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?

Rodney,

I find it interesting that you, who emphatically states, the (commercial) awards and engraving industry holds no allure and that EE.org holds virtually no value to you personally, would be at the head of the charge against the new format.

In case you hadn't seen my previous post, adressing people who feel their contributions are being hijacked, as grist for the new format, I can delete all of your posts, with a single click of a button.

I'll do so, at your command, and for those who share your sentiments.

Thank you Simon.

I appreciate your perspective from "across the pond" and as a seasoned industry veteran.

My only fear for this thread, is that it will replace the "ARA Las Vegas" thread as the longest-running. :P 

Hello All,
As a 99% leech, 1% contributor, it is safe for me to say that I have received invaluable tips and advice from from this site.

Everyone has always treated me with kindness and answered all of my questions with professionalism and courtesy.

I have been "saved" many a time from this forum.
I was also fortunate enough to meet several forum members at the Beach Party in Las Vegas. It was a fantastic opportunity to pick the brains of some of the leading business people in the industry.

The question of whether or not I would personally pay for this site is about to be a moot issue as my fledgling business is in the process of disintigrating before my very eyes.

I'm not really sure what the point of sharing that opinion in an open forum like this is anyway. I wouldn't hope to influence anyone else's opinion or try to get the moderators to change their minds. People will have to make the decision on their own. Those who realize and need the value of the site will ante up. Those who don't, won't. Simple as that. I am hoping for the sake of all involved, there will be more of the former than the latter.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone (especially the fabulous moderators) for all of the help you have given me for the last 8 months. I will miss the camraderie and humor and friendship I have found here. Please know that my exit has nothing to do with the new structure and everything to do with my current business situation.
I may be back once my own "smoke" clears.

Now, anyone out there in the market for a whole garage full of trophy parts? LOL

Thanks again everyone
good luck in your business.
Becky

Becky, I think you're missing a good opportunity to get some advice from some good sources. Could be that your chosen area of business isn't pulling the weight, so you need to expand to bring in some more dough. Maybe be more specific on what you're doing, what equipment you have, what area you're located...

Not that I myself can help, but we all like hearing the drastically different advice from the forum members. Post it in a new thread, as I don't read all the posts in this thread.

Shaddy

David,

I had to think a little while to understand why I had such a negative reaction to your reply to Rodney. I have this general feeling (and I am sure you'll disagree with me) that you're shooting yourself in the foot with the defensive and unyielding nature of your replies. Rodney has contributed tons of useful and valuable input and if there's anyone on the forum who I'd think would be exempt from any sort of payment, it would be him. In fact, I think you'd do yourself a great favor and pay people like him who bring such a wide breadth of experience to the forum. Now there's a thought...pay for content. You expect the rest of us to pay for it...it might be a good idea for you to do that as well.

What saddens me is that I see other ways that this could have been handled with largely the same positive result for you. All of us have enjoyed being part of the forum, but now you are unilaterally changing the value proposition and, in my opinion, ignoring the input that your potential customer base is giving you. If I was you, I'd listen, back up and ask for input on how to achieve your goals. You might find better ideas there, retain more of your potential customer base, and avoid ending up as "Admiral of the Rowboat".

For my part, I don't plan on joining the "for pay" site. I do wish you good luck though!

What a poor choice of wording I used. To me it meant one thing, on re-reading it it can easily mean something else.

I meant and inclusive, not and statement. In real English that means the replacing the 'and' with an 'IF' reads more properly.

Your generous offer will be thought about. It was not a search for someone, but you are making me give it thought. The David's and I will have to see if that is realistic at this moment.

Thanks for the offer, it is greatly appreciated.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Harvey's Tips Page When you finally understand it completely... it changes.