Charging for access...

[midimart]

We make a Solomon promise to you all - We will NOT charge a fee.....!

Well we seem to have a small debate on weather to charge for files/access to this site. Is it a good idea to charge or not. Give us your feelings on the subject of charging for files/access. Would you still use the site, would you go completely mad and never visit again. Are pay sites charging too much. Are free files in the same league as paid for files (not only on this site). Are too many sites charging. What if the governments of this world was to impose a TAX on access to the Internet (suggestions have already been put forward in the UK).

These are just a few ideas on this subject to get you started, please add your own too.

This is just a friendly debate..... We will never charge (Our Promise) but for the hell of it, give us your thought and please be honest....!!!

Link to a few comments already made...!!!

[lee]

I’ve been thinking about this and have come to the conclusion that as members we should pay a little something for all that we receive.

Many of us are gigging musicians (midicians and use a lot of files we get from midi mart in a professional basis so its only right and proper that we should give something back.

I am willing to contribute if the site goes in that direction.

[ziggy]

I think the philosophy of Midimart is to encourage contributions of an active type, rather than monetary. A fee of £5 per year was suggested, but for such a paltry fee you would get people taking what they want & putting nothing back in. I personally don't sequence, but this is no excuse not to participate, for example, I may have a file or know where to find a file that someone else has requested. The only other way to do it would be to charge for each file, but it's worth bearing in mind that Midimart thrives, obviously due to the efforts of Glenn & Co., but also due to the input from it's (active) members, there's already a lot of established commercial midi sites out there, of varying quality & value, & by charging in this way MM would be, effectively going into competition with them. This would put more pressure on Glenn to come up with new midis (ie. no input from others), plus the fact most people would look for the files they want on other free sites first, (most of us will pay for a good file, but only if we can't find a free one).

[lee]

Nice sentiments ziggy and in a dog eat dog world they are refreshing but in todays society of "pay as you go" it is the expected norm to pay a little for all that we receive. But having said that I see where your coming from, even so I still think we could fork out a few dollars, or euros, or whatever you guys use over there. I sequence and I know how long it takes to put these things together and it aint easy. It is time consuming and it cost hard earned cash to put them all together.

As I said I do do files myself but I aint that good so I still download rakes of professionilly made files from this very site and I know that the guy who makes them does it all for the love of it and has said he wont ask for a dime but heck man maybe it just aint down to him, maybe we should just send something his way anyways. Think about it.

[themd21]

Y'Know I've sequenced, searched and supplied files on request for members of this forum and never once have I ever thought of profit.Yes I 'm aware of those in our business who would bill you for blinking their eyes.There are also those who, when enough is never enough, will bleed every last dime/cent/penny out of the paying public for years down the line.
It's just nice to do something for others when the only reward asked for is a thank you and when you need something someone gives to you freely, their time, knowledge and experience.

[mark]

I have to agree with Jimmy. It is actually great to give something back and enjoy the fact that people are using your midi files. This is a great site with such a lot of experienced people sharing their knowledge. Don't change it!
Regards
Mark

[sixstringbing]

I think most Members would be quite happy to fork out a few quid SAY £10 or £20 a year as I know the guys a midimart work really hard keeping the site going and as I have experienced Everyone of its members are kind and helpful ,the site is also well maintained and Glenn and Co are always thinking of ways to help forum members so I would be in no matter what

[lee]

Good price suggestion sixstringbing. I would match what you said all the way.

I recall paying almost a 100 dollars for just four files 3 years back so paying what you said seems more than fair so count me in.

I cant understand why so many of you other guys want everything for free why be so tight with yer cash. Heck, even when ya'll go to church ya'll dont mind forkin out to the pastor.

[ezduzit411]

in my view i don't mind giving a hand -up to anyone when i can do so.not everything is free but when quality help is given it keeps on giving as i perform these great ,proffesionally sounding midi's to a grateful audience.as i see it ,the musicians are passing on the value unconditionally,and with same spirit it is given.

[steveb]

I totally agree with you Jimmy, I think that's why Midi Mart is so special, It gives a free service to everybody who shares the same interest.

There is not another quality site in the world like Midi Mart which makes 'it' so appealing.

I have gained so make knowledge from the people on this site which has been invaluable to my music / hobby, from people like Jimmy, Glen, Cat and a special mention to a M.M. member A.J. and all the people who gladly give advice and free Midi Files to us members

In times of conflict and tension in the world, it's great to see people giving a helping hand to anybody who wants it.

A huge thanks to everybody at midi mart.

Steve

[rogerb]

Hi All,
In my opinion those of us who actually go out and earn money whilst using midi files ought to not mind paying something for the privelege. In my own case without the excellent files from midi mart I would be struggling to replicate the 'like the original recording' backing to my vocals using just the rhythm accompaniement on my keyboards. Let's be honest, the files from midi mart are excellent and all of us who use them, gigging musos and hobbiest alike, owe Glen and the crew a huge debt.

[lee]

Well said Rogerb. We are making money from the hard work of others and should be allowed to give a little back.

I can't see why others are so tight...............but Glenn and his motley crew and many others form the forum seem to be happy to give of their efforts and this will mean the freeloaders will happily take and take agin.

[lee]

I was searching the web for some obscure files, ones that are not even to be found here at the midimart site and forum when I happen to fall on this midi site who do charge a small fee. I place the link here to illustrate how it could work if the site was to initialize a charge.

They dont charge for the files, just a little to help towards bandwit space and I thought this was a great idea because this way the files still remain free!

www.illanamay.co.uk/karframe.htm?http://www.illanamay.co.za/karaokep.php

Id sure like to hear others views on this.

[sixstringbing]

Thanks Lee for backing me on the price in my opinion it would be the only way to stop the freeloaders from take all give nothin back I find it hard to upload files that the forum dos'nt already have and a fellow member DingaDong was going to upload some files but was'nt sure about copywrite it would also be a way to repay the guys who do the hard work and show a bit of appreciation if it ever happened that is

[shyamwestwind]

I always wanted to know how Glenn, Patrick and the others from MidiMart have managed to keep this site free. Arent there expenses to keep such a vibrant site going ? Personally I would pay, atleast to help these good people to keep this service going. Maybe a yearly fee.
I am really curious how you keep this wonderful service free. Glenn, please enlighten me ... unless ofcourse, you a Duke or an Earl and can afford to do so.
With warm regards to the team at Midimart
Shyam

[Emerald Midi]

Hi Shyam.

The offer of financial assistance from you and others is a very gracious one but it has to be respectfully declined.

When Glenn and I originally came together with the idea for setting up this forum one of the things we were both adamant about was that it wasn't going to be done for monetary gain, that it would be purely for like minded people who simply want to share files and information they found on the Internet with each other.

The forum itself does not cost any money as it is paid for by the ads we notice now and then. We could have these ads removed - go ad-free, so to speak - by paying a fee to the forum provider’s Pro-Board. But because these ads are not in anyway intrusive we do not feel it necessary to go down that route.

Please bare in mind that I am talking here specifically about the forum and not the main site, which is primarily Glens domain and something he will address himself if necessary.

Again thanks to everyone who have made offers to support us financially.

But our goal still remains to be the best source available for free, top quality midi files on the Net.

And, do you know what? I think we’re a long way on the road to achieving that goal.

[shyamwestwind]

Dear Pat
Hats off to you and Glenn and others in MidiMart. Its really a wonderful gesture - THANK YOU !!
With warm regards
Shyam

[midimart]

OK my four penney worth.

I have been here reading with interest without butting in - so to say, I have been reading all of the comments here and waiting for the right time to reply.....

So here it is.

All of the above that Pat has said, I have to agree with. There are four main staff at the moment, myself, Pat, Jimmy and Geraint. If we did charge (In any way shape or form), it would have to be shared between us, then the question comes up.... TAXES. COPYRIGHT. ROYALTIES. and much much more.

So hassle free tax free and file free.....

Although on saying that, it may be worth toying with the Idea of donations. If someone wants to donate to the cost of the Main site then that is entirely up to them. On the subject of the main site.... Yes this does cost ME...!!

I pay each and every month a fee for the server, the way we are going we may have to consider obtaining a bigger and faster server. I have never ask for help (Money wise) for this as I class the Mai site as my hobby.... How can one charge for an hobby. A hobby is driven by the love of the hobby. I don't gig anymore, I can't sing a single note... (Some say I can play well), so I have dedicated the Main site to you all..... I'm not rich or anything like, it's just my way of saying thank you to - not only you as members but to all the help I have had in the past. Most of what I do is self taught, but a lot I have had to ask questions, and the answers have come freely, I can't charge for someone else's knowledge or help....

So as an end to this, I would like to ask for opinions on a Donation Page, If this would work and of course, will the site then be considered FREE....

Feedback please.....!!!

I have created a Donations button on the main page of the main site. Please feel free to use it and thank you in advance.

I will in the future days be placing a donation button on all pages and on the Forum.... This button is up to the individual member, if he/she wishes to donate then they can do so.... If not, that is no problem.

[dingadong04]

how can i donate if i don,t have a credit card ?

[Steptoe]

What about using Paypal?