Full Version: DSSI Engraving Folder / EE Announcement
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1]
4 May 2006
To: ALL
I visited DSSI this morning, to announce why EE.org was temporarily down.
Cherie (host) had installed an "Engraving" folder, for those who may want to discuss engraving, in the meanwhile.
I made an announcement, within that folder, which I should have made here, beforehand.
Our move from Delphi Forums, to Beehive Forums, was made with the specific intent of Engraving Etc. becoming a subscription-based site.
That move, was a couple of years ago.
Here's our current situation:
Shortly after Engraving Etc. is back up, under our EE.org domain name, we'll offer an "Early Bird Special" (EBS) which will be an opportunity for those of you who realize the value and importance of this site, the opportunity to buy an annual subscription, at a reduced rate.
30-days after we post the EBS, Engraving Etc. will become a fully subscription-based entity.
I don't know if Cherie meant for the Engraving folder to be temporary or permanent, but I advised her that she may want to keep it in place, for people opposed to pay sites.
Trying to be everything, to everyone, is impossible.
We've taken this format as far as we can, as a free site.
Rest assured, that instead of seeing an Engraving Etc. subscription as an expense, (tax deductible) you'll see it for what it really represents:
An investment in the advancement and continued success of your business.
Thank you,
EDITED: 4 May 2006 by DGL
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#2]
4 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1] 4 May 2006
Will the other addresses still work?
Will any new/additional features be available when it first goes pay?
When will we learn the actual $$$ amount?
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#3]
4 May 2006
To: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#2] 4 May 2006
Will any new/additional features be available when it first goes pay?
When will we learn the actual $$$ amount?
All addresses will point to the subscription site.
Additional features will be added as they are finished. That will be faster with some funds available to pay programmers.
One that I can talk about because it is nearly done in its first incarnation is a database of over 700 logos for download. Most in three different formats. More will be added. There will be a Searchable database to locate the logo and a preview of the logo.
Another one will be expanded articles. They will be added as they are done. We are starting to see why the journals have problems with articles. We are not beholding to any advertisers so they will have full information and no brand restrictions.
The prices and discounts will be posted in the Early Bird Special very shortly.
This has taken over a year to get set up, far longer than expected. Just one example, the format for the articles is in a private folder. There are about 50 posts just to get the format of that what we consider correct.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#4]
4 May 2006
To: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#2] 4 May 2006
Ken,
I'll have more info, when we make the official EBS announcement, but I can answer some of your questions.
1) I'll have all addresses point to EE.org
2) There will be some new Articles and PicTutorials, in PDF format, as well as more TeleSeminars. Harvey has something up his sleeve which will be announced later.
3) Subscriptions will be based on $10 per month, with an annual subscription being $99. 30-day EBS will $79.
Naturally, since this has never been done before, in our industry, there will be an evolution.
I've always maintained, "Ya Gotta Start Somewhere" and this is where we'll start.
Edit: Looks like Harvey let his cat out of the bag. :-)
EDITED: 4 May 2006 by DGL
From: AnthonyC [#5]
4 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#4] 4 May 2006
David & Co.
Since no one else has said it let me be the first "Congratulations!"
I know it has been a long to coming.
I also know you will definitely succeed and change the industry for ever.
The best is yet to come.
Best Wishes
Anthony.
PS Have one on me. B-)
From: GBengraver [#6]
4 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1] 4 May 2006
David,
Will us early birders continue to get the special rate in succeeding years, or is that a one time offer?
Just wondering.
Oh yeah, I just found out how to get back on the site so no need to respond to the email I sent you.
Thanks,
Greg,
From: Florida Don (FLORIDADON) [#7]
4 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1] 4 May 2006
David,
First, I congratulate you on your decision.
However, for me who is still only considering doing something with Laser but, most likely not going to do so in the immediate future; it just wouldn't be worth the money to me to be a paid subscriber.
Although, I wouldn't have any objection to a paid Sublimation forum, I wouldn't pay for that either if there were advertising. I think the advertising should pay for a forum such as DSSI. Not sure if it does, but that is what I would expect if it were mine.
IOW, a truly advertiser free forum is IMO worth paying for IF you are in that business. This is not to say that there shouldn't be a place for suppliers to post - I have never been opposed to that.
I pay a $99 annual fee to NAPP and simply wouldn't be without it as it IS one of my business tools; just like EE would be if I did engraving.
On a side note, my PPP forum is almost non-existant but I can't close it.
Not because I don't want to, but because I dropped my premium membership and now it won't give me access to any information. :-)
Anyhow, if I ever get into engraving, I will certainly be contacting you with money in hand. In the meantime, I think it was very gracious fo Cherie to add an Engraving folder on DSSI. That way at least guys like me will have some source for information.
I can't stress to those that are engravers to spend the money and become members of this forum; you are a great service to the industry.
Continued success and good fortune are my wishes for you.
Florida Don
From: sprinter [#8]
4 May 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#3] 4 May 2006
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#9]
4 May 2006
To: sprinter [#8] 4 May 2006
Any corporate logos, which are not included in the 700 so far, are only to be used after the engraver has the license to use them. They are supplied as raw artwork, not as a license to use. Same as all of the other sites.
You may use them in any legal manor. You must have the corporate permission to use those logos legally.
From: sprinter [#10]
4 May 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#9] 4 May 2006
EDITED: 4 May 2006 by SPRINTER
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#11]
4 May 2006
To: sprinter [#10] 4 May 2006
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#12]
4 May 2006
To: sprinter [#10] 4 May 2006
Then maybe the safe thing is to not add the corporate logos. Thanks for the info.
The others are general engraving logos, all 700 of them.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#13]
4 May 2006
To: AnthonyC [#5] 4 May 2006
Thank you. I appreciate your kind words of encouragement.
You've become a good friend and an inspiration.
In the same way I knew it was time to leave my position as an awards shop employee; I'm equally certain, it's time to take my career to another level, which will focus on the educational side.
I look forward to helping our forum members up the ladder, that's been so good to me and others in our industry.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#14]
4 May 2006
To: GBengraver [#6] 5 May 2006
I'll have to mull that one over. Looks like I'll have over a year to think about it. :-)
From: sprinter [#15]
4 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#11] 4 May 2006
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16]
4 May 2006
To: Florida Don (FLORIDADON) [#7] 5 May 2006
I'm sure there are others in your boat and I realize the new format won't appeal to everyone.
Here's the good news; a person doesn't have to spend $99, in order to take advantage of our site.
The ability to float in and out, at will, for 30 days at a time, will probably come in handy for those who find themselves with an emergency on their hands.
With some companies charging $75 for tech support calls, our monthly fee will probably be less than a single trip to a business, where you order through a speaker and are directed to pay at the second window. :-)
I agree with your assessment of sponsored forums. The only (banner ad) advertising you'll see on this site, will be from suppliers who have an exclusive offer for our members.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#17]
4 May 2006
To: sprinter [#15] 4 May 2006
Not a good combination.
Thank you for the info.
From: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#18]
4 May 2006
To: ALL
Hmmm..... I dont get any huge value out of the site , but myself and many others contribute greatly out of a sense of free interchange of info on the internet. We are the folk that do add value to the forum.
I understand the financial dillema , but to be blunt I cannot see myself paying subs to this forum to do so - the clipart wont tempt me either. How many of the other folk that do chip in more then ask will want to pay for the privildge of doing so? Where does one draw the line when it comes to this?
One of the photographic forums I belonged to (robgalbraith) , habituead by pros etc changed to a pay forum , was only a week ago and I no longer go there and their traffic has dropped dramatically. Everyone said yes , they would pay (only $25 for a year) but when it came to crunch time , most declined. We just all moved elsewhere.
I would also like to know whether the archives will be free to read as these should not be included in any subscription based forum, they were given free , so should remain so.
How will newbies even gauge the value of the forum if they have to pay to read?
Many other issues come to mind , but to cut a long story shot , I think that when this forum becomes a pay to view/read/post entity , it's finished.
I would seriously try to cut some other deal , perhaps with advertisers or suppliers or find another means of supporting the forum other than asking users to pay. If this is indeed the premier engraving/Laser forum on the internet , then suppliers should be queueing up.
I wouldn't care a whit if I saw ads on the forum at all , I dont think there will be an issue in terms of them calling the shots either.
I think this is a very bad move.
EDITED: 4 May 2006 by RODNEY_GOLD
From: UncleSteve [#19]
4 May 2006
To: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#18] 5 May 2006
Many of us consider .22/day worth it for the entertainment factor alone, not to mention the education, sourcing and comraderie.
When things get hectic, what else can you do for under a quarter (US) to break the tension?
From: JHayes55 [#20]
4 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#17] 5 May 2006
David L., Harvey, David T. - Count me in for the ride - wherever it goes I want a front seat - bugs on the windsheild and all.
I do have a question - you have a lot of couples and companies who have more than one person who particiaptes on the forum - I will assume a membership is for a single individual - or is for a company / family???
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