We deal with lots of serious things here at Club Troppo. National politics. Indigenous disadvantage. Donald Bradman. As you know all this heavy thinking is very hard on the notso hotso Virtual Private Server we relocated to recently, which is why in a recent post I sent out the call for help to find a new home for the site.
That call was largely successful: I have been approached by a senior member of the University Computer Club (UCC) at UWA, who thinks that they might be able to host a proper physical server in their own facilities. While modest, these facilities have the important advantage that they aren’t in my bedroom — the power is more reliable and the connection is much faster.
However, there is a snag. There’s no room for another server.
Actually, that’s not quite right. There’s no room for yet another tower computer of the sort seen on desks all over the world. What the UCC do have available is rackspace. If I can supply a rack-mountable server, then I can host Club Troppo with them.
Sadly I don’t have such a thing to hand in my own collection of gear, so I am holding out the hat to you, our beloved readership, for donations. It may seem silly but I have seen this done on smaller sites with considerable success.
I propose to spring for a modest el cheapo rackmounted server in the vicinity of $1200-1400. That should be more than Club Troppo needs for some time. If possible I’d also like to invest in a rackmounted UPS to ensure continuity if the power goes off, but this is both expensive (as in circa $2000 expensive) and probably something we can do without.
So here it is. I’m announcing the Club Troppo Should Not Suck Like a Vacuum Fund. We already have about $50 from Google ads, but I can’t add that to the total until it reaches $100 USD.
How to donate
| By Direct Deposit | BSB #: 805 050 Account #: 6303 8723 |
|---|---|
| By PayPal | jacques@chester.id.au |
| By Cheque or Money Order (this is least preferred) |
Cheque to Jacques Chester Club Troppo Server Fund PO Box 353 Guildford WA 6055 |
Once we’ve raised the money I’ll honour your donation on a special page established for that purpose. Make sure to post in this thread once you’ve donated so I can match donations to names.
So … here goes!
Update: James Andrewartha from the club writes to tell me that:
If you don’t get enough to buy a server for yourself, there has been talk of raising money buying a beefy multicore server to act as a Xen host to consolidate some of the various machines we run. You could put the donations towards this goal.
Would anyone object to this being an alternative way to use the donations raised?
Just left a small token of appreciation in your account with the ID of LOONYLEFT.
Great site – shows what a pathetic joke the Australian MSM has become.
Now back to planning the revolution…
I’ve also transferred $20 in to the fund.
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A box, a box, your thoughts for a box…
a small contribution has been desposited.
cheers,
Christopher
I’ve transferred $100, partly because I like Club Troppo but mostly because I owe Jacques for rescuing my blog from Yahoo.
I’ve donated, Jacques.
How do I transfer money into the account? I just tried to use electronic banking and it barfed on me.
It varies from bank to bank I’m afraid. Normally all you need is the BSB and Account number to do it.
Nope, it’s determined not to let me do it.
What does it say by way of explanation?
Apparently the account isn’t ‘authorized’. Do you have a paypal account tied to your email address? I can pop some dosh in there.
I do have a paypal account, as it happens, under my email address: jacques@chester.id.au
Done. You’ll have to fish it out of your paypal account, though.
Looks like it came through fine. I’ve updated the total.
Small amount sent through but you will not get it until Monday. It has gone from my account and is held by the banks in their transfer accounts. Just another example of the banks exploiting their unnecessarily privileged position.
Yes, not too bright of me to ask for money on a Friday!
I’ll hold off from transferring the PayPal money immediately as it’s free for amounts over $150. If anyone else would prefer to donate using PayPal, be my guest.
It seems to have worked. i used the name of Jacques Chester. Cheers
The money total’s gone down – is this because you’re waiting for the paypal to reach $150?
C’mon people, donate!
No, I adjusted it for the fee which PayPal deducts.
I’m in for 20.20…. it’s the vision thing.
Junior’s downloading Bit-Torrent stuff on project deadline on MY computer. A vested interest in domestic harmony dictates that the fat would best be transferred tomorrow morning.
$25 from me.
We already have people taking the piss! :)
http://aftergrogblog.blogs.com/agb/2007/07/gimme-dat-kerch.html
$14.33 from me, it’s what I’ve got lying around. On a totally unrelated note, you should check out this absolutely brilliant profile of Michael Towke that Bec has written. :-D
I’ve sent $50 by BSB transfer, it’s gone from my a/c but have you had it yet?
Not yet – direct deposit takes a variable amount of time because the banks take the opportunity to pop the money in the short term money market for a day or two. Sometimes it’s same day, sometimes up to 3 days.
Jacques, Ive sent $25 by BSB transfer (ID Ingolf Eide).
Fair enough.
I read it. Disagree with most of it. Get angry when I see Keynes is mentioned as some sort of super hero.
But he’s what I’m thinking: If I’m reading a site and the owner asks for a contribution, it’s only fair I reach in the pocket. Sent it by bank account. 100 smackers.
I will send in my contribution of $30. Good luck.
$25 from me via transfer. It’s gone from my account and thus should hit your account tomorrow I guess.
$50 if the system works!
I’m good for $50 if someone can tell me how to do it. Why can’t I just click on something, fill in the credit card stuff and it’s done, like with Michael J Totten (to whom give, give, give).
Jacques – what does a tick against a name mean?
cheers,
Christopher (the tickless)
I have sent $50.00 to your account. Thankyou.
Christopher;
The tick indicates that I have received payment. It’s not a perfect record as many donations are coming in under real names rather than the better-known pseudonyms.
Jacques,
My $50, sent on 22nd bounced back to me on 24th. Contacted my Credit Union which said the details BSB 805 050, a/c 6303 8723 are wrong!
I’ll try again but failing that what …?
I’m a bit stumped about that one, amphibious. Those details are certainly correct.
You could try using PayPal, if you’re comfortable with that service. They do charge a percentage but they’re quick and easy.
Otherwise, send a cheque and I’ll cash it locally.
Incidentally, I didn’t use my name when transferring money, I just called it “Donation to CT”.
Cheers
Sorry – you will need to update the total again.
Jacques,
Like amphibious – my $50 was bounced back to my account (sent on 23rd, returned on the 24th) with the message ‘DE NO ACCOUNT’ (less a fee…banks can’t do anything without charging!)
yet the transfer was sent to: 805-050 63038723
which lines up with the information provided above.
Wonder if it was a weekend effect? I’ll try again.
cheers,
Christopher
Sorry jacques, same thing happened again. The money bounced back less than 48 hours later.
I’ve sent other money using this system so there’s nothing wrong at this end.
Again, the ‘explanation’ was that the details were invalid.
I’d rather send $50 in a letter than let banks on both ends rip out $5 each.
This is all very annoying as I do see other payments coming through fine. Useless bloody banks the lot of them. Perhaps we could do a name-and-shame.
I’ll name and shame Westpac. It has bounced twice now. I double and triple checked the account details. But at least they don’t seem to be charging at this point. I will take a look a PayPal tomorrow.
Paypal is very efficient, and now Jacques has more than $150.00, there will be no fees, or at most only a dollar or two. It’s actually a better system than the bank. Oh, and I’ll name and shame the NAB, which caused my irritation aways up the thread.
I’ve chucked in twenty bucks via Paypal. Sorry it’s not more – because I only get paid by Griffith during semester (and there’s a bit of a lag between the start of semester and when we actually get paid!) I’m broke at the moment.
Andrew (Norton),
Mine went through Westpac on line banking- no problem (and no fee).
For all those who it failed, I would suggest sending the bank a letter detailing the problem, insisting the details were correct (give every detail you have including dates, receipt number etc.). Mention the banking ombudsman and the fees should be reimbursed quick smart. You may even get an apology.
The worst thing that could happen is that they actually have to earn the fee they have already charged you.
I should add – make the letter as polite and to the point as possible if you actually want the money back. If the letter is abusive in any way they are allowed to ignore it or just send a standard form letter back.
Yes, PayPal seem to be streets ahead of the banks in the convenience stakes. We really do have a sickeningly backwards system here in Australia vis-a-vis transfers.
My useless & apparently shameless gouger is NAB.
Sent please confirm receipt.
Harry, it came through, thanks. If you scroll down to the bottom of the front page you can see which list your name is on.
Jacques,
sorry – been tied up (and couldn’t quickly figure out paypal..so I’m a luddite)
First christopher#1 and christopher#2 are one and the same.
Just tried again – using your name for account rather than ‘club troppo’ (noted as ‘cheers christopher’ on your account)
if it fails again, we’ll have to add CBA to Westpac, NAB as the last of the big 3 that won’t play with your financier.
cheers,
Christopher
Gee, that’s annoying. Perhaps you could try Paypal or send a cheque?
And I was sure there were two Christophers – I’ve got a “Chris” here on a cheque!
Update: it came through on the account just fine.
Great – apologies for the confusion.
cheers,
Christopher
Jacques, just got your email indicating my EFT hadn’t gone through. Tried to reply by email but don’t have the appropriate security code (or something!).
Anyway, went back and checked my account and after confirming the transfer and debiting it to my account on the 24th, two days later the bank (CBA) unwound it and charged me $2.50 for the privilege. Gawd.
I suspect from Christopher’s comment it has to do with the account name (I too used Troppo). I’ll try again now with Jacques Chester.
Let me know if that doesn’t work.
Jacques,
Following your chivvy-up, I’ve tried again, 3rd or 4th time?. The BSB pops upas Central Credit Union so at least thus far is OK.
Let me know, one way or tuther, asap.
Two payments have come through – ingolf and JC. Just a few left to go!
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