DOL Upgrade... costs?

[DanePillow]

I hope no one will take this in any wrong way, but I am curious about the fundraising effort to improve DOL.

What is the expected cost breakdown for the update/upgrade? (As distinct from ongoing server/bandwidth costs for operation.)

[jrturk]

I hope no one will take this in any wrong way, but I am curious about the fundraising effort to improve DOL.

What is the expected cost breakdown for the update/upgrade? (As distinct from ongoing server/bandwidth costs for operation.)

I assume the biggest expense would be hiring an IT consultant.

[DanePillow]

It's just a little... unusual to ask for commercial-level cost support for online system built from free and low-cost software. Running costs (for servers and bandwidth), certainly - those can get high for a site with as many users as this one. System support itself is typically absorbed by the operator(s) and volunteers from the user pool.

Absolutely no aspersions being cast, here - I just think it's the first time I've seen a forum or interactive site at the hobbyist level ask for support for a commercial/professional upgrade. (I've been an online site operator since... well, since before there was an online. FIDONET, anyone? - and oddly enough, that had nothing to do with dogs.)

But that's why I raised the question. I could be missing something here.

[GoingPostal]

Absolutely no aspersions being cast, here - I just think it's the first time I've seen a forum or interactive site at the hobbyist level ask for support for a commercial/professional upgrade..

Really? I've seen it on almost every dog, reptile and fish forum I'm on.

[oceanbluedanes]

I do wish they could be a little more clear about what they mean by "bigger and better".

[oceanbluedanes]

Really? I've seen it on almost every dog, reptile and fish forum I'm on.

Me too. It's fairly common practice I would say.

[DanePillow]

Really? I've seen it on almost every dog, reptile and fish forum I'm on.

Me too. It's fairly common practice I would say.

Okay. Perhaps I'm just more used to tech-oriented forums where such things are handled by the operators or volunteers, since there's a natural overlap. With a non-tech focus, the pool of people who can rewrite a forum skin or integrate new features might be a little smaller.

I do wish they could be a little more clear about what they mean by "bigger and better".

The Kickstarter page has an ambitious list. It might be worth reposting it here in a topic, instead of just in a global notice.

A little surprised that the ops are going outside for a new logo... now that's something I'd bet the user base could handle, in a contest or just for the attaboy...

[mnmouse]

I like the logo just as it is. It's branded into MY mind as DOL forever--and the dane looks so much like my Echo. I don't want it to change