RQ Trietsch 11 Feb 2005

Here's a real good idea. Only professional artist allowed to comment or rate, or buy!

That should shut this site down real quick.

Christina Toews 11 Feb 2005

I'm glad my post was able to start such a great discussion! :)

I'd like to comment on a couple things... First - Even though I suggested it, I don't really agree with "taking away" certain rights from free members. I just think that in hindsight, AW should have maybe "capped" the total number of images free members can load, or maybe restricted a few other things. Of course... that's hindsight for you. :)

There are a lot of good ideas floating around, and a lot of not so good ones... and by that I mean that for every single idea, people are going to like it and hate it, and we'll never be able to please everyone.

AW has to keep in mind that even though the premium members are 5% of the site's membership, we still are the PAYING portion of the site, and therefore deserve to be catered to a little more so than free members. That is a given. There will be some tough decisions to make, and I don't envy AW staff right now... :)

Regarding nudes on the site... Personally, I have nothing against nudity, but at the same time, I have nothing against censorship, such as little black squares, or however you decide to do it. Your art can still be displayed and seen withouth showing *everything*. If AW was to let nudity on their site, they would have to have a whole completely separate section for it... with a huge disclaimer "You must be 18 or over" page before you entered. It still wouldn't be allowed in your portfolio on the main site. I definitely agree with Sher - kids can look through the site to see blood, guts, gore, vampires, etc etc... but heaven forbid they see a tit. :) It seems a little off, but unfortunately, that's how society is. But hey, we can't censor EVERYTHING that may be in the least bit offensive... And now... I seem to be rambling. :)

Personally, I believe that a lot of the free members on this site (I mean a huge percentage) would join in a heart-beat if there was a bigger incentive to join. This may mean taking things away from free members (like limiting their uploads or whatever) but the point is, there are lots of artists on the site who would pay the fees. Unfortunately, the free memberships have *too many* perks, and the premium memberships only have a few added features, and this means a lot of people end up thinking "why pay when I get most of it for free?".

Good luck AW - thanks for listening to our rants. And thanks to everyone who commented so far! (and to everyone who will comment after too!)

(oh, and here's a WAVE back to Sher! LOL)

rosemary gioielli 11 Feb 2005

What are we , children? What are you talking about, taking things away? And why is this such an issue for you personally? If someone wants a premium membership, they'll get one, if they don't they won't. Geez

N. Michael Bryant 12 Feb 2005

I'm a free member and the reason I don't have a Premium membership is because what I have said all along: I don't post enough images monthly to be considered Premium. It would be a waste of my money. As far as too many perks go, Here's a "PERK" for you. I have directed a number of people I know to this site to become Premium members. So, eventhough I am free, I do what I can to bring new members.

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