So the problems with running a Minecraft server on Joxam's whatever personal computer has sparked some conversation about alternate hosting solutions. This has lead to the thinking that our little community might benefit from having our own, fully-controlled dedicated box somewhere, where we can just run a Minecraft or TF2 or whatever server we like.
Cost is the obvious issue here - these things run from $70/mo for something that probably won't work to $300/mo for a SERIOUS BUSINESS game-optimized machine. There are a few of us here that could probably actually do that but I doubt anybody's going to actually want to.
So, in the vein of Joxam's panhandling for TF2 server contributions, I'm thinking we could do this IF we required an opt-in contribution, ideally split evenly with no overage. The concern has been raised that, for example, a Minecraft-only player would end up paying the same as a TF2+Minecraft player, so it would be more "fair" to only charge them for what they use. Dunno about that one. If we went down that road we come dangerously close to running a "service" of sorts, and someone would probably start making a profit for their "labor" (which may or may not be out of line, who knows).
Anyway, this thread is for questions, concerns, suggestions, or confirmations of phat cash loaves. This is not a set in stone thing but rather a possibility worth exploring, for now.