I understand that David and the other moderators run the site, but it strikes me that this site doesn't belong to any one person (I understand that David L may disagree with me), because I'd bet that if you added up all of the freely given information and advice, you'd find that by and large, it doesn't come from those who would collect the cash and control the site.
I certainly understand that the moderators spend a LOT of time managing the site and policing the posts...and they've done a magnificent job of this. I know I wouldn't have time or expertise to do the same job they've done. I also understand that it takes money to host and maintain a site with this much content. But...something about this plan is definitely off putting to me. Perhaps it's the idea that taking a community meeting place such as this and turning it into a place where you have to pay to play seems wrong to me. Imagine the town square where people come to gather, talk, share and have a good time, and then putting a ticket booth there...pay or walk away? I'm sure those people would have no problems at all contributing either in cash or in kind (host the site, offer disk space, program changes) ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS to make sure that their community meeting place stayed well maintained. I know I'd have no problem with this idea, but pay for access when the vast majority of the content is provided by those who would have to pay to provide the content?
My unsolicited opinion is that this should have been handled in a community discussion and from the point of view that contributions are necessary to defray the costs of running the site. I'm sure that most wouldn't have a problem with a reasonable stipend for the moderators in return for the amazing amount of time they put in. After all, our community discussions wouldn't be possible without all of the behind the scenes work they do. People contributing to make sure that something they like is continued, with their consent, in a positive environment...instead of a "my way or the highway", "here's what we're gonna do" approach.
I don't think it's too late to back up and handle this in a different way...
Mark Dickens
Precision Laser Art, LLC
www.precisionlaserart.com
866-716-0300/901-888-1019 |