The web is an information highway Harvey, not an information tollway for the most part. I didn't just throw that statement in.

I for one would be glad to pay $99/year just to keep up with David and you, but how many Newbies, hobbyists, non-professionals will? Aren't they the core of an ever expanding client base you need to cultivate into the future? Newbies become pro in fairly quick order.

I know I'm probably missing something here as I've never hosted a public chat list web site, but couldn't you generate as much income off advertising as charging a subscription fee?

Let's think about that. Maybe I'm wrong. Let's guess that you have 1000 members who would pay you $100/year. $100,000. Maybe online advertising isn't quite that lucrative, I have no worldly idea how that works. Probably hits per day or some such esoteric thing. And then maybe there are additional charges you have planned for CDs, online training, special events that can't be accomodated on a free site subsidized by advertisement. Pure guess.

Its just my gut feeling that after 6-12 months your core will shrink slightly and then stabalize at around 80% of today's free membership. But you won't be adding many new members especially if they find another free forum, no matter how good or bad that forum is.

Pure speculation on my part.

If we retain 80% of our membership you can bet your donkey the rates will drop considerably. If not we will have perks that we never dreamed of or thought about at this point. Nope I think they would drop instead.

For those who do not believe that I would be very happy to split it with the other two moderators of this forum.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

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

I wish you both well. You have a good thing going here. I was just interested in subscription versus advertisement as a way to keep it all afloat. Still not clear as to your decision but its none of my business really.

I have no problem with generating as much income as you can. You have the right and obligation to max that in any way you can for your partners.

btw, who's the third moderator?

What I attempted to say was that we are not looking to make any money off the site. Nearly all to be plowed back in.

Not aimed at you, but some other people cannot believe that. Their loss.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

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

Michel,

If you followed the "My Apologies" thread, I admitted to making my announcement prematurely and apologized for the resulting turmoil.

I was hoping to place a web page, detailing the benefits of joing the pay site, along with the EBS offer, sometime this week.

I'm swamped with work and efforts to create the page, may take longer.

As to your ARA question; a list of benefits, no matter how long or juicy, played no role, in my decision not to join ARA. My decision was based on a single principle, which I've already mentioned.

Some would say that's throwing the baby out with the bath water and in some ways that's true.

I call it standing by a principle and I'm suggesting that's exactly what we'll see from some people in this situation.

Mike,

You're the type of person we're willing to pay for that type of web instruction.

The way it was explained to me, is all the people involved, call into a conference call center and are given a password (very much like we did for our first TeleSeminar).

While on the phone, in front of their computers, people ask questions and are given live instruction, showing how to accomplish a given procedure.

It's kind of like a Camtasia Studio Flash Tutorial, except live.

Third partner?

I could do that.

I thought Harvey mentioned three of you as being moderators/partners. No?

Hi David,

I know this is a totaly different subject....but........

I understand why you have decided to not join the ARA. Since you have brought the ARA thing up a couple of times now.....I have been curious...........How do you seperate attending shows from joining the ARA? To me, both are supportive of the association. I understand why you go to the shows, and why you like to go, I just don't understand how you can justify the one but not the other. To me they seem to be the same entity that gets the benefit (payment) for your participation.

What makes the action of joining different from the action of participation for you in this situation?

I have always wondered how and why you view them so differently.

Rodney,
I am a taker of information I will admit that. I am new to the business and have only been engraving for not quite two years. But, I have also been able to help others as well. I love doing it, because I am so grateful when I receive the help. It makes me feel good to know that I have given back to someone.
That said, I realize that we give our information freely, and it was wonderful. But nothing is free anymore, and we received a lot in the time that this forum has begun. I do not mind paying money to enhance my business and to make friends in the business along the way.
You have defiantly been a huge contribution to this forum with your knowledge that you have freely given. But no-one knows it all, and maybe someone will help you along the way, with an idea, or just plain encouragement. At any rate, it's your choice weather to continue with this or not. You have obviously been offended and when you take away the information that you have provided as an expert, it will be missed by everyone.
You have made the comment that the newbies will not be able to join. But David has offered them a month free, and that should show them the quality of something like this. He is also offering a free membership for those who do not have the means to join.

Rodney, this is hard for everyone, but we will miss you if you decide against it. Stay with it, I bet you will be happy that you did, and if you are not, no one will make you stay. Try it for the first month and see.
Barbara

Hey folks!!! Whatever you decide to do here inform me. The cost of this site is well worth any amount of $$$. Count me in on whatever is decided. I blow that amount of $$$ in a weekend on my bad habits.(no not women). And one more thing that's important to say. I really think the three of you need to be involved in this site. So David I think you need to put your pretty face back on this site. Let's move forward instead of backwards.
I don't know how anyone else feels, but this is my 2 cents worth.
I think we all know how valuable this site is to us all. Whatever is decided count me in. I need all the help I can get, and all of you folks
that visit and use this site should give yourself a pat on the back.

Remember one thing as I always say. "ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE."