You indicated on 21 april:

Since this issue was brought up, I guess I must specify that technically I am doing most of the actual engraving work, but I feel justified in putting my wife as a majority owner because she is the one that has invested time in helping get this started and she is also the primary bread winner in the family until our business gets off the ground.

How does the gel with the statement you just made that :

"I have worked in the signs industry for years and have been on my own for years. The engraving part of the business is new. I know business, I also know professionalism"

If that is the case , bearing in mind your statement in april of this year , it appears that whatever business you were in for years either folded or made no money or is not a contributor to family income? What exactly were you doing for years on your own?
Where does all that business acumen and professionalism come from and how was it applied to make your venture successful?
Looking at your posting record from the beginning of time indicates your first post was in jan this year , the majority of posts you make in terms of real contribution (and not political) were and are requests for info. What was your posting handle in the year prior to that so I can fully see your record of your 1.5 years here?

Should you wish to cast aspertions on others , you would do well to look to yourself first.

Blimey, what a hot topic, 100 plus threads overnight. I am reasonably new to the forum, but have had 20 years as an engraver. In spite of this experience I have learnt a lot, I try to reciprocate and offer advice where I think it is topical or relavant. I think the suggested fee is small petty cash for vitually everyone who joins in.
So the people who object are being a bit petty and small minded. It has a hint of 'I'll scan the forums and pick up tips but I am not giving any of my trade secrets away'!!
I attend ARA shows and am staggered by the candid and helpful approach of Americans, British business people (in my personal opinion I hasten to add) are a lot more secretive
A brave decision Dave, so I hope it works out.
My final comment....there's no such thing as a free lunch !!!

Simon Cork
Sheffield UK

Franlin,
I think your first order of business should be to keep your tongue out of your cheek. It obviously warps your judgement.

I respectfully request that everyone refrain from name calling and personal attacks.

I am not sure that anyone has really meant to do this but it is starting to sound that way in some posts.

No need to be disagreeable just because there is disagreement.

Hey, I also like free like everybody else.
But why complain when it comes the time to pay the piper?

Hi Harvey,

I understand not wanting to introduce vaporware. I think the forum appreciates that, but don't you think it would be a better business plan to have the new ideas up and running before asking people to pay for "future" improvements?

The biggest potential problem I see is ponying up, with the risk of little or no change to the forum.

Show us what we should be willing to pay for, and you will give people a decision to make. Tell us that "the future will be rosy" and we have nothing to base our decisions on other than faith that it will be more grand than we can imagine.

I have been reading and so far have refrained from responding. I do not want to be part of any contention, if that is what some are feeling. I do have a couple of comments to make, though.

1. So far, I have been one of the "leeches". I do not have the knowledge that so many on the forum have. I hope to some day give back what I have learned here. I bought my engraver 2 1/2 years ago for one purpose only. Last year at the ARA show, I decided it was time to learn more and move on. It takes time and a lot of knowledge. I certainly appreciate all who have helped me.

2. I don't know if I will be joining the paid site, but I will certainly consider it. It seems like there are so many $10 a month here, $5 a month there and it really adds up. At this point, I will probably give it a try and see if it is worth it before I pass judgement. I had thought "why not charge $29 a year to begin with, and let us all see if it is worth our money". That would be very doable for me and I would join today. I think newcomers would join quickly at that cost, but at $99 I think it will drive most of them away. I also feel that most who are already part of it would be willing to pay that--maybe even a little more.

3. I want to personally thank David and the other Mods for all their time. I have always wondered how David L. finds time to answer as many posts as he does. Time is money and he has certainly given freely to everyone on this forum. Almost every post, David responds to. I don't know about the rest of you, but every time I am sidetracked to respond to e-mail, phone calls, etc., when they are not directly connected to my business (to bring in money for me), cost me money.

Thanks, David L., for all your time!

SMC was in a similar situation, monthly bandwidth was costing them greatly. The members stepped up and met the need.

The difference is SMC isn't looking to profit from members shared information, only to cover costs. That's what a forum is.....Shared information. You can try reinvent it with extras like cheap clipart/logos but in the end the people are there for the shared information/interaction.

As many have said, please throw us a bone.....What are the perks?