Trad Gang

I apologize in advance for the book of words I'm about to type, but both Terry and I want Trad Gang members to get the full picture of what this forum is struggling with, and what it will take to allow Trad Gang to continue ... because things are that serious right now.

Trad Gang's old and antiquated flat file forum software (ubb.classic) was grandfathered more than a decade ago.  It's database software is so ancient that no one writes code for it anymore.  

We need Trad Gang to migrate over to better, more modern forum software that will allow a host of functions we'd only dreamed of for years.

Functions such as hosting the images you put in your threads and posts, so there's no need for a photobucket or imgur or fliker or whatever.  The images would stay on your computer and copies would reside here with us for the life of Trad Gang.  No more lost images in classic threads and posts.  Better registration security to help keep out the scammers and hackers, videos embedded in posts, faster and better internal search engine, better forum software diagnostics to keep the system well and up and running 24x7, user control of custom avatars, better integration with our Trad Gang St Judes Annual Auction, better PM system, image galleries, and lots more.

The cost of the new forum software is nothing.  It's free.

HOWEVER, the conversion from our current flat file forum software (ubb.classic) to more modern relational database forum software (smf) is nearly impossible.  We've/I've tried that conversion over the course of the last 7 years and failed every time.

Recently, that dismal past has changed, and with the assistance of a ubb.classic/ubb.threads tech programming guru we've been able to complete the first of two Trad Gang test migrations.  The second test is underway as I type this post.  Trad Gang is so big and robust that the current conversion has been running non-stop for THREE DAYS.  Yup, Trad Gang is that big.  We expect it should end tomorrow and we expect a success.  

The Trad Gang server is approaching its 7th birthday - most servers have a lifespan of 5 years, so we're living on borrowed time on a machine who's spare parts are no longer manufactured.  We need a new server ASAP, with FAST quad core CPU's, and LOTS more FAST memory and solid state drives - all the goods that will insure excellent Trad Gang functionality, and that will allow both Trad Gang and the St Judes Auction to run in the same domain and not have everyone jumping around to different domains on the Trad Gang server.

Because there is a major software disparity between the current old forum software and the proposed new forum software, both types of software will not run on the same server.  We need to temporarily run TWO servers during the Trad Gang migration conversion.  More expense we'd had no clue to even plan on happening.

Right now, the cost of the conversion development and execution, the new server and memory and its installation, the dual server configuration, all costs some big dollars we just don't have.  We know that it'll be at least $6k to get the new hardware we need to just stay alive, as we are today on the old forum software.  Completing the migration conversion adds on at least another $2k.  As of now, we still haven't gotten an estimate on the cost of a temporary dual server environment for use during the real, live migration conversion.

If you wish to help donate to the Trad Gang Fund for new hardware/software, we absolutely appreciate your help in helping your Trad Gang forum continue to be the best it can be.

ANY amount will help!  THANK YOU!

Trad Gang Forum Fund PayPal CLICK HERE (http://tradgang.com/tgfund/)

Checks to...

Tradgang
205 Victory Drive
Calhoun GA 30701

Thank you for briefing the community on the dire needs our covetted forum and family.

I will be donating.

Wow....thanks Rob.

I have a few bows in the classifieds for sale to try and offset some of the costs of this huge upgrade and will be adding some more soon.  

After 14 years on they same software, pre youtube, pre facebook, pre instagram there is just too much information, too many memories and hunting stories to just let this all fade away.

We are determined to do what ever it takes to get it done.

  :campfire:

QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
Wow....thanks Rob.

We are determined to do what ever it takes to get it done.

     :campfire:    

You can bank on that Terry!  It may take a few days but the TG family will rise to the occasion!!

Thanks for the detailed explanation, Rob. I was curious if the renewals that contributing classifieds members pay annually could be used to help defray the cost of these needed upgrades? That seems like a good financial resource, which could be used to assist in those needs too. Please don't take this suggestion in a negative way. I don't mean it that way. I have no idea what where the money goes for the classifieds contributor status, and frankly, it is none of my business. I just noticed there seemed to be a bit of a crossover between the goals given for the classifieds contribution in the need to help TG keep the classifieds, and its members, safe from hackers/scammers as well as the cost of these needed upgrades. Truly, I am not trying to stir the pot. I'm just trying to find out if our contributions for the classifieds could possibly help to achieve this goal while we pay for the use of the classifieds section?

Appreciate the update I will be donating - Good Luck Tradgang- I hope we come out through this in good shape and thriving!
<><
<-------------------<<<<<<<<<

Count me in.  I'll make a donation as well.
Thanks for all you do Rob and Terry!

Anyone ever thought of starting a tradgang Facebook page?

See my ad in 2017 trad bows for sale.

done

As many member as we have here it wouldn't take much from each one to reach the goal in no time.

All the help and information that I've received from everyone on this site is amazing and it would be the least I could do to make a donation! This is an amazing place and would hate to see it go! Thanks Terry and Rob and everyone else involved in making Tradgang what it is!

QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Mecredy:
As many member as we have here it wouldn't take much from each one to reach the goal in no time.

In reality, if just 25% of the current registered membership gave just one dollar, the donations would exceed the need by $3500.

Come on folks...lets do this thing right!    :archer:

I'm not a contributing member but if becoming one will help then I'll do it.

well this must be Karma ... I just sold two bow, I have not listed a bow in a long time. I would be pleased and honored to send some of that to TG for this upgrade.

keep up the great tradition and ethics of TradGang !

QuoteOriginally posted by McDave:
See my ad in 2017 trad bows for sale.

Pics posted Dave....Awesome bow and selfless donation.        :thumbsup:

QuoteOriginally posted by elkken:
well this must be Karma ... I just sold two bows, I have not listed a bow in a long time. I would be pleased and honored to send some of that to TG for this upgrade.

keep up the great tradition and ethics of TradGang !

Karma or otherwise...PERFECT timing Ken!      :archer:

Rob,
Could you give an address to send a check.
Thanks, Todd

Rob
Will you be setting up a specific fund for donations? I will be glad to send a few $ if you tell us where to donate.
Rich k

I can dig through the closet and find something to post for sell for the funds.  Any chance we could set up a TradGang benefit subforum in the classifieds?

Donation sent.

Just donated. Glad to help however I can.
With all the help we have all received from this forum it would be hard to believe everyone wouldn't want to help.

QuoteOriginally posted by GDPolk:
I can dig through the closet and find something to post for sell for the funds.  Any chance we could set up a TradGang benefit subforum in the classifieds?

Garret, a sub forum is not necessary.  Sell your items and you can come back to this thread, at the very beginning there is a link that will take you to where you can make a donation...

Thank You for you generosity sir...

Donation sent, y'all do a great job keeping this site rolling!! I'm sure it's not easy, I know that I sure appreciate your efforts. This site is my second home!

Steve Jr

I love this forum and everything about it.  Yes the format is old and the technology needs to ne upgraded but many other forums online have less advertising and free classifieds so where does the money go?  I would have tbought some funds would have been set aside each year for the last several planming for this much needed upgrade.  Yess, it would be great to see Tradgang as a modern forum format.  Dont get me wrong, i may still contribute to the fund, am a contributor, have given a lot to St Jude and am a TGMM paid member.

Donation sent... well worth it!  Donating is easy compared with the selfless effort put in by so many others. Thank-you.

donation sent  :thumbsup:

Donation on the way. My pleasure .

Did what I could.  Best of luck with this.

QuoteOriginally posted by John146:
Rob,
Could you give an address to send a check.
Thanks, Todd

Tradgang
205 Victory Drive
Calhoun GA 30701

THANKS!!!

QuoteOriginally posted by rich k:
Rob
Will you be setting up a specific fund for donations? I will be glad to send a few $ if you tell us where to donate.
Rich k

Rich,...Rob posted that info on the original post.

Thanks!

I know just enough about Computers (self taught) to get in trouble - normally. BUT when something is explained as well as Rob's initial out line of the problem and "fix" is so well laid out that I can follow it and see  both the need and the VERY desirable fix(es) sufficiently clearly. Thank you, Rob.

It might be hard for some to see but I think if they just read over the parts about advantages we would then have at our disposal (i.e. ease of pic posting/self(Tradang)contained hosting of same, no jumping back and forth for our (most important) St. Jude endeavors, stabilized storage of our (equaly important) wealth of info in files, etc. etc.) that would be enough to motivate all who now enjoy TG in any way whatsoever to look favorably on the proposed changes.

At times like this, I so wish that I had chosen a more lucrative life career in my younger days so I'd have more financial security in my current life. Then I could donate to something as near and dear to my heart as TG/TGMM in a truly significant
amount. However, looking back, I would not now change my life choices, if I could. I am what I am, and have what I have, and am blessed at that. Luckily, others posting ahead of me have pointed out the thing we so often try to point out during our St. Jude endeavors - EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS! With that in mind, what I consider only a token donation, in my minds eye, I still can realize as being of some help, and I hope others in my situation will do the same. Any amount is better than no amount!

Headed to (weak) PayPal now. Best of luck in the change over work and in donations.

Any chance at a fundraiser auction/sale? I have some stuff I could get rid of and proceeds go to help.

Or, maybe open up the contributor 2018 early and give those contributors access to the remaining 2017 classifieds AND all of 2018?

This, in addition to any outright donations, might add up more quickly.

Just thinking out of the box.

I am sending my donation to this effort as soon as I get done typing this post.

I have learned a great deal on this forum, and I am grateful for that. But more than that, I have made some incredible friends through Trad Gang -- friends that I would not have met otherwise, and friends that I cherish and that I now cannot imagine life without.

Fellow members: Think about what you owe to Trad Gang for what you have learned, and the friendships you have made. Let's all do our part to help out so we can benefit from Trad Gang for many years to come.

Beat you to it, Joe!

  :campfire:

Good man, Bud.

What have you got here 25K members. I would think a dollar a piece would not be too much to ask. Then even if !/3rd donated You should have enough.I hate to see a few take the load and all the free loaders benefit.

Save the gang!!   Terry I'll be sending a check today.

46,461 members. But probably half that are somewhat active posters.

QuoteOriginally posted by Bud B.:
Any chance at a fundraiser auction/sale?  

Thanks Bud....but I need to reiterate....we are NECK DEEP in this....the Software issue was started BEFORE we found out we were going to be required to get another server....we don't have time for squat at the moment as we weren't prepared to have that thrown in at the same time.

We had been wading around in the shallows for a long time...and soon as St Judes was over we jumped into the deep end from the high dive.  It's taking a LOT of time to try and bring this live before hunting season so we don't loose any hunting threads.

We will be making an announcements about the procedures as we get closer to conversion.

Many MANY thanks to all that have helped and are going to help us on this rocky trail, the view from the peak will be worth it.

   :campfire:

Just donated $100 Rob with pay pal.

For the guitarists out there, and those that already know of my involvement as a luthier, guitar tech, and recording industry technician, I'm offering up a new Recording King acoustic guitar that I recently finished modding and setting up, details here ...

 http://tradgang.com/rk/  

... and on the Trad Gang Classifieds 2017 Specialty Forum as well.  But it's here as well, gotta do whatever I can to get the buck$ up ...

Donation sent.  Any updates on this one Rob...I would think with the # of members we have we could reach that goal with only minimum donations really quickly.  

Any updates on where we're at?

Rob,I had no idea you were a musician/luthier, guitar tech, etc, etc.  as long as you've been my website guy (11 1/2 years) you'd think I'd know something about that.
Looks like a perfect little guitar, when ever these deals come up I'm always so out of sync financially, (I had a bad month for unexpected expenses and low sales)

I donated, Terry & Rob. Thanks for what you guys do! TG is a great place with great people.

Donation sent via paypal. I wish I could do more

I have gained a lot of great information from this site, donation made!

Donation made

Great site, and great people.
Donation sent Pay-pal

Donation made. The request sounded desperate.

Donation sent

Paypal sent.  Here since the beginning and want to see it continue.  

Thanks guys.

Donation sent,goodluck with the rebuild!

Just made my donation through PayPal. The gang has meant so much to me, I have to help. Thanks guys.

Donation made through PayPal. Been with you since 2004. Thanks for all your hard work.   :thumbsup:

Donation complete.

donated.

may our cyber campfire be an eternal flame.   :campfire:

Great site I have gained more information here than I could have reading all of the books and watching all of the videos around. I am donating.

Same here...Great site, which provides lots of information and pleasure to many...So have made a donaiton

Many here have posted that they have made donations, as I'm sure many here (like me) have just made donations and not posted...

I have been a member here for many years, almost since the start. I have seen Terry and the TradGang Family do many amazing things!!! Bows, arrows & equipment for our Troops Overseas. The St. Jude's Auctions. Youth Bow giveaways. Memorial Funds & Scholorships, for deceased member's widows & children. I could go on & on.....

TradGang is a FAMILY!!!!! Not just "another traditional website" (as some here may consider it) The thought that Terry & the Boys would "misappropriate" any possible "extra" money, is absolutely UBSURD!!!!!

If you feel strongly, PLEASE dig deep!!! If you can't afford to, don't feel guiilty, we all have families & bills to pay! If you're worried about what might be done with "your" money...?? Then perhaps your money, is better left in your pocket!!!

woodchucker, I have edited my post as it appears to have come across harshly. Not the intention.

I'm just curious what do you guys do with the 30 bucks a year that you collect in classified fees?

Brothers of the Bow-
I have learned so much from this forum and I feel you guys are awesome! I have donated as well and pray to God this works out for us!
Thank you Terry, Rob, & moderators for all you do!

Kenny    :pray:

QuoteOriginally posted by mark Willoughby:
I'm just curious what do you guys do with the 30 bucks a year that you collect in classified fees?

We finance an island in the Bahamas  :biglaugh:

QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
   

QuoteOriginally posted by mark Willoughby:
I'm just curious what do you guys do with the 30 bucks a year that you collect in classified fees?

We finance an island in the Bahamas [/b]

yep, right.  can't wait to vacation there real soon.  think my wait's gonna be a long one, though ....       :rolleyes:    

Here's where sponsor and contributing member dollars go - to keep Trad Gang a FREE and open public forum.

Trad Gang is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of traditional bowhunting.  No Trad Gang member is ever asked or told that a fee is required to participate in the conversations, to both share and absorb all things within the periphery of traditional bowhunting.

We instituted a fee to access the Trad Gang Classifieds for the primary reason of putting a stop to the constant scamming and hustling we all had to deal with on a near weekly basis.  It was either that or there'd be no Trad Gang Classifieds.  We don't have those problems any more.

Money from sponsors or contributing members is used to offset our website and forum and domains and servers cost.  It's not cheap.  We partner with a premier host server organization that takes pride in quality of service, allows us our own immediate access to our servers and domains, is available to us 24x7 for support, and actually speaks the English language.  This is a far cry from a cheap ineffective bottom-of-the-barrel hosting service like Go-Daddy.  It goes beyond just hardware as we hire people to maintain, support, and care for our systems 24x7, write code as need be, and take care of accounting and bookkeeping.  As a result, we have an excellent online track record with almost zero down time.  This is to keep the Trad Gang house in good shape and always ready for your posting and archival reading.  This is more than necessary for our upcoming conversion migration, where we'll need three servers instead of two.  Quality computing, technicians, and internet horsepower ain't cheap.

Terry and I, and the other great Trad Gang folks that are behind the scenes keeping the site going have other lives.  Trad Gang isn't all we do in life - we have jobs, families, outside obligations and distractions.  We do make Trad Gang a priority, but that can go only so far.  Please have patience as we do our best in an instant gratification world.

Again, keep foremost in mind that when you use Trad Gang, you use it for FREE.  We make it available at no charge, no service fee, nada.  That's the way it should be and the way it will be.  Period. Whether or not you wish to contribute to our efforts has absolutely no bearing on your use of Trad Gang.  We understand.  Trad Gang is your cyber camp, your community, your friends. Don't get more better'n that, I'd think. That's all that matters. Terry and I will do whatever we need to do to keep the Trad Gang campfire burning 'til we croak and can hopefully hand it over to a qualified next generation.

I contributed prior to the classified fee. I felt it was worth supporting the site. I mainly felt this way since they ran a tight ship with scammers and they make sure everyone is treated with respect.

Some sites I have been on, there are internet heroes and know it alls, with courage due to anonnimty and distance. They are like guys on a divieded highway doing 70 mph giving you the finger going in the opposite direction. They would never say what they do to people if they were in the same room with them.

Respect  between members is why this is my favorite site.

Thanks
Gil

Keep the campfire going!

Any updates on how the contributions are adding up?  Are we making a dent Rob?  Knowing where we stand may push more folks to consider contributing.

Check out a listing I just put in 2017 trad bows for sale for a Hill longbow.  The idea is that the first one to sell goes to TradGang, and I will keep the other one.

Thanks for the explanation, Rob.    :campfire:

Thank you for your post Rob.

QuoteOriginally posted by McDave:
Check out a listing I just put in 2017 trad bows for sale for a Hill longbow.  The idea is that the first one to sell goes to TradGang, and I will keep the other one.

Photos up Dave....
Awesome!
  :notworthy:

I contributed, but now I'm feeling a little like a cheap skate.  My contribution amounted to 1.2 cents per post that I've made here over the years. I'll let y'all do the math.    ;)

I hope Tradgang gets a little more than they need for the upgrade, perhaps Rob and Terry can take their wives out to dinner on the Gang for all the time they spend here.

QuoteOriginally posted by Ray Lyon:
   

I hope Tradgang gets a little more than they need for the upgrade, perhaps Rob and Terry can take their wives out to dinner on the Gang for all the time they spend here.

YEAH!...Now you're talkin'        :archer:

I am in

I am relative new to the forum and traditional archery. I have found more information here that other sites and/or magazines. Thank you for the efforts, donation made.

completed

Donation made! Thanks for a great site.  Keep us informed.  Thanks again.

Donation made.

Done.

Complete...

Keep it going...done

God bless,

Just sent a little something,  great site!

Done. Hope it helps!

TTT
Very rarely a day goes by that I'm not on here.

Thanks guys for all your hard work to keep up this great site!!!!

Donation Sent.....

Donation coming...

I donated. I hope it helps, love this site and want to see it continue. Thanks for all you do There and Rob and all the moderators!

Donation sent thxs for such a great community and awesome group of people hope we can keep it going for years to come!!Thxs for all moderators that put all there hard work into it   :clapper:

Donation added.  Good luck.
Shick

Donation made.

Became a contributing member for 2017 as well while at it. I've been slack on that for a few years as the classifieds are evil... Thanks to Rob for the response on that one as well.

-Dave

Done and thank you so much for your efforts.

I use this forum alot.  I donated what I could at this moment.  Thanks for keeping it going guys!!

I donated. This site gives me a lot of pleasure.
A new improved version will be great.

Done.....

Donated, thanks for a great site.

I'm in

Thanks!

Glad to help!

Donation sent.  Good luck with the upgrade!

Spend so much time in here, and have even made friends here. Of course I will donate.
Keep up the good work, and keep the fire burning.

You guys have meant more to me than you know.  I am so glad to be in a position to return the favor, even if in a minuscule way.  I am always reading, if not posting.  Thank you so much to everyone on here!

-Liz

Donation sent...Thanks for all you guys do..

$$$ sent.

Are classifieds still November to November? I would be in now except that I assume it would be cut off on 11/1 as per the instructions I read.

QuoteOriginally posted by Kevin Lawler:
Are classifieds still November to November? I would be in now except that I assume it would be cut off on 11/1 as per the instructions I read.

I think you are correct.

Donation sent. Looking forward to the upgrade! This is an amazing site, full of amazing folks.

Donation made

Yes the November to November thing is correct ....however when we get the new platform it will be one year from date from the time you pay and I'll be an automatic renewal notification sent to you if you would like to renew.... just another one of our new features

Yes J Cook... it's making a dent thank you all for what you are doing.

  :notworthy:    :notworthy:    :notworthy:

Done.  Thanks. The new format is going to be great!.   :campfire:

Done!

  :archer:

PayPal contribution sent.

QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
....however when we get the new platform it will be one year from date from the time you pay and I'll be an automatic renewal notification sent to you if you would like to renew.... just another one of our new features

:clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:

Thanks for the site my donation is in!

I gave a little contribution.  I'm not sure what I'd do without this site, like it or not, I'm a lifelong Tradganger.  Thank you Rob, Terry and any others I don't about for keeping this going.    :clapper:     :clapper:    :clapper:

Do we know any numbers of what is needed to what is received up to this point?  Seems like a decent amount of people have already donated.

Donation made.

Just give a holler if you boys need more, Rob!!!

Just curious, How much more is needed?

Donation made.

Donation made.  This is a great site, I had to get in on this.

QuoteOriginally posted by md126:
Just curious, How much more is needed?

i'm wondering the same thing...

Just donated what I could.

Great site

Best

Lex

A little help sent today.
Gary

How much more is needed?

Well... Being as Terry & The Boys, haven't announced that the new system is up & running... I'd say, they're not there yet!!!

:dunno:  

I must admit, this thread is amazing to me...

I wonder how much the great folks of tradgang have raised thus far to go towards the updates?  .... I seen where Terry posted that he had purchased two new servers .

QuoteOriginally posted by woodchucker:
Well... Being as Terry & The Boys, haven't announced that the new system is up & running... I'd say, they're not there yet!!!

Yep...that'd be a good guess!  I'm sure Terry and Rob will tell us when we reach our goal.

saturday, august 19th, 2017, 6:14 a.m.

this is a loooong, very tiresome, very time consuming, and extremely complicated process.  when we know Exactly what the process and functions we'll be taking are, and have something concrete to announce, we will do so.  there will be no "updates" or "explanations" until then.  these last few months have been all about testing, failures, and retesting.  

we are *MUCH* appreciative of those who have stepped up to help these software and hardware efforts to migrate trad gang to a far better platform that's tailored for your benefit and for the safe keeping of 14 years worth of your threads and posts here at trad gang.  we simply can't lose that data.

this is a joint team effort between conversion (software) and hardware (servers and other devices needed to support the migration and moving forward). can't have one without the other, and we're not sure just what's needed until we have a firm game plan for how this is all gonna play out, and that's solely based on the conversion process. the current scenario sez we need two servers - that may get revised to THREE servers. that's how uncertain both the software and hardware folks are at the moment i'm typing this post.  the tough nut to crack is the conversion of a grandfathered flat file database forum into a modern relational database forum.  the crux of the problem is the humongous size and depth of trad gang, and its inherent complexities in transforming one type of data into a totally different type of data.

the conversion testing is beast of a bear.  it took 7 days to convert from ubb.classic to ubb.threads, for phase 1 - and that process took about month to complete as testing was a series of failures and successes. phase 2 is what's in progress, the conversion of ubb.threads to smf/2.0.x, and so far that ALONE may take TWO WEEKS.  we just don't know, right now. if so, and if it looks reasonably ok, that will mean that with trad gang running with the old software during the conversion process, we all lose that 3 weeks of conversion process data - or more.

all this testing is measured by the successful migration of all trad gang member data, PM data, and all threads and posts.  this *may* not include avatars, smiley icons, sig lines and other lesser data points.

after lots of discussions, terry and i agreed that the alternative of staying on ubb.classic will be the slow death of trad gang, so ... hard choices, and we may have to bite the bullet and lose only the data during the conversion for the common good of moving forward while retaining 14 years worth of good data (well, minus all the images from photobucket - nothing we can do about that).

some of you asked, even have been pressing for answers to questions that right now, we have no firm answers, and this is where we're at, right now.

thank you for your support of your forum.

r.

Donation on the way. Thanks for your effort.

If you don't mind me asking, what amount was originally needed, and what amount has been raised to date?  Thank you.

Thanks Rob!
Whatever it takes....we're all behind you.

Donation sent and best of luck with the process!

Thanks for the update Rob!!!!!
I'm just an old woodchucker & pretty darn dumb when it comes to computers... What I do know from all my years on this Earth, is that when your Family is in need... You do what needs to be done!!!!!
Many Thanks, to all my Brothers & Sisters, who have helped out!!!!!

QuoteOriginally posted by Tooner:
If you don't mind me asking, what amount was originally needed, and what amount has been raised to date?  Thank you.

Rob posted an estimate of what it would take in his original post.

Thanks for the updates. I did that sort of work back in early 2000's. Truly a pain in the behind. We were doing a whole city with 7 different business divisions. I thought that was big until we did the Navy and Marine Corps. I would not be surprised if some of the info doesn't make it to new system. You might have to make choices in the end.

Yes sir M60 I want to make sure that we get important stuff converted over instead of just brace height and not Point questions if you know what I mean and I'm hoping our host the converter Rob and I can get this done before hunting season because we're burning up our weekends trying to get this taken
care of.... and we want to make sure we get this Fall's hunting stories in with the ease of the pictures and the videos being able to be inserted into the threads....ok...back at it!!!

Once this is done we will all look back at the what little cost, and inconvenient this is now to what we have gained

"Wow Look Mom no Photo Bucket Required"

This alone will make it worth it to me, so saddle up Gals and Gents and but a shoulder to the wheel   :thumbsup:

Terry, the second part of the question was, how much has been raised?

Killdeer

Done.

Killdeer,  I highly doubt you will ever get a straightforward answer to that question.

I will agree with Terry on one point, there is no sense in saving the same old redundant threads we see over and over.

Actually... Rob posted, they have been keeping a running list, of EVERYTHING, that EVERYONE, has donated so far! However, they have been busy working on the upgrade, and have not had a chance to tally it all up!
Come on folks, really!!?? What is honestly more important to you!!?? Getting the new system up & running??? Or "knowing" how much money you've been raising...??
Personally... I'd rather leave the Boys alone, and let them get this huge task done, than waste their time with questions like "how much money did we send ya...??" I'm sure Rob is probly kicking his own tail, for starting this thread.....

We need X amount.

How much do you have; how much do you need?


I'm sure complete transparency with be forthcoming, but those sound like reasonable and ordinary questions to me.

QuoteOriginally posted by Jim Casto Jr:
We need X amount.

How much do you have; how much do you need?


I'm sure complete transparency with be forthcoming, but those sound like reasonable and ordinary questions to me.

Jim,
Take some time to read Rob's most recent post carefully....the team working on this project currently has no idea what they will need until they finish testing, re-testing, managing failures and evaluating succeses.  

They are wading through a technical swamp and deserve our support....don't ya think?

There is a helluva lot of stuff going on that they need to carefully manage in order to understand a path they can and should follow...right now, they simply don't know...

I read it carefully.  The estimate was 8K.  So... how much do you have; how much do you need, seems a reasonable and ordinary question.  I'm sure there will be complete and timely transparency.

 I'm not questioning anything.  I'm simply pointing out, to those that seem to have problems with folks asking the questions, that it is, in my opinion, reasonable and ordinary for them to ask (wonder).

In my opinion, if you start asking people for money you should have total transparency along the way.

Jim,   Reasonable questions asked respectfully are a sure way to get banned from here if certain people take offense to the question or your honest and fair opinion.

I'll happily donate but not until I know where my $$ is going.

Just my 2 cents

md126, I don't understand why you're making false accusations against us.  No one gets banned here for asking a question, but they do get banned for making false accusations which is what you have done and that is unfair....

And I'm not sure what you mean by "until you know where the money is going"...  Rob posted over and over in detail where the money is going....Are you not seeing his posts?  Maybe there's a glitch on your end?

Lets see....

Over the history of TradGang we have had totals of monies and/or equipment donated by members for the following that I can think of off the top of my head...

United States Military

Benefit for Kids Foundation

Hunts for Kids

St Jude since 2006

The wipe out robbery of Charlie Lamb

Chris Surtees' kids college fund

Jack Howard's widow

Make a Wish

Noah Roman fund

Not sure why some think we wont include a total for these donations by the members....

So,....I have called a cease and decease to all involved in the progression and conversion of TradGang until we get a total to date.

Donations, contributions, DVD sales, Sponsor Payments, and Equipment sales all come into the same paypal...so it will take some time for us to weed it all out...AND we will have to get bank records to date on Monday since we are in mid-statement for checks that have cleared in the last few days.

Now, take into consideration that Rob and my personal donations are around $2500(bows, guitar, shipping)

Rob and I now will be working on another project we have been neglecting finishing for months.  Best if we take break from this anyway..... I'm also sure that the gentleman whose INVENTING and writing code to make this happen would like to have a break also.

OK....now I have a question.  Hope no one gets mad or upset cause I'm asking.

Some of you that are asking 'how much have we raised'....a quick search is showing no donations from you.

So, my question is....since ya'll want a total...can you please email me IF you donated and if so was it paypal or check and how much?....we want to make sure we include your donation in case it got lost or we missed it.

md126 has kamakazied yet again...he's been banned for the second time and won't be back....

He is nothing but a detriment to this sport a rabble-rouser whose only goal is to stir up crap make false accusations and try to ridicule and make turmoil out of everything to do with this site....

He also had a cohort that dive bombed a few days ago for the same reason.

I haven't received any emails from those other people asking for how much money we've raised...

I expect to hear from you soon if you donated was it Check or PayPal??.

I need to know if you donated so I can include it in the total I will not post a total until I hear from you if you donate it or not....

If you want to know a total the ball is in your court speak up if I don't hear from you real soon we're going to resume business and continue forward

QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
md126 has kamakazied yet again...he's been banned for the second time and won't be back....

He is nothing but a detriment to this sport a rabble-rouser whose only goal is to stir up crap make false accusations and try to ridicule and make turmoil out of everything to do with this site....

He also had a cohort that dive bombed a few days ago for the same reason.

I haven't received any emails from those other people asking for how much money we've raised...

I expect to hear from you soon if you donated was it Check or PayPal??.

I need to know if you donated so I can include it in the total I will not post a total until I hear from you if you donate it or not....

If you want to know a total the ball is in your court speak up if I don't hear from you real soon we're going to resume business and continue forward

Still no emails from those of you who have not donated... who have asked for a total that have not donated to our knowledge so we can add you to the total....I'm still waiting but I'm fixing to shut the door on it and we're going to move on.....yall seemed to demand an answer...yet haven't given one....

Well I never did get any emails but anyway as of late I've lost two great friends and a wonderful dog all suddenly amongst all this Whirlwind of conversion ....so it's been a bit hectic.

Also while waiting on emails that never came I ran into having to take my daughter back to college last week so sorry for the delay


As of this moment we are almost three-quarters of the way there to Rob's estimate.. we're right at $5,400.

And I'm still waiting on getting emails grom those demanding an answer....

And the one of you who keeps poking us in the eye... I suggest you drop it ...friend-to-friend just drop it.(hint)

We've had enough of your crap, and you've been given a second and third chance already... so just keep pushing Big Boy.

Sorry to hear about your friends & the dog, Terry!!! Mother Nature sure can be downright merciless... Prayers for all my Southern Brothers & Sisters, and their family's & friends!!!
Hang in there!!!!!

Sorry to hear about your recent Losses Terry.  

I have tried getting a couple of emails to you earlier about another matter (now resolved),  I get the Failed Delivery notice when they don't go through.  I received an email from you from the same e-address, but when I tried to reply - I got the same failed delivery notice.

I am not trying to start anything back up,  just sharing my email observation.

dana

Dana.... it must be some issue with your email provider because I don't have any sort of restriction such as what you're talking about... and I've never really had anybody tell me what you did unless their email provider was kicking my email back for whatever reason.

It could be on my end.  I will have to look into it, maybe after a trip to the woods for a few days.     :)

Yes sir... a trip to the woods fixes a lot of things    :campfire:

quote:

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Originally posted by Terry Green:
Yes sir... a trip to the woods fixes a lot of things     :wavey: