Hi All,
@Steampugs , Thank You for the update - really appreciate hearing a bit on the issues. Really.
I am not in the Vape business, I don’t work in a Vape Shop, so I won’t pretend I know a lot about the business as a whole, and the intricacies of operating a world wide website in today’s regulatory environment, but I’d like to voice a few thoughts please.
VC is not just a forum and database of information and cultural exchange. The views, exchanges, cultural commentary, narrative, and reviews and information exchange represent literally a cultural icon. We cannot lose this small treasure. I wish I understood more of what issues Grubby / @Grubby is facing. Financial? Regulatory? Medical/Age? (It happens – I just became a senior myself.) Desire to retire? Other? If we knew, we might have suggestions to offer.
Without knowing Grubby more personally, I sincerely hope that if the time comes where he no longer wishes to operate Vaping Community, that a succession plan is considered and begun. The culture history and information here should be preserved by a successor(s) with the same philosophies as Grubby and VC today.
On financials and the possibility of a subscription model, I hope actually that this is not the outcome. Grubby’s hard work on the recent redesign I speculate was in part done to help drive engagement? Moving to a financial model would need be analyzed on a cost-benefit perspective. If revenue does not go up enough to offset a loss of engagement of those unable/unwilling to pay, we’re back where we started. Perhaps a boost in advertising of and on VC, and more active promotion of a donation program might help, but the additional work might be asking too much of someone who has given so much. Additionally (and philosophically), the free exchange of views and information should be, you know, free. (Again, just my own view.)
I hope Grubby / @Grubby is well, and the Holiday Season finds him happy and healthy, but @Steampugs we definitely need to hear from Grubby, if he is able please? If I thought I could help I would offer to, but I’m not sure if there’s anything I can do to help.
Thanks for listening All.