Voluntary payment internet services?

[chrisf]

A question of curiosity...

Who pays voluntary, when the option is there, for internet/software? Or donate to help keep "free" services running?

I've been a subscriber here at army.ca several times, and have bought some swag, as I figure I've eaten up my fair share of bandwidth over the years, and Mike (et al) does such a fantastic job maintaining the place, might as well help "keep the lights on".

I donate a few bucks every year to "Studio Tax" every year I use them for my taxes, as they provide me with tax software that's as good as any of the commercial brands, but free.

I donated money to wikipedia a while back when they were begging for money. While I'm opposed to what I view as "censorship" by some of the more prolific (and left leaning, almost left toppling) wikipedia "authors", and a personal plea from Jimmy Wales did nothing to tug at my heart strings, Lilaroja did perhaps remind me that I do take wikipedia for granted as a wonderful open source of endless information, and I should at least give back to help a bit with bandwidth.

Other then that, I can't think of any "free" software or service I've felt the need to "pay" for... just wondering other peoples thoughts.

[P.S. Subscribe! http://army.ca/subscribe/ ]

 

[Tollis]

Army.ca is the first voluntary payment site I have subscribed to (just got my shirt and stuff today looks awesome).  Most sites I don't feel any urge to subscribe but after being on Army.ca for a couple weeks and absorbing a ton of information from the many insightful posts I didn't even hesitate to send in my money.  I will continue to be a subscriber for years to come and love all the good work Mike is doing with the site.

Thanks Mike.