Will you leave if the forum is a Paid Subscription?

[Brinty]

As an aside, I notice that all the objectors to paying a fee are looking at what information they get out of the forum. I have not noticed anyone voice an opinion on what information they can contribnute to the forum.

Strikes me that they are a bunch of takers and not givers.

whenever you are asked for money, raise your eyebrows..... because it´s not a good thing at all.

[Reunite]

Originally Posted by Brinty

Strikes me that they are a bunch of takers and not givers.

Please don't refer about my sexual peferences again.....

[Brinty]

Originally Posted by Reunite

Please don't refer about my sexual peferences again.....

OOPS! I didn't mean to expose you

First, I just want to say, if the PTB here need funds to keep the site going, then I say its time to pony up. If the people who run this site need money and want to pursue the posters here to get it, I say go ahead. As the poster says in in the first episode of Futurama, "you gotta' do what you gotta' do."

Secondly, it is not a matter of "will I leave," so much as it is "I have no choice." I cannot contribute moniterily under subscription rules. But I bear no ill will - I'll still come and read every now and again, and I wish all here, Bill and Kerry, and our friends beyond the behind, good will and happy future.

[THE eXchanger]

i have sent in donations, from time to time
(small ones)
however, every little bit helps,
and, i did it, because i believed it was about many,
NOT, about just a few

personally, i was told,
we are allowed "to network"
and, that is what, it is, to be about
(if you look at the members lists/and,
hit date joined)
how many of the early people are posting a lot ???
(never looked at that, but,
i'll bet that list would be interesting)

when posts, get taken down
because someone puts in where to buy something
(rather, than answer, 101 emails)
i do NOT have the time, to answer that many emails
and, it plugs up, my in box - due to 50 max. allowed
and, the posts disappear

if a moderator is going to pull a thread
i might remind them--Kerry; and, Bill
have both stated,
that the purpose of avalon is to network

that means, providing information; with posts
the what /and, the why,
SO, why am i paying / OR contributing
to be deleted/and, edited ???
(esp. if the info, is NOT off topic)

WHY would i want to pay to network on a site,
that, my posts are taken down for networking ???
(that makes NO sense)

also, if a moderator pulls a thread
it might be an idea, to forward a copy to the person,
and, the reason !!!

kerry and bill, BOTH say it is OK, to network
(moderators, then, are NOT allowing that,
and, it is even on the front page
the purpose of avalon is to network information ???)
that should include the ability to put in a url
(whether we benefit, or do NOT benefit from it)
we are NOT all here, to provide "good input"
and, do it all for FREE

that is NOT bill nor kerry's original intent,
and, neither should it be our intent,
we are here, to exchange, with others
and, do that, to our best abilities
(currently, that does NOT happen here,
we are deleted/edited, and, even restricted here
from doing just that)

So, the original information given to us,
of why to be here, was misleading,
and, NOT the original purpose
that was given to many of us is occuring

(many of us, spent a lot of time helping out,
and, those efforts, are NOT seen to be appreciated,
NOR, have they been recongised,
it is, as if, we do NOT exist,
and, i know, it is NOT just me,
who feels this way, there are many,
who have shared their thoughts, beneath the surface,
and, it is rather sad--most of them have left,
or, post/or visit the site now, infrequently
it is a good thing, we developed "radiant zones"

it also, would be nice
if both Kerry, and, Bill,
had a thread, where they shared their knowledge,
although, i do know,
this has taken off like a rocket ship,
there is still NO EXCUSE,
for very little/or no communication...
so, i would like to see each of them,
with a thread, telling us, something of value,
each and every day

Also, there was a comment
that what we type, is their property...
could we have some confirmation on that,
is it , their property,
do they plan to quote where the content orginated from ???

OR, is there some sort of hidden agenda
to plagurize us ???

thank you
susan
the eXchanger

[RubyTuesday]

I think if the owners just said how much they need for say, the next year, then asked for donations they'd be covered. Those who can, will. I have no doubt.

If that doesn't work, then charge dues...but I think it would be fine.

Also, I agree with eXchanger 100%.

[Ngai Te Rangi]

I'd consider paying. I think the some of the posting and links has been absolutely brilliant, full of wisdom and knowledge - taking aside some of the c.r.a.p people bring here. Other than that, I'd have no hesitation whatsoever.

[Chris1617]

Unsure whether I'd stay or leave. I'm so busy I only get here occasionally. That might make it not worth my while to pay.

I differ with a couple of posters here and agree with some others:
I think Paying might deter detractors and the fluff which wastes ones time; also Internet 3 rather than 2 is in the offing -- at least in Japan. It opens to the public next summer. But I still see a place for sites like this in Web 3.

I have no issue with paying for something. When everyone wants something for free I just see economic collapse in the world and from personal experience, unless it's a freebie which is a sprat to catch the proverbial mackerel, and that doesn't apply here.

I think the ideas/suggestions of merchandising and advertising are good ones if they are workable here. Virtually all IT free spaces/places are so because they gain money from advertising. It's been shown these adverts are very ineffective, though, so how long advertisers will remain on 2D pages remains to be seen. IMO they'll all move into the coming 3D IT virtual worlds (not to be confused with existing ones like 2nd Life etc).

Although Avalon has suggested $30 dues I don't see anyone discussing price. Everyone seems to either be accepting $30 or requesting not a cent. If the annual fee were $10 I'd stay as I wouldn't notice $10. More than that...I just don't know.

One poster mentioned newbies: good point. I think somehow a one week or month free trial should be set up if payment goes ahead. People should be able to see what they are getting into and whether they want to stay before they pay. So, instigate some IT version of a cooling off period, but mods would need to have some way of knowing people weren't just changing their sign in names each week or month.

Just my tuppence worth.

[dutchie]

Well I feel if Bill and Kerry can run away to Aussie and pay a couple hundred thousand to join the ark I think they can handle the cost of this site. Where do the people who have not the funds to run away HIDE...........If they want the world to know and wake up this will be free of charge if not I'm gone.

[dutchie]

Artycarl
Uncharitable? I think not

Midnightoil
With ya on that;this type of info needs to be free and yes I think they are pretty great for getting all this out and if they continue better for us all.

[dutchie]

When I logged on this am and read bill's post I was angry and full of fear.
Angry because it all boils down to yet again ;only the rich and elite who get to run and hide and have the best protection.
Fearful because where am I and my family to go, what are we to do when all these things happen? No extra funds no protection!

Yes projects camelot and avalon have awakend me and I thank them dearly for it but their just the stepping stones I needed nothing more.

So I take a few deep breaths and say to myself; we will survive with or without them . Will they continue without funding;perhaps, if not there are more stones out there folks.

[Brinty]

Hmmm, do I detect a few crops of sour grapes in some posts? Who, in their right frame of mind would expect by right, entry into an establishment that has, as I understand it, a price of some $48 million with more infrastructure to be built?

FACT 1. Like it or not we live in a capitalist world and it is populated by the haves and the have nots. Get used to it - most of us have had to.

FACT 2. You are going to die. It is inevitable. No argument.

So get on with enjoying the years left to you and try doing something meaningful instead of eating your heart out with envy.

[deepblu777]

How incredibly useful...a place to find and talk to people on similar quests for truth...

This site has been a blessing for me, but I cannot afford another single bill in my life.

I gave up my car and bought a bike...no gas bill, no insurance bill..yea!

I have tons of things in abundance to be grateful for in my life, money isn't one of them.

I'm sure there are those out there who are less fortunate that I.

If we can't afford to join, then we are cut-off.

hmmm...searching for the truth alone is a lot slower, this place is so great for sharing....it would be sad.

[shred]

MAybe im wrong but i dont know of any other site on the net that has this quality of information. May i ask why thay are going to charge ? If you need a place to host the Avalon forum I would offer to host for Avalon's forums for FREE! In hopes to prevent a subscription charge. PM me if your interested. I agree that this information should be free to public !

peace

I will leave if Avalon doesn't become a paid service.

In fact, I already did.

The poll suggests that 81% of the respondents have no business
posting at Avalon, as proven by the porn tantrum thrown by
excalitber last week. Just because I left, doesn't mean I wasn't lurking.

Some suggestions for the administrations discussion

-If technically viable, Avalon remains available for all comers on a read
only basis. This way no one is denied critical information.

- paid subscribers are held to a higher standard leaving the food fight of the open forum and entering a classroom/library environment. Serious participants only. I left when I was attacked
personally for voicing my opinion. Attacking the individual rather than
the argument is inappropriate. I can find this behavior at any roadhouse bar. Mods, please see my reputation counter for documentation.

That is my opinion. You are welcome to attack it. Attacks directed at me personally will not be tolerated.

[David]

Originally Posted by Baggywrinkle

I will leave if Avalon doesn't become a paid service.

In fact, I already did.

The poll suggests that 81% of the respondents have no business
posting at Avalon, as proven by the porn tantrum thrown by
excalitber last week. Just because I left, doesn't mean I wasn't lurking.

Some suggestions for the administrations discussion

-If technically viable, Avalon remains available for all comers on a read
only basis. This way no one is denied critical information.

- paid subscribers are held to a higher standard leaving the food fight of the open forum and entering a classroom/library environment. Serious participants only. I left when I was attacked
personally for voicing my opinion. Attacking the individual rather than
the argument is inappropriate. I can find this behavior at any roadhouse bar. Mods, please see my reputation counter for documentation.

That is my opinion. You are welcome to attack it. Attacks directed at me personally will not be tolerated.

:thumb_yell o:

[deepblu777]

Sounds like D.C. ...if you can't pay, you don't have a voice.

[David]

Originally Posted by deepblu777

Sounds like D.C. ...if you can't pay, you don't have a voice.

You do have a voice if you vote. So maybe it would be possible to have voting polls free to the public.

[Seth Haniel]

yes... (bags packed ready)
all info is available out there -

if a subscription based forum it runs the danger of becoming a kind of exclusive cult
not for me

[Ampgod]

I do appreciate what they do for the masses here.
However, I would make the choice to leave if this became a pay site.

That's my insignificant 2 cents worth.



Peace,
Ampgod

[deepblu777]

Again, sorry, I didn't mean to sound condesending either.

Gosh, we must be so careful to speak from the heart and not be misinterpreted, right?

All my best feelings!

[David]

Originally Posted by deepblu777

Again, sorry, I didn't mean to sound condesending either.

Gosh, we must be so careful to speak from the heart and not be misinterpreted, right?

All my best feelings!

Hi deepblu, you hit the nail on the head. I think a large part of problems on this forum are misunderstandings. Text by nature lack emotion unless the poster is incredibly articulate. I am not and although some of my post may come off a little rude, 99.11% of the time I have good intentions but no none is perfect.

Lets all have one big hug. I'm serious!

[suchanawesomekid]

i don't know
but i think avalon should remain totally free
thats the key to the success of places like myspace and youtube.

peace xx

[Patchjacket]

I'm still thinking about it.
Bill and Kerry are in a Not for Profit business by choice.

It comes to mind that Bill and Kerry established the forum to complement the Camelot site. It's comparable to adding a cafe to a filling station. The filling station is doing well. The cafe isn't pulling it's weight and is costing a lot in time and energy.

In such cases a business owner would either re-tool the cafe business to run according to the business plan or shut it down. Perhaps the forum was too big a step. Perhaps their interests are now elsewhere. Or, perhaps they need deep pocket sponsors.

It's not the customer's problem!

In any case, raising prices on the customer won't solve a business problem.
Patchjacket