Donation vs. Pay - Engraving Etc. Forum

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	20 Jul 2005
To:	Cindy (CINDYM)	109 of 122

1603.109 In reply to 1603.108

Cindy,

It was just my sick twisted sarcastic wit showing it's ugly face again......

I'll go back in the corner now.

From:	Dee (DEENA-ONLY)	20 Jul 2005
To:	Cindy (CINDYM)	112 of 122

1603.112 In reply to 1603.106

Cindy,
I wondered where you were on this topic. I too think of this site as an instant trade magazine with the added benefit of having many many consultants. This board has given me many valuable money making ideas, has instantly helped me when I had a problem, has allowed me to vent when necessary, has made me think out of MY box and on top of that we have met some really great people. I think this place is worth a great deal.

Dee

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

From:	Stunt Engraver (DGL)	20 Jul 2005
To:	Cindy (CINDYM)	113 of 122

1603.113 In reply to 1603.106
Cindy, I've read back through this thread, as well as Ken's relationship thread, and have come to the conclusion, a key reason for the forum's popularity, is its sense of family. All the components are here...bickering, laughing, crying and every emotion in between. :-) Despite the appearance that Brian and I are eternally embroiled in verbal combat, we're actually friends...of sorts :-) We met in-person a few years ago, we occasionally email each other off-forum and sometimes speak by phone. Brian's very much a fan of the forum and truly wants to see it reach its full potential. ................................................................................................................... Thank you for your thoughts and words of support. Oh, and I don't mind you getting a little mushy. I share your appreciation of Harvey Lentchner and David Takes. Dedicated and extremely helpful, beyond what meets the forum member's eyes. Speaking of what meets the eye, I can't forget to mention John Fish. John's knowledge of web development and Beehive software allowed us to upgrade to version v.5, much quicker than I thought possible. John will continue to work quietly and efficiently, behind the scenes, to bring to life, some of the new features we've mentioned. Finally, a heart-felt thank you to all who make the Engraving Etc. forum the internet's most active and informative meeting place for the A&E Industry. We appreciate it. David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri DGL Engraving Port Hueneme, CA

From:	Cindy (CINDYM)	21 Jul 2005
To:	Dee (DEENA-ONLY)	115 of 122

1603.115 In reply to 1603.112

Dee, when I think of all the information I have received from reading posts or in discussions on this forum, and the camaraderie in an industry where it is difficult to have a discussion about what we do with the average person not in the industry (they just don't seem to get what we do), I have to place a high value on it.

I'm sure I've gotten way more out of it than I've contributed. Like you said, a place to vent, encouragement to think outside our usual boxes, and meeting such great people. I had more fun this year in Las Vegas than in the past about 19 years I've attended the show there, all due to the people I have met through this forum, and the one on Yahoo!.

Thanks again to Chuck:) for starting this thread. And here is my contribution towards the 25 or so posts you need to achieve the status of the longest thread!

Cindy M

From:	Cody (BOBTNAILER)	24 Jul 2005
To:	ALL	117 of 122

1603.117
It would seem that I'm on the fence regarding a "pay" forum. There have been great arguments made each way. However, I haven't seen anyone seriously breach the option of the "donation" idea. That's the way that I think I'd like to see this go. I have gotten at least as much information out of this forum as anyone else here. Could I get info from somewhere else? Sure....but Jeanette Brewer would probably get VERY tired of hearing from me! :-( We are now making money doing things that we never would have thought about had we not been on the EE forum. My questions have far outnumbered my comments and suggestions. That doesn't even take into account the number of times that I've read someone else's question, and found that I've been doing something the wrong / hard way! If it went strictly pay, we might go away (depending on the cost, of course). However, we tend to be much more generous with our funds when we are given the OPTION to be. I have a good friend in the New York area that hosts a website that I benefit from (similar community). He told me (and others) about how much it was going to take to keep the site open for another year. When he asked some of us to donate, I was glad to help. Again, it's because I see a definite value. Bottom line: Someone has to pay to keep this forum running. Are YOU willing to pay SOMETHING (strictly voluntarily) to keep this forum running? This probably doesn't even qualify for the "2 cents" club, but it's all I've got. B-)

From:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	25 Jul 2005
To:	Cody (BOBTNAILER)	118 of 122

1603.118 In reply to 1603.117
Cody, It was in fact myself that breached the subject of donation 118 posts ago. You can read for yourself the results.... I'll go back in my corner now.... Oh, you two cents was more than two I think. :-)

From:	Mick	25 Jul 2005
To:	LaZerDude (C_BURKE)	119 of 122

1603.119 In reply to 1603.118

This is not the Salvation Army, Catholic Outreach or United Way. It is a site that for even $75/yr would be a bargain if you:

Read
Heed
Respond

To my way of thinking, a "donation" is just that, donating and not receiving. We all receive fantastic amounts of information here that helps our bottom line, might be time to "annie up" and pay a reasonable amount for that information.

Have you ever gotten a textbook free from a bookstore where if you learn something from it you should send a donation to the author to cover expenses ? Won't happen.

Mick
Specialty Gifts

From:	UncleSteve	25 Jul 2005
To:	Mick	120 of 122

1603.120 In reply to 1603.119
quote: Have you ever gotten a textbook free from a bookstore where if you learn something from it you should send a donation to the author to cover expenses ? "Steal This Book" by Abbie Hoffman For those old enough to remember...... ;-) "Genius ain't anything more than elegant common sense." Josh Billings
EDITED: 25 Jul 2005 by UNCLESTEVE

From:	Da Big Fish (JOHNFISH)	25 Jul 2005
To:	UncleSteve	122 of 122

1603.122 In reply to 1603.120
I remember when "Steal This Book" came out, I walked into a bookstore, asked if they had it, he said "Yes, but we have to keep it behind the counter." I asked for one, said thank you, and walked out with it. "If you give someone a program, you will frustrate them for a day; if you teach them how to program, you will frustrate them for a lifetime."