I’ve been developing Finnish School for over four years now. I’ve spent countless hours working on it, improving it, fixing it, and supporting it. I’m quite happy with the entire project; it’s been a huge success with almost 19,000 people signing up, and an average of almost 700 people using it per day. There’s nothing else like it on the web, and there’s no better way to learn Finnish vocabulary words.
Even though my monthly server costs are high, I’ve been able to keep the entire site free of charge. I’ve never included online ads because I know how annoying they can be. Even though the site kinda runs itself, I do spend quite a bit of my free time answer people’s e-mails, adding new features, and improving the site for you all. I have a big plans for the site, lots of new features I’d like to develop, but honestly I’m lacking the motivation and without any sort of incentive, these new features will never happen.
So what I’ve decided to do is ask for a small donation of 5 euros per year to use the site – the price of a pint of a beer at the pub. Finnish students who are serious about learning the language spend quite a bit of money each year on books, CDs, classes, and tutors – and I think 5 euros is a small donation to make for such a useful service like Finnish School. With the donations I’ll be motivated to develop the site further, provide users with better support, and hopefully be able to compensate for my expensive monthly server fees.
All new users may use the entire site as much as they want, but only the first three levels. Donors to the site will receive the following…
- Access to all vocabulary levels
- Priority support via e-mail
- BETA testing to all upcoming site features
I know I’ll have to remove the “free” part of the sites “Fast, free, and easy” tagline, but if you’re serious about learning Finnish and you enjoy the site and you’d like to see it developed further, I think the 5 euro donation is a small request to ask.
Click here to learn how to donate and become a Finnish School member!
Hi,
I’m wondering why I have sent u 5 euros and a confirmation email but havent received anything, it has been 2 days. Are you still running this website?
Comment by Pham Tien Hoang — December 6, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
Hey,
I have the same comment as Pham. I also have sent you 5 euros through bank transfer and a confirmation email both. I have been waiting for two days over now and still I haven’t heard from you.
Comment by Ashesh — December 18, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
Im with the same problem
Comment by Anonymous — December 28, 2008 @ 11:07 pm
I just read these blogs, but I’ve already done the 5EUR donation. What is the next step and how long does it take? Thanks.
Comment by IT — February 11, 2009 @ 11:55 pm
could we pay by mail or what?…
Comment by Finnish-Addict — February 13, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
Phil, I donated the 5 euros and would like access. Thanks.
Comment by Ben — April 28, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
how does one start learning finnish for the 1st time as when it came up it came up with an english word & was waiting for me to put the finnish word in ? thank you
Comment by jean — August 16, 2009 @ 10:00 pm
Hello I just put in my 5 euro donation. I’m looking forward to starting the lessons!
Thanks!
Comment by Wendy B. — March 2, 2010 @ 6:29 am
How long does it take to get the next levels after one has donated? thanks
Comment by EMP — March 30, 2010 @ 1:05 am
I donated my 5 euros!
When do i get the access?
Comment by Girl.Anachronism — March 31, 2010 @ 2:24 pm
Hi was just reading the above comments. I was all ready to pay for this but I don’t want to waste money. Can I get confirmation about how long this will take.
Also i think that you should post a public answer to these questions, i think it will make people more likely to pay.
Also if anyone did sign up for it and got full access could they post it up please
Comment by Peter — April 6, 2010 @ 8:36 pm
I am glad to see other folks are struggling with access..well not glad,but at least I’m not alone. I paid and have yet to get access. Maybe something happened to the host.
Comment by C Imes — April 16, 2010 @ 4:55 am
I paid 5 euro month before, nothing happened still. What happened to the host?
Comment by j c — April 16, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
i was so intrested in doing this, but it looks like nothing happens even if you do donate 5euros, so maybe i shall not bother?
unless i read that someone has had something from it.
Sian
Comment by Sian — April 18, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
Hi,
Same here, made payment a week ago, sent an e-mail with confirmation. No access to other levels.
Phil, any comments?
Inna
Comment by Inna — April 22, 2010 @ 10:16 am
I would like to sign up to this it is really good and it seems a shame that the comments left are not very positive and scares people away.
you should reply.
Comment by Anonymous — April 27, 2010 @ 2:00 pm
I donate 5 eu but its nothing happening… I wrote e-mail, but its nothing happening anyway. So, don’t waist Your money, for this fake school
Comment by Zivile — May 11, 2010 @ 1:05 pm
I really want to do these lessons please come back.
Comment by KK — May 19, 2010 @ 12:20 pm
Whats going on?I donated,send an email and its been 3 days with no replay and no accessibility.could we get some answers..
Comment by Anonymous — May 20, 2010 @ 10:45 pm
It has been 2 years since my payment and still got no access.
Comment by Pham Tien Hoang — May 20, 2010 @ 10:57 pm
oops, sorry, so the membership valids for only 1 year
Sorry, my bad. I thought it was forever. LOL ! 
)
Comment by Pham Tien Hoang — May 20, 2010 @ 11:00 pm
I think this Phil guy should be reported for scamming.I know 5 euro is not alot but thats playing with peoples mind + if 20 people donate thats 100 taxfree free money.He is no better than the beggars on the streets.Maybe we should attend his gigs and confront him face to face
Comment by Anonymous — May 28, 2010 @ 2:52 pm
I say this is probably a scam, that’s a shame since I want to learn the whole entire Finnish language. Its hard finding programs to learn Finnish and very few people know it.
Comment by Ivy — May 28, 2010 @ 8:27 pm
To be fair to the man, if Phil is really a scam man then he would have deleted all these negative comments that scare people away. Maybe he is just a really busy guy and actually has a full time job/life as well as running this site. For me it will take a few days to do do the first three levels and if I email Phil now, then by the time I have done them, maybe I’ll be convinced that 5 Euros is actually worth a lot more than just a pint of beer. And for the record, I’d buy anyone a pint of beer if they could help me with my Finnish.
Comment by Matt — June 2, 2010 @ 12:27 am