Open Letter regarding subscriptions

[perkeleellinen]

I think it works out as about 35p per week for me. I can't actually think of much else I can buy for that price, but of course paying the full yearly fee upfront is a different matter. To that end, I did notice it's possible to subscribe for 3 months at a cost of $6 which helps to spread things out over the year.

[M.A.Longmore]

wow i haven't looked untill now and just realised i havent paid for my sub this year. i get so much enjoyment and help from this site. so i am renewing my sub right now.
mitch

.
Thanks Mitch !

Enjoy The Year End Festivities !


Ron
.

[Christopher Walrath]

It's a catch 22. You start cramming 'Subscribe! Subscribe!' down people's necks and the light goes out. You don't push it at all and you don't get any income other than those re-upping.

It is a personal choice as to value as mentioned a long time ago on this thread. I always thank people for subscribing but I never make someone feel uncomfortable because they didn't. There is an option to use portions of the site without paying after all. And many take advantage of that offering. I wish more subscribed. But I am thankful for those that do. And glad that everyone is here, regardless of membership status.

[Sean]

I really appreciate it guys. APUG is far from the cash cow some might think it is, so most of the struggle is finding that balance of subscriptions and advertising to keep things ticking along. After operating costs, NZ's not so forgiving tax rate, etc there is just enough for 1 person to make it. I would gladly hire a part timer or full timer if it were possible. I would say I made 30-35% more in my IT career vs. moving to APUG, but I am VERY happy to be out of a cubicle and able to spend more time at home with the family. APUG has never been about making money, it is about a personal desire to help keep traditional photography alive and well. I am very protective of the community and have worked hard not to exploit it -by keeping subs low and advertising rates low + targeted advertising to help our traditional industry. I have several side projects on the go and I hope for that to become my income instead of APUG. For example I have teamed with a high end NZ developer and we have co-founded a very interesting facebook app that is close to launch (unrelated to photography). There is also DPUG which may help finances. My ultimate goal is to slide into other areas of the internet for my revenue and make APUG a free site. Until then I can't thank you enough for the ongoing support.

Sean

[Christopher Walrath]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You say that now. ;p

[Jeff L]

I have learned alot from this site and the generous people that participate on it. It is the ONLY site that I pay for. Too bad Fuji and Kodak won't participate as well. Maybe it'd be preaching to the converted. I am glad that other film manufacturers support the site. I have a decent amount of Ilford in the fridge.
Thanks to all.

[lxdude]

^Ditto for me.^ Well, not the part about the Ilford in the fridge, but the rest of it.

[Dinesh]

While no one truly knows another's financial situation, it truly pisses me off to see people write about their multiple large and/or medium format cameras, 2 Leica M6's and other variations of G.A.S. without the courtesy to support the one guy who busts his ass and sacrifices so much in order to keep this site going. Hell, there are those who consistently use APUG as their personal ebay and never contribute anything back to Sean. Check the classifieds and you will see what I mean.

I guess in life there will always be those who are content to let others do all the heavy lifting.

[benjiboy]

While no one truly knows another's financial situation, it truly pisses me off to see people write about their multiple large and/or medium format cameras, 2 Leica M6's and other variations of G.A.S. without the courtesy to support the one guy who busts his ass and sacrifices so much in order to keep this site going. Hell, there are those who consistently use APUG as their personal ebay and never contribute anything back to Sean. Check the classifieds and you will see what I mean.

I guess in life there will always be those who are content to let others do all the heavy lifting.

I agree with Dinesh entirely, and it's also unfair to the members who do subscribe, many of whom are not as well off as the members who don't.