$4K for a new server? That doesn't sound so bad to me. Especially for a site with 9K members 1K or so who are paying. A new car costs 20K or more. 4K sounds pretty cheap, especially if it makes the site run so much smoother, I think you could recoup that cost with new paying members in no time.

As far as members wanting to pay for it, well that is all good, if they want to, but as pointed out before, most businesses invest their own money to get things started and then recoup that investement through people buying or using theit product. Unless they raise capitol from the public, in which case it shoul'd be those investors who reap any future profits.

IMO, if this new server is so vital to the future of this site, then it should be worth the invesment, even if it means going into debt temporarily, by the owners of he site.

I'm willing to bet they could get more people to donate money to the cause after the fact, when they can see what their money is going for, and see what a smooth running site this is. Instead of dragging it out over the next months or years, or getting people to commit through advance memberships, which will only catch up with you in the long run.

I say take out a loan for the 4K and get it over with, and get this site where it should be, the best game site on the web. Your rewards will be ten fold, minimum!!!!