Questions for the "Membership"

[Abking]

I put membership in quotes because I really am only referring to those who participate...

1)  When do we have "enough" members?

I'll answer:  it depends on what your agenda is...  For Bill and anyone else who wants the site to continue growing more is better - nothing wrong with that.  If you're an "OG" though, and you think back to the days when we were more excited to meet new yak-fishermen and share some time with them, more members is starting to mean more changes in the way we post.  It's a fact that at some point there are just too many voices/potential fishing partners/PM's/requests for info...etc.

2)  How do we keep the site special as it grows?

I'll answer:  it depends on what your agenda is...  This is a tricky one.  I believe that Bill's agenda is to keep the site special, but I also know that he'd be a fool to limit its growth without careful consideration.  That said, I think we need to become more exclusive so we are able to keep it special.

3)  Doesn't $10/year seem like peanuts to pay for membership?

My answer:  yes.  There could still be areas open to non-members so they could see what it's all about - like ONLY giving them the old fishing reports, ever...

I have enough fishing partners for now, but I love to hang out, share ideas, debate issues, and, mostly, to share my stories and vids - I hardly do that anywhere else at all.  I'd pay $10/year and never want anything in return other than a place to put my reports.

A membership fee would cull out the lurkers - there's no two ways about it.  Setting up the site so that outsiders could see the cool features would ensure that new members would still join.

I'm not positive about this - just throwing it out there for some (more) debate.  I just know that it's not the same as it used to be, and on some levels we're seeing a point of diminishing returns.  We don't want to just be a club that cycles through members - I want to be here for good.

[Sin Coast]

it's not the same as it used to be, and on some levels we're seeing a point of diminishing returns

Agreed. But it's also something that we can correct, as individuals. Unlike other things in life that are beyond our scope or control.
I have noticed a trend in some of the veteran members returning to their posts and participating again. _{Get it..."posts" haha!}

On the $10 fee....I'd throw in. But I don't think we should implement mandatory fees. So I'll just continue paying the entrance fee for AOTY, as a means of giving something back. 

[dilbeck]

On the $10 fee....I'd throw in... So I'll just continue paying the entrance fee for AOTY, as a means of giving something back.

Yup, what PK said.  Heck, I know I don't stand a chance at AOTY (not only are my skills far inferior than most on the site, but time also doesn't allow), but I figure it helps contribute to the site.

Michael

[MontanaN8V]

I am for it/against it.

The money could be used for some of the events to increase prizes, or for hats etc., for the members at an event.  I know what you are saying about the lurkers, as a global mod on another site, I see just how many there are.  The money could also be used for conservation purposes, etc.  There are countless benefits to paying memberships.

The downside is, not everyone will want to shell out even one dime.  I saw this happen to coastside and a few other sites that wound up with a lot of the contributing members pulling out. Not everyone has loyalty and willingness to support a group or cause.  I think a lot of people participate and post because it is free, and if they have to pay to play, they will go somewhere else.  I am with Sin Coast, I joined NCKA recently, but will pay the AOTY next year gladly.  

Just my thoughts, but keeping it free would promote people into the sport, whereas charging for the site might shy someone away that may have interest in learning about kayak fishing, and joining so that they can learn and be part of our community.

[agarcia]

How about if I, personally, could care less about promoting the sport and just want a place to rap BS with the boys and post epic reports of my bloody adventures?

[Salty.]

This thread is essentially re-hashing the July 6th, 2009 thread also started by Abking. My response.....again.


one kayak..............................eight hundred dollars

one fishing pole.........................one hundred dollars

one package of frozen squid..................three dollars

NCKA....................................................Priceless!

We need fresh blood/members to replace the ones that leave ie: Northern Boy, etc. There are less than 500 contributing members right now and they are spread out all over Norcal from Crescent City to Tahoe to Ragged Pt. Not everybody can find a fishing partner for the day as it is. A lot of us "lurked" when we first came to NCKA and some of us former lurkers are trying hard to make contributions now that we are comfortable enough to speak up. I think NCKA is very special as it is but.............. I do not have an answer as to how many members would change that.................................................. if indeed it could be changed. jim

P.S. No disrespect to Northern Boy and yes I know he's posted since moving back across the pond.

[surfingmarmot]

I'll pay a nominal fee if Bill needs it to keep up with the bandwidth and hosting costs.

It's a soul-searching challenge to manage a site: go commercial like the Fish Sniffer embracing the Dark Side and make money fast without convictions or moral responsibility or keep building community and limit who can advertise on the site by applying some rules and make money more slowly but have respect for yourself and your members.

Thanks Papa Bill for making the better choice. You got it going on on this site Dude. Thank you.

[FishFarmer]

Not everyone has loyalty and willingness to support a group or cause.

I think that was the point.

I'd be fine with paying. The AOTY angle is one I hadn't thought of. Two birds with one stone I guess.

Ben

[Abking]

Yeah, AOTY money has been flowing from this direction for a long time - I'm talking about a symbolic gesture to show that you're not just an information leach/lurker.  I know how it seems...  But this is the modern era - things can change in ways that were not common in the past.  We can shake off our ticks and fleas with a nominal fee.  Heck, make up a "commitment to pay" agreement and let people ride on no fee - just WEED OUT THE LURKERS!

I'm fine with nothing being done on this.  I'm up here, isolated from the problems of "over-run spots".  I just see what is happening, and I know how special it is when it's all flowing, and I feel that things are getting a little too free.  That's all.

[Salty.]

I belong to two online motorcycle forums. Thumpertalk and KTMTalk. Neither of these two forums charge a fee for their members. Information is freely shared between members and there is a brotherhood and a camaraderie between bikers. Thumpertalk currently has 240,432 members and KTMTalk has 98,816 members. There are some minor rivalries and on occasion some members get pissed off and rant & rave about "their trails", all public land of course, being overrun with "quadtards" and newbies, but then things settle back down for a while.

Kayakfishing will continue to grow irregardless of NCKA. Fee or no fee. Many kayakfishermen that I've met have never heard of NCKA until I tell them about it. Maybe some of these guys are lurking here now. I hope someday they will decide, as I did, to begin to contribute. A fee will not stimulate guys to contribute, and isn't that, not contributing anything, the real issue?

On the Thumpertalk website there is a blurb at the top of the page that reads "It appears that you have not posted on our forums in several weeks, why not take a few moments to ask a question, help provide a solution, or just engage in a conversation with another member in any one of our forums." Maybe something like this would help stimulate lurkers to contribute. It couldn't hurt. jim



P.S. With that being said I do plan on joining the AOTY madness next year. I hear there is going to be a huge increase in work for electricians next year. Especially in the Cotati area.

[Danglin]

I can see both sides of this...

 I think we should just keep our philosophy the way it is,

We do what we do Unconditionally,  We put out a vibe of friendliness and Hope for the best,

For the Most part, it has been working and the site is well, a few ejections, but that has it's entertainment too  

 I think personal PM's are the way to run Silent and Deep and no one should be offended by that.

 No need to give away the store, if someone comes to the site and participates and gains the

   " Madness... "    

They will find their place and who they want to fish with etc...

 As far as spots being run over, well I don't think were reinventing the Wheel here and no one has to post their secret spots...

 I would have a problem talking to someone about KayakFishing and seeing their interest rise and then tell them if they want to know more...  pay up

 All Good, and YES, I would pay $$$ to the site without having that be a requirement of others,

 We do a Service here of Sorts, and it is special,


 AbKing....  

 Your Points are true and well received,

I can think of No-One who has been more active and more entertaining...

 TRUE passion and Fine Stewart of the Ocean you are and understand your Frustration...

 But, I do Feel the site should remain as it is...

 I do like the restriction to recent fishing reports, that's a classy move...  

[kayakjack]

i am so tired of hearing about the evil lurkers who are leaching the souls of your secret spots!! get over yourselves and stop being so selfish!! stop trying to turn this site into your personal secret club !!! it is a public forum. we all started out as lurkers and some of us have something to say some of the time.

[agarcia]

we all started out as lurkers

No we all didn't and there's alotta guys that just jump right in.  Its not all about overrunning spots either, lurkers exist in every social setting...and you know what they're weirdo's there too. 

[wilderneshunter]

I can see both sides of this...

 I think we should just keep our philosophy the way it is,

We do what we do Unconditionally,  We put out a vibe of friendliness and Hope for the best,

For the Most part, it has been working and the site is well, a few ejections, but that has it's entertainment too   

 I think personal PM's are the way to run Silent and Deep and no one should be offended by that.

 No need to give away the store, if someone comes to the site and participates and gains the

   " Madness... "   

They will find their place and who they want to fish with etc...

 As far as spots being run over, well I don't think were reinventing the Wheel here and no one has to post there secret spots...

 I would have a problem talking to someone about KayakFishing and seeing their interest rise and then tell them if they want to know more...  pay up

 All Good, and YES, I would pay $$$ to the site without having that be a requirement of others,

 We do a Service here of Sorts, and it is special,


 AbKing.... 

 Your Points are true and well received,

I can think of No-One who has been more active and more entertaining...

 TRUE passion and Fine Stewart of the Ocean you are and understand your Frustration...

 But, I do Feel the site should remain as it is...

 I do like the restriction to recent fishing reports, that's a classy move...   

I totally agree with Danglin . I joined aoty my first week( I`m still a newbie) I was so excited to find this site. Finding a partner to fish with has still been hard with a free site . I've been out in the ocean 3 times by myself and thanks to this site I' had the oportunity to go out even more with others.Ravensblack, Ariel sea, and Tigerfish are 3 of the most giving guys I've ever met . I would pay gladley to stay a member, and I love my fishing holes so much I want others to enjoy them.I've met a lot of other kfm otu there that don`t know about this site and I urge them to join almost all have asked what does it cost?I tell them its about safety and enjoyment. enough said

[tallpaul]

I'm not in favor of a user fee for the purpose of changing the behavior of people on the site.

Some folks contribute, some do less, some spend every waking moment thinking, dreaming and talking about fishing. Worrying about fairness is a waste of time.

If Bill needs some bucks to help run the site, I'm happy to help.

Fishing is fun