Quote Originally Posted by Arty2000
Here's some ideas to potentially create more money for Ana / her family / people in need.

My apologies if any of these are currently up and running.

01) Sell VB Forum t-shirts / cups / hats etc.

All, or a percentage, of the profits go to Ana.

02) Set up a web site that sells a VB software 'suite.'

Possibly an all in one application. They way you make money is, for example...
Software V.1. (with 10 applications) is released when you reach the $100 target.
Software V.2. (with 20 applications/improvements) is released when you reach the $200 target.
Software V.3. (with 30 applications/improvements) is released when you reach the $400 target.
Etc etc.
This project could also include applications for hand held devices and / or applications written in other programming languages (e.g. C++.)

03) Charge every new (and current?) member $1 US before they can start a thread / post.

This is a one time only fee. And it's only a buck!

04) Organise snail mail payments or bank deposits (i.e. increase the number of ways people can donate.)

This is for people who can't or will not make an online payment.

05) Start a VB (and/or C / C++ / Web design etc etc) consultancy group.

06) Start a VBForums programming training school.

07) Set up a VBForums telephone hotline that gives immediate answers to people's VB / computing problems.

You make the money from time charged / pay by the minute telephone calls.

08) Start a PDA / Mobile phone application development company.

09) Start a VBForums accreditation program.

10) Organise a VBForums party (yay!) for VBForums members.

A fundraising activity (e.g. People pay $20 to enter).

11) Organise a VB coding competition.

For example, $50 to enter.

12) Ask companies to make a contribution (e.g. $1000).

E.g. For every $1000 they get 10 hours of a programmer's time and maybe some advertising on this web site.

13) Organise an 'Ebayathon' where each member sells something on Ebay.

If they make money (e.g. over $20) and pass it on to Ana or VBForums, they get a little golden star next to their Avatar / name.

14) Write a VBForums VB e-book (for all us non-programmers and/or for more experienced programmers).

Like the software example (above) you release a newer / updated version of the book when you reach a certain target.

15) Write a VB program that teaches VB interactively.

16) Ask Bill Gates (i.e. The B&M Gates Foundation) for some cash.

Seriously... After all, you guys are keeping VB popular. Linux isn't going away and there's already a Linux version of VB (i.e. Gambas.) Maybe do this via a petition, or, more 'formally.'

17) Set up a house/island in Second Life and charge people to get in and ask questions.

18) Develop a gambling game like the one in 'Second Life' (similar to Kino if I remember correctly).

19) Set up other VB / Programming forum web sites with different structures (e.g. subscription based, lots of advertising, pay to get points (just like the Universities) etc etc). In other words, create a monopoly and capitalise on it.

20) Start up a programmer's version of Myspace.

Some of those ideas are pretty out there, especially when you read them for the first time. But, you know, where there's a will there's a way.

Good luck.
Jesus Mary and Joseph.