p2pnet: close to collapse
p2pnet news view P2P:- Hi all:
It’s almost the season of goodwill and if p2pnet is going to get into difficulties, somehow, it always happens around Christmas.
2009 continues the tradition.
p2pnet isn’t a business, it’s a commitment, corny though that may seem, and it’s my sole source of income. My chequered past means I don’t have a pension or bonds, or anything like that, and the site has been able to continue only thanks to the advertisers, and an anonymous supporter.
However, as of next month, the tank runs dry. The person who for almost two years has been providing most of the money to keep the wheels turning, on- and offline, is having to call it a day.
So here’s where it’s at: p2pnet will be able to keep going until the end of December. After that …
p2pnet’s advertisers say they’re still with me but in addition to the revenue they provide, I need another $3,000 a month to keep food on the table, and pay my mortgage and other bills.
If you’d like to go into partnership with me, or buy me out and monetise the site with me continuing to provide content, or if you know someone you think might be interested in any other way, please let me know. All genuine suggestions will be gratefully received — but not, please, T-shirts and coffee-mugs. Been there, done that. 
A voice which can’t be ignored
For now, why have I kept on publishing p2pnet? This’ll seem corny too, but I believe the net for the first time allows very ordinary people to make a difference — to stand up to the powers that used to be.
As I say here, we used to be called the Great Unwashed, the Silent Masses. But that’s no longer true, and we’re no longer silent. In the 21st digital century, we have a voice which can’t be ignored. The world is changing and as our online communities continue to grow, our powers of persuasion and our abilities to directly influence actions and events are expanding exponentially.
It’s called People2People Power. No one can stand against it, and I’d like to continue being a part of it, speaking up for people who can’t speak up for themselves, and sticking my finger in the eye of Big Bidniz.
While things get sorted, there’s a donation button at the bottom of this, and it’ll also be on the bottom of every story for the next little while. If you can help, it’ll be very much appreciated.
UPDATE: Please also see - p2pnet: for sale
Cheers! And thanks. And all the best …
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win ~ Mahatma Gandhi
November, 2009
p2pnet isn`t entrepreneurial. It isn`t a for-profit business venture. It`s a commitment. Does it have value for you? If you answer Yes, please seriously think about making a small contribution to help me keep it online. Cheers! And thanks : )
Use free p2pnet newsfeeds for your site. It`s really easy!
Subscribe to p2pnet.net | | rss feed: http://p2pnet.net/p2p.rss | | Mobile – http://p2pnet.net/index-wml.php
Net access blocked by government restrictions? Use Psiphon from the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto. Go here for details.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I sincerely hope you can fnd a way to stay online Jon. The loss of p2pnet would be a gain for those who want to put the Internet into chains.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
@ Paulus.
Thanks. I’ll wait until the end of the month and if nothing happens by then, I’ll probably have to put the site up for sale.
Cheers!
November 20th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Wow – I would really hate to see the end of P2Pnet
I really hope you find a new sponsor – in the fight against the loss of our freedoms due to the copyright MAFIAA there are few sites shine out as proudly or make a statement so bold as P2Pnet.
Alas, I cannot donate financially just yet – Like most other people, I will be struggling to support myself over this Christmas, this year has been particularly difficult – yet I will do my utmost as soon as I can.
Regards
Rabbit
November 20th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
@ Rabbit80
I completely understand.
I’ve been close to going down twice before, but I’m still here.
Cheers!
November 20th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
It will be sad if the site goes. Hopefully you’ll find a way to write or be a part of this community somehow even if the worst happens.
November 20th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
an excelelnt source of anti news
will be very sad to live without you , though i know that torentfreak , zeropaid and techdirt can at 50% cover the stuff you post here
November 20th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
This is one of my all-time favorite sites and visit it every day. I would really hate to see it disappear.
I don’t have steady work right now, but I will donate some money when possible.
November 20th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I have been visiting P2PNet for almost all of the time that it has been online and I have posted occasionally.
I can say for a fact that certain organisations within what Jon calls the âcartelsâ will be delighted if it does indeed cease publication. No other site or sites will be able to fill the vacuum.
- Morg
November 20th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
if this gets over 400 unique hits, and if 1/4 of those people gave you 10$… it should last you a while dont you think? However if you plan on paying your mortgage with p2pnet you would have to be selling a lot more than just news and opinions. IMHO
You should sell crystal balls like tech dirt. Or sell yourself as a public speaker I dunno?
CWF +RTB : http://bit.ly/xSbqX
“Techdirt Reviews Your Business Plan $5,000
——————————————————-
Techdirt Reviews Your Business Plan with an Insight Community case
Limited Edition Techdirt T-Shirt
Techdirt Crystal Ball
“Techdirt Insider” Badge on your Profile”
November 20th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I’ll be sorry to see you go. You have however, made a difference. A big one, to all of us regular people, with your outing of all the lies and corruption going on in the name of “copyright” and fat profits.
We’ve had some difference in the past, but we’re ultimately on the same side when it comes to Big Corruption.
I’m curious what you mean by “monetise the site”. Are you talking about putting up a paywall, perhaps?
Can you at least keep this site going in a part-time hobby capacity, perhaps? That way, your news doesn’t have to completely dry up.
What’s gonna happen to your new a2f2a site – will that close too?
November 21st, 2009 at 2:57 am
This site badly needs more and better marketing. Just look at some of the warez sites’ ads: online gambling, porn, dating/mail-order brides, “male enhancement” etc
by comparison, p2pnet is nearly ad-free
Then again it might be hard to sell a site that’s burdened with existing lawsuits.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:08 am
@ Martin:
The site isn’t burdened with lawsuits. I am. I’m being sued, not p2pnet. One case resulted in a major, precedent-setting victory for free speech in Canada, and the other, brought against me by Kazaa boss Nikki Hemming, has been hanging over my head for four years. It’s slated to be heard in February.
Other threats weren’t followed up.
Cheers!
November 21st, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I am sorry to see this, Jon.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I’m really interested to know your answer to the three questions I asked!
November 21st, 2009 at 2:48 pm
@ Cynix:
Sorry for the delay. I’m a bit pre-occupied, as you can imagine – http://www.p2pnet.net/story/31322 and http://www.p2pnet.net/story/31319
Iâm curious what you mean by âmonetise the siteâ. Are you talking about putting up a paywall, perhaps? I don’t know what a paywall is, and by ‘monetising’ I mean figuring out a way to make it pay for itself, something I obviousy haven’t been able to do.
Can you at least keep this site going in a part-time hobby capacity, perhaps? That way, your news doesnât have to completely dry up. My wife says here “Jon is experiencing the worst nightmare of a Billy Bragg or of any other musician â he supplies a cultural product and, right now, doesnât know whether he is going to get paid.” But I do know, don’t I? And the answer is No.
What’s gonna happen to your new a2f2a site â will that close too? It isn’t ‘my’ site. Billy Bragg and I co-founded it together and whatever happens to p2pnet, I’ll keep working on a2f2a.
Cheers!
November 30th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Well be here till teh end Jon
p2pnet readers What are you waiting for?
Click on the Ads!!!!
November 30th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
H again Rabbit80:
You’re correct. I’ve just been through the whole lot and I can’t find a regular payments option either. But there used to be one. I’ll enquire further.
Cheers!