Hello, I’m Stilgherrian. Listen up, MEDIA FREEDOM CITIZENS! Back in 2015 you bought me a new computer and some audio gear to replace my dying kit. Seven years later it's time to replace that computer — before it becomes urgent.

This is the MacBook Pro of Theseus. The only original component is the backplate with the serial number printed on it. It's going just fine, but it can't last much longer. Look at how the corner is dented. The backplate doesn't close properly, and neither does the lid. See how the screw holes are stripped and useless? And it's difficult to photograph the alarming bulge in the backplate, but the battery probably won't explode just yet.

This computer is also no longer capable of running the latest version of macOS. So it's time to update.

In return, you'll get a very special livestreamed episode of The 9pm Edict podcast recorded in front of a live audience, plus other content made to your request, plus some other little treats.

[Update 2 January 2023: It became urgent. See this update. The old computer is dead. And today I discovered that I'd made a terrible mistake, using pricing from Apple's US website instead of Australian Dollars in Australia. Oops. So the descriptions of Targets One and Two have been redacted somewhat. If you want to see what they were, check the Internet Archive.]

Target One $3900 ACHIEVED: MacBook Pro, backup storage, Public House Forum

Live Podcast: We haven't done a Public House Forum episode, livestreamed from a pub with a live audience, since this one in 2018. This project will finally change that. 

The date will be announced at the end of the crowdfunder, but it's likely to be held in the Greater Sydney area on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in the second half of March 2023.

(Why these choices? All of my software and production workflows are built on macOS. Check out my write-up at Uses This. A MacBook Pro's grunt, its cooling fans for the load stamina needed for extended complex mixes, and its wider variety of interfaces trump the portability and lower price of a MacBook Air. I'm planning to do a lot more audio and video production in 2023. I'll get SSD external drives this time because macOS is now very slow to back up to HDDs. My once-daily backups with only a few gigabytes of new data now take two days to run! The budget includes a token amount for refreshments for the podcast guests becasue that's just basic manners.)

[Update 29 December 2022: I've received a total of $700 via other channels, so the following targets have been adjusted accordingly.]

Target Two $4300 ACHIEVED: A better MacBook Pro

As explained above, I didn't get the pricing right. But since we've already achieved this dollar target we can continue...

Target Three $5600 ACHIEVED: Add an external monitor

Would you believe that for the last decade I've worked off a laptop with no external screen? Let's fix that. To sweeten this target for me I'll improve the computer somewhat.

Computer (Option 3): MacBook Pro 14", M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 24-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 32GB unified memory, 1TB SSD storage. Monitor: 27" 4K UHD, generic brand TBA. External storage: 2 x 1TB SSD USB-C drives. Live Podcast: As before.

[Update 2 January 2023: In fact I have already ordered the computer, and it will be delivered later this week.]

Target Four $7300 ACHIEVED: Add a camera for livestreaming and improve the monitor

Livestreaming with a webcam has its limitations. I also miss having a decent camera for wildlife pictures and the like. After a discussion on Twitter I've concluded that a camera budget of $1000 is about right for now. Something like a Sony CyberShot ZV-1 or a perhaps a Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II would be the sort of thing, but the decision will be made when funds are released. An HDMI video capture device would also be needed.

The monitor would be improved to a Dell P2723QE 27” UHD with built-in USB-C hub), and a third-party VESA arm (not shown) to keep it on the desk above my RØDECaster Pro mixer.

Live Podcast: As before, but this time with a video livestream when recording.

Target Five $8000 ACHIEVED: RØDE Procaster mic and accessories, case for RØDECaster mixer

We're down to the final hours of the campaign, but it's still worth setting one more ambitious target. This one serves two jobs.

One, it improves my in-studio voice recordings by adding the highly-regarded RØDE Procaster microphone, its shock mount, and a wind sock (not shown). The RØDECaster Pro mixer has a preset specifically for this microphone and it is totally the tool for the job.

Two, it improves the survivability of my equipment by providing a case for when I'm taking the RØDECaster Pro to location recordings such as the Public House Forum podcast episodes. Honestly, throwing everything into a duffel bag is so not a good look. I'll also add in the RØDE XLR-ID cable labels (not shown) to make life that tiny bit easier.

In return, I'll schedule in TWO livestreamed Public House Forum episodes, the second one in April some time.

If we just miss any of those stretch targets, I'll adjust the hardware specs so the funds are well spent — and of course disclose everything.

A Note on the Rewards

These are a combination of the standard rewards I offer for my quarterly podcast crowdfunders and a few from the past. Further rewards may be added as the campaign progresses. Suggestions are welcome.

Everyone who pledges to support the project will also get access to a secret stash of photographs and other treats. The set-up of this trove is long overdue, but I’ll email all previous supporters with an update on that before Christmas 2022.

All rewards can be cashed in at any time during calendar year 2023.

[Update 2 January 2023: This whole section has been updated to reflect various changes and errors.]

Unlike my recent crowdfunders, this one isn't about providing a direct income, but funding equipment. I have therefore discounted my usual costing per podcast down to zero. I've been doing some consulting so I should be able to live.

Apple hardware prices are per the Apple Australia website as at 2 January 2023, discounted thanks to a contact. All other hardware prices are estimates based on currently advertised street prices from major major retailers, including online suppliers.

Pozible’s fees, bank fees, and other administration costs take about 9% of any total funds raised. On top of that there’s 10% GST.

As some funds have been received via other channels, the targets shown here are for the remaining components to be raise via Pozible.

If you want to see my working, check version 6 of the numbers (PDF). The first page records the actual funds raised and expenditure as at 7 February 2023. The second page shows the development of the budgets matching each target, which is of less interest now. The next update will be posted once the final items are ordered.

The Old Fine Print, included for reference and in case it's needed later

In the past I've costed out podcast production so that your contributions provide me with an income while doing so.

All up, each regular episode of The 9pm Edict takes a little over a day to research, prepare, record, edit, and post. Based on the MEAA award rate for casual freelance journalists that's about $960 per episode. As a casual rate, that includes allowances for superannuation, leave, and the like, as well as equipment costs.

I discount it by 30% to $650 per episode because some of the work involves copying and uploading files and other mechanical tasks. I can do other things at the same time. And because I love you all, I discount it another 20% down to $480 per episode.

A Public House Forum episode takes quite a bit more effort overall, roughly two days, so with the same discount applied that's that's $960 per episode.

However as explained previously, this time the funds go towards the hardware.