I've had some of the members say they would be willing to make a small annual contribution to support S2KI and offset funding shortages. I have always prided myself in offering the site to all owners for free and so have resisted this idea. A member suggested I poll the membership and see what the response is so here it is.

I still think that the site should be accessable without fee so this would be a voluntary contribution and wouldn't restrict access to those who haven't subscribed. I use the term subscription at random here, there are other terms that could be applied also.

I'll let the poll results speak for themselves. Please take a moment and cast your vote and let me know what your feelings on this issue are. Thanks for taking the time.

 

For a buck 66 a month? A nickel a day? I would.

I have learned so much in the past month about my S2k from this site alone, a nickel a day is a steal for this kind of information.

The reality is, it costs a lot of dough to keep this site going, and I'm amazed it's still free. I think it's great if it can be kept free. But if we're left to choose between not having the site because of financial problems, and having to pay an annual fee to keep this going, it is worth it. I know it's hard to hear this, and change is not easy, but nowadays - free - specialized information on the web is going to become a thing of the past in the not too distant future.

-V.

________________

'02 Suzuka Blue
'02 Bianchi Vigorelli, Campy gears, Koski stem, Mavic rims

 

What about just make it voluntary, like a donations box type thing? That way you would please everyone.

 

You could make it a once a year type thing. How many total members do we have? I'm honestly not sure what it costs to keep a site like this up and running, but I'm sure its not cheap. I'm sure most of us would pay a once a year fee or whatever.

I'll pay or donate to keep this site up and running.

-DK

 

O.k., I wouldn't pay for a subscription in the traditional sense of the word - i.e. paying for access to content. One, I don't think that S2Ki has enough "traditional" content to warrant a subscription fee and two, I think the biggest value that I (and most member) get from the site is the discussion forums and general community. If you limit the community, then you hurt the site.

Even with more traditional content, I'm not sure that a subscription would be warranted. HOWEVER, I think that I speak for many members when I say I'd be more than happy to chip in a few $$ each year to help maintain the site. I don't think I'd really expect anything special in return for that. However, if you were to arrange some additional convenience features on the site for contributors, or perhaps some special deals with sponsors (i.e. paying members get a better discount, etc.) it would be appreciated.

Some other things to consider is that if you add special content for paying members, that stuff will eventually be pirated elsewhere. I've experienced this with other sites and its impossible to stop - you're always playing catch up with those that steal the info. And if you charge for content, content contributors will often expect to be compensated. Its really a whole different business model which requires a lot of users to really make work.

So, where do we send the donations? :-)

UL

 

For what s2ki has done to help me with my car, $20/yr, not a problem. Probably saved thousands because of this board..My 2 cnts.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ultimate lurker
[B]O.k., I wouldn't pay for a subscription in the traditional sense of the word - i.e. paying for access to content.

 

'Bout time! I'd already posted my thread before I saw this.

 

I have mixed emotions on this. First of all, $20 or so a year is nothing -- I spilled that much in beer this weekend. On the other hand, I don't feel like paying for something others are getting for free. I feel like I've gotten a lot of useful information from the site, and in fact, it was the main reason I spent the $35 to join the s2ki thing -- knowing a portion would go towards the site. How's that for a good, I don't know answer?

 

I'd be willing to pay some fee for access. Not saying rob us all blind but equivilant to an average magazine subscription. Perhaps those that "subscribe" could receive discounts from sponsors or that sort of thing. Matt.