The Cellar: Why donating is good for you.

<b>The Beginning</b>

I first came to the Cellar in the spring of 2001. I found it through a link in someone's signature on Slashdot. And, like most of you, I came in through the Image of the Day. I lurked for a long time - I was really just here for the images, which fascinated me as well as gave me something to look forward to for the next work day. Then, one day, I saw a place where my two cents might actually contribute to the conversation. I registered and first posted on June 11, 2001. I had not the slightest idea of how that first post would change me.

Once I was over that initial hump, I began to feel more comfortable with the idea of posting. I could tell right off the bat that this wasn't Slashdot, where the noise ratio is obscenely high. Only thoughtful and useful posts would be tolerated here. And yet, I felt welcome. This was a real <b>community</b>.

I kept what I believe to be a low profile until a Tuesday in September, when I reluctantly posted what I knew <b>had</b> to be in the IotD forum - pictures from the World Trade Center attacks.

<b>The Post Explosion</b>

It wouldn't be accurate to say that September 11th prompted me to post more, but it wouldn't be accurate to say that it didn't. The truth is, <b>everyone</b> had something to say after that - and I was no different. It was around this time that I began exploring other areas of the Cellar as well, finding that I had more to share than I originally thought. Many emotions and thoughts had come out, and I found myself comfortable with posting.

I hardly spent <b>all</b> of my time reading and writing here, but I spent probably more than everyone else. I was fascinated with the community and how it worked. The social structures that grew within it. The bonds that formed. The intelligent discussions that were commonplace. It took me back to a time that I had nearly forgotten about - when online discussion was actually <b>meaningful</b> and <b>intelligent</b>.

<b>Where I Am Today</b>

The Cellar means a lot to me. It is a place where intelligent people can get together, so to speak, and talk about whatever is on their mind. I have changed it and it has changed me. I like to think that I was the first person here to really open up and put it all on the table. I like to think that the community prompted me to do so. I like to think that I've shown at least one person something that they hadn't considered before. I smile knowing that I've been shown things that <b>I</b> had not previously seen. I've made friends here. I've made good acquaintences. I've hopelessly frustrated people and I've been hopelessly frustrated. Everyone here is important. Everyone has an impact on what goes on. We are not faceless handles on Slashdot. We are real people. We are a community.

It's something that has a tremendous amount of meaning to me. It has taught me more than I care to admit. And why? Because we are a diverse group of human beings that share two common interests - people and intelligent conversation.

<b>What's It All About, Davey?</b>

The Cellar gets better as more intelligent people come on board. How do we get these people?

Targeted advertising. Purchasing small, unobtrusive text ads from sites like ours. Obviously, there is no other site that is quite like the Cellar. That is why many people that see the ads and respond to them will not be valuable to the community. But maybe one out of every hundred will "get" what this is about, or be fascinated by it, and join. Out of those that join, maybe 1 in 5 will regularly contribute. These are intelligent people that understand and appreciate the community that we have. And, in having that appreciation and contributing their thoughts, they become a part of it. The Cellar has more intelligent conversation, a greater sense of community... it grows better.

<b>What Do I Get From This?</b>

Another point of view to consider. A friend. A great source of kayaking images. Some guy with a cat that's pretty tight with Photoshop.

I can't tell you what will come of a donation, but I have got to believe that it will be worth it for you. You are directly contributing to what might as well be called the "Get The Cellar Some Kickass Members Fund".

<b>How Do I Do It?</b>

See that PayPal button on the bottom of the page? Click it and donate a couple of bucks. Or $25. Whatever you can afford. Whatever is worth it to you. Your donation will go directly toward purchasing text advertisements on sites like the Cellar. Your donation may be responsible for bringing in three or four or more really valuable minds. That's worth twenty five bucks, right?

<b>Why Are You Writing This?</b>

I want to see the Cellar continue to grow in a positive direction. We are already an amazing community, but a few more folks are always welcome.

I get no money from this. No one has asked me to write this. And I've got to believe that some part of it will not sit right with Tony. But it's important to me, and I'm not too proud to ask you to chip in a few bucks for something I believe you will feel is worth it.

I donated a few months ago. I put $100 in, which is what I could afford at the time. That money was directly responsible for bringing in a number of people - lawman and Ike_is_my_Cat were, I believe, directed here through a Fark classified purchased with my donation. Know what? They alone were worth it. They are now valuable members of our community. And they weren't the only ones that came on. A Fark classified is only $25.

<b>The End</b>

I'll answer any questions anyone has. Don't feel <b>obligated</b> to donate, but understand that it really can be a great deal for you. All it takes is a few minutes of your time...

[Undertoad]

I'll just say that with Dave's money I put ads on a ton of places, and found Fark and Kuro5hin led to the most users and I suspect the best quality users. And it wasn't just those two who came in after Dave's donation; there were about 50 user accounts created during the two weeks I was guying ads from his dough, making up about a tenth of the entire user base.

D didn't say it but 115% of your Paypal donation goes to ad buying, and a key time for pushing the system is going to be coming up soon. 115% because every time people put money in I put money in too.

I keep talking about the summer slumps, well, in three weeks that time period is going to be over. The day after Labor Day would in theory be an important time to nudge people that there are new things to see on the net. And there are new places to advertise all the time.

[Tobiasly]

I buy and sell on eBay often enough that I often have a few bucks left in PayPal that just sit there for a while. Next time that happens, I'll be sure to think of the Cellar..

Originally posted by Undertoad
there were about 50 user accounts created during the two weeks I was guying ads from his dough,

Ooops!

[Undertoad]

I'm not correcting that one. :p