TechSpot readers, would you pay $3-5 for a subscription, remove all ads, and...

At $3/mo, what you're offering in return is a slap in the face.
I wouldn't oppose a donate button as long as I know specifically what the money will be used for.
As incentive, you could have giveaways or discounts and we can pretend this subscription bs never happened.
 
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I'm the type of person that prefers to keep things as equal as possible between members; adding badges of basically "this guy pays" I'm not in favour of. Titles based on how much content a member has given the site or how loyal they've stayed through the years I consider different, however.

I agree with this. As I get older, my status on some website means less and less to me. However! I know at one point I would have been wearing a donor badge with pride, so if TS can capture that audience to earn some money then that is fine with me.
 
Personally I would rather a customizable donation that gave you those features with no reoccurring fees, like a small PayPal donate button somewhere on the site, like maybe on just the homepage and when you donate you get the mentioned features, I would then consider it because after the forums have helped me greatly I feel a donation would make me feel better for helping the TechSpot community to continue to do what they are doing and that others can continue to receive beneficial voluntary support from the amazing people here at TechSpot.
 
Thanks for the opportunity to discuss things Julio and for considering the Techspot community in site decisions.

I'd be willing to donate before I pay. Like SNGX said, badges aren't really my thing. I may be willing to pay $3 dollars a month but I can't guarantee that forever and I would probably spend a few months checking things out without subscribing before taking the plunge.
 
AdBlock Plus (and others) is free, and works great.
Why on Earth would anyone even consider buying a subscription to block ads?
 
All sites copy and paste from each other but Techspot is usually a day or two behind the news cycle. Granted, the occasional in-depth articles are pretty good and much appreciated, but overall I just don't see the value. The comment system is as primitive as it it gets now. No HTML? No editing? About the best thing I can say about Techspot is that its refrained from trying to force extenal logins like FB and Google upon its users (like other sites that I no longer visit). But let's be realistic here: someone will always feel compelled to give away content online, because its just too easy to do so. And how much of TS's "content" is user-generated? Are those people going to get a cut of the revenue? No, I might pay to access a whole network of sites but not an individual one that specializes in reposting old news.
 
I think this is one of the most eye openings experiences I have ever seen. A lot of the people here are blasting the TechSpot team for adding an OPTIONAL subscription that would keep things EXACTLY the same as they were while providing additional value for those who would want to support the site financially.

What bothers me the most is people commenting left and right above using Ad Blockers. Do you guys not realize that TechSpot is in fact a BUSINESS and the ads (since everyone is so concerned about TechSpot diversifying into an OPTIONAL subscription model) is the ONLY source of income to pay for the web hosting, ongoing development/maintenance of the site, pay its employees, and all the other expenses the company incurs?

If TechSpot brings you value (and I check it at least 1-2x a day) I feel a couple dollars a month (less than a single coffee at Starbucks) is worth the cost as it simplifies where and how I find my tech news.

To be completely honest a lot of the people commenting sound like the type that go to a restaurant, consume as much as they want, and then when it comes to tipping the server they say "I don't have to so I'm not going to." and walk out. Ads by themselves aren't making anyone rich and I would bet the reasoning beyond this move isn't to get rich but to be able to continue to grow and develop the site and make it even better for its' audience.
 
I obviously have no problem with any optional feature that can bring the site I love more revenue.
However I wouldn't pay for the subscription myself.
 
The people who come here for help are potentials for donation, regardless of benefits. Lets not forget this thought either.
 
I'd probably do a year sub 30 a year would be the max I'd go, I really enjoy this site and all it offers. I don't mind the ads at all. I also won't take issue with watching a commercial once a day if it helped you guys out. My problem is that I read from 10+ new sites on a daily basis, and if I'm paying 3-5 bucks each it's simply too much money for me to just access content, I'd probably have to find a new source that is free. I'm not wanting to say you guys aren't worth it I think you are, it's just not something I feel I can afford. I hope there is a solution here that will be great for Techspot and it's readers.
 
Also, would like to say. TechSpot could always do donation system. People that either donate, or membership system. Get more benefit on the site. Example: faster download speed, forums rights(pic, videos, links, etc.,)
 
What adds?! Add-blocked this doing for free, don't see any ads for ages :)
Nice site, visiting every day, worth of pay? NO! Information in these times easy to access, you no different like other zillion sites in wild...
 
What adds?! Add-blocked this doing for free, don't see any ads for ages :)
Which is precisely why the need for this topic. With the use of AdBlock, the site has a loss in revenue. I myself have started using AdBlockPro, and sadly I don't use the allow feature. I install AdBlockPro and leave it running with default settings, low maintenance this way.
 
Honestly after all the years I've been running TechSpot it would've been naive of me not to expect at least some resistance and the occasional guest poster who doesn't care to read what we are actually proposing.

The poll has been a success thus far in that I've been able to gather your thoughts, get to know what your immediate concerns are, and adjust our expectations accordingly.

The opt-in part is fundamental to our proposal and from the small sample we've gathered thus far, it appears ~18% of the more vocal of you are still willing to give subscription a go in one form or another. We may end up not doing it, or perhaps we will, but this is invaluable feedback no matter what.
 
Single page article formatting in all long-form features ---- I like the multi-page articles as is, please don't change them to single pages

Download articles as PDF & built-in PDF to email for later reading ---- I can already do this with Acrobat or just print to PDF in Chrome/Firefox
I agree with these points. Also, many of us use AdBlock which makes the first feature useless.

  • Full-text RSS feed
I like the feeds the way they are. Images are a huge part of hardware reviews for example. But thanks.


If you get us a hardware discount, rather than a software discount, this would be real great. Maybe say Newegg?
 
First of all, to the haters: it's pretty ridiculous to get upset that TechSpot had the courtesy to poll its readers for their feedback. Getting "offended by the question" is childish. The folks who run this site and produce its content have a right to make a living, and if the ads aren't bringing in enough funding (perhaps b/c so many of us use adblock plus, which frankly is just common sense these days), they owe it to themselves to look for alternatives.

I value this site, and used several reviews to pick components for my computer. I also value independent journalism and content production in general. A lot of my favorite YouTube channels, like Scishow, now use subscriptions to raise the money needed to continue producing. This approach has ZERO effect on users who choose not to subscribe, which is exactly what TechSpot's proposal would do as well. If you don't want to subscribe, you get the same old site. If you do, you get access to a few additional features (mostly cosmetic), and the satisfaction of supporting a valuable project.

As for the actual details, I think even $3 is asking a lot for the offered features; at close to $40 a year, that's more than I pay for the couple of magazines I subscribe to that actually include physical copies in the mail 6 times a year.

Rather than appealing to the individual user/reader, try appealing to the community as a whole. Take the Subbable route, and talk about what raising additional funds would allow you to do for the site as a whole. Could you hire more writers? Provide more features? More frequent reviews? I'd gladly pitch in for a campaign like that--personally I'd probably max out at $25/year. But what would it get all of us, if enough of us contributed?
 
Well, I'd bet that adblock has its part in why this discussion is even occurring. I do run adblock, and I have been on this site for a long time, I would be open to kicking some money towards the site because in a way I know I'm getting this content totally free and subverting a revenue stream.
This assumption on your part attaches NO value to your time and effort working as a moderator, or for assistance rendered to transient "members" with their computers.

The free work model is common in forums throughout the web.

As a personal observation, after being "bestowed" with the title moderator, the power seems to go right to some peoples heads.

Mercifully, that hasn't happened with you, (or at THIS forum as a whole),since you've always seemed fair minded and reasonable in your dealings with me.

Back to topic, the "plan" that is incubating ATM, punishes regular contributors, and still gives a "free pass" to the 100,000 or so "members" that only take from the site and those regulars.

Techspot has a paid staff, which to the best of my knowledge is expanding. Hence the unwillingness on my part to, "fund the war effort".
 
Thanks for putting your ideas to the community before you go through with them.

I am afraid I am not in a position to pay for a subscription at the moment, I have however cleared techspot in my adblock and will make a concentrated effort to click more ads :)
 
I think this is one of the most eye openings experiences I have ever seen. A lot of the people here are blasting the TechSpot team for adding an OPTIONAL subscription that would keep things EXACTLY the same as they were while providing additional value for those who would want to support the site financially.

What bothers me the most is people commenting left and right above using Ad Blockers. Do you guys not realize that TechSpot is in fact a BUSINESS and the ads (since everyone is so concerned about TechSpot diversifying into an OPTIONAL subscription model) is the ONLY source of income to pay for the web hosting, ongoing development/maintenance of the site, pay its employees, and all the other expenses the company incurs?

If TechSpot brings you value (and I check it at least 1-2x a day) I feel a couple dollars a month (less than a single coffee at Starbucks) is worth the cost as it simplifies where and how I find my tech news.

To be completely honest a lot of the people commenting sound like the type that go to a restaurant, consume as much as they want, and then when it comes to tipping the server they say "I don't have to so I'm not going to." and walk out. Ads by themselves aren't making anyone rich and I would bet the reasoning beyond this move isn't to get rich but to be able to continue to grow and develop the site and make it even better for its' audience.

Well said. I think the poll should add another option: public donation without benefits. Then it's probably clearer to people that the whole thing is optional and only for people who are willing to financially support the website. Nothing will change for non-subscribers. It's just offering a way to tip the editors/website, instead of asking people to pay up.

@captaincranky: Your point is also valid. However, I don' think this optional subscription model denies your contribution. Contribution comes in many ways, and let's not start with a war arguing which is the right way to contribute. There isn't an answer. For people that don't have enough time to post on forums and not willing to see ads (like me), a subscription/donation is the easiest way to show support. What TechSpot could work on is another reward system for long-term active forum members, in parallel with subscription model. That makes the recognition official, but well, it could get messed up too. Valuing contribution is always one of the hardest jobs of an organization, no matter it's a company or website.
 
I think that TechSpot is an excellent site. Their reviews are guides are outstanding, and I would put the site as one of the top five hardware sites on the web. For me, I'll continue visiting it as a free site. The idea of charging a premium for premium features, not premium content, is not a bad idea. However, I think that $5 per month is too much to pay for the premium features described. It will interesting to see how this turns out. I like the idea that the people at TechSpot are always looking at new ways of doing things.
 
...[ ]...@captaincranky: Your point is also valid. However, I don' think this optional subscription model denies your contribution. Contribution comes in many ways, and let's not start with a war arguing which is the right way to contribute. There isn't an answer......[ ].....
I'm fully cognizant that there is, "no right answer", to the situation, and have no wish of an extended discussion about those, "rights and wrongs".

You are missing too many years of back story on my somewhat rocky term of membership, to make complete sense of it anyway.

But, basically I was editorializing on what I perceive as a very ironic operating premise upon which this poll is based. Those that only take, will continue to take, and those who give, would have to give more.

However, were I the one who had started this thread, the moderators would have moved it, or perhaps even deleted it.

First and foremost, this is not a "news" article. It's logically best suited to, "Site Feedback and Suggestions". (But mercy me, it wouldn't get the same amount of exposure were it to be placed there, now would it? (Oh dear, another conundrum....:eek: )).
 
I don't really get why a lot of people are criticising this idea - it's an opt-in subscription and surely the income from the paying members would improve the website for everyone else.

Personally I do like some of the features mentioned (full text RSS, editorial calendar and obviously the discount codes) but unfortunately TS forums is blocked at my new workplace so I don't come on as often now. Overall I would be happy paying $3 a month which is hardly anything when put into perspective. Bringing in my own lunch for one day would pay for a few months membership lol.
 
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