About us

MSX Center's purpose is to promote the usage of MSX computers, support developers of new software and hardware, and expand the user community. This is how we're going to do it:

Promoting the usage of MSX computers

• Financial support for initiatives that encourage the creation of new MSX software or hardware (the MSXdev contest is a perfect example), and for groups that organize user meetings (such as the AAMSX meetings in Barcelona).
• Spreading the word about projects that in one way or another give old and new MSX users a reason to power on their machines again (such as CheatMSX or Generation MSX).
• Writing courses teaching how to code utilities, how to create games, draw graphics, or compose music.

Supporting developers

• Buy large batches of products from developers (games, hardware, etc). Sell those products to MSX Center members in our online shop.
• Review and advertise new games, utilities and hardware. Help the developers and distributors (such as MSX Cartridge Shop, Matra, Repro Factory, Tecnobytes or 8bits4ever) make their products known to users so they will stay in business while supporting the community.
• Help bring new products to life by coordinating with suppliers of electronic components, plastic cases, packaging and labeling.
• Donating to developers who create something useful to the community and give it away for free (such as Nextor).

Expanding the community

• Help new and existing users in our conversation areas by answering usage questions, recommending software and/or hardware, resolving problems...
• Reach out to members of other retro platforms who are likely to enjoy using MSX machines.

Financing

Income

Our two sources of financing are voluntary member donations (Patreon) and revenue from our online shop (to be open in a near-future update).

We will post monthly financial statements in the conversation areas explaining both the income and the expenses.

Expenses

We will pay our running expenses from this revenue:

• Monthly: fiber optics circuit and Internet provider (around $45)
• Yearly: domain name renewal (around $12) and SSL certificate ($50)
• Savings for future hardware upgrades and/or replacements ($50/month)
• Monthly: Google Translate API (uses machine translation to translate posts in the conversation forums to each user's language), amount depends on the quantity of text translated, but it's expected to be $10-20/month.

The remaining funds will be distributed as follows:

• Small monthly and per-release donations to creators on Patreon
• Donations for contests or user events
• Funds for placing large orders from developers

Team

As of May 2017 we are just one person (hey, we've just started!):