no drama...

Hey Folks, looks like I need to point out a few things before this gets overly dramatic :)

Yes, looks like there will be quite a cost explosion whenever we get the server upgrade, and yes, Lutz calculation is about right, BUT we have only been into the supportng membership for a very short period of time, so its just reasonable to wait before coming to some conclusions and -if then needed- changes.
It has at no point been my intention to create the impression that wikiloops is on the edge.
Seriously, if you believe I'd close the shop because of money I might have to spend, you are ignoring the fact that I actually AM spending a lot of money on it all the time, so the situation is not changing that much to me.
It is not getting better, either, but it does prove we were right to introduce the supporting membership thing this year.

I was hoping the need for the server switch would have taken a little longer, but I knew we had it coming when addressing the budget issue in April.

To set up a sales system for tracks would require months of development work, and the question stays unanswered if what is left after chargin "less than .99 cent via paypal", paying paypal fees, splitting the revenue with the musicians and paying the currency conversion fees when exchanging $ to € will cover the extra personell needed to account and tax all that.
Chances of gaining less than what has to be invested are real, so that is definetly not the first solution to seek.

wikiloops tracks ARE copyrighted by the according license, there is no such thing as a copyright free track on wikiloops, just to clarify that - and its the musicians who authored the track who are holding the copyright and granting a few permissions for private use by choosing the public license. wikiloops does hold a right to market those tracks under the conditions stated in the terms of use, but the copyright itself remains untouched by that.
Bottom line - I appreciate your alertness to the issue, but please lets not rush to any conclusion too quickly.

As for the priorization Lutz suggested - yes, the budget issue has top priority (it basicly had since april), and I will continue with my efforts to keep this place afloat.
Developing the supporting membership took four months of (unpaid) full time work, so dont think I am spending time on fancy stuff while complaining.

For now, all we have to cry about is the "1am Berlin time dropout" that lets wikiloops be slow for 15minutes of the day.
I believe I have spotted something that might ease that, so I see a slight chance of being able to delay the dreaded server change for a few more months.

I will invest another week to see if my idea does the trick, if that last effort fails its: go for the server upgrade right away and get this place in a shape where the potential sponsors I am planning to contact get a good impression right away.

We will have to hang in there for a few more months, I appreciate any support on the way and I'd definetly be thankfull if you would remind each other of what is going on under the hood -
being the one who is constantly "begging" is not a nice role, and I am noticing that it is wearing on me.
Also, please keep in mind that you two guys are actually not seeing any of the on-site efforts to advertise the supporting membership, since you already ARE supporting members - please dont let that fool you :)

[b]Wikiloops shall be known as a fun place and not perceived as home of the financial crisis, and be assured I'm doing all I can to steer free of that asap ;)
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