[quote]As far as Haelthcare goes... as long as we can go the store and buy cigarrettes, then drive across the street to get a baconator...... [/quote] Great stuff NT! :D :D :D You're a hoot!
[quote]I'm going to attempt to say this without soundint too arrogant: Having run a successful multi-million dollar business for a decade and a half, I think I have some idea of what made Stardock a success. Do not kid yourself that Stardock needs WinCustomize. It does not. Even if we didn't team up with deviantART, Stardock could still simply have a simple gallery ala Winamp and other such programs. Why do I see it this way? Because I know that a huge % of users come
[quote]I believe it was stated in Wom's thread (and I tend to agree) that many of those people would probably would have checked off "I will not resubscribe" versus "I will leave" The point was being made that as long as you keep up your ODNT you still have unlimited downloads with the only difference being the ads.[/quote] Yep, that's the conclusion some might have come to indeed. By "leave" I think they might have meant as a subscriber and not really stop coming to the sight at all.
[quote]I struggled to understand how a full on subscription drive was initiated, without first reviewing the terms,/conditions, cost benefits etc. and deciding at that point, whether or not they represented an acceptable framework to go forward with. Whether or not it was something that they were committed to and happy to present to the community as something that was sustainable.[/quote] Ditto that!
[quote]The point is, iyd kind of an idle threat.....Where can ya go that doesn't have ad's or just 1! [/quote] You assume that they actually HAVE TO go somewhere. Perhaps, they mean to just stop being a subscriber. I would imagine that there are a number of folks that do not view the subscription as a must have for a happy life and hesitate each time they sign up. Perhaps they would decide that this is just one more reason not to do so. If they already have the current subscriber ski
[quote]And thanks for the oppertunity to discuss the subscription issues in the Poll and thread.[/quote] Ditto that! ( except, thanks for the opportunity rather than the oppertunity) :) Love ya Zubaz!
Ooops.. please excuse me...I just read this entire thread and realized that I must be on the wrong planet! See ya later!
Good selection ID and congrats to all!
[quote]Without going into numbers, non-subscribers are carrying the bulk of the load now.[/quote] Certainly not on a one to one basis and definitely not on a direct cost basis in which they would also be the bulk of any cost increases. If not true, then why have subscribers in the first place? Would you prefer that we were all non-subscribers? [quote]It's the income from non-subscribers that are going to enable us to give more to subscribers. The placement of the subscriber
[quote]ust a couple of ideas. Maybe not very good ones, but I've had about 15 hours of sleep since Saturday so please forgive me...... [/quote] Good God! Get some sleep! [quote]To pick up with what Kenwas wrote, what would be some suggestions to Zoomba that could be used in transfering some of the cost of the site to non-subscribers, visitors or if we must, freeloaders? [/quote] Unfortunately, we do not have access to any facts, figures, demographics
[quote]Which brings us back to where will the money come from. [/quote] That is the question indeed, but I repeat: "The issue for me is that there seems to be a basic flaw in the subscription model and as a result the core subscribers must give more or diminish the perks to compensate for the increase in freeloaders(for lack of a better term). [color="#FF0000"]The real issue to be solved is why does not this increased traffic bring the needed increase in subscribers with it
[quote]Of course you maybe of the mindset that you believe no new revenue is needed.[/quote] To the contrary, new revenues will always be needed. After this "change" there will be new revenues needed next year and the year after, etc. It is the nature of the beast. The issue for me is that there seems to be a basic flaw in the subscription model and as a result the core subscribers must give more or diminish the perks to compensate for the increase in freeloaders(for lack of a better
WinCustomize Forums
Fine contributions! Well done!
[quote]Why do subscribers have to be the ones to always compromise here? [/quote] That is indeed the question and I also wonder how many are already subscribed well into the future in response to other promotions and challenges for support. I assumed there are quite a few who have already paid well into the future. Am I correct?
[quote]Yet the loophole, or I suppose a kinder term, would be qualification, does exist and has for some time. While I understand the sentiment, it allows Stardock room to say there isn't an absolute commitment, never to make any 3rd party promotions visible to subscribers. It has a bearing on how the proposal is approached...... and when put into the context of terms, the first thing I need to ask, is are the terms of this qualification being adhered to?[/quote] I agree with you as to
[quote]For my understanding ads and sponsors are not the same[/quote] Why so? I can assure you that when ever a company pays for a sponsorship it is expensed as an advertising expense. It is what it is. Let's not get into a discussion along the lines of "It depends what your definition of is, is". If the ads are no big deal to anyone, then the ad free implications should just be removed from the subscription description. The "that may hinder you surfing experience
I suggest you try Vue. It is the best landscape generating software and has software version for both pros and beginners. Here is another link in addition to the one provided in a previous post :http://www.e-onsoftware.com/products/ There are many forums and tuts available also at the site if you want to learn in a step by step fashion. Be sure that your hardware satisfies the requirements as mentioned earlier.
[quote]Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? [/quote] Sit back and keep your seat belt on! We'll get there when we get there!
[quote]As long as Zoomba keeps his word, and I am sure he will, I have no problems with it. [/quote] This really should have nothing to do with Zoomba keeping his word. Some one gave him the authority and someone can take it away. He could leave tomorrow for another job. The only thing that is certain is that everything will change. It seems there is a financial need for "non call to action ads" (called logos here). The earnings from the master's program, the subscription drive
[quote]A user vote? I'd call it more of a valued opinion. [/quote] I agree Zubaz and that was my point. I disagree that it would be a big deal "to those that have been subscribers for years" (I am one of those) UNLESS it was phase one of the slippery slope routine which it has been stated it is not. What's the big deal of a single logo stuck in the WC sidebar? None that I can see. It would keep the
This thread is getting hard to swallow! :d
If there were 3 million subscribers as compared to 3 million registered users we most likely would not be talking about the need for "supporter" ads to get to a break even position with only two employees unless Zoomba and ID get one hell of a compensation package! :D :LOL:
Well, seems to me if you don't have to do it, then don't. If it is essential for the site, then why ask? (or is this a notification?) Just get on with it! No big deal in the over-all scheme if things.
Congrats! A holiday season to remember no doubt!
[quote]But WC isn't a democracy, is it? No. It's a company owned and operated by individuals who have the right to set whatever standards and rules they choose. [/quote] Thanks for the insight. Of course it is not a democracy but like any good company is interested in the opinions of their customers as a part as they policy development. That is one value of this community.