Membership fees for Forum access

[Renee Price]

Peggy, thank you for your reply. And Cynthia, thank you very much.

Renee

[Cynthia Daniel]

Jeff,

Maybe I've been misunderstanding something, but it seems the posting guidelines heavily favor uploading pictures to your server, instead of remotely linking (it says we should avoid using the [img] tag).

Because it's a far better reading experience to see the images inline with the post instead of having to link elsewhere.

But, again, bandwidth is only one and probably not the major issue.

[Peggy Baumgaertner]

As a member of many professional organizations, I think it is definitely not out of line to be asked to pay a small nominal rate for the administration of this site. We're talking what, $15? $25 a year? A pizza and beer? I'm frankly surprised that Cynthia has not broached this subject earlier.

My two cents, raise the price for members to $25 a year. Lurkers free.

Professionals and aspiring professionals understand the need for the fees.

It insures the continuance of this professional site...and the last thing I want to see is pop up ads to pay for the site. Free sites are festooned with pop ups. I'm surprised Cynthia has been willing to run this site at her own expense for as long as she has.

Peggy

[Marvin Mattelson]

I think it would be a mistake to convert this forum to paid membership participation before exercising all options. In my opinion, this should be considered only as a last resort, if the stated purpose is indeed to cover expenses, rather than to make a profit.

Many people have stated they would be willing to pay varying amounts of money to ensure the continuation of this forum as a resource, so why not give people the option of donating as they see fit. If successful, this approach would allow everyone to continue their membership.

In the event this didn't generate enough money to cover the forum

[Cynthia Daniel]

I think it would be a mistake to convert this forum to paid membership participation before exercising all options.

Why is that?

this approach would allow everyone to continue their membership.

As mentioned earlier, those who could not afford to pay would be given consideration under a paid membership fee setup.

I also think that the membership here is a very attractive audience for certain advertisers. Obviously Dick Blick thinks so.

Nope, that's on a affiliate basis. I've made about $20 in commissions since that link as been up there.

Perhaps if we knew the exact dollar value that needs to be met, the membership might also be able to come up with some creative ideas for meeting that goal.

When I'm talking about covering expenses, I'm including part of my time spent each year on various aspects of the Forum, which has been sizeable. And certainly, if a sizeable sum came in, I would be happy to share with the moderators. However, it's diffcicult to say an exact amount ahead of time.

For example, I've done nothing except Forum work the last two days. I couldn't have predicted last week that this would be the case. Also, we're in a situation where a software upgrade is needed in order to plug possible security holes that have apparently been bringing down the server. I don't know at this point how much time that will take, but it will be sizeble.

But, as mentioned in earlier parts of this thread, there are other reasons besides covering expenses to charge a fee.

Thousands of artists pay a fee to join portrait societies every year, for magazine subscriptions. And, as Peggy points out, an annual fee of $25 is about the price of pizza and beer.

[Marvin Mattelson]

I think it's always preferable to give people the option of participating out of their own free choice. I believe this is especially true when dealing with artists, who tend to be rebellious by nature.

I felt that if adequete funds could be raised on a voluntary basis there would be a chance to avoid upset and animosity. Also I think that if people are paying for membership there would be much greater expectations for more thorough critiques and feedback.

[Cynthia Daniel]

I think it's always preferable to give people the option of participating out of their own free choice.

If we go with a membership fee, they will have a free choice whether to participate or not.

I felt that if adequete funds could be raised on a voluntary basis there would be a chance to avoid upset and animosity.

It's not my intention to create animosity, but there are realities that have to be dealt with.

Also I think that if people are paying for membership there would be much greater expectations for more thorough critiques and feedback.

So, basically you're saying that what the Forum has been so far is not of value or not of enough value to pay a nominal sum for - a sum that isn't more than what most people spend for a few drinks or a meal?

Since the Forum has started, I've put in hundreds of hours. I know for the people who come on, it looks like it just runs itself, but it doesn't.

I've been reading over in other places and many forums are starting to look at membership fees.

[Margaret Port]

Hi Cynthea,

Just to throw in my two cents worth again.

I found this forum after following links from William Whitaker's website. I found his website after purchasing a SouthWest Art magazine for $18.95(aust).

I try to buy this magazine (monthly) when it is available in our newsagents. It takes a couple of hours to read it then it gets buried on my desk. It takes me forever to relocate an article in any magazine in my many heaps of magazines.

I can access any article on any topic on your site with a few scrolling movements of my hand and I spend far longer on here than a couple of hours once a month.

Where would you like me to send my cheque?

[Cynthia Daniel]

How sweet, Margaret. Thank you. Actually, the first step I will be doing is upgrading the software to the newest version. I've never upgraded since the beginning and that needs to be done first to plug up some security holes. Unfortunately, our pretty look will go away temporarily with this upgrade. I will have to reinstall all the customizations to get our look back. For a while, our forum will look like this, but our security is the most important issue: http://www.vbulletin.com/forum

Once the newest version is installed and I have the customizations reapplied, then I will implement whatever the new plan will be and any payments/donations will be implemented therafter.

Additionally, I will probably be adding in a spellcheck feature. It does not come with the Forum software and is an add-on fee-based spellchecker. However, this will free up the moderators for more valuable tasks.

[Patt Legg]

think it's always preferable to give people the option of participating out of their own free choice

Cynthia,

I am still lurking and keeping up with the conversation here on this subject. I see many ideas but I tend to agree with Marvin with the statement above.

I have found in my life that the two words "just ask" seems to go a long way if put into use. As a general rule I personally feel that the nature of people is that of decency,integrity,fairness and compassion.

I am simply suggesting that why not "just ask" for any donations and explain they are deeply appreciated. We, here at the Forum, are already familiar with the difficulity and work that it must be to keep a great site going. New members could read a note or letter of Welcome from you and a brief explaination of the time, costs and benefit that they will find here. I like all of the comparisons brought forth here such as the costs of subscriptions to magazines, books, Societies, etc., but to the layman out there, they may not already subscribe to all of these and after seeing all of the co-operation and hands on assistance here will possibly gladly give to the upkeep.You may find yourself very surprised at the help you will get.

I know that I personally feel a twinge at charging for some services yet when left to my choice I feel more freedom and will often choose to dig into my purse. It's worth a try at the expense of some hard feelings.

Good Luck
Patt