The goal is to troop together more individuals who are willing to confirm that they will (probably) buy a device once those are available, by donating an amount that makes us think they will want to claim it (as rebate) as soon as possible. For us that means: we can ask suppliers about 1500 instead of 200 items. Which means we can get much better offers for everything. We don't *need* much more donations to do what we promised to do, but we can do a better job with more resources (monetary as well as customer-count-wise) and more reassurance. Also keep in mind that we'll pay back unused donations should the project ever fail for whatever reason. The more donations the lower the individual and over-all risk and the better the final pricetag.
So we don't go out of our way and do things we don't like to do, just to 'reach that new goal' (see next). But we really would appreciate when even more than the 200 customers we hoped for will support us in a tangible way. This thing could become a chain reaction that makes big business listen up. :-) Also please notice that we don't announce a further goal like phase-IV and any achievements that can get done by reaching it. The devices will come true with reaching phase-III. It's a contiguous process from phase-III onwards. Nevertheless Nikolaus' statement about 1000 units / month for next higher league still stands.


my 2 cents, comments solicited
cheers
jOERG
/j


link to follow-up post