What exactly is the rationale behind this pay for play move anyway? Is it recruiting? Is it some sort of filtering system? Is there some absolute reason that requires that particular aspect of moving to a new format?
MB
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:00:
Send26 -0700
From: ericwjepson@???
To: aml-list@???
Subject: [AML] Re: AML Discussion Board
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I'm a little surprised to learn that the membership fee is required to participate in the forum. I am a one-time and future member, but not a current member for many of the reasons I've already heard listed.
I think making the list a paying members' forum only is a big mistake. The new economy requires tons of free content in order to get people to pay for other things. Look at how bands have been working around the label system by giving away music on MySpace.
Now, since the list is readable by anyone who registers, there is some free content. But more than presenting content, a forum is about building community, and becoming part of a community requires participation.
Making parts of the forum such as introductions, events, reviews etc available for nonmembers to participate in is a good start, but I think the question that really needs to be considered is what purpose the forum serves.
I.e., is it a reward for membership or a proselyting tool?
One other thing to consider: not only are schmucks like me prevented from commenting, but a public, google-searchable forum like this may attract people looking for reviews of their new work. And if, say, Richard Dutcher stops by to see what his old forum is saying about "Evil Angel", we're much more likely to get a onetime comment from him if he doesn't have to pay $25 to do it. Same with a casually visiting Jared Hess or Scott Card or any other such-a-one.
Lastly, the more people who can comment, the more comments there will be, the more healthy and vibrant the community will appear, the more it will be seen as a force to be reckoned with.
Anyway, I'm still in favor of this move. If I'm not able to post for a year or so, I'll stop by once or twice a month and see what's up. If I can post, I'll be by a few times a week.
For what it's worth.
------e-
ps: keep up the innovating--it's what keeps us alive-----
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