paid membership - would you?

[rachbon]

I think as soon as you start charging people for what was once a free service ( without sunstantially offering a better service)... footfall/fingerfall drops.

[eFestivals]

Yep, that's what I meant. I've just always liked the design of the efests dancing man. The 1st time I saw it I was trying to figure out a way to make it into a tattoo but gave up as it was too simple and don't have any space where the shape would be effective.

ahhhh, right.

Long in the past (when efests was owned by the original company [including me] which set it up) we sat around and tried to work out what a 3D dancing man would look like and how we could make one (we were thinking of having a person dressed as the dancing man walking around fests) - and gave up. I'm not sure that there's really a way to make a suitable 3D version.

As for a tattoo, one or more of the henna tattoo stalls that are seen at fests have added it to their book of designs that they'll do for people (so check their design books when you see the henna stalls), and the others will (I believe) happily do one if you give them the design you want done.

[ampersand]

ahhhh, right.

Long in the past (when efests was owned by the original company [including me] which set it up) we sat around and tried to work out what a 3D dancing man would look like and how we could make one (we were thinking of having a person dressed as the dancing man walking around fests) - and gave up. I'm not sure that there's really a way to make a suitable 3D version.

As for a tattoo, one or more of the henna tattoo stalls that are seen at fests have added it to their book of designs that they'll do for people (so check their design books when you see the henna stalls), and the others will (I believe) happily do one if you give them the design you want done.

[jump]

ahhhh, right.

Long in the past (when efests was owned by the original company [including me] which set it up) we sat around and tried to work out what a 3D dancing man would look like and how we could make one (we were thinking of having a person dressed as the dancing man walking around fests) - and gave up. I'm not sure that there's really a way to make a suitable 3D version.

As for a tattoo, one or more of the henna tattoo stalls that are seen at fests have added it to their book of designs that they'll do for people (so check their design books when you see the henna stalls), and the others will (I believe) happily do one if you give them the design you want done.

[sifi]

Ah, I didn't consider what it would look like in 3D. I've given up on the tattoo idea years ago, it would look too out place with my other pieces now.

Out of curiosity who came up with the design of the dancing man?

[eFestivals]

Out of curiosity who came up with the design of the dancing man?

it was originally a design in a book of royalty-free-use clip art which I used on the glastonbury website that pre-dated efests. Then when i was setting up efests I tried to come up with a logo design for it based on stages/tents/people and failed dismally (not that surprising, it's not my strong point), and then remembered the dancing man and thought I'd use that instead.

The design was altered slightly from the original in the clip art book for it's first use on efests, and the design has been altered again, so there's actually two versions in use on efests.

The animation of the dancing man that used to be used at the top of page was something I did myself - and considering my lack of design skills I'm quite proud of how well they came out.

[gratedenini]

that's not what neil has suggested doing though. the services that are currently free will remain free, and people have the option of paying for extra services.

[gratedenini]

as nothing like that is what I'm thinking of doing, the above is completely irrelevant.

those who wish to.

a number of people moaned that at the times when these forums are most useful, they're likely to be as good as unusable for some people, because the numbers trying to log on slow everything down.

Extra spending on beefier or more servers can't be justified within the turnover levels that the company has to work to for the small number of occasions that the high traffic causes the problems. When this was explained to those who were moaning, a few people took the time to suggest a paid membership scheme with added benefits along the lines I've given here, so I'm investigating how good an idea it is in reality.

It's called 'listening to your customers' - at least, the ones with the brain power to think a little beyond what you've managed with your instant dismissal.

your presence here proves you wrong.

It's a question I answered when starting this thread.

Just because you might have no interest yourself in wet fish doesn't mean there's no market for wet fish.

[pehaw]

Yep, the suggestions came about because of the Glasto ticket day moans.

And yes, if there's a method via which those deserving of better forum access can be identified - which a paid membership scheme achieves - then it's very easy to give those people that better access. That's a part of the reasons why I'm giving this idea the consideration that I am.

[wheelie123]

as nothing like that is what I'm thinking of doing, the above is completely irrelevant.

those who wish to.

a number of people moaned that at the times when these forums are most useful, they're likely to be as good as unusable for some people, because the numbers trying to log on slow everything down.

Extra spending on beefier or more servers can't be justified within the turnover levels that the company has to work to for the small number of occasions that the high traffic causes the problems. When this was explained to those who were moaning, a few people took the time to suggest a paid membership scheme with added benefits along the lines I've given here, so I'm investigating how good an idea it is in reality.

It's called 'listening to your customers' - at least, the ones with the brain power to think a little beyond what you've managed with your instant dismissal.

your presence here proves you wrong.

It's a question I answered when starting this thread.

Just because you might have no interest yourself in wet fish doesn't mean there's no market for wet fish.

[ampersand]

den, the numbers won't dwindle. least they won't as a direct result of this. me paying and you not doesn't alter anything that you have just now for free. you will be getting the same service. i will just recieve a few perks.

[brighteyes]

Not sure if I would or not. The extra services would have to justify the expense, and I can't really think of any extra services that would appeal to me.

[Tomo18]

id probably just not bother coming on if i had to pay..i dont really post that ofen as it is any more

only thing i would pay for is if there was a good app for a blackberry which have me festival line ups and rumours and the forum to check...maybe

Edited November 24, 2010 by Tomo18

[rexclark]

id probably just not bother coming on if i had to pay..i dont really post that ofen as it is any more

[Tomo18]

But you wouldn't have to pay, the forum as it is would stay the same and be free, if you did pay you would get access to exclusive content on the site as Neil has mentioned.

[sifi]

fair enough..i just probley wouldnt get the exclusive stuff then..unless it was mind blowing

[eFestivals]

Typical example of your 'customer service', complete with your usual condescending smilies.

A typical example of my customer service perhaps, but your point only has relevance if you think that all stupidities of customers should be pandered to. I certainly don't.

The customer is not always right, as Den's utter failure to match his words with the facts I'd stated gets to show. He feels it's his right to make that failure and post as he did, no different to me feeling that it's fair enough tgo point out his failure.

[eFestivals]

The whole point I`m making (imo) is that if you start charging for anything on here which isn`t super-dooper dogs bollocks material , then I suspect numbers will begin to decrease.

yes, I#'m well aware that you have your fantasy views of what happens here, you've been there before and I'm guessing you're of the belief that if you say it enough times you might eventually be right.

[t8yman]

I would pay, one feature that would make me pay would be an "ignore thread" option. I really dont need to see a football thread, a singles thread, a wrestling thread, and many other threads that hold no interest for me every time I visit.

The extras you listed dont really interest me apart from the monthly prize draw, a members only forum would kill wibble off, but I dont think that would make a massive difference, because I used the forum for a few years before I even started using wibble regularly.

I havent got the time to read the full thread, but I read someone posting about payment methods? if it hasnt been mentioned yet, you can set up recurring payments via paypal subs.

Edited November 25, 2010 by t8yman

[sifi]

Maybe Neil could charge for a private members forum where he promises to engage in discussion in a sickly sweet sacharine fashion instead of speaking his mind?

[eFestivals]

Maybe Neil could charge for a private members forum where he promises to engage in discussion in a sickly sweet sacharine fashion instead of speaking his mind?

PMSL.

[Paul ™]

Maybe Neil could charge for a private members forum where he promises to engage in discussion in a sickly sweet sacharine fashion instead of speaking his mind?

[eFestivals]

I would pay, one feature that would make me pay would be an "ignore thread" option. I really dont need to see a football thread, a singles thread, a wrestling thread, and many other threads that hold no interest for me every time I visit.

That's a fine idea, but it's not within the forums software feature-set and I'm far from keen to start hacking the forums software because even if I achieved a perfect implementation of what you're wanting I'd be needing to do it again and again and again with each forums software upgrade.

I havent got the time to read the full thread, but I read someone posting about payment methods? if it hasnt been mentioned yet, you can set up recurring payments via paypal subs.

ahhh, that's very useful to know, thanks.

[Paul ™]

Only problem with Paypal subs is that eFestivals would need to pay to receive those transactions am sure.. Though no idea if other methods would not incure some costs either.

[ampersand]

if it was paypal only, i'd be out. i refuse to use it anymore.