Why are we either Subscribers or SWD's? If I find I have no use for the information available through subscription, why should I be labelled an SWD, a term we all generally accept is a derogatory term? Either the free parts are free or they're not: David, if you don't want us using them without subscribing, make them part of the subscription.

I wasn't going to throw my two cents worth in on the whole pay or don't pay debate, but this has got my back up, so here I go...

Arran likened this change to Hotmail introducing charging. I agree, if you pay for Hotmail you do get a lot more functionality, so it is 'even better', but everything Hotmail provided for free originally, plus functional enhancements, is still free. They only introduced charging for NEW value add services like Calendar functionality and larger mailboxes.

Giving people a something for free and then charging for the same product when you're sure they're hooked is typical of the entertainment industry. What it is not typical of is the directory industry. Yes, we can go to the White or Yellow Pages and find the venue and call them, but what would we do if these services started charging for the information? We'd scream, because in the directory industry the advertiser pays. What seems to be in evidence is that David couldn't get venues and hosts contribute enough to support his time and effort, so he's turned to the loyal following that have supported him. Supported, because your hits are the ones that he uses to advertise his circulation to hosts and venues. Hosts and venues can still make their listing 'public'. Is this the same as the 'bold' listing, where all they have to do is put the w2s flyer in their karaoke books or is it something they have to pay for? If a venue must pay or barter to make their listing public they would only be doing so if they believe that it's worthwhile, which would be based on circulation. If a venue opts for this service do the subscribers receive a corresponding reduction in their subscription costs, as that listing is no longer one they need to pay to view? This, and much of the 'new functionality' is actually user based maintenance which actually reduces the time David needs to spend looking after the site...

The number of visitors and profile necessary to make an advertiser pays system work will probably never be reached now that the site has become less friendly to first time visitors. Supporters of karaoke start as first timers. I don't believe a first timer to this site will find it as welcoming and informative as we did when we arrived, and that instead of subscribing or looking up details in the pages and calling the venue, they will decide it's all too difficult and choose to do something else. Some of you will say good, we don't need them, but I say this is a shame. New people spread the word and a portion fall in love with Karaoke the way we all have. Even the random attendee is still either an entertainer or audience, and keeps the venue happy for another week.

Rant Rant, Whinge Whinge... I might still subscribe, I don't know yet, I haven't assessed whether it will be a worthwhile investment, but I can say I would have gladly answered a call to donate my own time to help keep the site free...
Submitted by K Scar on 19-09-2005

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