Because You're Worth It, Metafilter. June 1, 2014 2:07 PM   Subscribe

How about a "Donate/Subscribe" link in the main menu of the site? As it stands now, if a user happens to hide the "Help Fund Metafilter" link at the top of the page, it disappears, never to be seen again. I don't think it's unseemly to make the option to support the site monetarily a little more visible and persistent.
posted by killdevil to Feature Requests at 2:07 PM (69 comments total) 4 users marked this as a favorite

Yeah, I plan to do something later this week with a link in the nav somewhere, and taking down the top banner soon after. Not sure exactly where it will end up, but it'll be somewhere in the header and footer. Also, I'll post a big update tomorrow about where we stand with the fundraising.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 2:08 PM on June 1, 2014 [15 favorites]


At least leave it up till we hit 3,000!
posted by Rhaomi at 2:26 PM on June 1, 2014 [9 favorites]


I can't be the only one who has the Help Fund MetaFilter page open in a tab and refreshes it every so often.
posted by arcticseal at 2:42 PM on June 1, 2014 [11 favorites]


What if members did a nude "Users of MetaFilter" calendar and donated profits to MeFi?

Or a calendar of art, profits donated.

Or a cookbook?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:55 PM on June 1, 2014


I would donate to make sure the nude users of Metafilter calendar never, ever gets produced.
posted by COD at 3:02 PM on June 1, 2014 [28 favorites]


What if members did a nude "Users of MetaFilter" calendar and donated profits to MeFi?

I'm all for body positivity and whatnot, but this prospect fills me with a nameless fear.
posted by killdevil at 3:03 PM on June 1, 2014 [9 favorites]


What if we auctioned off pieces of gman? Or klang? I'm not picky.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:04 PM on June 1, 2014


I feel threatened.
posted by gman at 3:34 PM on June 1, 2014


When I wrote the check, I thought it was (mildly) confusing who I should make it out to. Would you please add that info in the place where you give the address? I just wrote it to "MetaFilter Network, Inc," since that was in the address, and it wasn't a big deal -- just thought it might be good for it to be a little clearer, mostly because so many people (or I am, anyway!) are rusty at writing checks.
posted by rue72 at 3:38 PM on June 1, 2014


Yeah, writing it out to MetaFilter Network, INC is correct, and usually implied when you give out an address like that, but I could see how it's not absolutely clear.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 3:51 PM on June 1, 2014


An art calendar is an ideeeeaaaa

( SO CLOSE TO 3,000.)
posted by The Whelk at 3:53 PM on June 1, 2014 [1 favorite]


I don't understand why, given that most MeFi users have posted their favorite recipes many a time in AskMe, the idea of a MeFi (e-)cookbook fills me with glee.
posted by wintersweet at 3:54 PM on June 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


" YES, YOU SHOULD EAT THAT, FOOD AND ADVICE FROM THE USERS OF METAFILTER."
posted by The Whelk at 3:56 PM on June 1, 2014 [28 favorites]


If the choice is cookbook or naked calendar, I vote cookbook.

But unless it is cowritten by Julia Childs, I doubt it will make a dent in the financial gap.
posted by Dip Flash at 3:57 PM on June 1, 2014


To Serve Metafilter.


"*runs screaming down halls, it's a cookbook! A cookbook!*
posted by The Whelk at 4:01 PM on June 1, 2014 [4 favorites]


A cookbook of Mefi recipes, bought by mefites (and others of course) might add something.

No worries, gman. Just look at these flowers.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:02 PM on June 1, 2014 [1 favorite]


Naked Cooks book!
posted by a humble nudibranch at 4:02 PM on June 1, 2014


I WANT A LARGE MATHOWIE FACE SHOT GLOWERING AT ME WITH EVERY PAGE LOAD

WHY HAVEN'T YOU DONATED

WHY
posted by indubitable at 4:03 PM on June 1, 2014 [5 favorites]


The Whelk's Veal ( not people) Cheek Roast.
serves four cannibals

Step zone, obtain a bespoke high lapel flannel-patterned suit....
posted by The Whelk at 4:05 PM on June 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


Make sure to mention that you accept dogecoin.
posted by kafziel at 4:25 PM on June 1, 2014


April fool's day next year IS GONNA BE ROUGH.
posted by jenkinsEar at 4:31 PM on June 1, 2014 [4 favorites]


As it stands now, if a user happens to hide the "Help Fund Metafilter" link at the top of the page, it disappears, never to be seen again.

I think it's a good idea to have something more prominent, but for the record, if you log out and log back in, the banner reappears, so you can watch the number climb.
posted by Etrigan at 5:25 PM on June 1, 2014


I WANT A LARGE MATHOWIE FACE SHOT GLOWERING AT ME WITH EVERY PAGE LOAD

WHY HAVEN'T YOU DONATED

WHY


Previously.
posted by Wordshore at 5:57 PM on June 1, 2014 [1 favorite]


I've been on-again, off-again reading the threads about the recent...unpleasantness, so I may have missed something. But I'd surely be glad to donate to an art calendar. Just as long as no one wants to see a picture of *me* on a calendar.
posted by notsnot at 5:58 PM on June 1, 2014


With the number of Fannibals here, a cookbook is not looking like the best idea.

We just need more MetaFilter Swag... t-shirts, caps, mugs... I would think Topatoco, which already did some MeFi shirts could do a great job that makes money for the 'Filter.

t-shirt slogan #126:
METAFILTER
where community will NEVER be cancelled
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:02 PM on June 1, 2014 [4 favorites]


if brandon blatcher is mister may, i will be mister june. i doubt that this would get anybody off though.

maybe we could enhance the userbase, and the consequent ad revenue, by discreetly enrolling our furries, one at a time. margie the trouble puss told me her password is "trillsqueak". she sits beside my laptop often enough (blocking the fan vent) (you have a mouse pad, i have a cat pad) that maybe those light green eyeballs could be monetized too.
posted by bruce at 6:06 PM on June 1, 2014


Remember the MetaTalk threads where everyone posted pictures of their desks? Now that would make for a good MeFi calendar.
posted by carsonb at 6:11 PM on June 1, 2014 [3 favorites]


Yo dawg. I got you a calendar of desks, so you could look at desks while you're at your desk looking at desks.
posted by cashman at 6:17 PM on June 1, 2014 [4 favorites]


Which is to say that the first person (january or whatever) takes a picture of themselves looking at their desk. The next person (february) takes a picture of themselves at their desk looking at the calendar picture of January. March is a picture of the user looking at their desk, and on it is the calendar, which has the picture of february looking at their desk at the calendar which features the person from january looking at their desk.

Or, we can just get nekkid. This will raise us about $34.71 in the end.
posted by cashman at 6:21 PM on June 1, 2014


Can I pay extra to take the Minmatar spaceship USB hub off my desk before it's photographed?
posted by running order squabble fest at 6:30 PM on June 1, 2014


I prefer my $34.71 in the front, but that's just me.

What? Why are you guys looking at me like that?
posted by slogger at 6:31 PM on June 1, 2014 [1 favorite]


Ooh, I would totally buy a MetaFilter Cookbook. For serious.

Like one of those "friends of the library" or "synagogue sisterhood" cookbooks. Only hopefully with less tuna surprise.

I'll even volunteer to help organize recipes or something. (But not be in charge of the project, sorry.)
posted by leahwrenn at 6:39 PM on June 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


I keep telling y'all: a Cats of MetaFilter calendar. With cats!
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:45 PM on June 1, 2014 [7 favorites]


Only hopefully with less tuna surprise.

MetaFilter Cooks: Greasy Honky Pie

There oughta be a whole series of cookbooks with different users submitting their takes on a recipe (or a family of recipes). Because variations on Greasy Honky Pie.
posted by carsonb at 6:56 PM on June 1, 2014


I'm pretty sure that at least some of you were on the PTA fundraising committee meeting with me.
posted by double block and bleed at 7:05 PM on June 1, 2014


PTA fundraising committee meeting

Oh no, are we going to have to strong-arm all our friends and relatives into buying wrapping paper and magazine subscriptions?!
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 7:07 PM on June 1, 2014


Yeah, I doubt it would actually help, but I totally want a MetaFilter cookbook now. Can we do that, please?
posted by Weeping_angel at 7:17 PM on June 1, 2014 [1 favorite]


Someone decided a decade ago that the PTA should buy a pallet of yellow leaf bags. There was still about half a pallet left two years ago. They might break even in as little as five years from now.

Fundraising is a pain in the ass.
posted by double block and bleed at 7:38 PM on June 1, 2014 [3 favorites]


(The leaf bags sell for $9 a roll.)
posted by double block and bleed at 7:39 PM on June 1, 2014


Make sure to mention that you accept dogecoin.

The doge already had ducats, I don't b understand why he needed another currency.
posted by Jahaza at 7:58 PM on June 1, 2014 [1 favorite]


What's the copyright on stuff posted to the site? Because an ask.metafilter Best of would be amazing if it was carefully edited down.
posted by viggorlijah at 8:28 PM on June 1, 2014 [1 favorite]


88 lines about 44 plates of beans
posted by Mchelly at 8:29 PM on June 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


What's the copyright on stuff posted to the site?

All posts are © their original authors.

Bottom right corner of the page, on the line just above the snowman.
posted by radwolf76 at 9:14 PM on June 1, 2014


Rhaomi: "At least leave it up till we hit 3,000!"

I wonder how many people will be queued up waiting to donate at just the right instant to become the 3000th donor.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:36 PM on June 1, 2014 [1 favorite]


As someone who has done this before and urges you to learn from my mistakes: Selling things that you have to pay in advance to manufacture is a terrible way to fundraise. Matt will end up with boxes and boxes of crap in his garage for the next decade and will be lucky to break even.

IMO, given the print-on-demand and Kindle self-publishing options on Amazon, the cookbook is the most viable idea as the up-front cost (e.g., buying an ISBN) would be minimal.
posted by Jacqueline at 9:52 PM on June 1, 2014 [11 favorites]


if you log out and log back in

logging out makes me feel uncomfortable and anxious, like trying to go to the bathroom in an unfamiliar house in the dark/with my glasses off
posted by elizardbits at 9:54 PM on June 1, 2014 [9 favorites]


Oh no, are we going to have to strong-arm all our friends and relatives into buying wrapping paper and magazine subscriptions?!
I misread that as margarine subscriptions. What a horrible thought. I would pay to make that stop.
posted by Joh at 10:30 PM on June 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


All you have to do to see the "Help Fund" every time you open MeFi is to set your browser to discard cookies when you close the browser. (I don't log out. I just go away sometimes. Outside, it's called.)
posted by gingerest at 11:02 PM on June 1, 2014


All you have to do to see the "Help Fund" every time you open MeFi is to set your browser to discard cookies when you close the browser. (I don't log out. I just go away sometimes. Outside, it's called.)

Yellow face, it burns us!
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 11:36 PM on June 1, 2014 [5 favorites]


A new round of shirts. "What would Jessamyn do?" Phire mentioned it in the original Meta mathowie posted to alert the community to the troubles.

Gator has been suggesting it for years. 1 2 3

This needs to happen. I would pay a premium for such a shirt and I am sure others would as well.

Let's make it happen.

I suggested a few years ago that the midnight mods should get shirts that say something like "We Own the Night".

Maybe we could have some that have a mefites usernumber on the back and "Metafilter Flaggers Local 1271. We Own The Night." (credit to anthill for the Metafilter Flaggers Local idea) Get creative.

Defcon had a shirt years ago that had an actual password list Kevin Mitnick had cracked reproduced on the back. It said, "Got crack? Mitnick did." Sold out. Collector's item now.

There was a famous comment I can not find now where a mefite said, "This comment will be popular," or something similar. He had managed to do something impressive coding-wise or something and it was revealed by looking at the header number his comment created, IIRC.

Shirts with something like that. Go for the collector angle now, sell them at a premium.

Years ago, people were requesting another run of baseball Metafilter jersey's, maybe we could do some of them.

I have no sales, marketing or graphic design background. I do have a little benefit t-shirt experience. In the 90's I worked in an industry where benefit t-shirts were sold after line-of-duty-deaths (grim, I know) to benefit the surviving family and general t-shirts meant to inspire esprit de corps were also sold. On the order of 2,500 of each run of shirt. All of them would sell out and sometimes we would do an additional run of 2,500.

Anyway, let's set something up where all profits go to Metafilter.
posted by mlis at 11:54 PM on June 1, 2014 [4 favorites]


>> if you log out and log back in, the banner reappears, so you can watch the number climb.
> logging out makes me feel uncomfortable and anxious, like trying to go to the bathroom in an unfamiliar house in the dark/with my glasses off

I keep a spare browser installed, which I mostly don't log into things with.
posted by Pronoiac at 12:15 AM on June 2, 2014


It can't be a community cookbook without some form of tuna casserole. Otherwise it's not a community effort, just dorm frou frou 'classy' cookbook. Probably be actually bound professionally and everything, rather than having that weird plastic binder thing that all real community cookbooks come with.

Also, at least a third of recipes should involve cans of Campbell's of some variety.

Dibs on the Mac and Cheese.
posted by Ghidorah at 1:02 AM on June 2, 2014


My understanding is that getting a community cookbook published (in a "hardcover bound and available for purchase by the general public" way) can easily turn into a huge headache because copyright trolls come out of the woodwork and assault any recipe that resembles anything in Betty Crocker, Joy of Cooking, or really any cookbook by any major publisher that's appeared in any chain bookstore, ever. I'd like to be wrong on this, but that's what I've heard.

So that's one reason why those things are usually restricted to mailing lists or are privately photocopied, 19 ring bound, and mailed by community volunteers instead of being actually published.
posted by ceribus peribus at 1:35 AM on June 2, 2014


Jacqueline: If you do pre-orders/crowdfund the project then you can simply just print as many as have been ordered. Print on demand is an option but there are lots of other ways to get good quality books printed relatively quickly (e.g. within a few weeks).
posted by adrianhon at 1:56 AM on June 2, 2014


We should develop a gift package that's a combo of a MetaFilter cookbook and a huge tub of MetaFilter branded bachelor chow. Because none of us really want to cook, we just want to talk about it.
posted by marsha56 at 3:00 AM on June 2, 2014 [5 favorites]


There was a famous comment I can not find now where a mefite said, "This comment will be popular," or something similar. He had managed to do something impressive coding-wise or something and it was revealed by looking at the header number his comment created, IIRC.
posted by cgc373 at 5:56 AM on June 2, 2014 [2 favorites]


What if members did a nude "Users of MetaFilter" calendar and donated profits to MeFi?

Half of those participating should draw a downward arrow on their stomach with the words "This is not a vagina". The other half should write "Nor is this!"
posted by Segundus at 6:24 AM on June 2, 2014


"What if members did a nude "Users of MetaFilter" calendar and donated profits to MeFi?"

Would I participate? Sure. Purchase? Never.

"Or a calendar of art, profits donated."

Oh, well that actually makes sense. I'd happily contribute to that.

"Or a cookbook?"

Unless there's a section about How to Put Garlic in Everything then you might not need my contributions in this area.
posted by komara at 7:26 AM on June 2, 2014 [1 favorite]


Ghidorah: Dibs on the Mac and Cheese.

Someone mentioned learning to cook by trying variations on the same recipe, to understand how different ingredients and amounts changed the food. I thought it was about mac and cheese, but I'm lazy and I didn't find the comment after a moment of searching around, so I'll leave this comment here.

In conclusion, mac and cheese is a meal of contrasts.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:42 AM on June 2, 2014


Or a cookbook?

Envisaging 300 full color photographic pages.

But seriously, if this happens am willing to contribute a recipe on how to make the perfect cup of tea. Because tea.
posted by Wordshore at 7:48 AM on June 2, 2014 [1 favorite]



$34.71, same as in town?
posted by blurker at 8:04 AM on June 2, 2014


Im thinking nero wolfes house.
posted by clavdivs at 10:14 AM on June 2, 2014


A new round of shirts

White t-shirts. On the back, arched, in black blackletter (all caps, of course):
"𝕺𝕹𝕷𝖄 𝕸𝕺𝕯 𝕮𝕬𝕹 𝕵𝖀𝕯𝕲𝕰 𝕸𝕰"
posted by the man of twists and turns at 10:25 AM on June 2, 2014 [2 favorites]


Wordshore: " But seriously, if this happens am willing to contribute a recipe on how to make the perfect cup of tea. Because tea."

Careful: apparently including a recipe for a cup of tea is enough to get some people to rate the overall book 1 or 2 stars (out of spite or annoyance or something).
posted by Lexica at 10:32 AM on June 2, 2014


Careful: apparently including a recipe for a cup of tea is enough to get some people to rate the overall book 1 or 2 stars (out of spite or annoyance or something).

Read the last (one star) review, which contains:

Sample "recipes" in this e-book are "how to make tea", given you already have water, a tea bag, and sugar.

Tea bag? No. No, no, no, no, noooooooooo. That is not tea. That is not a recipe for tea.

We are MetaFilter. We can - we will - do better.
posted by Wordshore at 11:11 AM on June 2, 2014 [2 favorites]


White t-shirts. On the back, arched, in black blackletter (all caps, of course):
"𝕺𝕹𝕷𝖄 𝕸𝕺𝕯 𝕮𝕬𝕹 𝕵𝖀𝕯𝕲𝕰 𝕸𝕰"


With this, I learned two things today:

1. I can't read blackletter as well as I thought I could, and
2. Google search (and/or Firefox's built-in internet search field) translates blackletter to plaintext.

I was trying to parse the first and third words, coming up with "DR[?]N/Y MOD TUR JUDGE ME," but when I pasted the text into the search field, Google search spat back "ONLY MOD CAN JUDGE ME."
posted by filthy light thief at 11:33 AM on June 2, 2014


I can't read blackletter as well as I thought I could

Nah. You just learned why blackletter isn't meant to be done in all-caps. You'd have managed if it were 𝕺𝖓𝖑𝖞 𝕸𝖔𝖉 𝕮𝖆𝖓 𝕵𝖚𝖉𝖌𝖊 𝕸𝖊.
posted by Shmuel510 at 11:59 AM on June 2, 2014 [3 favorites]


Monogrammed ball gag with 'silenced all my life'?
posted by Sebmojo at 2:51 PM on June 2, 2014


We hit 3,000! Can we keep the banner up? I enjoy the banner.
posted by functionequalsform at 2:29 PM on June 3, 2014


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