It's nice to see how many people you can count on here! [Archive]

Onkel Neal

12-19-09, 02:34 PM

It's that time, when I start going over my books, and add up the server fees for the year, the expenses for gifts and contest prizes I give out during the year, the expenses incurred by Subsim meets and events, costs I shell out for people who help with the website.

There was a time when Google Ads and games sold through Chips and Bits provided most of what it takes to run the site. But many people block ads now, and Chips is long gone, replaced with Amazon (who does not pay nearly as much)...plus there are not many sub games to sell these days. The awesomeness of GWX and their donation-download window is several years in the past.

So, it's time for the end of the year fundraiser (http://www.subsim.com/sh2fleet_forms/donation_fundraiser.htm). :woot: Just a friendly reminder that your support keeps this website active and thriving. It pays the bills, allows me to send little gifts to the people who make the forums interesting in the form of Ping Prizes, and hold fun contests. Through your support, I can send small stipends to artists like Torplexed and our Werewolf Hunt artist Ana Mirela (http://www.subsim.com/werewolf/werewolf_sketch3.jpg), our downloads artist Danlisa, our book reviewer Subnuts, our news editor Bill Nichols, our great moderators, our downloads managers Sailor Steve and Laufen Zum Ziel, and so many more people who make this website a fun place to visit and hang out. It also compensates me, the admin, for the hundreds of hours I spend each year updating the site, working with the servers to keep them running and up to date, instaling new software, answering the numerous e-mails and PMs, fixing passwords, and helping folks with game problems. Oh yeah, and the time I spend helping moderate and manage mod group rivalries, lol.

Some of you have donated recently, and for that I say thanks :salute: and sit back, this message is for the members who have not thought about it in a while, and those who have never kicked in a little help. :yep:

Click here to be whisked away to the fundraiser page where you can shock and awe the Subsim bank account with your support! (http://www.subsim.com/sh2fleet_forms/donation_fundraiser.htm)

As always, your support is greatly appreciated as only a Texan can do it--thanks, pardner! :shucks:

Neal
SUBSIM

Takeda Shingen

12-19-09, 02:57 PM

I apologize for beating a dead horse, but I feel compelled to tell a personal story regarding this website.

In early 2000, I was an internet novice. Playing submarine simulations without knowledge of patches and mods, I was contemplating my favorite sim, Janes 688(i), and lamenting the problems in the program. On a whim, I ventured into the virtual wasteland in an effort to find a program that could fix the problems with my program. I found the latest patches. More importantly, I found a link to SubSim.com's Fix My 688(i) petition. These were the people responsible for reparing my game. Soon thereafter, I found myself frequenting the site increasingly.

SubSim.com has sustained my hobby for a decade. There is no website as such that is wholely dedicated to submarine and naval simulations. If you feel even remotely as I do, please, please consider donating even $5. Neal does not ask for aid but in the most dire of times, and I, as you, would wish SubSim.com and long and healthy future. Without it, would the world of submarine simulation be as it is? I think not.

Méo

12-19-09, 04:03 PM

Don't be sorry..:DL

I've answered the call as soon as I saw it. :smug:

Gave a small 10$ but it's worth it!

Personally, I would feel ingrate to benefit of this site, the privileged info and the community support all for free.

PS: not sure if the expressions i use are correct, I sometimes tend to translate literally...:oops:

RickC Sniper

12-19-09, 05:17 PM

SubSim.com has sustained my hobby for a decade. There is no website as such that is wholely dedicated to submarine and naval simulations. If you feel even remotely as I do, please, please consider donating even $5. Neal does not ask for aid but in the most dire of times, and I, as you, would wish SubSim.com and long and healthy future. Without it, would the world of submarine simulation be as it is? I think not.

+1 :salute:

AVGWarhawk

12-19-09, 07:18 PM

You will find a tidy sum posted.

Merry Christmas Neal. :03:

August

12-19-09, 07:26 PM

I don't do paypal so expect a check via the USPS.

Reece

12-19-09, 08:53 PM

Done mate! Would be lost without Subsim,:up: one of those things in life I take for granted!!:oops:

Snestorm

12-19-09, 09:37 PM

Done.
Thanks for putting up with me all this time.
That goes for the rest of you too.

kiwi_2005

12-20-09, 01:03 AM

Okay i don't do Pay pal either, not that i don't want to my bank don't allow it.

So i'll send some cash (air mail) in the new year sometime.

magic452

12-20-09, 03:32 AM

Two Russians and a Czechoslovakian were hunting in the woods.
They were attack and eaten by two bears.
Two other hunters heard the commotion and came and shot the two bears.
Cutting open the female they found the two Russians.
One says " Do you know what this means?"
The other replies "Yes the chek. is in the male." (Pay Pal)

This is truly a great site and most worthy of our support. :rock: :up:

Magic

Arclight

12-20-09, 04:11 AM

What, again? :O:

Lucky for you it's Christmas... well, almost. ;)

Skybird

12-20-09, 10:23 AM

Just gave my share. Not min, not max, but the golden middle. All that snow out there (first since several years) made me sentimental... :DL

h.sie

12-20-09, 10:58 AM

Done.
Thank you Neal.

Onkel Neal

12-20-09, 11:11 AM

I apologize for beating a dead horse, but I feel compelled to tell a personal story regarding this website.

In early 2000, I was an internet novice. Playing submarine simulations without knowledge of patches and mods....

Wow, thanks for the wonderful testimonial, Tom. :yep:

Done mate! Would be lost without Subsim,:up: one of those things in life I take for granted!!:oops:

You will find a tidy sum posted.

Merry Christmas Neal. :03:

Two Russians and a Czechoslovakian were hunting in the woods.
They were attack and eaten by two bears....

This is truly a great site and most worthy of our support. :rock: :up:

Magic

Thanks, Magic, love the humor :) Now for an awesomely bad joke of my own. Last week my buddy Jesse, my ex, and I attended my daughter's 8th grade band concert. We were sitting in the auditorium with the parents and friends and looking over the program with the selections of music.

Tonight's Selections
Joyful and Triumphant
African Noel
Who Let the Elves Out?
Deck the Halls with Chips and Salsa
Latin Bell Carol
The Nuts and Crackers Sweet!
The Name's Claus...Santa Claus

.
As you can see, a couple of songs were retitled with punny play on words. Jesse, who is a Mexican-American, leaned over and proudly whispered, "Hey, see the African Noel? I'm glad to see they did not forget us Mexicans, see the Latin Carol, and the Salsa?"

I pointed to the word "Crackers" in the The Nuts and Crackers Sweet and replied, "Yeah, there I am, too!"
:D

When the band conductor was introducing the final piece of music, The Name's Claus...Santa Claus, she said, "This next piece is a combination of James Bond themes and Christmas favorites.
Without a pause I commented, "Double - ho - ho - seven" :88)

And now you know why Jerry Seinfeld won't talk to me anymore!

What, again? :O:

Lucky for you it's Christmas... well, almost. ;)

That's the spirit!

Just gave my share. Not min, not max, but the golden middle. All that snow out there (first since several years) made me sentimental... :DL

I really appreciate every donation, thanks, Marc.

Jimbuna

12-20-09, 12:13 PM

Sorted...wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy festive period.

Regards
Jim http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/santa.gif

http://smilies.sofrayt.com/hld/merrychristmas3.gif

Snestorm

12-20-09, 02:30 PM

First I'll confess to not being an avid gamer.

I got interested in, and purchased SHII. Not knowing anything about PC games and even less about computers, I needed some expertise on how to install this strange animal.
Google + SHII = subsim.com

I never did install SHII because, thanks to the good folks at Subsim, I learned about SHIII, which I purchased, installed, and patched under the unwitting supervision of Subsim's expert's. Thanks to all of you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

There-after, I spent a-lot of time shadowing the SHIII forum (From Page 1!), and getting to know the members. Eventualy I bacame a IXaholic, and decided it was time to join.

Since then I've discovered what a great place General Topics was to hang out. This, and the people who hang out there, has become my true addiction to subsim.

There is no cooler collection of international people in the whole world.
Thank you everybody. And thank you Neal for making it all happen.
The hard part is already done. Now all we have to do is give our support, and keep it going.

Schroeder

12-20-09, 02:54 PM

Done (at least I hope so...that was my first pay pal transaction).

Dowly

12-20-09, 03:33 PM

First! In your face suckers! :rock: (Sorry Neal, I dont do speeches :O:)

Tho, there's one thing I'd want to remind especially our euro-users; if you donate $20, that's only like 10€ due to the weak dollar/strong euro, so donate! And if I can spare a few $'s here and there even with my extremely tight budget, then you can too. (or I can just come down the chimney with Santa and kick you in the nuggets while you're asleep and take your money. :hmmm:)

Now, will you excuse me, I need to go prepare my Wirbelwind, Santa's here in 4 days! :o

Platapus

12-20-09, 04:01 PM

It is for a good cause. I stuck a crowbar in my wallet and helped out. If a no good, cheap SoB like me can contribute, anyone can. :yeah:

Neal, Have a pleasant gender-universal, religiously neutral, non-offensive, politically independent "date-on-the-calender", as you see fit or not, recognizing your freedom of choice in the matter.

(phew wishing someone a Merry Christmas has gotten so complicated) :har::har::har::har:

Dowly

12-20-09, 04:04 PM

Neal, Have a pleasant gender-universal, religiously neutral, non-offensive, politically independent "date-on-the-calender", as you see fit or not, recognizing your freedom of choice in the matter.

(phew wishing someone a Merry Christmas has gotten so complicated) :har::har::har::har:

LMAO!! :haha:

AVGWarhawk

12-20-09, 04:14 PM

I pointed to the word "Crackers" in the The Nuts and Crackers Sweet and replied, "Yeah, there I am, too!"
:D

I just find the whole joke very funny....:har:

Arclight

12-20-09, 08:11 PM

I'm not one for speeches either, but just let me say this:

Of the communities I know, none are as helpfull and friendly as this one. And let's not forget about the wonderfull sense of humor that makes it a fun place to come back to.

My thanks go out to all members for making it what it is, and to Neal for making it all possible. I would truly feel like I lost a part of myself should it ever go away.

If you have anything to spare, please consider contributing to SUBSIM.com. It not only helps make sure there's a place to get your favorite mod, it also helps to make sure there's a place for discussion, asking questions and simply having a good time.

Heh, guess it grew into a little speech after all. :lol:

Skybird

12-21-09, 06:48 AM

RConch

12-21-09, 07:51 AM

I am proud to answer the call to support this wonderful site.
I have been a member since before SH II came out and have always enjoyed the benefits.
For awhile I had drifted off because my existing computer had real isssues dealing with SH III. However the yearning to play this simulation stayed with me.
I upgraded my machine, got in contact with Neal and he sent me GWX 2.1 and GWX 3.0, it was like a whole new experience in gaming. Thank you GWX team!
I wish to offer my heartfelt thanks to Neal for all the years he has kept this site going and may it continue far into the future. There is no other site like it.
Merry Christmas to all and please consider what you take away from this site and dig a bit into your wallet and lets have a great 2010 at Subsim.
Good hunting.:salute:

AVGWarhawk

12-21-09, 08:08 AM

Come on guys...where else can you go that has complete news coverage from around the globe (GT forums), complete game coverage(new, old, ancient), specialized game coverage(SH1, SH2, SH3, SH4, and the miriad of other submarine games), coverage of books, movies and model making, computer help sections and just general nonsense that helps complete your day? It is a click one shop! Please support the things you enjoy on the internet all found at one site...Subsim!:yeah:

Onkel Neal

12-21-09, 08:13 AM

After donating, the message at the top of the forum list was gone, i also got access to the GWX3 download (which I was not aware of before). After booting again today, the message is there again.

How much more do you need, Neal? :O:

The message appears occasionally and changes, for the duration of the fundraiser (a week). :)

On a side note, as I mentioned in my e-mail reply to you, many of the donations have been coming from Germany, UK and Finland--maybe I should immigrate! :shucks:

jimbob

12-21-09, 08:24 AM

Hyvää Joulua ja Onnellista Uutta Vuotta.

Thats wishing goodies for teh holidays.

(did a little donation too)

:woot:

Reece

12-21-09, 08:34 AM

On a side note, as I mentioned in my e-mail reply to you, many of the donations have been coming from Germany, UK and FinlandSome from Down Under too!!:yep:

SteamWake

12-21-09, 09:41 AM

Ive had issues with paypal in the past but I will try it again.

I cant do it from work for a number of reasons (security and firewall) but I will try when I get home tonight.

Happy Holidays to all !

Skybird

12-21-09, 09:53 AM

The message appears occasionally and changes, for the duration of the fundraiser (a week). :)

On a side note, as I mentioned in my e-mail reply to you, many of the donations have been coming from Germany, UK and Finland--maybe I should immigrate! :shucks:

Wir wissen was wir an Dir haben! ;)

I sent a reply.

Jimbuna

12-21-09, 04:00 PM

The message appears occasionally and changes, for the duration of the fundraiser (a week). :)

You don't say....this is the bugga at the time of me posting this http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1853/angry8ro5.gif

Listen up!
"If I can spare a few $'s here and there even with my extremely tight budget, then you can too.
Or, I can just come down the chimney with Santa and kick you in the nuggets while you're asleep and take your money." :arrgh!:
-- Dowly
jimbuna, don't be a Scrooge, click here and be part of Subsim's End of the Year Fundraiser! (http://www.subsim.com/sh2fleet_forms/donation_fundraiser.htm)

http://bestsmileys.com/signs15/14.gif
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/7975/gigglebigtb9fg3.gif

SS to me is a lot more than a forum, it is more akin to my internet family. Seldom have I visited and interacted with such a great set of people....decent folk who never hesitate to give advice, friendship and support to anyone in need...all they need do is ask.

I'm actually very proud to have been a member of a section of our community that has strived to live up to those ideals. There are many other sections in this community, whether they be individual or group modders, testers or simply those who show their support by posting. Without any of these elements SS would not be what it is today.

It is the wideness and diversity of EVERYONE here that makes this community such a positive family-like entity http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/picture.gif

I salute you all, especially Neal because without him we would not be here http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

Group hug everyone http://forums.randi.org/images/smilies/grouphug5.gif

JohnnyBlaze

12-21-09, 04:38 PM

Long live subsim.com :yeah:

Donate :up:
:salute:

mookiemookie

12-22-09, 10:44 AM

I guess I'll add my testimonial:

I remember getting Silent Hunter 3 shortly after release. I hadn't played a subsim since Silent Service, so I was about as newbie as a newbie gets. I found Subsim.com while searching for mods, and right away I was made to feel at home. I can't imagine another more welcoming and patient community for subsimmers of all skill levels. I've been around here for four years now, and have met some of the nicest and best all around people on Subsim, some of them in person.

If anyone is on the fence about helping to keep this site going, just ask yourself where else could you find the wealth of sub game information, help, mods, and the sense of community that we have here at Subsim? Please show your appreciation, even with just a $5 donation, so that we can continue to enjoy the best darn site and forums on the internet!

XabbaRus

12-22-09, 10:59 AM

Well I've been a member since 2000, I arrived here via another sim site after getting 688i H/K and needing info and patches and the other site didn't suffice. I've stayed ever since, branching out into HeloSim.com aswell without which I would never have met the *****waffles (Insert theatre of operations and side as needed). Since then Neal made me a moderator (I personally think that was a bit mad) and graduated from Dangerous Waters forum to the granddaddy forum of General Topics. How I love to log in and see who I'm going to brig my day. I hate to do it but hey, do I brig somone or continue yet another copy and paste drawing at work....hard decision.

Anyway, Onkle Neal needs you....I'm doing my part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMTz9nIUkGc

OK so we are not the mobile infantry but you get the point...

Or I'll send Dowly in your sleep.....think about do you want THAT ferret in your pyjama pants?

Arclight

12-22-09, 11:02 AM

I think a lot of wallets just got a little bit lighter. :rotfl2:

FIREWALL

12-22-09, 11:16 AM

I thought I was donateing by doing large amount of Xmas shopping here useing this Amazon acess.

XabbaRus

12-22-09, 12:00 PM

You are but I don't know who much that is bringing in.

Tweety

12-22-09, 12:06 PM

Merry Christmas to everyone at Subsim and their families.

At the time I purchased SH 3, I didn't know very much about submarines in general other then they go under water and were used in WW II. So I started looking for information on how to play and how valuable the submarine actually was in WW II.

Having said that I now have more information at my disposal. SUBsim, for me is a very very wonderful site to find all that information. I haven't posted very much, but I have been reading a lot of comments from members from all over this world. I laugh at some of the funny comments I come across. I feel sad when other members or a loved one has passed on, as i Have also lost my wife and mother, but on the brighter side I have learned to sink ships (been watching to many videos).

As Rockin Robbins said in one post their is a steep learning curve in learning how to play a submarine simulation game. Without Subsim I don't think I would have been able to overcome this learning curve and enjoy having this much fun playing a game. It is amazing the talented members we have who produced such beautiful mods and can show me how to play this game and have fun at the same time.

For me, Subsim is my family now. The kids are on their own. I can sit back, relax and play SH3 or SH4 and SH5 when it is released.

Neal, thank you for a wonderful site.:up:

Merry Christmas and happy holidays :woot:

Mark

limkol

12-22-09, 12:21 PM

Hi Neal,

just got a new pair of reading glasses and I'm not quite used to them yet. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that instead of paying a contribution to Subsim............ I had mistakenly made a contribution to Butsim!!!!!!!!! However, since the photos and dvd arrived, I have decided that it was not a complete waste of money:88)

Ha ha ha! Happy Xmas shipmates:up: Thanks for the good work and thanks for an excellent Subsim meet in Copenhagen. Donation sent the 21st.

jimbob

12-22-09, 01:43 PM

Heh, but simulation, all abroad the fail boat.

Onkel Neal

12-22-09, 02:08 PM

I thought I was donateing by doing large amount of Xmas shopping here useing this Amazon acess.

That definitely helps, but it seems a lot of people forget to use the Subsim store search box to start their Amazon shopping. Completely normal, I guess--most people probably just type in amazon ,com and go. And I don't like nagging people. You could not guess how hard it is for me top pull the trigger and set up this fundraiser :oops: But it's either that or else, I sure cannot afford to pay the costs on my own.

Skybird

12-22-09, 03:26 PM

the granddaddy forum of General Topics.

:o

:88)

:dead:

:rotfl2:

Thomen

12-22-09, 03:45 PM

http://rlv.zcache.com/i_did_it_it_wasnt_me_tshirt-p235074101094779250t53h_400.jpg

:salute:

FIREWALL

12-22-09, 04:59 PM

That definitely helps, but it seems a lot of people forget to use the Subsim store search box to start their Amazon shopping. Completely normal, I guess--most people probably just type in amazon ,com and go. And I don't like nagging people. You could not guess how hard it is for me top pull the trigger and set up this fundraiser :oops: But it's either that or else, I sure cannot afford to pay the costs on my own.

I know how your system works and come here to access Amazon.

Since I don't like shopping malls and the rude people especially at, Xmas time I mainly use the internet and gift cards to my shopping.

And... Why not shop from here ? :yep: :DL

Torplexed

12-22-09, 11:27 PM

http://pyxis.homestead.com/Duration-Gals.jpg

mookiemookie

12-22-09, 11:47 PM

http://imgur.com/uVr31.jpg

Castout

12-23-09, 01:10 AM

Kptlt. Neuerburg

12-23-09, 01:14 AM

I donated a decent sum, and to think it been three years since I joined Subsim because of SH3. I can't think of a greater community of modders and fans of theses mods. Theres a little something for everyone here which is hard to find in a lot of forums. Like the Lolwaffles of which I've proudly been a part of since the failed Yoxford Boys campaign, we fly simply for fun why else would we have LOL in our name, and of course I can't forget to mention the GWX team and their hard work and dedication to making SH3 one of the best subsims out there.

So donate for the Modders,The Gamers,The Mod Fans,The Lolwaffles and the All of Subsim.

GoldenRivet

12-23-09, 01:28 AM

Neal,

My testimonial can be found here if it helps.:yeah:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1223767&postcount=8

Thanks

John

XabbaRus

12-23-09, 10:36 AM

I felt lost without subsim.com whjen we thought it was abandon ship after the subsim fire.

I felt that there was a hole in my life, but subsim came through and we got back on line.

Onkel Neal

12-23-09, 10:59 AM

Neal,

My testimonial can be found here if it helps.:yeah:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1223767&postcount=8

Thanks

John

Nicely done, and thanks, to all the members who helped with thoughtful testimonials. I think that made a real difference in the fundraiser than just me making a pitch. I only hold the fundraiser at the end of the year, I know how annoying it is to see a website hawking for money. There are a couple, however, that I support. I know the guys running them and I really want to see them succeed--and with hundreds of members, it doesn't hurt to spread the cost.

Raptor1

12-23-09, 02:33 PM

I hereby donate Raptor1 to subsim to be used for whatever end to help subsim community.

On the serious note I can't transact online..never actually though wouldn't mind donating say 10 bucks to subsim :). So I guess not this time.

I think donating me to Subsim would do more harm than good...

I'll see if I can donate something, though I might not be able to right now for technical reasons. One of the very few places on the internets where you could have the occasional intelligent discussion on something.

Jimbuna

12-23-09, 04:25 PM

One of the very few places on the internets where you could have the occasional intelligent discussion on something.

Whereabouts is that then? :hmmm:

:DL

Sailor Steve

12-23-09, 04:42 PM

Sorry Jim, but that's privileged information.

On the other hand, rank has it's privileges, and you're the rankest person I know!:O::rotfl2:

kiwi_2005

12-23-09, 08:11 PM

Done. Choose the $10 donation.

ahh my bad, always thought subsim only delt with paypal I know few years back when i went to send some money all i had was a paypal option so never bothered or maybe i was imagining things!

On the left of the page was the word Visa :oops:

You might be in luck subsim every 2nd month i use my card to pay for world of warcraft addiction i can now chuck a few dollars to subsim at the same time! :yep:

VirtualVikingX

12-24-09, 06:10 AM

Hi guys! I am not a veretan like some of you guys. But I really like this site/forums. So I have donated for the first time in my life. As it is Christmas Eve I gave $ 40. (Also the $ is cheap now)

Oberon

12-24-09, 04:12 PM

I've thrown my few dollars into the hat. It's a small thing compared to the friends I've met on here. We've laughed together, we've cried together, we shared each others highs and lows. We created the magnificent Subsim Aviators and the Lolwaffles! Subsim.com is a world famous boat, and I'm damn proud to be sailing on her.

Oberon

12-24-09, 04:19 PM

Like the Lolwaffles of which I've proudly been a part of since the failed Yoxford Boys campaign,

That wasn't a failure!! :smug:

We were supposed to...erm...keep crashing on takeoff...like that...erm... :hmmm:

Rebel

12-24-09, 04:39 PM

:yeah: i an 5$ x 12 = 60$ one year

Jimbuna

12-24-09, 04:48 PM

Sorry Jim, but that's privileged information.

On the other hand, rank has it's privileges, and you're the rankest person I know!:O::rotfl2:

Truer words you'll never utter :DL

http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/animated/men9.gif

Aramike

12-25-09, 02:20 AM

My donation is incoming, very soon! I have a fun little tribute planned for just the right time. :|\\

Kapitan

12-25-09, 05:42 PM

Sent mine $25 hope it helps neal we need subsim!

Onkel Neal

12-25-09, 07:09 PM

Thanks, kap! I changed out the donation picture just for you! :D
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/images/fundraiser_kate.jpg

d@rk51d3

12-26-09, 04:59 AM

All done.:salute:

You're now at the mercy of the Aussie banking system. ;)

Konovalov

12-26-09, 11:29 AM

Sorry Neal for the late Christmas present. :up: Enjoy the holidays everyone and have a great New Years day. :sunny:

Lzs von swe

12-26-09, 12:54 PM

I dug a hole in my wallet and sent in what I found, not much but I´m a poor trucker.
Happy and Merry etc. Neal:woot::salute:

magic452

12-27-09, 01:42 AM

Without SubSim I would have given up on SH4 very quickly but thanks to all the modders and those that give so much good advice I've been playing it for 2 1/2 years and have learned so much. SubSim has become a nightly thing for me. There is simply no other board of this quality out there. The friendliness and humor can't be matched anywere. GT is an informative and delightful place to visit.(most of the time) Neal and the moderatiors do a great job keeping it more or less civil. It is well worth our support both in posting and if possible with a little cash. I would hate to lose this place.

Magic

Aramike

12-27-09, 02:58 AM

One more day, you say? I say extend the fundraiser until the end of the year.

Well, at least maybe a couple of more days as I was planning to donate in concert with my 2000th post.

See, here's the thing about Subsim: it's truly a home for those of us interested in not only submarine history, but general nautical and military history as well. While I tend to post in the General Topics forum, I most frequently hover around the SH III and IV forums for the wealth of information they contain.

Going back a ways, my closest uncle had an enormous interest in nautical history. While the Great Lakes were certainly his focus (with the likes of such mysteries as the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald), I was also weened on such classics as Sink the Bismark! and The Enemy Below, with the required reading of pretty much anything from Edward L. Beach.

While I tried repeatedly to learn and play subsims, they just seemed beyond me as the amount of time I was willing to invest wasn't nearly enough to truly learn the games. Then I found subsim.com, and everything changed. Many others had done the hard work and were willing to explain things in simple language that even a casual player could understand. And, beyond that, there was a helluva community to back the technicalities up.

So not only did the games finally make sense, but I've met an entire group of interesting people who share the same pasttime as myself.

Indeed, this is my internet home. As such, I'd like to donate in relation to the amount of time I've spent here ... a mere penny per post. And in honor of my upcoming 2000th post, I'll give a meager $20 to Subsim.

Please, just think of $.01 a post, and help Neal keep this incredible, unique community alive!

Skybird

12-27-09, 07:46 AM

Extend the fundraiser until my birthday in February, and then we share the pot 50:50! :D

Carotio

12-27-09, 10:05 AM

Okay, this is one of the negative posts, but I'm sorry. I can't give you anything this time around. It's not like that I have never given anything before. Years ago, I gave a small donation and shortly after that GWX donation thingy, I gave 50$. But it ain't happening this time. :oops:
As some people know, I run SHMF: a forum and host about Silent Hunter alone, but with support for numerous languages. Recently, I received a large extra fee, and only two people donated, so I had to eat most of the expences myself, which sucks. And then Christmas time ain't exactly cheap, so no, not this time. Maybe sometimes next year... :hmmm:
But I hope Subsim receives enough donations, so it won't hurt the economy of Neal too much. So good luck. :up:

Onkel Neal

12-27-09, 10:54 AM

The 2009 EOY Fundraiser has come to an end. :yep: I am very grateful for the support and thoughtful comments from all the members who pitched in and help me keep this vibrant community alive. Thank you. When I started this website in 1996, I had no idea it would grow and become such an incredible environment.

I don't like bugging people for money. But if this was a bus, I don't think most people would mind pitching in for gas. If this was, say, a bass fishing website or a performance car website, it's likely that sales and advertising could make enough money to cover the cost, compensate me for my time, and allow me to hire a staff. Bass fishermen, car enthusiasts, etc. are constantly buying new gear and accessories... and I can imagine what 800 people x $150 x 7% monthly would mean for the bottom line. Unfortunately, subsim players usually have one sub game every couple years to buy. So, without your support, this place would be a fishing lure wonderland...or maybe a Neo Pet training guide. :cry:

I hope you all have a great holiday and happy new year. :salute:

best
Neal
SUBSIM

Snestorm

12-27-09, 04:40 PM

Letum

12-28-09, 07:59 AM

horsa

12-28-09, 11:05 AM

Any thoughts on a long term solution ?

What does everyone think ? Come on you marketing gurus out there.

It may seem like a site that just started quietly in 1996 but Subsim is a brand - any ways that can make a permanent income ?

Onkel Neal

12-28-09, 11:57 AM

How much did we raise?
I'm not asking for numbers, but...

Enough to cover the cost of hosting this post for a day or two?
Enough to buy Neal a pint?
Enough to keep SS going for a month? 6 months? a year?
Enough to keep SS going for a while plus a bit extra?
Enough to commission the building of a new VIIC?

Enough for a pint and a few lightbulbs for the conning tower of a VIIC, and Subsim's continued survival. A lot of great people stepped up and delivered, but I sure won't get rich running a sub game website.

Any thoughts on a long term solution ?

What does everyone think ? Come on you marketing gurus out there.

It may seem like a site that just started quietly in 1996 but Subsim is a brand - any ways that can make a permanent income ?

I've given a lot of thought to this over the years. Naturally, I favor the methods that cost the members here zero dollars--that is the Google ad and commissions through sales of books and games through Amazon. Unfortunately, a lot of people block the one Google ad I have here, so that's null. And while some people make a point to start their Amazon shopping throught the Subsim store (http://www.subsim.com/store.html), it's pretty easy to forget (and I don't wanna shill constantly).

The other big revenue streams in the past are Subsim Battle Gear (http://www.cafepress.com/subsim) and donation mods, like Pacific Aces and the week long exclusive GWX3 donation download (ah, those were the days). Fred has throughtfully offered to let me use some of his radio mods as a second DVD with the Subsim Super DVD mods collection, so after the first of the year, we will try that. And I make a little money off the Subsim Almanacs, but you cannot imagine how much time and work one of those babies entails :dead:

Other than that, I hope the members who enjoy the website will put up with an annual fundraiser. There's no membership fee, it is 100% voluntary. You give what you want, when you can. And if someone wants to chip in throughout the year, the Make a Donation button is right under one's name and PM notification in the top right corner of this page.

Onkel Neal

12-28-09, 01:15 PM

PS: sorry for the server disruptions this morning. I've hired an experienced MySQL server tech to help me locate and fix damaged tables in the forum database which we think is causing the ocassional server lockups. (The forum db is huge now, 3.2GB :o).

Your donation money in action! :ping:

Letum

12-28-09, 01:39 PM

Regarding long term, low input fund raising...

Another forum I frequent uses the vBulletin software to raise funds.
There is a user group called 'subscribers'. It's membership is dependent on
regular donations. When donations are given via paypal one automatically
becomes a member for 1-6 months, depending on the amount donated.
The perk of membership is the ability to chose ones own signature and
avatar.

As it is clear who has donated and who has not, a culture of regular
donation has formed.

I know we have a somewhat informal arrangement like this already, but
I think it could benefit from streamlined, automated integration with the
vBulletin software.

SteamWake

12-28-09, 02:06 PM

Nah none of this "I donated so I have more rights" kind of stuff.

I'm glad to see the money being put to good use and salute those that did donate. :salute:

Méo

12-28-09, 02:29 PM

- any ways that can make a permanent income ?

I'll do my part, I'm gonna subscribe 5$ each month.

Bah! 5$ each month... much less expensive and much more useful than cable.

I guess a more stable income is the best solution.

:salute:

d@rk51d3

12-28-09, 03:15 PM

For the ads to generate income, do we need to click them, or just allow them to run on screen?

Aramike

12-28-09, 03:46 PM

I know we have a somewhat informal arrangement like this already, but
I think it could benefit from streamlined, automated integration with the
vBulletin software. I think a lot of people enjoy the informal way this community is ran. I donated because I wanted to, not because I was compelled to, and I will continue to do so occassionally. Should there become some sort of membership dues involved, I think that a lot of the people who make this place great would disappear simply because they can't afford it. And that would make a lot of other people disappear simply because the community is diluted.

So long as its feesible, I hope it stays just the way it is.

Jimbuna

12-28-09, 05:16 PM

I think a lot of people enjoy the informal way this community is ran. I donated because I wanted to, not because I was compelled to, and I will continue to do so occassionally. Should there become some sort of membership dues involved, I think that a lot of the people who make this place great would disappear simply because they can't afford it. And that would make a lot of other people disappear simply because the community is diluted.

So long as its feesible, I hope it stays just the way it is.

Good point....if enough people donate what they can, when they can then hopefully SS will continue to thrive.

If/when you read this Neal did you receive the second donation on behalf of ******?

Platapus

12-28-09, 05:39 PM

For the ads to generate income, do we need to click them, or just allow them to run on screen?

I also would be interested in the answer to this question.

Reece

12-28-09, 07:21 PM

Regarding long term, low input fund raising...

Another forum I frequent uses the vBulletin software to raise funds.
There is a user group called 'subscribers'. It's membership is dependent on
regular donations. When donations are given via paypal one automatically
becomes a member for 1-6 months, depending on the amount donated.
The perk of membership is the ability to chose ones own signature and
avatar.

As it is clear who has donated and who has not, a culture of regular
donation has formed.
I don't like that idea, some people here are finding it hard to make ends meet with a lot of other compulsory commitments, it should remain purely voluntary unless funding for Subsim gets more desperate!:yep:
I donate when I can but some reminders every few months would be a good idea to jolt (or prick) the memory!!:oops::D

Onkel Neal

12-28-09, 10:13 PM

For the ads to generate income, do we need to click them, or just allow them to run on screen?

Just allow them to show, you don't have to click them :shucks:

Méo

12-29-09, 01:56 AM

f/when you read this Neal did you receive the second donation on behalf of ******?

What are you insinuating?

SteamWake

12-29-09, 11:47 AM

What are you insinuating?

I believe he is simply saying he made a 'donation' on someones behalf and wished that someone to remain nameless.

Carotio

12-29-09, 12:11 PM

Just allow them to show, you don't have to click them :shucks:

Nice, and okay :up:
I have just allowed subsim in ******* then, if that really helps.
As long as I then can block all the ads on the newspaper sites, which are filled with them...

Jimbuna

12-29-09, 02:33 PM

What are you insinuating?

I believe he is simply saying he made a 'donation' on someones behalf and wished that someone to remain nameless.

Your quite correct mate...and Neal has responded http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

Méo

12-29-09, 03:48 PM

Your quite correct mate...and Neal has responded http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

Sorry, my bad! :oops:

Jimbuna

12-30-09, 03:18 PM

Sorry, my bad! :oops:

No prob....words and there varied meanings often get lost in translation http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

nikimcbee

12-30-09, 08:47 PM

Can I donate next week? I'll have more money then:D

Union or Confederate script?

magic452

12-31-09, 12:10 AM

Neal is in Texas so Confederate script would be appropriate.

Magic

Onkel Neal

12-31-09, 01:36 AM

Neal is in Texas so Confederate script would be appropriate.

Magic

Haha, no, I'm more of the same mind as Sam Houston, my Texas never left the Union :shucks:

Can I donate next week? I'll have more money then:D

Union or Confederate script?

Any time you wish, the Make a Donation button under your PM notification is always available.

Thanks to everyone, yes, I want to stay as far away from a "pay only" membership model as possible. That killed Combatsim. Donation here are voluntary, and I hope there will not be a need to have a fundraiser more than once a year.