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Donations being accepted.

Mar 28, 2014#1

Dave

Help keep the lights on!

Because of my last trip and the trip coming up to get Zach from Basic Training, right now I find myself in a financial bind. But instead of asking for someone to take the month as I have in the past, instead I'm going to make it a contest of sorts.

Each person that donates to the site will get 1 entry for every dollar donated, up to the max amount of 20. Once the goal of $125 is reached (the amount to keep the place open), I will give each person a range of numbers equal to their number of entries. Once the site gets paid for, I will make a UStream where we will draw numbers live and get a winner.

The prize will be the total ad revenue for the last 3 months! As of this writing, that amount is $135.65, but we still have a few days to go so it'll be a bit more.

If for some reason we get more than the $125, I will hold that money in my PayPal to pay when July rolls around.

Oh, and the thing won't let me change the "North_Ranger Memorial Fund" at the top. I'll try and get that changed.

Mar 28, 2014#2

Reverent-one

...I must be missing something here, because it looks like the prize is worth more than the amount the contest is supposed to bring in.

Mar 28, 2014#3

Ravenpoe

I'm confused. You need $125 to keep the site open, but you're giving a prize of $135 to a random winner that donates... that's... that's more than the hopeful donation total.

Isn't that a net loss?

Mar 28, 2014#4

grub

Count me as confused as well.

Mar 28, 2014#5

Espy

I'm outraged!

No, wait, I'm confused. CONFUSED OUTRAGE!

Mar 28, 2014#6

Tress

How about we just call it a donation, everyone chips in to help keep this place running, and we forget the contest bit? I don't it's asking too much for people to help pay for this site; we all get something out of it.

Mar 28, 2014#7

Dave

Ravenpoe said:
I'm confused. You need $125 to keep the site open, but you're giving a prize of $135 to a random winner that donates... that's... that's more than the hopeful donation total.

Isn't that a net loss?

I don't get the payment from the ads until the end of April, but the site payment is due at the beginning of April.

Oh, and if you don't want your name posted under donations, you can do it directly to David@Nihsen.com and not have to worry about it on here.

Mar 28, 2014#8

ThatNickGuy

Tress said:
How about we just call it a donation, everyone chips in to help keep this place running, and we forget the contest bit? I don't it's asking too much for people to help pay for this site; we all get something out of it.

This. Even if I could afford to donate anything, I would still donate without asking or expecting anything in return. We're all here because we love the forum.

Well, except @Emrys, who's just using it as a staging site for world domination.

Mar 28, 2014#9

Ravenpoe

Dave said:
I don't get the payment from the ads until the end of April, but the site payment is due at the beginning of April.

Oh, and if you don't want your name posted under donations, you can do it directly to David@Nihsen.com and not have to worry about it on here.

Ahh, that makes sense then. Consider me unconfused!

Mar 28, 2014#10

grub

Why don't you keep the ad revenue for next bill paying time?

Mar 28, 2014#11

Dave

grub said:
Why don't you keep the ad revenue for next bill paying time?

Because it's not a matter of money as much as a matter of timing. Usually the ad revenue hits $100 every other month or so and I use that to pay for the site. But we had a down month so it rolled over to March.

Mar 28, 2014#12

Tress

Keep any extra donations/ad revenue as a buffer . Make it a special Halforums account, separate from everything else, if that feels more comfortable.

Mar 28, 2014#13

Frank

Tress said:
Keep any extra donations/ad revenue as a buffer . Make it a special Halforums account, separate from everything else, if that feels more comfortable.

Totally.

Mar 28, 2014#14

Tiger Tsang

I just bought a new *to me* car *HOLY FUCK insurance is expensive

* and finally got an HDTV *only 32 inches but I'll be sitting 3 feet or laying down 7 feet away from it*, but I'll see if I can scrape up a fin or sawbuck.

Mar 28, 2014#15

Dave

Not necessary unless you want an entry into the contest. Which I'm holding anyway, you knuckleheads.

I now have paid for the next three months thanks to you guys. And then somebody gifted me Reaper of Souls! STOP IT! Use your cash for yourselves! (But I'm redeeming RoS anyways!)

Mar 28, 2014#16

Jay

Keep the donations up.

Mar 28, 2014#17

Dave

I am if only to give others a chance to get entries. So far the overage is going to the July payment.

Mar 28, 2014#18

bhamv3

Is there anything in particular we can do to boost the ad revenue?

Mar 28, 2014#19

ThatNickGuy

bhamv3 said:
Is there anything in particular we can do to boost the ad revenue?

*sigh* How naked do I need to get?

Mar 28, 2014#20

Gilgamesh

So just a heads up but in the Blackened forum setting it says the donations are for the NR fund.

Mar 28, 2014#21

WasabiPoptart

Gilgamesh said:
So just a heads up but in the Blackened forum setting it says the donations are for the NR fund.

Dave said:
Oh, and the thing won't let me change the "North_Ranger Memorial Fund" at the top. I'll try and get that changed.

Mar 28, 2014#22

Ravenpoe

bhamv3 said:
Is there anything in particular we can do to boost the ad revenue?

Turning off adblock probably helps. I whitelisted this site for adblock.[DOUBLEPOST=1396065415,1396065384][/DOUBLEPOST]Makes watching youtube videos super annoying when they're linked here, but you know... I suffer for you guys.

Mar 28, 2014#23

Hailey Knight

Dave said:
Because it's not a matter of money as much as a matter of timing. Usually the ad revenue hits $100 every other month or so and I use that to pay for the site. But we had a down month so it rolled over to March.

Dave, that's exactly the mentality that gets people into money problems when unexpected shit happens. And you have been alive much longer* than I have--you know that shit happens. Just keep the money for later.

*much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much

Mar 28, 2014#24

Ravenpoe

Am I an ass for hoping to win the contest?

Mar 29, 2014#25

Frank

Don't get me wrong, I still want to be part of the contest. I like winning and I have a 1/10.25 chance of that.

Mar 29, 2014#26

Emrys

Zero Esc said:
Dave, that's exactly the mentality that gets people into money problems when unexpected shit happens. And you have been alive much longer* than I have--you know that shit happens. Just keep the money for later.

*much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much much

You missed a "much". No, two of them.

Mar 29, 2014#27

ThatNickGuy

Ravenpoe said:
Am I an ass for hoping to win the contest?

Let's just say this would be your new theme song.

Mar 31, 2014#28

Dave

Okay, donations are now off. The site is paid for 6 months and here's the breakdown for the contest entries:

evilmike - 25 entries
Espy - 20
Tiger Tsang - 10
Tinwhistler - 20
Frank - 20
Sparhawk - 10
Yoshimickster - 15
Chad Sexington - 20
Just Me - 20
Grub - 20
Tress - 25
Ravenpoe - 20

That's 225 total entries. Now, here's how the contest is going to be run and information about the prize. Right now the adsense is up to about $140 (I can't give exact amounts as this would violate the TOS and possibly get me banned), so I'll be rounding to either $140 - 150, depending on calculations for the last couple days of this month.

Each person will be given a number between 1-300 for each entry. These numbers will not necessarily be in any particular order.
These numbers will be given out by @Emrys and will NOT be known by me.
We will coordinate when the contest will happen, based on maximum availability of the contestants.
I will (hopefully) be utilizing UStream to draw (or at least read from my Excel sheet) numbers live online.
First person to hit 3 of their numbers wins.

So I need those listed above to give me your best available times. Please make the times in Central, otherwise I'll mess it up.

Mar 31, 2014#29

Espy

I'm flexible time-wise. Usually afternoons or evenings are good except for Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings.

Mar 31, 2014#30

Frank

I can always tablet log on pretty much whenever.

Mar 31, 2014#31

Tinwhistler

UStream doesn't appear to be blocked at work, so I'm pretty flexible. I usually get to work about 5am CST, and go to bed about 11pm CST.

Mar 31, 2014#32

Emrys

I'll hand out the numbers tomorrow night and will wear my best dominatrix outfit when I do so.

Mwahahahahaha!

Mar 31, 2014#33

ThatNickGuy

Emrys said:
I'll hand out the numbers tomorrow night and will wear my best dominatrix outfit when I do so.

Mwahahahahaha!

Weasel suit!

(I can't believe it took this long to post this for you.)

Mar 31, 2014#34

Emrys

Hoy!

Mar 31, 2014#35

grub

Any evening works for me. If someone is not online, can they still win?

Mar 31, 2014#36

Dave

grub said:
Any evening works for me. If someone is not online, can they still win?

It would be difficult to win if you weren't there. You could have a stand-in.

Mar 31, 2014#37

ThatNickGuy

Emrys said:
Hoy!

Weasel Suit Match!

Mar 31, 2014#38

BananaHands

I can donate next Monday when I get my paycheck!

But until then I'm cutting paper towels in half in order to create the illusion of toilet paper.

Mar 31, 2014#39

Tress

I'm home from work by 4pm usually, and I'm usually out and away from my computer by 8pm. I'm in California. I can be more flexible if I know ahead of time, though.

Mar 31, 2014#40

Dave

BananaHands said:
I can donate next Monday when I get my paycheck!

But until then I'm cutting paper towels in half in order to create the illusion of toilet paper.

No need unless you want in on the contest.

Mar 31, 2014#41

BananaHands

Dave said:
No need unless you want in on the contest.

I just wanna help out.

Mar 31, 2014#42

grub

I am available once the kids are in bed so 10:30 onwards. Like Tress I'm on pacific time, and could be available earlier if needed.

Mar 31, 2014#43

Dave

grub said:
I am available once the kids are in bed so 10:30 onwards. Like Tress I'm on pacific time, and could be available earlier if needed.

That's 10:30 central?

Mar 31, 2014#44

grub

Yep

Mar 31, 2014#45

Dave

Okay then. That might be more doable. Jeez I was thinking for a second that I was going to have to stay up really late!

How does Friday, April 11 at 10 pm CST sound for everyone?

Mar 31, 2014#46

Emrys

Would that be 11pm for people on CDT?

Are you sure you can stay up that late? Don't people in the Home have to be in bed before 10pm?

Mar 31, 2014#47

Tress

That would be 8pm here, correct? I think I can do that.

Mar 31, 2014#48

Dave

Emrys said:
Would that be 11pm for people on CDT?

Are you sure you can stay up that late? Don't people in the Home have to be in bed before 10pm?

Okay, I should have said CDT instead of CST. Ross always gave me shit about that, too.

And no, I don't have a bedtime. I go to sleep whenever I want tzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..................

Mar 31, 2014#49

Ravenpoe

Dave said:
Okay then. That might be more doable. Jeez I was thinking for a second that I was going to have to stay up really late!

How does Friday, April 11 at 10 pm CST sound for everyone?

Sounds fine to me. I believe that's 11pm EDT?

Mar 31, 2014#50

Chad Sexington

Yeah, I can do that. I can also be a stand-in if someone can't make it - I promise I won't steal your numbers as mine

Mar 31, 2014#51

Dave

Ravenpoe said:
Sounds fine to me. I believe that's 11pm EDT?

Yup![DOUBLEPOST=1396287318,1396287215][/DOUBLEPOST]Also, please remember that the Adsense money comes in near the end of the month so it probably won't be until almost May. It usually comes in anywhere from the 21st to the 30th, so it may not be until May 1 or so. It'll depend on my trip to Georgia and what all we are doing with my son who will be home from basic training.

Mar 31, 2014#52

Espy

Should be fine.

Mar 31, 2014#53

Emrys

Dave said:
And no, I don't have a bedtime. I go to sleep whenever I want tzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..................

Ummm... you've got a little drool there, Fearless Leader.

Apr 1, 2014#54

Emrys

Dave said:
here's the breakdown for the contest entries:

All numbers have been issued, O Fearless Leader.

~~Minions~~ Participants, if you didn't get a message from me, let me know so I can resend it.

Apr 2, 2014#55

Ravenpoe

If I ask nicely, can you send me only WINNING numbers?

Apr 2, 2014#56

ThatNickGuy

Ravenpoe said:
If I ask nicely, can you send me only WINNING numbers?

Apr 2, 2014#57

Emrys

Ravenpoe said:
If I pay you lots of money, can you send me only WINNING numbers?

You misspelled a couple of words there.

Apr 2, 2014#58

Bubble181

I think it's unfair you closed off participation before the month rolled over and I could use my credit card again (it was maxed out in March from buying plane tickets and booking hotels

). Feh! FEH I TELL YOU.

Next time, tell me before you're going to cut donations off, dammit.

Also, that would be, what, 3 AM CET?

Apr 2, 2014#59

ThatNickGuy

Bubble181 said:
(it was maxed out in March from booze and hookers)

I KNEW it.

Apr 2, 2014#60

Bubble181

ThatNickGuy said:
I KNEW it.

You should, I sent them your way.

...Your address is "Middle of Nowhere, Snowtown, North of the Wall, Amidst the Weasels", right? I got it off of Emrys to send 'm to you as a surprise.... :confused:

Apr 2, 2014#61

ThatNickGuy

Bubble181 said:
You should, I sent them your way.

...Your address is "Middle of Nowhere, Snowtown, North of the Wall, Amidst the Weasels", right? I got it off of Emrys to send 'm to you as a surprise....

Or otherwise known as Halifax. Close enough.

Apr 4, 2014#62

Dave

Final amount: $141.77, so I'm rounding it up to $150.

Apr 4, 2014#63

Emrys

Bubble181 said:
You should, I sent them your way.

...Your address is "Middle of Nowhere, Snowtown, North of the Wall, Amidst the Weasels", right? I got it off of Emrys to send 'm to you as a surprise....

Dammit, @Bubble181, "Amidst the Weasels" is my address. @ThatNickGuy is "Hipdeep in Snow". Get it right next time.
I was looking forward to that shipment.

Apr 4, 2014#64

ThatNickGuy

Emrys said:
Dammit, @Bubble181, "Amidst the Weasels" is my address. @ThatNickGuy is "Hipdeep in Snow". Get it right next time.
I was looking forward to that shipment.

Actually, I'm in Halifax, now. So it's only Ankle Deep in Snow!

Apr 4, 2014#65

Thread Necromancer

did I miss the cutoff? honestly I'm not really looking for the prize but after I get paid I would like to be able to help out the forum.

Apr 5, 2014#66

PatrThom

Same. I wanna help, but this caught me flat-footed.

--Patrick

Apr 5, 2014#67

Dave

The problem is that now I don't' need the money to pay for the site. I mean, it's paid until October! I'd feel bad taking the money now, unless you would be doing it to win the $150.

Apr 5, 2014#68

PatrThom

Dave said:
The problem is that now I don't' need the money to pay for the site. I mean, it's paid until October! I'd feel bad taking the money now, unless you would be doing it to win the $150.

You will take our money even if we have to drive there and personally shove it into your mattress.

--Patrick

Apr 5, 2014#69

Ravenpoe

You guys gotta stop being so fucking generous.

You're ruining my chances of winning the contest.

Apr 5, 2014#70

Dave

You need to read my replies. #7 post to be exact.

Apr 10, 2014#71

Dave

Don't forget, the contest is THIS FRIDAY NIGHT! Don't forget that this is DIFFERENT than the 5th anniversary contest, which is the 18th but uses the exact same parameters.

I will post the UStream link here once I start broadcasting. I will NOT be on Vent and will pull the numbers and announce them live on the Stream. After acknowledgment that you guys have heard the number, I will pull the next one.

Remember, first person to get 3 numbers wins the $150!

Apr 10, 2014#72

Chad Sexington

AND IT'S GONNA BE ME

Apr 10, 2014#73

Frank

Hey, I was informed tonight that I will be busy tomorrow evening. Can someone proxy for me?

Apr 10, 2014#74

Dave

Frank said:
Hey, I was informed tonight that I will be busy tomorrow evening. Can someone proxy for me?

Are you asking me if you can do that or are you asking for someone to help you out? Because you totally can do that.

Apr 10, 2014#75

Frank

Yeah, I figured we could, I was looking for someone to do it for me.

Apr 10, 2014#76

Ravenpoe

Chad Sexington said:
AND IT'S GONNA BE ME

Apr 11, 2014#77

Tress

I also need a proxy. Any one available?

Apr 11, 2014#78

Tiger Tsang

Were numbers for this passed out? I got the 5th anniversary ones.

It's doubtful I'll be available this evening, though.

Apr 11, 2014#79

Dave

@Emrys passed them out a while ago. I don't know what date, exactly.

Apr 11, 2014#80

Chad Sexington

PM me your numbers if you need someone to proxy for you; I'm already helping out one forumite, no reason I can't check a few lists simultaneously.

Apr 11, 2014#81

Frank

Chad Sexington said:
PM me your numbers if you need someone to proxy for you; I'm already helping out one forumite, no reason I can't check a few lists simultaneously.

Thanks chief.

Apr 11, 2014#82

Tress

Chad Sexington said:
PM me your numbers if you need someone to proxy for you; I'm already helping out one forumite, no reason I can't check a few lists simultaneously.

Thank you!

Apr 11, 2014#83

Chad Sexington

Frank said:
Thanks chief.

Tress said:
Thank you!

My pleasure!

*pents fingers evilly*

Apr 11, 2014#84

Tiger Tsang

Aha! I missed that alert. I got 'em.

And thanks Mr Sexington.

Apr 11, 2014#85

Emrys

Tiger Tsang said:
Were numbers for this passed out? I got the 5th anniversary ones.

It's doubtful I'll be available this evening, though.

I sent your numbers to you on April 1st. Check your PMs and if you didn't get them, I will definitely send them again.

@Dave, as the Holder of the Lists, can I automatically proxy for someone who can't show up or would you rather they found someone else?

Apr 11, 2014#86

Dave

Doesn't matter to me, as long as the correct person wins.

Apr 11, 2014#87

Emrys

Sounds good. Thanks.

Apr 11, 2014#88

Ravenpoe

So, what are my odds of winning. Everyone has 20 entries?

Apr 11, 2014#89

PatrThom

I won't be home for at least an hour from the time of this post.

--Patrick

Apr 11, 2014#90

jwhouk

You have to be present to win? This might ruin my chances.

Apr 11, 2014#91

Dave

No, you need not be present to win. But it's more fun that way. @Emrys will be helping keep track.

Apr 11, 2014#92

Dave

Ravenpoe said:
So, what are my odds of winning. Everyone has 20 entries?

Everyone has 1 entry per $ they donated, up to a max of 20.

Apr 11, 2014#93

Ravenpoe

Dave said:
Everyone has 1 entry per $ they donated, up to a max of 20.

This post below by you lists some people as having 25. Though your first post did say 20.

Dave said:
Okay, donations are now off. The site is paid for 6 months and here's the breakdown for the contest entries:

evilmike - 25 entries

Espy - 20

Tiger Tsang - 10

Tinwhistler - 20

Frank - 20

Sparhawk - 10

Yoshimickster - 15

Chad Sexington - 20

Just Me - 20

Grub - 20

Tress - 25

Ravenpoe - 20

That's 225 total entries. Now, here's how the contest is going to be run and information about the prize. Right now the adsense is up to about $140 (I can't give exact amounts as this would violate the TOS and possibly get me banned), so I'll be rounding to either $140 - 150, depending on calculations for the last couple days of this month.

Each person will be given a number between 1-300 for each entry. These numbers will not necessarily be in any particular order.

These numbers will be given out by @Emrys and will NOT be known by me.

We will coordinate when the contest will happen, based on maximum availability of the contestants.

I will (hopefully) be utilizing UStream to draw (or at least read from my Excel sheet) numbers live online.

First person to hit 3 of their numbers wins.

So I need those listed above to give me your best available times. Please make the times in Central, otherwise I'll mess it up.

Apr 11, 2014#94

Dave

Yeah, I fucked it up. I don't know if Emrys gave them 20 or 25.[DOUBLEPOST=1397269365,1397269323][/DOUBLEPOST]If nothing else, that gives Evilmike and Tress a slight (very slight) advantage.[DOUBLEPOST=1397269615][/DOUBLEPOST]I'm on the UStream now and will NOT be using the Vent.

http://ustre.am/fh0t

1/2 to showtime.

Apr 11, 2014#95

Emrys

I handed out 1 number/$1 donated. Want me to redo the numbers real quick?

Apr 11, 2014#96

Dave

Nah. It's only 5 numbers, not 100.[DOUBLEPOST=1397269904,1397269849][/DOUBLEPOST]Let me know if the chat function is not working.

Apr 11, 2014#97

Emrys

I can hear you on UStream.[DOUBLEPOST=1397270422,1397270357][/DOUBLEPOST]Doesn't seem to be.

Apr 11, 2014#98

Espy

10pm right? 20 minutes from now?

Apr 11, 2014#99

grub

the chat is working, i can see emrys and your stuff

Apr 11, 2014#100

fade

I completely missed this thread or I would've donated. Sorry bout that.

Apr 11, 2014#101

Ravenpoe

Looks like we have a winner, and it's not me, but my mom says I'm a winner.

It was close too, between me and the winner, which I will let Dave post.

Apr 11, 2014#102

Espy

Man!

Apr 11, 2014#103

Dave

Well that was anti-climactic.

@Tinwhistler won the contest with 3 hits in the first 13 numbers!!

117, 218, & 269.

Ravenpoe had 2 already as well. The whole thing took 8 minutes.[DOUBLEPOST=1397272332,1397272282][/DOUBLEPOST]So Tin gets $150 probably around May 1st or whenever the ad money comes in.

Congrats, dude!

Apr 11, 2014#104

grub

Gratz @Tinwhistler

Apr 11, 2014#105

Espy

Good news everyone! Everyone else lost!

Apr 11, 2014#106

Dave

I didn't care that you beat me to it, Espy. You didn't have to edit your post.

Apr 11, 2014#107

Espy

I didn't want to spoil the moment

Apr 11, 2014#108

Emrys

Now that @Tinwhistler is rich, he needs to buy us all presents.

Apr 11, 2014#109

PatrThom

Emrys said:
Now that @Tinwhistler is rich, he needs to brew us all presents.

FTFY

--Patrick

Apr 11, 2014#110

Frank

Even though I wasn't going to keep the money, I still hate losing.

DAMN YOU TINWHISTLER.

Apr 12, 2014#111

Tinwhistler

dang, I wanted so badly to get on ustream tonight, but I was dealing with a house full of winos instead.

uhm, thanks!

Apr 12, 2014#112

grub

I wish u stream would let me log in with Facebook and let me change my name but it didn't. Now a few of you know my real name. :ninja:

Apr 12, 2014#113

Emrys

grub said:
I wish u stream would let me log in with Facebook and let me change my name but it didn't. Now a few of you know my real name.

Who are you?

Apr 12, 2014#114

grub

On minecraft I'm mattgrub. In real life most people call me Matt. On ustream it had my last name as well.

Apr 12, 2014#115

Ravenpoe

grub said:
On minecraft I'm mattgrub. In real life most people call me Matt. On ustream it had my last name as well.

Don't worry, none of us remember what it was. Too many syllables.

Apr 12, 2014#116

grub

12 letters was hard to remember as a kid.

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