This forum

[robjkmannering]

Yes, whilst donations are all well and good, it sometimes degenerates into "I paid this therefore why is it fair that others use it free?". I would hate to log on to see arguments as has happened all too frequently lately.
Surely, ten pounds a year for anual membership is a small ask and would generate more than enough capital?
Rob

[dseymo1]

Yet another, unrelated, forum of which I am a member faced a similar situation a couple of years ago. A large proportion of members volunteered to support hosting expenses voluntarily, receiving no special privilege for doing so. Costs were divided equally between the volunteers, such that each now contributes less than 50p per month (or the equivalent annually, if desired), which covers all expenses in full. There is no coercion for anyone to contribute, but, as here, most people appreciate the benefits of membership enough to be happy to help.
Personally, I would be more than willing to contribute in a similar way to this forum.
Perhaps a call for a show of hands might prove useful?
As regards rules, these are entirely Paul's prerogative as forum owner (regardless of funding). As is human nature, we no doubt all have our own views on how we would do things, but, apart perhaps from polite petitioning for change where a good case can be made, they are, in my humble opinion, immaterial.

[JoshWard]

Originally Posted by robjkmannering

Yes, whilst donations are all well and good, it sometimes degenerates into "I paid this therefore why is it fair that others use it free?".

The only problem then as Paul_RK has highlighted many use this forum for information every now and then, or about a one-off radio dragged from a relatives' loft. They don't want to spend £10 to find out about it.

BVWS ownership is a non-starter for me. I can't afford to join it and I suspect if this forum was BVWS run they would understandably want money to support it. I'd happily throw in a tenner per year for the forum (but that leaves the problem of those who join up for one or two posts), but not £26 for the BVWS. I certainly couldn't do this hobby without help from this forum, but I simply could not afford to stump up £26 every January, and after all it is young people who are the future of this hobby, they should not be allowed to be put off for financial reasons (hence why I believe the BVWS should offer a student discount... but that's another story).

Donations? Now there is a good idea, I could more easily throw in three fivers per year than £10 all in one go.

[robjkmannering]

Okay, proportionaly per month then. You would happily pay for solder, an iron, a test meter etc. Why not for valuable help and advice?
As for people finding things in lofts, why not pay a pound for the advice?
Rob

[MrElectronicman]

I have not been a member of this forum for very long, but I fully support its continuation, it would be a shame if it were to fold.

Like everything else these days, the world runs on money, so, "There is no such thing as a free lunch"

That being said, I don't know which would be the best way to go, either an annual subscription, or a donation. An annual subscription would ensure the availability of funds for the year, while donations could be a bit erratic.

But! you can count on my support which ever way is decided

[johnlees]

I have learned so much from this forum and have had so much help with solving problems from some brilliant people that I am more than willing to pay £10 a year for the privilege of using it. I would have spent far more than that getting things fixed by other means.

John.

[dseymo1]

As for people finding things in lofts, why not pay a pound for the advice?

I suppose the trouble with that is that, without prior access, they would be unable to judge the quality of potential advice. I'm not sure that I would pay anything to ask a question of an unknown and unproven group. Similarly, potential new members might reasonably want to browse and perhaps ask a few questions before deciding to contribute. Equally, how about the occasional specialist posters here, who are not regular contributors, but have been generous enough to share their knowledge when their subject has been under discussion?

[Paul_RK]

Originally Posted by robjkmannering

Yes, whilst donations are all well and good, it sometimes degenerates into "I paid this therefore why is it fair that others use it free?". I would hate to log on to see arguments as has happened all too frequently lately.
Surely, ten pounds a year for annual membership is a small ask and would generate more than enough capital?
Rob

And how! A glance at the members' list shows that (with the recent pruning of posts having taken its toll) 320 members have 165 or more posts to their name: some inactives there, of course, but only four of those ranked 301st-320th haven't checked in either yesterday or today.

I really doubt though whether funding by donations would generate any carping at all. Amounts would mostly be small, nobody would generally know who else had or hadn't helped fund the forum, and, if any individual happened to be minded to chip in a hundred pounds or whatever, he or she would realize they had done so from goodwill and a wish to see the forum thrive, rather than being under any illusion that they were part of an elite consortium who'd bought it

Paul

[JoshWard]

As stated previously I feel donations are the most sensible way to go, especially for someone living off a very small income such as myself. I can donate when I can afford it, rather than worrying about not being able to be a member for a year because my rent will be due or get books for uni etc.
It is for this reason as stated I am not a BVWS member.

Similarly when I am on a more financially stable base (not living off a student loan) I will be able to donate more...hopefully.

[robjkmannering]

Without wishing to sound harsh, finding the value of long lost treasures, is that not what auction web sites are for? I expect that many items that are valued here end up on these anyway.
Rob

[JoshWard]

Good point Rob! Sadly I think you are right!

Edit:
I notice we have 'Members: 13,081, Active Members: 1,718', can a blanket PM (or forum announcement) be sent round to those who are non active stating 'unless asked otherwise we will close your account on xth of x'? Would this help free up the server?

[ALANS ANITAS]

I have been a member for about six years and visit almost every day, sometimes several times a day. The only other site I visit as much is Ebay. Ten Pounds is about the cost of two specialist magazines. Therefore I would give up the magazines if I could'nt afford a subscription to the Forum. It's indespensable.

ALAN

[Paul_RK]

Originally Posted by robjkmannering

Without wishing to sound harsh, finding the value of long lost treasures, is that not what auction web sites are for? I expect that many items that are valued here end up on these anyway.
Rob

Even at the Hacker Radio Group - current values of most Hacker models should be relatively easy to investigate - we're always welcoming to anyone hoping to learn about or find a home for some stray item they've acquired. There are still a good many people for whom eBay is at least intimidating, and just looking there isn't always going to reveal to someone the difference between (say) a 1930s radiogram which somebody might wish to give a home to for £20 and one that would fetch £1000 or so. Most of us, I trust, would rather neither item went to landfill: information can only help to prevent that sorry outcome. Sometimes the "long lost treasure" will find its way to a member here. If instead it ends up being auctioned, who cares? Nobody loses...

Paul

[bobbyball]

Yes I would hate to lose this valuable resource and would be happy to pay a subscription!

Even via or through the BVWS?

Robert

[robjkmannering]

Of course auction sites provide details of what have been sold previously and what they fetched. Most items you see have been auctioned before.
Paul is right, some valuable items would then slip through the net as it were.
Anyway I think I have steered the thread off course enough so shall retire to bed.
However Paul sees fit to run his forum is not for me to decide but I would, and will, happily pay in which ever format is chosen. I think many others will too.
Rob

[Alan Stepney]

I agree that donations are better than a fixed subscription.

I suspect that some members may well be willing to donate far more than they would be williing to pay for a subscription.

At least, it is worth trying to see how well it works (or doesnt!)

[Radio_Dave]

And what's going to happen when a subscribed membership makes a profit, making it liable for tax? Who's going to remind everyone to renew their membership?

As I said earlier, I think the simplest option is to ask for donations, until the fees are met.

David

[Colin]

There's a core of around 300 regular users. A contribution/donation from the majority of those would easily meet the financial requirements of the forum. The forum could continue as is, without restricting access to anyone or providing those members who have made a contribution with any special privileges. I think that limiting access to paying members only will diminish the forum and if sufficient funds are raised from the core membership there's no need. I'm happy to make my contribution and share the forum with others who haven't.

Colin

[mickash]

It would be a great shame to lose this site. I visit most days and it has given me lots of useful advice. There is also the entertainment value of reading other peoples posts. I would really miss it if it disappeared!

Some members contribute a great deal both in time and knowledge in helping other people, even to posters who have just joined and might never visit again.

I try to contribute whenever I have anything useful to share.

The Forum is very well run, without the bad language and bickering seen on other forums. The moderators do a fantastic job but obviously they can't please everybody.

There are lots of ideas on how to continue, I hope a solution is found and the Forum carries on long into the future. I too am prepared to pay up to help.

Cheers, Michael.

[theoldtrout]

Many of us on this forum offer stuff free of charge, so how about asking for a donation from the recipient to fund this site?

I have no problem with paying a subscription because it would be a sad day if this forum were to close.