Posted by Joe Cimoch on Friday, July 06, 2007 at 13:06:41 :
In Reply to: Don't take this the wrong way, but posted by Will (in IL) on Friday, July 06, 2007 at 09:39:57 :
The site doesn't run itself, so the advertisements supplement the classifieds and donations. Your choice whether or not you choose to view them or click on them. When I visit a site that has ads like Google or Yahoo, I make it a point to click, as a gesture of making a small donation for the information or pleasure I received from the visit. Everyone is different.
A while ago a guy named Chris Pirillo put together the Libera Manifesto, for others to understand what webmasters feel.
The Inspiration
I decided to start this list when I heard that SHYFONTS.COM closed due to the following reasons. I knew he wasn't alone:
"I just wasn't receiving that much support from my users. Everybody kept downloading all of the fonts, but never supported the site. I'd get almost 2,000 hits a day and no one would really click an ad or buy one of our shirts (only one person ever bought a shirt). What made it worse, with the traffic I received, hardly anybody ever sent me an email just to say 'thanks.' I just couldn't afford to keep the site up anymore. It really sucks too, because I've spent a lot of time and effort on ShyFonts."
We really don't ask for that much.
The Libera Manifesto v1.0
1. Our time is worth something, too.
2. There is such a thing as a free lunch, but don't forget to tip your waiter.
3. We love to create without charging for our work.
4. Feedback keeps us going.
5. Sponsors are not beating down our doors.
6. All take and no give only works for a little while.
7. If you don't like something, do it yourself.
8. Don't expect us to ask for nothing in return.
9. We are human.
10. Half the world disagrees with us. The other half disagrees.
11. Five years ago, we were different people.
12. Five years ago, the Internet was a different place.
13. If you can help, please do.
14. Don't expect us to do everything, all the time, anytime you want us to do it for you.
15. We love you.
16. Free is not always free.
17. Think before you complain.
18. We don't waste time; we give it to you.
19. Without you, we'd be nothing.
20. It just looks easy.
21. Which do you value more? Our services or an Extra Value Meal?
22. When you "cheat" the system, it hurts the giver more than it helps the taker.
23. Spare time?
24. Affiliate programs pay jack squat.
25. We don't whine, we ask politely.
26. Bandwidth is not free.
27. Nobody is forcing you to use our stuff.
28. Negative feedback is not the same as constructive criticism.
29. You'd be surprised at how much a digital 'pat on the back' would brighten our day.
30. We don't know everything.
31. We need your respect and understanding.
32. We still love you.
33. Most of us operate without a budget.
34. If you like us, tell a friend.
35. If you hate us, tell us why.
36. Some of us are too humble to ask you to do something for us.
37. Weekends do not exist.
38. We made a choice to do this, but we also have the right to change our minds.
39. You don't get what you pay for.
40. Don't count on someone else to pick up the slack.
41. Personal life?
42. We want to give you more.
43. Our service is part of our spirit.
44. We respect your advice, but can't always follow it.
45. Assume nothing.
46. Our business plan consists of one goal: be here tomorrow.
47. If we ever develop a "pay for" option, we'll have good reason to do so.
48. Even if we do develop a "pay for" option, you don't have to buy it.
49. We want to connect with people, not machines.
50. Integrity means more to us than our bottom line.
51. Don't expect us to bash Company X.
52. Don't expect us to praise Company X.
53. The term 'IPO' is not in our vocabulary.
54. If we have a published set of instructions or frequently asked questions, please read it.
55. Sleep is a luxury.
56. Most of us seek recognition, not fame.
57. Offer suggestions, but never tell us how to do our job.
58. Our character is sometimes the only thing we can count on; don't question it.
59. Go ahead and call us "sellouts." You're wrong.
60. Take us for granted and soon there will be nothing left to take.
61. Making money is not always our goal.
62. We remember those who help us.
63. We remember those who do NOT help us.
64. Most of us don't have a 'Director of Marketing.'
65. We like free stuff, too.
66. Without us, you'd have to pay for everything.
67. The advertising market has changed; we have struggled to remain the same.
68. There's nothing wrong with reciprocation.
69. This is a full-time job, whether we have another one or not.
70. Ignore us and we'll go away.
71. If we can't afford to continue, we can't afford to continue.
72. Lurking is fine -- just let us know that we're helping you at some point.
73. Don't confuse personality with ego.
74. Most of us ride on the Cluetrain.
75. Opinions aren't wrong.
76. We'll always love you.
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