VegettoEX Dot Com

Thoughts On Donations?

This is a subject I am heavily conflicted on.

Ever since the dawn of Daizenshuu EX (and VegettoEX’s Home Page and Ultimate DBZ Links Page before them), I have done anything and everything in my power to keep things as “real” and “transparent” as I can with the site. I have never asked the community for anything, and do not expect anything in return for running the site. There have been plenty of generous “donations” over the years (for example, our buddy godofchaos has been hosting the podcast for us free of charge, and we’ll be porting over the forum to his server in the near future; many years ago our old buddy Scott, or SREDBZ, used to host our website for us). We’ve even had prize donations for website contests. These have always been unsolicited, mean the world to us, and make the community a better place.

I’ve had people ask about monetary donations in the past, but I’ve always struck them down. This is for fans, BY fans, gosh darn it! Things are a little different now. I’m not a 16-year-old punk kid starting a links page. The wife and I are lucky to be two educated adults with full-time, well-paying jobs, but there’s no denying what the current economic situation is.

Time to be a little realistic. Especially with our first home purchase entering the picture, one can’t help but wonder what a couple extra bucks would mean.

There are new guide books coming out. There are new CDs coming out. Shipping from Japan ain’t cheap. Equipment could use replacing and upgrading. Thinking about trying some new conventions.

Despite never having done so in the past, I’m seriously considering putting up a PayPal “Donate Now!” button over on Daizenshuu EX. Part of me feels… ya’ know, so what? Tons of other websites, blogs, and podcasts do this (including some of my favorites). I even paid for a premium version of a podcast for a while before it unfortunately passed on, and I didn’t think twice about supporting it. I tossed a couple bucks over to the CO-OP guys right after they got laid off from 1UP.

The other part of me freezes up and feels like a total sell-out. It goes against everything I’ve tried to do in the past. I feel like we are in such a (comparatively speaking) great, financially-secure place… what right do I have to ask anyone for anything, even indirectly like this? What reason do they even have to take me seriously?

So I guess that’s what my question is. What reason(s) do you have for even taking such a request seriously? If you saw that button pop up, how would you feel? How do you think the rest of the fanbase and community, the ones who don’t take the time to respond but are just as important, would feel? What would you like to see done with any donation you may or may not make, regardless of how little or grand it may or may not be?

I’m definitely waiting to hear your responses. It’s not as important or dire as I think I’ve made it out to be, but your thoughts and responses are genuinely welcome. I’m going to cross-post this on the Daizenshuu EX forum (there’s obviously a larger reader base there right now), but please feel free to leave blog comments. If you would rather privately send your thoughts, go ahead and just send them on over to VegettoEX@aol.com.

Thanks so much, everyone!

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Comments

5 responses to “Thoughts On Donations?”

  1. BrakusJS Avatar
    BrakusJS

    Trust me on this one, you’re not selling out. You’re just doing what’s necessary. If people like your work, they’ll show their appreciation in one way or another.

    I like your site and podcast, and I know I’ve plugged your works whenever appropriate and possible at conventions and such, even if it’s just “www.daizex.com”. I know I’ve asked before if I should send you some little donation to your website/podcast. I’m sure others think likewise. Think of the donation link as a nice little monetary surprise every so often, much like when people send you Dragon Ball-related stuff in the mail.

    Reply
  2. SSj_Rambo Avatar
    SSj_Rambo

    I think it would very appropriate! You offered hundreds of hours of free quality and enjoyable entertainment to myself, and hundreds of others, the least we can do is have the opportunity to repay you in whatever way we feel we owe.

    I would be in full support of a donation system, and would definitely contribute, and would definitely do it in thanks. I’m also sure that in doing so, you will give countless others who are in similar situations the courage to do the same, and see that it’s not something to be ashamed of; it’s an aspect of business and modern life.

    Reply
  3. Meliza Avatar
    Meliza

    What reason(s) do you have for even taking such a request seriously? If you saw that button pop up, how would you feel? How do you think the rest of the fanbase and community, the ones who don’t take the time to respond but are just as important, would feel? What would you like to see done with any donation you may or may not make, regardless of how little or grand it may or may not be?

    I wouldn’t feel anything negative if I saw the button pop up. You’ve got the best and longest running DB fansite around and have never asked anything from us. Knowing that there were actually good people who WANTED to donate is reason enough to put up a button so at least they now have the option of donating if they so pleased. I think you’ve done a great job running the site this way so far without asking for donations that there would be nothing wrong at this point to at least leave the option of donating open to people. I think the rest of the fanbase would feel similarly. I mean it’s not like you’re shoving it down their throats like “omg donate or we’re shutting down”, you’re just quietly leaving the option available 🙂 . I think any donation money that’s not used to pay for hosting would be put to good use in getting merchandise info up, such as CD or book scans, possibly sample tracks or guide translations??

    Reply
  4. Forgotten Hero Avatar
    Forgotten Hero

    I have to agree with SSj_Rambo, though I sound like a Vegetto EX fan boy constantly, this is a matter we must all take upon ourselves. I love this community, and it has offered a haven for fun and for getting away from the world. The last thing I want is for it all to go away.
    I remember something you, Mike, said years ago about Toriyama.org, and that was the name of the site being taken from under Mr. Simmons. You said “…had this been about now we could have all very easily taken care of this.” Well, it’s our turn to care of it for you. We or I need to help you like you have helped us, and in my case given me a place on the internet. We need to take care of this now, collectively.

    Reply
  5. Laserkid Avatar
    Laserkid

    Dude, if I saw a donate now paypal link to your site, I’d probably drop you a few bucks. We’re not close friends or anything, but we’ve known eachother since the late 90s, and I have no reservations with helping a friend out.

    Moreover, ignoring that – Daizenshuu EX has been a HUGE part of my life, when I ran into it I was a punk idiotic late teenager. I’ve grown up with this specific segment of the fandom. It’s a peice of my OWN history in a sick twisted sort of way. I would do whatever I could to help preserve it for the future.

    Reply

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