[scottishghillie]

Having read all the posts to date, I can see both sides of the fence. However, I will not be supporting a fee to keep the site going.

I havent posted a lot as I am just starting out and my technical knowledge so I am more of a taker than a giver (to quote an earlier post). I use the internet the same as I use a library. I need to find out about something, I go on line. I am a fishing guide and I am making lures for myself in an attempt to keep the cost of guiding down, as well as making them just for pleasure.


I vote no to change and subscriptions, at any level.

[philB]

Well Jerry, I have thought about this and have made up my mind. I find myself thinking maybe it aint such a good idea as, I have said before, some of the greatest lure makers on the planet are right here on this board, guys who, although they say you learn something new everyday, dont really have to learn from being here but willingly pass on their wealth of experience out of the goodness of their hearts. I wonder if they would still want to do that if they had to pay $50 for the privilege . As for me personally I would gladly pay a fee but I still have a lot of learning to do. Before the imposition of fees I would examine all other avenues first, an online shop appeals to me and with all these users has to be an option to generate income, the personal web page hosting also is something which has to have potential and would enhance the TU.

So after much deliberation I am going to vote yes as I believe the TU is worth the support and has got to such a level that it simply has to make some money, it is not unique there, but I have serious reservations about its effect. Reading between the lines I suspect the decision has already been made to have a fee system ?

[captsully18]

Help me! Help me! I am sooooo confused!!!
Now to get serious. I am about as computer illerate as anyone you will come across. Heck, I voted yes before I realized that all these comments were on here. That is the way it was laid out, so I thought........ See what I mean?
I have since read all the posts here and they present a lot in the way of pro and con. I am an old guy and don't really like change. Seen too much of it and a good bit was not for the good. I am really into this site and there are very, very few days that I don't visit. I post when I either have a question or a possible answer. I don't have a lot of experience compared to most of you, but have learned a bit via trial and error that I don't mind passing along.
As far as givers and takers, I think that was well covered in a thread of that name. Through the school of hard knocks (I have belonged to that school for many, many years) I have determined several members that only want to parade their talents and will answer NO questions concerning what they do. If you will pardon my speaking plainly, these guys piss me off. But that's just me, and I do move on. What I have found that is the most desirable is a big bunch of guys that don't mind sharing and helping out one little bit. In past year I have learned a ton of stuff, much more that I can possibly give back at this time. But I am willing to help any way that I can.
Jerry, you have listed quite a few changes that you have in mind. I can't allow mysef oppose change, but I don't necessarily agree/like it.
A lot of the guys that have posted here I consider "friends" and agree with what they have said here (Mark Poulson, BobP, Delw, The Rookie [aka Tater Head er Hog] to mention a few) And I am sure Dean McClain would have some input here as well. I will NOT presume to speak for him, but I do know he is having serious computer issues at this time. Hope he gets it fixed in order to post here.
I know I owe this site a great deal and would hate to see it taper off, but I am afraid that that is exactly what may happen in near future if you stay with the dues you propose. I think that the guys that are giving so many of us their talented input would loose interest after paying dues for a while, leave, and not return. Not to mention the "newbies" that would wander off to other sites, cause they didn't get the "nurturing" they wanted/needed.
Just felt like adding my input (good or bad) and not sure I have done a good enough job. But as I stated at the beginning.........I am sooooo confused!

Thanks for hearing me out

David

[Coley]

Well, well, well, we have indeed, two kinds of opinions, A "yes" and a "no",
and reasons why yes will fail and reasons why no is what I want.
Are there any reasons why "yes" will not fail. I'll give you one. We, as
senior members of the site seldom post anymore. Why?? because
we are sick and tired of the same old, same old questions.
How do you make a crankbait, does anyone of you realize how
long it would take you to tell someone how to make a crankbait.
I have responded to several questions on the site, asking for email
addresses to send info, with pics and explanations on how to do it.
Maybe 2 responded. My feeling is, "yes" it will help bring the seniors back.
I am all for it.

[Joe S.]

I think it is a very tricky situation, I am undecided at the moment, but can lean 60% towards the side of not registering for a fee.

I've been a member for a few years, I don't have a lot of posts in that time as I usually stop in a few times a week to take a peak and see if there is anything I can add to, or if I might need a quick answer to an issue, and also to just admire a lot of the work that is done by the members.

Unfortunately for me I didn't find out about this website until I already went through all my trials and errors in pouring. Have I learned some things since then, of course. But I also feel I may have helped a few as well. I feel this site is the best tackle making board on the net period.

But as some others have stated, I think in the beginning you will probably lose some valuable members due to the fee, but then some will stay.
Then you are going to have people stop by to figure out how to start making there own stuff, which initially is expensive, and on top of that they would have to pay a fee here.
I think that will turn away a lot of people from joining, even if it was cheaper than currently advertised.
Then from the lack of participation over a short period of time I think the participation from active users will decrease as well.

That's Just my opinion.

I also understand your position as well.

I believe this place is pricless as far as knowledge, but nowadays with the cost of things it's going to be hard to get people to pay, they might not get the same exact or as high quality of information, but they can get it else where on the net might just take a lot longer.

[rhahn427]

Originally Posted by redg8r

Done

Thanks

[hawnjigs]

Having learned my niche in tackle making the hard way by trial and much error, I'm here to share what I can to help others out. Sorry, but don't know if I want to pay for this opportunity.

[mrs.redg8r]

Hi everyone!

some of you know me and some don't. I just wanted to put a little two cents in. After reading the posts and understanding where everyone is coming from, you just have to take a deep breath and put yourseld in the big TU shoes for a minute.
You love this site and we love you. This has become more of a family lately than just a bunch of strangers looking for tips and tutorials and I think that is what keeps most coming back.
This is not something thought up overnight. The more is costs for the servers, new programs and tons of tedious hours to design even the last detail of this site, something has got to give somewhere.
Donation buttons = only a few helped. thank you to those of you.
I put up a shop full of TU merchandise after everyone said they wanted t-shirts and hats. I even announced that the proceeds would go to fund the site. I paid for the stock out of my pocket...only 6 people bought (a big thank you to those of you).
We don't charge alot for advertising and those of you who have ads are making more because of TU.
Even those of you who have used the classified ads are making money.
Jerry has some great Ideas that would benifit all of you. Especially those of You that are luremakers. It is so easy to say just do this or just do that. Software is expensive and those of you that have sites know what kind of time it takes just to code one page of ideas. It took 6 years to bring this site this far. and for the cost ...well it's not cheap. Everythings comes out of pocket for us and we have been happy doing it. There has been a continuing happiness from stories, jokes, picutres, and updates of the latest BIG ONE CAUGHT TODAY post.
No decision on the future of TU becuse it remains how it always has been....the decision is up to you....the MEMBERS

[Lbifisherman429]

I see where you are soming from but i think that alot of members will go else where to free sites

also a nothe rocnsern is how will the members under 18 pay?

[redg8r]

Thank you all for your opinion on the subject.

closed