Support Guinea Lynx in 2021!

User avatar
Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:19 pm


2021 is here! It has been a long, hard journey through 2020 with so much pain for so many people. I can only hope that 2021 is a much, much better year. Beating Covid 19 is at the top of my list. I hope each and every one of you and those you love experience a year of good health and happiness, whether human or guinea pig! Guinea Lynx is 22 years old now, with the current board dating back to 1/1/2002 and a temporary board before that.

If you value Guinea Lynx and all it has to offer, please help support the site!
Guinea Lynx depends on donations to stay online. While contributing to expenses is voluntary, your donation means Guinea Lynx will be here for those who need it. If you have never contributed, make this the year you start!

Should you wish to send a donation by check, email me for my mailing address.
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Due to changes Paypal has made, I am no longer accepting donations through them so if you want to help out, donation by check is greatly appreciated.

Though I am still committed to keeping Guinea Lynx Google-ad-free (THIS is what Guinea Lynx could look like without your help! https://www.guinealynx.info/sample.html ). In 2020 I tried out the Amazon Affiliate program to help pay for the basic costs associated with running this board (hosting/internet, etc.) which have unfortunately increased. By using affiliate links in the guide or at the bottom of the page, a small portion of your Amazon purchase may go to Guinea Lynx, at no cost to you. If you can't make a direct donation, please consider shopping on Amazon through our Affiliate links.

Guinea Lynx' Amazon Affiliate Link

As a thank you for any donation received, I can write (or update) a short line of text (a notation) under your avatar/board name - one of your own choosing or "Supporter in '21".

For a $40 donation I can make you an animated avatar (using up to 9 guinea pig pics) as a thank you. Any existing animated avatar can be updated with new pics with any donation.

VERY IMPORTANT! => I do NOT always remember to ask what you'd like your notation to be or if you'd like an animated avatar so PLEASE remind me! (this is my official apology if I forget!)

You all make this board a real community and I'm grateful for your participation here. I am especially indebted to the members who answer questions about guinea pig care and monitor the medical board. Some of you know more than I do!!

I am so proud that you all make a difference in the lives of guinea pigs and in each other's lives - sometimes in wonderful and unexpected ways. And you all absolutely provide the inspiration I need to keep me going so thanks for making Guinea Lynx the great place it is!!


NOTES regarding 2020 and 2021
This past year, 15 board members (a few not even currently active) , one rescue, and a local friend helped to cover 2020's expenses, along with members who used our Amazon associates link at the bottom of every page to indirectly contribute to the board (2020 purchases added an additional $228.24 from Amazon). 

At the very end of the year, there was just enough money to renew www.GuineaLynx.com and www.GuineaLynx.info all the way to 2030!  - which means I have commited to good health, sound mind (you all will be the judge...), and trying my best to maintain the software required to keep this site running for some time.

This year is likely to be a challenge because the version of mysql I am using will shortly reach "end of life" and will no longer be supported.  I am hoping there are no immediate issues with this but eventually upgrading will have to be done. It will be difficult because I have not yet been able to sort out how to simultaneously upgrade board software and mysql.  The current mysql version does not support upgrading the forum software and the forum software cannot be upgraded until mysql is upgraded.  On top of this, the operating system backing everything is Centos, which will be nowhere come the end of 2021.
Red Hat Goes Full IBM and Says Farewell to CentOS
https://www.servethehome.com/red-hat-go ... to-centos/ 
CENTOS IS DEAD, LONG LIVE CENTOS
https://hackaday.com/2020/12/09/centos- ... 20schedule.
  
There is more. The server control panel that so many websites depend on was bought out in August of 2018 by Oakley Capital (who already owns Plesk, the other main competing platform) resulting in the cost of using CPanel essentially skyrocketing (Oakley Capital has lots of debt).  My current host made a modest increase last year to cover some of the costs but in 2021, they are expected to be much higher, not to mention that my OWN hosting company is hiking their costs.

I have limited abilities so parts of this year may be rocky.  Each of these issues is a challenge.  A smarter person than I would have all the current software uptodate and would have moved to a less expensive host and would be using a less expensive vps interface (some are open source but may also be less secure and require more knowledge) instead of the industry standard and increasingly expensive CPanel.

Anyway, your contributions are greatly appreciated.  Last year, early donations made all the difference -  I was not as worried about the end of the year as I was in 2019.  I do not know what will happen this year as far as costs go but hope, with your help to be able to cover them.

Thanks again to you all for being a part of Guinea Lynx!

User avatar
mmeadow
Supporter 2004-2022

Post   » Tue Jan 12, 2021 11:12 pm


Sent!

Sorry I don't have the skills to help with any migration. A few years ago I might have enjoyed the challenge, but my motivation and brain power is fading fast.

User avatar
Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Tue Jan 12, 2021 11:34 pm


I definitely know what you mean about brain power fading. One has to learn things all over again!

Thanks so much for the donation! I have to admit, I am quite impressed with your donation dedication!!

bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:01 am


Thanks for all you do, Lynx. I'll get a check off this week.

User avatar
Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Wed Jan 13, 2021 7:25 pm


Thanks in advance, bpatters! And thanks a million for your continued knowledgeable help in the med forum!!

User avatar
Waddles
Party Poop-er

Post   » Sat Jan 23, 2021 12:29 pm


I mailed my check over a week back. Hope it arrived or will be arriving soon.

User avatar
Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Sat Jan 23, 2021 1:25 pm


Yes! I was just going to write you. Things have been held up by the post office quite a bit (I've asked my mail man about it). Part of the issue is that after dumping local processing and then sending to the state capital for processing, that location appears to be on the way out so processing will be happening even further away!

Thanks so much for your donation. I guarantee it makes a difference!

User avatar
pigjes
Cavy Comic

Post   » Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:17 am


Donation done! No changes required for me. Thanks so much for all the work you put into this site!

User avatar
Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:42 am


Thanks so much, pigjes! I greatly appreciate your donation! It will definitely help. I didn't get a notice from paypal but did see it when I logged in.

bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:14 pm


I mailed your check today, just before I read that the post office is still digging out from Christmas mail! Keep an eye out for it.

User avatar
Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:44 pm


Will do! I am working on the pile of miscellaneous items on my kitchen table. I am late on some things, not on others. I have noticed the mail running late for sure. And thanks in advance for your support!!

Bookfan
For the Love of Pigs

Post   » Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:02 pm


Check is on the way.

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