To keep up with growing server costs we have decided to implement some changes.

We will now offer the option of a paid subscription to the forums. Subscriptions are available from as little as $5.00 a month (if you take the yearly option) and can be viewed here -
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/subscriptions.php?
You can always get to this page by visiting your User CP and scrolling down in the left side menu until you reach "Paid Subscriptions".

What do paying members get?

Paying members get the option to switch off the ads displayed on the forums, as well as the following benefits -
A larger PM box with room for up to 150 messages.
The ability to upload up to 800KB in attachments.

And what about the rest of us?
Regular non-paying members can still enjoy the forums while viewing ads (to which we may add the odd pop-under windwo once every 24hours), but we have to change the quotas for attachments and PM's to comply with server limitations.

Here are the new quotas -

New members (kittens) -
10 PM's in box
0 KB in attachments

Young cats (20-100 posts and min 30 days of registration) -
20 PM's in box
0 KB in attachments

Adult cats (100-300 posts and min 30 days of registration) -
20 PM's in box
Up to 40KB in attachments

Alpha cats (300-700 posts and min 90 days of registration) -
30 PM's in box
Up to 40KB in attachments

Super cats (700-1200 posts and min 120 days of registration) -
40 PM's in box
Up to 80KB in attachments

Top cats (1200 post and above and min 150 days of registration) -
50 PM's in box
Up to 120KB in attachments

Paying members -
150 PM's in box
Up to 800KB in attachments

Hmm - perhaps I shouldn't say this, but... I love TCS, and wouldn't mind paying a membership fee at all, seeing as I spend a great deal of time here. However, the changes aren't incentives for me, because I rarely attach anything, don't PM much, and enjoy the ads (and have bought several products because of them - that sometimes drives my mom nuts, because I have products shipped to her address in the US, and then "pick them up" on my annual visit - in the meantime, she has to store the stuff). Will advertisers be less willing if paying members have the option of foregoing ads? Are some of them going to ask for statistics?

I'm glad you like the ads :D and thank you for considering our advertisers while shopping online! Paying members can still view the ads - they have the option to switch them on and off from their control panel.

Hmm - perhaps I shouldn't say this, but... I love TCS, and wouldn't mind paying a membership fee at all, seeing as I spend a great deal of time here. However, the changes aren't incentives for me, because I rarely attach anything, don't PM much, and enjoy the ads <snip>
I have to agree with this statement, the incentive for me to pay is to know that I am doing what little I can to help keep this wonderful community afloat. When the extra money comes up, both KittenKrazy and Catfolks will become paid members (may be a few months, lol). I feel extremely at home here, something that I cannot say for a lot of boards that I have been on, and if it needs supporting, I'm gonna do my best to do my part. And I will still keep the ads on too, 'cause I enjoy them too.
(BTW, this is KittenKrazy, who forgot to logout Catfolks before she started to post!)

:yeah: I feel the exact same way. I plan to sign up also probably in the next few weeks. I have no problem helping to support keeping the website up and running. I have only been here since November, but I love it and feel like it's a second family, everyone here is so great :nod:

Thank you so much everyone! It really makes me happy to read your posts.
Becoming a paid member is the best way to support this site. The added benefits are a way for us to let those who do want to use the attachments and PM's on a large scale to do that and pay for it. It was either that or simply cancel the options for everyone.
I really appreciate members who are willing to contribute regardless of the incentives. And I know some of you enjoy the ads, this is why I made sure paying members will have the option to switch them on and off, rather than just lose them for paying members.

Ok... does that mean I have to clear up my PM box? I am very lazy about that all the time... I have 59 messages in it at this moment. :confused:

I guess I better go to clean it up anyway... I normally wait till its like 69 and then start deleting a few so I can receive more.

I admit it! I have a hard time moving my rear end to get to do something! :nod:

I agree with the rest of them and I don't mind being a paying member here. I do have one question though. Instead of paying all at once is there an option that your credit card can be billed on a monthly basis? Or am I just blind?

I love TCS and would miss it dearly. My problem (at the moment) is that I am almost on the bread line. I only work 3 days a week and struggling very much. If I manage to find full week job near to my home I would be more than happy to pay. Would not like to be here and not be taking a share in the costs. Please send me good vibes for job hunting, I really need a better paid job. I like everyone on this site, and feel so comfy here. :wavey: Would like to take this opportunity of say a big thank you to everyone who puts so much work into this site for us all. :clap: :clap:

I am interested in becoming a paid member.... but I doubt I could ever convince my parents of using their credit card, and I am obviously too young to have a credit card of my own.

I've got a bank account under my name, with more than enough money to afford that, but I doubt a bank account debit could help. And its a bank that only exists in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

I will probably get myself a MasterCard ATM one of these days, when I get it, I will definitely pay that. I certainly would love to help support this site. :)

I dont mind paying (I understand server costs) but could you set up a reoccuring pay pal subscription thats monthly I mean I know it can be done lol Im asking would you? I can afford 5$ a month just not 20 up front all my extra cash has been diverted to Kristopher.

set it up and Im there :)

Oh boy I better sign up , my attachments file is full already :nervous: . I will have to wait till next pay day then I sign up for sure ;) . I like posting more pics :D

Yes, I was wondering also if there was a way to just pay a small monthly fee as opposed to 3 or 6 months at a time. It is much easier to come up with :nod:

Sorry guys - the current setup of the connection between Vbulleting and Paypal does not allow for recurring payments. I could set up a one time fee but from past experience, people will not remember to renew after one month and there's no way for us to have recurring billing or even an automatic reminder right now. Maybe as a future feature of VB3.
What we could do is offer automatic monthly payments but that would mean that your status as paying members would have to be set up manually and may take a few hours to a couple of days to get setup. Also, to keep the incentive for paying in advance, the price for a recurring monthly bill will have to be $6, or $11 for a bimonthly recurring subscription. Would anyone be interested in this option?

Question regarding the ads...

Is there possibly a way for two different payment plans to be instituted?

One that allows ads to be turned on/off AND one that keeps the ads in place?

The forced ad plan would have to cost a little less because you would be getting some $ from the ads, but it may also make paid membership a little more feesible for the economically challenged.

Spotz

How much would it be from the UK?

And how would it be taken?(e.g.Direct debit/Credit card)

How much would it be from the UK?

And how would it be taken?(e.g.Direct debit/Credit card)
yes i was going to ask this aswell, because i dont have a debit/credit card

I agree with the other members that the "extras" that come with being a paying member are not so much of a concern to me as is doing whatever necessary to keep TCS. Coming here is like arriving home, and I just can't imagine what I would do without TCS! :) This is certainly worth any membership fee!

Just to clarify - non-paying members will still have their posting rights same as always. We don't plan on any "private forums" for paying members only. The difference will be that paying members will have the option to turn ads off, a much larger PM box and more space available for attachments. They will also be making a significant contribution towards the financial keep of the forums.

As for members from outside the US. You should have no problem paying via Paypal. I have used Paypal several times in the past and had no problem with it whatsoever. People who don't wish to use their CC online can send the money in by check, but of course it will take a bit longer for their payments to be accepted and their paying member status activated. Please don't hesitate to PM me or hissy with any questions about this.

Thank you all!

I would have no problem paying the $6.00/month or the $11/bi-monthly. :nod: However, I understand if that is not an option right now. It will just be a month or 2 before I can sign up as a paying member.
I guess in my case, I don't really use pm's and I don't use pics (only because I can't figure how how to size them properly to post them :lol3: ) but I want to support the site.

I really love this site and will always more then happy to help with whatever I can... The only thing I would probably rather use is "Donation" instead of Subscribtion, but again trough the Pay Pal!

I feel very badly about this as I love this place and would very much like to become a paying member. I have to survive on only one income, and make sure my inside and outside babies get fed. I have had no raise in the last three years, and my house insurance has gone up, my car payment has gone up, my car insurance has gone up, the gas has gone up ($2.03) as of today, the prices in the grocery store have gone up, and I still have electricity (which will go up), propane has already gone up, the cat food went up and there is only just me. I feel so frustrated. (By the way, the blood pressure is up too)

Please don't feel bad about it! I don't want anyone to feel pressured into paying! The intention is really to give an option to those who dislike having the ads on the page or really want to add attachments. As long as you don't mind the ads and the new limits then please feel very welcome here even as a non-paying member! The ads are generating some revenue, particularly the new ads we are serving. It's not a lot - cents for each thousand of pageviews, but it's something.

You can still help a lot! Just send as many cat lovers our way! Those who really want to help, please feel free to add links to both Meowhoo.com and Thecatsite.com on your web pages, or any web directory you come across. Add it to your email signature or to signatures on other boards (if allowed). If you can, we'll send you a nice page promoting both sites, that you can print out and maybe post in your local library, pet store, vet office etc. The more traffic we get, the more revenue from ads, and every little bit helps!

Thanks in advance!

I just checked and Paypal handles British credit cards without a problem -
https://www.paypal.com/uk

For those of you who asked :D

You can still help a lot! Just send as many cat lovers our way! Those who really want to help, please feel free to add links to both Meowhoo.com and Thecatsite.com on your web pages, or any web directory you come across. Add it to your email signature or to signatures on other boards (if allowed). If you can, we'll send you a nice page promoting both sites, that you can print out and maybe post in your local library, pet store, vet office etc. The more traffic we get, the more revenue from ads, and every little bit helps!

Thanks in advance!
As per the request of some of you - here's a link to the flyer that you can print out and post wherever you think cat lovers may see it -
http://www.kittybytes.com/Catflyer3.pdf

Thanks in advance and do let us know where it is :D!

Anne, I think this is a good way to manage things. Very creative. I like the idea of having a bigger PM storage limit for paid memebers. What is the possibilities of having other PM perks? Such as making your own folders and more options for managing and organizing your PM box? I just have a question though. Attachments are just that, correct? So attachments don't include when we link from a host?

This is a great idea. Wish I could help support TCS but it's too much hassle for me getting money transfered and stuff, so sorry. I do when I meet cat lovers send them here though!

Anne, I think this is a good way to manage things. Very creative. I like the idea of having a bigger PM storage limit for paid memebers. What is the possibilities of having other PM perks? Such as making your own folders and more options for managing and organizing your PM box? I just have a question though. Attachments are just that, correct? So attachments don't include when we link from a host?
Right - attachemnts is when you upload a file from your hard drive to tcs to add it to a post. Using IMG tags and linking to another host does not create a load on the server so it's not limited. You just need to make sure that the host of that image allows "hot-linking".

As for the PM box, I think everyone has the ability to manage and create folders. At least that what I saw when I was looking and there is no difference between paying an non-paying members in that respect (except that maybe you would need more folders if you have 150 of PM's stored :D).

I will definately take up the 1 year subscription..... you'll just have to wait for payday:D


EDIT - Decided to go for the 6 month option and pay today instead (I will upgrade to a year when this subscription runs out!)

For those of you in the UK XE.com (http://www.xe.com/) the currency converter puts the prices in £'s as roughly:

3 Months - $19.50 = £11.04
6 Months - $33.00 = £18.69
12 Months - $59.50 = £33.70

Best to double check though because I'm not sure how often XE update the exchange rate :D

Question- if a real time chat room were provided for paying members, would that be a big enough perk to consider? If enough people are interested in that option, then Anne would look into it to see if it can be done. But we just need to know if the interest would be there or not?

And just to clarify - there is no advertising revenue from chat rooms, hence it would have to be paid by the participating members and so would only be available to paying members.

I guess I dont understand whats the connection between VB ( vBulletin ) is and the pay pal monthly subscriptions is , is it that you want the money sent directly to VB ?

it doesnt matter to me how its done I just dont understand the connection , if the funds are for the server costs what does VB have to do with it.

vBulletin is the program that runs the forums. There isn't really a connection between the program and the payment options, it is that the forums themselves take up so much space on the server.

I guess I dont understand whats the connection between VB ( vBulletin ) is and the pay pal monthly subscriptions is , is it that you want the money sent directly to VB ?

it doesnt matter to me how its done I just dont understand the connection , if the funds are for the server costs what does VB have to do with it.
VB3 now has the built in option to collect money for subscriptions through paypal. That's the connection. The money doesn't go to Vbulletin.com but to TheCatSite.com. The money goes to offset the costs or running these boards and website. The costs are getting higher not because of the price of the application (VB3) but because of server loads getting bigger.

Hope that clarifies it a bit.

Not sure how it would work in terms of additional admin for Anne, but what if a part of the subscription fee went to a cat charity . . . so the majority would go to fund additional features on TCS, but a percentage would go to helping someting close to our hearts . . . cats.

Just a thought to maybe getting those not motivated by the additional features to join up.

Do you mean you are keeping the old forum posts on the server indefinitely? If so, maybe you should remove the ones which have had no activity and archive them on CD. Why not remove the closed threads as well, since no one can post on them anymore?

Anne, I'm wondering if it would be beneficial and/or an option to delete very old threads that although are nice at the moment that they are posted, they are not necessarily informational. Such as "Happy Birthday, I've reached 1000 posts, Sally, empty your PM box" and other threads such as this? Those are the kind of posts that more then likely wouldn't be searched for 6 months later. But the other thought is, would that make everyone's posting numbers go down? Which wouldn't be good, especially for some who don't post as often (but post very meaningful things). I was wondering if that would free up some space but not be too much of a problem.

Anne, I'm wondering if it would be beneficial and/or an option to delete very old threads that although are nice at the moment that they are posted, they are not necessarily informational. Such as "Happy Birthday, I've reached 1000 posts, Sally, empty your PM box" and other threads such as this? Those are the kind of posts that more then likely wouldn't be searched for 6 months later. But the other thought is, would that make everyone's posting numbers go down? Which wouldn't be good, especially for some who don't post as often (but post very meaningful things). I was wondering if that would free up some space but not be too much of a problem.
We are going to cut down on the numbers of old threads and posts. Basically, some of the forums are intended as a database "for future generations" so to speak ;) , so that someone can come here in a year's time and find all the threads about cats going outside the litter box and maybe find that one thread that would help his specific problem. Even on the lounge, there are threads that people often look back on and read - just to follow up with the history of this community. I realize that you don't mean those kind of threads, but then we have to manually prune the threads and going over literally tens of thousands of threads to see which ones can be deleted. We are at the process of trimming the database in that way (in face hissy is doing that) and yes some people may lose on their post count. But again this is a long and tedious process and we're very careful with what we're sending to the bin (it's no recycle bin -it's deleted forever). I guess and hope that we will have to move to a better server - this community is growing at a great rate and at some day we will just have to :D

Yola - I am reluctant to mix cat charity into this. It would be too difficult to track and proved "proof". I can let you know that %5 of all profits from our sites (TCS and Meowhoo) in fact go to cat charity, but it's not directly from the subscriptions only.

Just to share some more with you guys. We have no problem of disk space. We already rent a dedicated server, this is no $8 a month hosting plan :( . The problem is with the processor and its ability to handle a large work load such as when we do the daily backup of the forums. It's going to be mighty difficult to cut down on that but we are doing our best.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I really appreciate the fact that everyone's trying to help!

Anne and Mary Anne,
Have ya'll ever thought of putting a Paypal Donation Button on the front page of the forums or on a sticky thread where people can randomly make donations to The Cat Site? I would be more than happy to occasionally donate money to help support TCS.
Also, since we are on the subject of donations...My bf hosts a forum about cars where they had stickers printed up. Each sticker only costs a few cents to have printed. People who donate $5.00 or more to the site get a sticker in the mail. They make alot of money this way that goes towards the upkeep of the forums.
Personally, I may have a hard time joining as a paying member. Only because I don't know from one month to the other how much money I will have to spend on things other than the bills. I however do like the options that you are giving to people who would like to join. I think that it is well worth the $.
Talk to ya'll soon, and thanks to both of you for running the best forums on the internet :) :clap: :)

Donations to help with the running of the website can be made to the following paypal address listings@meowhoo.com Just on notes, put that it is for TCS. Anne did tell me that she doesn't want a donations button showing on the website.

Again the paid membership is not mandatory. It is just a way we are trying to help with the running of the website, for as Anne has said, it is not inexpensive to keep this going. Another way you can really help us is to go to the Cat Shop and look at the merchants there and support them by buying the products they have if you wish to. The same goes with the marketplace and TCS showcase and the new Cat Coupons. All can be accessed through the Cat Shop at the top of the page. The Market Place is one of the forums here.

I've just arrived home trying to catch up on the days activities. I feel that a chat room would be a nice addition to TCS. I also think a special TCS sticker is a wonderful idea! :bigthumb: Is this something that will be considered?

You know what else might be cool? One of those car window decals...something small, but something that gets our name out there. Something with a simple slogan, like maybe "Meow...TheCatSite.com"

Just a suggestion, but would it be possible to automatically delete any thread that has been "inactive" for, say, 15, 30 or 60 days on the following forums? The Cat Lounge, New Cats on the Block, Caption This, IMO? A lot of the stuff posted is "old hat" after several days or weeks. There is of course a risk that some topics will turn up again, but that might be beneficial to new members who aren't necessarily going to browse through pages of old threads. Can that be done without changing the "status" (titles and avatars) of active members? I can visualize some people becoming irate if their status is downgraded.

I really like the idea of a sticker :nod:

I really like the idea of a sticker :nod:

I do, too. It wouldn't have to be a bumper sticker, either - how about one alerting emergency personnel to the presence of pets that we could put in our windows?

I love the sticker idea. I have a Petfinder sticker and a Alley Cat Allies sticker on my car. :)

Katie

I do, too. It wouldn't have to be a bumper sticker, either - how about one alerting emergency personnel to the presence of pets that we could put in our windows?

Ya or a sticker that says "Hello My Name is _________ , I am a member of The Cat Site" to put on the carriers :)

Or one that says "TCS cat lives here", like you said, to notify the fire dparatment in case of eemergency.

There are so many different stickers TCS could make.
Maybe we are making this too complicated, maybe just a The Cat Site sticker would be easier to manage for hissy and Anne. Or use just the new slogan that we all voted on, what was that again? I forget which one won?

Just to clarify - non-paying members will still have their posting rights same as always. We don't plan on any "private forums" for paying members only. The difference will be that paying members will have the option to turn ads off, a much larger PM box and more space available for attachments. They will also be making a significant contribution towards the financial keep of the forums.

As for members from outside the US. You should have no problem paying via Paypal. I have used Paypal several times in the past and had no problem with it whatsoever. People who don't wish to use their CC online can send the money in by check, but of course it will take a bit longer for their payments to be accepted and their paying member status activated. Please don't hesitate to PM me or hissy with any questions about this.

Thank you all!

I just subscribed using Paypal from Germany, and it seems to have worked (Anne, please let me know if it didn't; Visa is sometimes funny about okaying Internet payments). $5 a month is not a huge sum, so I hope there will be a lot of subscribers - just think how much invaluable support and info is made available here! :clap:

Looks like it did! Thank you so much for subscribing!

:D I just sign up as a paying member :bigthumb: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Question , how long does it take to show up as a paying member . I really like to download some pics ;) . It may have bin already said, I did not re read all what was said in here again . Sorry about that

Hedi, if you click on "paid subscriptions", there should be a box at the top with "subscription title", showing your subscription.

:D Thanks jcat , it does show :bigthumb: . But my attachment for uploading pics has not changed yet ;) I was hoping I get more space to upload pics ;)

Mine just shows "attachment statistics". Do you have an account at "Photobucket.com", for remote linking? It's free (though donations are appreciated) and very easy to use. After you upload your pictures, all you have to do is double click the "image" line (the third line), and paste it in your post.

Mine just shows "attachment statistics". Do you have an account at "Photobucket.com", for remote linking? It's free (though donations are appreciated) and very easy to use. After you upload your pictures, all you have to do is double click the "image" line (the third line), and paste it in your post.

I don't have a acount with "Photobucket.com :( . I may have to look into it , thanks :heart3:

:D Thanks jcat I alread post some pics , I wish I known that a way back .