(Poll) RFF Site Future...

[c.poulton]

Robert, there is that danger that subscription may turn new members away, so the earlier idea of a trial period is very valid. I know that I would be unwilling to part with any cash before having an idea if the site is worthwhile. With Sean Reid's site, you at least get some samples of his pervious reviews.

I originally joined this site as a RF newbe in so far as I owned an old Yashica GT, I wanted to move on but was unsure in what direction - I joined (for free) knowing nothing about the site but interested in hearing what other Yashica owners had to say. The site changed my whole attitude to photography, I refound my old enthusiasm for photography and after reading many posts I made the jump and purchased a brand new Bessa R3a - I have not looked back since then. What I am trying to say is that If I had to pay upfront from day one I probably would NOT have joined. However a trial period would have allowed me to see what the site had to offer. Better still, I think the idea of limiting non-subscribers to, say, 50 posts is an even better idea - if that's technically feasible?

I am not sure where the middle ground lies here - we have to support the site financially somehow, but without alienating any existing users, turning away new users or creating an unfair two tier system of membership.

I do applaud Jorge for allowing us users to participate in a discussion on the sites future - that bodes well for the outcome, whatever it may be?

 

[Sparrow]

It seems self evident that an up-front subscription would tend to reduce the registered membership over time. So if the aim is to maintained or grow the community then “read only” free access would need to be available to interested but non-registered users regardless of any other considerations.

There seems to be a general willingness among established registered members to contribute to the upkeep of the site the contention seems to be in how to do that while maintain the ethos of the community; therefore

• Compulsory subscription could easily be divisive among current members and discourage new converts.
• Tiers or classes of membership would be likely to cause friction between members.
• Provision for free access in some cases would maintain the egalitarian nature of the site.

I actually don’t like my own conclusion but how about a month or two free from your registration date before the “Please Contribute” Pop-ups start? And then annually thereafter

 

[Jocko]

I actually don’t like my own conclusion but how about a month or two free from your registration date before the “Please Contribute” Pop-ups start? And then annually thereafter

That was my conclusion too, and I don't much like it either. but, as I urged on another thread, the trial period has to be as long as possible; perhaps 90 days?

Apart from all that, this thread and its overnight counterpart show just how much RFF means to so many of us, and the discussion has been of the highest level. It's also intriguing to see the current number of new members introducing themselves, perhaps encouraged by the thoughts expressed here. My impression is that the RFF ethos is far more resiliant than one might fear. This community has a great future.

Ian