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Grex > Coop9 > #30: Multiprocessor Sun Pledge Drive - $1000 by Jan. 3 |  |
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ajax
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Multiprocessor Sun Pledge Drive - $1000 by Jan. 3
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Dec 22 03:02 UTC 1996 |
Hey Generous Grex Users!
Grex is trying to raise money to buy a faster main computer.
Grex's board recently authorized $1100 from savings to upgrade
the current Sun. However, a limited-time offer has materialized
for a *much* better Sun computer, but at a cost of around $2100.
If we can raise an extra $1000 in user pledges of support (to be
paid only if we get this), Grex could buy this nicer computer.
The $2100 computer is a multi-processor computer (a Sun
4/630), which has four SPARC microprocessors. Each of those
processors is several times as fast as our current single
processor, and around twice as fast as the single processor
we would otherwise upgrade to (the $1100 upgrade). With four
of these processors, the machine would be *fast*. Additionally,
in years to come, the small multiprocessor modules can be
easily upgraded in this computer. It makes this a great
computer for now and for the future.
If you're able, please pledge monetary support for this.
If we get $1000 in pledges by around January 3 (that's how long
the seller will hold it), and all goes well (board approves,
system checks out), we'll buy the machine, and ask for the
pledges to be sent in. If we don't get it, you won't be asked
to send in the pledge money. But I sure hope we can get it! :-)
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| 132 responses total. |
ajax
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response 1 of 132:
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Dec 22 03:03 UTC 1996 |
JanC and I are each kicking in $250, which gets us halfway to
the goal. Don't be intimidated by big numbers though - a $2
pledge would be greatly appreciated if you don't have much to
spare. If you're not a Grex member, you could also pledge to
become a member for some amount of time (at $6/month) if we get
this.
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giry
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response 2 of 132:
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Dec 22 03:31 UTC 1996 |
I will pledge $20.
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kami
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response 3 of 132:
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Dec 22 04:31 UTC 1996 |
Michael and I can pledge $50.00 between us--that is, from my account and
the convocat account. I'm really excited about this opportunity.
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dang
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response 4 of 132:
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Dec 22 04:59 UTC 1996 |
Oh wow! I've used a multiprocessor SPARC before, tho not quite that many (2
processors. They were 20's tho) and it screamed under any load we coud put
on it. Granted, it's not as much as grex, but... I pledge $20, more if I can
get more money. This would be very good! :)
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cmcgee
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response 5 of 132:
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Dec 22 05:37 UTC 1996 |
I'll pledge $40, plus I'll pay for a 1-year membership ($60).
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arthurp
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response 6 of 132:
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Dec 22 06:58 UTC 1996 |
Mark me down for $25. This would be pretty cool. :)
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scg
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response 7 of 132:
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Dec 22 07:54 UTC 1996 |
I'll pledge $50.
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scg
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response 8 of 132:
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Dec 22 07:57 UTC 1996 |
That brings us to $665 already. Cool.
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srw
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response 9 of 132:
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Dec 22 08:04 UTC 1996 |
I'll pledge $50.
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scott
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response 10 of 132:
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Dec 22 11:55 UTC 1996 |
I'll pledge $60.
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dang
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response 11 of 132:
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Dec 22 12:25 UTC 1996 |
$775
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nephi
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response 12 of 132:
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Dec 22 13:28 UTC 1996 |
I pledge $100.
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chelsea
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response 13 of 132:
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Dec 22 14:58 UTC 1996 |
Rob, in #1 are you suggesting that if someone donates funds
earmarked for this specific project that those funds could
count as membership dues? If that's what you were suggesting
I'm not sure how I feel about it but I do believe that would
be something new. And if we did it with this project would
it automatically follow that any membership donation could
be submitted with a specific contract for how it is to be
used? And everyone donating so far could tag this money
onto their existing membership term, should they desire
to do so?
I don't mean to be a downer here but this should be made
clear now, not after the funds are sent.
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dam
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response 14 of 132:
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Dec 22 15:09 UTC 1996 |
I'll pledge $20.
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otter
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response 15 of 132:
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Dec 22 15:24 UTC 1996 |
I'm in for $10.
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janc
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response 16 of 132:
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Dec 22 15:51 UTC 1996 |
Total is now at $905.
I think if a non-member donates a mess of money for any project that the
board is actually interested in pursuing, then it would be weird to say
to them "but if you want to be a member you have to send in $60 more".
On the other hand, it would be a problem if we got to the point where all
our donations are earmarked for special projects. We need to pay phone and
electric bills too.
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janc
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response 17 of 132:
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Dec 22 16:05 UTC 1996 |
One other note on why this upgrade option is expensive. We have a Sun 4/200
right now. To go any higher, we have to get rid of all our memory cards and
buy new ones (this is expensive). If we go to the Sun 4/400 now, and later
want to upgrade to a Sun 4/600, then we have to get rid of the 400 memory
and buy 600 memory. So we probably save a lot of money in the long run by
skipping over the Sun 4/400. However, saving money in the long run means
paying more in the short run. Hence this fund raiser.
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remmers
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response 18 of 132:
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Dec 22 16:37 UTC 1996 |
I'm not sure if Rob was suggesting that donations to fund drives
could count toward membership, but they never have in the past,
and I don't think they should. Membership donations should
express support for the organization and not be "earmarked".
If somebody sends in X dollars and says that they want $60 of
it to go toward a year's membership and the remaining X-60 to
a particular fund drive, fine, as long as it's the donor doing
the designating and not Grex. And if for some reason Grex
doesn't purchase whatever it was they were having the fund drive
for, the person should be refunded X-60, not the full X dollars,
in that case. Keep membership separate from special fund drives.
To bring the total up to an even $1000, I pledge $95. (None of
it to go toward membership, of course. :)
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janc
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response 19 of 132:
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Dec 22 17:02 UTC 1996 |
Well yes, but C S McGee's plege to take out a $60 membership was (I think)
counted in the total so far, so maybe we need another $60.
PS: This went really fast. I'm pleased to see so much support for Grex.
Especially since we may soon be looking for more money to expand our internet
connection. :)
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general
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response 20 of 132:
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Dec 22 17:24 UTC 1996 |
<general pledges $100>
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olddraco
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response 21 of 132:
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Dec 22 17:47 UTC 1996 |
This is very interesting. Rush rush donate money right now can't wait for
any discussion make your decision now now now sounds like the corner
shady car lot salesman. And I would wonder if this is the piece of junk
old UMCC machine that breaks down all the time. No. Discussion first.
Then pledges. This smacks of get them to pledge before they can think
the thing totally through.
A: How old is this machine.
B: It does come with a warranty?
C: What comes with it?
D: Is the company its being purchased from totally reputable? How long have
they been in business? Will they be there if something decides not to
work ie it was junk when you bought it and its junk now?
No I won't support this without one hell of alot more discussion.
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remmers
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response 22 of 132:
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Dec 22 17:48 UTC 1996 |
Hm, Rob did say in #1:
"If you're not a Grex member, you could also pledge to
become a member for some amount of time (at $6/month) IF WE
GET THIS." [emphasis mine]
A person's reasons for becoming a member are strictly their own
business of course, but I really don't think that "contingency
memberships" is something that Grex should be encouraging.
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scg
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response 23 of 132:
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Dec 22 18:02 UTC 1996 |
#11 was a total, not a pledge, right? ;)
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remmers
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response 24 of 132:
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Dec 22 18:04 UTC 1996 |
Re #21 (which slipped in ahead of my #22): Grex has some pretty
competent and experienced people in the area of hardware
evaluation and purchase who are involved with this; hence my
willingness to assume that they know what they're doing and make
a pledge. (Disclaimer: I'm on the Grex staff, but am not
involved in hardware purchases or maintenance as it's not my
area of expertise. In particular, I wasn't involved in any of
the steps that led up to this fund drive.)
However, Mel's questions are certainly valid ones. Anyone care
to address them?
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