So what's this thread about?

[Jimmy]

So who are they?

JB

[Howard Brown]

Hi Jimmy:

Actually what it was intended for a while back was to organize a cadre of members willing to contribute ( $$$$$$) to the site's growth, but as it stands now, I think we are going to be able to avoid begging, er, asking people for contributions. One use of the millions we projected raising was for the alternate site where we will either store stuff ( like the O'Donnell )...and other things.... As it is, we seem to be okay Jim. Thanks for asking.

How

[admin tim]

This forum is intended to be used as Howard says - sort of. It is merely a placeholder at the moment, but we will eventually have a PayPal link where philanthropists may contribute a gratuity or two (Howard's Tip Jar) to help keep the lights on. Anyone so contributing would be immortalized here (and in large font!) as an Extraordinary Lady or Gentleman.

While this scheme is still viable, in spite of what Howard thinks, we have also developed other ways of picking your pocket, and these will soon become evident.

Example: Weekly Caption Contest
Win - $5
Place - $3
Show - $1

[Shelley]

Hi Jimmy:

Actually what it was intended for a while back was to organize a cadre of members willing to contribute ( $$$$$$) to the site's growth, but as it stands now, I think we are going to be able to avoid begging, er, asking people for contributions. One use of the millions we projected raising was for the alternate site where we will either store stuff ( like the O'Donnell )...and other things.... As it is, we seem to be okay Jim. Thanks for asking.

How

For How:
Just a suggestion....However lame it may sound, as i did do some fund raising in my time.....How about some embossed cards, ordinary ( all round use) ' blank inside ' with a JTR ring to them...Quick...Easy and easy to post worldwide. Cover the costs for the cards,envelopes,wrapping & any extras for the coffers to raise the money for the forum...Donations on side as well ' if needed ' as you say things seem to be ok at present.
say a pack of 6 or 10 cards ( should be cheap and easy to produce....Use a silhoutte cameo ( small) (centre).
You could use a caption like:

' ExtraOrdinary Ladies and Gentlemen Only '

Or

' For All Things Ripper '


Or

' Time Reveals All '


Or

' .....When you have eliminated the impossible,
whatever remains, however improbable,
must be the truth '


Have a think of how many may sell...the costs for say the first 50 packs, then cover enough for total admin/account costs double, plus extra of what you need and would like, just an idea anyway.

Glad to put in my 2 cents worth.

Shelley

Something like that

[Howard Brown]

Dear Shelley:

Thanks for the suggestions...they are appreciated !

I'll keep what you mentioned in mind.

[ferret]

Gross Dougie-

BUT any useful and practical tips on how to send pennies/lucre/or whatever help to How and the site would be gratefully recieved

[Robert Linford]

I don't mind paying an annual subscription, as I do to Casebook.

[ferret]

I don't either MR Q and I must get around to subscribing to Casebook too...How do I do this though 'cos I can't be doing with Pay Pal

Suz x

[Robert Linford]

Hanney! You may send the money by airmail.

http://www.casebook.org/about_the_casebook/funding.html

No bouncing postal orders, Hanney!

[ferret]

Riffling through the biscuits as I type!
Thanks Mr Q
x

[Howard Brown]

Suzi & Robert:

There's really no need to donate money to the site. Tim had a nice idea of trying to raise money to defer costs to keep it going.

As it is now, we make $ 5.00 ( 5 dollars) per month profit from the site. Thats fine with me.

How everyone could contribute to Ripperology is more important to me,in all honesty.

By purchasing books by Evans and Begg and Hinton and Odell...AND Oliver and Perring and Bennett and Hutchinson...and Porter, to me,that is more important and crucial for the literature aspect of the field. Subscribing to a magazine ain't a bad idea either...hint,hint.

If Ripper books are purchased, it encourages the publishers to "look" for budding Ripper authors as well as give financial support to these fine authors I mentioned above.

No, the members here, as elsewhere, make the site better and their posts are "good enough" for me.

Thanks anyway.

[ferret]

That's LOVELY How! :)

[Howard Brown]

Thanks Suzi.

Unless Ripperologists have a media apparatus or are financially solvent, such as Mrs. Cornwell...and I am NOT being critical of her financial success or cynical...the authors of existing books on Ripperological issues and topics "make ends meet". Their passion is evident since they aren't making scads of cash from their efforts in whatever way they involve themselves.

What I object to....and its rare that this happens...is when someone writes a book.. appears on documentaries...speaks at "crime research" venues...is critical of the legitimate work others do...and is a "known".

You know who I am talking about here,so enough said.:playball:

So its imperative that we do support those with a serious,scholarly approach to the WM...as well as those who write fiction and don't disguise it as "fact". Life ain't fair...but this is one way we could make it a little more "fair" with our help.

[ferret]

Hi How-
We'' mercifully we're NOT Ms Cornwell......or 'others'!!
Swopping back to the mentoring idea though I think that's great....but a tad worried about how it would actually work in practice

Suzi x

[Robert Linford]

OK How, just as long as everything's AOK with the finances. Maybe things are different in the US, but over here you can't walk down the street without being taxed/fined/ponced off in one way or another.

[ferret]

P'raps we could do a sort of flag day job for this Robert.... dressed as maybe not nurses....but Teeeeeee Heeeeeeeeee can you imagine the possibilities?!!!!
(Worrying thing is I CAN!)

[Robert Linford]

I'm not dressing up as Dids.:nono:

[Stephen Thomas]

I'm pretty new here and am sure this must have been discussed before but why doesn't this site carry advertisments?

[Mike Covell]

It has small ones at the bottom of the main page in the form of links.

These cut down on the broadwidth, rather than waiting an age for the pages to load, only for some scantily clad woman asking "Wanna Chat?"

Maybe thats just the sites I go on!!:becky:

[ferret]

I'm not dressing up as Dids.:nono:

Miserable git!!!:becky:

[Howard Brown]

Dear Stephen:

Mike Covell is correct. The ads are on the bottom of each page.

The amount of ads I have on the site covers the cost with 5 dollars left over each month.

The amount of money that the advertisers send me each month is based on the number of visitors to the site, which is now treble or even quadruple what it used to be. I remember days when it was only Tim, myself, and the occasional drunk who wandered in here thinking the site was something other than a Jack The Ripper site.

[Robert Linford]

Hey, who are you calling a drunk?:faint:

[Howard Brown]

Robert:

Not you !! C'mon !! You're so sensitive.

I meant Professor..hic...Savage. You were the 4th guy, the one getting bailed out of Leman Street at 1 A.M. looking to get your "popped" boots outta hock.

Some people...Jeez..they're so sensitive.:playball:

[ferret]

Shenshitive Shurely Not Shur

:) xx