I think Mark is right. I do not think this could be done economically. I have used small scale duplicators that would produce a good looking product, but I don’t think the cost of the duplicator could be amortized over a small enough number of CDs.
The enhanced sponsorship opportunities would be the most desirable as they involve no additional cash outlay, no inventory control, no shipping, no muss, no fuss.
While hats, shirts, etc., would be nice, there is a ton of work that goes into keeping track of, ordering, and the like.
I would not consider the tangibles until expanding the sponsorship did not come up to expectations.
yep. and lets suppose there’s no internet then what’s the use of having a vip account here or anywhere else. anything extra and there’s no internet. walk a mile in my shoes before asking silly questions.
One of my other hobbies has been Reef Aquariums, I have belonged to a forum for about 12 years (still check in periodically, even when I do not have an active tank) that has a pay and no pay version. What they do is based on the “search” function. Not being a web guy I will explain it the best I can, I do not know if members access a different search server or if they do it by account restrictions but basically pay members have priority to the search function.
I have been both a pay and non-pay member at different times over the last 12 years depending on cash flow, if I was not a "pay"member I might have to adjust the time I tried to use the search function as priority is given to pay members for the bandwidth.
Hopefully my explanation makes sense… This method allows everyone to use the same resources but you may have to adjust your schedule if you plan on a search intensive session based on your status.
There is no elitist mentality about being a pay or nonpaying member on that board, everyone is a member,it is more of a convenience thing. There was no difference in accessing active topics or posting.
That board is allot like this board as some of the most respected and educated people in the hobby, (biologists, scientists and hobbyists that have advanced the hobby immensely in the last 25 yrs) participate and are accessible.
Just another idea on how to maybe accomplish the same goal.
Here’s one simple solution, IF a set of CD’s would be done…
You give them away, and ask for a “suggested minimum donation” of say 5 bucks to cover costs. (Time to make them, materials, and shipping) Not required, but highly suggested. If you can’t spring for it, fine. Some of us would give $20+ as donation for sake of the benefit of the site, I’m sure.
Then you set it up to make a yearly or every-other-year “update” CD with the new material on it.
I would LOVE to have all the “Fly of the Week”, “Warm Water”, and “Just Old Flies” articles at my disposal in PDF on my laptop or printable version of some kind to keep in a 3-ring binder.
YES, I agree this is a “free” site and as I have heard LadyFisher say repeatedly, that isn’t going to change. However, if we could do our own little sort of fundraiser… why NOT?
That’s my 2 cents, whether ya wanted to hear it or not! G
A couple of posts sound a lot like the Shack Nasties have gotten their feet in the door here. Didn’t intend for that to happen at all. So I guess I’ll have to ask everyone to “Play Nice” or I’ll have to clean out the sandbox (I really don’t want to do that) Everyone get the message?
Thank you :lol:
Let the tempers cool please, this is still all in the investigating stage!!!
No two people are the same, it would be a very boring world. And we know not everyone makes the same wages, so PLEASE remember,