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This was one of those months I knew would come in this little project – a month where money was extremely tight. It’s tax time, and for reasons that would bore you into a stupor if I were to utter one word of them, we’re juggling a lot of payouts this year.
So… not much at all left over for supporting Free stuff on the web. But, my vow when I started this was that even in a low-money month, I would find a way to do something. So here are the two somethings I scraped together:
First, I went ahead and joined the Letter Writer’s Alliance. I did it because I had so much fun talking with co-founder Donovan Beeson in this podcast, and because when she sent me the utterly charming letter pictured below, it reminded me of just how much fun real, live letters can be.
I haven’t actually written a dang letter yet, though. All things after April 15th, my friends.
And second, I sent a donation to Twit Cleaner, which I mentioned in yesterday’s post. This tool has helped me sort through the over 1,800 people I’ve been trying to follow on Twitter, and easily see who’s only tweeting links to their own stuff, who’s rarely conversing with others, and who’s just stopped tweeting.
…And this tool is free. I love free tools, just like anybody else, but in the course of this project, I realize that I’ve developed a radar of sorts. When I encounter any free web tool now, the first thing I do is look around and try to see how they’re making their money. If I can’t see a busines model in place, then I worry.
Remember, Free isn’t necessarily sustainable. If you have free things on the web you love, what can you do to help keep them alive?
Good for you. Love TwitCleaner, too. Need to add them to the Awesome Free list.
Love the comic book sketch at the top.
Twit Cleaner is brilliant – just had a little clean up! Thanks Diane :-)
Martine
I can’t remember if you mentioned Hanna’s postcard swap in last month’s supporting free post? If not, mention it here! Because there was a fee for that, and I think that counts as supporting a fellow blogger, right? (I thought the fee was well worth it, too.)
So did I! And I did mention it in this post last month – I was so happy Hanna charged a fee this time. That swap has so many entries, I know it takes a lot of her time to organize.
Such a good project Diane. I’ve been doing it too but not consistently (only when I can afford it). You’re right that we need to think about sustaining each other. We’re in this together after all.
We sure are! Thank you so much, Michele, for putting your support into the community!