Donations

[Doug Smith]

As you re-build the forum can you add the page about Donations please.

I need to understand why they are being asked for.

Good hosting costs about 40$ per year

Just trying to understand and decide if I want to return. (Krazy Keith kicked me out yonks ago)

Big task ahead of you...good luck!

[Pete Cyr]

Donations are only used to pay for the site. Take notice of the fact there are no adds on this board.
The total annual cost I pay to the Server host is aprox 150.00 for hosting, the SSL certificate and the initial domain name registration.
I periodically have to pay a web developer to perform functions beyond my skill set I don't care to learn (like update/install new phpbb software when required, write unique scripts etc) so far is 2018 I paid aprox 375.00.

As far as donation re concerned there is no requirement to donate what so ever to be a member - at some point donation may give access to files in the donor section created for the express purpose of generating donations.

Where did you read we are "asking" for donations?

[Doug Smith]

Donations are only used to pay for the site. Take notice of the fact there are no adds on this board.
The total annual cost I pay to the Server host is aprox 150.00 for hosting, the SSL certificate and the initial domain name registration.

Respectfully...you're paying too much
No commerce on the site so wondering why SSL is really needed - but you can get these for free anyway if you prefer to be Google friendly

I periodically have to pay a web developer to perform functions beyond my skill set I don't care to learn (like update/install new phpbb software when required, write unique scripts etc) so far is 2018 I paid aprox 375.00.

As far as donation re concerned there is no requirement to donate what so ever to be a member - at some point donation may give access to files in the donor section created for the express purpose of generating donations.

Where did you read we are "asking" for donations?

Can I suggest you move to an alternative forum script. There are many, much better, free, scripts available, that upgrade with a click of a button.
If all backups are lost then now might be a good time to do that.

I realise that there is no requirement to donate - it just feels a little uncomfortable. Just my two pennerth

[Willy Ivy]

Just my two pennies.
You do not have to donate and if we make you feel uncomfortable you don't have to return. Just saying. There are probably other forums that don't ask for this.
I will make another donation to help pay for the no payers if it will help get the forum up strong again and quicker. Only because it would have been nice for this forum to have been there when some us got started in this. If you have EVER used this forum to help you with ANYTHING then I am glad for you and thank you for visiting.
Good luck and happy lasering.

Pete and Gene, thank you for the hours spent in attempting to restore things ASAP. I personally don't think this is the time to investigate the other options that MIGHT work. Get it back up best as possible and then maybe research options that may make some folks more comfortable, or not.

[Pete Cyr]

Thanks Willy, no worries. Rebuilding a website is done the same way you eat an elephant....one bite at a time.