The Great Tree

Cycreim · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:34 pm Post subject:

How much money would that end up being? About $1000?
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Saxy · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:13 pm Post subject:

Saxy · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:34 pm Post subject:

I'm trying to get a feel for what online fundraisers are like, so I found a website like this one. I haven't read it all yet, but I think it's a good synopsis.

I've also made a friends-only post on my LiveJournal asking my Microsoft-employed friends about the logistics of purchasing Windows XP upgrades through the Microsoft Employee Store. More details to come.

Does anyone know of free fundraiser hosting on the internet? I'm sure there are some sources out there that will host fundraisers for free...
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Eleri · Great Tree Member Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 819

just FYI, GD is on vacation for a couple weeks.
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Saxy · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 1:11 am Post subject:

Doh, I completely forgot about that. Razz

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Durin Mephit · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 1:46 am Post subject:

Hm. Didn't realize it was several weeks. Thought he might be back by now.

If I see another effort take definite root before ours, I'll let you know Saxy. I know this is being talked about in other places, but nothing seems to be definitive anywhere yet.
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brian · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:39 pm Post subject:

I'm all for this, especially since it really only concerns 10 people. However, I'd like to be careful about this.

I really am a bit uncomfortable with the idea of getting this site involved in any organized charity efforts. The reason is because once you start dealing with real life charity in this kind of setting, it starts to get a little bit sticky. I'm not really sure what the political issues (if any) are around this issue, however would it look bad for us to donate a large amount of money to this kind of cause? Wouldn't some think it might be better for us to donate that money to another kind of charity? Would this sort of thing then obligate us to begin giving to other charities? Who decides what charities to give to? Do we need to appoint someone with the responsibility of researching charities to donate to?

Let's just think about the implications of doing this as a group. I'd like to see people go ahead with this, but I'm concerned about involving the actual group officially.

If you guys think I'm wrong about this, that's ok. I just wanted to express my concerns.
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brian · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:42 pm Post subject:

Here's another issue: Windows 2000 isn't a gaming OS. It was designed for corporate users as an upgrade to Windows NT 4.0 and any ability for it to run games is strictly a bonus. I personally don't think it's realistic to expect Cyan to support a 7 year old OS that was never designed to run games, and I'll stand by that. If we do anything, I want Cyan to make sure that we're not criticizing them on this.
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Durin Mephit · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:50 pm Post subject:

Brian,

I agree with everything above. It is odd that these folks are running W2K and trying to run games on it... but understanding the steaming loads of crap that MS sold as operating systems from Windows 95 through ME, I am willing to cut them some slack; 2K was much better than any of those OSes. XP didn't come out until 2001.

My suggestion is not for the group to donate money, but merely for some person to host and run the donation drive. I mentioned that The Great Tree is great about tearing down barriers, but I guess I wasn't clear that I wasn't suggesting our group affiliate directly with it.

Also, though some people such as myself have said we'd be willing to donate money towards such a cause, that is ultimately a decision for each individual to make (whether this is a worthy cause, or whether it would make sense to donate to some other charity).
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Eleri · Great Tree Member Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 819

I think if you take it from the context of 'charity', and aproach it as 'group of enthusiasts buying XP in bulk so others can join us' then it becomes much less sticky. There's nothing that says a bunch of people can't buy software, and then gift it to whomever.
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brian · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:08 pm Post subject:

Good points. I suggest we stay away from calling it charity. I'm sure the people who would benefit from this might prefer it that way as well.
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janaba1 · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:51 pm Post subject:

Very good and constructive thoughts and actions.
I feel we have a better foundation for this project now... Razz

Saxy · Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 3:31 pm Post subject:

Brian does bring up a few concerns I had while thinking about this project over the previous days. My main concern was what people might think about donating a lot of time and effort to this project and not... solving world hunger. I think it's stupid if someone were to criticize us for focusing our "charity" on buying Windows upgrades for ten individuals, but I wouldn't put it past the general public.

I'm ambivalent about whether the project is associated with the Great Tree or not.

Regarding the issue of calling it a "charity," I personally don't care what the recipients of the fund drive think of "us" calling it such.

Durin Mephit · Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject:

All the same, Saxy, the observation that "charity" is a loaded word is accurate. While the techy, geeky, introverted side of me says "Call a horse a horse," I decided to rename this discussion.

And for now, I propose that we table this talk until Tuesday or Wednesday.
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janaba1 · Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:10 pm Post subject:

Dear Saxy and everybody, Razz