A new era for LWN [LWN.net]

A new era for LWN

Posted Sep 25, 2002 16:55 UTC (Wed) by aotheoverlord (guest, #3993)
Parent article: A new era for LWN

Can I make one request? Can you please keep a counter somewhere of either the number subscriptions you receive, or the number of $$$ raised on a monthly basis?

If that's too intrusive to your business, how about a "goal" graphic, where you specify the minimum amount needed (subs or $$$) for a month, and then show us reaching that goal?

Eventually one would hope that you'll have enough annual subscriptions to take care of this so any counters could be removed, but initially it will help us see how well things are going, not to mention make the non-subscribers feel guilty :-)

Also, are you planning to send out (email) reminders when subscriptions expire?

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Counters and fancy graphics

Posted Sep 25, 2002 17:04 UTC (Wed) by corbet (editor, #1) [Link]

Yes, that sort of stuff is on our list. We just needed to get the basic capability running first...plus there's that little issue of tomorrow's weekly edition...

And yes, we'll send out reminders. How much spam would you like? :)

Counters and fancy graphics

Posted Sep 25, 2002 17:19 UTC (Wed) by aotheoverlord (guest, #3993) [Link]

Actually, spam I can handle. It's reminders coming 6 months before my subscription expires saying that I must renew "NOW" to guarantee continued delivery - that's what annoys me. (Anyone who has ever subscribed to a magazine will know what I mean.)

Anyway, great news on the counters, and continue the good work!

A big ``me too'' on the counter

Posted Sep 25, 2002 19:27 UTC (Wed) by Max.Hyre (subscriber, #1054) [Link]

Hear, hear!

It's always peeved me that public radio sez ``We gotta make this amount in the next 57 milliseconds'', but they never let you in on the big picture. That's a real shame, not only from the how're-we-doin' perspective, but because I suspect they are, in fact, really cash-strapped, and proof might spur on some of the laggards.

I just hope some sort of corollary to Free Software will be clarity in fund-raising. I don't want to see your books---just to know how much you need to make it through this month, and how much is on hand. Once you hit 100%, simply note that you made it until the 1st of the next.

Hrm... while writing this, I think about what I'm asking, and now begin to see some questions and possible downsides: people P.O.ed if you make your nut by the 10th (``What was the big flap? They don't need me!''), people questioning why you need that much, playing `chicken' with the bottom line, &c., &c.

I hope we Loyal Readers are above all that, but it would still be a pain dealing with the schnorring masses who aren't. Change my emphatic request to a Wouldn't It Be Nice If....

Thanks for having the guts and the pain-resistance needed to try making a go of LWN. So long as you keep trying, I'll keep buying.

Best wishes,
Max Hyre