response 75 of 90:

Oct 14 22:43 UTC 1999

(Hey, Bass-ay, I think I know a guy who's got some paperwork started on a
topic like that.)

response 77 of 90:

Oct 15 12:13 UTC 1999

Let's not develop a policy. Let's not solicit corporate sponsorships.  Let's
leave the acknowledgements in the treasurer's postings.  

response 79 of 90:

Oct 17 18:18 UTC 1999

Our 501(c)3 doesn't prevent us from selling advertising on Grex, not as
long as those ads are not political in nature.  However, I am strongly
opposed to selling ads here.  If someone with a lot of money wants an
ad, let them enter it in the classified conference with everybody else.

response 81 of 90:

Nov 13 02:16 UTC 1999

What about selling day sponsorships of grex, like the public radio stations
do, in exchange for which the sponsor could post a two-line notice in the motd
wishing someone a happy occasion?  Kiwanis accepts 'happy dollars' - you pay
your dollar at lunch and tell people how happy you are that your grandchild
got all A's, or your favorite sports team won.  (Of course people can already
do all this for free in the conferences, but the motd also reaches thousands
of Indian users who you might also want to impress).
        What does it cost to run grex for one day - phone lines, rent,
utilities, insurance?  I'd guess $10-15.  

response 83 of 90:

Nov 13 04:57 UTC 1999

Grex's operating expenses from 9/98 through 8/99 averaged $545.77 per month,
or $17.94 per day.

response 85 of 90:

Nov 14 02:00 UTC 1999

A thought on why there are so many long-term users who don't become
members: I agree with what flem said back in response forty-something -- I
think a lot of long-term users are interested in supporting Grex but never
get around to it because there isn't a sense of urgency.  Myself, I have
been a user off and on since 1994 but a member for only the past two
or three months... because it was only two or three months ago that I
happened to think of Grex and have my checkbook handy at the same time.
Some way of gently reminding long-term users how grateful Grex would be
for memberships could see an increase among this group.

At the same time -- many long-term Grex users are full-time students or
others who may not have the money to contribute right now.  Nagging them
won't work.  Sending an e-mail asking users to become members on their
six-month, nine-month, or whatever anniversary as a Grexer is something
that should not be done in an incredibly obnoxious way -- we should not
make people feel obligated.

response 87 of 90:

Nov 15 00:34 UTC 1999

But the point is to ask.  We don't ask so therefore we don't get.  If it were
more urgent, or if we had a project that needed additional funding, I think we
would be more actively asking. 

response 89 of 90:

Nov 19 23:21 UTC 1999

Don't Bloat the MOTd.