blow away by rumor

[RUnuts]

I heard a rumor that the Dirty Dozen gallery entries could be viewed in their personal galleries, and lo and behold the rumors were correct. I couldn't beleive it!

if you took 1/5 of 7000 members and multiplied that by $20 that is $28,000! that seems a little excessive to run a website. This is a glorious site and it is growing everyday! but Wow, where does it all go! Really interested.

I'll probably get booted but overwhelmed at the thought of all those funds and where they go.

runuts

[joleenieweenie]

Hmm... I am intrigued by your post. First off, I kind of figured it would be in their personal gallery being as it's automatically there when you post something in any of the galleries. I think that the DD Gallery is more of a bonus for those donating to the site. Daven, Jenn, and Beate spend HOURS helping to make this site better everyday. We have more than doubled in members in two short months and that totally amazes me. Because of so many hits each day they're having to continually upgrade the server we're on, which costs money. It started out on a donation basis but they created this special gallery as something fun to encourage donations. Now, personally, I probably wouldn't pay $20 for an extra gallery when there are so many wonderful samples here for free. I donated because I love this site, I appreciate the hard work put into it, and it was a small way that I could help. As far as the amount is concerned, maybe they don't need $20 a person to keep up this site but in my opinion they've more than earned whatever is "left over" as some small form of compensation. It is, however, less than $2 a month to belong to this awesome stamping community and I think it's more than worth it. I am not trying to "flame" you but this is just my opinion. You don't have to donate but if it's in your heart, by all means, do it. Again, just my opinion.

[mishimc]

Because I love this site so much, I will be donating when I am able to. Believe me, I spend more time online on this site than anywhere else and just browsing through the new uploads of cards each day keeps me happy.
So I would not be donating just so I could go visit the DD gallery - I just get so much pleasure from the rest of the site and it must take a lot of hard work to keep it all going so feel my donation will be my thank you.
My personal opinion only as we are all entitled to that!
Cheers, Jean [Australia]

[RUnuts]

okay I hope this actually posts and doesn't boot me out again.

I feel that if you say you are going to get special benefits when you contribute you should get special benefits. but when you find out that everyone else can get the same benefit from going into personal galleries you feel a little cheated and less likely to contribute again. so incentive not really, making people cautious about doing it twice you bet!
its wrong!

[joleenieweenie]

I don't think they neccessarily realized you'd be able to access the photos this way. Either way having it all in one place is much more convenient then having to check out each person's member gallery individually. *shrugs* I don't know. I don't really think it's worth getting upset over, though. This website isn't by subscription so you're under no obligation to donate. JMO.

[RUnuts]

I agree you have choice and It isn't anything to get upset about,really. But my point joleenieweenie, is that if you say you are going to do something- you should do it, back it up, it isn't really an incentive it is a slight of hand, a of trick in small way. To some that counts for something. I wouldn't tell my kids that if they cleaned their rooms because they are helping me I would buy them a candybar, and then buy only one candybar to share. that really wouldn't be fair would it?

[schrades]

I see it from both sides! I didn't know that you could find the DD uploads in their personal galleries, though, I did think I had a"special membership" to the fan club because I made the donation. Keep in mind that is not the only reason I made the donation, Daven asked for some help. Hmm something to ponder I guess.

[/b]

[alasku2stamp]

hmmm...I could care less if everyone can see the gallary or not. I contributed b/c I love this place and I know very few ppl would be able to handle keeping a site like this going. I don't really care what they do with my money...no drugs or wild women Daven! lol I feel the crew has earned it.

[Inkalicious]

I also donated, not just for the DDD team pictures, but to help keep this awesome site up and running as fast as it does!! Im not toooo computer literate, but I know that sites arent free to run, and somebody somewhere needs to be paid. Im not sure I really care who that may be, but Daven probably has to pay him/her. I also dont want to have to navigate around many peoples personal galleries looking for, say, this months tag uploads. I like them in one tidy spot. I have pretty much figured out (not by rumor but by looking all over this site!!) that when someone uploads a picture, its not necessarily only in one spot. It never occured to me it might be wrong or that I am being bamboozled(always wanted to use that word!!) Im happy to have donated, happy to be able to come to this site, and wouldnt want it to go by the wayside because it was too expensive to keep up. IMHO
Thanks
Tandra

[GavynnsMom]

I noticed this as well but I did not want to make a big deal out of it. I don't mind donating to this wonderful site. I do doubt that 1/5 of the members have donated. While this was all being set up it was only a little over 100 people that had dontated. I'm sure if there is a huge overage they will find something useful to do with it. I know that they do give out monthly prizes for contests and new member raffles. Maybe some of the excess can go to cover those costs. I too see if from both sides, BUT I don't feel scammed or anything like that.

Joy

[Happy Heart]

I've said this in another post, and I'll say it again here. Why would anyone object to someone making a profit from providing a service? :? (And, believe me I don't think they're anywhere near making a real profit yet!) Sure, maybe the 'actual' costs of maintaining the site aren't that much, but what about, sometime in the future, being able to compensate people for the huge amount of time they put in to keep it up and running? I certainly wouldn't want to do it for nothing, which is what these people are doing now. When they started this site there were only a few people uploading and chatting, so it wasn't much of a committment in time. With 10,000 registered users and climbing, it's pretty much an around the clock operation that needs constant up-grading and attention.
As far as the DD gallery... I noticed right away that I was able to view their work in any of the regular galleries, not just their personal gallery. I PM'd Jenn, and she said that you can view them only after you've donated and logged on. Has anyone who hasn't donated been able to view them?
At any rate, I didn't donate in order to have access to a 'special' gallery. (When I donated I had no idea we would get any special privileges for doing so.) As good as the work is, I have only looked at it once. There's just too much other good stuff on this site! I donated because I appreciate having this site, and all it has to offer, available to me.

[Laney13]

Right on, Happy Heart! I agree with you 100%. I donated because I love this site and spend most of my computer time here browsing all of the wonderful samples and reading the forums. I just happened to stumble upon this site a few weeks ago and wow am I glad I did. I had no idea you could see the DD samples in their personal galleries, but really don't mind. I love having all the DD samples in one spot. I know this site takes a lot of time and TLC to run and I for one appreciate it!

Thanks Daven, Tracy, Jenn, and Beate! Keep up the good work!

Laney

[Kar]

I agree with ya all... I donated because it is MUCH BETTER than a magazine subscription and I would spend it on a magazine if it wasn't for this site. I have been enjoying this site for an ENTIRE YEAR now and it is only getting better!!! Most of you just started but a year ago it was small but still lots of info out there! :lol:

[letsstamp]

This is a very interesting thread of conversation. Let me say that I donated prior to the DDD ever being announced. I am on other stamping lists, one of which I pay $40 a year for. Quite frankly, I think I'm definitely getting a bargain! SCS is an awesome site and the fact they don't charge for it is amazing! And, there are always people that will figure out a way to access something because many of us are computer saavy. I think they were just trying to give us an extra perk for our donation. And .. $28,000 excessive? I bet if Daven and the others who take care of this website submitted us a bill for their services, $28,000 wouldn't even begin to cover it!

[Christine Coslet]

First I think it's rude that you would post such a comment. I've been visiting this site for over a year. Daven has upgraded the system almost every other month it seems to keep up with the demand. Who's been paying for that. I'm sure Daven works a full time job, so when does it get done...I'm sure on his time off. Why does Daven do this, probably because he loves his wife and knows she enjoys it.

Think about it, it costs most people about $35 a month just for cable access to the web, how much then does it cost to have a domain. Who gets paid to spend the time looking at each picture that we upload to make sure it's appropriate and not someone trying to Spam the site or load up porno etc. It's happened on other sites I visit, not once here.

I'm not trying to flame you but be considerate of the people who put in all the hard work to keep this site going so that almost 10,000 people can visit it. I'm sorry but $28k a year is not much money, and that's BEFORE backing out the yearly costs for the site.

Quote from the Fan Club Info page:

"What's the money for, are you guys buying a boat?"
"Ooh, good idea! No, actually we've been surprised by what it takes to setup and maintain a fairly active site like ours. The services that "host" web sites charge monthly fees that increase dramatically as the needs grow for more powerful computers and more sophisticated software. Your donations will help meet these expenses, allow us to upgrade and improve the site, and help us compensate people who do work for us. If there's anything left over, we promise to buy stamps, and nothing else! "

I don't know Daven...maybe you should go buy a boat and take some time off. Let's see if the site runs itself.

I love to fish so let me know when you get the boat, I'd love to join you!

Chris

[kathleenh]

I just logged off the SCS site and was on just as a guest. Guess what? I could NOT view the tags in the member's galleries as a guest. If that is what has got you so upset, you can let that go now. I'm with the others that say I didn't donate to get the chance to see the special gallery. That is a just an extra they threw in. This is the best darn web site I have run across. I love it and that is why I donated. I can't imagine the work that has gone into it but I soooo appreciate it. I encourage others to donate so we can keep this web site running smoothly and we can all enjoy it!

Have a great day everyone!

Kathleen

[Pendant23]

I made a donation before the DDD was announced. I did it because I was grateful for this forum, only finding it shortly before you.

If you have any knowledge of the costs invovled in running a website, you would see how modest any donation would be. I appreciate not having to wait while banner ads and everything else under the sun loads. I think if you went to other forums that have different levels of membership, you would find the $2.00 a month someone else quoted is very reasonable -- less than a coffee at an upscale cafe and definitely less than a stamping magazine.

And, as near as I can tell, less than 500 of the more than 7000 registered users have made a donation. If $20 was the norm, they have collected less than $10,000. If everyone would donate only $5, it would be closer to the number you think is outrageous.

As usual, people can always get around paying for something while reaping the benefits. The rest of us foot the bills. People call it frugal and sometimes it is. But sometime it is immoral or illegal. I would like to say something cutting here, but I will show restraint.

[LunarLana]

RUnuts? The Dirty Dozen pictures are in Member Galleries ONLY for those people who have access. That would be for those of you who have contributed to this awesome website. So that rumor is JUST not true.

Dirty Dozen was created to show appreciation to those of you who have donated. I might also add that each member of the Dirty Dozen team has spent hours of time trying to create cards that you would all appreciate. We believe in what SplitCoast is doing here, and donated our time and our work for this cause.

I can assure you that Daven has not collected $28,000. And even if he did, it would help to replace all of those months when he was paying for the server out of his own pocket. He isn't doing this to make a few extra bucks. He is doing this to keep SplitCoast up and running instead of crashing all day long from the high traffic we have been experiencing from the sky-rocketed growth SplitCoast has felt in the last few months.

I guess in the end, all I can say to you is: If you don't like it, don't come back. The rest of us enjoy SplitCoast and would contribute more money any day of the week!

Sorry you feel this way,
Lana

[Chris Fuhs]

Bravo SCS! This is a fun deal. I'd never be disgruntled with such a fun place!

[camsmom]

I donated because of the support, assistance,and wonderful ideas that are found here, before "the secret" had anything to do with payment. I looked through some rs magazines, and it made me appreciate what this site has to offer even more.

I cannot begin to fathom how much time it takes to keep this site running, especially with the constant number of new uploads and comments each day. The responsiveness and professionalism of the Splitcoast team members is above and beyond what I have seen on any other website, and the assistance offered on a daily basis by the other people who frequent this site is beyond reproach. I have seen people post "how to.." or "help..." questions, and in a matter of minutes have a response-no other site have I seen where the reaction is so overwhelmingly positive every day. If not, I doubt that so many would consider ourselves SplitCoast Junkies!

[Christine P]

I always hesitate to jump in on topics that can get argumentative, but I feel the need to add my thoughts to this one.

I, too, donated before knowing "the secret." Honestly, I haven't spent a lot of time in the gallery lately, and I definitely do not feel like I have been cheated out of my money.

I believe that the time all of the site administrators spend making this the best stamping site ever is unpaid. But if they used some or all of my $20 to compensate their time, I'd be extremely happy!

It is so difficult to read "emotion" online, so I'm not sure if this is being done...but I sincerely hope that no one calls into question Daven, et al's integrity. I believe it to be above reproach.

I'd happily pay $20 each year just to look at the galleries and have "instant" help with a problem.

[Jenmouer]

I too donated before the DD area was put up...

WHY - because I recently decided that I was getting more out of this site than my Papercrafts and Creating Keepsakes magazines - both of which have come up for renewal...I have choosen not to renew those magazines and instead come here.

This is an awesome awesome site - Daven and Tracey could have just formed a Yahoo or MSN group and been done with it - but instead they created this wonderful place that has attracted many wonderful people

you ask what do you get out of it...you get fantastic ideas to CASE, great, creative people and that's all for FREE, without any type of donation...

The DD was not formed to get people to donate - in fact if I remember correctly someone other than Daven or Tracey brought up wanting to donate money to keep the site up and running because of the massive number of people joining the site - so for anyone that is new to SCS - it was the MEMBERS who asked to donate not Daven asking for a donation.

It is your right to donate or not...that is up to you - personally I think if you come here and gleen ideas and have a wonderful time you should make a small donation - be it $5 or $50...to make sure this site can continue.

[GavynnsMom]

I just logged out and tried to looked in some of the DD's personal galleries as a guest too and I was NOT able to see the tags. I think this is just all a misunderstanding. They do show up in each individuals' galleries when I am logged on as myself, but I do have access to the DD gallery.

Joy

[qcbetty]

I too donated before there was any talk of the DD gallery. And I did so because it doesn't take much to figure out that the reason why this site is able to keep up with the growth - because of a huge amount of time and effort by people like Daven, Jenn, Tracy and Beate...and we all know that server upgrades, etc., are not free. None of these folks are getting paid for their time, either. Do you begrudge them that too?! Who cares what they do with the money?!! (I'm with Mel though, Daven.....no wild women! You have over 10,000 of us here! ;))

We are getting something "special" here. Friendship, inspiration, laughs...and hey, you can't get that much stuff for only $20 ANYWHERE. (What can you get for $20 these days?!)

And if you feel like you're being "ripped off", I guess that's your opinion, and you're certainly entitled to it. Guess most of us don't see it that way......we see it as something special that required a lot of coordination, time and effort. That was done as something special for us....those who actually support this site and the efforts of the team that keeps it up and running. And we are grateful for every bit of effort that they make on our behalf!

So......thanks, Daven, Tracy, Jenn and Beate. We appreciate everything you do for us!

[NavyWyf]

I'm with my Twin (Good Morning, Debbi!!). I joined this site primarily to look at samples and see what's going on in the world of Stamping. No print publication can stay ahead of trends the way a real-time site can. And what can be more valuable that being part of what's going on, instead of sitting back and hoping someone will fill me in later? When I read online that they were going to do some costly upgrades, it finally occurred to me that this is costing REAL money. I've seen the system crash a couple of times, and didn't want it to go away. I've met friends, and learned stuff I wouldn't have without someone physically showing me. This site is wonderful, and I contributed solely for that. I don't feel ripped off, and if Daven opened the DD gallery for all the world to view, I still wouldn't. I guess though, with the popularity of the site booming, there will be some dissenters, there just has to be in any crowd. Just my opinion, but since you don't HAVE to pay any money to join, it seems to be a waste of space to complain about it.

[jbalcer]

OKAY - if you are a member of the Fan Club, you will see stuff made specifically for the DD Gallery elsewhere (like personal galleries) *when you are logged in* If you LOGOUT, and look in the personal galleries, you CANNOT SEE the things from the DD Gallery. It is as if they do not exist. There are many things in the NEW gallery already. Can you see those? That's doubtful - we've spent a lot of time making sure that you can't!

I really don't want to beat a dead horse here, especially since it has been stated so eloquently by others before me on this thread. . . . this gallery was created as a gesture of appreciation for those who have supported this site financially. You are not paying for admittance to this gallery - that's just a perk. The donations that Daven has received are paying for the continued maintenance of this site, the monthly fees it incurs on the newer, bigger, server. Whenever he needs professionals to step in, he has to pay them, too. If you read the new items, you will see several names - all of them had to be paid for their services. Daven & Tracy do not benefit financially from these donations other than not having to pull from their personal finances to keep this site up and running.

I've donated myself - my money and my time - to keep this site operational and to keep this site free of annoying pop-up ads.

[ChiChi]

Yeah, I live 0.2 miles away from Jenn and see her house get bigger and bigger everyday! - Sorry don't mean to be cynical but I really do not think SCS administrators are becoming millionairs collecting donations!

I donated because I used to think that Daven and others must spend HOURS upkeeping the site. I mean, I do not even have the time to go through all the pix and posts this site offers but yet someone is keeping an eye on everything. I appreciate the fact that there are no dirty pictures posted by some web invadors (I am sure we will get some if there is no approval process), how posts are shifted to appropriate places when needed, etc. If you notice, Jenn not only approves photos but gives nice comments to people's uploads. Man, that must take tons of time. I don't know if Daven has other jobs (just kidding - I am sure he does!) but I know Jenn works full time, goes out and does fabulous workshops AND has a wonderful family that she spends time with!

I saw the invitation for donation before but I had no idea how much to donate and it was not clear how the money would be used, so I was glad to see DDD was formed.

Now, if 1/5 of people really donated, I would be so surprised and will finally believe that this is indeed a "cult" like my DH believes!!!

[StampLadyLaura]

RUnuts, I chose to donate to this site freely. SCS asked if and I repeat if you want to donate. As soon as I read that they needed donations, I donated. I did not need a secret or anything special. I just want the site to stay up. Anyone who has been with this site for any time knows that the site has had problems. I know I got nervous when I couldn't log on. I didn't want to think that the whole thing could disappear. I would like to add again that I made the donation freely to keep this site going. Daven and the Splitcoast Team have done that and more. I thank them everyday when I log on and I don't care how they spend the money. I think they have keep their promise by keeping this site up. I always support what I love.

Stamping dreams,
Laura

[Happy Heart]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christine Coslet

First I think it's rude that you would post such a comment.

Christine, I don't think Runuts was at all rude to ask a question about something that was bothering her. :? I would much rather have someone ask a question and give others the opportunity to answer, than to have that person upset about a simple misunderstanding.
I've never been fond of the "love it or leave it" philosophy. This site has a huge membership now, and I, for one, think everyone should be allowed to express an opinion, however unpopular, as long as it's done respectfully and without rancor. Differences can only make things more interesting. (I do believe Runuts said the site was glorious, so obviously we can all agree on that!)

[RUnuts]

WOW! I thought I said I knew this sight was growing and that I thought if was great! and for those of you saying you can't see view the personal galleries as a guest your right, I lookied in their galleries as a member and saw them and felt bad for those who thought they had special privledges.

Rude I asked where the money went that is all, I think Some of you ladies who crawl up on the pedistal should look up rhe word rude. I didn't slam Daven or the ladies I know they work hard!

I asked a question and expressed an opinion. This is why some people lurk instead of speak!

runuts

[otter005]

To add my two cents...I noticed that there were new photos uploaded to the DDD gallery, so naturally I tried to see what they were. Access denied!!! I am a member of the Fan Club, and did so because I believe in this site!!! What is done here is amazing and inspirational. I think this is all just a big misunderstanding. I don't believe that people who are not a member of the DDD Fan Club have access to that gallery (neither the actual gallery of views on the members personal gallery). SCS administators and team members are doing a remarkable job with allowing those hear to share their passion of rubber stamping! I would donate $28,000 my self if able, just to be able to share and learn!

[qcbetty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by qcbetty

i]

And if you feel like you're being "ripped off", I guess that's your opinion, and you're certainly entitled to it. Guess most of us don't see it that way......we see it as something special that required a lot of coordination, time and effort. That was done as something special for us....those who actually support this site and the efforts of the team that keeps it up and running. And we are grateful for every bit of effort that they make on our behalf!

So......thanks, Daven, Tracy, Jenn and Beate. We appreciate everything you do for us![/i]

Sorry, I didn't mean for this entire quote to be in bold....only "ripped off" was supposed to be.... :oops: ......too quick on the fingers and not quick enough on proofreading!

Hi twin!!

[Benniesma]

I'm sure I'm beating a dead horse by posting. Everyone has already said what needs to be said. But I just have to add my .02

Who said that SCS was a nonprofit organization? We are so used to just hopping on the internet and getting tons of information and inspiration for free that when we have to pay for it, we are reluctant to do so and suddently expect so much for the small amount we've paid. (And please don't flame me for saying $20 is a small amount. I'm a SAHM with an extrememly tight budget....I had to pinch pennies to come up with my donation. So I know it's not necessarily easy for everyone.)

I wish that enough people would donate so that the SCS team could get paid for the work they do here. Can you imagine all the emails and pm's Daven and the others get? All the "help me with my Avatar" and "why doesn't this work yet" posts that they answer quickly and politely? And this all happens during their free time and the moments they can grab at their day jobs. God bless 'em! I'm sure we try their patience many a time, and I wish there was a way we could make sure they get compensated for their time and commitment. A thank you seems too little.

But thank you nonetheless!

[Kymbers_Stampin]

Donating is a personal choice. If I lived in CA and made more than I am here, I might donate, but I just don't have $20 laying around to donate to the internet. The samples available are great, as are the ones on SU ~ which, having access to their gallery, is one of the reasons I don't push to have access to the DD gallery here. I mean, when times are financially tough, it's not prudent to pay for something you have free access to.

I can't imagine how many people donated. And I cant imagine what the percentage of registered users to active users is. But I highly doubt this site has made nearly $30,000 off of the users. I guess I have too much faith in the integrity of people I've never met.

[StarLitStudio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kar

I agree with ya all... I donated because it is MUCH BETTER than a magazine subscription and I would spend it on a magazine if it wasn't for this site. I have been enjoying this site for an ENTIRE YEAR now and it is only getting better!!! Most of you just started but a year ago it was small but still lots of info out there! :lol:

Ditto!

[PrincessMi]

I'm going to pitch in my .02 on this one. Since I have found SCS I have not checked any other galleries on a regular basis. I lurked for a long time before I ever posted a comment but oh how I loved to look at everyones work. I'm positive that Daven is not making a profit from this site. And even if he did I wouldn't care because my $20 isn't going to make him huge $$$. Nor is it going to compensate any of the other administrators for their efforts. If they kept a log of the amt of time they spent here for US it would probably work out to be mere pennies. This endeavor is expensive and I for one applaud them for doing it. I honestly don't think my husband would tackle it just because he loves me and my stamping friends.

So good for you Daven and all your hard work ~ in my opinion you should take some of the $$ and go out to a nice dinner with Tracy on US!!!!

[Emilysuesue]

Personally,

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!

I have become a much better stamper/artist than before I started coming here, a year or so ago. People are so kind to share their ideas, samples, instructions, opinions on products, etc.

I am not a demo (yet), but have gotten so much advice by reading different posts, that I think that I will be very successful once I take that plunge.

Twenty dollars a year. Do you realize that is less than SIX CENTS A DAY? Think of how much time you spend here. I know for me I would have to say, with all the checking in and out I do, I easily spend an hour or two here, all for $.06 a day. What a bargain!!! And then there's this really cool gallery I get access to for donating! Yippee!!!

Six cents a day. Golly, now I feel like I'm ripping off Daven and Tracy (and Jenn and Beate)! :oops:

Did I tell you that


I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!

[mmko]

So as a science teacher I just had to experiment around the site to see if the rumor was true. I made up a new username and password. I logged on and looked at Lana's personal gallery which had 28 pages and no items from the DD gallery.

Then, I logged on as the "real" me and went back to her gallery which now showed 31 pages and her items from the DD gallery.

I donated before we even knew we would get anything from donating just because I know the hassles of anything dealing with servers and computers.

So, in conclusion:
1) members of the fan club DO receive the added benefit of the DD gallery and the DD samples in the individual DD member's galleries
2) guests and non-fan club members CANNOT view either the DD gallery or the samples from the DD artists in their individual galleries.

Rumor is proven untrue by experiment. (Can you tell that I have to go back to work next week?! )

PS- Jen or Daven: you can remove Wilmingtonstamper as a username. This was the username for the test- this was only a test!

[schrades]

Ladies-
Runuts expressed an opinion, she did say this site is "glorious" and that they work hard and that the site is growing. We all might not like it, but she never acused anyone of buying boats or buying bigger houses. She asked where the money was being put to use. And Jenn did just say that you can view the DD items in their personal gallery. I personally don't feel ripped off and contributed because I love this sight, but I do think she has a right to her opinion.

sorry if that upsets anyone!

[janicemarz]

Hey there. I am so torn about joining. I'm fairly a new member..so far this site is by far the BEST stamping resource that I have come across. What are the pro's of joining??