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MeatHead Donations Page

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MeatHead dipped its first "server" into the icy waters of the internet back in the beginning of 2004. This was a shared server running on Easymeat's main gaming machine over his home 2MB/512kb cable connection. This machine couldn't handle more than a half dozen players at one time, and stopped if anyone got into a vehicle

Our first REAL server came into existence in September 2004 from spare parts bugsplat found on the floor one day  (a twin PIII-733MHz with just under a Gig of RAM) and it is the server that we still run today. Unfortunately was connected to the internet via easymeat's home 2MB/512kb cable connection. Although it does allow a dozen players (w/out vehicles) the popularity is such that we can no longer operate within the 5GB traffic cap of the standard cable connection plan.

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Server Costs

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The MeatHead server is now plugged into the internet using a 10MB/1024kb cable connection with a monthly cap of 10GB. This pipe size should allow the MeatHead clan to host up to 24 players, but given the way the cable is operated by Telstra-Clear, 16 is probably more likely - unless all the clients are local - but it should see us able to operate well into 2006 before we need to consider alternatives again.

The extra cost for doubling our pipe cannot be reasonably expected to fall on the shoulders of bugsplat & easymeat as they incur enough costs keeping their own habits paid for without supporting everyone else's as well....and the only reasonably fair way we have been able to do this is by extending our hand and asking for donations from the clan members - after all, they are the one who make the most use of our little home away from home.

MeatHead can only survive with financial help from its members!

The cost to the clan for piggy backing our server on top of easymeat's cable connection is currently NZ$80 per month (approx AUD$75 *) or NZ$960 per annum. This does not include the effort and time put in to maintain the server and Clan web sites.

So if you enjoy the membership of the Clan and all the kudos that it brings to your everyday life, then consider making a financial contribution to MeatHead to ensure that it does not die a horrible death in the back corner of the internet

Contributions to the cause are voluntary, but the reality is that without them, there would be no MeatHead the way we want it to be - and lets face it, you would probably spend more than $10 per month on things your mother would not be proud of anyway!

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What you need to know

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Why should I pay ? Other clans don't charge for membership!
Well, its kind of like this. We started the clan for the sheer enjoyment of it and that's what it is still about. The great thing is we have met like minded individuals who wanted to join our cause and build ourselves a home where we can call the shots and make our own rules. Unfortunately it costs money to do that these days (donation of livestock wont help pay our bills I'm afraid). If you feel that this is unreasonable, and that we have taken a step too far, then I guess that we don't have as much in common as we thought and you are welcome to go your own way.

Will MeatHead ever be free ?
We would like it to be - so if anyone has a large stash of cash lying around the house that they don't need anymore...reality is that we either receive enough contributions to maintain the server, or we shut it down...

How much should I give ?
Well, that is all up to you. Give as much as you want whenever you want. If you cannot afford to contribute to the cause, then you should not feel forced to. We wont think anything less of you.

Should I pay a lump sum, weekly or monthly ?
Whatever works best for you, but our bills have to be paid monthly.

Should I use PayPal or Bank Transfer ?
Whichever is easiest for you:

• Bank Transfer - if you live in New Zealand or Australia, a bank transfer (using internet banking) would be best. You can email me or send me a note in the forum asking for the MeatHeads New Zealand bank account details. If you live in Australia, you can email Sniffer or send him a note in the forum and he will send you the Australian account details.
• PayPal - if you have a current PayPal account or if you live outside of Australia & New Zealand (where's that!?), then this method is for you. Membership is simple and does not cost anything and payments can be made by credit card or bank transfer

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PayPal Payment Options

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