I don't see images in posts

[Richard Hutchings]

If I click on a link to an image I get a message saying I don't have permission to view them. I'm not a regular so that may have something to do with it.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Richard,

earlier this year IIRC, the rules changed here at SMC. Only people who contribute financially can see images. For a mere suggested $6 annual donation, one can send private messages and view images. This is in effort to support the rising costs of operating a forum like SMC. Personally, I have gained far more value from the civil exchange of information at SMC than a $6 donation would pay.

[Richard Hutchings]

Thanks Ken.

[Paul Dorman]

The message that appears to non-contributors trying to view a picture ("you do not have permission to access this page") has a link to "Click here for information on viewing pictures", but apparently we don't have permission to view the link, either, as it shows the exact same message.

[Craig Andera]

The message that appears to non-contributors trying to view a picture ("you do not have permission to access this page") has a link to "Click here for information on viewing pictures", but apparently we don't have permission to view the link, either, as it shows the exact same message.

Same problem - had to search a bunch to find this policy. Which I think is a very reasonable one. But I'm guessing a bunch of people will give up before donating due to the fact that the link is currently broken.

[Mike Turner]

Same here !!!

[Scott Donley]

Yep, looks like someone must have hit the wrong switch. Kind of hard to donate if the links to donate won't work unless you are a contributor. Catch 22

[Jim Becker]

The Donate button at the top of the page should work...and the broken link in the message has been brought to the attention of Keith and Aaron.

Jim
Forum Moderator

[Mike Thornbury]

It only seems to be the woodworking and handcraft forums that demand money for the most basic forum services.

In my opinion, shortsighted as it is the MEMBERS that make a forum. You want to attract members and by making you pay for something as basic as viewing images, you are alienating people.

For example, there was a question posted which I think I would have been very able to answer, but the question involved viewing a picture to make a determination.

So that post got no input from me.

I can understand not being allowed to upload pictures, but being unable to view them?

I've been registered here for a few years, but I won't bother in future.

This is how forums die.

[Phil Hansen]

In my opinion, shortsighted as it is the MEMBERS that make a forum. You want to attract members and by making you pay for something as basic as viewing images, you are alienating people.
I can understand not being allowed to upload pictures, but being unable to view them?
I've been registered here for a few years, but I won't bother in future.
This is how forums die.

I agree with Mike. If I cannot see what members are talking about why bother.
Exchange rates to other currency makes a big difference as well.

[John K Jordan]

...
I've been registered here for a few years, but I won't bother in future.
This is how forums die.

Time will tell. Before the new policy many people already chose to contribute voluntary. There was much discussion and debate and some complaining about this when the policy was initiated. The reasons were given for the change and they made sense to me. Many people were happy to send the less than 2 cents a day and continue to this day to make valuable contributions to and get value from the forum. A few people got mad and left. Life on the forum has continued.

I personally learn a lot from this forum and am glad to contribute my time and my money. I also choose to voluntarily support to other forums I visit frequently, even when not required. (I tip at restaurants and bellhops too.) I personally think every little bit helps to pay the bills to keep these forums open.

BTW, I understand a "Member" can still upload photos, just not view them. Contributing also allows posting to the Classifieds area to sell things and to send and receive private messages.

https://sawmillcreek.org/payments.php

JKJ

[Keith Outten]

I should add that you must be logged in to SawMill Creek to use the Donate link.
If you are not logged in the donate process cannot connect you account here to PayPal so it can upgrade your account.

[Frederick Skelly]

I've been registered here for a few years, but I won't bother in future.

This is how forums die.

We had a great deal of conversation on the pros and cons of changing SMC earlier in the year. Perhaps you werent logging on regularly then and missed them. I thought the matter got a pretty thorough vetting by the community by the time it quieted down. Points similar to yours were discussed long and hard.

As a result of the changes we lost several members whose advice I valued. But at the end of the day, it's like President Ronald Reagan once said: "No bucks - no Buck Rogers."

[Bert Kemp]

Why don't you make it mandatory for members to turn off add blockers and contributors can run them if they want. I've come across websites that throw up a popup that tells me if I want to view the page I have to whitelist it or turn off my blockers, can't we do that here for members only? I have turned my ad blockers off here and make it a point to spend a few minutes checking out some of the ad's.

[Jim Becker]

Bert, that is certainly something that's been discussed previously...right now with this older vBulletin software, it is less likely to be practical than when the time resources are available to migrate to Xenforo. That said, the ad-blocker damage is already done..."getting advertisers" is a lot tougher these days for forum sites for a number of reasons including the precipitous drop in click throughs in previous years. It's not just SMC that struggles with this... BTW, Contributors can already turn off ads if they don't want to see them.