And have moneybags calling the shots. No. FR is FREE of outside influence.
Posted on 01/08/2011 4:56:12 PM PST by Artcore
Am I the only one having problems connecting to Free Republic today?
We need to go to ads. At least we’d have a site that runs.
there just seems to be a bitterness that i don't understand
for me....that attitude, especially the bold, is where the problem lies.....it comes down to......donate....it's my house i owe you nothing....
so, it is then up to the individual whether or not they can accept those terms.....
as someone said earlier.....Jim is squandering a gift from God.....
just sayin.....
And have moneybags calling the shots. No. FR is FREE of outside influence.
Reading comprehension a problem wee princess?
I expressed an opinion, I didn’t call anyone anything.
If you decide to post in the future feel free to Freepmail your post to me, I will correct the errors, omissions and misspellings then return it to you all shiny without all the whiny.
Yanno, just sayin,’
Over a million of us use FR and we tend to overload the system when stories like yesterday breaks. You get multiple breaking news post because no one searched, you get more photos/graphics that can wait, along with a lot of useless Vanity post that can be saved for another day.
And there is equipment failures to cope with, cyber attacks from the leftist, etc.
We have overloaded the WH and Congress’s websites when we are angry over bills up...FR can be overloaded too.
I’ve been on this forum since ‘98 and never noticed that there are ‘performance’ issues during fund raising events.
What I have noticed is that the system gets overloaded during BIG news events. We may need a system upgrade to handle a bigger load of users.
Regional issues? or software? It ran fine until the shooting, then it was slow or timed out...we have AT&T high speed internet, with Win 7 and a new supposedly fast gamer’s computer. I’m in Memphis.
I’ve had to clear history before because I couldn’t access FR.
“Regional issues? or software?”
When it’s slow for me it’s usually slow for others all over the country.
“It ran fine until the shooting, then it was slow or timed out...”
I was already on line and FR was running terminally slowly when news of the shooting broke.
“we have AT&T high speed internet, with Win 7 and a new supposedly fast gamer’s computer. I’m in Memphis.”
Likewise re the computer and Win 7. I have Cox premium high speed internet in Phoenix.
“I’ve had to clear history before because I couldn’t access FR.”
That doesn’t improve my access to FR and it’s a non-issue with other sites. Just glad it’s working okay for now.
Hey, you want us to get an all new system with all new software and add a few more pricey techs, system programmers and database administrators to keep it all working 100% of the time 24/7/365? Well, start coughing up the big bucks.
It’s going to take tens of thousands of donations and many with at least three zeros each after the comma to accomplish the task. And that would be EVERY month like clock work to make the payroll. Once you take on a big load of expensive overhead, there’s no going back. As it is, we get a couple thousand donations per quarter averaging about $30 bucks each and there’s no guarantees we can cover this quarter’s expenses much less next quarter. We’re on a pay as we go system and we have zero employees. We just ask for enough to pay the bills.
Throwing more money at the problem won’t solve it. It was a technical issue and we just had to keep troubleshooting until we found it. And no, we’re not going to invite a bunch of strangers in to get their hands on our secure systems. John has been programming since he was 14 and he’s pushing 40 now. He built these systems and he’s an expert in them.
And no, we are not going to throw out our software and rewrite it and no we’re not going to move on to some other database system. There are no guarantees that any other system can do a better job and not without hiring a staff to build and maintain it and that’s for sure. And we don’t have the financial wherewithal to do any of that anyway. Maybe if we had a couple million bucks at our disposal and a couple years to do it in we could build an iron-clad system. And maybe not.
All I can say is, if someone else can do it better and cheaper, then please step right on up and get ‘er done!! I’ll bow out and retire. Thankyouverymuch.
Hit it boys:
https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/
And no, we have no plans of taking FR commercial. I like it the way it is. Not sure I could handle getting rich.
By the way. I’ve got this nice little mobile home for about 60 grand in a retirement village on the river all picked out. Have visions of relaxing in the shade and enjoying the wildlife. Maybe even doing a little fishing before I pass on.
Jim,
Evem though I've obviously made you angry, (not my intent, sorry) I truly appreciate the info. This is the most clear and comprehensive statement I've seen on the matter. I posted earlier that if we know for sure what the limitations (and your wishes) are then we can live with them or possibly work out a way to overcome unwanted obstacles.
1) It was a technical issue and we just had to keep troubleshooting until we found it.
Fair enough. We didn't know that for sure and there was much arguing about it. The arguing is the problem. Now we know. Uncertainty is over, arguments cease.
2) no, we’re not going to invite a bunch of strangers in to get their hands on our secure systems.
Absolutely understandable, we'll take that off the table. Now we know.
3) we are not going to throw out our software and rewrite it and no we’re not going to move on to some other database system.
We won't rewrite the system ever? Does that mean that FR dies with the current implementation? A lot of people will be disappointed to hear that. Could you be more specific about a timeline, or is your statement from earlier today the final word: if it dies that's it. It's over and FR is finished? Maybe someone could buy it from you and perpetuate the site?
4) And no, we have no plans of taking FR commercial. I like it the way it is. Not sure I could handle getting rich.
That's a personal decision that is, of course, 100% yours to make and I hope I never gave the impression that I felt otherwise. But, sometime down the road a bit when you are ready, I might suggest that having a rich FReeper or two that YOU personally trust buy out the site you could achieve some financial security for yourself and your family and the site can live on in a new incarnation.
I hope I don't get zotted. You have answered most of my questions and doubts. If we aren't going commercial, and we aren't going to rewrite the software, then we will just muddle along until things die. Personally I can live with that, as I appreciate being able to offer input but truly respect this as YOUR living room and your private property to ultimately deal with as you see fit.
My financial contribution to FR is embarrassingly small but I am not rich either, so I give what I can justify. If I could justify building a newer, long lasting system then maybe I could spring for a modest increase. That's all I can do. I can't solve the problem myself.
But as a FReeper I care enough about the future of the site to risk the zot and at least ask the questions others have also posed.
And frankly, Jim, I want FreeRepublic.com to outlive both you and me. That's my personal, non-hidden agenda. Fair enough?
Thank you very, very much for your response. -paulycy
Wasn’t about errors, omissions or misspellings. I try to never correct any of those. Heaven knows I do those myself, and I detest people who do but that
wasn’t what I commented about.
I just thought it was a little rude to call ‘anyone’ stupid for saying “just saying” period no matter what form it was in.
However after reading the post you were commenting to...I felt that person was indeed in need of some reply.
I am RITF here so please forgive my heavy button finger.
Well, I’m 65 years old and not aging well. My time here is probably limited. And I’m younger than my partner Amy. I’m hoping that John and Chris will run with FR when we’re no longer able. I have some upgrades I’ve been wanting him to make for some time, and maybe he will eventually, but I don’t think John has any plans of completely rewriting the system at this time. But that could change.
You’ll be around awhile. You’re too tough to kick it early. ;0)
FR is an incredibly great site as you well know. And I have defended it many times to others who have questioned the technology. Still, everything ages and ya gotta look forward.
I completely understand your positions if that matters to you. The biggest problem that I saw in all the incessant gripe fests over the past few months is that nobody really knew what the Boss thought. So I opened my big fat mouth...
Having your thoughts on this out in the open is a Very Big Deal IMHO. And whatever bumps we run into are going to be MUCH easier to bear because we know the limits and the terrain.
We know what to expect. Thanks for that!
Jim, the vast majority of non-troll Freepers understand that computers are a pain at all levels. Most of us who deal with our own computer problems know the frustration involved, and the endless ways that a smooth running system can be compromised.
My son, who is a member of a large IT department for a major defense contractor, reports similar problems regularly, hence the huge IT departments everywhere.
The less emotional majority of us who visit regularly do not expect instant perfection or unlimited expenditures from you.
Is "total replacement" the only solution? Even assuming that it were, how about allowing us, the members, to try that, no strings attached? But that can't even be discussed if you don't talk to us.
I will give McWoW the benefit of the doubt and assume he is not being deliberately arrogant and dismissive of other less geekily inclined Freepers.
But I feel it's appropriate to ask MacWow re: "producing lots of heat and no light," would it be a great burden for you to TELL us how to look for it instead of playing the superior card? Many literally don't have the time, and many more can't, no matter how hard they try.
How about this: We all stop complaining, keep our strength, donate, and tell others about FR. Slow is better than nothing.
other less geekily inclined Freepers.
I had to chuckle at this because this Grandma can't even figure out how to use my cellphone. :-)
Yup. Lest anyone forget......
How about this: We all stop complaining, keep our strength, donate, and tell others about FR. Slow is better than nothing.
___________________________________________________________
Sorry, but if this “slow is better than nothing” becomes the standard, I will go elsewhere. And so will many others.
My posting was not meant with malice, but simply from frustration. I had NO idea that my posting was going to generate so much attention. All I really wanted to know was if I was the only one having the connection and speed problems.
Yesterday was one of many big news days where FR was utterly useless. I certainly understand that with the best of technology things sometimes happen; but as of late, they’re beginning to happen a lot. Now, if this legitimate observation is going to be met with nasty responses and scoffs...well, then like any customer, I’ll go elsewhere.
Tell you what, let me throw your logic right back at you:
How about this: We all stop complaining, keep our strength, donate, and tell others about [the RNC]. [The RNC] is better than nothing.
How does that advice sound to you Pal?
Typically in my experience here on FR whenever anybody posts a screed and follow it with, “just saying” they are implying that they are stating what everyone else is thinking as if excusing themselves for feces throwing when they really just don’t have the guts to claim it as their own opinion.
That or they are stupid.
Or very often gutless and stupid.
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