Concern over site viability

[Ericg]

I would be interested in a shirt of course Ray. I reckon a quick poll would reveal how many you would potentially be able to do.

Eric

[B_finch]

Sorry a bit late to this conversation.
While I haven't posted much since joining ( something about all work and no play time ) I do visit/ check-in to see what's happening from time to time. I am happy with what you chose to make to the site viable. I, like the majority of the group quite happy to pay the membership fee and as Paul said its about the price of a kit so its worth it.

If the shirt idea gets up.. put me down for 1... maybe 2

[VH-WAL]

T- shirts will buy some time and provide a visible presence at model venues but a long term solution is required and that is an influx of membership. Pondering over this over the last 24 whilst battling with my bloody Ambassador I have another idea.
I am a member of 2 yahoo groups:
- Wingsofpeace a group of modellers whose focus is strictly civil pre 1939 (these modellers are very active within the yahoo group.. I actually opted out of getting all the emails because it was clogging the inbox, there was a lot of banter and very few of the subjects actually appealed to me, but I will tell you this they are a great resource for reference material)

- Civil wings a group of modellers ( a subset of Wopers) less rabid and less active.

Now both of these groups of modellers are in our pool of desirable members and one thing this site has to offer is a far more practical means of communication and posting "stuff" than the clumsy yahoo groups ..so clumsy I can't be bothered with it. Another advantage of this site is that you can choose to ignore posts that don't interest you where as in groups you get every bloody email on stuff which is 90% irrelevant to one's interest. I can't be the only civil modeller who is cheesed with these yahoo groups. You have built the baseball stadium, the players will come if they know it is there so I suggest joining these groups and make them aware of this site and what it has to offer. I really think if you gave a trial membership free of charge for say 3 months they and the site would achieve mutual benefits, increase the traffic and get some really interesting modelling topics going. If you like I can be the conduit to put any joining offer to those groups

[AndrewDoppel]

It has always been my expressed thoughts to Ray from the outset of ACAM, that should ACAM become financialy viable to exist without the requirement for membership fees then they should be dropped to assist the site in pushing forward to gain memberships. In my discussions with Ray this morning, the site thanks you all for your initial membership fees which has allowed ACAM to move forward with a good number of sponsors and members.

ACAM has been in existance now for almost eleven months and I believe is financial enough to allow the site to drop membership fees to gain a greater membership not only here in Oz but also from overseas.

Obviously, should this situation change I'm sure amongst those now heavily invested in the site will help Ray out, or alternatively he'll have to sell off more of his stash , but I for one would happily agree the fees should now be dropped to push the site onwards!

[tor lives]

Hi guys,
Firstly, thank you for everyone's constructive suggestions and input. I have much to consider given what my valued and respected members have had to say in this thread.....thanks guys!!!
I need to advise you all that, after much consideration, I have decided, (in consultation with the A/CAM management team...and thanks for your input Andrew and Adam), that the A/CAM fee will be made redundant in the near future in an effort to encourage additional membership.
This initiative, combined with the one of our major sponsors upping their commitment to the site, and with a couple of potential new sponsors in the wings, will postion A/ CAM for a bright and healthy future.
In recognition of those that have already willingly payed a membership fees....I am arranging a little surprise gift in the next month or two. To those payed-up members I simply say a big thank you for your commitment, faith, and vote-of-confidence in the A/CAM site.....this will never be forgotten and greatly assisted in establishing and building the site.
TOR

[Adam the Akrodude]

Sign me up for a A/CAM "Platinum" membership Ray - I want all the "merc"! I've been out in the "mines" for the last few days, but monitoring this thread as/when able - in between dealing with 46 deg C heat, trying to keep the bloody flies out of my mouth and ears when not having a fine dust mask on to keep the bloody asbestos out of my lungs - ah, it's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it - what fun!

I left AMI due to a lot of poison being spread by a few individuals, which just made it not fun anymore to be part of. Ray being given his marching orders from AMI (very unfairly I might add!) was the last straw for me, but I had been considering leaving for a couple of months prior to this. This "poison" still exists at AMI, which just taints what can be very interesting topics - as we've once again seen in recent activity there. Why do some individuals get their rocks off behaving this way? For cripes sake, these public forums are inhabited by mainly grown men, who supposedly enjoy gluing little bits of plastic and resin together, slapping on some paint and decals to replicated these aeroplanes we so enjoy looking at, working on and even flying in. We all often have different opinions, but there is no need to get personal and essentially start attacking someone because they do have a different opinion. A/CAM is just so different from AMI in that there is no chest beating/pissing contests - just individuals who love aeroplanes - airliner, GA, military, whatever. Deep down we're all aerosexuals. Sure, there is some good spirited banter here, but it's fun, not mean spirited. It is actually possible to express one's opinion and not slate another individual with a personal attack. For this reason, A/CAM is very special and will continue to grow and prosper I'm sure. In my opinion, it's a much better product. To any non-members reading this, contact Ray or any of us and give A/CAM a go. This is a site for those who love aeroplanes - civil, military, whatever - from a A380 down to "Little Nellie".

This is all our A/CAM and we can all help get the message out there. The more we use A/CAM, the bigger it grows and more attractive it becomes to prospective members. So, let's all keep those WIP's, completed model posts, photos, stories etc coming in. The first year is always the hardest when starting up any new venture - be it a business or a modelling forum. Thanks to you Ray, you have built a rock solid site here which unlike AMI, doesn't fall over for days at a time. Now surely that should be attractive to any prospective forum member!

[tor lives]

T- shirts will buy some time and provide a visible presence at model venues but a long term solution is required and that is an influx of membership. Pondering over this over the last 24 whilst battling with my bloody Ambassador I have another idea.
I am a member of 2 yahoo groups:
- Wingsofpeace a group of modellers whose focus is strictly civil pre 1939 (these modellers are very active within the yahoo group.. I actually opted out of getting all the emails because it was clogging the inbox, there was a lot of banter and very few of the subjects actually appealed to me, but I will tell you this they are a great resource for reference material)

- Civil wings a group of modellers ( a subset of Wopers) less rabid and less active.

Now both of these groups of modellers are in our pool of desirable members and one thing this site has to offer is a far more practical means of communication and posting "stuff" than the clumsy yahoo groups ..so clumsy I can't be bothered with it. Another advantage of this site is that you can choose to ignore posts that don't interest you where as in groups you get every bloody email on stuff which is 90% irrelevant to one's interest. I can't be the only civil modeller who is cheesed with these yahoo groups. You have built the baseball stadium, the players will come if they know it is there so I suggest joining these groups and make them aware of this site and what it has to offer. I really think if you gave a trial membership free of charge for say 3 months they and the site would achieve mutual benefits, increase the traffic and get some really interesting modelling topics going. If you like I can be the conduit to put any joining offer to those groups

Wal.....I love the idea of getting us out there with these Yahoo groups because, as you have quiet rightly pointed out, they are an ideal target audience and perfect demographic for the A/CAM product.
I would love to take you up on your offer to be the "bridge" between these groups and A/CAM if you are willing to do so.
Thanks for your support and input Wal. This gesture will all contribute greatly towards achieving my singular goal and mission statement which is to create the best possible model site for my loyal membership through a process of continual growth and improvement.
Thanks again good sir.
TOR