ANS and the future of the

[cobram@Channel1.Com (Cobram)]

 -=> Phil Payne illuminates us with <=-

 PP> The basic maths don't hold up.  Of the 1200 subscribers, how _many_
 PP> would pay? 
 PP> See Peter de Jager's experience on converting the Y2K mailing list to
 PP> a paid  basis - and _he_ had the advantage that it's a
 PP> business-to-business list. 
 PP> 'Payne's Law', formulated long ago on CIS' Canopus, applies - if it's
 PP> free on  the Internet anywhere, it's free everywhere.  The signal to
 PP> noise ratio on  alt.autos.audi is only high because there's no signal
 PP> to speak of - if we all  went over there, it would be usable.  It would
 PP> also have the advantage of  newsreaders with thread support - many's
 PP> the time I've wanted to uncheck the  box for a thread on coimbra. 

    I have to agree with Phil here.  I like the list, find it useful,
    etc.etc.etc.  Any one who's been here for any time has noticed
    that many a knowledgeable, "irreplaceable", poster has come
    and gone, and usually returned. I don't consider myself to be
    in this class of poster, but I've unsubed and resubed a number
    of times due mainly to time constraints, and occasionally when
    both Audi's didn't need anything (all too rare an occasion.)
    If the list goes beyond the current mailing list setup, with
    a fee, I will wager that most of the list would not subscr@@e
    on a fee basis. The list would be never be as useful and as
    energetic as it is now.

    Before I get flamed, I myself would subsc@be at twice the price,
    I already pay for the list by shelling out $60 a year to the
    BBS (Channel1) I belong to.  The only reason I keep my account
    current is because the best and easiest way I've found to use
    the list is through QWK packets etc. But we have to be
    realistic, to keep it in it's current form wouldn't take the
    large outlay of cash needed for a separate domain. And as
    Phil touched on, the only reason most of us are here and not
    on Alt.Autos.Audi is that here is "free". Lets be honest with
    ourselves. Dan does a wonderful job, he is much appreciated
    by everyone on the list, but reality is reality.

    My $1.00 worth (before taxes) after-2 cents.

    BCNU



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