Can we get to $10k?

[+ Charlie]

There is no assurance that this site will continue, but if it doesn't, all the material that accumulated here over the past two decades may be lost, and there is also no assurance that a new site will be formed. Hooboy's site continued only because Bill had access to everything that constituted the site--both the contents and the technology--and was willing to keep it going. There doesn't seem to be any individual in a position to seamlessly keep things going, but there also doesn't seem to be anyone prepared to start a completely new site in which the current members will be welcome and will also feel at home. I would prefer the attempt to keep the current site on life support rather than count on the possibility that a satisfactory new site will somehow appear.

[LookingAround]

That’s a noble idea and sounds logical. But who will maintain the site once/if it is “safe guarded?” It doesn’t just run on its own. It will need to be maintained in the same way a new site would. There seems a misconception that if we just keep this site it can just stay on autopilot as if Bill were running it from Heaven versus a human would be needed were we to switch to a new site. That’s not the way it works folks.

[+ blondeq]

If I had a brain in my head, which I obviously do not, I would not touch this thread with a ten-foot pole. I started posting on this site during the final two years of Hooboys tenure. It can be seen, on any of my posts, that I contributed to Bill (Daddy) for several years. Now with that background out of the way I would like to state that frankly I would prefer to see this site die AND a new one, using the raw materials available here – started.

 

Great. Let us know when you’ve completed the mining of the raw materials and launched the replacement website.

[builder boy]

Time is running out no doubt

[coriolis888]

-

LOL, you’re assuming this site is assured to continue.

-

-

No, I am not assuming this site will continue.

 

On the contrary, I suspect it will come to a close as early as this summer, short of finding personnel and funds to keep it in existence.

 

When the estate eventually is administered and the court learns what the site is and what it does, it is possible some bigoted judge or bigoted law probate clerk may want to shut down the forum or at least the review site forum.

 

I am hoping the site continues. It will require a lot of work and a lot of luck (and money) to keep the site alive.

 

To start a new site is like starting a new business.

 

Where do you think new forum participants (members) come from or how they even know there is a new forum?

 

If or when this site closes, there will not be a forwarding message to a new site. That is not how the internet works.

 

Like a new store or restaurant that opens, getting people familiar with a new place or facility is time-consuming and often is not successful.

 

Optimistically, someone will come along and keep this site running.

 

Goodwill and word-of-mouth are what kept this site alive.

 

I suspect that many members are willing to pay a reasonable fee for continued forum access.

 

We will just have to wait and see what the future brings for this site.

 

Remember, nothing lasts forever. But, some things last a long time.

[coriolis888]

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Yes, the originator of the site, Hooboy, died suddenly in 2005.

-

 

Hooboy created a great place to share "our kind" of information.

 

He was a decent soul. Died much too young even though he usually declined to state his age.

 

He died of a heart attack while vacationing away from the U.S. He died quickly rather than with some awful lingering illness.

 

He created this splendid forum and, thanks to "daddy" the site has remained all these years.

 

Jobs well done!

 

http://archives.starbulletin.com/2005/03/04/news/story9.html

Edited April 24, 2021 by coriolis888

[+ Orin]

Optimistically, someone will come along and keep this site running.

 

And that perspective is really the crux of this whole adventure. The 'writer' side of me has a few thoughts about that to share here.

 

Twice, now, there was a 'someone' who cared enough about the continued existence of these sites to put in the time and effort to keep them running. Or, to put it into literary metaphor, a 'hero' arose to unselfishly take on that burden. We're all used to reading or watching stories that follow the well-trod path of "the hero's journey", to focusing our attention on some singular leader or sole possessor of whatever qualities are needed to push the story past obstacles and adversaries to achieve some climactic victory and reach a satisfying conclusion. Judging by the posts I've read, some of the people here appear to yearn for such a savior to rescue this virtual world.

 

But there is another type of story, one in which a group of people band together to overcome whatever obstacles are placed before them. And though conventional histories tend to focus on narratives which present certain individuals in that light -- people like presidents, generals and so forth, there are other histories, such as that written by Howard Zinn, which show how changes have been wrought through the communal efforts of labor unions, popular movements and collectives.

 

It has been suggested here that it is time for the community to take up a mission and step beyond the 'protect and inform' notion that Daddy/Guy/Bill laid out in the TOS, and advocate for the sex workers who populate this place, perhaps even in collaboration with the likes of the HRC. If there is a sense here that such a path is worthy of communal action, then the task of keeping the site running becomes a means to that end, rather than a burden placed on some singular hero who arises to save the day.

 

Much of the fiction that I have written for my blog is about the accomplishments of people acting together. But such things also happen in real life.

[coriolis888]

 

That’s a noble idea and sounds logical. But who will maintain the site once/if it is “safe guarded?”

 

There seems a misconception that if we just keep this site it can just stay on autopilot as if Bill were running it from Heaven versus a human would be needed were we to switch to a new site.

-

 

 

Who has that misconception?

 

If the courts allow the site to exist and if a new owner can be found and expenses are funded, the site will remain. If the foregoing is not met, the forum will slip into history.

[+ FreshFluff]

I’m a little confused by the discussion around changing the mission of this board. How would that look in practice? I’m imagining the current forum with a new name and an additional sub-forum called “Legalizing sex work and improving conditions for MtM sex workers.” How would this new sub-forum and mission provide legal protection for the more popular parts of the forum, e.g. the Deli? Is the idea to attract the interest of HRC and its legal resources?

[+ Charlie]

Hooboy created a great place to share "our kind" of information.

 

He was a decent soul. Died much too young even though he usually declined to state his age.

 

He died of a heart attack while vacationing away from the U.S. He died quickly rather than with some awful lingering illness.

 

He created this splendid forum and, thanks to "daddy" the site has remained all these years.

 

Jobs well done!

 

http://archives.starbulletin.com/2005/03/04/news/story9.html

I remember another source saying he was 53 at the time of his death.

[+ Lucky]

If I had a brain in my head, which I obviously do not, I would not touch this thread with a ten-foot pole. I started posting on this site during the final two years of Hooboys tenure. It can be seen, on any of my posts, that I contributed to Bill (Daddy) for several years. Now with that background out of the way I would like to state that frankly I would prefer to see this site die AND a new one, using the raw materials available here – started.

Why?

[+ MakeMeCowboy]

Let's hear from more people who believe in preserving and building upon this site AND are willing to put up some $$. I donated $200. I'm willing to donate more if the dialog gets more positive and momentum continues to build.

 

Start a new site from scratch? It's SO unlikely, let's not misdirect this initiative.

[+ Snbrd]

I've donated and did so happily. With Go Fund Me there doesn't appear to be way to give your forum name. When sending to Daddy in the past he knew it was me and it of course brought one to the cabana.

Just a thought.

[Islesguy]

I've donated and I'd like to see this forum and the review site continue. As someone who is meticulous about researching escorts, these places have been a godsend for me.

[builder boy]

I think we need to start messaging each other and sharing emails. These days are becoming far and few between. This site sadly maybe on its last days. Better to be proactive versus reactive ....

[coriolis888]

 

I think we need to start messaging each other and sharing emails. These days are becoming far and few between. This site sadly maybe on its last days. Better to be proactive versus reactive ....

 

 

I believe the forum member, @Oliver, is maintaining a contact list of forum members, provided they send a message to him with their contact information.

[builder boy]

Great

[+ Lucky]

So many people are contributing to the site. Cooper, of course, is doing a great job of moderating and keeping trolls away. JEC started the GoFundMe campaign. Oliver is maintaining the list of contacts, and so many are donating and/or advising. Not the least of which are Orin and his wife Deb. They have really done a fine job on this. Thanks to all of you!

[+ Autumnal]

I found the review site several years ago when I searched for "escort reviews". It was a couple of years after that before I first noticed/opened the message-forum, and a couple of more years before I worked up the courage to become a member. I have always contributed what I could to the site and am happy to contribute now to save it in whatever form it may take. Thanks to all of you who are working hard to keep these sites going for all of us!

[+ nycman]

Just wanted to point out that we raised $10,000.

 

Congratulations!

[+ Oliver]

I believe the forum member, @Oliver, is maintaining a contact list of forum members, provided they send a message to him with their contact information.

As of today, the number on those lists = 162.

[builder boy]

Great !!

[coriolis888]

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As of today, the number on those lists = 162.

-

 

Splendid, thank you.

 

Hopefully, many more will forward their contact information to you.

 

Those reading, please understand there is no guarantee this site will continue much longer.

 

If you value this type of site and have not yet sent your contact data to @Oliver, I urge you to do this posthaste.

 

If this site shuts down, other than through Oliver, there will be no way of accessing a list of like-minded forum members without a court order to access this site. Without a list of members, the type of forum, as we know it, will disappear.

 

While it is true the court might grant permission (to whoever is appointed probate administrator) to keep this site in existence, who knows if that person will feel preserving this forum is to the advantage of anyone?

 

The forum owner did not leave a will, or so it seems, and no relative has appeared to request court administration. Therefore, no one knows what the court will decide about the assets of the former owner or who will be appointed probate administrator.

 

I am wondering if a new thread should be created to advise forum members to forward their contact information to @Oliver.

 

Just a few words to the wise.

Edited April 26, 2021 by coriolis888

[Islesguy]

As of today, the number on those lists = 162.

Just checking to make sure you got my PM.

[coriolis888]

 

Just checking to make sure you got my PM.

 

-

@Oliver is doing us all a favor by maintaining a contact list of forum members in the event this site comes to a close.

 

Private messages should go directly to him through this forum.

 

It is extra work for him to check each thread to see who wants to be added to his list.

 

If a message was sent to him, I have confidence that he is accurately maintaining a list in case one is needed.