Your forum needs you !!

[paddy]

Never an easy topic for Bob to broach but I hope he will forgive me if I give it a go on his behalf.

I was surprised and bit upset to see that Bob is paying $60 a month or over $700 a year for us to enjoy this Forum. I know some of us contribute to a tip jar but I had no idea what I donate doesn’t really scratch the surface.

One of the great things about this forum is it’s a small close-knit community where I think we can all say we have the opportunity to be friends instead of being just another anon posters showing off another build on another site. We also get great feedback and guys like RichB and Sharkmouth are always willing to go the extra mile to share info we might struggle to dig up elsewhere.

Anyway, you know what its about, that’s why you are here and keep coming back.

It’s my opinion that if financially possible we we should be making sure that Bobs contribution here is no more than our own. For some of us that’s easier said than done and we don’t want to put anyone in a position where they feel obliged to do something they are uncomfortable with and for that reason I don’t think there should be a set fee or a pay wall and I am sure Bob would agree ? but I do think that maybe some of us could contribute on a regular basis rather than a random tip from time to time.

I would guess we are talking a dollar a week or $5 a month if there were 12 of us ? I would for example be happy to pay a little more while I can to cover someone who might be struggling and maybe the favour would be returned as I get older and poorer .

I think it would be important for Bob to set this up via paypal and Bob and only Bob would know who contributes and how much if anything, so there is zero chance of stigma etc, for that reason I don’t think we need a badge to say supporter or donor etc.

Lets see if we can get this set up fairer for everyone and I hope Bob and the rest of you will forgive me for pushing this to the fore.

This is just a personal view and I think it would be better agreed as a group than individually, but I think it’s a topic that will thrive on contributions and ideas from others so what do you all think ???.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I subscribe to a guy by the name of "Better Bachelor" on a Rumble site called "Locals". By having it behind a paywall it keeps the trolls out and he makes enough to get by. I pay the subscription fee because there is community there and because he does good news stories about a lot of the crap that is going on in the world that you don't hear about from the crappy mainstream news. It is worth the $5 monthly or $50 yearly (which I pay) to keep informed.
I would gladly do something similar or slightly more for here as I am here more than about anyplace else online.

 

[paddy]

Thanks for the response Paul
In my opinion the problem with a pay wall is not everyone can afford it and we could lose occasional posters like Steve Ski and others.
I think we have to separate this forum from others. We only have a couple of dozen regulars so its more of a friends group than a regular forum now. Its unlikely to change for the better with a pay wall but i get your point .

 

[moon puppy]

Thank you Paddy, I just need to know what you guys want. It cost nothing for me to setup several options on the "Account Upgrades" page and have some as subscriptions. I never setup anything like that because I didn't want anyone to feel obligated to do that.

Rest assured there will never be a paywall on this site, I've said that since it started so many years ago. You guys tell me what you want and I'll set it up.

 

[jeaton01]

Best if you did, Bob.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I didn't intend for Bob to set up a pay wall, that was just what that other guy does. I have no problem with assisting with the site bills and making it easier on Bob to keep it going.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Bob could set up a paywall for an FTP site where we could share PDF and STL files and such. Make that a yearly sub and only available to those that sub for it. It probably wouldn't be used or needed much and the extra funds could apply to MA site

Just a thought. Trying to think outside of the many boxes that are going.

 

[paddy]

My thinking is if you could set up a monthly Sub for $5 , $7.50 or $10 for example and see what you get then we can adjust the monthly amount later to suit the bills. If you get $30 a month we can adjust up , it you get $70 we can adjust down. Again just thinking out loud.
I looked at paypal and you cant set up a standing order/monthly payment to and account but Bob could request one from an account if you see what i mean.
If enough are interested we might be able to make it bimonthly.
Lets see if we can do this

 

[paddy]

I would gladly do something similar or slightly more for here as I am here more than about anyplace else online.

Well said Paul, 100% agree, this is my hobby and rather than spend £50 a month on the gym or £150 a month on golf course i think this is the place to be

 

[Greg Kimsey]

Money matters are my nemesis! I would gladly reimburse Bob if a way is set up and I don't have to think hard about it..
Auto pay is wonderful. Just sayin.

 

[moon puppy]

Bob could set up a paywall for an FTP site where we could share PDF and STL files and such.

That could get tricky with copyright and ownership.

Thanks for the conversation about this guys. I'll have some subscriptions setup this weekend.