• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Donations, Subscriptions, and Timing

I am on this site pretty much every day and have been happy to give a little cash now and then for what I have gotten out or AK. I know that everyone does not have the same amount of disposable income and may feel that $25 is a lot for the added benefits of sponsorship. I became a sponsor not for these benefits but just to show my support. To be honest with those of you who are not sponsors my AK experience has not changed since I became one. So for you that want to join but don’t have the cash now you can always join later to show your support.
 
just one man's opinon, from a business viewpoint...

Actually, I'm sort suprised AK has survived for 5 years relying essentially on contributions and some equipment sales and tee shirts through various platforms. My guess is the founder/co-founders/etc have not only donated enormous amounts of free time, but I imagine money as well.

In my experience, any business (which IMO is what AK really has to boil down to in order to operate), needs to rely on re-occuring revenue. Guessing what people might contibute ain't gonna cut it. They need to produce a saleable "product". The automatic subscribtion renewal is essential.

Any business has a fixed overhead. The Server(s), the V-bulliten costs, the Internet costs, a huge amount of people's time, all the stuff that will be there no matter if there's 10 members or 10,000. That's gotta be covered.

Asking for general donations from time to time as they do so politely, can't possibly be expected to generate a solid revenue stream to cover the fixed nut. They need a product or multiple products available for sale. Something they can rely on.

It's a tough deal to walk a fine line between operating as a business and delivering as a hobbiest site.

I think AK is on the right track with the subscription service and has the good of all at heart.

Hats off. :thmbsp:
 
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I think that I have been good at handing out free advice to AK members as well as getting my hands on some pretty decent equipment that was then sold for AK's benefit, and I am glad to do it. Maybe some of that was what got me the MOTY vote but that was not why it was done.

At my age anything that keeps my mind active and away from becoming a couch potato is worth the effort, even if work does back up from time to time. That said, this is a very unique site, Dave and all the admins amd moderators give enormously of their time and effort to provide a place where vintage audio afficiandos can get advice, support, a few laughs, etc. As one who once ran a private consulting shop I can tell you that most times free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it, just one of the things that makes AK unique, you don't find any Echo Wars on that other place.

Membership is purely voluntary as are donations, although with over 23,000 members one would think we would be rolling in it. You all have likely seen the PBS member drives - you know, where the 'basic membership' is over $100, they don't have the wit to simply suggest 'Please send what you can, every donation is appreciated.' They never used to thank "Members like you" until I suggested it to them some 21 years ago.

Well I too would like to thank all of you that made donations, it IS appreciated and don't think it is not. If that is what it takes to keep AK running so be it, it is well worth the price. You know, even a single dollar in an envelope would help, it does not have to beggar you, in fact we would be very upset to think that is what AK'ers are doing, this is the AK Family.

Soap box off.
 
Sleddogman, you will notice that many members sport the AK Site sponsor banner, in their signatures. Your donations entitle you to the use of that banner. I am happy to change your signature to reflect your support of the site.
 
luvvinvinyl said:
sleddogman, wear that banner with pride.
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Thank you kindly Mr. luvinvynyl, sir. I appreciate the gesture, but I've removed that big gaudy banner from my signature, as it just overshadowed the demure little Pony Express line. Besides, I was under the impression that Site Sponsors were the guys with the little banners at the bottom of the page (or one of the random ones at the top.)

What I've done instead was to click on User CP (control panel) and then Edit Profile, where I changed the Custom User Title from AK Member to AK DONOR. Not as classy as having a blue AK DONOR badge akin to the red one that Subscribers sport, but it gets the point across without visually cluttering up the overall message area. I would think that a similar blue AK Donor badge would be just as easy to create and display as the current red AK Subscriber one because the mechanism is already in place, so perhaps that could be a possible topic of discussion at one of the upcoming management meetings...
 
Njord Noatun said:
Is there a way to remove the big red "AK Subscriber" banner from the header at member's option?
Click to expand...

Sorry no. Not without removing the privileges that come with it.
 
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luvvinvinyl said:
As you wish, sir.

Management meetings? Management meetings. Hmm. Interesting idea.
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:lmao: That, Ernie, was a definite spit take.
C'mon, you can't fool me. This place wouldn't run as well as it does if there weren't meetings.
Regards from Tom
 
Awww, c'mon, ya bunch of ol' tightwads, Pony Up ! Where else can you get this much technical info, witty repartee', background information, & high comedy as you can right here ? Why, if you've read MY posts alone, I conservatively figure that would be the equivalent of getting at least a Master's...So, Howzaboutit ?
 
Listen to the man....

Sandy G said:
Awww, c'mon, ya bunch of ol' tightwads, Pony Up ! Where else can you get this much technical info, witty repartee', background information, & high comedy as you can right here ? Why, if you've read MY posts alone, I conservatively figure that would be the equivalent of getting at least a Master's...So, Howzaboutit ?
Click to expand...

Come on folks. It always the same ones that give. How about some of you newbies????

Eric:music:
 
Sandy G said:
Awww, c'mon, ya bunch of ol' tightwads, Pony Up ! Where else can you get this much technical info, witty repartee', background information, & high comedy as you can right here ? Why, if you've read MY posts alone, I conservatively figure that would be the equivalent of getting at least a Master's...So, Howzaboutit ?
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What he said

This Mods and Admins do an EXCELLENT job here, making this the best forum on the 'net. I see nothing wrong with what they have been doing, and they are doing it all for US! I support them 100%. It's not somebody elses job to keep this site going, it's up to the fine folks who frequent this forum.
 
I subsribed when I stumbled on it a long time ago because I relly enjoy AK and wanted to help out. Since then I have donated when asked to with no regrets. It still is the best entertainment/information value going IMHO.
Regards,
Jim
 
the new subsciption option

:yes:LOL, I saw the new badges with the signatures and thought, hmmm, I sent $30 again this year, how come I didn't get the recognition?
So I PM'd the moderator of the forum I visit the most, and was told I had to use the new subsciber path, so being the bone head I am I went and sent an additional $5 and expected to get the red badge of honor, but alas it didn't happen.
I was gonna PM again and instead decided to look before I leaped, totally out of character for me, and I found this thread....
Ok, it can wait till next time now, as I have given enough, and I think it's a grand idea.
Casey:yes:
 
I understand what sleddogman is saying, but I also have a greater appreciation for all the hard work every admin/mod has put into this site to keep it running. And I'm happy to do my part, even though it's been through small donations here and there.

I personally have no problem with the timing of the "AK Subscriber" campaign (since anytime wouldn't have been a good time). At this moment I'm experiencing some financial hardships of my own that need to be addressed first and foremost, so I can live with the fact that my small donations throughout my membership has been appreciated by the staff here at AK, thus I wear the big, gaudy "Site Sponsor" badge in my signature with pride! Right now I really can't swing a $25 annual fee (and it's not a lot to ask...it is an excellent bargain for what we are getting...24/7 usage with fabulous audio knowledge and experience from its members/admin/moderators). Later on down the road I'll make the contribution, not for the bright red badge and its many perks and benefits, but to allow this forum to continue for each and every one of us. I'm not a daily user of this site and I don't post often, but when I do, I know it'll still be here (as long as the server doesn't crash again) for me to learn and enjoy!

Here's wishing for 5 more extremely happy years...
 
nosirrah said:
:yes:LOL, I saw the new badges with the signatures and thought, hmmm, I sent $30 again this year, how come I didn't get the recognition?
So I PM'd the moderator of the forum I visit the most, and was told I had to use the new subsciber path, so being the bone head I am I went and sent an additional $5 and expected to get the red badge of honor, but alas it didn't happen.
I was gonna PM again and instead decided to look before I leaped, totally out of character for me, and I found this thread....
Ok, it can wait till next time now, as I have given enough, and I think it's a grand idea.
Casey:yes:
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The problem with folks not clicking the dedicated subscriber link is its not automated. It comes through looking like a donation. I have manually added your membership. Thanks for your support and welcome aboard.

Grumpy
 
to Grumpy

Thank you Grumpy, I appreciate it.
I really do enjoy this site and am approaching 1000 posts.
The only drawback is I'm running out of room for more gear.
Casey:yes:
 
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