Hello Everyone, Bandhug is 4 years old today
I hope this message finds you well. In the spirit of Festivus, it's time for a bit of an "airing of grievances."
As we reflect on the past year, it's evident that we've experienced financial setbacks with decreasing donations, lower participation, and fewer new members. I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to provide a platform for all of you, and I've been happy to cover the costs associated with maintenance, upkeep, and support thus far. However, the current situation is challenging, and the losses are beginning to take a toll on my resources.
One critical aspect that sets Bandhug apart is our commitment to hosting our own servers, promoting sustainability for the long term. This year, we are facing the need for essential hardware upgrades, as server hardware typically requires replacement between five and seven years. The estimated cost for this undertaking falls between $7,000 and $10,000. Considering this will be our fifth year, it's a pivotal moment for us to discuss the future.
When I embarked on this project, sustainability was a key focus. I managed to significantly reduce the initial development costs from the projected $70,000 / $100,000 to about $12,000. Today, I have some questions that require your thoughtful consideration:
1 Do you believe in the value of Bandhug?
2 Can we, as a community, collectively contribute to its sustainability?
3 Do you find Bandhug worth the investment of time, effort, and potentially financial support?
From a business standpoint, I've observed a stagnation or decline in growth, as well as diminished interest and involvement. This prompts me to ask: where do we stand, and can anyone provide insights or suggestions on how we can revitalize and grow together?
Your thoughts on these matters are crucial for shaping the future of Bandhug. Your candid feedback is appreciated, and I'm open to discussions on how we can collaboratively overcome the challenges we face.
Thank you for your time and continued support.
Best regards,
Dennis King (dennisski)
Send comments via email to support@bandhug.com
2023 Money report
Most of the expenses for Bandhug is the programming and development. Monthly expenses for Data center and fees are minimal.
Donations in 2023 $5,385. | 2022 $9,531| 2021 $16,669 |2020 $10,914 | 4yrTotal $42,499
Other income $0
Expenses out -2023 $13,385 | 2022 $15,479 | 2021 $26,722 | 2020 $27,126 | 4yr Total $82,712
Total net 2023 -$7,999.45 | 2022 -$5,948 | 2021 -$10,053 | 2020 -$16,212 | 4yr Total -$40,212
Most of the expenses for Bandhug is the programming and development. Monthly expenses for Data center and fees are minimal.
Donations in 2023 $5,385. | 2022 $9,531| 2021 $16,669 |2020 $10,914 | 4yrTotal $42,499
Other income $0
Expenses out -2023 $13,385 | 2022 $15,479 | 2021 $26,722 | 2020 $27,126 | 4yr Total $82,712
Total net 2023 -$7,999.45 | 2022 -$5,948 | 2021 -$10,053 | 2020 -$16,212 | 4yr Total -$40,212
Sorry for the delay, I dont seem to get notifications from the articles....Something else we need to fix.... Nothing is going extinct here. Just need some help with upcoming hardware upgrades in a year or so. Maybe some help with development costs.
Development costs can indeed vary significantly, with hourly rates for programmers typically ranging from $25 to $50. Our experience has led us to pay within this range, as finding skilled and reliable programmers can be a challenge in itself. It's crucial for us to work with professionals who not only possess technical expertise but also respond well, take direction effectively, and understand the intricacies of our specific needs. To provide some context, here's a breakdown of the development projects we undertook this year, along with their associated costs: IOS recording from the browser: Cost: $3000 Offline app development: Cost: $2500 DAW upgrade: Cost: $5000 Total Development Costs for the Year: $10,500 These projects were instrumental in enhancing our capabilities. The costs incurred reflect the investment in quality development work that aligns with our goals. If you have any further questions or would like more detailed information about any specific project, please feel free to reach out. Private message me or email me support@bandhug.com We believe in the value of these investments for the continued growth and success of our site. Thank you for your understanding
@admin: Hi Dennis, thanks for opening the conversation… not an easy situation to deal with though. I will try to address your points. 1) I do believe in the value of this concept, it has been an excellent platform for collaborative and personal recording projects, BH also opened possibilities to meet and play with international musicians that have become musical friends. 2) I used to pay for a “premium” membership to the old BH, that was like $80 plus dollars, I am willing to commit to a monthly/yearly fee to help maintaining this alive. It will be important to understand how much we really need to put down to achieve the goal. Additional ways to send money would be nice to have (direct ACH??) 3) Yes, definitely… Thanks again for everything you do for this community. All the best! Felipe