful in helping out with that, but the only issue that I have is shipping overseas or to Canada (Gnu: you got lucky) since the USPS international postal rates doubled last month. So check out the auction, folks. Deb Cowan |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: MMario Date: 27 Mar 13 - 09:02 AM Sent something in; and have ALL my amozon links slaved to the mudcat |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: GUEST,vixen who can't get to the cookie reset Date: 27 Mar 13 - 09:13 AM Max, You and Joe and all the Joe-clones and all the rest of the entire Mudcat community are amazing. I don't post much anymore, but I lurk from time to time and use the DT more than ever. That is worth at least what I send NPR every year, so I've added the Mudcat to my list of "pledges." Thank you. V |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Roger the Skiffler Date: 27 Mar 13 - 10:33 AM Donated, plus still using Amazon link. RtS |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 Mar 13 - 10:40 AM I'm going to imagine the thong that Jeri mentioned. . . That's a good idea about Amazon - go there via a Mudcat link then make yourself a desktop icon so you can always go via Mudcat even if you're not thinking of it. SRS |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Irene M Date: 27 Mar 13 - 05:14 PM Done. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: MMario Date: 28 Mar 13 - 08:15 AM popping this back up to the top... |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: ChanteyLass Date: 29 Mar 13 - 09:49 PM And up again while I try to figure out how I can help. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Ebbie Date: 30 Mar 13 - 11:08 AM Easypeasy with PayPal, just sent. Thanks, Max. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Janie Date: 30 Mar 13 - 08:14 PM I'm busted for now, and hope you refresh this periodically to remind/prod me when I'm not. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Nigel Paterson Date: 31 Mar 13 - 06:59 AM Will be giving what I can, when I can. Mudcat has enabled myself & my Wife, Ann to have the greatest group of Friends a Family could ever wish for. A very sincere thank you to Max & the Team who are doing all these clever things on our behalf. Nigel & Ann Paterson. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: DebC Date: 31 Mar 13 - 09:14 AM There are also some items in the auction. Check those out. It's a way to contribute and also get a premium. (discalimer: I have items in the auction :-)) Deb |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: open mike Date: 07 Apr 13 - 03:17 AM if we purchase the c.d. set does some go to mudcat? |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 07 Apr 13 - 04:44 AM silly me for being away from Mudcat for 6 days & not refreshng for a week to see what I missed!! Paypal contribution sent sandra |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: freda underhill Date: 07 Apr 13 - 04:55 AM yes, some from me too. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: maeve Date: 07 Apr 13 - 06:11 AM open mike- ALL of the proceeds from Deb C's cd set auction goes to Mudcat, . There will be postage charges, but she has said in the auction that downloads are a viable alternative for those who'd prefer to save postage. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Rob Naylor Date: 07 Apr 13 - 06:17 AM Done. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Joe_F Date: 07 Apr 13 - 03:20 PM Done. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: kendall Date: 07 Apr 13 - 07:15 PM I will continue to post stuff on the auction, and make occasional contributions too. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: DebC Date: 07 Apr 13 - 07:22 PM The postage issue concerns international bidders only. Folks in the USA will get CDs. If any folks OUTSIDE of the USA are the winning bidders then they can either a)foot the bill for postage of CDs or b) I'll offer digital downloads. International postage for four CDs to Europe is over $25. Canada is about $20. US postage is about $3.50 . Deb |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: dick greenhaus Date: 07 Apr 13 - 07:41 PM You can always cut overseas shipping cost by sending 'em sans jewel cases. Faster, too. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: DebC Date: 08 Apr 13 - 11:16 AM I know what you are going to say, Dick. The fact is that International postage has doubled even without the cases. It's the "rigid" bit that does it. Even without cases, the postage is going to be at least $7 or $8 USPS for ONE CD internationally. Deb |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: dick greenhaus Date: 08 Apr 13 - 01:45 PM A single CD (with tray card and insert) can be shipped from the US to the UK for $2.90. I do it all the time.(That's the "large envelope" rate |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: DebC Date: 08 Apr 13 - 07:23 PM But have you done it since the rate increase? Those went into effect in January 2013. Well, it's still going to be expensive for four CDs Internationally even without cases. Thus the downloads, and those would be CD quality (AIFF or WAV). Deb |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Max Date: 17 Apr 13 - 12:05 PM Folks, I'm sad to report that as overwhelmingly successful as the December fundraiser was, Phase II is equally as underwhelming. As you may know, I am employed by a University. The programmers, monkeys and specialists I am in a position to use are also employees of this particular institution that happens to be 2 weeks away from the summer break. Now, while the students get the summer off, our workload is merely lightened by their absence (not to mention 3/4 of us are single parents who's monkeys will be wanting to play in the sunshine and such). The point is, that it is imperative that we make the most of this 119 days of summer break to complete the bulk of programming. If we can't get at least a running prototype, I don't know when I'll have the resources to finish what we started. I fear the worst, that I'll have a mess, figuratively and literally on my hands and in my house, and all this effort will go to waste. Please help support the future of the mudcat. More soon.... |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Amos Date: 17 Apr 13 - 12:31 PM Max: A donation is in the mail. Meanwhile, FLOOD DICK with orders for the MUDCAT CD collection!! They're STILL awesome. A |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: maeve Date: 17 Apr 13 - 12:43 PM Max- I'll continue to support Mudcat in whatever way I can. I have no income. I hope to send you more when I can. Maeve |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Kampervan Date: 17 Apr 13 - 01:26 PM Donation sent. Good luck K/van |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: DebC Date: 17 Apr 13 - 03:02 PM Ranger1 is the winner of the CDs. The auction is another way to raise money for the Mudcat. I am not sure why more folks weren't bidding, even if you weren't that into the music CDs still make wonderful gifts. My music is my currency and really the only way I can help, but if folks aren't going to bid in the auctions, then maybe I am missing something? Perhaps I should try this with only one CD? $55 dollars on it's way to you, Max from Ranger1. I am so sorry it's not more. Deb Cowan |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: GUEST,sciencegeek Date: 17 Apr 13 - 03:10 PM the heating & hay bills have tapped me out for awhile... I'll see if I can figure out how to get a few spare books or CDs on the auction. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Apr 13 - 04:53 PM There was an overage from the Art Thieme computer contributions, largely because of Best Buy's goofy online order system. After two days of waiting for an order to be confirmed I cancelled and called in my order - and found that his computer had gone on sale for $100 less that my first order. The original overage and the Best Buy windfall are headed Max's way as soon as it clears from my bank to PayPal. SRS |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Barb'ry Date: 17 Apr 13 - 05:30 PM My post didn't post earlier, but donation sent with thanks for all you do |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: gnu Date: 17 Apr 13 - 06:59 PM I am gonna do sommat I never did before. I sent direct donations years ago of (at that time) significance. I won auctions with crazy bids, only to give the item to the bidder that I knew REALLY wanted it. I entered auctions and said "I'll pay $X if you send me the CDs or whatever today and keep the auction open as advertised." I have proposed CRAZY auction "items" that many people couldn't even unerstand and they flopped (gnu crazy? Noooo? Really? >;-) WTF?) I am gonna send Max $5 cash. No shit!... I really am gonna do it. Call me a dumb animal but I am gonna do it. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Janie Date: 17 Apr 13 - 07:30 PM Friday is payday, Max. I'll send through paypal over the weekend. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 17 Apr 13 - 08:58 PM today is my payday! money sent! many thanks, Max for all you do, & will be doing over your summer break! Thanks to the team, too. Make sure you get more than a bit of time with your kids. sandra |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 17 Apr 13 - 10:40 PM MAX .... It looks like the Laf-Kat pre-empted you in favor or Artie T. Please foregive her...I got her dues covered for another year. Sincerely, Gargoyle This is one cat that knows which side his toast is buttered on. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 17 Apr 13 - 10:49 PM MAX... Take a clue from the charactor John Tetzel in Osborn's play LUTHER. Begin selling "indulgences". I am sure Gnu...and LafKat too would buy a few. Sincerely, Gargoyle I would gladly pay 20 USD to resurrect some of the "smack-downs" expunged by the "mods." |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Seamus Kennedy Date: 17 Apr 13 - 11:27 PM Hey Max, I'll be glad to chip in, but have you considered Kickstarter? I notice a lot of musicians/bands using it to raise funds for their projects. |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Apr 13 - 12:17 AM Gargoyle, the contributions of 20 people to provide a computer that will help Art and get him back online don't diminish what is donated to Mudcat. And everyone agreed that if there was extra it would go to the 'cat. There is extra and that will be sent later this week. SRS |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: banjoman Date: 18 Apr 13 - 05:37 AM Done today via paypal - best of luck |
Subject: RE: Mudcat Upgrade Fundraiser Part II From: nickp Date: 18 Apr 13 - 05:44 AM Done. Nick |
Share Thread: |