Stephan:   Over 10 years ago I made the decision to begin Schwartzreport, and as a discipline to do it every day, seven days a week, no matter where in the world I was. With one break of two weeks two summers ago, when I cruised down from Alaska to Seattle on a dear friend's boat, and a 10 days this summer when I again was invited to go cruising, and except for one or two nights each year when the net was not available, or equipment had failed, that is what I have done. SR has been published from some very strange places. From beneath Red Square in Moscow, in an internet café that looked like something from The Matrix, all long leather coats, and those cool sunglasses. It has gone out from the back of Pakistani curry shop. From a cave in Turkey, and from numberless hotels and, for several nights, from an 18 foot open boat huddled under a tarp while in a driving rainstorm, bobbing off a Canadian island trying to stay linked to an open net from a deserted house. Through it all SR has gone out. I began it as my contribution to the good, and determined that I would not allow advertising, and would not permit myself to be influenced in that way. I couldn't think of an economic model that would work without compromise, and so just bore the costs and committed the time. Over the years a number of readers have suggested that I charge for the subscription, but I thought that would change its nature. I wanted it to be free to anybody who could use the information. Recently however, several readers have urged me to let them support SR, asking me to just put up a 'Support SR' button and let people contribute as they thought best. After meditating on this for several weeks I have decided to do this. I am going to continue to publish SR, and it will continue to be free. However, I would certainly appreciate the support and, if you would like to offer it, and to help me make SR better, I would be very happy to have your assistance. Thank you. -- Stephan