Generally I don't think charging is a good idea. Maybe a competency test to prove you know something about being a technician?
I like the idea of forums and discussion being free and open, perhaps the administrators could have a user block feature to get rid of the junk. But you'd have to be careful that we're not having people blocked just because we don't like them, their questions, their posts, or ideas. After all, where would we draw the line? What then would be the point of free flowing information and ideas?
I would be in favor of fees if the site was redone. The fee would cover things other than the forums. Maybe a resource library or university center online. Manuals, tech. bulletins, tips, etc. could be posted there for paying members. But then again, many techs are multi-brand or independent and just because they can't buy or get a free manual from the manufacturer shouldn't mean that they can't get one or trade one with someone else for free. I can buy intravia guides for instance but they're expensive, there's too many different machines out there.
It would be cool to be able to make videos or training videos for others to see like a youtube but instead of copiers. That could be in a paid section. But then again, it wouldn't be equitable for a member to pay a fee if they are making a video for free for someone else to be paying for now would it.
The site owners could ask for donations too. I've done that for freelance developers of free software programs I like.
I think just take it on a case by case basis and block really bad troublemakers or do the competency test.
I wouldn't want to block or deny someone just because they are an end user. Imagine them owning a machine and the servicing dealer doesn't have anyone that was trained on that machine or knows anything about it...I've seen that many times before. This forum could be the only way they are going to get help.
I like the idea of forums and discussion being free and open, perhaps the administrators could have a user block feature to get rid of the junk. But you'd have to be careful that we're not having people blocked just because we don't like them, their questions, their posts, or ideas. After all, where would we draw the line? What then would be the point of free flowing information and ideas?
I would be in favor of fees if the site was redone. The fee would cover things other than the forums. Maybe a resource library or university center online. Manuals, tech. bulletins, tips, etc. could be posted there for paying members. But then again, many techs are multi-brand or independent and just because they can't buy or get a free manual from the manufacturer shouldn't mean that they can't get one or trade one with someone else for free. I can buy intravia guides for instance but they're expensive, there's too many different machines out there.
It would be cool to be able to make videos or training videos for others to see like a youtube but instead of copiers. That could be in a paid section. But then again, it wouldn't be equitable for a member to pay a fee if they are making a video for free for someone else to be paying for now would it.
The site owners could ask for donations too. I've done that for freelance developers of free software programs I like.
I think just take it on a case by case basis and block really bad troublemakers or do the competency test.
I wouldn't want to block or deny someone just because they are an end user. Imagine them owning a machine and the servicing dealer doesn't have anyone that was trained on that machine or knows anything about it...I've seen that many times before. This forum could be the only way they are going to get help.
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