Re: Funding

["Graeme Dunbar" <G.R.A.Dunbar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Can I "cast my vote" for a newsletter? It is something appropriate 
to the cause and makes good use of the resources available. 

I know some user supported enterprises operate a debit card type 
scheme. For example the lojban group (public domain offshoot of 
the Loglan Institute) accept donations and in return subscribers 
can request goods over a period of time up to that value. Many 
small family history groups operate in a similar way where 
donations are used to support the coordinators photocopying, 
postage and phone charges.

I agree with Tim's comments on the method of payment for people 
outside the US. It costs a lot to send money using a bank. It is 
worth the small risk to send cash by post.

(Good to see you here Tim ;-)

On 17 Mar 99, at 11:28, Tim Hendtlass wrote:

> I agree with Dan and rather like the fee based monthly email newsletter,
> if Jeff is comfortable about that.  Reading the Misc correspondence way
> over here, there has not been very much I can contribute to the
> discussion, but that does mean I am not interested and very willing to
> contribute to the project (and Jeff's well being!).  There are probably
> many like me who just want a simple way to send over a contibution -
> without stuffing around getting checks in US$. Jeff, when you are back
> from holiday ( whatever that is turning out to be) let us know what you
> want us to do and how.  I had no idea things were so bad for you and I owe
> you plenty for all the free software you have given me over the years, so
> jst look on nay contribution I make as delayed payment! Cheers Tim.
> 
> Dan C. Rinnert wrote:
> 
> > Why not keep it simple to avoid the hassles?  Something such as a
> > fee-based monthly eMail newsletter, for $10/$20/$30/whatever per year. 
> > If Jeff could include a status report, and others submit ideas and
> > how-to's and so forth, this could be a useful resource as both a funding
> > source and an evangelising tool.  No squabbles over ownership since
> > contributors are purchasing a product (the newsletter) and not buying
> > shares of the company or anything. If someone would volunteer to put
> > together and distribute the newsletter to subscribers, costs are very
> > minimal and the majority of money collected would go straight into the
> > "High Tech Fund".
> >
> > This approach avoids any squabbles over technology ownership, would
> > provide a useful resource for interested parties and would bring in
> > money to support the technology.
> >
> > Anyway, just an idea I thought I'd throw out for consideration.
> >
> > Dan
> >
> > -----------------------------------------------------------
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> 
> 
> 
> --
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> Prof. Tim Hendtlass
> Centre for Intelligent Systems. School of
> Biophysical Sciences and Electrical Engineering,
> Swinburne University of Technology. PO Box 218.
> Hawthorn Victoria AUSTRALIA  3122
> Ph:  61 3 9214 8863. Fax: 61 3 9819 0856
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> 



        Regards,
            Graeme

------------------------------------------------------------
 Graeme Dunbar   
 School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering   
 The Robert Gordon University   
 Schoolhill, Aberdeen AB10 1FR, Scotland, U.K.   
 Tel. +44 1224 262415   
 Fax  +44 1224 262444   
 email  g.r.a.dunbar@rgu.ac.uk
 www    http://www.eee.rgu.ac.uk/staff/esgrad/ 
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