theres supporting the site ,as in be part of the community,helping people with porblems and attending shows/trackday and social events.

God knows i have had more than my fair share of that in my short time on here,i do try to give back what i can from experience.

2nd and 3rd points taken

I can understand this is an option which was used. It is sure expensive to run a site that is supporting a big membership. The folding-community site is totally supported by my wallet + donations. Strangely the former appears to be the dominant one in that side of things...

As for supporting the site here - sure I do my bit to help if I can, ask some silly questions myself on a regular basis and lurk about here quite a bit

Also I will buy stuff via the site as it promotes the site and hopefully gets a bit of dosh into the site from the advertisors/sponsors. Surely that helps too.

Not saying I'll 'never' pay for a premium content bit of this site, but at the same time, currently I cannot see the point for myself.

That said, good on you if you do upgrade to premium and I don't think it's a bad way of saying thanks

Think of it as a way of donating and getting a few extra bits added on.

Yes "developed" features will be part of the paid subscription, luck of the draw, there is an awefull lot here given and used freely, I'm not stopping that.

So to be clear the forums and community are today as they are and will remain so.

So it's not all about the money, hence it's in no way compulsory. It's in no way shape or form elitist from my point of view, I have not set out to create that at all.

Some competitions will be for subscribers, many won't. Likewise it's a companies choice to offer the site a discount and in turn the members, it is therefore there choice when offering as to what level and whom it is given. Similar really for some of the features and add-on's, they won't distract from your ability to post and use the site, merely add and enhance it. It takes time to sit down and build some of these things and an awefull lot of time on the phone talking to compaines to arrange discounts, promotions and new products. None of which is paid for any of us, same is of course true for many sites, each site runs it's own path, this is ours.

The upcomig track day has taken hours of phone calls and searching on the internet to ind an affordable and good event. The subscribers will have advanced notice of other events, a way of us saying thank you to them for supporting. We have tried very hard to differentiate this scheme from other premium or subscription sites.

So as I say it's more a donation or as WW_vrs says, a way of saying thanks in a not so bad way. I know your feeling about wallet / donations. Sadly I can't run to the figures any more that it was projecting for server and social costs from mine alone, with the donations that were given last year.

The partners support is allocated to maintaining the site, software, promotion and a like costs. The freedom donations/ revenue classify them as you see fit is ALL sent back into the site and community, your paying yourselves really The more who signup the greater it's benefit...honestly it's done for good reasons.

Hope that helps some way.

Colin,

Is there any identifying mark of those who are and those who aren't members? On other forums I've been a member of (least said about them the better really), 'paid up' members have been identified by a tag by their avatar.

I'm just thinking that it might be useful, especially for new members, to know who's a full member and who isn't, since 'proper' members (ooh err) have given an address and phone number, and could thus be automatically assumed to be 100% trustworthy when it comes to buying/selling items and that sort of thing. I'm NOT for one second saying that I wouldn't necessarily trust a non-member, and I don't want it to sound like that... Just thought it might be useful.

Dan

Dan,

It certainly is in the pipline...in fact when I boot up my laptop in the morning I'll upload the sexy image

Thats torn it...I'll have to do it now.

Well we also have reputation, but a few people didn't like it...can't imagine why

There are also some notes options, but we do suggest that any "dodgy" responses or problems with members you or anybody reading makes us aware. Wecan then be prepared for any issues that may arise.

Hmmm, I'm gonna post just to see if there's a sexy image now?! :naughty:

well? where is it, damnit?

Hmmm' date=' I'm gonna post just to see if there's a sexy image now?! :naughty:

well? where is it, damnit? [/quote']

Is it here yet?

Nope. Not yet :(

The advice I've been given since I joined has saved me a lot more then

How can I join without revealing my day time tel number ??, Ive triead typing in 000000 etc but cant get round it ?

I can't believe people are quibbling over

Having run several sites, some extremely small, the folding community being a pretty large one comparatively, a lot of people will always avoid paid-for sites

I don't know what the cost of this particular site is, but I'm forking out around 2 GRAND a year when I add it all up...

Colin - have you considered (or are you) running this site as a business? If you are loosing money on it (which is likely) you can get a tax rebate, which may work out beneficial. I'd get advise on that first though

Will see if I get a positive pay review next month & then I'll decide

I can't believe people are quibbling over

In the words of Eric B

Paid in Full

Colin has my compliments on running Briskoda for so long on nothing but voluntary donations, and I for one was happy to pay for what is probably the best run forum I have ever come across.

Totally agree

I've signed on the dotted line (so to speak!)

If it means the site can continue it's excellent work I'm more than happy - I look at the site daily... just need to up my number of posts

Is it here yet?

Nope. Not yet :(

Hey I got distracted ok...

Just need to keep SWMBO out of the shed now and today will be a good day....gimme 30 mins.

Guys and gals,

It's really appreciated the words here.

Thanks.

Stuart, pop your mobile number in, or use mine, I respect x-directory issues. It's really only there so I can call you if any problems occur.

Hey I got distracted ok...

Just need to keep SWMBO out of the shed now and today will be a good day....gimme 30 mins.

Colin... Like it

Finally got round to signing up

Well I was going for small, but got carried away

I nearly didn't notice the change, Colin...

Well, that's me paid up

Worried about that shed now :naughty:

I would sign up but the page wont load :(

Done

Well done to all for supporting the site!

The more we raise to run the site the bigger and better the events.....