Cost for Private website for Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas....

Posted by Medium Al (hjulbyhavn@…>)

I just looked up the current cost for getting a fully featured
Freedom Web site on GoDaddy.com (they are considered good for a
budget internet host).

Domain Name per year: $10 or less

FredomSailers.com IS AVAILABLE

FredomYachtOwners.com is up for renewal and may become available at
regular price fairly soon.

100GB website $6-7 per month (annual)The site can have subdomains for
the different boat types.

Look here: https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/hosting/shared.asp?se=%
2B&app%5Fhdr=&ci=5652

Adding a 20 item Shopping Cart for i.e. Sweatshirts and Flags would
add less than $ 10 a month (there a setup fee for a Merchant account)

The Subdomain Feature id free and very nice to
have …

for example: for F25 specific stuff (replace the www. with F25)

F25.freedomowners.com

or Homepages for each member of the group by Hull Number i.e F36 Mull
#34

F36M-34.freedomowners.com – This kind of subdomain can be on the
same site (and share cost) or be pointed to an owners private website.

or by boatname “freely” (again no www.)

freely.freedomsailors.com

They will pay us to buy addspace for Google and others but I would
rather pay cash than put up with that.

I will personally make a contribution towards splitting the cost and
help set it up if there is an interest.

Posted by sgaber@…> (sgaber@…>)

Medium:

You said that “FredomSailers.com IS AVAILABLE.”

But is FreedomSailors.com available?

Steve Gaber
Sanderling, 1967 C-31 #77
Oldsmar, FL

---- Medium Al <hjulbyhavn@…> wrote:

I just looked up the current cost for getting a fully featured
Freedom Web site on GoDaddy.com (they are considered good for a
budget internet host).

Domain Name per year: $10 or less

FredomSailers.com IS AVAILABLE

FredomYachtOwners.com is up for renewal and may become available at
regular price fairly soon.

100GB website $6-7 per month (annual)The site can have subdomains for
the different boat types.

Look here: https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/hosting/shared.asp?se=%
2B&app%5Fhdr=&ci=5652

Adding a 20 item Shopping Cart for i.e. Sweatshirts and Flags would
add less than $ 10 a month (there a setup fee for a Merchant account)

The Subdomain Feature id free and very nice to
have …

for example: for F25 specific stuff (replace the www. with F25)

F25.freedomowners.com

or Homepages for each member of the group by Hull Number i.e F36 Mull
#34

F36M-34.freedomowners.com – This kind of subdomain can be on the
same site (and share cost) or be pointed to an owners private website.

or by boatname “freely” (again no www.)

freely.freedomsailors.com

They will pay us to buy addspace for Google and others but I would
rather pay cash than put up with that.

I will personally make a contribution towards splitting the cost and
help set it up if there is an interest.

Posted by slangevar48 (crawfordceramics@…>)

I am certainly up for this idea! Happy to chip in.
we could really structure a more interesting website than on the
yahoo forums, all kinds of features can be set up and it can be a
sort of portal to many related sites. it would be super to
offer “Freedom” paraphenalia for sale to offset the cost of
maintenance. I’ll look into using the freedom logo and other images
for these purposes.
who else out there is interested?
Randy

— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com, “Medium Al”
<hjulbyhavn@…> wrote:

I just looked up the current cost for getting a fully featured
Freedom Web site on GoDaddy.com (they are considered good for a
budget internet host).

Domain Name per year: $10 or less

FredomSailers.com IS AVAILABLE

FredomYachtOwners.com is up for renewal and may become available at
regular price fairly soon.

100GB website $6-7 per month (annual)The site can have subdomains
for
the different boat types.

Look here: https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/hosting/shared.asp?se=%
2B&app%5Fhdr=&ci=5652

Adding a 20 item Shopping Cart for i.e. Sweatshirts and Flags would
add less than $ 10 a month (there a setup fee for a Merchant
account)

The Subdomain Feature id free and very nice to
have …

for example: for F25 specific stuff (replace the www. with F25)

F25.freedomowners.com

or Homepages for each member of the group by Hull Number i.e F36
Mull
#34

F36M-34.freedomowners.com – This kind of subdomain can be on the
same site (and share cost) or be pointed to an owners private
website.

or by boatname “freely” (again no www.)

freely.freedomsailors.com

They will pay us to buy addspace for Google and others but I would
rather pay cash than put up with that.

I will personally make a contribution towards splitting the cost
and
help set it up if there is an interest.

Posted by Payne, Doug (doug.payne@…>)


I am interested and will chip in.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••


Doug
Freedom 28 #2 Free at Sea




From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of slangevar48
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008
1:28 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re:
Cost for Private website for Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas…




I am certainly up for this idea! Happy to chip in.
we could really structure a more interesting website than on the
yahoo forums, all kinds of features can be set up and it can be a
sort of portal to many related sites. it would be super to
offer “Freedom” paraphenalia for sale to offset the cost of
maintenance. I’ll look into using the freedom logo and other images
for these purposes.
who else out there is interested?
Randy

— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com,
“Medium Al”
<hjulbyhavn@…> wrote:

I just looked up the current cost for getting a fully featured
Freedom Web site on GoDaddy.com (they are considered good for a
budget internet host).

Domain Name per year: $10 or less

FredomSailers.com IS AVAILABLE

FredomYachtOwners.com is up for renewal and may become available at
regular price fairly soon.

100GB website $6-7 per month (annual)The site can have subdomains
for
the different boat types.

Look here: https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/hosting/shared.asp?se=%
2B&app%5Fhdr=&ci=5652

Adding a 20 item Shopping Cart for i.e. Sweatshirts and Flags would
add less than $ 10 a month (there a setup fee for a Merchant
account)

The Subdomain Feature id free and very nice to
have …

for example: for F25 specific stuff (replace the www. with F25)

F25.freedomowners.com

or Homepages for each member of the group by Hull Number i.e F36
Mull
#34

F36M-34.freedomowners.com – This kind of subdomain can be on the
same site (and share cost) or be pointed to an owners private
website.

or by boatname “freely” (again no www.)

freely.freedomsailors.com

They will pay us to buy addspace for Google and others but I would
rather pay cash than put up with that.

I will personally make a contribution towards splitting the cost
and
help set it up if there is an interest.


\

Posted by Fargo Rousseau (fargo_r@…>)
I’ll chip in… I have loved the present groups…and benefited by them. Have not moved on to my second Freedom…but looking. FargoEX F30 #12 owner"Payne, Doug" <doug.payne@…> wrote: I am interested and will chip in. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Doug Freedom 28 #2 Free at Sea From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of slangevar48 Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 1:28 PM To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Cost for Private website for Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas… I am certainly up for this idea! Happy to chip in. we could really structure a more interesting website than on the yahoo forums, all kinds of features can be set up and it can be a sort of portal to many related sites. it would be super to offer “Freedom” paraphenalia for sale to offset the cost of maintenance. I’ll look into using the freedom logo and other images for these purposes. who else out there is interested? Randy — In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com, “Medium Al” <hjulbyhavn@…> wrote: > > I just looked up the current cost for getting a fully featured > Freedom Web site on GoDaddy.com
(they are considered good for a > budget internet host). > > Domain Name per year: $10 or less > > FredomSailers.com IS AVAILABLE > > FredomYachtOwners.com is up for renewal and may become available at > regular price fairly soon. > > 100GB website $6-7 per month (annual)The site can have subdomains for > the different boat types. > > Look here: https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/hosting/shared.asp?se=% > 2B&app%5Fhdr=&ci=5652 > > Adding a 20 item Shopping Cart for i.e. Sweatshirts and Flags would > add less than $ 10 a month (there a setup fee for a Merchant account) > > The Subdomain Feature id free and very nice to > have … > > for example: for F25
specific stuff (replace the www. with F25) > > F25.freedomowners.com > > or Homepages for each member of the group by Hull Number i.e F36 Mull > #34 > > F36M-34.freedomowners.com – This kind of subdomain can be on the > same site (and share cost) or be pointed to an owners private website. > > or by boatname “freely” (again no www.) > > freely.freedomsailors.com > > They will pay us to buy addspace for Google and others but I would > rather pay cash than put up with that. > > I will personally make a contribution towards splitting the cost and > help set it up if there is an interest. >

Posted by Alan Kusinitz (akusinitz@…>)


I paid for the www.freedomownersgroup.com domain
name for the last 2 years. I registered it back when we were trying to form a
bit more organized group. Nothing came of it and some people were against it so
I didn’t renew it last month when it came due but its most likely still
available.
Alan





From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Payne, Doug
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008
2:49 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup]
Re: Cost for Private website for Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas…





I am interested and will chip in.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••



Doug
Freedom 28 #2 Free at Sea




From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of slangevar48
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008
1:28 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup]
Re: Cost for Private website for Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas…




I am
certainly up for this idea! Happy to chip in.
we could really structure a more interesting website than on the
yahoo forums, all kinds of features can be set up and it can be a
sort of portal to many related sites. it would be super to
offer “Freedom” paraphenalia for sale to offset the cost of
maintenance. I’ll look into using the freedom logo and other images
for these purposes.
who else out there is interested?
Randy

— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com,
“Medium Al”
<hjulbyhavn@…> wrote:

I just looked up the current cost for getting a fully featured
Freedom Web site on GoDaddy.com (they are considered good for a
budget internet host).

Domain Name per year: $10 or less

FredomSailers.com IS AVAILABLE

FredomYachtOwners.com is up for renewal and may become available at
regular price fairly soon.

100GB website $6-7 per month (annual)The site can have subdomains
for
the different boat types.

Look here: https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/hosting/shared.asp?se=%
2B&app%5Fhdr=&ci=5652

Adding a 20 item Shopping Cart for i.e. Sweatshirts and Flags would
add less than $ 10 a month (there a setup fee for a Merchant
account)

The Subdomain Feature id free and very nice to
have …

for example: for F25 specific stuff (replace the www. with F25)

F25.freedomowners.com

or Homepages for each member of the group by Hull Number i.e F36
Mull
#34

F36M-34.freedomowners.com – This kind of subdomain can be on the
same site (and share cost) or be pointed to an owners private
website.

or by boatname “freely” (again no www.)

freely.freedomsailors.com

They will pay us to buy addspace for Google and others but I would
rather pay cash than put up with that.

I will personally make a contribution towards splitting the cost
and
help set it up if there is an interest.






\

Posted by Randy (crawfordceramics@…>)
Hi Alan, Do you recall the reasons against it? I just joined up here last june and wasn’t aware that had transpired, how far did the project get?Alan Kusinitz <akusinitz@…> wrote: I paid for the www.freedomownersgroup.com domain name for the last 2 years. I registered it back when we were trying to
form a bit more organized group. Nothing came of it and some people were against it so I didn’t renew it last month when it came due but its most likely still available. Alan From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Payne, DougSent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 2:49 PMTo: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.comSubject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Cost for Private website for Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas… I am interested and will chip in. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Doug Freedom 28 #2 Free at Sea From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of slangevar48Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 1:28 PMTo: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.comSubject: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Cost for Private website for Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas… I am certainly up for this idea! Happy to chip in.we could really structure a more interesting website than on the yahoo forums, all kinds of features can be set up and it can be a sort of portal to many related sites. it would be super to offer “Freedom” paraphenalia for sale to offset the cost of maintenance. I’ll look into using the freedom logo and other images for these purposes.who else out there is interested?Randy— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com, “Medium Al” <hjulbyhavn@…> wrote:>> I just looked up the current cost for getting a fully featured > Freedom Web site on GoDaddy.com (they are considered good for a > budget internet
host).> > Domain Name per year: $10 or less> > FredomSailers.com IS AVAILABLE> > FredomYachtOwners.com is up for renewal and may become available at > regular price fairly soon.> > 100GB website $6-7 per month (annual)The site can have subdomains for > the different boat types. > > Look here: https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/hosting/shared.asp?se=%> 2B&app%5Fhdr=&ci=5652> > Adding a 20 item Shopping Cart for i.e. Sweatshirts and Flags would > add less than $ 10 a month (there a setup fee for a Merchant account)> > The Subdomain Feature id free and very nice to > have …> > for example: for F25 specific stuff (replace the www. with F25)> >
F25.freedomowners.com > > or Homepages for each member of the group by Hull Number i.e F36 Mull > #34> > F36M-34.freedomowners.com – This kind of subdomain can be on the > same site (and share cost) or be pointed to an owners private website.> > or by boatname “freely” (again no www.)> > freely.freedomsailors.com> > They will pay us to buy addspace for Google and others but I would > rather pay cash than put up with that.> > I will personally make a contribution towards splitting the cost and > help set it up if there is an interest.>

Posted by Medium Al (hjulbyhavn@…>)

Well hello and thanks for the strong response. Keep in mind that the
F21 group might want to join as well if it structured right.

What we need is a core group that can share or take turns at keeping
it flowing.

I will take a closer look at the website administration features to
see what and how it can be administered. If we can give partial admin
rights to some people it will be much easier to manage sub-pages for
example for boat sizes and individuals.

I am at work but will chime in later.

Posted by Alan Kusinitz (akusinitz@…>)


I have a list of everyone that volunteered
to participate the last time. I also saved emails from people with ideas and
what they would volunteer for.
One member was going to file paperwork for
a not for profit corporation so we could handle funding formally and
transparently. Apparently the paperwork was rejected and never got followed up
on.
I’m traveling but can send further
info next week.
Alan





From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Randy
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008
3:41 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup]
Re: Cost for Private website for Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas…





Hi Alan,


Do you recall the reasons against it?


I just joined up here last june and wasn’t aware


that had transpired, how far did the project get?

Alan Kusinitz
<akusinitz@yahoo.com> wrote:






I paid for the www.freedomownersgroup.com domain
name for the last 2 years. I registered it back when we were trying to form a
bit more organized group. Nothing came of it and some people were against it so
I didn’t renew it last month when it came due but its most likely still
available.


Alan







From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Payne, Doug
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008
2:49 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup]
Re: Cost for Private website for Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas…








I am interested and will chip in.



•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••





Doug


Freedom 28 #2 Free at Sea






From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of slangevar48
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008
1:28 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup]
Re: Cost for Private website for Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas…







I am certainly up for this idea! Happy to chip in.
we could really structure a more interesting website than on the
yahoo forums, all kinds of features can be set up and it can be a
sort of portal to many related sites. it would be super to
offer “Freedom” paraphenalia for sale to offset the cost of
maintenance. I’ll look into using the freedom logo and other images
for these purposes.
who else out there is interested?
Randy

— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com,
“Medium Al”
<hjulbyhavn@…> wrote:

I just looked up the current cost for getting a fully featured
Freedom Web site on GoDaddy.com (they are considered good for a
budget internet host).

Domain Name per year: $10 or less

FredomSailers.com IS AVAILABLE

FredomYachtOwners.com is up for renewal and may become available at
regular price fairly soon.

100GB website $6-7 per month (annual)The site can have subdomains
for
the different boat types.

Look here: https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/hosting/shared.asp?se=%
2B&app%5Fhdr=&ci=5652

Adding a 20 item Shopping Cart for i.e. Sweatshirts and Flags would
add less than $ 10 a month (there a setup fee for a Merchant
account)

The Subdomain Feature id free and very nice to
have …

for example: for F25 specific stuff (replace the www. with F25)

F25.freedomowners.com

or Homepages for each member of the group by Hull Number i.e F36
Mull
#34

F36M-34.freedomowners.com – This kind of subdomain can be on the
same site (and share cost) or be pointed to an owners private
website.

or by boatname “freely” (again no www.)

freely.freedomsailors.com

They will pay us to buy addspace for Google and others but I would
rather pay cash than put up with that.

I will personally make a contribution towards splitting the cost
and
help set it up if there is an interest.












\



\

Posted by Al Lorman (ajl@…>)


Alan:

The
paperwork was not rejected, I just never filed anything with the IRS because of
the opposition. For simply raising funds to run a web site, I don’t
think we’d need IRS recognition of not-for-profit status.

Al
Lorman
F30
Ab Initio



From:
FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Alan Kusinitz
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 11:06 AM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Cost for Private website for
Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas…

\





I have a
list of everyone that volunteered to participate the last time. I also saved
emails from people with ideas and what they would volunteer for.
One member
was going to file paperwork for a not for profit corporation so we could handle
funding formally and transparently. Apparently the paperwork was rejected and
never got followed up on.
I’m
traveling but can send further info next week.
Alan





From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Randy
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 3:41 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Cost for Private website for
Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas…





Hi
Alan,


Do
you recall the reasons against it?


I
just joined up here last june and wasn’t aware


that
had transpired, how far did the project get?

Alan Kusinitz <akusinitz@…> wrote:






I paid for
the www.freedomownersgroup.com
domain name for the last 2 years. I registered it back when we were trying to
form a bit more organized group. Nothing came of it and some people were
against it so I didn’t renew it last month when it came due but its most
likely still available.


Alan






From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Payne, Doug
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 2:49 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Cost for Private website for
Freedom Yacht Owners and a few good ideas…







I am
interested and will chip in.



•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••




Doug


Freedom
28 #2 Free at Sea





From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of slangevar48
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 1:28 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: Cost for Private website for Freedom
Yacht Owners and a few good ideas…






I
am certainly up for this idea! Happy to chip in.
we could really structure a more interesting website than on the
yahoo forums, all kinds of features can be set up and it can be a
sort of portal to many related sites. it would be super to
offer “Freedom” paraphenalia for sale to offset the cost of
maintenance. I’ll look into using the freedom logo and other images
for these purposes.
who else out there is interested?
Randy

— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com,
“Medium Al”
<hjulbyhavn@…> wrote:

I just looked up the current cost for getting a fully featured
Freedom Web site on GoDaddy.com (they are considered good for a
budget internet host).

Domain Name per year: $10 or less

FredomSailers.com IS AVAILABLE

FredomYachtOwners.com is up for renewal and may become available at
regular price fairly soon.

100GB website $6-7 per month (annual)The site can have subdomains
for
the different boat types.

Look here: https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/hosting/shared.asp?se=%
2B&app%5Fhdr=&ci=5652

Adding a 20 item Shopping Cart for i.e. Sweatshirts and Flags would
add less than $ 10 a month (there a setup fee for a Merchant
account)

The Subdomain Feature id free and very nice to
have …

for example: for F25 specific stuff (replace the www. with F25)

F25.freedomowners.com

or Homepages for each member of the group by Hull Number i.e F36
Mull
#34

F36M-34.freedomowners.com – This kind of subdomain can be on the
same site (and share cost) or be pointed to an owners private
website.

or by boatname “freely” (again no www.)

freely.freedomsailors.com

They will pay us to buy addspace for Google and others but I would
rather pay cash than put up with that.

I will personally make a contribution towards splitting the cost
and
help set it up if there is an interest.












\







\

Posted by Barry Stellrecht (yak@…>)

Hi folks,

I’ve had some experience setting up both organizations and websites,
and I’ve got a couple thoughts for you all:

First, incorporating and getting approved with the IRS, and getting a
bank account is quite a bother–worth it for a “big” organization with
a “large” budget–it needs various papers signed, and four people
willing to be on the board of directors. Some of this work will have
to be done year after year too, including finding board members.

Second, the hosting requirements for this group would probably be
under $100/year, and I don’t know what this groups needs besides a
website. I expect that the expenses of incorporating and staying
“legal” would be as large or larger than the costs of hosting the
website.

Third, the largest “cost” of web hosting would really be maintenance
and administration. I don’t know how much work the moderators do here
in this group, but if we hosted it ourselves, we would have to do
additional work administering the forum/mailinglist software, making
backups, etc.

I’ve been hosting several smallish websites for years, so I can help
some if we do decide to put up our own website

Barry.

Posted by Randy (crawfordceramics@…>)
Thanks for your input Barry. I have been involved with several NPOs, and I think unless you need to generate more than say a $5000 a year to cover expenses for the entity, then just keep it simple and informal (legally) That’s great you have experience with these affairs. I agree that it is a huge bother maintaining NPO status. I think that by asking for a nominal fee annually or simply whatever donations and time/labor contributions from sustaining members a very interesting and diverse website can be created and maintained. I think boat owners generally are committed, dedicated and passionate people (I could be wrong), generally speaking. I think that 5-10 people who decide they want to take on a piece of what happens on this site can manage it fine, without over extending themselves. I (obviously) am interested in contributing to this. In my own endeavors I have made the decision this year to develop several e-commerce type web
sites and work on harnessing the potential of internet marketing.(no, I won’t be spamming you all) E-commerce is pretty dry stuff, so I’d could use some sideline involvement in an activity that involves one of my favorite things to do in life- play with boats on the water! I think we should phrase a set of polling questions and see really how much interest there is amongst us all: 1. is this forum satisfying enough? 2. can you envision a Freedom owners site that can offer more? What ideas do you have? 3. would you be willing to contribute any money at all to see and participate in in a much more dynamic internet website? How much? 4. Would you be willing to contribute some time each month to maintaing or building our website? How much time? What skills do you have that you think may be useful to this cause? I wonder if Yahoo knows we are speaking of the notion of a mutiny… thoughts? Randy Barry Stellrecht <yak@…> wrote: Hi folks,I’ve had some experience setting up both organizations and websites,and I’ve got a couple thoughts for you all:First, incorporating and getting approved with the IRS, and getting abank account is quite a bother–worth it for a “big” organization witha “large” budget–it needs various papers signed, and four peoplewilling to be on the board of directors. Some of this work will haveto be done year after year too, including finding board
members.Second, the hosting requirements for this group would probably beunder $100/year, and I don’t know what this groups needs besides awebsite. I expect that the expenses of incorporating and staying"legal" would be as large or larger than the costs of hosting thewebsite.Third, the largest “cost” of web hosting would really be maintenanceand administration. I don’t know how much work the moderators do herein this group, but if we hosted it ourselves, we would have to doadditional work administering the forum/mailinglist software, makingbackups, etc.I’ve been hosting several smallish websites for years, so I can helpsome if we do decide to put up our own websiteBarry.