What has happened at Popular Woodworking magazine?

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Like John Kee, I wish you good luck, but I will bid you adieu...

You might at least consider Hilton's suggestions above, if you expect to ever attract a new member...

Cheers....life is short, I've better ways to spend my time, than browsing an internet forum that doesn't appreciate it's visitors and members in any measurable way.

Adios Steve.

[Pete Taran]

Guys, maybe I'm old fashioned, but in the world where it will be hard to attract new members in the new pay to play regime, might not be the best idea to chase away current members with "what have you done for me lately" posts. I think they call this throwing gasoline on the fire.

[Derek Cohen]

... 170 posts in 12 years ...

Obviously a s-l-o-w reader ....

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Derek Cohen]

Bottom line, friends ... the forum needs to be financed, and Keith needs both an income and time to live.

There are a number of different models for doing so. Keith needs to pick the best:

1. It is possible that the costs could be reduced significantly with the forum being hosted differently (via a specialist organisation, but still under Keith's control).

2. Software detecting adware is important if adverts drive finances. Switch the adware off to browse the forum. Get blocked otherwise. That is doable.

3. Even so, finance must come in, and adverts may not be enough to support the forum. Only Keith can decide on what a fee should be, but whatever it is the process must not dissuade visitors ... who are prospective members. Membership is important to grow or sustain this forum (and we all want that).

4. My suggestion is a trial period for new members, and a set fee for existing members. Keep this reasonable. One wants to retain members, not force them away.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Frederick Skelly]

Guys, maybe I'm old fashioned, but in the world where it will be hard to attract new members in the new pay to play regime, might not be the best idea to chase away current members with "what have you done for me lately" posts. I think they call this throwing gasoline on the fire.

Point taken Pete. Post deleted. Didn't mean to be an "anatomical part".
Thanks man.
Fred

[Kurt Cady]

Based on the responses from ownership, maybe SMC needs to be sold while it is still worth something

[Warren Mickley]

There are a lot of blowhards on any forum. There is no virtue in making thousands of posts. We should be celebrating those who show restraint in their posts, rather than those with verbal diarrhea.

[Frederick Skelly]

There are a lot of blowhards on any forum. There is no virtue in making thousands of posts. We should be celebrating those who show restraint in their posts, rather than those with verbal diarrhea.

Thanks Warren.

[Jerry Olexa]

This is not meant to be critical or sarcastic but I find in life, there are generally two types of people: "givers" and "takers"...
This thread has provided more evidence of these differences.... Oh well.

[Edwin Santos]

If this forum were really a business, then I wish someone in a leadership position would just make a decision and get on with it. Even the wrong decision would probably be better than death by a thousand cuts.

Lots of valid points notwithstanding, discussions like this thread make it seem less like a business and more like a homeowner's association.
Nobody seems to leave HOA meetings happy.

If the status quo is not an option, then make the best decision you can, throw a stake in the ground and let's see what happens. Might be pleasantly surprised.

Edwin

[Simon MacGowen]

There are a lot of blowhards on any forum. There is no virtue in making thousands of posts. We should be celebrating those who show restraint in their posts, rather than those with verbal diarrhea.

May be that is the difference between having something to say, and having to say something. Almost all sharpening threads fall into the latter category, no matter how they end.

Simon

[Thomas Crawford]

So I dropped down to the bottom of this thread looking for a pop wood update...and it looks like SMC also has issues.

As someone that has mostly lurked for 10 years I'd be happy to chip in something but never really knew if it was needed or what it got you, etc. I think some clear communication on that would help. An email to all registered users would be fine, I can't remember ever getting emails before so wouldn't feel like spam.

I will say its worth comparing to mobile app economics. Most of those have gone to a voluntary subscription model (the developer of Overcast has written/talked extensively about this). Locking out non-paying users would almost certainly kill this forum. Just make a tiered voluntary scale and be up-front about how many people you need in each tier to keep the doors open.

[Lee Schierer]

As someone that has mostly lurked for 10 years I'd be happy to chip in something but never really knew if it was needed or what it got you, etc.

Basically for years SMC was supported by advertisement revenue. Adblockers have put an end to that source of income. Note: My ads are turned on and I contribute for more than one user.

What do you get: For a mere $6.00 per year (50 cents per month) every member can insure that SMC is here to lurk or contribute via posts for the future. If SMC doesn't save you at least $6 on a project, save $6 worth of time, prevent $6 worth of injury or provide $6 of entertainment per year, then don't contribute. Most folks spend at least $6 a week for snacks or refreshment of some sort.

[Stewie Simpson]

What you don't do is treat the membership like mushrooms.

Of the 116,124 registered members, under 1.2% are financial contributors.

reference post #54; https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread....ed-forum/page4

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Stewie,

No company, including SMC, has an obligation to show you it's financial statements. That is not treating membership like mushrooms. That is just common business practices. Your contribution is nothing different than purchasing a subscription to a magazine. The publishing company has no obligation to show you their financial statements.

Here is my understanding. The amount of revenue being generated by paid advertising is decreasing to the point where SMC may not be able to stay afloat in the future. Keith is considering going to a "pay-to-play" format. The Creek may get smaller and if it does? Keith might be able to reduce the costs of the bandwidth needed to support the Creek's data flow.

I know one thing. Continued caustic attacks and demands on Keith could make him decide it's not worth the personal grief and effort. He might just let it dry up.