Without adding to the fuel on the flamewar fire,... But yes, if people don't want to become a financial member, there is nothing stopping them from reading the list still and deciding if/when they require help, they can then sign up.
There is a lot of cost involved in running the list, hosting, and other costs. Let alone the time and resources that the Committee put in behind the scenes. (of which they receive no monetary reward, it's all their time and resources put in for free). There is no "real" advertising on this list. (Have you been to some of the other lists that have advertising everywhere?). Plus you only have to look around at other support costs. Apple charge $99 per incident outside of Applecare warranty. (or the free 90 day phone support). Go to a Genius bar? You'd probably spend $30 on petrol/travelling costs/your time/parking costs! lol Other places charge $20-$75 for phone/email support. (myself included I have a fee for email support/consulting. As does Ronni for her offlist support). Which is fair enough if places want to charge. As someone else said it's a user-paid world we live in today. Lawyers, Accountants etc all charge. People have to make a living. So compared to the single support cost, this yearly membership is well worth it. And lastly, from the survey that was done, most people were happy to pay a fee and comments were that the list should/could be paid. That was a survey completed by the members, and the committee spent a long period of time discussing it. (let alone getting it all place). I could go on, but I think they are the main points I wanted to make. Again, I'm not trying to add to it, I'm just adding a few of my own views,.... Enjoy! :o) Kind regards Daniel Sent from my iPhone 4s --- Daniel Kerr MacWizardry Phone: 0414 795 960 Email: <daniel AT macwizardry.com.au> Web: <http://www.macwizardry.com.au> **For everything Apple** On 28/06/2012, at 8:12 AM, hugh griffiths wrote: > > > > > I too have considered leaving as I do not attend the meetings, but Carlo's > suggestion makes sense, I will continue to read the list ( as i enjoy it!) > and if in future I need help I will weight the cost of the 30$ for a large > group of expert opinion against advice from the other free lists out there > and a warrantied paid service technician. > Thanks for the valuable help I have received in the past. > Hugh > >> Subject: Re: Adieu >> From: cm200...@gmail.com >> Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 23:06:13 +0800 >> To: wamug@wamug.org.au >> >> Hi Peter and Eugene and other list members, >> >> We list followers are really grateful for your contributions over the years >> and we contributors are honoured to have been able to help you out on other >> occasions. I just wanted to let you know that there is no need at all to end >> your connection with WAMUG. You will still be able to read any and all posts >> to the list, and you will still continue to receive WAMUG emails to your >> inbox unless you choose to stop them. Also if you ever happen to be passing >> through Perth, meetings are open to all and we would love to see you there. >> >> The decision to allow posting to only members was not made lightly. Running >> the list has a very real cost, both financial and in the time of >> contributors, fairness dictates that those who pay the membership fee are >> entitled to use the service above other persons who join, post a random >> question or put up for sale a piece of equipment, and then disappear. Sadly >> neither of you, Peter and Eugene, are anywhere near to this category of user >> so I have two solutions to suggest. Firstly remember that the WAMUG >> membership fee is less than a reasonable call-out charge for most Mac >> consultants. So if at some future time you need a consultant, consider >> joining our list and with luck we will all pitch in, fix the problem, and >> you will come out financially ahead. The second solution I would like to >> offer is that at the next committee meeting we will discuss some bursaries >> for members who really cannot afford to pay the membership fee. This would >> be entirely confidential between the pros p > ec >> tive member and WAMUG. If the committee is in agreement you will see a mail >> out on this subject after the next committee meeting on July 17 and our >> website will be updated to reflect this. >> >> So I really hope this is arrivederci rather than adieu, and if not we are >> grateful for your contribution to WAMUG. >> >> All the best, >> Carlo >> >> On 27/06/2012, at 21:34 , Reg Whitely wrote: >> >>> Dear Eugene >>> >>> I have never met you but you have helped me, and so many others others, in >>> so many ways on the WAMUG mailing list. >>> >>> As I have said to Peter, I have appreciated all responses to my queries >>> from you, and from others on this mailing list, for many years, and want >>> this to continue. >>> >>> Please do not discard the WAMUG Ship yet. >>> >>> Reg >>> >>> >>> Reg Whitely >>> >>> Home: 08 9921 7272 >>> Mob: 04 8899 7313 >>> Email: rwhit...@internode.on.net >>> >>> >>> >>> On 27/06/2012, at 7:54 pm, Eugene de Gouw wrote: >>> >>>> Like Peter I too must send my final farewells as this will likely be the >>>> last time I am able to write to the list. >>>> >>>> I have been associated with WAMUG virtually since its inception, attending >>>> meetings at Curtin University in the early years. Family and work >>>> commitments impacted and eventually curtailed my physical presence at >>>> these meetings but with the advent of the internet and the WAMUG mailing >>>> list I was able to maintain contact. >>>> >>>> From time to time I contributed to solutions, aiding in problem solving >>>> and at other times was quite delighted at the quick and accurate response >>>> from others when I encountered problems myself. >>>> >>>> I thank this community of Macintosh fanatics as I have enjoyed the >>>> friendly dialogue. >>>> >>>> I wish you all the best as you move into the next phase of WAMUG. >>>> >>>> Regards, >>>> Eugene >>>> >>>> >>>> On 27/06/2012, at 7:00 PM, Peter Sealy wrote: >>>> >>>>> I would like to say adieu to you good folks as 30 Jun is just about here. >>>>> >>>>> I have not contributed a great deal to this group partly because by the >>>>> time I have got around to reading any email which I could have answered >>>>> someone else has answered the question, most often of course the >>>>> indefatigable and amazing Ronni. That in no way dimishes the effort put >>>>> in by many others to contribute to the group. >>>>> >>>>> The other reason for the paucity of my contribution is that I see myself >>>>> as a minnow in the Mac geekdom. >>>>> >>>>> As an Age pensioner I have to ration my memberships to social >>>>> organisations and while the membership fee may be 'only' a small amount >>>>> to you still working, I need to be careful. >>>>> >>>>> I am the List Admin and Moderator of the ACT Apple Help Email List which >>>>> keeps me busy in observing the Mac webosphere. And as a paid up member of >>>>> this august group, that cuts out my 'hobby' fees. I lived in Canberra for >>>>> many years but now live in Albury. >>>>> >>>>> We do not require paid membership of our MUG to join our email Help List. >>>>> Merely being a Mac enthusiast is sufficient. That said we don't have many >>>>> non-Group members in the List and if any of you sought to send your >>>>> electrons eastward we would make you welcome. The warning is that our >>>>> List is nowhere as active or cerebral as yours. Athough we do publish a >>>>> monthly Newsletter (for financial members). >>>>> >>>>> Best wishes, see you in the Mac cloud. Thank you for the camaraderie. >>>>> >>>>> Peter Sealy >>>>> Thurgoona AUSTRALIA >>>>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >>>>> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >>>>> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >>>>> Settings & Unsubscribe - >>>>> <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug> >>>> >>>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >>>> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >>>> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >>>> Settings & Unsubscribe - >>>> <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug> >>> >>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >>> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >>> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >>> Settings & Unsubscribe - >>> <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug> >> >> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >> Settings & Unsubscribe - >> <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug> > > > -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- > Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> > Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> > Settings & Unsubscribe - > <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Settings & Unsubscribe - <http://lists.wamug.org.au/listinfo/wamug.org.au-wamug>
