Google and the open web... round #2

[vp999]

I'd be more than happy to become a paying member of this awesome community.

 

[MalsRFun in TN]

I would be glad to pay a reasonable fee to keep from the ad mess I encountered this morning. It wouldn't be different than the many people now charging on Patreon and Substack.

 

[SailDesign]

This stage of things is difficult.

As a beginner in the Bonsai hobby, I came here for two main things. Community and information/teachings/lessons/resources.

I do not feel like I am part of the greater community here. Between my (beginner) skill level, experience, and material I seem to find very little to no interaction. There may be more to it than that, no doubt. That's only to say that I would not pay for the level of community that I find as a beginner. Admittedly, that's what groups and clubs are really for.

Being a fly on the wall of those who are interacting is helpful, but starts to tip into a resource category and not a community interaction. That said, I would absolutely pay for the resources and information. No question.

The main distinction I make is in identifying who the site targets when monetizing. What's the product being sold?

I share this from a point of conversation and dialogue, not one of complaint or otherwise. This site is a bright spot in an otherwise dark sea of internet garbage...

As a relative newcomer here, and back into bonsai after 30 years "off", I hear what you say. But.....

I find the best way to feel part of the community is to interact in the threads that are not specifically about bonsai - the humour thread (with or without arguments) and the "what did you do today" thread are great places to get to know people. Or more importantly, for them to get to know you. As you grow into the hobby, your questions and comments will begin to be more informed and things will take off. It's a slow process anywhere, usually, but it works. It's like moving to a new town and a different pub.

That said, I would be happy to pay a yearly membership - I do on most other fora I frequent.

 

[JeffS73]

Sign me up! I've got back-years to pay as well.

 

[Ruddigger]

I think the point of the pay wall was go block the site from AI scraping.

 

[SFDrake]

I'll pay for a subscription, and i just figured out how to donate to the site. Thanks!