New Classified feature

[BJ Bignell]

Jorge,

There seems to be a lot of concern and discussion regarding these recent changes. Perhaps we all need to take some time, and re-consider the options, before charging ahead with any more changes. It seems like there's been no concrete plan for the future, and things seem to be getting a bit Frankenstein-esque around here.

May I make a suggestion (or two)? Suspend subscriptions for the enhanced gallery, and revert to the old classifieds for the time being. Allow yourself a week or two to consider the options, and then proceed with a simple, but solid plan. Consult with people who run other commercial websites, randomly poll members, meditate, whatever it takes. Find something that will meet your goal of making the site financially sustainable, and our goal of having a community where we can visit, learn, and share.

When you're ready, just do it! Don't proceed piece-meal; just implement the change(s) all at once, and be done with it. Change is good, but too many changes make people uncomfortable and insecure. Too many seemingly random changes may also send the wrong message, regardless of any good intentions.

Thanks for all your work so far, in both creating this site and trying to make it work. I appreciate this community, as do many many others, I'm sure.

Cheers,
BJ

 

[markinlondon]

Tom and Frank have said everything I could wish to say about this. Subscriptions are one thing, but...

Mark

 

[flashover]

I have been cured now I have GSS (gear selling Syndrome)

 

[dreilly]

I agree with those advocating a yearly membership at two levels.

I also agree that change needs to be incremental, and perhaps Gabrielma's idea of a support drive for the short term is a good idea, while everyone puts their heads together.

That being said, I want to reiterate what a cool place this, what a cool place you've created, Jorge, and thank you. I can partially imagine how stressful this is. Almost all of the above comments have been made, I sense, out of love, (okay, sounds cheesy, but how about "communitas".) We all want this place to continue to be special and also want you to continue to be sane.

cheers
doug

 

[pesphoto]

That being said, I want to reiterate what a cool place this, what a cool place you've created, Jorge, and thank you. I can partially imagine how stressful this is. Almost all of the above comments have been made, I sense, out of love, (okay, sounds cheesy, but how about "communitas".) We all want this place to continue to be special and also want you to continue to be sane.

cheers
doug

Yes, an important fact to remember for us all.

 

[Gid]

If you go over to DSLR exchange I imagine that you'll get a feel for how RFF was in the beginning. Small scale, close knit, more like friends chatting in a bar. You tell your friends about it because you'd be happy to see them there, you can vouch for them. Then they tell their friends and they tell their aquaintances and publicise it at work etc etc. It grows, you suddenly don't know everybody and they don't all share your point of view and it gets uncomfortable. Then you have to start policing it and then the sheriff needs deputies because of the growth in popularity. We are a victim of our own success - it was a one horse town and now its a small city. If you wanted it to stay exactly the same, you should have kept quiet about it 😉

In spite of the comments about behaviour deteriorating, I think that is fairly limited and generally well managed. The vast majority of members here are A1. Giving freely of their advice and support. Sharing our enthusiasm for our new purchases. This is still a very nice place. It will be sad if some members feel the need to leave because we have to pay for the privilige of being here. My guess is that if we don't pay $ then we'll pay with an erratic service. We could of course all make a one time donation and then close membership 😉

 

[Traut]

Jorge,

Can you unlock / restore the Medium Format forum please. I have cameras listed with specifics I need to move. Than you.

 

[ch1]

Just saw this - seems as if Jorge's had his "thinking cap" on. 😉

I think this is a great feature - far more of an "incentive" to a larger group than just enhanced Gallery privileges.

And it's fair. Yes, you "pay to play" but you also do the same many times over when you list on eBay.

What I particularly like is that it serves our rather narrow "niche market" quite effectively. Searching on eBay for RF items is a PITA. Here it will be much more "one stop shopping". 😎

Since I'm more likely to be a buyer (that GAS thing, you know) than a seller, I'll be looking frequently! 😱

 

[FrankS]

I would be willing to financially support a member who can not currently manage a yearly membership fee. I'm guessing there are other members who would do the same for others in that situation.

 

[Pherdinand]

a fee to pay to rff i find okay, but bidding option - not okay. This place was nice for the friendly atmosphere and deals that made people happy on both sides. There are even people with good reputation regarding the deals.
I would not want to compete with any of the nice rff buddies to buy something, and end up in a bidding war or use dirty sniping tricks or such. It makes the place a bit less personal and friendly.
But that's just my view.

 

[FrankS]

a fee to pay to rff i find okay, but bidding option - not okay. This place was nice for the friendly atmosphere and deals that made people happy on both sides. There are even people with good reputation regarding the deals.
I would not want to compete with any of the nice rff buddies to buy something, and end up in a bidding war or use dirty sniping tricks or such. It makes the place a bit less personal and friendly.
But that's just my view.

Not just yours, Pherdinand. These are the feelings of many of us.

 

[back alley]

If you go over to DSLR exchange I imagine that you'll get a feel for how RFF was in the beginning. Small scale, close knit, more like friends chatting in a bar. You tell your friends about it because you'd be happy to see them there, you can vouch for them. Then they tell their friends and they tell their aquaintances and publicise it at work etc etc. It grows, you suddenly don't know everybody and they don't all share your point of view and it gets uncomfortable. Then you have to start policing it and then the sheriff needs deputies because of the growth in popularity. We are a victim of our own success - it was a one horse town and now its a small city. If you wanted it to stay exactly the same, you should have kept quiet about it 😉

In spite of the comments about behaviour deteriorating, I think that is fairly limited and generally well managed. The vast majority of members here are A1. Giving freely of their advice and support. Sharing our enthusiasm for our new purchases. This is still a very nice place. It will be sad if some members feel the need to leave because we have to pay for the privilige of being here. My guess is that if we don't pay $ then we'll pay with an erratic service. We could of course all make a one time donation and then close membership 😉

very close to the how of how we got here.

it seems the reality is that we are changing, have changed.
it now is much more expensive to run this site.
jorge could be driving a very nice car if the money went to a car payment rather than to the running of this site.
i'm not suggesting we buy him a car...😉
but to keep the site going some form of income, other than advertising, has to happen or we will go bust.
i'm not smart enough to know what is best but listening to all of you, it seems that a small subscription is the most popular.

we could keep the $25 gallery upgrade and that could include the subscription charge and charge a lower ( 5 to 10 buck) for a basic subscription, which would include everything we have have to date.
i strongly suggest that there be no icons or signs publicly showing the difference in membership.
the gallery upgrade is an upgrade in perks not an upgrade in personality or status. we are all rf lovers and that should be enough for people here.

this is just my suggestion.

joe

 

[Gid]

Joe,

Perfect. Definitely agree about declaring status - its potentially devisive.

 

[back alley]

thanks gid.

anyone else on board?
joe

 

[markinlondon]

(BIG snip)

i strongly suggest that there be no icons or signs publicly showing the difference in membership.
the gallery upgrade is an upgrade in perks not an upgrade in personality or status. we are all rf lovers and that should be enough for people here.

this is just my suggestion.

joe

I'll second that, Joe. Those who have opted to pay the $25 know who they are and should need no public display of that status. It leads to bad odour on Pnet, I wouldn't like to see it happen here. Like Tony Hancock we'll have to make do with a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Mark

 

[dreilly]

Gman wrote: The fact that I would not be able to pay it, doesn't keep me from wanting the best for the rest of the board.

I think we could get a few people to kick in for your subsription, Gman! You're too valuable to this community to lose, and you give much more to all of us.

 

[Traut]

Where is the Place Ad button? Thanks

 

[FrankS]

thanks gid.

anyone else on board?
joe

I'm 100% with you on this!

 

[KoNickon]

Joe's thinking is right in line with mine -- a basic and premium level of membership, and let's return the ad listings to the way they've been, without the bidding concept.

 

[Pherdinand]

I'd also contribute to gman's membership feel, Frank, if that's what you mean😉