Sprinter,

The free site will be a great alternative for the EE family to stay together in some form. I would hate to see all of the relationships that have been developed here to completely unravel simply because of a change in the direction of Engraving Etc.

When the time comes, we are anticipating a substantial fallout. When the dust settles, we hope to build interest over time with the new business model and a foundation of professionals who recognize this as an opportunity to invest in better business tools of which the forum exchange will only be a part of.

I hope you will not be opposed to David introducing the new features of the website as it grows. It will take time to see value in what it is we are doing, but until then, I am glad everyome will have a place to call home.

Let's all just get along together B-) 

Actually it would be a great idea for David or any of you mods to post on the new site. It's not about competing, it's about giving the members a choice. Some will stay, some will go, I just wanted a place for the ones going to continue what was started here.

I've always considered Google contextual advertisements to add a bit of cheesiness and cheapness to a website. When I see these adds on a website, it reminds me of how cheesy I think it is when a golf course owner allows advertising on their scorecards. This option really doesn't fit our plans.

The clipart feature, which some people are discounting, will become a great feature of the site. There will be nowhere else on the internet with a searchable database of graphics for mechanical engraving machines, in addition to all of the vector art.

I do agree that we do need to stay away from corporate logos, especially with sites like www.brandsoftheworld.com available. Why tie up the server space for these?

Sprinter,

I only have so much time to go around, but will register and pop in when I have time. I have been struggling over the past couple weeks to stay on top of all the posts here. I guess that's a good thing, but I always find a moment to get my daily fix.
:-) 

Wow! I am exhausted just reading all of these posts. Some of you may know me, and some might not, but I have been on this forum as a new small business for a year now, if not longer. I have not paid a cent for any of the advice that I have received, and have been helped many times out of difficult places that I have been in.

Most of us can possibly agree that to run something like this takes time and money, and I can bet that most of us would not be volunteering to do it.
So many organizations have workers, and critics (doing nothing).

If some of you do not want to join, simply don't do it. David is only asking that you do. He is trying to introduce something to all of us that he believes in, and asking for money in return. If you have a problem with it, then by all means go somewhere else.
None of us like to part with hard earned money, but if it is in the best interest of our business then it is money well spent. I do agree that most of us have given and taken advice for nothing, and it was very much appreciated, but that said, where do you get anything for nothing today.

All he is asking is that you give it a try. Even for a month, to see if it is something that you would want to go further with. Most Newbies are hungry for information and are thinking of taking their businesses to a higher level. If they see this as a helpful tool to make that happen, then I personally think they would do it. If it wasn't what they expected, then they can cancel it.

Give these Moderators some credit. They aren't going to put everything out there to everyone right now, especially with someone already putting up another forum. (I am also a member of sawmill creek), and will probably be joining this new one also. I want to get the most out of all of the forums out there. (To help my business out) Not to hurt anyone.

If I choose to pay for one, then I will. If I do not like it, I can quit. That is what has been proposed and that is what is going to take place. Some will like it, some will not. That's life.

I am going to join. I will say, that if it gets clicky or uninformative, then I will not continue, but so far, I love it and plan to stay with it.

Barbara :D 

Barbara , tis contibutors to the forum that give the info , not the forum itself
Essentially you are telling us the forum is of value to info leechers , but what value is it to info givers?

I think you misunderstood my post. I was talking only about lurkers not everyday helpers.

Cherie

Some of the suggestions have been in the works for months. They took some time away from the improvements.

Nothing has been said about what will remain free. A lot of that depends on what can be done programing wise. (That also is a bit still in limbo until we know the programing problems. But there will be at least some free.) Tune in after the subscription forum starts and you will see what we could come up with.

One of the reasons we have not announced what additional things will be, is most are still in the works, and until they are ready to go online they are vaporware. We will not announce vaporware.

The logos were announced because at least the preliminary setup is done. When we get a chance that will be prettied up and made a bit easier to use. That may be down the road a bit because we want to put the time into more meat first, then we can go with fluff.

I understand that something that has been available for free that now costs money can feel like you are being ripped off, but it is not so.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

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