My Fellow Endarkened Citizens of the thedarkstar.net and its Dark Forums:
I have always thought of my project, this site, it's forums as a labour of love by the people, for the people, attempting to supply a fun environment for all endarkened to enjoy. In the works are plans to create a community area, chat room and streaming media upgrades to the main site for all to enjoy.
But alas, a problem in the servers has arisen where we may have to move this happy home to someplace preferably better than where we are now. Unfortunately this may prove to be more costly initially than we the partners of thedarkstar.net and kalilyn hosting were prepared to endure at this trying time.
The following is an excerpt from a post from the blog entry Kalilyn aka Webkitten (our designer/ webhost manager) wrote to our bloggers and MuDders, all who, like yourselves, have gotten a free ride for years.
Greetings..
This is something I have never in my five years of running ToD even considered doing. I don't like asking people for things, those who know me know I have problems admitting a need for help. But I find myself in a dead-end right now and the light at the end of the tunnel is a little far for me to reach alone.
Most of you know I rent the server the mud is on. Most of you know I also have a webserver I rent (where blogsofroleplay.com lives). Yes, it is a lot of money every month but it allows for us to do more with the mud and the other mud on the server and for those of you who blog, it allows for free email and image hosting and all that other stuff.
The server cost has never been an issue, I am currently paying $340 a month between the two servers. Pricey but worth it.
Recently a situation came up with the company I contract the servers from. I've waited patiently for three days hoping for a resolution only to have my trouble ticket closed three times while the problem remained open and currently they have no intention of furthering the issue. Blame is being shifted instead of the problem being resolved and it became evident tonight it won't be resolved.
Moving servers is a huge thing. It requires new IPs, it requires first getting the machine going and then a smooth transfer. It is not something I want to do, it is not something I look forward to doing.
However. This new machine is literally twice the machine we are currently on, either mud or web. It gives us more than we had before and the opportunity to do even more. It is something worth doing.
Setting up a server costs money. While I've never needed to reach out to cover the costs of running the beasts, the setup fee on top of a month up front is simply more than I can handle by myself, as much as this pains me to admit.
And so I come to you. Those of you who have enjoyed what we've been able to give you and who have the means, I appeal to you to reach into your wallets and help the cause. As little or as much as you can, it doesn't matter the amount. Every bit received is one step closer to the goal and deeply appreciated.
I can offer nothing in return for your kindness but my gratitude and if you want, an email address at any of the domains I handle. And I ask that you not feel any sense of obligation to donate, I understand fully that money is hard to come by and even harder to part with.
Not one cent received will go towards any cost or expense other than the transfer and setup of the new server. This is not a "Send Kali to Jamaica" telethon, this is a "Please help the server" telethon.
I have added a PayPal button to this blog, it will take you right to PayPal, to Strega@blogsofroleplay.com where my PayPal is set up. If you cannot use PayPal and would like to donate, please get in touch with me and I'll give you a mailing address.
I thank you for your time and for allowing me this one-time descent into humility and an appeal for charity.
Kali
Ok... with that said, I , the proud Darklord of this realm implore you to help keep this site free. Donations made don't come without reward. I offer my Dark Donors a plethora of prizes from your own yourname@thedarkstar.net FREE email address, to having a forum of your very own within which you may rule like Duke (even password protect) in your very own subforum as your very own moderator (for example:"Dark Politics", or " Things that piss off yourname here"( with no more trying to climb through the ranks, this is an instant 6 star promotion) and your (non Xrated) pictures hosted and posted in "Who are the D'Sari" on the main page. The deadline for donations is 10/26/04
"How do I take advantage of such a generous offer? " you ask? Follow these simple steps along the path to greatness:
Click the "Make a donation" button under links on the right side of this blog. Follow the Paypal instructions.
Thank you in advance, any and all who make donations.
Dark eve to you.
D'Sar, the Darkstar.
Posted by at October 15, 2004 01:57 AM