freeflir29 0 #26 November 1, 2002 Quote Plus, I added that it be started after say, 50 posts. That way, someone could get used to the idea if they even liked posting or not. Just like a crack dealer..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #27 November 1, 2002 I wouldn't say $25, but I'd be all about $5-$10, sort of like Fark and Total Fark (if you know what that is). That way the monitary value is still low enough that people will do it without thinking but high enough that HH gains something from it. OR keep the forums free, but give special features to the paid users.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 4 #28 November 1, 2002 I think it should just be "if you want to pitch in, pitch in. if not, then fine" Kinda like the people at Rantoul who tossed Jack a jump ticket and said thanks for the tent. Just buy HH a beer once in a while to say thanks, it's pretty easy. Some sites have 'donor pages' or something that goes with their posts that says 'contributor' or something... you could make that an option for people who care about their good deeds being recognized...it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #29 November 1, 2002 I voted... and yes I read the question correctly (and only one cuppa coffee too!). But I'm not going to indicate which way I voted, because I am mixed about the whole issue. There are pro's and con's on both sides, you know? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fastmartin2002 0 #30 November 1, 2002 only if it included free beer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #31 November 1, 2002 Quotenope.... never (can I be clearer?). Heck, I've never even paid for any porn site either I can see several sides of the issue since I (on a lesser scale) do similar things as HH. Ground-Rush.com has yet to put a dime into my pocket. Still battling with a vendor for an unpaid advertising invoice and thinking of referring it to an attorney to collect as they pissed me off the last time I called.. Freefall.com does not put a dime in my pocket either. The actual compensation compared to the time that I and the rest of the Freefall.com webteam (Cajones & Chango Rodriguez for their webcam work) put into Freefall.com is insanely nothing. Why do we all do it? It's just a different way that we give back to the sport and it's kinda fun. An ocassional 'kickback' from appreciative users (unsolicited) would be a nice way to say 'thank you' for the hard work and time that we all put into the various skydiving info sites online. If the funding is not there to pay the 'basic bills' of a website (isp, DSL, etc.) they tend to go away when the webmaster gets burned out...Some of the nasty emails I rec'd after I was informed the 727 was not going to be at the convention were, well to be polite, entertaining. I also rec'd many more of support and they were appreciated. Meeting some of the DZ.com members at the Convention was Great! I will be doing Freefall.com another year and the Webteam will is working on some really cool toys (and possibly an internet cafe) for next year already. Version 2003 of Freefall.com is scheduled to be online 1.1.2003... Just my 2.5 cents (adjusted for inflation) Michael Webmaster www.Ground-Rush.com www.Freefall.com----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Void425 0 #32 November 2, 2002 I feel that a mandatory fee for usage of this board would drive a lot of people away. Especially the new people who may be genuinely interested in more info about skydiving. The new people should not have to feel pressured to pay money to learn more about the sport. However, it would be nice if there was an optional link for people to donate to this site. The donations could be used to pay for any fees to maintain the site and also for future improvements. If there ever seems to be an overabundance of funding then this site could turn it off for a bit, or perhaps hold drawings to give away prizes, like T-Shirts to members ( or perhaps just to the people who put in a donation ). Donations could also give users access to a special forum for a certain time period based upon the amount donated. This forum would just be the same as any other forum but be for Member's Only. P.S. Didn't mean to make such a long post, all I really wanted to do was say something worthwhile to test out my new pic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #33 November 2, 2002 if you go to the pub there is a pay pal link you can use to make donations!have fun , donate, even if its one dollar! My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #34 November 2, 2002 While I enjoy the time I spend here, I am not will to pay for it. I would not, however, deny others the right to pay for it if they were so inclined! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #35 November 2, 2002 Quotenope.... never (can I be clearer?). Heck, I've never even paid for any porn site either (back in my youth, usenet wasnt filled with spam lol)..... as far as I am concerned, asking me for $ to access a site is a 100% sure way of making sure that I will not visit that site again. and if you ask me, it would pretty much manage to kill the site. FreeIt's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #36 November 3, 2002 Hey Rev. what is that link you posted? it keeps tyring to create some account for me. I dont wanna create anything that I dont know? My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #37 November 3, 2002 http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&safe=off&group=rec.skydiving here is what he was trying to show you...otherwise known as the wreck... Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airann 1 #38 November 3, 2002 I voted No. And I will tell you why. I have met a ton of broke ass skydivers in my skydiving life. And I would want to still hear their views. I personally dont know how I would factor that $25 in my creative financing at the moment. (had to stop jumping, so...) About the refreshed forums in general these days. When you split up the topics too much, it might be a bad thing. The womens thread albeit a great idea is usually slow. And that is ok. Its one of the things I did not like on another site that went down. I was a Skybytch in the womens lounge and zero went on in there unless myself or Paula, or Kelli went off on some crazy topic. Just to rip it up a little. Then of course there is Wreck Dot and I have nearly been killed there about 100 times. If it were not for the big dogs over there I would have been killed by FastFlail or thats what I call him. Thanks Rev, Peanut, Treetop, Espen and like Lord of Crabs and the Sheep dude. If you go there you better be tough or dont ask a dumbass question or have a dumbass answer and jeeze dont insult somebody you dont know. FLAMES and Flamed Beyond Recognition. Having said that it happens here on occasion. Me personally, a while back like 3 or 4 times and it passed right on by, but I was way disturbed by it. Personal attacks went on back then, I felt like they did for sure. I bailed from here for a while after that. ~AirAnn~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fudd 0 #39 November 3, 2002 Let's see It seems like 50% of the active people here would go away if the forums became subscription based. If half of the people here stopped comming back, what would the site be like? What makes the dropzone.com great is that it's so many people here. However, I think a good idea could be to offer some sort of gold-membership. Doesn't have to give you any more rights, just another color on your name in the forums (kinda like the greenes have, but another color than green of course.) Won't drive anybody away. I think many people here would pay $15 to get another color on their name in the forums There are only 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #40 November 3, 2002 Quote Hey Rev. what is that link you posted? it keeps tyring to create some account for me. I dont wanna create anything that I dont know? jt, I'm no sure what isp you are using, but that link invokes the resident newsgroup reader on your system. With most isp's, this service is free. If it is provided, it's almost always free. If it is not provided by your isp, then the link medic provided is the other free (but somewhat slower) way to access rec.skydiving. The guy you met, JimBo (Bozo) is a regular over there, and one I have also met a few times. He's got some stories that will make your unborn childrens toes curl, just ask him. All in all, it's not a bad place, but, a word of advice, lurk ALOT before you decide to post, unless you have REALLY thick skin. Remember, over there it is truely unmoderated. The people over here whom think they have flaming down to an art and a science would be in for a rude awakening over there.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #41 November 3, 2002 I object due to the fact that the exzchange rate here is near double, so $25US is close to $50AUD and thats alot for me.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallinWoman 1 #42 November 3, 2002 I would object to having to pay...like others have said, I think it would prohibit some from being part of our community, either cuz they don't have the money or cuz they refuse to pay on principle.... I like that we have the OPTION to kick in a few bucks now and then....and I like being reminded that kicking in is a good thing to do.... HH puts his own time and money into this site....I think we should buy him a jump ticket or a beer now and then! Anne ~Anne I'm a Doll!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #43 November 3, 2002 Quote jt, I'm no sure what isp you are using, but that link invokes the resident newsgroup reader on your system. With most isp's, this service is free. If it is provided, it's almost always free. If it is not provided by your isp, then the link medic provided is the other free (but somewhat slower) way to access rec.skydiving. The guy you met, JimBo (Bozo) is a regular over there, and one I have also met a few times. He's got some stories that will make your unborn childrens toes curl, just ask him. All in all, it's not a bad place, but, a word of advice, lurk ALOT before you decide to post, unless you have REALLY thick skin. Remember, over there it is truely unmoderated. The people over here whom think they have flaming down to an art and a science would be in for a rude awakening over there. Hey Rev, I saw medics post and linked in. y'know that was the only time I could get to wreck.dot? every other time I tried it wouldnt work properly. I know jimbo posts there and he's talked about you some. he's a bastard! but a good one! I finally go tot wreck dot and now IO think I can lurk there too for a while....IF I QUIT MY JOB! not enough time!My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #44 November 3, 2002 QuoteHowever, I think a good idea could be to offer some sort of gold-membership. Doesn't have to give you any more rights, just another color on your name in the forums I think this is brilliant. It would work and it wouldn't drive anyone away. No extra rights -- just peer recognition of who is and isn't a dues-paying member. Brilliant! First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #45 November 3, 2002 QuoteQuoteHowever, I think a good idea could be to offer some sort of gold-membership. Doesn't have to give you any more rights, just another color on your name in the forums I think this is brilliant. It would work and it wouldn't drive anyone away. No extra rights -- just peer recognition of who is and isn't a dues-paying member. Brilliant! Um, no it isn't. The one thing I really enjoy about skydiving is the fact that in the air we are all equals. When I exit the airplane in a 4-way with myself (a truck driver), a tech school student, an Air Force Captain, and a brain surgeon, we are all equals in the air. I drove my truck to the DZ. The doc drove his Vette. The Captain drove his Chev Malibu, and the student got a ride. At the DZ, none of this matters, but without seeing someone in person, like on this web community, monetary status can be nothing but detrimental. Could I afford to kick in $25 a year? I could, if I had a way to hide it from my wife, like I did with my rig (She STILL thinks I owe a guy a grand for it, but it's paid for). We all have bills. Peer pressure to be "one of the crowd" would either push many away that really could not pay for it, or they would pay for it, and suffer somewhere else. Say you, or anyone else, could not afford it. 90% are paid members, with color on their names (or whatever other perks they may get). Would you stay, while feeling like you were below all the others? I know I would not. I would send a simple email to Sangiro asking him to delete my account, and that I hoped to meet him at the DZ some day, where I could buy him a beer (the ONLY place I can spend copious amounts of money without reaping the wrath of the wife). So, buy your t-shirts. Click through the sponsors (This is actually a big deal). Send an occasional donation. Do whatever you think you can, but please do not get, or expect, special treatment for having more disposable income than another person.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #46 November 3, 2002 While all your points are valid, I don't buy the argument that there are people who wouldn't be able to afford the $25. Skydiving is an expensive sport, anyone who can afford to skydive, can afford $25. All they would have to do is choose to make one less jump, and it's paid for. Hopefully, they would see that the entertainment value that they get out of the site is worth it. There's another way to look at it; if you divide out $25/365 days in a year, it only comes to roughly $.07 a day.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sar911 0 #47 November 3, 2002 Hell, what I saved on the gear I bought from the classifieds alone makes it worth it. Not to mention all of the great people that I have met and that has helped me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #48 November 3, 2002 Another thing to think about... this site is well over 10k a year to run from the details HH has posted and what I've been quoted from places. If HH decides to be like half the people here... this site goes away at the drop of a pin. No fourms, no classifieds, nothing... Rec. will become overflowing at first, then after the select few people that flame all the time run everyone off... there will be nothing left on the net as a skydiving resource. Is the knowledge you've learned, the friendships you've made and the boogies thats been organized thanks to this site worth the price of on jump and a 6 pack of beer as a donation every year, or are we more conserned about ourselfs then about easing the burden on HH and letting him improve this site and still have money to jump? Leave it be a personal decision to pay... but I think that personal peer pressure to help out in this site would be a good thing. There are other ways then just money that I'm sure HH would love help on. Exclusive stories for the front page, interviews with people parachutist skips over, boogie reviews, articles on gear care, write up on different methods of turning each block in 4 way to see if different ideas help different people... etc. All of these help out our community... and they help HH...Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #49 November 3, 2002 Very well said, Phree. For all of you who have an objection, think of it this way. Have you never bought someone a jump ticket because of a birthday, in return for a favor done for you, or just to be nice to him or her? Just think of it as you're buying HH a jump ticket because of how nice he is to run this site for us for free. Giving always makes one feel better than receiving. (no sex jokes here please).She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skr 1 #50 November 3, 2002 > Ok, folks. Scratch started this idea in another thread, Just for clarity I want to point out that Scratch with a "c" is not the same person as Skratch with a "k". As to the question of paying 25 $/yr I don't know. It's a reasonable question, I just don't know what I think. skr (Skratch with a "k") Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
