I have a few options as listed below:

Shut down the site totally (not acceptable)

Go with some cheap hosting and lose the forum (not acceptable)

Go with a host that will support the SQL server (the forum is run on that), the catch is that this option will run about $600 a year. 

I have invested a lot of $ into the site over the last four + years but I can't get that kind of a bill past the head of household affairs (the wife).  I refuse to make the site a "members only" place, I've seen that done and it is not what we are about.  I also refuse to ad popups, adware, etc to generate $$$.  We have all been to those kind of sites and know how irritating that can be. 

What are your thoughts?

Check out www.hypermart.net . I've been with them for years. Pretty solid and reliable. I'm no Guru though. I don't know if they provide everything you want. They do an awful lot. Basic site is free with upgrades at a reasonable cost. I think we pay $9 a month for our site.

Would setting up your own server be another option? I'm not sure what that requires.

Chuck

Can you open a "Financial Forum" and publish the current state of funding - meaning where we stand with donations to hit the required $600? I always liked the bar graph at my office that showed status of the "United Way" - this will just be for the "United Y".

Also maybe publish an address/p.o.box for donations to the cause? We need to be getting up a fund to support Ted with the engine project anyway. Just make the donations "money order only" to eliminate checking hassles......maybe put the money in a shoebox and dole out whatever is needed. We don't need to be an institution - just have a few bucks in the kitty when the need arises.   

What are the exact requirement we need? I did a search for "free forums" and came up with a long list. Some of them look very simular to the format we have now. Chuck

Did you check the link at the bottom of the page for the software this site is using? They have a basic package at $199 to buy the software. Then you could use any host thats compatable. Chuck

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As to exactly when it is going away, it will be within the next two weeks.  I have been texting back and forth with Stepehn and we are working to put together a server that three of us will go in on, so the cost may actually be less than at first thought.  That will not be known for a few more days yet though, cost of hardware, tie in to the internet, etc. IF the costs are such that I can absorb them, then nothing will change, if they are too much, we may have to pass the hubcap.  Nothing is going to happen today anyway, so everyone just carry on like your webmaster had good sense!  I think that we are all committed to keeping this "crossroad" up and active, and we should have the rest of the particulars by the end of the week I hope.  I just didn't want to run up on a brick wall and have to pull things down and you guys not know what is going on.

Like all the other guys on here,I appreciate you and all you do to keep this forum going.I'm just an old farm boy that fell in love with the looks and the sound of 56 Fords when they hit the market 51 years ago,and even though I'm not interested in the racing aspect that many are,I have made this forum a regular part of my life the last couple of years and like Glen,I'd sure hate to see it go away.If and when you need to pass the hubcap,count me in.

I'm good for US$25 a year ( more  if you need it ). What's that in Canadian ,about $300 ???? I 'm sure if you pass the hubcap ,the "family " will help you cover any out of pocket expenses ???

Regards Lon

You can count me in and unlike the "funny money" from down under, you can use use Canuck currency in the U.S.

Rob

You have my email address, I will donate $5.00-$10.00, for me that would be one of the best automotive investments I will have ever made. Just give me a mailing address.

Marty

Count me in for some help.  What embarasses me about it is that I haven't been helping all along.  It's a wonderful site to visit and participate.  And, unless you have been deleting them, I still have not seen any flames on the site.  Awesome!!!

John

Being a global thing the prize winner would have to pay the freight to claim his/her prize, if not the prize goes back into the kitty for next time.

Jim, you should get a real warm feeling with all the good emails on this string.  Just one more atta boy from me.

Later, guys.  TC

You know I am good for some dough down here in the Shenandoah Valley. Keep us posted and we will do what it takes...

sorry it took so long to throw in my 2 cents -- I have been in Detroit for the past week or more - the Ford's were awesome.

Dan

i will throw some ozzie dollars your way if thats whats needed to keep this site going we all share info so we should share the cost as well i love this forum its the best one out.

moz.

The bottom line is, we will continue on and with any luck, my commercial sites (sites I maintain for paying customers) will mostly offset the additional costs of the new server.

Thanks for your support, I am really humbled by the offers.  Heck, I could take the money and retire!!!  As Colin Date has told me many times, the Y-Block "club" is the most ardent and tight knit group that he has ever seen in his years of being involved with cars.  I can easily believe that.

Any and all that have met you at the different gatherings, Knows that you are a real Y Blocker, and that it is the love of group.. I agree that you, need not bear the cost alone..