Lets all just take a deep breath...
the moderators have a large task running the gauntlet betwixt the many types of extremely fervent subscribers here at Avalon... and for that tireless job, they are to be thanked.
Thank you...
Now, onto the topic of the "F" word: Subscriptions FEEs:
Since we are witnessing an election that is constantly touting "transparency" as a magical adjective... why not follow suit here at Avalon?
Perhaps the best model is that of listener sponsored radio in which fund drives from time to time set a VERY SPECIFIC TARGET AMOUNT. Once that MONETARY GOAL IS REACHED, THROUGH VIEWER/LISTENER DONATIONS, THE DRIVE IS FINISHED.
That way, nobody is crying foul and the conspiracy folk out there can rest their weary minds that the so called "huge sums of profit" flowing into and under Bill and Kerry's mattress isn't going for Prada boots.
Perhaps, like listener sponsored radio, during these fund drives annoying messages (
) could be flashing in order to prompt donation whenever anyone: a)reads a thread, b) posts a thread, c) checks their mail d) spouts a platitude, e) "disses" Carol... etcetera, etcetera... (sorry Carol, it writes itself).
Following this model, perhaps when one pledges (at least a set minimum amount), the blinking pledge banners cease for them...
Furthermore, when the goal is reached, the banners stop flashing for EVERYONE, regardless if they paid or not.
I know that I've pledged to the likes of KPFK, KXLU, KCRW, and KPCC just to shut 'em up and restart normal programing!
Maybe they could even offer premiums like... oh, I don't know... "WIN A DINNER DATE AND MASSAGE WITH HENRY DEACON!!! PLEDGE NOW!!" or "IF you pledge RIGHT NOW at the ARCH ANGEL LEVEL: WIN YOUR OWN BILL RYAN SAFARI HAT " (just joking)... or am I??? (I love that bloody hat!)...
Wait.. one more: "PLEDGE NOW TO ENTER THE FABULOUS AVALON SWEEPSTAKES TO WIN GEORGE GREEN's GOLD! (insert FLASH animation of George Green wearing an eyepatch speaking with a pirate accent: "ARGH, you'll NEVER git me gooold... UNLESS YOU PLEDGE TODAY!"... (what? too much?)
Seriously though, keep it transparent... set a goal... reach the goal... and then back to "bih-nizz" as usual.
Just a thought from the peanut gallery...
