Re: [Ql-Users] Future of the QL Wiki
On 10/02/2017 10:59, Graeme Gregory wrote: On Fri, 10 Feb 2017, at 10:55 AM, Rich Mellor wrote: On 10/02/2017 10:49, Graeme Gregory wrote: On Fri, 10 Feb 2017, at 10:25 AM, Rich Mellor wrote: Taking account of my ongoing health issues, I have been considering what would be best for the QL Wiki and other community projects which I currently run (such as the Z88 forums, the ZX80/ZX81 forums and the Sinclair QL GitHub). Looking at what happened with World of Spectrum when Marjin was unable to continue with the site, it is important to consider the long term viability and what should happen if I (for example) were to walk under a bus tomorrow. My health issues also mean that I no longer have the time or energy to continue in the way that I have been. My family would not really know what to do with the forums - and would not continue to pay for the hosting. There is also not really anyone else involved in the administration of the site. I also think that the QL Wiki is itself a barrier to people being involved, as there are certain people out there who cannot see beyond the fact that it was set up by me initially and is hosted on my server - so seem to think that it is my duty to update it! After deliberation, I think the answer is to set up a non-profit organisation (Sinclair World ?) which could then own these resources and be responsible for their maintenance, improvement and upkeep. It would take some fund raising to set up the organisation, as well as willing hands to set everything up and create the necessary constitution, book-keeping etc to keep it viable. What do others think - and who are the willing hands? I wonder if we could get van/rob interested in this as part of qlforum activities. Graeme ___ QL-Users Mailing List I think it is probably more a case that the non-profit organisation would take over the QL Forum too - and maybe Van / Rob would be interested in helping to run the organisation... I did think about Quanta (of course), but they don't have enough willing hands to help with their website and their membership model is too restrictive What is the overhead on setup and maintenance of an NFP in UK? My only experience is in Germany where it was a bit of a bawache to setup. But once setup was basically just a yearly form. Graeme ___ QL-Users Mailing List Probably about the same over here - there are annual accounts to be done (and audited) and sent for tax (although the UK is moving to a system of quarterly tax returns) - nothing else would have to be done on an annual basis. Initial setup costs are just preparation of the constitution (Quanta's could be used as a starting point), opening accounts etc and then the costs of hosting fees, domain names etc The main cost would come if the organisation wanted to try for charitable status, or decided to register for VAT so that they could at least recoup the VAT on everything that was paid for. -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services Specialist Enuuk Auction Programming Services www.rwapservices.co.uk ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Future of the QL Wiki
On Fri, 10 Feb 2017, at 10:55 AM, Rich Mellor wrote: > On 10/02/2017 10:49, Graeme Gregory wrote: > > > > On Fri, 10 Feb 2017, at 10:25 AM, Rich Mellor wrote: > >> Taking account of my ongoing health issues, I have been considering what > >> would be best for the QL Wiki and other community projects which I > >> currently run (such as the Z88 forums, the ZX80/ZX81 forums and the > >> Sinclair QL GitHub). > >> > >> Looking at what happened with World of Spectrum when Marjin was unable > >> to continue with the site, it is important to consider the long term > >> viability and what should happen if I (for example) were to walk under a > >> bus tomorrow. My health issues also mean that I no longer have the time > >> or energy to continue in the way that I have been. > >> > >> My family would not really know what to do with the forums - and would > >> not continue to pay for the hosting. There is also not really anyone > >> else involved in the administration of the site. I also think that the > >> QL Wiki is itself a barrier to people being involved, as there are > >> certain people out there who cannot see beyond the fact that it was set > >> up by me initially and is hosted on my server - so seem to think that it > >> is my duty to update it! > >> > >> After deliberation, I think the answer is to set up a non-profit > >> organisation (Sinclair World ?) which could then own these resources and > >> be responsible for their maintenance, improvement and upkeep. It would > >> take some fund raising to set up the organisation, as well as willing > >> hands to set everything up and create the necessary constitution, > >> book-keeping etc to keep it viable. > >> > >> What do others think - and who are the willing hands? > >> > > I wonder if we could get van/rob interested in this as part of qlforum > > activities. > > > > Graeme > > ___ > > QL-Users Mailing List > > > I think it is probably more a case that the non-profit organisation > would take over the QL Forum too - and maybe Van / Rob would be > interested in helping to run the organisation... > > I did think about Quanta (of course), but they don't have enough willing > hands to help with their website and their membership model is too > restrictive > What is the overhead on setup and maintenance of an NFP in UK? My only experience is in Germany where it was a bit of a bawache to setup. But once setup was basically just a yearly form. Graeme ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Future of the QL Wiki
On 10/02/2017 10:49, Graeme Gregory wrote: On Fri, 10 Feb 2017, at 10:25 AM, Rich Mellor wrote: Taking account of my ongoing health issues, I have been considering what would be best for the QL Wiki and other community projects which I currently run (such as the Z88 forums, the ZX80/ZX81 forums and the Sinclair QL GitHub). Looking at what happened with World of Spectrum when Marjin was unable to continue with the site, it is important to consider the long term viability and what should happen if I (for example) were to walk under a bus tomorrow. My health issues also mean that I no longer have the time or energy to continue in the way that I have been. My family would not really know what to do with the forums - and would not continue to pay for the hosting. There is also not really anyone else involved in the administration of the site. I also think that the QL Wiki is itself a barrier to people being involved, as there are certain people out there who cannot see beyond the fact that it was set up by me initially and is hosted on my server - so seem to think that it is my duty to update it! After deliberation, I think the answer is to set up a non-profit organisation (Sinclair World ?) which could then own these resources and be responsible for their maintenance, improvement and upkeep. It would take some fund raising to set up the organisation, as well as willing hands to set everything up and create the necessary constitution, book-keeping etc to keep it viable. What do others think - and who are the willing hands? I wonder if we could get van/rob interested in this as part of qlforum activities. Graeme ___ QL-Users Mailing List I think it is probably more a case that the non-profit organisation would take over the QL Forum too - and maybe Van / Rob would be interested in helping to run the organisation... I did think about Quanta (of course), but they don't have enough willing hands to help with their website and their membership model is too restrictive -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services Specialist Enuuk Auction Programming Services www.rwapservices.co.uk ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Future of the QL Wiki
On Fri, 10 Feb 2017, at 10:25 AM, Rich Mellor wrote: > Taking account of my ongoing health issues, I have been considering what > would be best for the QL Wiki and other community projects which I > currently run (such as the Z88 forums, the ZX80/ZX81 forums and the > Sinclair QL GitHub). > > Looking at what happened with World of Spectrum when Marjin was unable > to continue with the site, it is important to consider the long term > viability and what should happen if I (for example) were to walk under a > bus tomorrow. My health issues also mean that I no longer have the time > or energy to continue in the way that I have been. > > My family would not really know what to do with the forums - and would > not continue to pay for the hosting. There is also not really anyone > else involved in the administration of the site. I also think that the > QL Wiki is itself a barrier to people being involved, as there are > certain people out there who cannot see beyond the fact that it was set > up by me initially and is hosted on my server - so seem to think that it > is my duty to update it! > > After deliberation, I think the answer is to set up a non-profit > organisation (Sinclair World ?) which could then own these resources and > be responsible for their maintenance, improvement and upkeep. It would > take some fund raising to set up the organisation, as well as willing > hands to set everything up and create the necessary constitution, > book-keeping etc to keep it viable. > > What do others think - and who are the willing hands? > I wonder if we could get van/rob interested in this as part of qlforum activities. Graeme ___ QL-Users Mailing List
[Ql-Users] Future of the QL Wiki
Taking account of my ongoing health issues, I have been considering what would be best for the QL Wiki and other community projects which I currently run (such as the Z88 forums, the ZX80/ZX81 forums and the Sinclair QL GitHub). Looking at what happened with World of Spectrum when Marjin was unable to continue with the site, it is important to consider the long term viability and what should happen if I (for example) were to walk under a bus tomorrow. My health issues also mean that I no longer have the time or energy to continue in the way that I have been. My family would not really know what to do with the forums - and would not continue to pay for the hosting. There is also not really anyone else involved in the administration of the site. I also think that the QL Wiki is itself a barrier to people being involved, as there are certain people out there who cannot see beyond the fact that it was set up by me initially and is hosted on my server - so seem to think that it is my duty to update it! After deliberation, I think the answer is to set up a non-profit organisation (Sinclair World ?) which could then own these resources and be responsible for their maintenance, improvement and upkeep. It would take some fund raising to set up the organisation, as well as willing hands to set everything up and create the necessary constitution, book-keeping etc to keep it viable. What do others think - and who are the willing hands? -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services Specialist Enuuk Auction Programming Services www.rwapservices.co.uk ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [ql-users] Future of the QL?
Psst? I don't know that one. What's it like? An old Spectrum game from Ultimate. You are in a garden, and have to run around killingoff bugs and pests with sprays. fly swatters and the like. Such a simple scenario, very well done, and one of those graphically brilliant games from the Spectrum area. It's a while since I last fired up a spectrum emulator to play it - I've been through several versions of QPC2 since then so I hope the emulator still works on QPC. -- Dilwyn Jones -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/308 - Release Date: 11/04/2006 ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Future of the QL?
Rick Chagouri-Brindle wrote: ... I'm still stuck in the Space Invaders, Galaxians and Pssst (Spectrum game from Ultimate in the 1980s). Sad, eh? The only more modern game i play is The Wall from JMS and sometimes Mah Jonngg when I can get my wife off that computer. Psst? I don't know that one. What's it like? If it's what I think it is, and I remember correctly, you control an aerosol can to spray bugs (insects) and kill them. Steve? ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Future of the QL?
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Rick Chagouri-Brindle [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes As a more recent returnee to the QL scene, I don't know if you feel the same, that after using PCs all day at work it's nice to come home to a QL for a change :-) Definitely! In fact, for me, I think one of the attractions of retro-computing is that it is more of a challenge. My PCs at work and home - both Kubuntu Linux workstations dual-booting with WindowsXP aren't much of a challenge any more . . . Umm ... with all that gear, Rick, you are going to enjoy QL emulators when you get around to it ... :-) I agree that retro-computing is still fun though. With original hardware. If you need any items then let me know. I help to organise the London QL and Quanta Group, and we have a growing collection of hardware, software, etc. Worth also looking up Rich Mellor's web site : http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk He has second-user items for sale there. We as a Group use this service to sell items. As do Quanta. You may also be interested in the QWord game - which comes on a CD and just loads on to PC. Other sites to check out Roy Woods QBranch : http://www.qbranch.demon.co.uk Jochen Mertz site : http://www.smsq.j-m-s.com Then, of course, Dilwyns site is full of information : http://www.dilwyn.uk6.net Well, that lot should get you interested for a start ... :-) ... there are lots more . -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Future of the QL?
Malcolm Cadman wrote: SNIP I think that we have all been there, and got the T-shirt ... :-) If you are interested in computers / computing, then you tend to accumulate lots of them over the years. Very true . . . sometimes I think I have too many and but then again, I couldn't contemplate getting rid of any of them!!! At the moment the QL emulators are driving the software innovation, with more speed and functionality ( awful computer jargon word ). For example, I now use Tim Hunkins' QL Desk Top environment all the time with QPC2, along with Dilwyn's Launchpad suite too. To manage a QL system. When all set up it is easier, quicker, more fun, etc. True, and although I will no doubt go down the emulation route at some point, for me, personally at least, the original hardware still has its place and so the two compliment each other - different types of fun, you could say. Actually, it has been fun digging out my old machines to show to my nephew currently studying Information Technology. That reminds me, in spite of the Playstation Era, he too got hooked on Elite on my BBC B!!! The hardware is still interesting, and I appreciate that you are using the original hardware, and then expanding upon it. Which is still fun too. However, hardware innovation has been quiet of late. Hence the software side is more activate, and more talked about. Indeed, and as has been said before, its a no-win situation: without the hardware development, the software side stagnates and without software development there is less incentive to develop hardware . . . oh well . . . ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Future of the QL?
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Rick Chagouri-Brindle [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Malcolm Cadman wrote: SNIP I think that we have all been there, and got the T-shirt ... :-) If you are interested in computers / computing, then you tend to accumulate lots of them over the years. Very true . . . sometimes I think I have too many and but then again, I couldn't contemplate getting rid of any of them!!! Yes, it is hard to let them go when you have got to know them well ... :-) At the moment the QL emulators are driving the software innovation, with more speed and functionality ( awful computer jargon word ). For example, I now use Tim Hunkins' QL Desk Top environment all the time with QPC2, along with Dilwyn's Launchpad suite too. To manage a QL system. When all set up it is easier, quicker, more fun, etc. True, and although I will no doubt go down the emulation route at some point, for me, personally at least, the original hardware still has its place and so the two compliment each other - different types of fun, you could say. Actually, it has been fun digging out my old machines to show to my nephew currently studying Information Technology. That reminds me, in spite of the Playstation Era, he too got hooked on Elite on my BBC B!!! Yes, the BBC B and Spectrum area was a kind of golden age ... I guess that is also why games side of mobile phones and the like is so addictive. The hardware is still interesting, and I appreciate that you are using the original hardware, and then expanding upon it. Which is still fun too. However, hardware innovation has been quiet of late. Hence the software side is more activate, and more talked about. Indeed, and as has been said before, its a no-win situation: without the hardware development, the software side stagnates and without software development there is less incentive to develop hardware . . . oh well . . . Well, it still keeps us all busy ... :-) -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Future of the QL?
Dilwyn Jones wrote: True, and although I will no doubt go down the emulation route at some point, for me, personally at least, the original hardware still has its place and so the two compliment each other - different types of fun, you could say. Actually, it has been fun digging out my old machines to show to my nephew currently studying Information Technology. That reminds me, in spite of the Playstation Era, he too got hooked on Elite on my BBC B!!! As often, the old games are the best! Oh, I couldn't agree with you more! I have thoroughly enjoyed myself rediscovering all those old text adventures from my youth! I'm still stuck in the Space Invaders, Galaxians and Pssst (Spectrum game from Ultimate in the 1980s). Sad, eh? The only more modern game i play is The Wall from JMS and sometimes Mah Jonngg when I can get my wife off that computer. Psst? I don't know that one. What's it like? As a more recent returnee to the QL scene, I don't know if you feel the same, that after using PCs all day at work it's nice to come home to a QL for a change :-) Definitely! In fact, for me, I think one of the attractions of retro-computing is that it is more of a challenge. My PCs at work and home - both Kubuntu Linux workstations dual-booting with WindowsXP aren't much of a challenge any more . . . ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
