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  1. For those who don't run an AdBlocker: you might have noticed that our Google Ads have disappeared. Google has decided to quit taking on U2start as one of its clients, for reasons which are not clear but unfortunately cannot be argued.

    U2starts' philosophy has always been and will always be to not make profit out of U2 fans. We wanted to create a website which we would use ourselves as well, and we don't want to use a website full of advertisements or intentions to exploit us. That's the reason why we didn't show much advertisements anyway, we wanted to cover some costs but not to the cost of the experience of using U2start.

    U2start offers you the largest and most detailed collection of U2 media along with a great community, from and for fans. Maintaining and hosting U2start.com is an expensive journey. U2start doesn't make any money, but that's okay for us. We are not in it for the money and are fine with covering expenses with personal funds. Any dollar that comes in through any channel will be used to cover these funds, and if any is left we will use it to fund gifts for fans.

    We will never ask for money to use U2start, but what we will do is asking you to consider making a donation. Donations, of any size, will help us expanding and prepare us for the growth and traffic we expect when a new album (and following tour) hits our doorstep. Any contributions in the form of giveaways which we can send to fans are also appreciated, contact me if you want to offer any.

    Until we have found a decent replacement for Google (if we will), we will show some informational banners along with crew-chosen charity advertisements on the spots where once Google ads were displayed.

    As always, thanks for your support!
  2. It's a shame that Google have pulled the Ads. Saying that, I've donated some money towards this website. I've received a lot from here and only given very little. It's the least I can do to maintain this website even more and be extremely grateful for the work that Remy has accumulated over the years.

    Here's to more of U2start
  3. Weird of Google. I donated before that time when the servers crashed and just gave a little more
  4. Thanks both! And it's not only me, don't forget Chris/Risto who has put in hundreds of hours of development along with all the other crew members who help us out with all they got.

    This is truly a wonderful community
  5. Ah yes, sorry. Chris seems to never stop developing and has done some great work here too. And to the crew who keep this website going!
  6. As Remy said, we are not in it for any money. We gladly keep offering you what we have done till now even if we dont have any income. But in the end we have to sail with what we got.

    U2Start has lot of fancy functionality we are able to develop not only because we like it and dont mind putting in the time. But also because we have a good server which allows us to do more.

    For example the Torrent Tracker uses software we cannot run easily on the cheapest server. Not to mention our custom made LiveTopics software. Which has been around for a while now and boosted this community to another dimension. Even though it took us lots of time to develop, we are giving it away for free. To you and to each developer who wants to use it on their own site.

    And I can tell you with great confidence that behind the screens there is plenty of stuff in the works which will make each u2start member proud for being part of this community. As we speak we are working on what we call v7 (v6 isnt even out yet ). Only on that version we already spent hundreds of hours and it will bring new stuff to all of you

    U2start is here to stay!
  7. Can you work out what it costs to run the servers/maintenance for a year? Of even what Google Ads used to bring in? If members know the annual running costs, they can decide to contribute their own about.

    I know I give U2.com $50 a year but spend more time here so perhaps another $50 is a good starting point!
  8. Originally posted by Scott_McD:Can you work out what it costs to run the servers/maintenance for a year? Of even what Google Ads used to bring in? If members know the annual running costs, they can decide to contribute their own about.

    I know I give U2.com $50 a year but spend more time here so perhaps another $50 is a good starting point!

    Thanks Scott, for the suggestions. Costs are very dynamic, depends a lot on how busy the site is. When the album/tour starts, resource demand will grow!
  9. Yeah maybe something like they have over at u2torrents.com, not necessarily on the homepage or anything, but just somewhere for everyone to see occasionally.

    Current running cost: $161 p/m
    Donations for November: $986.21
  10. Soon as I can I'll donate a bit. Been here for a few years and the least I can give back.
  11. Originally posted by dylbagz:Yeah maybe something like they have over at u2torrents.com, not necessarily on the homepage or anything, but just somewhere for everyone to see occasionally.

    Current running cost: $161 p/m
    Donations for November: $986.21

    Yeah I know, though I find that a bit desperate. If some costs can be covered that's fine, I'm fine to pay for the remainings. Don't want U2 fans to pay for all of U2starts costs. Thanks for all your support. Any support in the form of collectibles are also welcome, which we can do giveaways with
  12. Originally posted by Remy:[..]

    Yeah I know, though I find that a bit desperate. If some costs can be covered that's fine, I'm fine to pay for the remainings. Don't want U2 fans to pay for all of U2starts costs. Thanks for all your support. Any support in the form of collectibles are also welcome, which we can do giveaways with
    Where would we send collectible to?
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.