April 2020 Drive: Finding Community in Isolation

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2020-04-23 00:07:48 UTC

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The Organization for Transformative Works is a non-profit, staffed by volunteers from around the world. Everything we raise goes to support our projects. But we can't do that alone. That's why today, as we do every April, we are launching our bi-annual membership drive, and asking our users to donate to support our work.

Of course, this April is in many respects unlike the ones before it. The current global circumstances are unprecedented, and we understand that many of the people who would usually donate to the OTW may not be in a position to do so at present. We want to reassure you that thanks to your previous generosity and the tireless labor of our Finance committee, we are here for the long term for all of our users, regardless of how much money we are able to raise this time around. Your donations now will help us to sustain our work even further into the future, and support us in planning how we can grow in the years to come.

Donations represent an investment in the OTW that is more than just financial. Any donation of US$10 or more will make you eligible to become an OTW member for the next year, or to renew your membership if you've donated in the past. Members can vote in our August elections, determining the makeup of the Board of Directors who manage the OTW’s strategic development and guide our future planning.

As always, but especially now, we want you to know that every contribution you make to our community is valued and important. Whether you create fanworks to entertain and uplift us all, engage with creators through kudos and comments, contribute to recording fan history and culture, enlighten us with academic papers on fannish topics, volunteer your time to help us, or offer financial support to all of our projects, we are grateful that you are a part of what we do!

Please consider donating if you can, and help us do the best we can to support this community today, tomorrow, and always. We may have spent the past weeks and months in isolation, but thanks to your engagement we are never truly alone.

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blanknight Thu 23 Apr 2020 12:17AM UTC

Hello! When I click on the link to donate, I get an error that either the connection has been reset, or that there is malware in the page I am trying to access....is this normal?

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1. Karen Wolf (OTW_DevMem) (Official) Thu 23 Apr 2020 12:29AM UTC
  
  Thank you so much for your interest in donating. The link has been fixed!
  
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2. aQpZfknIdC (Guest) Thu 07 May 2020 03:09PM UTC
  
  MepvHPYT
  
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3. mCZMTYkVdADN (Guest) Thu 07 May 2020 03:09PM UTC
  
  aqiHYZKIdwy
  
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mutantleech Thu 23 Apr 2020 01:25AM UTC

Done! Thank you for your hard work! <3

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Lia404 Thu 23 Apr 2020 01:26AM UTC

Thank you OTW for your remarkable dedication, for all the resources on transformative works that I keep on using to try and explain to non-fandom friends the importance of a space like A03.
And most of all thank you for keeping this space safe for everyone, always improving it, always making it a better place with fantastic tools to help us all navigate freely through what cheers us up, easily avoiding what doesn't, and listening to our feedback.
Every time of trial I marvel at how important the very existence of AO3 is and now more than ever it just strikes me so hard how badly we all need this place, this freedom of sharing.
I am glad for a chance to support the OTW and will certainly not cease to do so anytime soon.
Thank you.

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DeathByStorm Thu 23 Apr 2020 01:29AM UTC

Donated! Thank you for all that you do :)

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Musely Thu 23 Apr 2020 01:49AM UTC

Howdy! I'm really curious if there's been increased or decreased traffic of a substantial amount due to current events, or is it too soon to see if there's been a significant impact?

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1. Amiril Thu 23 Apr 2020 02:01AM UTC
  
  traffic has gone up! There are some tweets on @AO3_status about it
  
  Last Edited Thu 23 Apr 2020 02:01AM UTC
  
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2. 1. Musely Thu 23 Apr 2020 02:43AM UTC
    
    Thank you! I should follow that Twitter then. :)
    
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3. NovaWasTaken1 Thu 23 Apr 2020 02:01AM UTC
  
  Check out some of the other recent news post- they've definitely seen way increased traffic in the past few weeks, to the point where they had to do emergency measures to keep everything stable. Everyone's reading fanfic :D
  
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4. DigitalAgent Thu 23 Apr 2020 09:49AM UTC
  
  Yes
  
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leasspell_dael Thu 23 Apr 2020 02:16AM UTC

Thanks to AO3 for helping me keep my sanity! ♥

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Logged Out Reader (Guest) Thu 23 Apr 2020 02:30AM UTC

Given the current pandemic, I don't think it's the best time for this call for funds. I have donated to other causes and with some being out of work/lacking certainty about the future I think it might have been better to wait.

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1. Pathfinder221B Thu 23 Apr 2020 03:04AM UTC
  
  Nah- they still need money to uphold their servers, esp with increased traffic, and no ones being forced to donate. If you can, cool, if you can’t also cool. Personally, I just hope everyone stays safe and healthy, and I hope you have a good day.
  
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2. 1. Logged Out Reader (Guest) Thu 23 Apr 2020 12:03PM UTC
    
    Thanks. Hope you're able to keep safe.
    
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  2. finalfragment Sun 26 Apr 2020 09:35AM UTC
    
    well said and that's all what the point of donations are. Plus, the fact we are all quarantined and having a hard time, it's nice to be able to escape reality on a great site like AO3. I'd donate to my last dollar.
    
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3. Unicron Thu 23 Apr 2020 03:14AM UTC
  
  You do realize that traffic has increased, right? AO3 is busier than ever, they are completely justified going forward with a prescheduled fundraiser. If you don't want to donate you don't have to, but don't judge a nonprofit for trying to keep on keeping on
  
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4. Taenith Thu 23 Apr 2020 03:17AM UTC
  
  As was specified in the post, the fundraising drive occurs every April and October. It also explicitly states that they completely understand if people aren't able to give like they normally would.
  That's why today, as we do every April, we are launching our bi-annual membership drive, and asking our users to donate to support our work.
  Of course, this April is in many respects unlike the ones before it. The current global circumstances are unprecedented, and we understand that many of the people who would usually donate to the OTW may not be in a position to do so at present. We want to reassure you that... we are here for the long term for all of our users, regardless of how much money we are able to raise this time around.
  As others have pointed out, and as the Twitter account @AO3_Stats documents, usage has gone WAY up. AO3 and the OTW more generally are literally one of the best things that we as a fandom community have ever created, and they are asking, politely, at the same time they have always done every year, if we would care to donate less than the cost of one month of Netflix access.
  It's absolutely understandable that many people can't donate right now, but for the many who ARE able to, this is frankly a perfect time to give. And with that, I'm off to make my own donation now!
  
  Last Edited Thu 23 Apr 2020 03:27AM UTC
  
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5. 1. AriPotter Thu 23 Apr 2020 04:06AM UTC
    
    ^^^^ Yes, that. Thank you. ^^^^
    
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6. Same Here (Guest) Thu 23 Apr 2020 03:59AM UTC
  
  Glad I'm not the only one with this opinion. My charity has gone to the local pet food pantry, which is in desperate need of donations to help out-of-work people avoid having to give up beloved pets they can't afford to feed. There are /seriously/ some greater needs out there right now.
  
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7. 1. Logged Out Reader (Guest) Thu 23 Apr 2020 12:05PM UTC
    
    It was more that I thought they might earn more if they did it later in the year (though who knows where we'll be by then). I certainly appreciate AO3, however my donations have gone to people with more immediate needs at this time.
    
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  2. 1. Elli (Scarlet_Anna) Sun 03 May 2020 07:36AM UTC
      
      If you read the actual post, as other commenters have highlighted... it’s a standard thing and understanding. I
      Keeping it here makes things easier for their finance department rather than the idea ‘we can make more later’ that’s just money grabbing with is not ao3’s style.
      If you read the article above, before commenting, you would see that they understand funds are tight and donations may go elsewhere. No one (literally no one) is saying that you have to donate here bc you did before. This is their bi-annual thing, keeping it steady also helps keep consistency In a time when nothing is certain.
      It’s not tone-deaf either, AO3 saw a huge spike in traffic they had to do emergency maintenance. Are they just supposed to not do that because it’s tone-deaf to ask for funds on their planned funding event? That fund the site? And help make sure the site stays running during a time people are relying on this site for entertainment and etc?
      It may not seem like a /greater/ need (to quote the commenter above) but it is something that is used and being overused and clearly underappreciated
      
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  3. butbythegrace Thu 23 Apr 2020 12:43PM UTC
    
    Shaming people who have resources to give for deciding where to put their own money is in poor taste. It's none of your business whether or not someone has also donated money elsewhere too. What is with this mentality that if you donate money here, you absolutely must not be giving to anyone else? Or that you could have "given more" to someone else? This is a bad take, and no different right now than it has been during any other donation drive.
    
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  4. 1. LadyMoonveil Fri 24 Apr 2020 09:45PM UTC
      
      ^^^^ This! Some people just fail to grasp the fact that network traffic has gone up in general due to the virus, and it makes perfect sense for AO3 to continue with their PLANNED donation drive because there is a cost to dealing with the increase in site traffic. Nobody is forcing them to donate if they can't. It's ironic because by being on AO3, leaving those comments, and consuming content here FOR FREE, those people are part of the reason why the donations are needed in the first place. On top of that, people need to mind their own business when it comes to where other people are putting their money in terms of donations. It's their money, they get to decide what to do with it.
      On a related note, I work in telecom and see so much of this similar type of misguided rhetoric. We're an essential service, and people work so hard to make sure internet/phone/TV services aren't disrupted during this difficult time for everyone. It's even more important now considering the number of people working/taking classes from home. You might not see us on the front lines, but we're also dealing with an increased amount of work, and people don't seem to realize how much effort/money it takes to maintain servers/network infrastructures/deal with the massive uptick of traffic. (The most disheartening thing is when we put out a post saying that we've made a bunch of movie channels free, in the hopes of encouraging people to stay at home. And yet some people still went on the attack because, "how dare you put out an ad during the pandemic!!!" It makes no damn sense, but I guess some people just can't help themselves but be negative about everything.)
      There is an incredible team of people behind AO3, and they also need money to survive and keep the site alive. Not only do AO3 host millions of fanworks, they also make sure that this place is totally ad free and a safe space for creators. We never have to worry about a fic being purged when a group of content police think something is "offensive" or "immoral", because AO3 has a Legal Advocacy team. You want improvements to functionality and performance? Well that requires developers and new hardware, which is reliant on donations as well. There's a reason why AO3 took over as the most popular fanfiction site over places like fanfiction.net/livejournal etc, and it is impossible to maintain AO3's quality of standard for free. So unless the people complaining about the donation drive are never going to read another fanfic on this site again, they need to stop with their guilt tripping and let people donate in peace.
      
      Last Edited Fri 24 Apr 2020 10:22PM UTC
      
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    2. 1. Nightcandle Sat 25 Apr 2020 09:13AM UTC
        
        kudos to this comment :)
        
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      2. verticalized Sat 25 Apr 2020 11:47AM UTC
        
        Adding another kudos to this comment <3
        
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      3. friki Sun 26 Apr 2020 01:50AM UTC
        
        Kudos <3
        
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  5. PorcupineGirl Sun 26 Apr 2020 10:01PM UTC
    
    As someone who's volunteered with a variety of animal rescue groups, I can assure you that there are plenty of people who would call you selfish for daring to contribute to an animal-related group when there are so many humans in need right now.
    It's almost like everyone should mind their own business and not judge others on their choice of nonprofits to support, now or ever!
    
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  6. 1. Grace_Ravenclaw Mon 27 Apr 2020 03:44AM UTC
      
      Wow! People aren't afraid to judge, are they? lol Kudos to this comment!
      
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    2. 1. PorcupineGirl Mon 27 Apr 2020 11:44AM UTC
        
        LOL This person clearly was not involved in animal rescue when Katrina happened - even though stray dogs and cats were disease vectors at the time, so it wasn't even only the animals' welfare at stake, there were people turning up their noses at the idea of volunteers going out to round them up instead of dealing only with people. There is ALWAYS someone ready to judge why this nonprofit/cause is less worthy than that one. Always.
        
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8. Peals Thu 23 Apr 2020 07:00AM UTC
  
  yeah, definitely in poor taste imo. I understand they do it every april but could they not have waited a month at least? that would have been much more respectful. I love this site but there are so many places that deserve donations right now and people can hardly afford them. :/
  
  Last Edited Thu 23 Apr 2020 07:03AM UTC
  
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9. 1. A (Guest) Thu 23 Apr 2020 08:58AM UTC
    
    A month would've hardly changed the situation, since COVID-19 is unlikely to go away any time soon. Is AO3 supposed to stop their (prescheduled) donation drives (which are when they get the vast majority of donations, which among other things go to server purchases and maintenance that are making it possible for millions of people out there to have a sliver of positivity in their lives right now) until 2021/2022?
    Also, thinking that any donations to AO3 are being taken away from other (more worthwhile in your opinion) causes isn't the right way of framing it. People aren't making a choice between donating 10 bucks to AO3 or to a food pantry. That's really not what's happening.
    By your logic, any expenditure somebody makes on a want (or something that just isn't a basic need) is selfish, and that's pretty awful.
    
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  2. Logged Out Reader (Guest) Thu 23 Apr 2020 12:10PM UTC
    
    They've got a huge chunk now. I had just thought they might lose out by doing it now. It seemed a little tone deaf, even though they acknowledged the situation, but it hasn't done them any harm.
    
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  3. ancientreader Fri 24 Apr 2020 04:44AM UTC
    
    The Archive is a huge benefit to readers and writers, especially at a time like this when physical libraries are closed and no-cost reading matter is less available.
    Any given person's decisions about what causes to prioritize are likely to differ from any other given person's, and so what? If we all give whatever we can, in time/work/funds, to whatever cause we cherish, that's all that can be asked. As for whether the AO3 ought to have waited a month (or six weeks, or three months, or three days), best projections is that this pandemic is going to be with us for a long, long, long time, so we may as well settle in.
    
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  4. 1. Wintertree Sat 25 Apr 2020 05:00PM UTC
      
      Most libraries still have ebooks available, it’s quite easy to read on a browser or device. My local branch has a special “ecard registration” so you can get a library card online/remote for those who put off getting. Please don’t use this as your argument.
      
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    2. 1. ancientreader Sat 25 Apr 2020 05:23PM UTC
        
        In fact ebooks are very expensive for libraries (this is a whole long issue between publishers and library systems and how publishers price ebooks for availability to libraries) and relatively few titles are available as compared with hard copies of books. I live in NYC and it is shocking how few books are available electronically through our library system. So yes, I most certainly will use this as part of my argument.
        
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      2. Wintertree Sat 25 Apr 2020 07:38PM UTC
        
        I’ve been reading 3-4 ebooks per month through my local library both pre & during this crisis, and while I’m sometimes placed on a waitlist for harder to find titles, there’s always another book to in the queue or something new to read. Like you would find on the archive, always seeing what’s new and out there. Take the time to sign up with your branch's petition against ebook limitations when you have a moment. Also some databases have lowered their paywall for more research based works.
        Please don’t discourage people from checking out there local online branch
        EDIT: Not keen on the wording as if I, a patron, checking an ebook out costs the library money. I’ve discovered some really fascinating short story writers just by clicking through available titles, as I would here
        
        Last Edited Sat 25 Apr 2020 07:40PM UTC
        
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        Wintertree Sat 25 Apr 2020 07:42PM UTC
        
        Also that’s just another reason to financially support/donate to your local library branch instead of ao3, as ao3 has well surpassed their stated financial needs for this half of the year
        
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      3. A (Guest) Sat 25 Apr 2020 10:28PM UTC
        
        I can assure you a lot of libraries outside of the US, Canada, and certain parts of Europe don't have this kind of service available.
        Assuming that everyone has access to the same services and opportunities as you do is shortsighted.
        
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      4. Wintertree Sat 25 Apr 2020 11:36PM UTC
        
        I’d be more than happy to help find resources for you if you’re in a region without such library services. But that further goes to my point that your local library branch and community centers could use financial support at this time, whereas surplus funding to ao3 (as they’ve now tripled their goal to fully run this site) isn’t going to be a useful contribution.
        
        Last Edited Sat 25 Apr 2020 11:38PM UTC
        
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        A (Guest) Sun 26 Apr 2020 12:14AM UTC
        
        Assuming that you know better than I do about the actions I need to take in regards to a situation you neither know about nor understand isn't only shortsighted, but also incredibly haughty and presumptuous, as is the assumption that any of this is an either/or scenario, where the OTW is stripping other non-profits of funding. You have no idea how people are allocating their funds.
        You also don't get to define what is or isn't a useful contribution, and what people get to consider as a worthwhile resource or important cause to invest in.
        Last but not least: trying to guilt trip people into thinking any non-essential or discretionary expenditure in times of great mental and emotional distress is immoral or selfish is incredibly harmful. People are allowed more than merely thinking about survival.
        
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        Wintertree Sun 26 Apr 2020 01:26AM UTC
        
        yeah okay I’m just gonna say this and leave it at that for the day: ao3 said their need was $130k. I am not disputing that number, nor am I personally oppressing anyone who supported that goal. but I am allowed to say/think my opinion, which is that they TRIPLE MET THEIR GOAL. the amount THEY said they need oh my god. Truly giving me a headache
        
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        A (Guest) Sun 26 Apr 2020 01:38AM UTC
        
        You are aware that drive goals err on the conservative side, right? And that the OTW is looking to, at some point, be able to expand their operations so they can offer more than they currently can, right?
        Any 'surplus' in donations they receive will help them achieve these goals of offering something beyond what they are capable of offering now.
        This might mean nothing to you, and that's fine, but you don't get to dictate whether it does to anyone else.
        I hope you have a good day. Stay safe.
        
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  5. Lady_Ganesh Sun 26 Apr 2020 12:13AM UTC
    
    A lot of food shelves, etc, will need the money more in a month, because a lot of times in a crisis there's an initial burst of donations/activity that then deflate.
    
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  6. finalfragment Sun 26 Apr 2020 09:40AM UTC
    
    what is respect? we donated to them. that's respect.
    you know, some people need money to be able to put food on their plate.
    
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10. DigitalAgent Thu 23 Apr 2020 09:52AM UTC
  
  If course you can’t! And wtf is ao3 doing asking for money at this time?!?!?!! They make millions of dollars a year, now is not the time to ask for nonessentials
  
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11. 1. Anon (Guest) Thu 23 Apr 2020 10:34AM UTC
    
    Here’s the complete budget, please point out where they “make” millions of dollars
    https://archiveofourown.org/admin_posts/15532
    There is no product. They don’t sell anything. Access to the entire archive is free and unrestricted. The only incoming funds they have are through donation. Donation is how the site exists. You may not be in a place to donate, and that’s completely understandable. You may have other charitable priorities. But saying you don’t think they should fundraise because other things are more important is saying they shouldn’t exist
    
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  2. Caterfree10 Thu 23 Apr 2020 03:56PM UTC
    
    And for that misinformation, I’m donating an additional $20 especially for you. <3
    
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  3. 1. DigitalAgent Thu 23 Apr 2020 04:22PM UTC
      
      I mean, I guess you schooled me?
      
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    2. 1. Caterfree10 Thu 23 Apr 2020 05:30PM UTC
        
        Nah, those who posted and explained what the AO3’s budget actually fucking says did that for me. I’m just adding to my donation to spite you. :3
        
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      2. avpm Thu 23 Apr 2020 11:34PM UTC
        
        can you donate to an actual important charity like covid relief now if you have that much to spare
        
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        (25 more comments in this thread)
    3. Wintertree Sat 25 Apr 2020 05:01PM UTC
      
      bro the limit has been met... please consider giving an additional $20 to your nearest local food bank
      
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    4. 1. Caterfree10 Sat 25 Apr 2020 05:46PM UTC
        
        Cool more money has been added to my total because y'all dumbasses cannot shut up and mind your damn business.
        
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      2. (Previous comment deleted.)
        
        Caterfree10 Sat 25 Apr 2020 10:25PM UTC
        
        First off, I'm not a ma'am, and if you consider yourself a half decent person, you can fuck right off with the misgendering. Second, I am a goddamn adult and I will spend my money as I see fit. Last I checked OTW does have a cause, that's one of many reasons they're a fucking nonprofit.
        You are not my parents, nor are you a financial advisor I've hired. You don't get to dictate where my fucking money goes. Period, end of discussion.
        
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        Wintertree Sat 25 Apr 2020 11:26PM UTC
        
        EDIT: couldn’t edit past comment so just deleted and Recopying the rest of it below:
        it is your money and your finances, but you are also speaking on a public forum where your words are read and absorbed and interpreted and therefore judged. don’t speak if you don’t want to be heard, but know your dollar is doing more to support your ego than a cause.
        apologies for using the wrong gendered language, going back to adjust initial comment as such now that I’m aware. But the rest of my comment stands.
        This is a public forum you electively chose to comment on, and I commented on it. I am not forcing you at gunpoint to donate elsewhere lmao. I am a stranger on the internet responding to your public and freely given statements. But the goal has been met. The extra funds given to ao3 at this point will do nothing to support a cause you believe in (archiving fanworks), but surpassing the goal of a charity (such as a foodbank) will directly help real human beings (feed more people in an unprecedented crisis).
        
        Last Edited Sat 25 Apr 2020 11:31PM UTC
        
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        Caterfree10 Sun 26 Apr 2020 01:47AM UTC
        
        Again, stop dictating to me what I do with my own goddamn money. We are strangers and frankly fucking speaking, I pray we don't share a fandom since AO3's single flaw is I can't block people here. I will help OTW surpass their own goal bc I like them and I'm tired of people talking shit about them while turning around and continuing to use their services like the hypocrites they are. fuck off if them having their regularly scheduled fundraiser is so offensive to your delicate sensibilities.
        
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        Wintertree Sun 26 Apr 2020 02:31AM UTC
        
        k
        
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12. provocation Thu 23 Apr 2020 04:20PM UTC
  
  it definitely is a horrible idea to proceed with their planned fundraising, they should be redirecting efforts towards donating to important causes. the fact that they are still advertising the drive even having surpassed their goal by almost $100,000 US is disgusting. there’s so much going on in the world and so many people hurting and in need of money, so this is a horrid time to share something like this. there are so many better things that the archive could have done to support their readers in a time like this.
  
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13. 1. Elf (Elf_Herself) Thu 23 Apr 2020 04:28PM UTC
    
    ...this is about the readers supporting the archive. Which they need to do, to some extent, if the archive is going to continue to exist.
    This funding drive happens twice a year. The post acknowledges that many people are having financial troubles right now, and they are absolutely not expected to donate. This is a request to those who can afford to support the archive that gives so many people a bit of comfort and entertainment while the world around them is going through hell.
    If can't afford it, don't donate. For a lot of us, AO3 is a very important cause - it's giving us a sense of connection and hope, which we desperately need right now.
    
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  2. ChrissiHR Thu 23 Apr 2020 08:14PM UTC
    
    You aren’t obligated to donate or pay for content. Ever. The Archive is free to all who use it.
    Those of us who can donate will continue to do so, though, and the reminder of the fundraiser is very much appreciated. I didn’t hesitate to make a donation when the notification popped up and I will continue donating as long as I’m able because I can afford to right now. If you can’t spare the money, that’s totally okay, too, always, but that doesn’t mean nonprofits like the OTW should cease normal operations, especially while traffic on the site has increased exponentially. The Archive is supporting its readers by providing an escape from survival mode for a while, from the mundane—free, ad-free entertainment at a time when everything is just a little too expensive for those who are struggling financially. It’s still important to feed the soul even when you’re in survival mode. I don’t mind donating or being asked to donate for that purpose. Everyone deserves free reading material, especially now that so many libraries are closed. That doesn’t mean I won’t also donate to my local Second Harvest to feed my neighbors, too. I have those resources. I’m happy to share them and I appreciate the twice-a-year reminders from the OTW to donate to help keep the Archive up and running for everyone.
    
    Last Edited Thu 23 Apr 2020 08:18PM UTC
    
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  3. Elli (Scarlet_Anna) Sun 03 May 2020 07:43AM UTC
    
    Then go read fanfic elsewhere if you are so disgusted. But I guess you won’t and will keep using their services. For free; bc ao3 is free and needs money from somewhere to keep everything running and make improvements. But that just comes from magic dust or something and not this fundraiser... oh wait.
    AO3 saw a huge spike in viewers and readers but also, you don’t have a say on how people spend the money they have (especially not now). If people wish to donate here, to a site that is clearly doing good during this time, but not in the perceived way of ‘good’, then they can.
    Then again, to repeat: if you’re so disgusted go read fanfic elsewhere
    
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14. hevyn Fri 24 Apr 2020 02:00AM UTC
  
  I am so happy AO3 decided to hold its fundraiser as usual, and from the level of other donations, I think others are as well. AO3 is one of the few bright spots in the world today. I couldn’t be more pleased to be able to contribute.
  
  Last Edited Fri 24 Apr 2020 02:04AM UTC
  
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Account Deleted Thu 23 Apr 2020 02:36AM UTC

Donated :) Thank you for all that you do.

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kiri_no_yami Thu 23 Apr 2020 02:37AM UTC

Donated! Thanks for your hard work :) This place is amazing.

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SweetMikan28 Thu 23 Apr 2020 03:16AM UTC

'general contribution link error' ? :'(

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1. Nightcandle Thu 23 Apr 2020 07:15PM UTC
  
  the link should be fixed by now :)
  
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Professorpotatogaara Thu 23 Apr 2020 03:19AM UTC

I finally donated after being on this site for so long glad i was able to do so without my antivirus freaking out♥

Last Edited Thu 23 Apr 2020 03:21AM UTC

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sharkdolphin Thu 23 Apr 2020 03:58AM UTC

Thank you OTW volunteers for all your hard work, it's very much appreciated! 🙆🏻♀️💕

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AriPotter Thu 23 Apr 2020 04:03AM UTC

Donation sent! With the amount of time I spend on this site, especially recently, contributing the the organization is the least I can do. Thank you for all the work you do to provide us with a stress free environment where we can nerd out over whatever makes us happy! Stay safe!

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PersianPenName Thu 23 Apr 2020 04:14AM UTC

Yall I have been mainlining fic for a month and a half, take my fucking money!

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1. lysanatt Fri 24 Apr 2020 07:11PM UTC
  
  I think you speak for a lot of us here.
  
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Anon (Guest) Thu 23 Apr 2020 05:08AM UTC

Ok, I get you guys need money but do you guys have to be so freaking pushy with it!? Literally, your donation alert keeps popping up on every page you go to, or when you go back a page. It's very, very annoying. It should leave and stay gone when someone hits the x, not bug the help out of them. Please, fix it so it stops popping up every time you go to a page. Thank you.

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1. DigitalAgent Thu 23 Apr 2020 09:54AM UTC
  
  Agreed. Especially now when we need PPE and money to donate to hospitals now
  
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2. enchantedsleeper Thu 23 Apr 2020 02:09PM UTC
  
  The banner is designed to stay gone when someone hits the X - that's what it did for me. If not, that's a bug, unless you're not allowing cookies to be set which would prevent the preference from being retained.
  Alternatively, if you have an AO3 account, you can go to "Preferences" => "Turn off the banner showing on every page". Once that's checked, you won't see it again.
  
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DrivingMeBonkas Thu 23 Apr 2020 05:14AM UTC

Hi, I'd like to donate but expenses are a little high this pay. Can you please tell us the cut-off date so I can better plan my donation, if there's time for do so?
Thank you.

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1. Amiril Thu 23 Apr 2020 05:37AM UTC
  
  You can donate year-round! There's a small link at the bottom of every email you get from AO3.
  
  Last Edited Thu 23 Apr 2020 05:38AM UTC
  
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undercardboardstars Thu 23 Apr 2020 05:27AM UTC

after years of reading fic on this site, i'm happy that i'm now capable of donating! keep up the good work, and stay safe. <3

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Starra Thu 23 Apr 2020 07:08AM UTC

AO3 aren't forcing anyone to donate.. It's just their bi-annual membership drive and in the post they say they understand not everyone can donate at present. They're not making you feel guilty for not donating, either.
They need to cover the increased server costs somehow, so it seems perfectly fine to me. You're not going to be penalised for not donating.
I'm lucky enough to be able to donate a small amount, but I don't think that makes me superior to those who can't in any way. I just want to help out a website I use a lot.

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aes_triplex Thu 23 Apr 2020 07:55AM UTC

First let me say "keep up the good work", because I really am not a complete troll. Alas, I can't just let this go.
Biennial is a word derived from Latin "biennium", a period of two years.
Semiannual refers to a period of half a year.
Bi-annual certainly doesn't mean anything which isn't already covered by one of the preceding two well-established words of unambiguous meaning attested by the best writers.
And, yes, I griped at the people at my local public library for the same pointless, confusingly awkward coinage. Because that is exactly the kind of person I am.

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1. Marie_Michon Thu 23 Apr 2020 08:42AM UTC
  
  Kudos for this explanation.
  
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2. Anon (Guest) Thu 23 Apr 2020 03:19PM UTC
  
  Biannual means it happens twice year whether or not six months apart. Like, Easter and Christmas are biannual Catholic holidays that are not semiannual because they are not always 6 months apart.
  Because this is the internet, I feel compelled to say: "you must be real fun at parties".
  
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3. 1. aes_triplex Tue 28 Apr 2020 06:58PM UTC
    
    I don't pretend to be what I'm not. That includes "a people person". Accordingly, if I'm at a party, it's tolerably certain that the person holding it has decided that I am ― if not "fun" precisely ― at least not an awful damper.
    And what does Fowler say?
    biannual, probably invented to stand to biennial as half-yearly to two-yearly, is sometimes confused with & sometimes distinguished from it. Half-yearly is the right word.
    
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  2. 1. Anon (Guest) Tue 28 Apr 2020 10:59PM UTC
      
      Fowler was writing to British audiences in the 1930s. Given the context in question (an informational post on an archive of informal writing with a large, diverse international userbase), you could make the argument that bi-annual is the better word choice for clarity, rather than semi-annual.
      Biennial doesn't matter in this instance because we aren't talking about every other year, and most people on Ao3 will have seen biannual more frequently than biennial because biannual events happen much more frequently than biennial events. Biennial and biannual don't look so much alike that one would be mistaken for the other, and they are not homophones (unlike poor they're, there, and their).
      Looking at just the terms "bi" and "semi", people here are reading fic, so they will have seen bi used in the context of two, as in 'bisexual'. They will have seen semi more often used as 'partly' or 'almost', as in I have a semi, or they sat in semidarkness. Therefore, right off the bat, the term biannual looks more like it means the drive is two times a year, where as semiannual would read as wishy-washy in terms of when the drives happen. For clarity, then, biannual is the better, clearer choice.
      
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4. Risha Thu 23 Apr 2020 09:53PM UTC
  
  If you're going to be pedantic, at least try to be correct about it. Biannual (or bi-annual) is a perfectly normal word that means twice a year. It's not its fault that people confuse it with biennial. Semiannual is an also perfectly normal but slightly less commonly used word that means twice a year, with shades of meaning towards being literally every six months (due to the subtle difference in meaning between bi- and semi-). In this case, both biannual and semiannual are correct (since April and October are six months apart), and they chose to go with the more common word for this usage.
  
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5. 1. aes_triplex Tue 28 Apr 2020 06:19PM UTC
    
    I don't know where you get the idea that "biannual is a perfectly normal word".
    Maybe from people who think the English first-person singular possessive pronoun is "I's".
    
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  2. 1. Question (Guest) Tue 28 Apr 2020 06:40PM UTC
      
      Where are you that biannual *isn't* normal?
      
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    2. 1. aes_triplex Tue 28 Apr 2020 07:05PM UTC
        
        See my quotation from Fowler, above. If you do not have a copy of Modern English Usage, get one, and read it. It's full of lively wit as well as good advice on how to write the language (when writing, after all, we must take more care than when speaking) without making it ugly or yourself an ass.
        Note that the work was revised by other hands, sometime after the corrected printing of 1937, into a decidedly inferior version. Avoid that. Obviously, not everything he has to say will serve today, no matter how sound it was when written, but the work is overall so good that it still serves as a very useful guide.
        
        Last Edited Tue 28 Apr 2020 07:06PM UTC
        
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      2. Risha Tue 28 Apr 2020 08:13PM UTC
        
        "Modern." Maybe you should try a reference book that was written within the last 90 years, and then perfectly normal words used correctly wouldn't sound weird to you anymore.
        
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        dreamkist Tue 28 Apr 2020 11:16PM UTC
        
        ^^^
        
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Fontainebleau Thu 23 Apr 2020 08:13AM UTC

Donation sent! I am extraordinarily grateful for AO3 at this time.

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