What does the aeclectic forum mean to you?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 01 Feb 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Marion	01 Feb 2002
I am sure that most of you noticed Solandia’s notice, “The future of the Forums”. And I guess everyone has had the same experience with the host server struggling with the volume of responses and returning server errors. Most people who come here feel a strong sense of community in this forum, and the honesty of the exchanges seems to me to be a rare and valuable presence. I recognize that many who frequent the forum do not have a lot of spare cash, but at least some do have regular reasonably paying employment. And given the amount of deck-buying that goes on, most have at least some disposable income. Solandia has shared with me that the host server is overwhelmed, and she needs to make some sort of move fairly soon, or risk losing all the archives, members list etc. It would take more than a one-time contribution, as maintaining a site like this entails monthly charges for server time and bandwidth. A larger one-time contribution would help right now too, as she needs to purchase equipment and software. I am sure that those of you who go elsewhere on the internet must be aware that most forums treat you to a pop-up ad window every time you look at anything, change menus, post, etc. It is pretty continuous and annoying but I suspect that the site owners just plain needed the cash to keep their popular sites going. I was thinking that some of us might consider making regular contributions to her, within the limits of their ability to pay. Paypal is easy and effective, though you have to have a credit card. To me this is worth while, especially considering how much any other form of entertainment costs. With 700 plus members (though I know quite a few are inactive) it should be possible to allow Solandia to make a smooth transition to a more secure home.

fairyhedgehog	01 Feb 2002
I agree. I'm hoping that when Solandia has got in the first wave of responses and donations she'll be able to tell us how much she needs from those of us who /can/ give and how often. I'm also hoping for links to amazon.co.uk so any future purchases can benefit aeclectic. This is an excellent website and I hope we can all help Solandia to keep it going. All the best, FH

Strange2	01 Feb 2002
I completely agree on the members doing our part through contributions and other means to keep the Aeclectic Tarot Forum alive and well and evolving. Aeclectic is my favorite place to go on the web, not only for the subject matter but equally for the friendly and supportive nature of the forum. It really is special, and I find it magickal that the atmosphere continues to be so positive and interactive. This is truly rare, and Solandia and the members should be proud to be a part of this evolving community. I know I am.

Diana	01 Feb 2002
edited

Jeanette	01 Feb 2002
Where was the "Future of the Forums" post? I must've missed it. :( At any rate, I would not hesitate to contribute $ for the upkeep of the site. Will there be instructions on how to go about doing this? Please advise when possible........

MeeWah	01 Feb 2002
Jeanette: Look for the "Announcement" heading each forum group (Trading; Tarot; Other) on the opening title page of the forums. Marion has brought up an important issue regarding the situation on the Aeclectic Tarot Forums (& expressed it admirably, too)! This needs immediate action from all of us who would be part of this community. One does not need to surf the web to recognize a unique vehicle such as the Aeclectic forums. As Strange2 indicates, the atmosphere here is "magickal", especially in that it manages to maintain the sense of community despite (& perhaps due to)the "diversity" of its members! That this quality exists is all the more reason to invest in the preservation & the maintenance of the forums. There is an expression: to put one's money where one's mouth is. Now is the time to make a difference in the future of these forums. With the number of members at over 700 & growing, what amounts to a few dollars from each of us can ensure the security of our favorite website.

faunabay	01 Feb 2002
I could live without Aeclectic -- but just barely!!! :) I LOVE IT HERE! :D And will do anything I can to help Solandia keep it up and running. Will definitely send money when I can and will be buying all my decks through the aeclectic links from now on.

northsea	02 Feb 2002
Can you order more than one tarot deck (group them together into one order) through the aeclectic amazon.com link to save on shipping costs? I don't really know if this saves on shipping, but just wondering.

Kiama	02 Feb 2002
There are also other ways to help Solandia out: You could write reviews for decks. I think this is the option I wil take, cuz I am only on a pitiful part time wage at the moment, and have even had to cut down on my deck-buying so I can save for university! Kiama

EveAnna	02 Feb 2002
I'd also like to see a link to Amazon.UK, I seem to be buying more things off them and its a shame for us who do use Amazon.UK to not be able to contribute.

Pollux	02 Feb 2002
Well, I have no income, don't even pay Univ.fees myself (shame on me! ). But I'll contribute like Kiama will, writing a review for my three new decks (and the only ones for a year at least :( ). I am not able to buy at Amazon, coz shipping rates are daunting. Alida is more reasonable, but doubt something can be done with Alida too. I'll do my best. Even though I won't manage to contribte with money! I earn none!

faunabay	02 Feb 2002
Tommy, From what I understand as long as you link through aeclectic Solandia gets a percentage. But I just found out about this so don't know exactly what I'm talking about either. LOL :P :D :P ;D

faunabay	02 Feb 2002
OH I just remembered. Solandia told me that anything you buy (non-tarot or tarot related) as long as you link through aeclectic she gets a percentage. So even if you want to buy a fiction book or anything at all click into amazon or whoever through here and she'll get a percentage!!!!

Red Emma	02 Feb 2002
I just stumbled across Aeclectic Forum recently, but as someone who's studying tarot and isolated by a long enervating illness, money is about all I can contribute. I did buy two decks from Amazon recently, and I hope that helps. I am willing to pay a regular subscription, altho as social security (USA government retirement stipend) is the basis of my income it can't be a lot. I just need to know how much, and what the heck pay pal is and how to access it. I never heard of it before. Best wishes to Solania -- we owe her a whole lot more than our incomes can cover. Goddess Bless, Red Emma

catlin	04 Feb 2002
Hi, I would suggest to put a link to amazon.de as there are some ppl who buy there too. What about Barnes & Noble. Can Solandia also benefit when we link via aeclectic to B&N? What about some of these annoying banners? I would even support them for the sake of aeclectic's survival. How shall matters be realized with carging a kind of maintenance fee? I would also contribute to it but I see the risk that just a handful of regular a.netties will contibute to it and the major part won't.

Kiama	04 Feb 2002
Quote: catlin (04 Feb, 2002 23:38): What about some of these annoying banners? I would even support them for the sake of aeclectic's survival. I think I would too! (You can tell how addicted I am to these boards, can't you?!) ;p Kiama

january	04 Feb 2002
Is there a petition? Where do I sign! But honestly, I think banners would help. I'd actually be willing to pay an annual fee. The Internet is such a frenzied realm - skipping and clicking here and there. But now and then you find a place to roost, to hang (kind of like dating, huh?). A place where you feel you can speak your language to people. A blessing at any point of the day. That's what this forum means to me. I have been "Tarot and otherwise Educated" here and I truly hope it can continue! Peace! ~ january

arizonagirl	05 Feb 2002
It's amazing how important this forum is to me. The quality of the posts is superior, the contributions are literate and illuminating. I urge you to send even a small amount by PayPal.

Talisman	05 Feb 2002
"It's amazing how important this forum is to me. The quality of the posts is superior, the contributions are literate and illuminating. I urge you to send even a small amount by PayPal. " -- Arizonagirl Yes, yes, second, reiterate, agree. But could someone explain PlayPal? Talisman

fairyhedgehog	05 Feb 2002
Hi, I'd never used Pay Pal either. Btw, I love your Freudian slip, Talisman ;) But all you have to do is to click on the 'future of the forums' announcement that heads each section, click on the 'donate' button at the bottom of the announcement, and it will take you to Pay Pal. It's OK to use, and it seems secure. All the best, FH

arizonagirl	05 Feb 2002
I first used PayPal (aka PlayPal) on e-Bay and it has always done as promised. Besides clicking on the donate button in the announcement, you can also access http://www.paypal.com.

raeanne	06 Feb 2002
I would like to vote for not having the annoying banners. One of the reasons I like Aeclectic is because I do not have anything waving or flashing info in my face. I really would rather pay a membership fee and keep the ads off than to be constantly annoyed by the wiggling wormies.

Major Tom	06 Feb 2002
Quote: faunabay (02 Feb, 2002 14:37): I could live without Aeclectic -- but just barely!!! :) I LOVE IT HERE! :D And will do anything I can to help Solandia keep it up and running. Will definitely send money when I can and will be buying all my decks through the aeclectic links from now on. Another chance to echo Faunabay! I love every member of this community as if they were family. I will definitely help any way I can.

Solandia	07 Feb 2002
The best ways of helping Aeclectic Tarot when buying from Amazon are: - Click on an Aeclectic Tarot link to Amazon. Put the tarot deck into your shopping cart and then buy it. I receive 15% of your total purchase amount. - Click on a link from Aeclectic Tarot, surf around Amazon a little bit. Put any item(s) into your shopping cart. I receive 5% of your total purchase amount. Either way, if you're going to buy through Amazon, please go through an Aeclectic Tarot link first. (Also, if there is a specific item you want out of the catalogue that is not linked on my website, email me and I will send you the direct link so that Aeclectic Tarot receives the full 15% commission.) And as requested, I have signed up as an associate of Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de. 5% of anything you buy through these links (or the links on the Support page will go to Aeclectic Tarot. Amazon.co.uk Amazon.de Thank you all, for your support. ~ Solandia

Solandia	07 Feb 2002
PS. Advertising banners are my very last resort. I've tried hard to keep them off the site so far. No banner exchanges or ad banners or logos cluttering up the site, because I don't like them either... :) Amazon and other affiliate commissions, donations and possibly membership fees for extra features are my preferred options to keep the site running. ~ Solandia

tarotbear	07 Feb 2002
O.K. I just signed up for PayPal, and made a donation to Aeclectic. I hope the other forumites will do the same. I also hope that those who have and will contribute will also realize that we should probably do this on a yearly basis; that a single donation will help today, but there is always tomorrow to think about, too. Every Imbolc? On another forum I frequent ( paganpath.com) there is a public section and a (paid) members section. Those who pay a yearly fee have access to all sorts of goodies instead of just the chat forums that are open to anyone.

bec	07 Feb 2002
:( I can´t afford giving money away these days :( What I have been able to do, and I truely hopes it helps a bit, is to make the announcement known on my webby, that aeclectic needs aid. I have linked aeclectic to this message and plead for folks to go through these pages when ever buying on-line - hope it helps on them percentages. I would hate to loose aeclectic

jade	08 Feb 2002
volunteering you time, in lieu of money is also another way to assist the forum. become a moderator or assist in the new chat room! we all find money for the things we love. if it means giving up that magazine for a couple of months, or gum or that pair of shoes that you don't really need but want anyways........send the cash to the forum instead. if this place really does mean that much to you......make it happen. (after all you can all afford your on-line servers!!!) in light, jade ps and in the meantime tarotbear made an excellent suggestion of everyone turning off their signatures to assist with loading times............... :)

Jewel	08 Feb 2002
Aeclectic is the Tarot community I always searched for. I have been learning so much since I came here, and hope to also have contributed to others. I am committed to purchasing my decks through this site when possible. I did try to access the pay pal option to make my donation, however I could not scroll down in the notice window to get to it (it would close) ... I need some technical assistance in order to make the donation. Thanks for you help and for helping me support this wonderful community. Love & Light,

Solandia	12 Feb 2002
Jewel: there is also a donation link on this page: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/support.html Thank you, Solandia

Pollux	13 Feb 2002
HEY!!! :) Solandia uploaded my review of "I Tarocchi Celtici"!!! :) Now I do feel a bit better! Even though it's not much of a contribution... Unluckily, that's the only type of contribution I'm allowed. But I'll write others maybe... Who knows. Solandia: am at your complete availability! :)

Liliana	13 Feb 2002
I bought a used deck at amazon the other day, started bygoing through the link here to the deck then clicked on the used one, does aeclectic get a portion of the used decks priice? Im too poor to buy new decks lol (for thecurious, it was Tarot of the Cat People, cost me 9.11 including shipping lol)

Jewel	13 Feb 2002
Quote: Solandia (13 Feb, 2002 13:45): Jewel: there is also a donation link on this page: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/support.html Thank you, Solandia :( PayPal hates me! ... Yesterday I tried to sign up with the address Kaz sent me, and today with the link you gave me Solandia. For some reason it keeps saying I am missing information when I am not!!!! It always deletes my password ... and yes I made sure it had at least 8 characters. Solandia, would you be able to cash a personal check from the US? or a money order? For now I did what I could, applied to be a volunteer, but I would still like to contribute financially as well. Love & Light,

Solandia	14 Feb 2002
Pollux: Your review of i Tarocchi Celtici was excellent... I would like to see more reviews from you :) Liliana: unfortunately Amazon.com does not pay a commission on used items. New books and items only. ~ Solandia

Pollux	15 Feb 2002
OK my Webmaster! I'll take it as an official request. :-) Thee days are BUSY BUSY BUSY!!! :( But I'll surely come up with something else. I promise. I'm happy you appreciated it. ;D

purplelady	16 Feb 2002
This forum means a lot to me, I Love you all!! Solandia , I was wondering the same thing as Jewel. Would you take a US money order? It's the same as cash but would be much smarter to send through the mail than cash. That would probubly be the way I would be able and willing to pay. Most unfortunately , I cannot right now , but hopefully I make some $ in the future here soon!

The What does the aeclectic forum mean to you? thread was originally posted on 01 Feb 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.