Comments on: How to Kill Your Favorite Website. (Or Magazine. Or TV show.) http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/ Let's Make Stuff. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:01:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: joanie http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-64880 joanie Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:30:39 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-64880 Firstly, I instantly got the Six Mill $ Man reference and vividly remember sticking green stamps into their little books - but was blissfully unaware I was old. Of course today it would cost at least Six Billion to rebuild him. Secondly, all forms of media are feeling the pinch. There's only one reason reality TV has remained regular viewing, it's cheap to produce because its stars contribute for little or nothing - the same is true for most online content. And if news is instantly available on your iPhone or delivered to your RSS reader from the big media companies at a click, why will people bother to pick up a newspaper let alone pay for it. The bigger question is how we have any still being printed at all. Early on newspapers were fearful of giving away their content online and tried models of charging for it, now most are wishing they hadn't caved in to competitors who offered it up for free. Fifteen years ago I sat in meetings as a creative director at a publishing company discussing business models for our various new web ventures and today online commerce has become viable, yet there is still no definitive approach to earning money through advertising online. The attention span of an average adult in technologically "advanced" countries now equals that of a gnat. That fact coupled with a global recession has forced advertisers to only spend money on trackable, results-oriented campaigns. Hopefully a new era is on the horizon. Maybe the large media companies will come together and collectively decide to charge for content again, thus saving the jobs of those who know how to research and report the old fashioned way and give us information we trust again. I'm afraid the same is true for the craft community, if there's so much out there online for free, why subscribe? How will print mags grow large enough to support themselves, there certainly aren't enough large craft advertisers to make them viable. This is a very generous and intelligent online community, if it's members come together and work on this issue, perhaps there's a way to save both the print and web publications we all love. Having open discussions is always the first step in the direction of change. Perhaps you should lead the way to this new horizon Dianne, I'm behind you! Firstly, I instantly got the Six Mill $ Man reference and vividly remember sticking green stamps into their little books – but was blissfully unaware I was old. Of course today it would cost at least Six Billion to rebuild him.

Secondly, all forms of media are feeling the pinch. There’s only one reason reality TV has remained regular viewing, it’s cheap to produce because its stars contribute for little or nothing – the same is true for most online content.

And if news is instantly available on your iPhone or delivered to your RSS reader from the big media companies at a click, why will people bother to pick up a newspaper let alone pay for it. The bigger question is how we have any still being printed at all. Early on newspapers were fearful of giving away their content online and tried models of charging for it, now most are wishing they hadn’t caved in to competitors who offered it up for free.

Fifteen years ago I sat in meetings as a creative director at a publishing company discussing business models for our various new web ventures and today online commerce has become viable, yet there is still no definitive approach to earning money through advertising online.

The attention span of an average adult in technologically “advanced” countries now equals that of a gnat. That fact coupled with a global recession has forced advertisers to only spend money on trackable, results-oriented campaigns.

Hopefully a new era is on the horizon. Maybe the large media companies will come together and collectively decide to charge for content again, thus saving the jobs of those who know how to research and report the old fashioned way and give us information we trust again.

I’m afraid the same is true for the craft community, if there’s so much out there online for free, why subscribe? How will print mags grow large enough to support themselves, there certainly aren’t enough large craft advertisers to make them viable.

This is a very generous and intelligent online community, if it’s members come together and work on this issue, perhaps there’s a way to save both the print and web publications we all love.

Having open discussions is always the first step in the direction of change. Perhaps you should lead the way to this new horizon Dianne, I’m behind you!

]]> By: joanie http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-84074 joanie Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:30:00 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-84074 Firstly, I instantly got the Six Mill $ Man reference and vividly remember sticking green stamps into their little books - but was blissfully unaware I was old. Of course today it would cost at least Six Billion to rebuild him. Secondly, all forms of media are feeling the pinch. There's only one reason reality TV has remained regular viewing, it's cheap to produce because its stars contribute for little or nothing - the same is true for most online content. And if news is instantly available on your iPhone or delivered to your RSS reader from the big media companies at a click, why will people bother to pick up a newspaper let alone pay for it. The bigger question is how we have any still being printed at all. Early on newspapers were fearful of giving away their content online and tried models of charging for it, now most are wishing they hadn't caved in to competitors who offered it up for free. Fifteen years ago I sat in meetings as a creative director at a publishing company discussing business models for our various new web ventures and today online commerce has become viable, yet there is still no definitive approach to earning money through advertising online. The attention span of an average adult in technologically "advanced" countries now equals that of a gnat. That fact coupled with a global recession has forced advertisers to only spend money on trackable, results-oriented campaigns. Hopefully a new era is on the horizon. Maybe the large media companies will come together and collectively decide to charge for content again, thus saving the jobs of those who know how to research and report the old fashioned way and give us information we trust again. I'm afraid the same is true for the craft community, if there's so much out there online for free, why subscribe? How will print mags grow large enough to support themselves, there certainly aren't enough large craft advertisers to make them viable. This is a very generous and intelligent online community, if it's members come together and work on this issue, perhaps there's a way to save both the print and web publications we all love. Having open discussions is always the first step in the direction of change. Perhaps you should lead the way to this new horizon Dianne, I'm behind you! Firstly, I instantly got the Six Mill $ Man reference and vividly remember sticking green stamps into their little books – but was blissfully unaware I was old. Of course today it would cost at least Six Billion to rebuild him.

Secondly, all forms of media are feeling the pinch. There’s only one reason reality TV has remained regular viewing, it’s cheap to produce because its stars contribute for little or nothing – the same is true for most online content.

And if news is instantly available on your iPhone or delivered to your RSS reader from the big media companies at a click, why will people bother to pick up a newspaper let alone pay for it. The bigger question is how we have any still being printed at all. Early on newspapers were fearful of giving away their content online and tried models of charging for it, now most are wishing they hadn’t caved in to competitors who offered it up for free.

Fifteen years ago I sat in meetings as a creative director at a publishing company discussing business models for our various new web ventures and today online commerce has become viable, yet there is still no definitive approach to earning money through advertising online.

The attention span of an average adult in technologically “advanced” countries now equals that of a gnat. That fact coupled with a global recession has forced advertisers to only spend money on trackable, results-oriented campaigns.

Hopefully a new era is on the horizon. Maybe the large media companies will come together and collectively decide to charge for content again, thus saving the jobs of those who know how to research and report the old fashioned way and give us information we trust again.

I’m afraid the same is true for the craft community, if there’s so much out there online for free, why subscribe? How will print mags grow large enough to support themselves, there certainly aren’t enough large craft advertisers to make them viable.

This is a very generous and intelligent online community, if it’s members come together and work on this issue, perhaps there’s a way to save both the print and web publications we all love.

Having open discussions is always the first step in the direction of change. Perhaps you should lead the way to this new horizon Dianne, I’m behind you!

]]> By: True Up » Archive » Linky Tuesday http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-64628 True Up » Archive » Linky Tuesday Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:18:09 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-64628 [...] Cathy of California gave a weekend assignment: go out and buy a craft book! And on a related note, Craftypod encourages you to support your favorite content/creators. [...] [...] Cathy of California gave a weekend assignment: go out and buy a craft book! And on a related note, Craftypod encourages you to support your favorite content/creators. [...]

]]> By: Tammy http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-64555 Tammy Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:09:16 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-64555 As someone who has written for both print and web media for a number of years now, I have mixed feelings about this. I think the original model can still work to some extent. About.com is a good example of this; however, networks like that have been around for a long time (when you consider we are talking about cyberspace). It has grown an audience and thus brought advertisers as well. Newer sites like CraftStylish have not been around that long, and to top it off, we now have a recession in the US. So timing is part of the problem too. I don't necessarily agree that the old model is dead, but I do agree that hard times can bring opportunities for those who are clever and willing to take chances. As someone who has written for both print and web media for a number of years now, I have mixed feelings about this. I think the original model can still work to some extent. About.com is a good example of this; however, networks like that have been around for a long time (when you consider we are talking about cyberspace). It has grown an audience and thus brought advertisers as well. Newer sites like CraftStylish have not been around that long, and to top it off, we now have a recession in the US. So timing is part of the problem too.

I don’t necessarily agree that the old model is dead, but I do agree that hard times can bring opportunities for those who are clever and willing to take chances.

]]> By: Tammy http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-84073 Tammy Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:09:00 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-84073 As someone who has written for both print and web media for a number of years now, I have mixed feelings about this. I think the original model can still work to some extent. About.com is a good example of this; however, networks like that have been around for a long time (when you consider we are talking about cyberspace). It has grown an audience and thus brought advertisers as well. Newer sites like CraftStylish have not been around that long, and to top it off, we now have a recession in the US. So timing is part of the problem too. I don't necessarily agree that the old model is dead, but I do agree that hard times can bring opportunities for those who are clever and willing to take chances. As someone who has written for both print and web media for a number of years now, I have mixed feelings about this. I think the original model can still work to some extent. About.com is a good example of this; however, networks like that have been around for a long time (when you consider we are talking about cyberspace). It has grown an audience and thus brought advertisers as well. Newer sites like CraftStylish have not been around that long, and to top it off, we now have a recession in the US. So timing is part of the problem too.

I don’t necessarily agree that the old model is dead, but I do agree that hard times can bring opportunities for those who are clever and willing to take chances.

]]> By: debbie http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-64501 debbie Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:43:41 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-64501 Not giving this deep thought but two ideas popped into my head while reading this article and the comments. (1) I want to be able to purchase a "net pass" perhaps in the form of an ongoing subscription. I don't want to pay as I go each time for each separate website or blog or ezine or whatever. I might want one article for ABC this week and not again for another two months, but in the meantime want to buy access to EFG and ZZZ online sources. So I want a pre-purchased pass to be able to do this. (2) I want online green stamps. Anybody here old enough to remember green stamps? I want this "net pass" use and other kinds of access to reward me with free credit for more "net pass" minutes or maybe kits or ebooks or something along those lines. Again, I haven't thought any of this through beyond typing it out as it bubbles to the surface right now. Please consider and pick apart and improve if it has any merit. Not giving this deep thought but two ideas popped into my head while reading this article and the comments. (1) I want to be able to purchase a “net pass” perhaps in the form of an ongoing subscription. I don’t want to pay as I go each time for each separate website or blog or ezine or whatever. I might want one article for ABC this week and not again for another two months, but in the meantime want to buy access to EFG and ZZZ online sources. So I want a pre-purchased pass to be able to do this. (2) I want online green stamps. Anybody here old enough to remember green stamps? I want this “net pass” use and other kinds of access to reward me with free credit for more “net pass” minutes or maybe kits or ebooks or something along those lines.

Again, I haven’t thought any of this through beyond typing it out as it bubbles to the surface right now. Please consider and pick apart and improve if it has any merit.

]]> By: debbie http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-84072 debbie Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:43:00 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-84072 Not giving this deep thought but two ideas popped into my head while reading this article and the comments. (1) I want to be able to purchase a "net pass" perhaps in the form of an ongoing subscription. I don't want to pay as I go each time for each separate website or blog or ezine or whatever. I might want one article for ABC this week and not again for another two months, but in the meantime want to buy access to EFG and ZZZ online sources. So I want a pre-purchased pass to be able to do this. (2) I want online green stamps. Anybody here old enough to remember green stamps? I want this "net pass" use and other kinds of access to reward me with free credit for more "net pass" minutes or maybe kits or ebooks or something along those lines. Again, I haven't thought any of this through beyond typing it out as it bubbles to the surface right now. Please consider and pick apart and improve if it has any merit. Not giving this deep thought but two ideas popped into my head while reading this article and the comments. (1) I want to be able to purchase a “net pass” perhaps in the form of an ongoing subscription. I don’t want to pay as I go each time for each separate website or blog or ezine or whatever. I might want one article for ABC this week and not again for another two months, but in the meantime want to buy access to EFG and ZZZ online sources. So I want a pre-purchased pass to be able to do this. (2) I want online green stamps. Anybody here old enough to remember green stamps? I want this “net pass” use and other kinds of access to reward me with free credit for more “net pass” minutes or maybe kits or ebooks or something along those lines.

Again, I haven’t thought any of this through beyond typing it out as it bubbles to the surface right now. Please consider and pick apart and improve if it has any merit.

]]> By: Sarahwww http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-64444 Sarahwww Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:52:35 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-64444 I caught the 6 Million Dollar Man reference, but was too slow--making me officially, even older. Good article and lots to think about. I'm guessing many folks don't think about costs and "feeding the advertisers" at sites as Linda P mentioned. Much education is needed. I caught the 6 Million Dollar Man reference, but was too slow–making me officially, even older.
Good article and lots to think about. I’m guessing many folks don’t think about costs and “feeding the advertisers” at sites as Linda P mentioned. Much education is needed.

]]> By: Sarahwww http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-84071 Sarahwww Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:52:00 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-84071 I caught the 6 Million Dollar Man reference, but was too slow--making me officially, even older. Good article and lots to think about. I'm guessing many folks don't think about costs and "feeding the advertisers" at sites as Linda P mentioned. Much education is needed. I caught the 6 Million Dollar Man reference, but was too slow–making me officially, even older.
Good article and lots to think about. I’m guessing many folks don’t think about costs and “feeding the advertisers” at sites as Linda P mentioned. Much education is needed.

]]> By: Sally McEntire http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-64348 Sally McEntire Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:21:36 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-64348 I thought this was a great article. I passed it on to Denny and he tweeted it. Really some good stuff to think about. Thanks Diane. I thought this was a great article. I passed it on to Denny and he tweeted it. Really some good stuff to think about. Thanks Diane.

]]> By: Sally McEntire http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-84070 Sally McEntire Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:21:00 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-84070 I thought this was a great article. I passed it on to Denny and he tweeted it. Really some good stuff to think about. Thanks Diane. I thought this was a great article. I passed it on to Denny and he tweeted it. Really some good stuff to think about. Thanks Diane.

]]> By: Joann http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-64339 Joann Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:31:02 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-64339 I'm a bit of a freak, because I look forward to the ads in craft magazines. I got into craft magazines, in fact, because I bought one purely for the ads, as I needed a supplier of a particular thing, and ever since I've been just as interested in the ads as the editorial content. This isn't true of mainstream media, of course, but I just don't understand why people who love going to things like the gem shows in Tucson, or the _Bead & Button_ show don't also see the shininess of ads for the same suppliers whose tables they ogle at shows. Yes, you can't touch the shinies in an ad, I know, but some of the ads are just as much eye candy as the pictures with the articles. Getting good ads in a magazine is an art, and I really, really enjoy seeing it done well. (I'm the same way about ads on websites, too.) As one of the world's slow readers, I don't have time to trawl all the online fora and journals, trying to find which supplier of sprockets people like best, or where to buy widgets. I have been online since 1990 (yes, it is possible) and yet cannot make Google cough up relevant results for me, most of the time. So I rely on ads when I'm looking for things. I also want to stand up for rebels. I don't like following the herd. I don't take up a new craft because all my friends are doing it, and if I do follow someone else's lead, I'm not likely to want to use all the same suppliers. Advertising does have a use, remember. "The Sampler" is a form of advertising. I don't know what the future of advertising will be, but I really do hope it has a future. I’m a bit of a freak, because I look forward to the ads in craft magazines. I got into craft magazines, in fact, because I bought one purely for the ads, as I needed a supplier of a particular thing, and ever since I’ve been just as interested in the ads as the editorial content. This isn’t true of mainstream media, of course, but I just don’t understand why people who love going to things like the gem shows in Tucson, or the _Bead & Button_ show don’t also see the shininess of ads for the same suppliers whose tables they ogle at shows. Yes, you can’t touch the shinies in an ad, I know, but some of the ads are just as much eye candy as the pictures with the articles. Getting good ads in a magazine is an art, and I really, really enjoy seeing it done well. (I’m the same way about ads on websites, too.)

As one of the world’s slow readers, I don’t have time to trawl all the online fora and journals, trying to find which supplier of sprockets people like best, or where to buy widgets. I have been online since 1990 (yes, it is possible) and yet cannot make Google cough up relevant results for me, most of the time. So I rely on ads when I’m looking for things.

I also want to stand up for rebels. I don’t like following the herd. I don’t take up a new craft because all my friends are doing it, and if I do follow someone else’s lead, I’m not likely to want to use all the same suppliers.

Advertising does have a use, remember. “The Sampler” is a form of advertising. I don’t know what the future of advertising will be, but I really do hope it has a future.

]]> By: Joann http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-84069 Joann Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:31:00 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-84069 I'm a bit of a freak, because I look forward to the ads in craft magazines. I got into craft magazines, in fact, because I bought one purely for the ads, as I needed a supplier of a particular thing, and ever since I've been just as interested in the ads as the editorial content. This isn't true of mainstream media, of course, but I just don't understand why people who love going to things like the gem shows in Tucson, or the _Bead & Button_ show don't also see the shininess of ads for the same suppliers whose tables they ogle at shows. Yes, you can't touch the shinies in an ad, I know, but some of the ads are just as much eye candy as the pictures with the articles. Getting good ads in a magazine is an art, and I really, really enjoy seeing it done well. (I'm the same way about ads on websites, too.) As one of the world's slow readers, I don't have time to trawl all the online fora and journals, trying to find which supplier of sprockets people like best, or where to buy widgets. I have been online since 1990 (yes, it is possible) and yet cannot make Google cough up relevant results for me, most of the time. So I rely on ads when I'm looking for things. I also want to stand up for rebels. I don't like following the herd. I don't take up a new craft because all my friends are doing it, and if I do follow someone else's lead, I'm not likely to want to use all the same suppliers. Advertising does have a use, remember. "The Sampler" is a form of advertising. I don't know what the future of advertising will be, but I really do hope it has a future. I’m a bit of a freak, because I look forward to the ads in craft magazines. I got into craft magazines, in fact, because I bought one purely for the ads, as I needed a supplier of a particular thing, and ever since I’ve been just as interested in the ads as the editorial content. This isn’t true of mainstream media, of course, but I just don’t understand why people who love going to things like the gem shows in Tucson, or the _Bead & Button_ show don’t also see the shininess of ads for the same suppliers whose tables they ogle at shows. Yes, you can’t touch the shinies in an ad, I know, but some of the ads are just as much eye candy as the pictures with the articles. Getting good ads in a magazine is an art, and I really, really enjoy seeing it done well. (I’m the same way about ads on websites, too.)

As one of the world’s slow readers, I don’t have time to trawl all the online fora and journals, trying to find which supplier of sprockets people like best, or where to buy widgets. I have been online since 1990 (yes, it is possible) and yet cannot make Google cough up relevant results for me, most of the time. So I rely on ads when I’m looking for things.

I also want to stand up for rebels. I don’t like following the herd. I don’t take up a new craft because all my friends are doing it, and if I do follow someone else’s lead, I’m not likely to want to use all the same suppliers.

Advertising does have a use, remember. “The Sampler” is a form of advertising. I don’t know what the future of advertising will be, but I really do hope it has a future.

]]> By: Kay Fleskes http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-64336 Kay Fleskes Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:48:54 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-64336 Diane - I appreciate the education you've given me. I too have noticed that publications I have been very interested in have gone away, and I have been wondering what to do about it. In regards to the Craft Stylish and Craftzine websites, I found it overwhelming that there was soooo much information out there that I can't assimilate it well. I have the same issue with Craftster. So I have found myself listening to podcasts, or visiting a few select sites that I have learned about through the podcasts. For example, I follow your site, because you don't try to do too much in one post, and it fits the nuggets of time I have. Alternatively, I miss the magazines, because I could pick them up throughout the week and explore them especially when I need computer "away time". I do worry though about the waste of throwing them away, or just keeping them on the shelf. So, in the absence of the micropayment idea you are talking about, I have been thinking of deciding on a crafty "budget" that I would use to make donations to sites I visit (and accept donations). I don't think I would try to remember that I've made an annual payment and that another one is due. Instead I would just spread it around in some kind of cyclic manner consistent with the budget I've set up. However, I do wish the micropayment idea was available, because that seems to make so much more sense, and would be easier to apply as I visit and enjoy a webiste. Diane – I appreciate the education you’ve given me. I too have noticed that publications I have been very interested in have gone away, and I have been wondering what to do about it. In regards to the Craft Stylish and Craftzine websites, I found it overwhelming that there was soooo much information out there that I can’t assimilate it well. I have the same issue with Craftster. So I have found myself listening to podcasts, or visiting a few select sites that I have learned about through the podcasts. For example, I follow your site, because you don’t try to do too much in one post, and it fits the nuggets of time I have. Alternatively, I miss the magazines, because I could pick them up throughout the week and explore them especially when I need computer “away time”. I do worry though about the waste of throwing them away, or just keeping them on the shelf. So, in the absence of the micropayment idea you are talking about, I have been thinking of deciding on a crafty “budget” that I would use to make donations to sites I visit (and accept donations). I don’t think I would try to remember that I’ve made an annual payment and that another one is due. Instead I would just spread it around in some kind of cyclic manner consistent with the budget I’ve set up. However, I do wish the micropayment idea was available, because that seems to make so much more sense, and would be easier to apply as I visit and enjoy a webiste.

]]> By: Kay Fleskes http://www.craftypod.com/2009/06/03/how-to-kill-your-favorite-website-or-magazine-or-tv-show/comment-page-1/#comment-84068 Kay Fleskes Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:48:00 +0000 http://www.craftypod.com/?p=1081#comment-84068 Diane - I appreciate the education you've given me. I too have noticed that publications I have been very interested in have gone away, and I have been wondering what to do about it. In regards to the Craft Stylish and Craftzine websites, I found it overwhelming that there was soooo much information out there that I can't assimilate it well. I have the same issue with Craftster. So I have found myself listening to podcasts, or visiting a few select sites that I have learned about through the podcasts. For example, I follow your site, because you don't try to do too much in one post, and it fits the nuggets of time I have. Alternatively, I miss the magazines, because I could pick them up throughout the week and explore them especially when I need computer "away time". I do worry though about the waste of throwing them away, or just keeping them on the shelf. So, in the absence of the micropayment idea you are talking about, I have been thinking of deciding on a crafty "budget" that I would use to make donations to sites I visit (and accept donations). I don't think I would try to remember that I've made an annual payment and that another one is due. Instead I would just spread it around in some kind of cyclic manner consistent with the budget I've set up. However, I do wish the micropayment idea was available, because that seems to make so much more sense, and would be easier to apply as I visit and enjoy a webiste. Diane – I appreciate the education you’ve given me. I too have noticed that publications I have been very interested in have gone away, and I have been wondering what to do about it. In regards to the Craft Stylish and Craftzine websites, I found it overwhelming that there was soooo much information out there that I can’t assimilate it well. I have the same issue with Craftster. So I have found myself listening to podcasts, or visiting a few select sites that I have learned about through the podcasts. For example, I follow your site, because you don’t try to do too much in one post, and it fits the nuggets of time I have. Alternatively, I miss the magazines, because I could pick them up throughout the week and explore them especially when I need computer “away time”. I do worry though about the waste of throwing them away, or just keeping them on the shelf. So, in the absence of the micropayment idea you are talking about, I have been thinking of deciding on a crafty “budget” that I would use to make donations to sites I visit (and accept donations). I don’t think I would try to remember that I’ve made an annual payment and that another one is due. Instead I would just spread it around in some kind of cyclic manner consistent with the budget I’ve set up. However, I do wish the micropayment idea was available, because that seems to make so much more sense, and would be easier to apply as I visit and enjoy a webiste.

]]>