I feel that getting people to donate towards a big prize such as a video card would cause a few problems.

• If some people donated a substantial amount towards a prize, then a non-donator won, there would be some resentment caused.- In a similar circumstance, people could donate could argue about non-donators winning, and start demanding that any prize contests are for donators only, leadin to further resentment between the 2 parties.- On a more personal level, I feel that donations should be spent on the upkeep of the website, rather than on big prizes, as the website is the most important thing.

Everyone here generally doesn't map just for conest, but to produce good maps for the enjoyment of the general public. The contests are just a sideline to all that, and the prizes are a tiny part of the contests as well. I've been on forums where there have been no prizes at all for winning mapping contests, yet there have always had plenty of entries, because of people's love of mapping.

If enough donations come in to pay for the website for a period of time, perhaps put the money normally used to pay for the website to one side. Keep saving that money until there is enough for a prize. On the odd occasion, a small prize would be fine, like the recent $50 gift card, but generally, people should be entering contests for their love of mapping and the competing against fellow mappers, not just to win an occasional prize.
In general, contests = a big YES, prizes = a small one on occasion, but donations should go towards the website's upkeep.

point 1 - we're not that bitchy a community, this wouldnt be a problem
point 2 - is identical to point one
point 2 - you have a point with this one. I'd say, always encourage donations and when cash is plentiful offer a prize.

Megadude wrote:
- - - On a more personal level, I feel that donations should be spent on the upkeep of the website, rather than on big prizes, as the website is the most important thing.

i agree on this note. me personally i donated for one reason. To see that this site NEVER goes down. i used to belong to another "community" (not gaming related) and was seriously considering donating.. didn't get a chance. because before i knew it it was shut down so. i had the extra cash, and i love this website. so i donated. and in time will probly donate again. not for contest prizes. although those are nice. and if you DO notice a larger interest in donations because of offereing prizes, then by all means keep doing it.
but me personally, i will probly never enter into a contest. (and yes i do map) but if i did win, the only prize i personally would care about is being in the community spot light, having MY MAP on the front page, and having mods review it and such,
now granted everyone has their own attraction for doing what they do.
but i just don't want to see the site go down :">

SO EVERYONE GO DONATE NOW! WHETHER YOU ENTER CONTESTS OR NOT!!! Cuz if you are reading this. then you obviously use this website

youme wrote:
point 1 - we're not that bitchy a community, this wouldnt be a problem
point 2 - is identical to point one
point 2 - you have a point with this one. I'd say, always encourage donations and when cash is plentiful offer a prize.

point 1 - i hope not. although i think you're right
point 2 - agreed
point 2 - AAAAH INFINATE LOOP!!!

The concern about site money being spent towards prized and not our hosting is valid, but trust me when I say I'd never let the site go in lieu of having a contest prize. We're not hurting for money, and really we never have been, it's just always helpful for people to donate a little bit here and there to take the load off of me and f0rkz' wallets.