How to contribute to the BGC.

[Mark Barnes]

FYI, some of you may have noticed the new "Donate" button appearing at the top of our pages.

Since assuming the role of Beatgear Cavern "Administrator" in mid-2005, our community has grown from a couple of hundred members to well over two thousand. In the intervening five years, my administrative colleague Mike Brown and I have worked very hard each day, not only to keep our "ship" sailing smoothly, but to make the BGC the best site of its kind on the Internet.

However, as a practical matter, that ongoing effort did and still does involve an enormous contribution of time borrowed from our primary professional endeavors, as well as regular infusions of cash to cover server costs, domain registrations, etc. Even as we have continued to upgrade our hosting, we find ourselves approaching a point where it may be necessary to move the site to a dedicated server, which will dramatically increase our existing fixed costs.

Over the years, many of our members have very kindly offered to assist us financially. The creation of this "donations" page responds to both the many inquiries we've received and the economic realities associated with keeping the BGC "on-air" and thriving.

Obviously, the BGC provides *something* of value to all its regular visitors: the opportunity to interact with kindred spirits, both online and at our many member gatherings taking place worldwide; an unrivaled collection of Beatles and gear-related data and commentary ("Fab Forum"); an assembled panel of official & unofficial "experts" in guitar-building, electronics and other disciplines, demonstrating tricks of their respective trades and offering advice on members' tech-type issues ("Expert-Textpert"); music lessons ("And Your Bird Can Sing"); a "Marketplace" to buy and sell cool gear unlikely to turn up on your local Craigslist; a stage from which to showcase homemade music ("Listen to Me"); free gig advertising ("A Splendid Time Is Guaranteed"); and a freewheeling virtual "pub" in which to engage in off-topic chatter ("Dead Grotty").

If you enjoy being a part of the BGC "family", if it is important to you, if it has helped you in some way, if it has expanded your personal universe of knowledge & friendships, if you have an interest in its continued vitality . . . please consider making a donation through the "DONATE" link on this page. PayPal offers several easy, flexible options for you to help support the BGC, including lump-sum and periodic donations, and you do *not* need to have a PayPal account to participate.

Whether "lurker" or regular poster, I wish to sincerely thank you for your patronage of the Beatgear Cavern. In the end, it is you who make our community what it is, and Mike & I both hope that you continue to enjoy the benefits of your membership in our little private "club", as we look forward to exerting our best efforts to push the BGC onward and upward.

Please note that donations to the Beatgear Cavern are NOT tax-deductible.

All the best,

Mark Barnes

[jayt]

happy to help out.

[Headshots]

Not tax deductible?(!) You mean this isn't the BeatGear Church?

Happy to donate.

Toni

[epitreture]

Please accept my modest donation and my best wishes for the continued success of your excellent forum.

[blckout420]

You should really make this a church.

[MikeB]

You should really make this a church.

I thought it was - Our Lady Of The EL-84

(Yeah, we can do a Paypal "Donate" button as well.... )

[JimC]

Deal me in. Thanks, Mark and Mike.

[beatlemark]

Next good check I get, I'M IN! Things are a little slow the last few weeks! SUX!
A little suggestion? Charge a little something on the MarketPlace. Maybe a listing fee and a commission for
selling the item too.

[Al Steen]

The text looks kinda collumnar on the page Bro ....

[Xose]

Paypal donation done (=in €...)

I'm happy to colaborate...

Xosé

[patlaw]

If you create a new forum exclusively for politics and give members the ability to exclude that forum from "View new posts" searches, I'll give you another $100.

[FranF]

Done! Thanks for everything guys, and for making this easy!

[PeterT]

This is a great idea, Mark. Great to have an easy way to help out. Consider my donations forthcoming quarterly.

[DoBotherMe]

I second patlaw's motion. Dana ; )

[jwl325]

Hope this helps Mark. Thanks to you and Mike.

[beatcomber]

As one of the newest members of the Order of the Wig & Girdle, how can I say no?

Please accept my modest contribution with my sincerest appreciation for all you and Mike have done.

[STRMan]

I made a donation too. Now, I have to figure out how to tell my wife without getting my butt kicked.

"Honey, a lot of guys my age run around and cheat on their wife. You know exactly where I am all the time, sitting in that recliner, on my computer, visiting the BGC."

She's still gonna kick my butt.

[jwl325]

I made a donation too. Now, I have to figure out how to tell my wife without getting my butt kicked.

"Honey, a lot of guys my age run around and cheat on their wife. You know exactly where I am all the time, sitting in that recliner, on my computer, visiting the BGC."

She's still gonna kick my butt.

LOL Paul...I've used that exact same argument to justify the occasional guitar purchase...with similar results to yours!

[seltaeb]

"Honey, a lot of guys my age run around and cheat on their wife. You know exactly where I am all the time, sitting in that recliner, on my computer, visiting the BGC."

Hahaha . I'm going to write that one down to recycle in the future!

[Oxo Whitney]

Did it. Gladly.

[danotron]

Donation done!

I don't post all that often but I'm here everyday. I'm glad to contribute.

Thanks for your time and effort,

Dan

[YanniF]

I've gladly contributed as well. Thanks to you guys for making this place the great site that it is!

Yanni

[Ira S.]

Done, done and done.

Hey, how 'bout giving out 100 or so free posts with a donation? That'll get the laggards (like me) going.

[Headshots]

I'm with you, Ira. I already asked how to buy an upgrade. I'm from the Polaroid generation.

Toni

[paulasgeorge]

Haven't gone through the donation process - can I just write a (good) cheque and be done?

[David993s]

Donation sent. Thanks Mark & MikeB for all you work and for providing us with such a fantastic site.

Dave

[beatcomber]

Haven't gone through the donation process - can I just write a (good) cheque and be done?

Old school!

[Mark Barnes]

Many thanks to all those who've so kindly stepped forward to help with the "heavy lifting" at the BGC -- it's greatly appreciated. I've corresponded with several of you over the past couple of days, and have been both gratified & humbled to hear how much this little corner of the 'net has come to mean to so many of you.

FYI, the PayPal link we've provided accommodates contributions via any major credit card -- a PayPal account is not required. However, I've received a few inquires from members who would prefer to send a check through the mail. Anyone wishing to do so may mail a check or money order, payable to me with "BGC Fund" clearly marked in the memo, to the address below.

Again, on behalf of MikeB, myself, and all our members who benefit from your goodwill . . . thank you!

Mark

Mark Barnes
POB 86
Waterville, NY USA 13480

[MikeB]

I'd like to add my sincere thanks to all of you, because this forum is made the best on the Internet only through the graces and participation of all you good folks, and I thank all of you for your generosity and goodwill.

[paulasgeorge]

On the way!

[Voxman 4120]

It's more informative and entertaining than most of my magazine subscriptions, so how I could I say no???

Done deal!
Thanks to Mark, Mike and eveybody else who is a member here. You have all entertained me as well as schooled me on occasion.

[calluses]

done. i'm one of those who have almost no wealth of (gear) knowledge to contribute, so i'm glad i can make a contribution this way.

A little suggestion? Charge a little something on the MarketPlace. Maybe a listing fee and a commission for
selling the item too.

i think that's a cool idea. but i think most of the time, the gears listed here are already at bargain prices. it'd be more reasonable to have the buyer pay the extra bucks...

[stilloldlefty]

Done. Thanks Mark.

[Mikelawyr2]

$100. Done. This is a serious forum. It deserves serious participation.

Thanks for everything!

[jumpindave]

You guys did a great job setting up the donations. Easy. My Best to you

[HofnersinLA]

Thanks much for your time and effort Mark & Mike
Donation done.

[Headshots]

Do we get to see the tote board?

Toni

[Dale Fortune]

Thank you Mark. Being in the financial position that I am, I gave what I could afford. I hope all our members chime in and give what they can so as to help our Forum survive.

[henryo]

Thank you for your kindness-I hope to help out again. Henry O

[Mark Barnes]

Again, please allow me to most sincerely & humbly thank all those who have volunteered to help out. It's been really gratifying to hear -- from W&G types & "lurkers" alike -- that the BGC has become part of so many daily routines around the world.

[epitreture]

Mark and Mike,
On behalf of the International Brotherhood of Lurkers, I just wanted to wish both of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope my small donation helps.
Thanks again for having such a excellent forum!

[RICKY]

Rather! I'll chip in whatever I can. Thanks Mike and Mark. You lads are the "bees knees".

[brez9091]

Just added my 2 cents. Thank you for all your hard work over the years. Happy Holidays, to You and all my fellow caverniers.

[Mark Barnes]

Thanks!

[grsnovi]

Check in the mail tomorrow (I don't even want to use a credit card through PayPal).

- Gary

[marlabuck]

Like the song says " you gotta pay your dues if you want to sing the blues " plus the fact that this is a great site that I enjoy I personally plan on donating fifty dollars a month...since I bought a thousand dollars of Beatle type guitars in the last 30 days and given the fact that I have totally quit the subsidy that I have been giving my granddaughter...thats another story...I am pleased to do this as I love visiting BGC...Marla

[oldie_peter]

Done.

Thanks to all!!!

[Mark Barnes]

Many thanks, Peter & all, for your enthusiastic support of the site . . . that you find it worthwhile & enjoyable is much appreciated.

[jbiscuti]

It's not much, but I hope it helps. I really do love this place!

[larrywassgren]

Well..... somebody has to say it! Why don't some of you cheap bastards send some cash! Five bucks by Paypal would be better than nothing to keep this place going. You wanna talk you gotta walk first. There... another monkey off my back.