Hello everyone,

Firstly I would like to thank all the users for making this service what it is. We've shattered two more member records during the month of February (Last daily record: 15 new users on Jan 2nd, 2009. New daily record: 24 new users on Feb. 24th and March 1st. Last monthly record: 209 new users in January. New monthly record: 275 in February!) Good job!

Unfortunately, this doesn't come without it's problems, which is the reason I made this post. The reason why you are getting "Service Unavailable" errors, and occasional broken images instead of randomizers is because we are exceeding our connection limit at that particular moment. (Yes, we had this issue with our previous host as well, but at least my current host could figure out the problem).

I am currently on GoDaddy's highest level of shared Windows hosting. No, I am nowhere near exceeding the bandwidth & space limits of that, or even the limits of the plan one level down. It is simply the connection limit that is causing problems. I have tried various optimizations, but it appears that the only way I can truly fix the problem is to get a Virtual Dedicated Server. Changing hosts is way too much trouble (if you remember the last one: It took me about a month) and it probably won't even end up fixing the problem.

What I am thinking will suit our needs is the Windows Deluxe Plan. At this time, it is simply not affordable, especially considering the fact that I'm not making money off of this service. This is why I would like you to consider donating to help me get this new server. I consider this service a hobby for me (quite an expensive one: both in terms of time and money), but I enjoy providing this service and seeing others use my creation. However, I do want it to be a reliable service. Once I see that there is enough money to cover a significant portion of the price difference between the hosting plans, I will go ahead with the upgrade. Remember that I'm providing this service for you. By donating you will be helping to improve the quality of your service, as well as the service of the other users. And if that isn't enough, I will find appropriate ways to recognize your donation if you wish to do so.

I will finish by making this clear: I will always strive to the best of my ability to always keep this service free, and will not suddenly pull the service leaving your data nowhere to be found. So for the time being, I will keep the service running as best as I can on the current system.

Also, no donation is too little or too much. Remember that keeping just keeping the server running will have a significant cost as well...

Thank you,
Jason (aka frufru)

If you have any related comments/questions, feel free to post them here.

(You can also find the new donate button down the right side of the random-image.net home page)

Thank you for creating Image Randomizers, Jason.

We love it!

Unfortunately, I'm just a poor nerd, otherwise I'd love to donate, but I'll do whatever I can to help if it's needed.

Hey FruFru, How much do you need? i could maybe donate some money, maybe 10+ dollars.

feel free to talk to me about it on PBS, i'm on there much more than most sites i'm a member of.

Posted By Richie (SoE™) on 8th Mar 09 at 1:43pm

 

Hey FruFru, How much do you need? i could maybe donate some money, maybe 10+ dollars.

feel free to talk to me about it on PBS, i'm on there much more than most sites i'm a member of.

if you could do that that would be great . Every little bit counts, and it can add up significantly if even just a small percentage of my membership donates around that amount (I just got taken by surprise again when my membership reached 2700 this morning)

This VPS is going to cost around $600/year to operate. I think that if I expected to get that full amount simply out of donations I'd be expecting too much, but if I can at least manage to obtain the difference (Right now my hosting is around $200/year - paid out of my own pocket). Anyway, I might drop you a message on PBS a bit later, I just wanted to answer this publicly

Posted By frufru on 8th Mar 09 at 2:32pm

 

Posted By Richie (SoE™) on 8th Mar 09 at 1:43pm

 

Hey FruFru, How much do you need? i could maybe donate some money, maybe 10+ dollars.

feel free to talk to me about it on PBS, i'm on there much more than most sites i'm a member of.

if you could do that that would be great . Every little bit counts, and it can add up significantly if even just a small percentage of my membership donates around that amount (I just got taken by surprise again when my membership reached 2700 this morning)

This VPS is going to cost around $600/year to operate. I think that if I expected to get that full amount simply out of donations I'd be expecting too much, but if I can at least manage to obtain the difference (Right now my hosting is around $200/year - paid out of my own pocket). Anyway, I might drop you a message on PBS a bit later, I just wanted to answer this publicly

ok, cool

if i made more money (or won the lotto) i'd donate an easy $100+ probably.

anywho good luck on getting the money!

Sorry, but this is really a bad month for me to donate But depends on when you need it.

Posted By rickace on 17th Mar 09 at 6:06pm

 

Sorry, but this is really a bad month for me to donate But depends on when you need it.

There isn't any specific time I need it for. But the sooner the money comes, the sooner I can get you guys the new server...

Okay, I'll try to save up for you