Please make a donation if you can help with Sitcoms Online's web hosting costs - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 12-28-2022, 12:57 PM

I've asked for donations only one time (way back in 2003) in our nearly 24 year history. I don't have any other viable options until I can move it to a more affordable server and host. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

The last 3-4 months have been a struggle to pay our server bill due to some of the lowest amounts that the advertising and Amazon affiliate sales (they dried up when we stopped doing DVD reviews) have ever generated. I'm not sure if it's declining traffic and paid pageviews, advertisers paying far less than they used to, limited available ad inventory (I often see pages with 0-2 ads instead of the maximum of 3), or the rise of people using ad blockers (please consider whitelisting our domain if you use one). December is normally when the online advertisers pay 2x or 3x the amount, but it never happened this year.

I'm currently short on January's server bill. I pay each month up front. I can pay it as late as January 7. I thought about moving it to another server this month, but I don't even have the money or time to do it right now. I'll have to do some research to find a more affordable server with more memory to maybe move it by the end of January. The server we're on now is expensive and not a very good value. Once I can get it moved to a more reasonably priced server, we should be in better shape.

I plan on buying a mobile/responsive theme for our forums with some of the proceeds.

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Please send any donations via PayPal to donations@sitcomsonline.com or you can use one of the below links. Any amount that you can chip in would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your support!

PayPal.Me
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/SitcomsOnline

PayPal donation box (it has a recurring monthly option if you want to use it, more payment options, and you don't need a PayPal account)
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hoste...=KZS65D8D2K2S4

A check, money order or concealed cash donation can ben sent to:

Todd Fuller
Sitcoms Online
3681 Shelby Ln.
Marietta, GA 30062

Caroline13 · 12-28-2022, 01:23 PM

TJ: I see that many forums ask for funds to support the forum. I sure HOPE all or most of the longtime commited members pitch in. I feel they will.

Money is tighter everywhere and I have no clue what it takes keeping these forums operating.

I know many years ago on one of my first forums the owners had to close down due to funds, it was a good forum and they did not ask for help...just closed it. Had the owner asked for funds from the members, I believe it could still be alive, I would have donated as I so enjoyed the board.

TJ: You've put a TON into this forum so the dedication is certainly there. And thanks for allowing me to stay on in spite of the issues...

stevea · 12-28-2022, 01:30 PM

Unfortunately, it even REQUIRES a mobile number to do this! Which is the reason I was kicked off Pay Pal in the first place after being on there for 10-15 years. They should do security like amazon does, by sending an email when someone logs on. Simple!

Anyway, I'm planning on finally getting a mobile phone soon. But not just to make Pay Pal happy.

I've seen your address somewhere on the site--let us know, and i will send a check if OK.

I know others who have ditched Pay Pal due to the mobile phone requirement.

TJ · 12-28-2022, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

Unfortunately, it even REQUIRES a mobile number to do this! Which is the reason I was kicked off Pay Pal in the first place after being on there for 10-15 years. They should do security like amazon does, by sending an email when someone logs on. Simple!

Anyway, I'm planning on finally getting a mobile phone soon. But not just to make Pay Pal happy.

I've seen your address somewhere on the site--let us know, and i will send a check if OK.

I know others who have ditched Pay Pal due to the mobile phone requirement.

I looked at other donation sites such as Patreon, but they take out higher fees. I thought PayPal was the best option with the most people using it. I wasn't sure if they required an account or mobile phone number.

A check, money order or concealed cash would be fine.

Todd Fuller
Sitcoms Online
3681 Shelby Ln.
Marietta, GA 30062

TJ · 12-28-2022, 01:39 PM

I don't have any plans on closing it down. I know money is tight for many people with inflation.

I'll be better able to pay for it monthly when I find a more affordable host. I'm sure I can find a better one with more memory. It will run faster with more memory.

opus · 12-28-2022, 02:20 PM

Clicking the PayPal link takes me to a Lois Fuller. Same last name so I assume it's the right place? Just double checking.

TJ · 12-28-2022, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

Clicking the PayPal link takes me to a Lois Fuller. Same last name so I assume it's the right place? Just double checking.

Yes. It's a verified account.

opus · 12-28-2022, 02:32 PM

Ok, done. Lois now has some of my money.

The bad news is my refrigerator is breaking down and leaking from the freezer, so I need a new one in the next few weeks. Disposable cash was being earmarked for that. But I did what I could for now.

TJ · 12-28-2022, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

Ok, done. Lois now has some of my money.

The bad news is my refrigerator is breaking down and leaking from the freezer, so I need a new one in the next few weeks. Disposable cash was being earmarked for that. But I did what I could for now.

Thanks for getting the ball rolling and making the first donation. They take out 30 cents + a 2.9% fee. They have an option to let people cover the fees, but I turned it off. It will be enough just for the donation amount.

stevea · 12-28-2022, 02:58 PM

I'll be the second, once the snail mail arrives. Now that I think about it, probably worse than second!

opus · 12-28-2022, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

Thanks for getting the ball rolling and making the first donation. They take out 30 cents + a 2.9% fee. They have an option to let people cover the fees, but I turned it off. It will be enough just for the donation amount.

PayPal was easy for me because I already have an account. Obviously there’d be a few more steps for someone going in for the first time and having to sign up.

Sitcoms Online story—- When I bought some stuff from TeeVeeCloset it was thru PayPal and he made me pay the fees. But luckily besides that he’s a fine upstanding citizen and never caused anyone any problems.

Bonniegirl · 12-28-2022, 04:08 PM

I will donate !

I'll send a money order !

TJ · 12-28-2022, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

PayPal was easy for me because I already have an account. Obviously there’d be a few more steps for someone going in for the first time and having to sign up.

Sitcoms Online story—- When I bought some stuff from TeeVeeCloset it was thru PayPal and he made me pay the fees. But luckily besides that he’s a fine upstanding citizen and never caused anyone any problems.

Some of the donation sites such as Patreon take out even higher fees. I guess that's where they make their money.

It has been a while since TeeVeeCloset last logged in and posted. I know he was battling some health issues. Hopefully he's doing ok if he's still lurking here. He has been missed.

opus · 12-28-2022, 09:22 PM

Everyone, please listen to Valerie. Thanks.

Embedded Tweet

Dude111 · 12-28-2022, 11:11 PM

Im so sorry buddy

12-28-2022, 12:57 PM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,649	Please make a donation if you can help with Sitcoms Online's web hosting costs I've asked for donations only one time (way back in 2003) in our nearly 24 year history. I don't have any other viable options until I can move it to a more affordable server and host. Desperate times call for desperate measures. The last 3-4 months have been a struggle to pay our server bill due to some of the lowest amounts that the advertising and Amazon affiliate sales (they dried up when we stopped doing DVD reviews) have ever generated. I'm not sure if it's declining traffic and paid pageviews, advertisers paying far less than they used to, limited available ad inventory (I often see pages with 0-2 ads instead of the maximum of 3), or the rise of people using ad blockers (please consider whitelisting our domain if you use one). December is normally when the online advertisers pay 2x or 3x the amount, but it never happened this year. I'm currently short on January's server bill. I pay each month up front. I can pay it as late as January 7. I thought about moving it to another server this month, but I don't even have the money or time to do it right now. I'll have to do some research to find a more affordable server with more memory to maybe move it by the end of January. The server we're on now is expensive and not a very good value. Once I can get it moved to a more reasonably priced server, we should be in better shape. I plan on buying a mobile/responsive theme for our forums with some of the proceeds. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please send any donations via PayPal to donations@sitcomsonline.com or you can use one of the below links. Any amount that you can chip in would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your support! PayPal.Me https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/SitcomsOnline PayPal donation box (it has a recurring monthly option if you want to use it, more payment options, and you don't need a PayPal account) https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hoste...=KZS65D8D2K2S4 A check, money order or concealed cash donation can ben sent to: Todd Fuller Sitcoms Online 3681 Shelby Ln. Marietta, GA 30062
	Last edited by TJ; 12-28-2022 at 04:15 PM.

12-28-2022, 01:23 PM	#2
Caroline13 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jan 30, 2021 Location: So Calif Posts: 14,483	TJ: I see that many forums ask for funds to support the forum. I sure HOPE all or most of the longtime commited members pitch in. I feel they will. Money is tighter everywhere and I have no clue what it takes keeping these forums operating. I know many years ago on one of my first forums the owners had to close down due to funds, it was a good forum and they did not ask for help...just closed it. Had the owner asked for funds from the members, I believe it could still be alive, I would have donated as I so enjoyed the board. TJ: You've put a TON into this forum so the dedication is certainly there. And thanks for allowing me to stay on in spite of the issues...
	__________________ Inexpensive Health Insurance = Grape Seed Extract Keep It Simple

12-28-2022, 09:22 PM	#14
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,059	Everyone, please listen to Valerie. Thanks. Embedded Tweet

12-28-2022, 01:30 PM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,178	Unfortunately, it even REQUIRES a mobile number to do this! Which is the reason I was kicked off Pay Pal in the first place after being on there for 10-15 years. They should do security like amazon does, by sending an email when someone logs on. Simple! Anyway, I'm planning on finally getting a mobile phone soon. But not just to make Pay Pal happy. I've seen your address somewhere on the site--let us know, and i will send a check if OK. I know others who have ditched Pay Pal due to the mobile phone requirement.

12-28-2022, 01:39 PM	#5
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,649	I don't have any plans on closing it down. I know money is tight for many people with inflation. I'll be better able to pay for it monthly when I find a more affordable host. I'm sure I can find a better one with more memory. It will run faster with more memory.

12-28-2022, 02:20 PM	#6
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,059	Clicking the PayPal link takes me to a Lois Fuller. Same last name so I assume it's the right place? Just double checking.

12-28-2022, 02:32 PM	#8
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,059	Ok, done. Lois now has some of my money. The bad news is my refrigerator is breaking down and leaking from the freezer, so I need a new one in the next few weeks. Disposable cash was being earmarked for that. But I did what I could for now.

12-28-2022, 02:58 PM	#10
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,178	I'll be the second, once the snail mail arrives. Now that I think about it, probably worse than second!

12-28-2022, 04:08 PM	#12
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,399	I will donate ! I'll send a money order !

12-28-2022, 11:11 PM	#15
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 35,363	Im so sorry buddy