Location: North Carolina, USA (transplanted from Seattle)
Posts: 1,845
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Chinn
First I really have to question anyone's interest in traditional photography if they think that is to high. Folks we are talking 6.5 cents per day. Considering we are really talking about a $12 increase it is about 3 cents. Most of us can find that under the cushions and furniture at home.
The only thing I'll say about this -- interest isn't always the issue. My budget is so tight, it's been four months since I've bought a single roll or sheet of new film. Due to some generous gifts, I have film in hand at present, but no funds even to process the C-41 material; yesterday, I paid for negs and scan for a roll of 35 mm color film (that I can't process myself -- can't afford the chemistry, barring other issues), the first time I've spent money on processing since June.
If I had to pay $24 to renew right now, I couldn't do it; spending that amount would mean not paying some important bill.
And it's not, and has never been, a matter of interest, for me -- but we each have the budget we have; mine includes one income that, some months, requires trimming groceries to keep the lights on. It's likely to get worse, with health insurance costs going up every year, fuel costs up, other costs up because of fuel costs, and so forth.
If I have to abandon my gallery here at APUG because I can't renew, I'll regret it -- but I'll do it, because the bills are more important.
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Photography has always fascinated me -- as a child, simply for the magic of capturing an image onto glossy paper with a little box, but as an adult because of the unique juxtaposition of science and art -- the physics of optics, the mechanics of the camera, the chemistry of film and developer, alongside the art in seeing, composing, exposing, processing and printing.
I understand exactly what your saying, going into winter here in Northern Montana, my buying habits will change drastically, not due to interest, but due to budget constraints!
But I am sure some of us can help if needed, not charity, but investment into the quality information you provide.
From time to time, a google has led me to some facet of APUG. As I become more serious about something that has haunted me most of my life (photography, not subscription costs...) I appreciate the resources that are out there. All it took was reading the story of how Sean has worked to make this site available and strives to improve it for us, and conscience called to subscribe.
Yes, finance is a personal matter. All knowledge and resources are not free for it costs to provide them. Use of them often comes with an obligation, especially if we wish to see them flourish in the future. Or, being cheap, we could all wait until the site was filled with blinkey, colorful and obnoxious ads and popups to pay the freight. Subscription is definately better....
I agree with Laz, but I agree with Jim. In general, each person needs to weigh up if the subscription is worth it to them, balanced against their concience. There are exceptions, but the actual $$ can't be the issue for the marjority. I'd love to see some statistics of repeat visitors (members) vs subscribers. How many 'members' come here everyday?
It was discussed at length ways to accomodate people in Donalds situation and those where it's silly to send $12 (at the time of discussions) due to value erosion due to the cost incured in sending the money. Don't know what happened to these schemes, but it really can't be that hard to identify the CONTRIBUTORS that warrant assistance.
I don't know when my subscription is up but I'll be kicking in a few $ extra to cover the cost of transferring the money. Most non-US people also get gouged on the exchange rates once that Paypal charge hits our local account, but in my case, this is the 2nd site I've actually subscribed to since joining the www in '96 (the other one recently died.. reason unknown at this stage!)
Donald doesn't need to worry about renewal. He is a valuable resource to APUG (and any other forum he visits) and he will be taken care of. I do worry about others who might find the increase onerous but lets deal with that on a one by one situation.
tim in san jose
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