todd frederick Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 Since there is change in the air, I was wondering what is going to happen to those who are not new to Photo.net, but who have not subscribed, and never will. There are many long time Photo.net participants in that category. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawngibson Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 Hi Todd...long time! That'd be me for one. In the last 7 years of being here, I've made, with photography, well under $2,000 (two thousand) probably, in total. In the last year, I've spent well over $20,000 (twenty thousand) and in the last 7 years, probably over $50,000. When I started coming round these parts, it was very different. There were pros around, obviously, great ones too! but I don't even believe you COULD subscribe formally for the first few years I started. Needless to say, I've considered it many times, and indeed when I've been in a flurry of postings, I even feel guilty that I've not. But I wouldn't consider it (paying) NOW, i.e., in the last few years, unless a couple of things happened, largely a complete removal of the anonymous rating. Why? Because the last thing I want to do is pay for a service that therefore leaves me wanting to tell people, friends etc. possibly clients, to come here and take a look at my work, only to have them see a bunch of anonymous 1s, 2s and 3s on what to me should be a very important photo in my portfolio. If you had to be logged in, and you had to show your name and even maybe if ALL ratings required a blurb by the rater, I think the whole game would change, and I for one would sign up immediately, most likely. I don't hold off because of any sort of spite, I come from a time when it wasn't about money. I also come from a place in the last couple of years of wanting to MAKE money, with photography, and if/when that happens, my attitude would of course be different. You certainly owe those who help you when you are in a position to pay back. As it stands, I have $15,000 in loans to pay for what is essentially a hobby as I am not yet generating income, and when you think in those terms, suddenly it's not about $20 or $25, it's about a number much much bigger, and growing... I also think there are far too many idiots hanging around these days to want to consider locking myself into a membership and then having no say 'wow, that was a mistake' if the whole thing blows up. It's DEFINITELY worth making subscription manditory after 30 days, or you get the boot. That would make pdn most likely gain back a lot of the community feel it used to have. I would certainly subscribe then myself especially at the current rates. It's never been about a huge stack of photos, I have my own server...the community is what makes the site most valuable to me. And that is where it fails the most these last years, both in the gallery/critiques and in the fora themselves. A bit of a noodling post, sorry, but hopefully it makes a little sense. I know it has 2 points of view...oh well... Shawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd frederick Posted September 6, 2006 Author Share Posted September 6, 2006 Shawn, good to hear from you. I've been trying to keep a low profile recently! That's why I asked. I have many friends on PN who are not subscribers, for various reasons. With the push for income I'm wondering if they will now be pressured to subscribe or terminated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven_fuller1 Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 I thought that the mandatory subscription fee was just for newcomers...grandfather clause for long-time contributers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yanavas Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 Just my opinion, this site has great forum (free!) but too many weaknesses in other areas (too many to list here) to pay for. So why would I pay for something I'm not using if I'm getting for free what I come for (this is a retorical question, moderators don't need to answer)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatkins Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 I'd be very, very surprised indeed if pressure to subscribe increased. On the contrary, I wouldn't be surprised if it decreased. Don't read too much into my opinions though. I don't make policy here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
root Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 It looks like Phil is going to abolish subscriptions altogether and charge instead for photo storage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blowingsky Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 Jeez, we are talking about $25, not testicles... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gib Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 charging for subscriptions is detrimental to the community because it makes people feel entitled to anonymous screen names and mud-slinging. One I had decided to tear down the subscription system and charge people instead for disk space (photodb storage) P Greenspun on another thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawngibson Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 >>Jeez, we are talking about $25, not testicles... $25 IS testicles for someone like me...every spent $6,000 on a computer only to realize you still need to spend $1,500 more on RAM before you can even turn it on?...and all it is right now is so you can run Photoshop and make pretty panoramics and (sp)grandiosly-conceived 'art' which probably no one will like anyways? Suddenly you see every penny when you're dumb enough to be a digital ameteur...with aspirations...and no 'PhD' beside your name/title. Almost makes you want to try and make some money with your photography to cover your costs...sigh... (This post is meant in light-heartedly, for those who think I'm bitching...) Shawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawngibson Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 Make that 'amateur' who also can't speel... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawngibson Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 Yeah, momentary lapse of reason...you win:) Shawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blowingsky Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 I don't know who "we" are, but if, as you say, "we are talking testicles" it is too damn bad the Ed Sullivan show isn't still on the air. Your act is the only one that could follow the Beatles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philg Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 It is my hope that there will be no subscriber/non-subscriber divide soon. People who use up a lot of server resources with big files in the photodb will be asked to pay for their storage/bandwidth. People who contribute useful assistance to other members in the discussion forums, and stand behind those postings with their real name, will not be asked to pay. I don't worry about those who have never subscribed. I worry about those who have never contributed anything useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blowingsky Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Phillip, I know this sounds crazy, but see above. You are talking to talking testicles. I wouldn't even go near them with a hand puppet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnilssen Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 "I don't worry about those who have never subscribed. I worry about those who have never contributed anything useful." / Philip Well said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd frederick Posted September 7, 2006 Author Share Posted September 7, 2006 So, some will be required to pay and some won't. Who makes that decision? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afs760bf Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Never contributed anything useful, eh? I wish people would quit talking about me like that. Oh, and if this is supposed to be a place where folks can learn, it may be a while before useful contribution takes place. I guess we'll need a time limit for enrollees to become useful, or cash in their chips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
working camera Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Philip�s smack on target on this one� the site dichotomised into the haves and not haves. It produced an unhealthy atmosphere. If the site can get away from begging and cajoling for subscriptions that will make the place a lot more pleasant experience for many. C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mona_chrome Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 I hope it is only an anomaly, but I can no longer access my posting history, nor that of other non subscribers. I don't post work(no bandwidth) but do feel I contribute. If I can no longer access my history, what is the point?-- as I can no longer follow things easily. Now, how will I ever find the answer to this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blowingsky Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Mona, probably temporary. I have the same situation, maybe most / all of us do. Obviously, there is a lot of architecting and programming going on right now. Road work ahead. Fines increased in construction zones. Drive slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug bowles Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 "You are talking to talking testicles. I wouldn't even go near them with a hand puppet!" How about a sock puppet? (grin) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
working camera Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Ed the sock you mean? Testicles and Ed, that makes perfect sense. And yes the posting histories seem to be down More behind the scenes programming work I assume. C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee park Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 "...and stand behind those postings with their real name, will not be asked to pay." Several members gave valid reasons in a since-deleted post as to why they do not use their "real name." I'll save you the trouble of coming up with yet-another defense of your position on this subject by offering the analogy of having an unlisted phone number. We have to pay for that right to privacy, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee park Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Make that - "We have to pay for that <b>privilege</b> of privacy, as well." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now