MagiStream

Ice wrote:Also, we're still waiting on a goal VS amount reached update (or, not even an update realy, even an initial mention would be nice at this point!). I'm sure a lot of people base their real life monetary donations on *knowing* what the need is, rather then just blindly tossing real cash to a goal they are unsure of the status of.

Also, again, transparency would be nice here.

This is exactly what I've been waiting on, actually. If I knew where we stood- it'd determine a lot for me. For example- I can't afford to send money to MS at all. However, I love it, so I'll sacrifice some extra food stuffs to donate a good $20 maybe. However- if I saw we were super close to a goal- like at $1873 out of $2000 needed, I'd possibly exert myself more to give $40. However, I don't think I can currently afford $40. So maybe $25 or $30... >.>

Ice wrote:

BlackParadox wrote:Doni eggs not counting/having their own egg slots has been mentioned at least a couple times before in this thread, so I'd guess that Tristan's probably decided either way already. Though it would be nice if he'd say what that decision was.

*edit* The already suggested list says that additional egg slots are accepted, but doesn't say anything about doni eggs having separate egg slots.

Well yeah, but that's the whole point. If I had six slots, I'd just have six duckets instead of 4. It wouldn't default to 4 duckits and 2 donis. Limited durations eggs> other eggs, always, that's just how the vast majority of people work. So since no specific mention of doni eggs being separate, that's why I brought it up again. That, and I have to admit that I haven't read all the thread. It just seemed like the most logical answer, and also one of the easiest to implement.

I know; I was just adding that I couldn't find anything useful for that particular question, so that no one would tell me to go check the suggested thread. I do like the idea, but as said it's been discussed already, so I don't think it too likely more discussion will change Tristan's mind, and pointed out that it had already been mentioned so that the topic could hopefully change to something new. (I'm sorry, that probably made no sense... it's 4 AM and I just finished de-skunking a dog. I'm not really entirely conscious right now.)


This was the last post on its page, so I suspect some people have missed it.

Tristan wrote:Le update:

Things were going well for a while, then this whole snow dragon + easter egg thing happened, and I guess nobody donates if they're egg locked, so that's been a problem.

If donations continue at a reasonable pace after I unflood the stream with easter stuff we should be OK.

Tristan also mentioned earlier that as the money he will need depends on, things like bandwidth used and other variables, an exact amount is impossible to give, so this is really as much an update as he's able to give until we're completely safe. It's not that Tristan is refusing to tell us; it's that he doesn't exactly know himself yet.

BlackParadox wrote:Tristan also mentioned earlier that as the money he will need depends on, things like bandwidth used and other variables, an exact amount is impossible to give, so this is really as much an update as he's able to give until we're completely safe. It's not that Tristan is refusing to tell us; it's that he doesn't exactly know himself yet.

I'm well aware of how websites work, and while an exact amount cannot be determined sometimes, a very close general estimation can. Bandwidth usage brackets are quite large for sites of this size, so it makes it relatively easy to estimate usage per billing cycle. So saying that it's too hard to give an amount sounds like some carton answer a political figure would toss about. Also, the amount that has come in is a very exact number. That in compared to projected expenses isn't as vague as you seem to believe.

Ice wrote:

BlackParadox wrote:Tristan also mentioned earlier that as the money he will need depends on, things like bandwidth used and other variables, an exact amount is impossible to give, so this is really as much an update as he's able to give until we're completely safe. It's not that Tristan is refusing to tell us; it's that he doesn't exactly know himself yet.

I'm well aware of how websites work, and while an exact amount cannot be determined sometimes, a very close general estimation can. Bandwidth usage brackets are quite large for sites of this size, so it makes it relatively easy to estimate usage per billing cycle. So saying that it's too hard to give an amount sounds like some carton answer a political figure would toss about. Also, the amount that has come in is a very exact number. That in compared to projected expenses isn't as vague as you seem to believe.

I agree with you, Ice. while there may be some uncertainty on the exact amount needed, i think that SOME sort of general estimate could be obtained using such data as past bandwidth usage & billing amounts, average increases during special events, past tax information etc. we don't need to know the specific dollar amounts, a bar graph showing how close we are to the estimated goal would suffice, even if it came with a disclaimer of being subject to change as new information is factored in.

who knows how many people are holding back on donating, or donating large amounts, because we have no idea what is going on or how close we are to where we need to be. we don't even know whether ads are being considered, or what donator perks or site improvements are actually being implemented to increase people's desire to donate. all of this stuff would help user morale.

if this is all stuff tristan has trouble expressing for any reason , then he needs to delegate or hire a helper who can be his public relations liaison so people don't have to be in the dark about what it going on.

butcherbaby wrote:
who knows how many people are holding back on donating, or donating large amounts, because we have no idea what is going on or how close we are to where we need to be. we don't even know whether ads are being considered, or what donator perks or site improvements are actually being implemented to increase people's desire to donate. all of this stuff would help user morale.

Exactly. I'd love to buy a few batches of ferrets to sell on the market, but what good is the gold gonna do me if we're no where near the goal?

Use last year's figures from around Easter, factoring in a bit extra if there's been growth since last year, and then create a general estimate what we'll need, and pop up a bar graph. I don't care about the accuracy, if it seems we're close i'll be more apt to throw more money at it.

razi wrote:

butcherbaby wrote:
who knows how many people are holding back on donating, or donating large amounts, because we have no idea what is going on or how close we are to where we need to be. we don't even know whether ads are being considered, or what donator perks or site improvements are actually being implemented to increase people's desire to donate. all of this stuff would help user morale.

Exactly. I'd love to buy a few batches of ferrets to sell on the market, but what good is the gold gonna do me if we're no where near the goal?

Use last year's figures from around Easter, factoring in a bit extra if there's been growth since last year, and then create a general estimate what we'll need, and pop up a bar graph. I don't care about the accuracy, if it seems we're close i'll be more apt to throw more money at it.

Exact Same. :3

**EDIT:

WAAAA I JUST DONATED $20!!! That's more than you've gotten from me forever Tristan! I hope it helps!!!

how about a paypal button? So folks can donate money if they don't want to get a perk? Like if folks are egg locked and they want to donate. A paypal button would work and allow people to donate regardless of their keep status

bluebellrose wrote:how about a paypal button? So folks can donate money if they don't want to get a perk? Like if folks are egg locked and they want to donate. A paypal button would work and allow people to donate regardless of their keep status

You can already do that. You get shards when you donate, which can be spent whenever.

When I logged in today I saw this:

News

We did it

Postby Tristan » Yesterday, 9:44 pm
Or at least, we'll have done it at some point tomorrow.

You see, ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow federal and state taxes will be automatically drawn from MagiStream's bank account, and there will be a balance left over. This is very good news. This means that we'll almost definitely be here for a very long time.



Thanks for all your support. You guys are awesome.

Of course, there is a chance that once everybody knows we're safe, people will stop donating entirely and we won't last another month. I consider it a small chance, however.

Hopefully Tristan knows a lot of us did our best since his post about saving MagiStream -- and isn't figuring this is our new baseline. Nah, but it would be nice if we could keep it up.

Tristan wrote:Le update:

Things were going well for a while, then this whole snow dragon + easter egg thing happened, and I guess nobody donates if they're egg locked, so that's been a problem.

This is why it could be really nice if DP eggs didn't take up egg slots (disclaimer I don't know if it's possible to program them this way or how difficult it could be), if DPs didn't count towards the egg limits then we could have our 4 (or more) slots for event creatures, breeding, catching and so on and there would be no reason to stop donating during events.