Campagin for BoatNerd.Com - Enriching BoatNerd.Com's Future
 


Current Needs

PC's -
We are in need of a small number of corporate style Desk Top or Small Form Factor PC's. We would like any thing starting with a Pentium 4 level processor or higher.
This is a good opportunity for a corporation to recycle equipment while receiving a tax credit.
We would be happy to pick up and wipe the data on any donated machines to DOD standards.
click here for details.

Server Shelves -
 Any type of 19" server rack shelves.

Server Rack -
 We are in need of a half-height Sever Rack for one of our locations. We would prefer something that is enclosed with sides and doors.

Our thanks to Art Williams and Paul Williams for donating a full size Server Rack.

Donations for Raffle -
Items that can be donated to compliment our raffle

Original 16mm shipping movies -
These movies are something we would like to convert to digital (we can return the original) and make available to the BoatNerd viewers. If any individual or group has any shipping related films please contact us for details.

Betamax format deck -
Our thanks to Kathy Luhta for donating a Beta deck.

The deck belonged to her good friend John Dzilna.  John spent 40 years on the Great Lakes, both on deck and in the engine room.  He worked for U.S. Steel, Columbia, and Interlake.  He retired from Interlake as an Engineer in 2001 and passed away in 2003 while on a canoe trip in Canada.
 
Kathy adds that she is sure that he would be happy to know that his Betamax deck went to a good home helping to preserve Great Lakes Shipping history.

Boatnerd is in the process of converting old movies over to digital format. Our old Beta deck failed and we need a new one. If anyone would like to donate a working Betamax format deck we would appreciate it.


If you or your organization are able to help please e-mail donate@boatnerd.net

 

 

Support Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online
the non-profit support organization for the
BoatNerd.Com web site

Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping Online Inc. (GLSS) was  designated a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation by the Internal Revenue Service in 2006.

GLSS was organized to support the efforts of the BoatNerd website, while operations are managed by the group of volunteers running the site since 2003. This is a dedicated group spread across the U.S. and Canada who handle all ends of site operation from server management to correspondence and user support.

The corporation is run by a Board of Directors with diverse back grounds ranging from the Shipping Industry to Boatwatchers. The board's focus is the continuation of and growth of the BoatNerd.Com web site. 

The establishment of non-profit status means BoatNerd is able to accept tax-deductible contributions through donations. Funding raised by GLSS will allow the web site to become self-sufficient and guarantee the longevity of BoatNerd.Com by paying the $12,000 a year data connection charges and replacing the aging computer hardware that runs the site.

Purpose
The Corporation is organized for the purpose of enhancing the general public knowledge of the maritime commercial operations and history on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway by:

1. Support an internet website at http://www.Boatnerd.com, and related internet based applications and websites, and

2. Organizing periodic gatherings of interested persons at various locations around the Great Lakes to photograph and enjoy the vessels associated with the Great Lakes commerce, and

3. Encouraging discussions among members pertaining to Great Lakes maritime commercial operations and history, and

4. Sponsoring programs and illustrated lectures by persons knowledgeable in Great Lakes Great Lakes maritime commerce, history, and

5. Promoting and encouraging passenger cruising on the Great Lakes, and

6.  Publishing and assisting in the publishing of printed, online and recorded materials pertinent to the Great Lakes maritime industry.

7. Support other organizations with similar interests through the use of technology and technical assistance.

8. Fostering an appreciation of the Great Lakes maritime industry.

 


Contribute
We accept donations through PayPal or by mail

Corporations or individuals wishing to make larger, tax deductible donations should contact donate@boatnerd.net or by mail:
Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online, Inc.
51 Water Street
Port Huron, Michigan 48060

To verify our non-profit status, please click this link and search for Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping

Current Projects
In addition to the daily updates of the site here are some of the projects we are currently working on or have planned

New Server -
 A second server that hosts several other applications was purchased in May and is undergoing extensive development.

Once in place the new hardware will allow our development teams to updated many of the features on the site making them more interactive and useful though new technologies that wouldn't run on the old equipment.

These include updates to the vessel passage section, discussion boards and a more reliable Public Photo Gallery.

New Main Server -
Our infrastructure teams purchased a new (lightly used) server in March and moved the BoatNerd and other sites to the new server. Our old server was slated for replacement later this year but developed problems that made its replacement a  priority.

The primary goal of our fund raising raffle is the replacement of this equipment.

Detroit Webcam -
Starting in November, 2006 our volunteers worked to upgrade the network at the Dossin Museum. This upgrade, with support from Detroit based Strategic Staffing Solutions, allowed the return of the popular webcam to the Internet.