David, we understand. This day was in the cards. It was just a matter of time.
Although I was thinking that since you've obviuosly helped out Morrissey over the last few years by letting people know of his concert tours, he should find it in his heart to donate some of his own money to this site. After all, if it wasn't for you, no-one would have known of his 1999 Tour and he in turn wouldn't of made any money. Anyway, that's just my humble opinion. Let the insults land where they may...

that this site has helped Morrissey immensly and he approves of it...its not a 'personal fan site' anymore...Morrissey should be supporting this site financially...Create an events bulletin board where people can post freely if you dont want to manually post everything.

I think you should charge some and also charge Morrissey. After all, this is basicallyhis offical site.

As a DJ in NYC who plays alot of Smiths & Morrissey, I think it is totally appropriate to have notices about special Smiths/Moz nights.

The only thing I'm against is when people use the Moz-solo exposure to decieve people... (e.g. calling their event a Smiths/Moz night but only playing a few random Smiths tunes here & there) I've been to events like this publicized on Moz-solo & was pretty upset.

I'm going to be doing a genuine Moz/Smiths night here in NYC very soon... & I would probably pay David if that's the way he decides to run things. The only thing I'm afraid of is the possibility that through adjusting some preferences, people may not see my announcement... which would be a shame because my event would certainly be genuine & worthwhile.

-c

...the "Playing all your favourites and Driving Your Girlfriend Home" comment was hilarious. My oh my... VERY FUNNY!

Oh and, charging people to advertise on your site would be understandable... I mean the amount of hits you must get a day is, surely, above average for an unofficial (although, it doesn't feel like that) website. Just as long as you charge the right people and not those who actually need all the publicity they can get.

Just a thought.

now maybe we won't be hit over the head all the time with those gay announcements from club addiction over and over again.

I don't think ads bother me. If they're useful, I even appreciate them. You just might want to create a very clear policy on what will be considered paid and what will be free. Otherwise people get their nose out of joint.

I know that some bands have turned to fans with really good pages in order to create an "official presence." But I have to disagree 100 percent with anyone saying that Morrissey should contribute to keep the site up. David T. could lose some of his independence that way. Particluarly when it comes to posting links to unheard tracks or that "South With Morrissey" debacle. I like my information uncensored. Secondly, I like the fact the content here is fan-generated. I think that is very romantic. It would, however, be cool if Morrissey contributed the occasional "Hello" to the fans via the site. A recent photo, would be nice. He never calls, he doesn't write--We worry.

I'd prefer this site to be ad-free as long as it's possible, but i don't mind if it's handled the way David tries to.

And, I've seen so many official sites, mostly run by record companies or 'spokepersons'... i like Morrissey-Solo as it is now - feel free to contribute, Morrissey, if you have something new to tell.

I think it reasonable to accept the appearance of ads on the site. It's easy to forget the amount of time, energy and money that David puts into this so we can get our twice weekly fix of all that is Moz. So let's take a moment to say THANK YOU DAVID! It's also important to note that the greatness of this site is it's "unofficial" fan-driven status. The over-influence of advertisers (or even Morrissey himself)would really take away a certain amount of freedom from the site. But can we stomach a few ads? Sure. But let it be known, I will weep if the day comes that the GAP buys a "My first Love: Morrissey-Solo" Ad.

Mr. T......who can blame you for trying to recoup some money for your time? Regretfully, I think that most of the clubs would balk at paying for ad space on your site. The posting of info (Moz/Smiths nights, etc.) here at Moz-solo strikes me as largely supplemental. I am wiling to bet that these nights are already being promoted locally via that clubs' weekly flier or print ad. It wouldn't make sense, or be cost effective for them to pay for additional advertising unless they were opening a Morrissey/Smiths themed bar that was all Moz, all the time.

I don't know if you anticipated the kind of growth you've acheived when ou started down this road four years ago or not, but I'm guessing you didn't. There are other revenue generators available to you like making it a membership site and charging anual fees, but obviously that would go over like a led balloon here. I personally would be willing to pay. Even it is a few dollars per, with over three thousand members and growing, it would certainly go along way towards compensation for your time. Just a (very unpopular, i'm sure) thought.

I must agree with "Xhris" on the thought of having Morrissey contribute. This is one of the finest examples of a fan based site in the history of the web, and his involvement would only jeapordize what goes on here. I do believe, however, that Morrissey already does contribute to this site. If there were a website devoted to my lifes work, I would almost certainly visit it often. Some of us have quite possibly responded to a Morrissey comment or even argued with him here over the years. Such is the blessing/curse of the anonymous world wide web.
In closing this novella, I hope that whatever you decide to do, you are able to keep the site moving forward. You have my sincerest thanks for all the news and information you have provided me with over the years.

Paris1938@yahoo.com

I hope everyone comes on time this time. Last time, everyone wandered in late and no one socialized, there were no tradings of CD-Rs, and everyone seemed unhappy. Until @ the last 3 songs, when everyone seemed drunk enough to let loose and sing. If you show up earlier and drink more, we'll all have a good time. Also, as usual, I'll bring a few CD-Rs for trade.

Why not? As long as it doesn't get to much, I mean I'd be happy to part with $10 per annum, though I'm not sure of the logistics of making this a members only site?
I think it would discourage the loafers who like to come in & call others, which would be no bad thing.
I think also that by being a member we all would feel more responsible & a greater part of this site.
Well that's me 2 penneth
Love
Grim O'Grady

No pop-up windows..ever.

I would like to suggest that Morrissey-Solo.Com is really such a wonderful internet presence and a source of pleasure to many of us that everything that can be done, by us all, to keep it running in it's present form (to keep idiots from postings obscene comments, to encourage debates on our UK pop-superstar Morrissey) would be welcomed AND encouraged. That's my position on this. I believe that many true Morrissey fans would think the same.

The UK adverts are blatent steps to obtain free publicity. Believe me, I know that if these people advertised in the free newspaper ads, for instance, they could end up paying around 50 quid per time for the privelege. These 50's all add up.

Finally, I would like to add a comment about the site in that it's unique and very honest style of reporting both major and minor stories and all the Morrissey related events, makes visiting David's site such a wonderful pleasure for me.

Hazard

I think charging (a small fee) for placing ads on here is a wonderful idea. It's much better than having to deal with annoying pop-up/pop-under ads. Besides, if they make money from the event(s), I'm sure they can afford to pay something. It'd be a win-win situation -- by helping to keep Morrissey-Solo alive, they'll be able to get the word out to a wider audience about their events. Only problem is how to prevent them from announcing the (money-making?) event through posting a comment or one of the Forums.

Another option would be to (as others have suggested) make Morrissey-Solo a member supported site, but in a way that wouldn't prevent non-members from visiting/using the site. Members, for example, could be granted special priviledges such as posting comments, using the Forums, etc. Or you could even perhaps sell items such as t-shirts, stickers, mouse pads, coffee mugs, etc. I've actually thought about doing that and then donating all the money to Morrissey-Solo, but never went ahead with it because I wasn't sure how you (David) would feel about it -- copyright and all.

As for those suggestions that Morrissey should also contribute financially, that's terrible. David created this site of his own free will. Morrissey never asked him to do this for him. This is a fan site -- and a damn good one, too -- and we must remember that. If it were an official site, that'd be different.

What about your (David's) previous suggestion/thought on splitting up some of the maintenance duties here? I personally would be willing to help out with whatever I can.

I think it would be good to have ads that way we can get info on things Morrissey-related going on around our towns. I would definitely support anything that has to do with Morrissey...

I have said in the past I would be more than willing to donate financially to the maintenance of this site and have more than once thought about dropping a check in the mail only to stop because I was sure David would just send it back.

I like the idea of a membership. It could be like PBS where it is completely voluntary. I like the idea of a t-shirt or a coffee mug coming with a membership.

Maybe for the price of a membership, David could get Moz to give us a quality copy of those unreleased tracks, kinda like the way the Beatles used to release Christmas singles to their fan club members (oh to dream...)

David,

Please, no ads! Especially pop-up ads!

But if you do decide to charge money for ads,

I wouldn't blame you. And I'd still keep on coming here.

Dear David, how many people would've come to
His signing sessions in LA en NY, without you
mentioning this, so ? [you know what I mean]

Yeah I think Morrissey should get his checkbook
and gave you a good financial bonus for all
the work and promoting and good work for him.

Another thing is it's very difficult to draw the line, and I guess favours will be asked a lot,
so my point is, it will give you a lot more trouble than pleasure.

It's okay with me to ask for money , to everyone,
split this webpage in a free and member zone .
You don't have to ask a lot of money to be
a member, let's say, about 10$ a year or abouts.
My point is that you should do more with multimedia, I mean where we can see and hear
all his videao's and songs, some live songs
and video's.
Look to Placebo's W page, or Suede's W page,
why not here, we all know this is the nr.1
Morrissey webpage.
Even for the current state of this page I'm
willing to pay.

Again, no offence David, I hope you know I really
admire what you do, and your dedication, but
my point is that it is difficult to draw the line.

Can you say no the Moz convention, if they're not
willing to give you money?
I think you should get the money you definately
earn for this site via another way, this will
only get you into trouble and problems.

Just sharing.

I absolutely feel you have a valid case for charging money for ads. The overall consensus appears to be a "no-popup" approach and I would tend to agree. Put me down for volunteering a donation too. Your site continues to be the veritable authority on all things Morrissey bar-none. Keep up the great work!

David,

Not only do you deserve some compensation for your time in publicizing (profitable) events...but having the ads in one area, like a directory, would make it easier for people to browse rather that going through blocks of news stories.

jg
oxoxo

P.S. No pop-ups though, please. This is one site where I can breathe easy about that.

I think it`s okay to put ads here.That wouldn`t bother me at all.I think the membership idea is a really great idea too.And I wouldn`t mind paying some kind of fee.I think it`s really cool that your asking our opinion on this anyway.Because you do all the work here and it is your site.And you could do whatever you want.

David,

Do you have a paypal account or some other means by which members could shell out a few $? I'm sure there are enough kind people on this site to make it worth your while. Perhaps you could offer morrissey-solo.com email addresses for a modest fee?

If I read David's suggestion correctly all this would mean is that a few of the event's displayed had made a private contribution to David for basically enabling their events to go ahead. We're not talking pop-ups here! It'd be the same as when you advertise your jumble sale in the paper shop window, hardly a big deal. It's so obvious that David's whole ethos is toward non-profit making that he can hardly be begrudged a few dollars for his time from people who are making a pile in one night.
As for a paying members site, well I don't even have a credit card so that'd be me out.But i'm certain that David would never dream of such a thing.
Thank's once again for everything you do here.

I don't particularly care one way or the other about ads - but my preferred solution is for a site like this to run on voluntary donations.

Some UK people here will from time to time look at a UK based pop-gossip site which, about 4 months ago was having serious problems with a crashing server. They launched a "server appeal" and it took about 3 weeks or so to raise a few thousand pounds. As a "reward", users got some stickers (which were nice to have but unnecessary) and got a gold star by their name once they had posted.

Now, I can see that this may give rise to some problems. People who have donated money might feel that they have some say over the way DavidT runs his site. There might be some question as to how you distinguish between money which goes to subsidise the running costs of the site, and money that goes into DavidT's pocket. People might feel that the use of stars to identify donors was divisive.

Personally, I think that these downsides are minimal, when compared to the ease and simplicity of the volunatary contribution route.

David: please launch an appeal. I'd give £50 to it tomorrow.

I am fully amazed that davidt has kept this website up for so long at such a high level of quality. I know there are other fine websites out there, but truly none that demand bi-weekly updates, none that are for such a niche group of folks.

Davidt must have done some really bad shit in his youth that out of guilt he does as much as he does for us.

  Charging for content that are in effect are ads is so innocuous, so below the radar of actual advertising, I have to wonder about some of you who even have to weigh its effect.

Please charge for these events if it helps you, and also sign up those X10 people while you are at it and just picture that gap ad for the smiths on your site, certainly there are some decent advertising markets for m-solo.

I know, I know, I too think its great that this site is as non-profit as it is, it’s beyond beautiful that at no point are we being coerced or sold to while within M-solo boundaries. That’s why to me M-solo is more a testament to the countless hours of labor of one davidt then it is to even Morrissey. This is the root of the end of M-solo, because at some point the adulation and appreciation from us pessimistic misanthropes is going to lose its allure to davidt, if it hasn’t already, and God help us when that happens. Then davidt will see us for what we are, a mob of selfish hermits who sap his precious life away in order for us to make ourselves happy. Then he will rightfully shut down M-solo and we will be all forced to go visit the troubled MLU club

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/morrisseylovesus
 
Now who wants that?
Nobody, so lets instead for once do something for davidt. What should we do? - Well what makes a man happy? Two things:

Money & Thai hookers
     
Certainly lets not gripe if he advertises on this site, but lets go even further and give him money or something else. I know he will protest, be modest and say he doesn’t want it, which is fine, but I think we have an obligation to do something for davidt.

On Amazon they have this thing where for a few minutes worth of time you can set up a little account that people could donate to which could then be dispersed to davidt. This best solution would be for davidt to do this so he gets the money directly. The lesser solution is someone who is trust worthy does it, I would do it, really I am not preaching and avoiding work, its just I am sure there are better people you would trust to give your money to than me. So this person collects the money through Amazon or pen pal and then transfers it to davidt. Simple enough. Or maybe when davidt is visiting Yemen, the Yemenite M-solo members can share their hut with them. I don’t know what the solution is. All I know, if you don’t care of the people make things work sooner or later you have problems.

Look at the breakup of the Smiths, look at the British Empire, the French Revolution, and on and on and on.

David,
If placing ads helps you to continue providing this great service to all of us, I say go for it. And truly, I could care the less what the ads are for! You've been dedicated to all of us, I think at the very least you shouldn't have to be shelling it out on your own!
Leigh

I rely on this site. I'd be more than happy to contribute money if necessary. A quarterly or yearly donation would not KILL some of us - and if you CAN send money. Why the hell not. Every buck helps I'm sure. Someone above mentioned opening some kind of account on Amazon... I'm not sure how that works, but if it would work for this type of web site - I'm all for it! Please don't be modest about it. What you do Davet is a tremendous help to us.

ps. I don't think Moz is the right person to hit up for cash (hahahaha).

I think enough of us are offering to help you out, honestly, I know some of us would not mind.

- EAlvin

Donations:

I'd be happy to send over a yearly subscription
fee. ((For that, I would expect GREATSEA's comments to be removed from the forums ! - is that TOO much to ask for ?))

From the UK, it would be easier for
people in the UK (and me) to send over some US dollars directly to a US postal address or PO Box.

Something like 20 dollars a year seems a fair amount - Does anyone else agree ?

Hazard

Bad Idea David, for example take Lipgloss the new club in Denver. The people responsible just wanted to get out the word so good people would have some place to go and it was not the intention to use your good name to make a buck. So keep the site free and if you like don't post the stuff unless you feel motivated to do so..

Dave T, put a poll on what people would prefer:
a. Donations
b. Banner Ads
c. Pop-up Ads
d. Charging for the Site
e. Moz Paying for the Site
f. Dave T eat the cost.

I'll go with A. Keep the site the way it is, The Paypal idea was genius. Let me know where to go to contribute.

Also, thank you for the site. It is greatly appreciated.

Hi, as U.K. organiser of the forthcoming U.K. Sweet & Tender Hooligans tour, I have to thank you for the publicity that you have given to the gigs, I certainly would not object to paying a reasonable fee for the service you provide, but hopefully the chance to see a truly great Smiths tribute show will give fans a good night out, but the costs involved are high too, the band are coming from L.A., they will be lucky to cover their costs.
The real winners here are the venues involved, they will make money, whatever!

well I'd be glad to support as volunteer (that paypal idea is nice) - if it's not troublesome, you could provide a form for credit card payment from abroad (Europe).
I find that to be rather easy. But I don't know if that's technically feasible.