Site Issues

I had a mugger message me last night or this morning about some of the site issues. Unless you guys are emailing me, I don’t always know what’s being said in the Q&A. 

As you all likely know, the site needs some TLC. The scope is not wholly known and cannot be known until we perform some much overdue maintenance and updates. I suspect the updates would likely fix many, if not most, of the issues you’re experiencing, but I do not have any guarantees with it.

I hired a new developer to restore site functionality last October on an emergency basis. He quoted me at $550 for the above.

Most of you also know that the site is not here for profit. It’s never turned a profit. Most of the site has been paid for by me out of my own pocket with the occasional support of Muggers. I had hoped I’d be able to pay for the upgrades myself. I haven’t been able to and I don’t have a timeline on when I can.

if you guys want to fund the updates, you are welcomed to contribute. If, by some chance, we manage to raise the full amount needed, I will begin coordinating times with the developer. If not, then we’re stuck in a holding pattern and will have to limp along until I have the cash to do it. 

You can learn about the funding of the site and how to donate here: https://answermug.com/faq/view/48/1/5/0/how-does-answer-mug-pay-for-itself

I also want to address the elephant in the room. I’ve known many, if not most, of you for more than a decade now. When I got this site, I was in a better place financially, but definitely had some issues going on. The friendships, kinship, and even just the witty banter kept me going. I have the utmost respect for you all and have immense gratitude. My status has changed quite a bit over the years - you guys have seen me through a divorce, some awful relationships, my mother’s debilitating stroke, and more. Over the past roughly year and a half, both myself and one of my minor children have had some serious health issues. I think we’re both coming out of it now, but it’s been a haul that’s left me emotionally and financially drained.

I’m not ignoring you guys. I’m not ignoring the site. Even when things have been difficult, even when I wasn’t sure if I could buy groceries, I made sure that the site was paid for. That wasn’t for me. That wasn’t for profit. That was for you guys. Because I appreciate all of you being here and being there for me and I know that this site means as much to me as it does to many of you.

I appreciate you. And I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to M2C, because, without her literal years of volunteering as a mod, I genuinely do not know how we would have made it all this time.

The site isn’t going anywhere. As I’ve said before, if it ever hits the point where I can‘t keep it, the only way I would ever let it go is if it went to a tribunal of Muggers - it would stay with you guys - with the people who have known it and loved it in spite of its flaws for years. So, although I’ve been quiet, it’s not a lack of caring or concern.