Habbox Charity!

[MissAlice]

I would like to suggest that Habbox link themselves with a charity permanently. I do have a special one in mind, http://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/ as it's a very worthwhile one, although I'm sure other members may suggest another.

I would be more than happy to send a £1 or similar each month to Habbox, to help maintain the site and after costs any profits to go to the Make A Wish Foundation.

I personally expect nothing in return, but donators could have their names announced over the radio, the forum etc etc.

[Titch]

i tottaly back this up, i actually support this charity in real life and me and my mum donate to them each month already and i would be happy to donate more.

[jrh2002]

This is a very good idea :) if habbox had a permanent charity it supported with all profits why not keep VIP? Send sulake the incomings and outgoings each month to prove their is no profit made?

If then sulake tried to stop VIP it would be costing those kids and the charity :o imagine their bad publicity.

They must think habbox is making a profit and just jealous but this way it would be proved they are not and any negative response by them would show that all along they dont care about anything but their own selfish profits.

[xxMATTGxx]

This is a very good idea, Habbox should actually think about doing this! :)

[Sammeth.]

I absolutely love the charity you have suggested. It benefits pretty much everyone with a severe illness rather than going into specifics. It's a great idea, and I'm very much in favour of it :)

[FlyingJesus]

I sent a PM to Nvrspk4 a couple of days ago about this as it came up in a discussion earlier that day, he thought I was on about just using it to get around VIP and then disappeared so not sure if he's seen my better explained reply :P

And yes, the idea was that server costs are maintained and then ALL surplus goes to charity - I'm fairly sure that people would be more likely to donate if it was charitable.

Let's keep this separate from the VIP issue though, it'll only complicate matters and I'd like to get this under way without that being used as an argument not to.

[Ohirian]

I completely agree with the idea at hand. It's a very worthy and charitable thing to do which would allow lots of people to benefit from.

Also, with the issue of Habbox VIP, enough money goes to Habbox to cover the costs and the rest goes to chairty, therefore the Users are helping charity but also in some way, benefiting from it!

[Camistheman]

Great Idea!!!!!

[jackass]

I agree with the charity, and the whole idea. :)

[MissAlice]

I've known about this fantastic organisation for a long time. It's a very worthy charity.

Welcome to Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK

Make-A-Wish grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Make-A-Wish was founded in the UK in June 1986 and, since then, we have granted over 5,000 wishes. At any given time, over 20,000 children in the UK are living with life-threatening conditions and our aim is to grant 21 wishes a week by the year 2010. Whether a wish is to be a princess or a policeman for a day, own the latest computer equipment, meet a favourite celebrity or just enjoy some special time away from home with their family, a wish come true brings so much to a child's life and provides memories for the family that last a lifetime.

Even the smallest donation goes a long way at Make-A-Wish. Just £5 will go towards a disposable camera and film processing to capture the magic of the wish child's special day, giving them and their families something to hold onto whatever the future brings. Twenty five pounds could be spent on a designer dress to help turn one of our wish children into a magical princess for a day! Everything you donate to Make-A-Wish is used to continue our vital work.

[JackHb]

Good idea.

If sulake refused this then like someone said, the press would love it. 'Habbo does not want to help dying children'.

I would donate to help keep HX going and give to charity

[Hiro]

I back this up 100%. Nice idea, once again ;)

[shizzle]

It's a good idea, it would be cool that Habbox is helping a charity, I don't think any other fansite helps real life charities.

[Mathew]

Make a Wish Foundation is a charity I fully support.
I have a friend I met on another online game (just like Habbo), and he was diagnosed with cancer. He was a big Disney fan, and the Make a Wish Foundation paid for a limo to take him to Disney, a Disney Cruise, and also arranged to meet up with the developers of this online game. This online game allowed him to interact with other people, and these people, I daresay, helped regain his confidence in his health.

I think Habbox teaming up with a charity is a great idea. I can't really think of a better one than Make a Wish. :)

[jrh2002]

I dont think I have ever given directly to a charity in my life :o except for school events etc.

For this I would be willing to set up a monthly direct debit to go through habbox and donate :)

Habbox would look far better if the official badge was replaced with the charity logo :) there could be both but thats habbos decision.

This would make a good story on its own for the press to get their teeth into :) the generous contributions from a site run by volunteers.

The publicity on the charities site for habbox would also help benefit habbox and even habbo (not that i would want them to get promoted at the minute)

Maybe all revenue would need transfering from paypal to a bank account and all payments made for the servers from that bank account and then the statements forwarding to habbo each month etc :)

if this move was the way forward i would offer to be open with habbo/sulake on all the finances and even give them limited access to paypal if they requested (just to see monthly ins and outs)

If this happens I would defy their call for VIP to be removed on the basis of it ruining the charity donations :) the charity could even write to habbo and tell them what a good job is being done by one of their fansites.

[FlyingJesus]

Maybe all revenue would need transfering from paypal to a bank account and all payments made for the servers from that bank account and then the statements forwarding to habbo each month etc :)

if this move was the way forward i would offer to be open with habbo/sulake on all the finances and even give them limited access to paypal if they requested (just to see monthly ins and outs)

If this happens I would defy their call for VIP to be removed on the basis of it ruining the charity donations :) the charity could even write to habbo and tell them what a good job is being done by one of their fansites.

I don't see the need to involve Habbo/Sulake in this, other than perhaps as a way to get more promotion for the project. They wouldn't need to see how the proceeds are being handled because as I said earlier, it would be best if this was kept entirely separate from VIP. I personally would definitely donate even without VIP (I planned to donate just for server costs anyway :P) and I think trying to re-include it just complicates matters

[Jin]

You know what, I was considering something similar to this but this seems BY FAR a greater idea.

So Kudos to you alice, even after Habbox you are still one of our greatest supporters.

[jrh2002]

I don't see the need to involve Habbo/Sulake in this, other than perhaps as a way to get more promotion for the project. They wouldn't need to see how the proceeds are being handled because as I said earlier, it would be best if this was kept entirely separate from VIP. I personally would definitely donate even without VIP (I planned to donate just for server costs anyway :P) and I think trying to re-include it just complicates matters

I think for me the inclusion of VIP is a matter of principle :) Habbox never has been here to make profit and the stance habbo has taken is totally out of order. putting in the rules about VIP on their fansite list is clearly aimed firstly towards habbox and then the other premium services the other sites.

How can after more than 4 years of habbox forum having VIP and even before that Habbo Forum having their Elite can these idiots come along and tell you to remove it?

Sierk is a very strong character and no way will he remove something that benefits the site and even more so if it benefits a charity if its possible the site could be under threat. We will wait to see his decision but if there is not any alternative for vip or a way around removing it for habbos rules then i expect habbo will be ignored and told to do their worst.

[FlyingJesus]

I completely agree that the VIP situation is ridiculous and would love to see it reverted back to how it is now when the faecal matter collides with the air cooling aid at the end of the month, it's just that I'd really like to see this charity idea take off without being held back by controversy :P

Of course, once things are sorted with it (assuming we can work something out with Sulake) I'd have no problem reincorporating it, but that could well be a long way off if they're going to be stubborn

[jrh2002]

I completely agree that the VIP situation is ridiculous and would love to see it reverted back to how it is now when the faecal matter collides with the air cooling aid at the end of the month, it's just that I'd really like to see this charity idea take off without being held back by controversy :P

Of course, once things are sorted with it (assuming we can work something out with Sulake) I'd have no problem reincorporating it, but that could well be a long way off if they're going to be stubborn

Just a change of name for VIP would be good enough and maybe ALL VIP money could go to the charity? I am sure with a good relationship with the actual charity would bring more visitors and that would get hx more money through the adverts :) Then habbox could run on adverts and direct donations and the VIP as a new name would go to the charity of choice (this one i hope) I dont think I would ask habbo if i did bother contacting them i would tell them what was going to happen.

Without VIP maybe habbox could survive on adverts with a bit more promoting of them but it kills the idea of the xmas charity once and for all.

[AgnesIO]

Awesome idea.

Jrh and alice both two of the most generous users on habbox. Love both of you.

Tbh as people have said we could sekll vip to do the donations, and i bet the press if habbo disagreed would love to pounce of a multi-million pound company. It would be hilarious!

---

I would be more than willing to pay more for vip if some of it goes to charity.

But dont even obther rising vip+ prices :D

Perhaps vip at £2 and vip+ at £4?

[MissAlice]

When I thought about this idea, I didn't include Sulake. As a long time member of this forum, I am fully aware of the charity that Habbox has previously been involved in, and it set me thinking about how something positive could come out of all the discussion that's taken place over the topic of VIP and it's possible removal. I've never had VIP, and don't need it, some members do, they like the coloured names, and other benefits, now having said that I do donate to Habbox in my own way, for no reward. Members benefit from my donations, and not Habbox or a charity directly.

This is my way of donating to charity via Habbox and supporting not one cause but two, and I would hope many other members would hopefully feel the same. £1 a month or maybe more is very little to me, and I am fairly sure it's not a lot to others.

I want this idea to happen, it not only will support charity, but it will also be good for Habbox, and will also improve it's reputation.

I'm not sure if it's at all possible but maybe those that donate could have a user bar or similar to show they donate to charity ;)

[FlyingJesus]

Just a change of name for VIP would be good enough and maybe ALL VIP money could go to the charity? I am sure with a good relationship with the actual charity would bring more visitors and that would get hx more money through the adverts :) Then habbox could run on adverts and direct donations and the VIP as a new name would go to the charity of choice (this one i hope) I dont think I would ask habbo if i did bother contacting them i would tell them what was going to happen.

Without VIP maybe habbox could survive on adverts with a bit more promoting of them but it kills the idea of the xmas charity once and for all.

I really do admire the idea of making a stand against what's happening with VIP at the moment but my reasoning is the same as why the big guns have decided to comply with stopping VIP until they can sort things out properly - we don't want there to be any hassle with hosts and legalities, as even just the threat of being shut down would be detrimental to the forum and the community as a whole.

Would be lovely to get something in return for donations, but the fundamental idea of charity is one of selflessness and giving. I'm fairly sure people would be happy to donate to charity without getting VIP extras (no matter what you call them). Donors can be named and praised as much as anyone likes, but as soon as any actual service is given we're liable to action being taken - and being the biggest fansite around, we're likely to be watched closely haha

[Blue]

It's such a shame I don't have my money electronically :(

I for one, absolutely love the charity idea :)

[MissAlice]

I think for me the inclusion of VIP is a matter of principle :) Habbox never has been here to make profit and the stance habbo has taken is totally out of order. putting in the rules about VIP on their fansite list is clearly aimed firstly towards habbox and then the other premium services the other sites.

How can after more than 4 years of habbox forum having VIP and even before that Habbo Forum having their Elite can these idiots come along and tell you to remove it?

Sierk is a very strong character and no way will he remove something that benefits the site and even more so if it benefits a charity if its possible the site could be under threat. We will wait to see his decision but if there is not any alternative for vip or a way around removing it for habbos rules then i expect habbo will be ignored and told to do their worst.

Everything you have said here is very true. I am totally mythed why it's taken Sulake over 4 years to make a ruling about VIP. Although as someone who has contributed as much as you have to Habbox, you should be a Habbox God, but I don't want to go upsetting anyone, so I shall appoint you a Habbox Veteran instead :P

Thanks for supporting my idea :)

[Xarea]

I'd love Sulake just to reject this idea so it'll get all over the media that such a big website for teens does not want to help dying children.

It's a really nice idea and I hope it gets put into force.

[jrh2002]

I would Change VIP to "Donation to make a wish" and explain that 100% of that goes to the charity all over Hx and HxF also drop all important people at habbo an email.

Habbo have made this decision because they think some site owners are making a big profit to spend for themselves which i imagine is true. if it was explained to them what was going to happen and in a different way has always happened with the money from the thing once known as VIP how could they refuse? That is why I was on about being more transparent with the finances so habbo did not just take site owners words for it and could check for themselves once in a while.

Habbox has been threatened to be shut down a number of times by habbo and they have not managed it yet they just spout alot of hot air with their bullying tactics.

I will be showing my support and voicing my opinion until the day habbo WIN this travesty of justice and then I will be logging out of habbox forum for the very last time very disappointed that the huge spine which once existed in such a great site has now been snapped to pieces by the boot of a money grabbing bully boy company.

I am not saying anybody iss right or wrong but voicing my opinion and helping give all the options which could be taken in such a dificult time.

[FlyingJesus]

I would Change VIP to "Donation to make a wish" and explain that 100% of that goes to the charity all over Hx and HxF also drop all important people at habbo an email.

Habbo have made this decision because they think some site owners are making a big profit to spend for themselves which i imagine is true. if it was explained to them what was going to happen and in a different way has always happened with the money from the thing once known as VIP how could they refuse? That is why I was on about being more transparent with the finances so habbo did not just take site owners words for it and could check for themselves once in a while.

I don't doubt this for a second - if they could be convinced of it. The problem is that they're always stubborn and they wouldn't want to take up the extra job of supervising how it works. I'm not against your idea at all, I just think it would be best to work on the charity aspect of it first and then rejoin it with VIP once we've sorted it with Sulake, otherwise it delays the project greatly and stops not only the charity getting money, but also the server which we need in order to get this going in the first place :P

[GommeInc]

Sounds like a plan :D I wonder what's happening this Christmas about a charity. Last year I donated £50 (I think) and was kinda hoping to do that this year again too!

[reeana]

We learnt about this charity in Year 9. Very worthy cause.

[nvrspk4]

First of all, about Sulake, I think their idea is primarily a business decision, in that the same userbase that uses Habbo use its fansites (which for the most part is pretty obviously true) and therefore money spend on VIP could be spent on Habbo (which is silly though possibly true to a small degree.) However they fail to remember how much fansites contribute, not just in terms of added quality and community, but also in terms of how they keep users using the client itself.

We can offer donations, we just can't sell VIP. As far as selling VIP and giving extra cash to Charity, we'll ask but I doubt Habbo will allow it. No harm in an effort.

[Jordy]

I don't come on here to support Charity's though, I'm really failing to see the connections. I understand HabboxForum is non-profit but I still don't think we have a right to tell them how to spend their money. Surely if we were all that great fans of Charity and HabboxForum we would donate to them both separately, and I'm sure some of us do, I'm an avid Charity supporter but I don't agree with this at all.

From the looks of things Habbox struggles to make much of a profit anyway to donate to charity all-year round, I would rather all profits got put on Standby and went back into the site. I imagine they always need a bit of money hanging around encase next month hardly anyone clicks ads or buys VIP, or maybe the bandwidth sores, if they have give away these profits they'll be no emergency fund relief for the not too distant future of the site.

Also I imagine the sums given to Charity would be very small, Habbox recently increased the SMS Price for VIP a few months ago, it shows they need the money and I'm guessing they'd only make about 8p profit from every £1.50, it's not going to add up to much at the end of the month.

Anyway it looks like Habbox are removing VIP at the end of November so it seems a bit late to do anything as it is. I guess they could stick to the original Charity plan but I'd be unwilling to support that and would rather give to Habbox directly. It seems the other Charity VIP idea is simply a loophole and an attempt to frame Sulake. In reality only about 10% of the money would go to Charity which is legal, but I personally don't believe you can call it 'Charity VIP' if only 10% goes to Charity, if the Media happened to find that out I'm sure they'd be off the case. I also feel it would be a great inconvinience to donate to Habbox through all these Charity routes and it could potentially put others off as it is confusing. Therefore I would continue donating £1 a month but remain anonymous.

[AgnesIO]

If VIP stops at the end of the month, then habbo will win.

If they realise people back down, then it will be really silly, as they will try to harm us more and more!

Habbo wouldnt take legal action, coz they will look ridiculous fighting a teen website.

[Wootzeh]

If I'm being honest I'd rather if we chose a charity that it be help for heroes.

[AgnesIO]

If I'm being honest I'd rather if we chose a charity that it be help for heroes.


Now that dear sir is ridiculously...































TRUE.

That charity is even more worthwhile, sicne the people that are there, support England, and even though i dislike the country as a whole, they are TRUE heroes.

Help For Heroes FTW.

[Rozi]

I love the idea, but as someone touched on, some people don't have the means to donate electronically. Where as with VIP you can trade HCs or credits for it but I can't see a feesable way where you could trade somthing for a donation? Also, I think at first it would be popular, but then just lag behind and get forgotton. Therefore I think all profits from VIP should go to charity. However, if this isn't possible, I fully understand. I think donating to charity in anyway is good.

As for another charity idea, we could sponsor a child? I know alot of people think this is selfish as it only helps one person, this is not true. It benifits the whole village and can make a real difference to a village in poverty to a self sufficient village with basic hygine, food, water and schooling.

[GommeInc]

First of all, about Sulake, I think their idea is primarily a business decision, in that the same userbase that uses Habbo use its fansites (which for the most part is pretty obviously true) and therefore money spend on VIP could be spent on Habbo (which is silly though possibly true to a small degree.) However they fail to remember how much fansites contribute, not just in terms of added quality and community, but also in terms of how they keep users using the client itself.

We can offer donations, we just can't sell VIP. As far as selling VIP and giving extra cash to Charity, we'll ask but I doubt Habbo will allow it. No harm in an effort.
That seems to be the only reason for this poor decision on Habbo/Sulakes part. Only a very small percentage of money spent on VIP will be re-directed to Habbo for people to buy their goods and services. I think Habbo have failed to do their research into this issue, because they would of noticed that not everyone on a Habbo fansite will buy Habbo Credits and to some extent, not everyone likes Habbo and will use the fansite because they've established connections and friends within it.

Sulake is a terrible company really, their only good point is that they've made a successful service and have profitted from it, but now they're falling under an anti-competitive/anti-social company, and for a business of its nature, is a very bad step to take. They won't become bankrupt from this decision, but I think making aload of unhappy customers isn't really what a business should be aiming to achieve, especially when fansites are harmless to them, and it doesn't seem to be causing any harm to Habbo for fansites to raise money for sustainable reasons.

The only problem with fansites selling VIP is that some fansites are profiting from Habbo, rather than making enough money to sustain their services. But at the end of the day, they cannot stop this and there is no reason for them to even dare to stop it. If the fansite is making alot of money from users, either through ads or exclusive services, then that must mean the fansite is successful. A successful fansite must be doing something to benefit the site it's based on e.g. Habbo, so surely they deserve to make some extra money? There doesn't seem to be a counter-argument, other than "If it is making alot of money without any links to Habbo, then it is profiting from Habbo," but the problem with that sentence is obvious :P

Has sierk seeked legal guidance on this matter?

[jrh2002]

I don't doubt this for a second - if they could be convinced of it. The problem is that they're always stubborn and they wouldn't want to take up the extra job of supervising how it works. I'm not against your idea at all, I just think it would be best to work on the charity aspect of it first and then rejoin it with VIP once we've sorted it with Sulake, otherwise it delays the project greatly and stops not only the charity getting money, but also the server which we need in order to get this going in the first place :P

I am not trying to cause trouble here but from what I see most of the community want to keep VIP :o I thought the community support department was to support the community and you guys be a go between to tell management what the members would like and back the majority?
Whatever your personal view is should not get in the way of doing your best to put our views over.

Let Sierk or NVR wave the white flag :(


If VIP stops at the end of the month, then habbo will win.

If they realise people back down, then it will be really silly, as they will try to harm us more and more!

Habbo wouldnt take legal action, coz they will look ridiculous fighting a teen website.

I am with you all the way :) it seems the heart has gone form habbox over time :( I can imagine this rule coming in back in 2004/05 :o habbo would have got the biggest battle of their lives with the likes of JackHB, Properclone etc with sierk leading us all with a big sword. :8


First of all, about Sulake, I think their idea is primarily a business decision, in that the same userbase that uses Habbo use its fansites (which for the most part is pretty obviously true) and therefore money spend on VIP could be spent on Habbo (which is silly though possibly true to a small degree.) However they fail to remember how much fansites contribute, not just in terms of added quality and community, but also in terms of how they keep users using the client itself.

We can offer donations, we just can't sell VIP. As far as selling VIP and giving extra cash to Charity, we'll ask but I doubt Habbo will allow it. No harm in an effort.

Lets wait and see what the big chief decides before you all give in :)



Has sierk seeked legal guidance on this matter?

I presume he will let us know where we stand as soon as he has :) just hope its before the deadline so that theres no messing about.

[FlyingJesus]

I don't come on here to support Charity's though, I'm really failing to see the connections. I understand HabboxForum is non-profit but I still don't think we have a right to tell them how to spend their money. Surely if we were all that great fans of Charity and HabboxForum we would donate to them both separately, and I'm sure some of us do, I'm an avid Charity supporter but I don't agree with this at all.

From the looks of things Habbox struggles to make much of a profit anyway to donate to charity all-year round, I would rather all profits got put on Standby and went back into the site. I imagine they always need a bit of money hanging around encase next month hardly anyone clicks ads or buys VIP, or maybe the bandwidth sores, if they have give away these profits they'll be no emergency fund relief for the not too distant future of the site.

Also I imagine the sums given to Charity would be very small, Habbox recently increased the SMS Price for VIP a few months ago, it shows they need the money and I'm guessing they'd only make about 8p profit from every £1.50, it's not going to add up to much at the end of the month.

Anyway it looks like Habbox are removing VIP at the end of November so it seems a bit late to do anything as it is. I guess they could stick to the original Charity plan but I'd be unwilling to support that and would rather give to Habbox directly. It seems the other Charity VIP idea is simply a loophole and an attempt to frame Sulake. In reality only about 10% of the money would go to Charity which is legal, but I personally don't believe you can call it 'Charity VIP' if only 10% goes to Charity, if the Media happened to find that out I'm sure they'd be off the case. I also feel it would be a great inconvinience to donate to Habbox through all these Charity routes and it could potentially put others off as it is confusing. Therefore I would continue donating £1 a month but remain anonymous.

The idea is that people donate and that money is used to cover server costs etc, with all surplus going to the charity. I think simply because it is charity people will be willing to put a little more in than they would usually spend on VIP - I know I for one definitely would.

As I've said before, I'm looking more into just getting the charity idea off the ground at the moment without linking it to VIP, as that isn't a stable issue at the moment.


@Jrh: I know, I'm not trying to say that we're giving up on the community :P I personally would love to see VIP allowed again, and that's something I'll help with if I can/if I'm needed to, but for now I'd rather keep that separate from the charity, at least until things have been smoothed over on that front. At this stage, without legal advice and without the go ahead from Sulake, it would appear too much of a risk to the site as a whole to try testing them on their word. No-one's actually given up, the statement given was that we are complying with them until Sierk/Nvr get it all sorted - a truce or parley, if you will :D

[jrh2002]

The idea of a permanent charity is great :) which can be supported throughout the year if people wish. Maybe the idea of a different charity each year could work? I however like building a relationship with one charity and keep it going.

[Decode]

First of all, about Sulake, I think their idea is primarily a business decision, in that the same userbase that uses Habbo use its fansites (which for the most part is pretty obviously true) and therefore money spend on VIP could be spent on Habbo (which is silly though possibly true to a small degree.) However they fail to remember how much fansites contribute, not just in terms of added quality and community, but also in terms of how they keep users using the client itself.

We can offer donations, we just can't sell VIP. As far as selling VIP and giving extra cash to Charity, we'll ask but I doubt Habbo will allow it. No harm in an effort.
You should just threaten to close Habbox, with out rare values credits will be useless and not as many people will buy them.

[Sammeth.]

You should just threaten to close Habbox, with out rare values credits will be useless and not as many people will buy them.
There are other sites that offer Rare Values, and if Habbox remove theirs then those other sites would jump at the chance to gain from that.

[Yonder]

Im with this id be more than willing to donate money to charity by also supporting Habbox.