Forum Supporters

[Bibs]

The forum is now very busy as you can see and this bandwidth, amongst other things does cost money. There is also the issue that the forum is in fact on a trial package I get with my full account which we really should look to register asap in order to qualify for software updates. We can also, if the kitty allows, purchase upgrades such as the IPB Gallery etc.

As much as I'd love to pay all the bills, a few people have suggested they would be happy to contribute so I've set up a donation facility via PayPal. There is no advantage, benefit, gain or upgrade from donating, it's just there to help me out with the forum costs and there is no pressure at all, nothing will change if you don't donate, it would just be appreciated to lighten the overhead on me personally, that's all.

Forum supporters will get:Larger post allowance (ie more content per post)

Larger personal picture

Allow attachments to PM's

Larger PM Mailbox (1,000 storable messages, currently 100)

Ability to mass PM (carbon copy) up to 25 other members at once

Reduced Flood Control, And your name in Lotus Racing Green!

Can edit signature

Discounts with:

Insurance:

Hagerty, Adrian Flux, Classicline, Competition Car Insurance, Footman James, Heritage.

Servicing:

Stocks Coachworks, Nick Whale, Sinclaires, Hanger111.

Parts & Other Discounts

TLF Online Shop, Lotus Cars Ltd, South West Lotus Centre, Stratton Motor Company, Lipscombs, Race Lubricants, autobulbsdirect, Regals Motorsport, Esprit Performance, Pipelines Motorsport, Nick Whale, JAE Parts, Turbo Technics, Hangar111, The AA, Naked Wines, Camskill Tyres.

Also, free downloads of the Esprit parts manuals in PDF from the S1 to V8.

http://www.thelotusf...p=subscriptions

[1amk34@hotmail.co.uk]

How much dude?

[Bibs]

Nothing, anything, up to you!

You know what Skidz, I think I'm gonna like you

[Splashout]

Bibs I don't mind admitting that i am not flush with disposable cash at the moment and as such will not be able to donate at this time (although as soon as i can i will)

One thought I have had though is could you not combine with Kato and offer two membership levels one purely to LEW and one combined LEW & LEF where there could perhaps be an advantage possible only full members of both have access to help from Dermot on free scan or something a couple of private forums as an incentive. Just a thought as i for one would happily pay say an extra

[Bibs]

Hi Glyn

Thanks for the offer of moderator based help. I may take you up on that soon if I decide to expand or change the team

The trouble with combining with LEW is that it would become quiet complicated I'm sure and Kato and I do run seperate sites at the end of the day. We are very closely linked of course but I want to make sure that all of LEF is available to all members and that payment isn't stricly needed to access all of the site. That's one of my 'founding' principles if you like and I'd not want to compromise it.

As I said, LEF will continue to operate as is without donations, they are there as an option purely to ease the financial burden of the site which is currently solely on my shoulders and wallet

[Paul C]

Hey, Your Paypal scheme added three quid summink post and packing to

my donation. Them years working in casinos have rubbed off eh bibs???

PS, I don't care B)

really.

tis nothing.

Perhaps a pint next time mind...

B)

[Bibs]

Paul, no idea what heppened there, I've selected 'no postage'

That is extremely kind and very generous of you, thank you very much and yes, I owe you a pint

[Paul C]

I owe you a pint

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cool, i reserve the right to impose

a three quid summink handling fee

on said pint, or a bag of nuts perhaps?

(look how much fun donating is folks! )

[Bibs]

I can arrange a bag of nuts if you let me sell the pics

I've checked the button code and it's definately 'no postage'. Please be aware that if you wish to donate Paypal made add postage the little gits. Be sure to reflect this in your donation or I'll be arranging pints and nut holding sessions for everyone!

[Paul C]

I can arrange a bag of nuts if you let me sell the pics

I've checked the button code and it's definately 'no postage'. Please be aware that if you wish to donate Paypal made add postage the little gits. Be sure to reflect this in your donation or I'll be arranging pints and nut holding sessions for everyone!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is fine now. Trust me to get stung.

Honey roasted please.

[gpz900r]

How much is the hosting bibs?

I see that the board is the trail version and not the licenced one so thats a good 98 quid saving a year,

I setup my actors forum using a very similar system that also allows video uploads, costs lost of bandwidth but its still only 13 pounds per month. What are your costs bibs. might be able to help

Edited July 24, 2006 by gpz900r

[Bibs]

I pay $40/month hosting and to register the software is $185. The gallery is $85 I think and my time is priceless I share the hosting with another site but at half that cost for 2 years the forum has cost me $480 or so to date, plus of course ongoing costs.

The fact we are on trial software isn't a saving, it means we miss out on the functionality upgrades and more importantly security upgrades and don't get support for the forum from the vendors should anything go wrong. The latest release is 2.1.7 so to upgrade through perhaps 15-20 releases plus perhaps 10 versions of the garage which need to be installed will take me probably over 10-15 hours of coding to get everything to work as it should once we register the software.

I know there are cheaper hosts but I'm hosted with Invision which means that if the forum breaks for any reason there is a one-stop shop for the solution, rather than the hosts blaming the software and the software vendors blaming the hosts. The backup is also excellent with daily, weekly and monthly automated backups plus the ones I make myself.

Also, to illustrate what a good deal we have, LEF is on the Corporate Package and I still pay the price that it was when I signed up a couple of years back

http://www.invisionpower.com/ip.dynamic/ho...nity/index.html

[esprit350]

small donation for you has been sent via the magic button at the bottom

no pint required

[Bibs]

Many thanks Howard, that's very kind of you (the donation, not the not wanting a pint!)

[Tentenths]

Really pleased to be able to help with the upkeep of our 'home' - a couple of bob on the way

[Bibs]

Many thanks James

[oneshot]

A few pence on their way

[Bibs]

Thanks David, much appreciated

[SE Owner :-D]

Paypal gone through Master Jedi of Espritdom.

Anything i can do to help mate, let me know - drinkathon. etc.

And THANK YOU!!!!!!

Rog B)

[Bibs]

Nice one Rog, many thanks dude

[1amk34@hotmail.co.uk]

Dude am totally skint this month, but despite dammit can't say that can I!!

Dude on the way money....or versa visa...oh man

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Wow! Been at the sauce Craig?!?!!

[CarlC]

Given the size of LEF membership now it should not be difficult to raise the funds so that the site is self funded. And ideally some return for Bibs on the time he commits to the benefit of us all. LEF as a hobby message board when it first started was one thing but with the amount of time input alone its bound to start grating Bibs given that there is little return apart from a few thank you's.

I've made a small donated and if there is nothing formal in place by next year when I renew of LEW then I will at that time post another donation to Bibs and LEF.

Just a little idea for getting more people to contribute, cant we have a list of members who have contributed displayed and updated in order of size of contribution. Im not saying you show the size of the donation on the list but its a bit of fun and Im sure there are a good few member on here who would like to try and be top donator to the site.

Thanks for all the time you put in Bibs. Through your efforts you have brought our community together in one place and kept it positive.

[Bibs]

Many thanks for your donation and your support Carl. I can set up a thread outlining who has donated and if you everyone thinks it's a good idea I can rank that by donation size!

Traditionally, I would set up a member group for those who have supported the forum but that would conflict with what we've done for LEW.

[Kato]

LEW will make a donation annually from it's funds. The club is pretty successful and members benefit on here.

Bibs, lets sort something out.