FYI, have to pay the bills

[Scorpio]

as it is that time of year again,

it has been decided that to rely on members generosity after what happened last year is not the best plan we could come up with.

consequently, starting next week, we will have a vetted advertiser very much related to who we are and what we do inserted on the main banner where the silver coins are now.

don't freak out, the kitco ticker will still be there until we find something better to use.

In addition, I am adding a 'articles' / 'editorials' page where authors can submit articles directly to us, and we will get it up on the site for them. Over time, instead of importing articles from other sites, we hope to have the authors directly submitting them here also.

Thanks everyone, and have a great productive year.

Scorp

[Fatboy]

It's your house and you do have to keep the lights on BUT....

I think there are still many that would still be more than glad to chip in to help pay the bills. Historically speaking, one had to be at the absolute top of their game to see your post and get in before you closed the door to donations!

Please let us know if you would reconsider NOT using an outside "sponsor".

[mayhem]

Start with that and you are allowing the camel to get it's nose under the tent.

More censorship to follow.

[mayhem]

Start with that and you are allowing the camel to get it's nose under the tent.

More censorship to follow.

[Professur]

Damn ... i was expecting to find a paypal link to buy a special title again

[EO 11110]

how about gim silver rounds? how did that go last time? i bought some even though i wasn't a member then.

[Scorpio]

rounds are going to be coming out after we see a pullback on prices,

we should see one yet anyway,

S

[GoldWampum]

Start with that and you are allowing the camel to get it's nose under the tent.

More censorship to follow.

I agree, sponsorship=censorship. I'd rather see a call for donations first.

[GOLDZILLA]

April Fools ?

[andial]

If you are looking for a show of hands on who would donate count my hand raised.

[southfork]

If you are looking for a show of hands on who would donate count my hand raised.

I will pledge $50.00.

[Irons]

I vote for a scrolling ad for one of them girly websites. If we're getting scenery lets make it boobalicious!!~

[budfox]

I'll chip in if I can sell by Tiger Blood on the site..duh, winning....

[RoyalBeluga]

Does anyone else see a Chicken Kebab?

[Irons]

Does anyone else see a Chicken Kebab?

Now that you mention it.....I thought maybe it was a bowl of goulash.

[RoyalBeluga]

Now that you mention it.....I thought maybe it was a bowl of goulash.

Now I'm hungry

[Irons]

Now I'm hungry

I have just the snack for you!! They are a little aggressive at first though....

[KGMe]

EDITED: Removing source material that has not been approved by the GIM2 staff as concession to our advertisers.

[skyvike]

I agree, sponsorship=censorship. I'd rather see a call for donations first.

Well, ya know with the other method, we had to deal with members who threatened us with legal action because they felt making a donation made them an "owner" of the site and entitled them to either post whatever they wanted or control what others wrote.. Then there was the hassles and hissy fits over the "bought" titles. Overall, the generosity level was very high but the frequent urinary olympiads made it too much trouble.

Please try to remember that we started this site so we'd have a place to share our thoughts without getting booted just for having a contrary opinion. We don't see any more serious changes to the content than we did when we started accepting donations. We can promise that the same kinds of posts that have always been appreciated will still be appreciated and anything we found offensive before will likely still be offensive and dealt with accordingly.

Of course, there will always be those who feel the miniscule amount of moderation on this forum is an unacceptable level of "censorship" and there's nothing we can do to change that. We are all done trying to explain our concept of "free speech" to people who think it means, "I can say whatever I want whenever I want." Nothing less that ZERO moderation will satisfy those types.

Please be sure to let us know if you think there is an instance of any sponsors trying to influence content on the site.

We are just as opposed to that as we have always been.

We tried the donation model and that turned out to be a pain in the rear. Now we're going to try accepting some advertising and see how that goes.

Thanks to all members for their continued support.

[gpond]

I'm sure this is an April fool's joke so allow me to join in.

We are all done trying to explain our concept of "free speech" to people who think it means, "I can say whatever I want whenever I want."

Well... ummm... well... Happy April 1st!!

(My wife and I are celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary today. Sure it makes sense we would get married on April Fool's day. In fact I insisted upon it. Well, I requested it. She had final approval... but isn't that the way?)

[Book]

[Irons]

with the other method, we had to deal with members who threatened us with legal action because they felt making a donation made them an "owner" of the site and entitled them to either post whatever they wanted or control what others wrote.. Then there was the hassles and hissy fits over the "bought" titles.

.....

As jaded as I have become, I never would have thought of that.
Sigh, now I guess I'm a bit more jaded.~

What a bunch of *********************.

[skyvike]

.....

As jaded as I have become, I never would have thought of that.
Sigh, now I guess I'm a bit more jaded.~

What a bunch of *********************.

That pretty much sums up how we felt about it....

[AgAuGal]

happy aniversary you guys, I did not know that but knowing the source I can believe it and many more!!

I'm sure this is an April fool's joke so allow me to join in.



Well... ummm... well... Happy April 1st!!

(My wife and I are celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary today. Sure it makes sense we would get married on April Fool's day. In fact I insisted upon it. Well, I requested it. She had final approval... but isn't that the way?)

[Scorpio]

guys,

no jokes, no games,

We have built a crew and set up a structure so that one person does not have the capability to do what happened in the past. Now, the way it is structured, that cannot happen. This decision was a extension of that. Gim lives on, with no one person holding the only keys to it.

We never kept, nor will we, members personal information. We don't know boo about anyone, and I want it to stay that way.

S

[budfox]

Well, ya know with the other method, we had to deal with members who threatened us with legal action because they felt making a donation made them an "owner" of the site and entitled them to either post whatever they wanted or control what others wrote.. Then there was the hassles and hissy fits over the "bought" titles. Overall, the generosity level was very high but the frequent urinary olympiads made it too much trouble.

Please try to remember that we started this site so we'd have a place to share our thoughts without getting booted just for having a contrary opinion. We don't see any more serious changes to the content than we did when we started accepting donations. We can promise that the same kinds of posts that have always been appreciated will still be appreciated and anything we found offensive before will likely still be offensive and dealt with accordingly.

Of course, there will always be those who feel the miniscule amount of moderation on this forum is an unacceptable level of "censorship" and there's nothing we can do to change that. We are all done trying to explain our concept of "free speech" to people who think it means, "I can say whatever I want whenever I want." Nothing less that ZERO moderation will satisfy those types.

Please be sure to let us know if you think there is an instance of any sponsors trying to influence content on the site.

We are just as opposed to that as we have always been.

We tried the donation model and that turned out to be a pain in the rear. Now we're going to try accepting some advertising and see how that goes.

Thanks to all members for their continued support.

There's an asshole around every corner isn't there?

[Carrion Crow]

Just curious.
APMEX banner ads follow me wherever I go on the internet. It borders on creepy. Does that stem from visiting this site? Assuming they are the new site sponsor will it give them the ability to stalk everyone who comes to GIM2?

[skyvike]

Just curious.
APMEX banner ads follow me wherever I go on the internet. It borders on creepy. Does that stem from visiting this site? Assuming they are the new site sponsor will it give them the ability to stalk everyone who comes to GIM2?

We don't share, or even collect, individual visitor information so I don't see how visiting this site alone would affect the banners you see. The only way I know for any advertiser to get your personal information is for you to give it to them.

[Pyramid]

Just curious.
APMEX banner ads follow me wherever I go on the internet. It borders on creepy. Does that stem from visiting this site? Assuming they are the new site sponsor will it give them the ability to stalk everyone who comes to GIM2?

That's not from visiting this site, it's from visiting A****'s website. It's called retargetting marketing. Some tech whiz can explain it better than I can, but a cookie gets planted, then whoever they are paying to run their advertisements (e.g. Google) puts it up on other sites.

[fasTTcar]

April fools jokes are only funny if they are immediately apparent when called out.

Post how much is needed to keep the website going as is and start a countdown towards that goal.

I have my $100 ready when you are.

[skyvike]

April fools jokes are only funny if they are immediately apparent when called out.

Post how much is needed to keep the website going as is and start a countdown towards that goal.

I have my $100 ready when you are.

Sorry FC.

Thanks for the offer of a donation but it's not an April Fool's joke.

We've changed the design of the site header slightly to accommodate the banner.

[Carrion Crow]

That's not from visiting this site, it's from visiting A****'s website. It's called retargetting marketing. Some tech whiz can explain it better than I can, but a cookie gets planted, then whoever they are paying to run their advertisements (e.g. Google) puts it up on other sites.

lol. Is APMEX like Lord Voldemort: “he who must not be named�.
Thanks for the explanation. I wondered how they were doing it it.

[GoldWampum]

Well, ya know with the other method, we had to deal with members who threatened us with legal action because they felt making a donation made them an "owner" of the site and entitled them to either post whatever they wanted or control what others wrote.. Then there was the hassles and hissy fits over the "bought" titles. Overall, the generosity level was very high but the frequent urinary olympiads made it too much trouble.

Please try to remember that we started this site so we'd have a place to share our thoughts without getting booted just for having a contrary opinion. We don't see any more serious changes to the content than we did when we started accepting donations. We can promise that the same kinds of posts that have always been appreciated will still be appreciated and anything we found offensive before will likely still be offensive and dealt with accordingly.

Of course, there will always be those who feel the miniscule amount of moderation on this forum is an unacceptable level of "censorship" and there's nothing we can do to change that. We are all done trying to explain our concept of "free speech" to people who think it means, "I can say whatever I want whenever I want." Nothing less that ZERO moderation will satisfy those types.

Please be sure to let us know if you think there is an instance of any sponsors trying to influence content on the site.

We are just as opposed to that as we have always been.

We tried the donation model and that turned out to be a pain in the rear. Now we're going to try accepting some advertising and see how that goes.

Thanks to all members for their continued support.

I do remember all of that and you guys need to do what you think best going forward. I think there is a lot of latitude that's been given on this site to express one's self. I like that style, meaning I'd rather face the fire than censor a little hot headedness. Overboard becomes overboard, but it seems a nudge has worked in most cases... there really have not been many bannings that I know of... My only concern is that it stay intact. I support the idea that it doesn't mean I can say anything I want without responsibility or retribution.

I don't know of any topics that are verbotin per se here... as long as a degree of civility is maintained.

[GOLDZILLA]

I can understand that everything changes, but do you always gotta announce major changes on April Fools day? It confuses alot of people here.

[Rusty Shackelford]

I can understand that everything changes, but do you always gotta announce major changes on April Fools day? It confuses alot of people here.

I know I just thanked him, but it is worth repeating on this issue. Put and end to the changes on 4/1. It aint like the guys that run the show did not already have it in the works so what would have been wrong with an announcement on 3/30 or 4/2. Just saying.

[Fatboy]

Well, ya know with the other method, we had to deal with members who threatened us with legal action because they felt making a donation made them an "owner" of the site and entitled them to either post whatever they wanted or control what others wrote.. Then there was the hassles and hissy fits over the "bought" titles. Overall, the generosity level was very high but the frequent urinary olympiads made it too much trouble.

We tried the donation model and that turned out to be a pain in the rear.

All I can say is I must have been asleep and missed all that. I had no idea that people felt that they should have a say in the way things are moderated here based on their voluntary donation. I didn't even know there was a "title" to go with your donation untill it was all done and over!

Either way, thanks for allowing us all to hang out here for another year!

[skyvike]

I know I just thanked him, but it is worth repeating on this issue. Put and end to the changes on 4/1. It aint like the guys that run the show did not already have it in the works so what would have been wrong with an announcement on 3/30 or 4/2. Just saying.

Noted.

[elroy]

I am also stalked by APMEX while online.

At first creepy but now more annoying than creepy.

[TnAndy]

(My wife and I are celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary today. Sure it makes sense we would get married on April Fool's day. In fact I insisted upon it. Well, I requested it. She had final approval... but isn't that the way?)

Happy 12th, gpond ! The April 4th is our ( 39 years ). We were going for the 1st too, but the big green machine ( US Army ) screwed that up for us.

RE: The topic of ads. I don't have a problem as long as they are a few to pay the bills/etc. I don't want to see 1/2 page of ads so the pages take forever to load due to what I guess are heavy graphics. Lot of us are out in the boonies on slow connections.

[gpond]

Happy Anniversary Andy!

[Lt Dan]

Happy Anniversary Andy!

I second that for both of you and your spouses. Ours will be 40 in June.

I also second what Rusty said about making announcements on April Fools Day. To many internet forums do stuff like that and it gets kind of silly after while, makes ya wonder, "why bother?"...

BTW, as long as it pays the bills and doesn't slow down the page, I'm okay with an ad or two.

[TnAndy]

I'll wish you an early one, Lt, in case it slips by. 40 years is a real milestone in today's world. Clearly shows you have the ability to get along with at least SOME folks !

[Dave Thomas]

Ahh, now it becomes apparent. I was wondering why Skyvike was getting all antsy about people "Farming" GIM, because after all who cares if farmers come and go if you don't really have anything to lose. In the past people recognized these types as just charlatans and called them such. Then you get the occasional wiener who posts some viagra ad.

I mean how much does it cost to get hosting for a MySQL enabled website now days? I just registered a domain with 500GB of traffic a month and 50 GB of storage. It was 120 bucks a year.

Lets see the founders don't want to fund it, and we're not taking donations. Hmm.

[keehah]

Now that the site is running ads, it is going to be more liable for cash claims of copyright infringement.

Perhaps one should not wait until April 1 next year before the related (to advertising on a site) guide that only a sentence or two of article be copied.

[Russkie]

Looks like a lot of poeple were willing to kick down. I'd do fifty bucks, no strings attached.