Sending AAS samples to independent, accredited laboratory in Europe

[whodatnation]

What about once you subscribe another sub forum is now opened for your use. Now you keep the underground and attracting new members but the lure of what is behind door number two and the information it contains can draw new subscribers.

And there is no doubt that this path we are on has any concrete answers on how to move forward but intelligent dialect between our community and I feel we can find the right way to inch forward.

@RockStar thanks for your understanding. If it makes you feel any better, the banner doesn't link anywhere and it never has.

@brutus79 and @lightspan are correct - traffic is crucial to the goals of meso. The general idea of a paywall, while raising some funds, would guarantee the rapid decline of traffic and along with it - sponsorship funding.

But @1forthegeeks may be on to something with the $25/month subscription-based model. Rather than a paywall, it could be for a value-added service as a way to complement the existing revenue stream.

The current business model may be unsustainable and incompatible with the long-term goals of meso for obvious reasons.

With this in mind, the goal of an expensive harm reduction, steroid-testing initiative is more than a little ambitious.

 

[1forthegeeks]

I bet it would leak either way. The good stuff always is.

Maybe Millard could set up a discount agreement with sponsors for the paid members, get an online supplement shop onboard.

 

[BIGMESC]

I always felt the Wikipedia-model of soliciting donations would be the most credible way to fund the site. I am skeptical it would work for MESO. In the 14 weeks that we've announced the acceptance of anonymous Bitcoin donations, we've only received the equivalent of $30 from website visitors. So, we've essentially scrapped that option for now.

As an active and participating member of Meso, I find this to be a disgrace.
I am embarrassed and ashamed of myself and my fellow members.

I am sorry for my personal lack of support Millard

 

[mercury]

I always felt the Wikipedia-model of soliciting donations would be the most credible way to fund the site. I am skeptical it would work for MESO. In the 14 weeks that we've announced the acceptance of anonymous Bitcoin donations, we've only received the equivalent of $30 from website visitors. So, we've essentially scrapped that option for now.

I think that the problem might be that bit coin is something new. I would not mind to drop a few bitcoins from time to time.

But it is something I have never used and I do not have clue what to do with it, I might need another 2-3 years to figure it out.

This is one of few site not controlled by sponsors and you are not scammed with the support of moderators.

 

[Ricardo]

Personally would have no problem making a donation with PayPal, dunno bit coin and wouldn't be arsed using wu mg etc.

You could have it that members that have payed monthly subscriptions have avatar and signatures, and non subscribers don't have access to pm's, avatar or signature?

Looking like the mass spec is a flop, 50 odd voters and thats it? Out of that 50 how many would pit the money were there mouth is?

On a side note...

I think you should do a PayPal donations button, when someone makes a donation let them control what it says under there name so instead of well known member it say donating member, but the user could change it, to whatever they see fit? If nothing else it would raise a small amount of revenue, and show you the wood from the trees, as in who will actually put there hand in there pockets... Anonymous donations don't have an incentive, particularly with bit coin as I for one know nothing about it.

 

[MythotiK]

Most do not understand or even want to deal with bitcoin, I myself quit using it and went back to the US dollar...

 

[BigHuu]

It's a good question. Such a program will be costly.

I think a minimum of 1000 samples/year would be required to have a significant impact on harm reduction. The program could be scaled down drastically but the impact would be much less.

For example, analyzing 1,000 samples per year would likely cost no less than $100,000 - $150,000. The samples and shipping would cost as much as another $100,000 per year.

That's a quarter of a million dollars.

If 500 members spent $25 per month every month and another 1000 members submitted samples, that could very well cover it.

Is the demand really there?

That remains to be seen.

A dumb question. How much cost a M / S machine? The community can buy M / S machine and do the analysis?

 

[newtoketo]

A dumb question. How much cost a M / S machine? The community can buy M / S machine and do the analysis?

Sadly alot more than this community would be able to raise!

 

[weighted chinup]

A dumb question. How much cost a M / S machine? The community can buy M / S machine and do the analysis?

This has actually been suggested before a little while back. @lightspan made a fairly detailed post basically explaining how a community bought/run mass-spec isn't really a viable option.

not to be a downer, but an lc/ms is not plug&play. you need to be able to prep samples, select a solvent system, run the hplc end of it, and maintain the mass spec. solvents need to be hplc grade and are not cheap. it requires a carrier gas (typically He), which means having cylinders delivered to your house. for a cheap one, you'd best be very experienced and know what you're doing, they're cheap for a reason. screwing up can fry the trap, which is pricey to replace. not to be a downer, but it's pretty impractical to have one of these in the garage.

 

[BigHuu]

I missed that post. Sorry guys.
Unfortunately It's never easy.

 

[bickel29]

I missed that post. Sorry guys.
Unfortunately It's never easy.

Don't be sorry, brother. Every member can not read every post. I'd rather members contribute by trying to offer solutions, than to remain silent because what they want to say *might* have been said already. Keep thinking and keep contributing!

 

[pumpingiron22]

I always felt the Wikipedia-model of soliciting donations would be the most credible way to fund the site. I am skeptical it would work for MESO. In the 14 weeks that we've announced the acceptance of anonymous Bitcoin donations, we've only received the equivalent of $30 from website visitors. So, we've essentially scrapped that option for now.

Sorry I should of donated. [emoji17]

 

[Boilermech]

I always felt the Wikipedia-model of soliciting donations would be the most credible way to fund the site. I am skeptical it would work for MESO. In the 14 weeks that we've announced the acceptance of anonymous Bitcoin donations, we've only received the equivalent of $30 from website visitors. So, we've essentially scrapped that option for now.

You should definitely set up a donation link for Meso members that want to contribute to such a great cause. I guarantee you I would send a donation. Sorry didn't know about the other donation. I would just like to send in a donation to the board to show my appreciation. Let me know if you figure anything out thanks.

 

[weighted chinup]

I missed that post. Sorry guys.
Unfortunately It's never easy.

Don't sweat it man It was actually suggested in another thread about a month or so ago, so I wouldn't expect you to have seen it, just thought I would share with you a pretty detailed explanation by another one of our members on why a community run mass spec isn't an easy thing to achieve

 

[BigHuu]

For many years I was a member of a forum of bike. A few years ago (2010 I think) some of the members decided to build a new bike. It was not easy but they have it done to build the bike.
I believe that if we have the will and passion dreams can become reality.

 

[showstoppa]

@Millard Baker are we any closer to this,m

 

[mmmiron]

I'm down to donate time, money, and supplies. BitCoin is difficult to use for tech illiterate people. There needs to be another (safe) method of donation. I'm looking to do a few MSs in the next few months so I'd have no prob donating that cost to the pot as long as I can get my supplies tested. If I'm repeating people sorry I skip a few pages.

 

[matthewrhopkins]

Although I am fairly new to this forum, I have no problem providing monetary donations.

I know that many people are hesitant or uncertain about the use of BitCoins, but I believe that it is the best source for funding with regards to privacy. With legal implications when dealing with AAS, privacy should not be taken lightly. Anything that can be traced back to you, in particular a money trail, can have adverse consequences.

Depending on your jurisdiction, BitCoins can provide this type of security. An extra step of precaution can be taken by employing a "Tumbler" service so there is anonymity in the transaction.
There is a reason why BitCoins are the primary form of currency in the DarkNet Markets where illicit goods are purchased and sold.

 

[Voltrader]

@Millard Baker Any updates on this thread?

 

[pumpingiron22]

????