Hi all,

As you know, MTS2 is a donation run site, and we heartily thank everybody who has contributed so far - it's very much appreciated.

However, the sheer number and amount of donations presents a problem in itself, and this is where we need your input.

You see, the MTS2 server costs us $270 a month to run. It's a dedicated server as opposed to a shared host.

This month alone, in the past 6 days since the donation link has gone up, we've recieved over $600... more than enough to pay for the server even given PayPal fees.

So, we've been thinking and have come up with a few suggestions of what to do. Please read them all thoroughly before voting.

Option 1

Purchase a second dedicated server, and write a user-friendly download site running concurrently with the existing MTS2 downloads (so that both sites look at the same downloads, but one is very easy to navigate)

Option 2

Purchase a server outright and host it in a colo-located environment. This would give us unlimited bandwidth but cost a lot, and would have to be funded over a period of months. This also means options 1 and 3 are covered in option 2, but would be done much later, since funding such a server is a very high initial price.

Option 3

Get a second dedicated server, but keep the existing MTS2 layout and site design, and instead use it just for downloads and images (avatars etc), which would speed up individual file transfers.

Option 4

Keep the donations in the pot and just rollover from month to month. This basically means putting off making any decisions about major changes for a few months, and then we'll probably ressurect this poll :D

Option 5

Any other suggestions. Be sensible.

Please take a moment to think about what would benefit the Sims 2 community as well as MTS2 as a site, and vote accordingly. We'd love to give you even more choice and an even better experience

Options 1 and 3, since they require a second server, would also mean that the monthly cost doubles too. Given the level of donations and ad revenue, we believe this is sustainable, but it's entirely dependant on the kindness and generosity of the members.

We believe in keeping MTS2 free as a resource for everybody, and we again thank everybody who has helped to make this a great place!

Regards
MTS2 Staff

Last edited by Delphy : 6th Jan 2005 at 04:11 PM.

Ok, I voted seriously, but I am already missing my sausages.

RG

Don't start with the sausages >.<

I think people see "speed up individual file transfers" and just vote headlong for that :_P

- A

New site for downloads. I'm lazy and like things to be easy to find. But my second choice would have been... nevermind.

Honestly Delphy I would do the rollover for now and see what happens over the next few months as the site continues to grows. But the ulitimate choice is yours and Aobhs alone. Of course everyone here will support you in whatever you choose to do.


On a side note RG I stole your sausage!

How about a committee to approve uploads, and get rid of house lots download section all together, if they have a Official Maxis account, they could just post there username from maxis site and put there lots up at Maxis official site, I no I stopped downloading house's now, because I find something wrong 90% of the time with the house's, I prefer making my own house's now, with so many walls, floors out now, not everyone has the same taste in those, and allot of house's are unrealistically to big anyhow as well!, also there are plenty of free hosting company's out there, people could be encouraged to host there avatars and images etc!, just a ideal!.

Thank You Craig

kathy,

We'd prefer to go with the consensus rather than arbitarily choose for people

25or6to4, thats really more of a Site Wishlist type thing and personal preference. I don't mind the avatars or images or whatever - we have plenty of bandwidth available to host them... I'm thinking more long term for MTS2s development, which was spurred on by the large number of donations we've seen.

I hope you two voted for the relevant entry :D

of course we did lol

Takes off clown hat...Puts on serious hat,<---------------- Ok i have voted for what i think is best ....<-----------Puts clown hat back on.....No sausages????????? :D

My vote is for a roll-over: this is an incredibly useful site and not just a download resource. I'm sure I would not be the only one gutted if an overcommitment to pay for more convenient downloads eventually broke the site's financial viability

The new site for downloads seems like a good idea.

You would! Bitch! Hope you choak on it, and your little dog too! :nana:

If I'm understanding this correctly, option 2 would also serve to fulfill the downloading potential of option 1 but would be a matter of time before the money was collected to buy it (rather than paying a monthly fee for a dedicated server)?

If so, then I would vote for option 2-- better future potential.

But maybe I'm misunderstanding?

pfn, correct. If we went the option route we'd get a kick ass server that could do anything including the new download site.

I'll edit the initial thread.

rollover and see what happens

How about hosting a MTS2 party and if there's anything left, spend it on a server... Or a backup server in case of collapse, think disaster recovery. Can you afford downtime for a disk failure?

...and just letting the funds "rollover" will also allow you to see if buying your own server in the future is possible anyway.

Either way-- I think option 2 or 4 is the way to go.

i think the best bet would be to keep it as rollover. Just incase something happens to breakdown and needs replacement or one month donations are low.

Hm, well with the additional explanation of co-location, maybe I'd change my vote to that.

I agree rollover give it some time and see what happens :D

Rollover....

[clown_mode] and use some to get a nice sausage dinner [/clown_mode]

I must say Delphy, I am impressed with how you run this site. You even ask the peoples opinions on future developments. This goes a long way to making all of us feel like we are truly a part of this community. Thanks for being so open and up front with so many things. I will now dry my eyes and vote. :sprint: FYI: I voted rollover. Lots of time to make any big decisions.

Last edited by Braveheart : 6th Jan 2005 at 11:54 PM.

I voted for a Rollover. I think we have time before a big decision has to be made.

I say buy the server outright, then we could get people from TSR to relocate but seriously, owning a server outright would be Kickass.
I don't think the rollover would be necessary, if the Admins give a good reason for people to donate (AKA if the site would close if people don't) then I'm sure plenty of people would.
Another thing you could do is donate the Surplus for the Tsunami Victims.

It's still too new a site to make long-term outlay. The rollover is safer for now, though I would not necessarily vote the same way in a few months' time.