No Need to Panic but we are Running out of Disk Space!

[Unimatic1140]

For our automaticwasher.org account we are allocated 15 GB of internet server disk space. Currently with all of our Discuss-o-Mat threads, POD’s, library stuff, vintage fun stuff, uploaded pictures in the threads, etc. we are using 11 GB which means we only have 4 GB left.

Here is what I’m planning on doing. I’m going to delete the oldest pictures uploaded to the Super forum first; you know, pets, people, cars, Vita-Mix, etc. Since I’m going to start with the oldest stuff, that means only pictures in threads that have gone to the archives will be deleted. You will still be able to read the posts in the archives; just the pictures will be gone. As space continues to get tight in the future I will then have to start removing pictures from Modern-Deluxe forum archive. I will do my best to never have to delete pictures from the Vintage-Imperial forum as I see those as being the most important to our site. But at some point we are going to have to make some hard choices as what stays and what goes. We really have a lot of stuff now on here and I wish we had enough space to go on for ever, but we don’t.

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up if they are reading old threads in the archives and find that some pictures are missing.

 

[westytoploader]

Hi Robert,

You mentioned this on the phone a few weeks ago...I didn't realize it was this bad! 11 out of 15 GB for a good-sized forum is a large figure indeed!

And what about members' photo albums? Should the amount allowed be lowered to 40 pictures per album again?

--Austin

 

[launderess]

Suggestion

Know am a novice member here, but wondering if each member contributed a small sum towards a kitty for an upgrade of space? Seems hosting companies are falling over each other to offer larger packages (lord knows Globat won't leave us alone on that matter).

Wondering if pictures from live auctions within posts takes up much space? In future in mind of the current "situation" will only post links back, if anyone thinks that would help.

Launderess

 

[goatfarmer]

I'm up for that suggestion,Laundress. The knowledge and comraderie around here is well worth a donation,IMHO.

kennyGF

 

[lavamat_jon]

External albums

Perhaps uploading pictures to internet photo albums (such as Webshots) and using the (img src=) HTML code (replace the brackets with less than/greater than signs), so we can still effectively have pictures uploaded into threads as usual, but have them sourced at our own internet photo albums?

Just a suggestion :-/...

Jon

Webshots - Desktop Wallpaper / Screen Savers

Webshots, the best in Desktop Wallpaper, Desktop Backgrounds, and Screen Savers since 1995.

www.webshots.com

 

[southernmdgeguy]

Donations?

I would be more than willing to help support this site! Just say when and how much!
Scott

 

[Unimatic1140]

Well you guys and gals, 15gb is a LOT for one web site, there isn't many more ISP's that offer more than 15gb, plus all the bandwidth they give us. Besides even if we paid $$$ and added another 5gb or so, sooner or later we are going to run out of space and we are going to have to face the same thing.

 

[spiraclean]

Donation Page

Hi Robert,
Good house keeping as you have suggested is the answer to the storage issue.
It would be great if you could set up a donation page as there are a lot of members including myself that would be delighted to contribute to the running costs the site, if you remember I suggested this to you some time ago. I really enjoy Automaticwasher.org and I appreciate that you have kept it ad free.

All the best.
Hugh

 

[compwhiz128]

I have a suggestion

Let us be able to post images using links I.e.

 

[DADoES]

html code can be used, which I often do.

 

[shanonabc]

how lond did it take us to get to this point?

 

[Unimatic1140]

It took one year and 12 days to use 80% of our server space.

Yes you can use html code to insert your pictures into a thread that is stored at another web location.

Here is an example code to do this:

&#60img src=http://mywebaddress.com/DIRECTORY/mypicture.jpg &#62

But you can only do this with pictures that you have taken or have permission to link in another site. Otherwise it is against copyright laws. So don't do with ebay pictures and other things that don't belong to you.

 

[veg-o-matic]

This brings up a question

Okay, even if we can't buy ourselves some more disk space, who is paying for what we currently have? Robert, are you footing the bill? 'Cause if you are, that's just wrong. I get so much pleasure out of this site and the people who hang out here that even a serious contribution wouldn't begin to cover it. I'm sure many others feel this way too.

So how's about it, Robbie? Might we send a little investment your way? And those who can't needn't feel bad, since life is all about doing what you can, when you can, right?

veg

Oh, and P.S. I already have your address, so don't even bother saying no!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Veg last year I made a DVD of the Wizard washer washing through two complete cycles and sold it to raise enough money for the 2005 server fees. I started to make a DVD of the '51 GE, but I need to get around to finishing that. Sometimes I wish there were 30 hours in a day. When I do finish I will sell the DVD again for another fund raiser. Otherwise, yes I have paid to maintain this site since 2001 and Jon Charles has paid to maintain the server that stores and plays our videos.

 

[48bencix]

my two cents

I too would like to contribute, and/or buy the new DVD.

I must also say, that I love this site, I am a member of other sites, but this is the most fun and the one that I check every day. It is also the one that I contribute to now and again.

Add to that all of the archival material, videos etc. which are available here.

I wish other forums were as well designed as this one. You can see all of the topics that people are adding to in an instant, and when you choose a topic it is so easy to read. The picture feature is ultra cool. Congrats to Robert for succeding in such a task!!

 

[veg-o-matic]

Well, Robert

I still think it's wrong. You shouldn't have to go to all the trouble of making a DVD and selling it in order to keep us happy. And the Lovely and Talented Jetcone shouldn't have to fork over the dough for the video server, either.

So who's with me, gang? I say we storm over to Chateau Robert (one way or another) and shower him with some freshly laundered money. Well, not laundered money, but you know what I mean. I'll leave you to do the math in squaring things with the L&T Jetcone.

Barring that, maybe the L&T Jetcone could raffle off his Lady Kenmore Combo. Oooh, I'm getting all shuddery just thinking about it!

(Oh and Jon, the offer to marry you and bear your children still stands.)

veg

 

[veg-o-matic]

Several hours later...

And I bet I could pinpoint when things started going bananas.

I'd been hanging around the forum for a while, not posting, but reading. Then Robert started the "Please Vote" thread in November. That was the first thread I saw that really got people moving. I think I was a "post virgin" until that thread.

From that point on, I think more people started posting, posting more often, and adding pictures. I also think in the last 6-9 months we've gotten a whole slew of new members.

Just my .02

veg, the mathematician

 

[Unimatic1140]

Wow I just did some reasearch and we're certainly a visual group. In our threads here are the number of pictures we have uploaded in 368 days since the Discuss-O-Mat "went live":

Imperial-Vintage: 1654
Deluxe-Modern: 488
Super-OT Sandbox: 1728

For a grand total of 3870 pictures in just over a year. Wow.

So I just deleted a bunch of old pictures from the Super and Deluxe forums and that should keep us going for a while. (I hope).

 

[jdinstl]

Robert,

As I see it, the only thing you need to be making to raise money for the site is a paypal account name available to deposit money for your efforts. The coding of the boards and your supervision of it counts for something too, you know. You have a significant other, a full time job, and your own interests -- free time is premium enough as it is, without giving it away. If God wanted you to have 30 hours in a day, you'd have 30 hours in a day. But God made 'em 24 hours, and that's reason enough for me.

I'm on Beliefnet, in the Anglican/Episcopal section -- we all post pictures all the time -- pointing to our own server space of course, not uploaded to Bnet -- and we work it out so that those who don't have that type of space can give us the pic, and we'll give 'em the addy in return so they can see it posted.

It's not uncommon, or unfair for sites to offer a basic free service, and upgrade to full service at a price. Hell, all the VCCC lets you do for free is gaze at a freakin' glamour shot of the damn club President -- and that don't do a helluva lot to encourage my interest in anything, much less the vintage vacuums. I've old Kirby's I've bought for less than VCCC membership -- and they clean up better than any man.

(I suprise myself sometimes at what a tired, nasty, bitter old queen I've become...but that's another subject for another thread)

Feel free to yank my pics to free up more space. I have't posted one in awhile, and if someone is interested, my email addy is in my profile, and I'll send 'em a copy. I've also posted a number of them in my yahoo photos area, and if I haven't already, will supply a link to that on my profile.

Going forward, I'll post links instead of uploading pictures. Same effect, but easier on your space and maintenance time. Not a problem a procedure change will offer the same without the overhead.

John