Affero?

Just wondering if the admins/mods here have ever heard of Affero? If not here is a link to the site, i think it's a pretty cool idea: affero

This looks like it's just something that individuals can sign up to do on their own. Is there anything there that needs the blessing of JCaputo and friends, (e.g. for potential liability snags), or is it something that's the sole responsibility of the person who signs up?

Well on all the boards that i have seen it, there is a button next to the [profile][search][buddy] buttons on a members post that says [affero], so i assumed it was some sort of "plugin" for vBulletin.

edit: ok i have done some more research on it. you are correct, it is something you can do yourself. they give you a link that you can stick in the bottom of your posts/emails/etc. that will link to your affero page. apparently though, there is some sort of "plugin" for forums that gives members an [affero] button. however, i think the catch may be that this may cost some $, on the other hand im assuming that once a forum joins Affero it also gives Affero members the ability to donate to your forum. I signed up for the hell of it, all my donations(surely i;ll get plenty b/c im so helpful ) go to http://www.fsf.org

Eh... vB plugins are s bi... you get the point... when it comes time to upgrade. I like the plain link anyway. Of course, it won't do you any good if you keep using the Quick Reply! LOL

ahh so that's why i cant see my sig...lol.

We promise we won't dissappear in a couple months with all of your money... honest...

Nah, they seem relatively legit:

http://www.infoanarchy.org/story/2002/8/16/7243/35854
http://www.gnu.org/press/2002-03-19-Affero.html
http://www.gnu.org/press/2002-08-01-sf-fundraiser.html

one guy got several thousand dollars of donations!!! it's too bad you can't give it to whoever you want though, as im sure the folks here could use the extra $$.

I think there's a certain "list" you have to choose from as to where it goes...

Hey there! My name is Lori and I am with Affero...just wanted to introduce myself, clear up a couple things and let everyone know that I am available if you have any questions, comments, suggestions about us. Here goes:

Anyone can join affero and get an affero link that they can put in their email signatures, forum posts, websites, etc. In your affero account, you choose what beneficiaries you support and want to raise awareness and $$ for. You can choose up to three per profile and can have as many profiles as you want. This is free of charge.

There are also MODs for bulletin board software that can be installed that will put an affero "button" on each post as infamous41md pointed out. Here is the post on vBulletin.org about this hack:
URL

There is a default profile that the board admin sets up until the forum member creates his or her own affero account. All of this is also free of charge. -- for the board and the members.

Affero charges a 6% processing fee on top of the donation amount. So if you make a $20 donation, you are charged $21.20. This ensures the beneficiaries get 100% off the donation.

The list of our beneficiaries is quite long and are comprised entirely of organizations/causes requested by our members. So if any of you want to add a cause/organization/project that you dont see on our current list - feel free to request it and we will add it right away. DevShed can even be a beneficiary and members can raise $$ to support the board. Let me know if you would like me to add DevShed to our database. To request a beneficiary - go here: URL

Don't forget too that affero is a rating/reputation service too - so you dont have to give only donations -- you can rate one another and build your reputation in your community (ala eBay) from ratings alone. We have ways for you to publish the top contributors too. See URL

I think I am starting (??) to sound marketing-ish and this is getting long so I will leave it at this and please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for listening I look forward to comments.

It's an interesting concept, I'll give you that. Don't know if I'll be participating or not, though.

---John Holmes...