charging a fee to see a forum

[HowardH]

Besides woodworking, I'm also an avid photographer (I know, two expensive hobbies! [scared]) and for years I was a member at Nikonians.org.  I got as much out of that forum about photography as I do from WW from here.  I hadn't been out there in awhile and I was dismayed to find out I am forced to pay a membership fee of at least $25 just to view the forums.  I know it's expensive to host one of these sites but to now have to pay just to see it is very disheartening.  It didn't used to be that way.  If you wanted to financially support the forum you could which would get you access to posting photos and a few other perks.  However, if you chose not to or couldn't afford to support it you could still view the threads and posts.  I hope since Festool took over the ownership of this forum, it doesn't follow the same path. That would be a shame as money is tight these days and to have to pay just to view a forums content is simply wrong IMO. 

 

[peter halle]

Howard,

How about you spend your time here for free and share some of the knowledge that you got and shared from / with that other place.  Make your life simple - stay here!  ;D

Peter

 

[HowardH]

That goes without saying!  This place has cost me a fortune but it's worth every penny.  I plan to stay broke for years to come as Festool comes out with new things.  [tongue]

 

[chrisrosenb]

Besides woodworking, I'm also an avid photographer (I know, two expensive hobbies! [scared]) and for years I was a member at Nikonians.org.  I got as much out of that forum about photography as I do from WW from here.  I hadn't been out there in awhile and I was dismayed to find out I am forced to pay a membership fee of at least $25 just to view the forums.  I know it's expensive to host one of these sites but to now have to pay just to see it is very disheartening.  It didn't used to be that way.  If you wanted to financially support the forum you could which would get you access to posting photos and a few other perks.  However, if you chose not to or couldn't afford to support it you could still view the threads and posts.   I hope since Festool took over the ownership of this forum, it doesn't follow the same path. That would be a shame as money is tight these days and to have to pay just to view a forums content is simply wrong IMO.   

If you think that is bad, I have a cabinet design software program that if I want to get on there forum it would cost me $1,000.  [eek]
That is a lot of Festools. I decided to get the Festools. ;D

 

[score0matic]

wow Chris
that place sounds like a prime candidate for a cabinet software alternative  they could call it talkcabinetdesign.com [thumbs up]
Craig

 

[peter halle]

Besides woodworking, I'm also an avid photographer (I know, two expensive hobbies! [scared]) and for years I was a member at Nikonians.org.  I got as much out of that forum about photography as I do from WW from here.  I hadn't been out there in awhile and I was dismayed to find out I am forced to pay a membership fee of at least $25 just to view the forums.  I know it's expensive to host one of these sites but to now have to pay just to see it is very disheartening.  It didn't used to be that way.  If you wanted to financially support the forum you could which would get you access to posting photos and a few other perks.  However, if you chose not to or couldn't afford to support it you could still view the threads and posts.   I hope since Festool took over the ownership of this forum, it doesn't follow the same path. That would be a shame as money is tight these days and to have to pay just to view a forums content is simply wrong IMO.  

If you think that is bad, I have a cabinet design software program that if I want to get on there forum it would cost me $1,000.  [eek]
That is a lot of Festools. I decided to get the Festools. ;D

Was the software free?

Peter

 

[chrisrosenb]

No Peter it was not free.
I bought the software about 10 years ago. It was expensive at the time.
The $1,000 is there annual tech support fee & includes access to their support forum.

Chris

 

[justinmcf]

hi howard. this is a very interesting subject you have brought up.
if festool did start to charge for this forum, i would walk away tomorrow.
there is no way i should pay to talk to other people around the world.

regards, justin.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I doubt that forums that charge a fee will do themselves much good. People run away very quickly since there's so much other choices around.

 

[sw1211]

I seriously doubt if Festool intends to charge for the FOG.  I don't know what the costs are to maintain this on an annual basis but compared to the "advertising" they receive I'll bet the FOG provides a good return on their investment.  Not to mention it allows them to stay connected with end users.

 

[mastercabman]

... and for years I was a member at Nikonians.org.  

There's only one thing to do now,to convert to be a Canonian !  [laughing]

 

[alanz]

I'm not sure that one has to join Nikonians.org just to "view" a forum.  However, to llogin/participate, an active account is required, and that is on a fee basis.

My Nikonians account has been deactivated for quite some time, and I don't plan to activate it again unless I have a particular need.  I don't recall when they started charging a fee, but it seems like it was a while ago.

By the way, it's not uncommon for commercial companies to require a fee to participate in their forums (or at least you must have purchased/registered their product or paid for a support contract).  It is a little odd for enthusiast sites like Nikonians.org, but tiered memberships (where different levels have different entitlements) is not all that uncommon.

It helps to underscore the value of free, public facing forums and communities.  People have no idea of the cost and work that goes into providing these venues.  It's surprising they exist at all < vbg >

 

[bonesbr549]

I would hope they would not charge.  Why should they.  If you think about it a place like this and word of mouth can drive a lot of business. I first bought the ct33e and domino when it first came out and joined this forum. 

After listening, learning, and taking good advice, I have now added the TS55,of1400,mft3,quick clamps,ets150/3,T15+3.  It's like a dang drug dealer, got that first taste and now I'm hooked, and poorer to boot. 

 

[greg mann]

Howard,

Is Nikonians.org run by Nikon or is it independant of the company?

As far as the software site and tech support goes I see that a little differently. Most software companies charge an annual fee to maintain a revenue stream. This finances tech support and, in this case, may also finance the cost of maintaining a forum which they consider part of the tech suppot effort. They certainly would like to have money left over after the cost of the forum and regular tech support is paid for. It would appear that the forum might be part of their business model. It may be aggravating but not uncommon. If, on the other hand, you are getting annually updated and enhanced software as part of the package then I think you are getting some real value for which they have every right to charge.

 

[alanz]

Nikonians.org is not affiliated with Nikon... it's a private enterprise.

Some links that might help folk understand their approach.

Member benefits FAQ
Membership levels compared
Are you doing this for profit FAQ

By the way, isn't it nice to have the an area on the Festool Owners Group where one can complain about the way other groups operate? 

 

[HowardH]

... and for years I was a member at Nikonians.org.  

There's only one thing to do now,to convert to be a Canonian !  [laughing]

I wouldn't go that far... [big grin]

 

[HowardH]

It's strange that they will let you see the different topics but not the actual posts.  I can't even imagine the level of work that goes into a forum like that.  They have been around a long time and the level of expertise you can sponge off of is on par with the FOG.  I don't know what the answer is but having to pay just to look at the posts is very disappointing.  It's a shame, I really liked that site.  I guess I'll have to go find another Nikon enthusiasts forum or just suck it up, pay the $25 as my "tuition". 

 

[bruce-ter]

A fee can keep the flamers out of a forum without the admin having to do a lot of policing.  But the fee can keep a lot of good people out. 
I have been running a smallish forum for model airplanes for a couple years, the owner died so I work with his son on the site and forum.  I will be honest that the time spent 'volunteering' has been fun and a learning experience, but it easily can consume 20-30 hours a week that cannot be spent on models or other ventures.
Bruce

 

[Wonderwino]

I used to belong to nikonians when I had a "free" membership and actually spent much more than the fee in their online store.  I was about to buy a $400 ball-head there when they dropped me because I didn't pay their membership fee.  I bought it somewhere else a little cheaper.  I didn't mind paying a  little extra at nikonians because I thought that helped support the forum.  When they cut me off, I didn't figure that mattered anymore.