ActionsForge Kickstarter update

Freeway
1

Wow. Since Friday the 11th, we’ve gotten 21 pledges totaling $6,186. There are 15 days to go, and $18,814 to go. The way Kickstarter works, though, if we don’t hit the total or exceed it, none of the pledges are processed and we have to start over from scratch. So tell your friends, clients, neighbors…

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1513153421/actionsforge-next

For those of you expecting Softpress to close the gap at the end, I’m afraid I’m not expecting that to happen. They’ve pledged – the largest single pledge so far – and I don’t imagine they have the coffers for any more than that. So it’s up to us, any other vendors we can reach out to (I’ve asked Joyent and MacHighway so far) and anyone we can persuade to help the cause. If you’re depending on this service, and you’d like to see it become better than it currently is, you need to chip in and help.

Thanks all!

Walter

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2

I still think it’s an excellent exercise in seeing just what kind of
stakeholder response can be generated in support of the Freeway Support
Community.

–
Ernie Simpson

On Wed, May 16, 2012 at 3:03 PM, Walter Lee Davis email@hiddenwrote:

For those of you expecting Softpress to close the gap at the end, I’m
afraid I’m not expecting that to happen. They’ve pledged – the largest
single pledge so far – and I don’t imagine they have the coffers for any
more than that. So it’s up to us, any other vendors we can reach out to
(I’ve asked Joyent and MacHighway so far) and anyone we can persuade to
help the cause. If you’re depending on this service, and you’d like to see
it become better than it currently is, you need to chip in and help.

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3

I agree. I just had one of my clients chip in – completely unexpected and delightful! I was also surprised to see some names in the initial pledging that I had never seen before. Must be a lot of lurkers on the list that I’ve never encountered before.

Walter

On May 16, 2012, at 3:43 PM, Ernie Simpson wrote:

I still think it’s an excellent exercise in seeing just what kind of
stakeholder response can be generated in support of the Freeway Support
Community.

–
Ernie Simpson

On Wed, May 16, 2012 at 3:03 PM, Walter Lee Davis email@hiddenwrote:

For those of you expecting Softpress to close the gap at the end, I’m
afraid I’m not expecting that to happen. They’ve pledged – the largest
single pledge so far – and I don’t imagine they have the coffers for any
more than that. So it’s up to us, any other vendors we can reach out to
(I’ve asked Joyent and MacHighway so far) and anyone we can persuade to
help the cause. If you’re depending on this service, and you’d like to see
it become better than it currently is, you need to chip in and help.

freewaytalk mailing list
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4

Hi W, could I ask you to post a link, cheers. P

Peter Tucker, Oxford UK - but mobile somewhere iP4S

On 16 May 2012, at 20:50, Walter Lee Davis email@hidden wrote:

I agree. I just had one of my clients chip in – completely unexpected and delightful! I was also surprised to see some names in the initial pledging that I had never seen before. Must be a lot of lurkers on the list that I’ve never encountered before.

Walter

On May 16, 2012, at 3:43 PM, Ernie Simpson wrote:

I still think it’s an excellent exercise in seeing just what kind of
stakeholder response can be generated in support of the Freeway Support
Community.

–
Ernie Simpson

On Wed, May 16, 2012 at 3:03 PM, Walter Lee Davis email@hiddenwrote:

For those of you expecting Softpress to close the gap at the end, I’m
afraid I’m not expecting that to happen. They’ve pledged – the largest
single pledge so far – and I don’t imagine they have the coffers for any
more than that. So it’s up to us, any other vendors we can reach out to
(I’ve asked Joyent and MacHighway so far) and anyone we can persuade to
help the cause. If you’re depending on this service, and you’d like to see
it become better than it currently is, you need to chip in and help.

freewaytalk mailing list
email@hidden
Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

freewaytalk mailing list
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5

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1513153421/actionsforge-next

Walter

On May 17, 2012, at 10:09 AM, Peter Tucker wrote:

Hi W, could I ask you to post a link, cheers. P

Peter Tucker, Oxford UK - but mobile somewhere iP4S

On 16 May 2012, at 20:50, Walter Lee Davis email@hidden wrote:

I agree. I just had one of my clients chip in – completely unexpected and delightful! I was also surprised to see some names in the initial pledging that I had never seen before. Must be a lot of lurkers on the list that I’ve never encountered before.

Walter

On May 16, 2012, at 3:43 PM, Ernie Simpson wrote:

I still think it’s an excellent exercise in seeing just what kind of
stakeholder response can be generated in support of the Freeway Support
Community.

–
Ernie Simpson

On Wed, May 16, 2012 at 3:03 PM, Walter Lee Davis email@hiddenwrote:

For those of you expecting Softpress to close the gap at the end, I’m
afraid I’m not expecting that to happen. They’ve pledged – the largest
single pledge so far – and I don’t imagine they have the coffers for any
more than that. So it’s up to us, any other vendors we can reach out to
(I’ve asked Joyent and MacHighway so far) and anyone we can persuade to
help the cause. If you’re depending on this service, and you’d like to see
it become better than it currently is, you need to chip in and help.

freewaytalk mailing list
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Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

freewaytalk mailing list
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6

I’ve added a little banner to the top of every page in ActionsForge, and a real-time embedded ticker at the bottom. Please keep those pledges coming, operators are standing by!

Walter

On May 17, 2012, at 10:21 AM, Walter Lee Davis wrote:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1513153421/actionsforge-next

Walter

On May 17, 2012, at 10:09 AM, Peter Tucker wrote:

Hi W, could I ask you to post a link, cheers. P

Peter Tucker, Oxford UK - but mobile somewhere iP4S

On 16 May 2012, at 20:50, Walter Lee Davis email@hidden wrote:

I agree. I just had one of my clients chip in – completely unexpected and delightful! I was also surprised to see some names in the initial pledging that I had never seen before. Must be a lot of lurkers on the list that I’ve never encountered before.

Walter

On May 16, 2012, at 3:43 PM, Ernie Simpson wrote:

I still think it’s an excellent exercise in seeing just what kind of
stakeholder response can be generated in support of the Freeway Support
Community.

–
Ernie Simpson

On Wed, May 16, 2012 at 3:03 PM, Walter Lee Davis email@hiddenwrote:

For those of you expecting Softpress to close the gap at the end, I’m
afraid I’m not expecting that to happen. They’ve pledged – the largest
single pledge so far – and I don’t imagine they have the coffers for any
more than that. So it’s up to us, any other vendors we can reach out to
(I’ve asked Joyent and MacHighway so far) and anyone we can persuade to
help the cause. If you’re depending on this service, and you’d like to see
it become better than it currently is, you need to chip in and help.

freewaytalk mailing list
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Update your subscriptions at:
http://freewaytalk.net/person/options

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7

Even though I haven’t put up wallpaper or hung the cupboard doors yet, I
tacked up some advertising for your kickstarter effort at my CSSWAY web
thing-a-ma-jiggy. Let me know if you need any help with advertising
graphics :slight_smile:

http://freewaypro.thebigerns.com/

–
Ernie Simpson

On Thu, May 17, 2012 at 10:46 AM, Walter Lee Davis email@hiddenwrote:

I’ve added a little banner to the top of every page in ActionsForge, and a
real-time embedded ticker at the bottom. Please keep those pledges coming,
operators are standing by!

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8

I see this is now 25% of the way there with 13 days to go, so just giving this excellent cause a quick ‘bump’

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1513153421/actionsforge-next

On 17 May 2012, at 16:30, Ernie Simpson wrote:

Even though I haven’t put up wallpaper or hung the cupboard doors yet, I
tacked up some advertising for your kickstarter effort at my CSSWAY web
thing-a-ma-jiggy. Let me know if you need any help with advertising
graphics :slight_smile:

http://freewaypro.thebigerns.com/

–
Ernie Simpson

On Thu, May 17, 2012 at 10:46 AM, Walter Lee Davis email@hiddenwrote:

I’ve added a little banner to the top of every page in ActionsForge, and a
real-time embedded ticker at the bottom. Please keep those pledges coming,
operators are standing by!

freewaytalk mailing list
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9

I am not the sort of person who usually speaks out but… I have been really, really disappointed at the lack of support for the kickstart project that Walter has set up and is trying to get funding for.
I know times are really hard and people just don’t have the money but there has been just 41 backers from the whole of the freeway community… thats it !!!

It’s not as if the 41 backers have held back either, most have pledged a fair amount and some have pledged a big amount. What I was most shocked about was the quantity of people who don’t seem to think that this is a not a worth while venture to support. For me the idea of developing the actionsforge site which serves the whole of the freeway community is exactly what would benefit a huge amount of us who use Freeway, but I must be in the minority because although there are literally hundreds of wish list requests on the site for actions to be developed, there seems to be a resistance to actually funding this or developing the service that has been free to use for all.

I will probably get this in the neck from others who are easily offended and I apologise in advance for those that cant afford 10 dollars… that but the truth still has to be said… 41 backers is a really poor turn-out.

Walter… this is still a blooming great idea and don’t let the poor turn-out get you down.

Kindest Regards max

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10

Thanks for the vote, Max. I was just whinging to Joe off-list about this very thing.

We’re at 37% pledged, and 6 days left. If everyone pledged something, this would be over quickly. But owing to the way Kickstarter works, this will either reach or exceed the goal, and the money (minus percentages to Kickstarter and Amazon) will be released and I can start the project, or nothing at all will happen – nobody’s pledge will be taken and no funds will be released.

Please dig deep. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1513153421/actionsforge-next And please post about this wherever else you write things.

Thanks ever so much,

Walter

On May 25, 2012, at 12:21 PM, max wrote:

Walter… this is still a blooming great idea and don’t let the poor turn-out get you down.

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11

On 25 May 2012, at 17:21, max wrote:

I know times are really hard and people just don’t have the money but there has been just 41 backers from the whole of the freeway community… thats it !!!

I think the idea is sound. The ActionsForge and Walter deserves our support.

Sadly, I simply don’t anything to pledge. As you say, times are tight, and I what little I have is being reserved for things such as paying bills, servicing the car, keeping me in internet and so on.

If I was in happier times, I would be in there pledging with the best of 'em, believe me.

=o(

Heather

Imagic Design * Good Design - No Compromise
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http://www.imagic-design.co.uk
Twitter @Imagic-Design
T: 01634 864017

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12

I would just like to say how much I support this too, and how grateful I have been in the past for all the work and support offered to me from this community and those who actively contribute towards it.

Times are hard and to be honest I have put in as much as I can afford to at this time, and that’s only a poor $20. I’m sorry I can’t give more just now (and I would have to borrow it to pledge it) but I figure that if there are a hundred more who can do that then it is at least a couple of thousand dollars nearer.

I know softpress, amongst others, have been generous already but I wonder if a prominent item on their site, sorry if I missed it! or a mailout of users generally can be done. I’m sure there are data protection issues there however.

Thank you Walter et al for taking this on.

Bill

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13

I know times are tough, believe me. Only recently I had to resort to
begging just to make ends meet. I have lost so much weight
that I’ve literally had to carve another notch in my belt. Still, I
pledged. A very small amount, and nowhere near what I owe Walter for all
he’s done to help me along… but enough at least to show that I support his
effort.

If Walter’s goal is unmet, nobody pays a dime – but then everyone can still
see how much support is there for those who support the Freeway Community.
And that may be enough to inspire the rest of us to keep on. Otherwise we
could lose more people to frustration and disillusionment, like we did with
Dan Jasker.

–
Ernie Simpson

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14

Agreeing with what you people said and Bill:

“I would just like to say how much I support this too, and how grateful I have been in the past for all the work and support offered to me from this community and those who actively contribute towards it.”

I hereby pledge 50 USD for the progress of the ActionsForge project!

bw,
Omar KN

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15

A big thanks to Walt for initiating this Kicksarter project!!!

Like Max I’m also shocked by the low level of involvement on this project but - and there is always a but.

I’m also surprised at the low level of promotion of the campaign. I discovered it by chance in a Forum Topic - something about “A Beer Being Owed”. This is not the way to make the WF community aware of a fundraising campaign. As design professionals we are constantly working on campaign related projects for our clients - why can’t we do it for ourselves?

I know there is a banner ad on the Actions Forge page but how about a big promo banner at the top of each FW Talk page announcing/promoting the project. Post the progress of fundraising efforts on the banner. Put some marketing and campaign spin on the thing and get the FW users exited. I’m sure the FW users will not mind an email from their favorite forum with a short message about the fundraiser either.

Softpress sent a newsletter out on May 15 with links to free stuff and a web hosting promo. Not that I want to cut the MacHighway folks out of a deal - they are good local guys here in Denver - but I think there was a missed opportunity to announce the Actions Forge campaign.

One last thing, I also feel the jump from $100 - $1000 is too big. I think a $250 and $500 option could see some action too.

I have just sent an email to some FW users in my network urging them to get on board.

Sorry for all the rambling
Marcel

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16

And why not have FreewayTalk send out a promo email to ALL the FWT members…
this would I believe be an acceptable use of FWT assets. C’mon Walter,
don’t make me email everyone one-at-a-time :wink:

–
Ernie Simpson

On Sat, May 26, 2012 at 5:02 PM, Helveticus email@hidden wrote:

A big thanks to Walt for initiating this Kicksarter project!!!

Like Max I’m also shocked by the low level of involvement on this project
but - and there is always a but.

I’m also surprised at the low level of promotion of the campaign. I
discovered it by chance in a Forum Topic - something about “A Beer Being
Owed”. This is not the way to make the WF community aware of a fundraising
campaign. As design professionals we are constantly working on campaign
related projects for our clients - why can’t we do it for ourselves?

I know there is a banner ad on the Actions Forge page but how about a big
promo banner at the top of each FW Talk page announcing/promoting the
project. Post the progress of fundraising efforts on the banner. Put some
marketing and campaign spin on the thing and get the FW users exited. I’m
sure the FW users will not mind an email from their favorite forum with a
short message about the fundraiser either.

Softpress sent a newsletter out on May 15 with links to free stuff and a
web hosting promo. Not that I want to cut the MacHighway folks out of a
deal - they are good local guys here in Denver - but I think there was a
missed opportunity to announce the Actions Forge campaign.

One last thing, I also feel the jump from $100 - $1000 is too big. I think
a $250 and $500 option could see some action too.

I have just sent an email to some FW users in my network urging them to
get on board.

Sorry for all the rambling
Marcel

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17

On May 26, 2012, at 5:02 PM, Helveticus wrote:

One last thing, I also feel the jump from $100 - $1000 is too big. I think a $250 and $500 option could see some action too.

You can donate any amount you like, there’s just only so many slices to the promotional offerings. You could ask for the $25 sticker and donate $20,000 if that’s your thing, too. There was one person who donated $100, then upped that to $250, then $500 and then $1000. I could use several more like him…

Please give what you can, and please tell your friends. I haven’t been promoting this as much as I should, but I did get Joyent to tweet it out from their corporate account, since the current site is hosted there, and Softpress sent two as well.

I have a commitment for a new VPS hosting account for the finished site from another supporter, so that means more of the budget is left for features.

I was hoping that there would be more action at the corporate end of the pledge scale, I just haven’t had any takers. Some have not even replied at all.

As to promoting this on FreewayTalk, I felt okay putting a banner on ActionsForge, since that’s my site and I pay for it, and it’s “fishing where the fish are”. But Softpress owns FreewayTalk, and while I certainly could add something there, it’s not my call.

Walter

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18

That’s even better… if anyone has a mailing list of all the Freeway users,
it would be Softpress. A special edition newsletter mailing to their
current customer database could be considered as an in-kind contribution to
elevate their status. Besides being another opportunity to tout their
software and the fact they own the rocking-est Freeway discussion list
around. They’ve tweeted and facebooked, I know they can do this.

Please, Softpress guys – lock the lawyer in the washroom for a day and do
this for your hard-core fans…? 0:-D (this is my “please, please, please”
smiley-face)

–
Ernie Simpson

On Sat, May 26, 2012 at 6:20 PM, Walter Lee Davis email@hiddenwrote:

As to promoting this on FreewayTalk, I felt okay putting a banner on
ActionsForge, since that’s my site and I pay for it, and it’s “fishing
where the fish are”. But Softpress owns FreewayTalk, and while I certainly
could add something there, it’s not my call.

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