Payback for authors?

[Alex]

I have been considering this site lately and how we might be able to build up a large database of good content...

Everyone knows a website is useless without content. So I was thinking of ways to get people to participate more in providing good information.

One thing I have seen on another site is an option to "shout someone a beer", which is basically, if someone on a forum has been helpful, you can donate 5 dollars or 10 dollars or however much you like to that person directly.

Basically this would be like everyone having their own personal "donate" button, people have no obligation to pay, but they can if they want to.

What do you all think? Instead of "buy a beer" we could "send good karma" or some such thing?

[chrystalpaths]

Hmmm, interesting thought Alex. I'll have to ponder how to one could make it effective....are you saying that one could install a button on a site or a thread and push it if they see or sense a particular author is struggling? thus sending them a bit of good energy, help or healing?

[Alex]

Something like that.

Basically a person can have their own paypal account, and there would be an option in the profile to show the button underneath their avatar image...

The way it would work was that if members were seen as being helpful, or someone thinks they deserve or need it, people can send them money by clicking the link under the avatar.

This would mean that in the long run, when the site gets more visitors, people who make a lot of effort to be really helpful might actually gain from their efforts financially, and be able to pay for the internet bill or even simply justify to their spouse "See ! I'm not wasting my time! I'm making money! Hah!" :D

[chrystalpaths]

OOOOOOOOOH! Money/paypal....that could be tricky. I am always available and do have a PP acct for my site but I'm not sure how you could add a PP button to each signature and have it work. Gotta think about that...Be more specific. Say you have a trouble...you'd go to say my button and click it for help? Is that how it would work?

I think it's a great idea, and would love to see it implemented. I think they are people who would contribute, especially as the site grows larger. A 'donation' directly to the healer is a great idea.

P

[sash]

That's an interesting thought. The only thing I think is if someone gave me money and I didn't ask for it I would feel really bad in taking it, especially if this was for like something I wrote. Maybe if there was some regulatory control like both people have to accept it. Money makes me nervous, not sure why. But I can see how it would have its benefits as Pilar pointed out.

[Alex]

The way I see it working is:

The buttons will be next to each person's avatar image. Each person has their own unique paypal donate button. This is a simple link with an image, it should be easy to set up (famous last words).

The member is responsible for setting up their own paypal account and adding the link into their profile here, but only if they want a paypal button.

Then, if someone wants to pay another member for something, or even for no reason, they just click the button next to the person's avatar.

Sash - if you don't want people paying you, don't add a button.

Chrystal - If someone wants your services, they could ask you first to see how much you charge, you can talk to them and arrange a time etc, then they can click the link to give you the money, you receive the money, and take it from there.

Pilar - I agreeify.

:D

I mean, one of us could post a really great article and someone might like it so much they will pay to see more - like if the article was just a teaser for an ebook for example.

[chrystalpaths]

Ok, I am beginning to see where you're going with this. For a bit of help or advice tho..one would have to figure a minimum/maximum cost. I recieve requests for a bit of advice often..many times it is given freely but as you say it doesn't by the milk and bread we need to live. And we struggle along. Keep the ideas flowing.

[Alex]

I don't really see this as being a main source of income for anyone, not for a long time at least. It's merely an added courtesy feature, however you would be more than welcome to say "I can do a half hour reading for you but I would appreciate $50 by paypal first"

I have seen this work on another, where people who were delighted with answers they've been given willingly donate 5, 10, 20 dollars because it was in the spirit of the community.

On the other hand, there are also people there who take answers without paying a cent, but the spirit of the community there is that it doesn't matter either way. And usually they don't hang around very long, they were just after some quick answers and weren't really interested in the community.

Then there are the people who have a product or service to offer, and they specifically ask in their post "Please pay me $whatever to get this"

There might be a risk of people feeling ripped off and wanting their money back if we make a habit of requesting money for services. I suppose there would need to be some kind of disclaimer that Astral Focus is in no way responsible for transactions that occur between members, and disputes must be resolved between the parties involved.

How about something like this -- check out the box at the bottom of the page:
http://www.opensourcetemplates.org/t....cfm?nautica05

P