Moving Tobacco Reviews Forward
Posted on June 15, 2008
Filed Under Site News |
Over the years, Tobacco Reviews has grown from a tiny beginning to what it is now - the preeminent place on the internet to find out and share information on pipe tobacco. I think it is safe to say that it is The Internet Pipe Tobacco Database.
Most of you are also probably aware that Tobacco Reviews is a one-man operation - a project I have worked on when I could find the time and afford to concentrate on it.
In recent months I have begun the hard work of moving Tobacco Reviews to a new system, completely rewriting the code that drives the site to provide better searching, adding of blends and brands, and lots of new features.
However, that progress has been slowed, stopped really, by the necessity of making ends meet. Due to personal circumstances I have had to concentrate on work elsewhere and have not been able to give Tobacco Reviews any of my attention and effort. I would sincerely like to be working on the site and getting things finished up for the move to the new code.
To do so, I need your help. In the past I have not solicited donations simply because I have not needed them, I have been able to cover the sometimes considerable costs of the site from my own pocket, and I have always been firmly convinced that all of the information in the database must be freely available to anyone and everyone. However, in my present circumstances, I am less able to shoulder those costs alone and will have to depend on the kindness of you fine folks. Over the last couple of years, I have sold the vast majority of my pipe collection and all of my cellared tobacco (mostly Escudo, Celebrated Sovereign and Orlik Golden Slices) to fund the site. Now that I no longer have those resources to sell I must ask for your help.
To give you a general idea of what I am asking for, I have prepared a list of the expenses associated with this project:
2 months minimum living expenses for me = $1200
New hosting for Tobacco Reviews = $240 / year
Contract programmer to help with the actual moving of the data = $850
Those expenses would provide me the ability to get the next phase of Tobacco Reviews development done and unveil the new improved site - one designed in large part around the discussions we have had here on this blog.
If there is any amount you can donate towards defraying these costs, it would be hugely appreciated and would help to make Tobacco Reviews that much better than it already is. For those who do not mind Paypal, you may simply click the button below. For those who would prefer another method, or who would like to send me a tin of tobacco or two or a pipe instead, please email me for my address.
When donating, please indicate if you DO NOT wish to be thanked publicly for your help. All those who do wish to be so thanked will be mentioned both on this blog and on the front page of Tobacco Reviews.
Comments
8 Comments »
Trackback responses to this post
Subscribe To News
Burning Questions
What beverage, if any, do you drink while smoking?
- Coffee (29%, 14 Votes)
- Other (21%, 10 Votes)
- Water (17%, 8 Votes)
- Cocktail (13%, 6 Votes)
- None (10%, 5 Votes)
- Beer (6%, 3 Votes)
- Soda (4%, 2 Votes)
- Juice (0%, 0 Votes)
- Wine (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 48
Loading ...
I’m currently an Oracle DBA and have been a MS SQL Server DBA and a developer in the past. I’ve done MS Access work and am a SQL Query Expert on all of these databases. I’m sure I could handle the moving of the data for you and would do it for free. Just send me the data, tell me what format it’s in, what you want to move it to. If you want to take me up on it let me know and we can discuss.
I’d love the help if you’re willing. Let me get together what I’ve got and I’ll send you an email tomorrow. Thanks!
Hey John
I think all of us are incredibly grateful for the time and effort (and expense) that you have put into this site.
It’s a must visit each day for me with a morning cup of tea and my first pipe of the day. I have learnt so much more here about blends, varieties, quirks and oddities than in my previous 40 odd years of puffing away:-)
I’ve Paypal’d you some, and when I can afford it (2 kids at university to support means it’s not as much as it should be)but when I can afford some more I’ll happily send you again.
May you go from strength to strength and carry all our good wishes with you.
All the best
Tony
Hey Jon,
I just sent you a donation as I appreciate what you have done to this site. I am new to pipe smoking and if it wasn’t for this site, I would be lost as far as finding the right stuff to smoke! It’s a great bunch of folks on here and look forward to keeping helping someone out who has the interest of all of us in mind.
I wish you well and am happy to help.
Regards,
Kevin Kantor
Rio Rancho, NM
http://www.SeeKevin.com
Hi all, i just recieved a mail from our favourite neighbourhood Pipestud and he has offered to sell pipe goodies on his online auctions and the proceeds will be donated to Tobacco Reviews. I will be sending some goodies his way and lets all give this a go.
This way we can mobilise the pipesmoking WORLD. (man was that great to say)
What do you guys and gals think of this idea???
Mo, South Africa
Jon,
I believe that I speak for most, if not all that have benifitted from this sight. I have learned from(and enjoyed) the wealth of knowledge shared by all of the tobacco mavens that post to this sight. I have learned more in six months from this sight than forty years of B&M “tobacconist”. Thank you for all of the time that you put in to make this sight possible. Keep up the good work.
Packer
For a guy living 1000km+ from a pipe store, this website has been a enormously useful resource. I can’t fathom how I would choose my imports without it! I’m happy to donate as I would easily buy a book with the same info…
It occurs to me that you must have literally thousands of REVIEW users and all benefit in one form or another. If each of us gave even a token amount, say $10.00 (+), you would easily meet your expenses and even, perhaps, take that hard earned and well deserved cruise.
Come on, pipe smokers, pony up.
John, you could help yourself with a tad more advertising concerning the need. I assumed REVIEWS happened by magic and only accidentally stumbled onto the little box labeled “Donations”.