I GIVE IN
by John
I had decided to cease my WordPress subscription, and cease writing these blogs, recently, and a few readers have very kindly expressed regret about the impending demise of johnsmachines.com.
The annual WordPress fees increased by 23% a year or two ago, and this year they added a domain name charge which amounted to another 25%. It adds up to about $aud160 each year, not a fortune, but it would buy a handy supply of end mills. And the price increases are way in excess of inflation levels, and show no signs of slowing.
But more importantly, I do wonder just how much interest there is in the blog. Roughly 150 people log in each day, and look at one or two entries each. The “like” button is pressed maybe once each day. And a comment is entered about once each day or less. Not very encouraging. I do wonder if I am wasting my time and money.
So those are the reasons I had decided to stop.
Then yesterday, a friend who I shall call Les, told me that he was very disappointed that johnsmachines was stopping, and how much he had enjoyed it. He said that he was always pleased to get the notification of another johnsmachines entry, and reading what was going on in my workshop.
Les is paralysed from the waist down, the result of polio when he was a teenager. He was a champion athlete when he was struck down with the then dreaded disease. In those days, vaccination against polio was not widely available. (If you would enjoy a highly articulate tongue lashing, just make critical comment about vaccination to Les.) Despite the disability, Les worked full time, and was very active in the workshop, and at our model engineering club. In fact he was one of the founding members of GSMEE, 30 years ago. He has an incisive intellect, and when he speaks, it always pays to listen carefully.
So when he made that comment about johnsmachines.com, I listened, and reflected.
And I have decided to continue for another year.
(thanks also to Huib Hoogendoorn, Tim Gee, Brendan Wallace, daredesign, someone, Peter, Jenny, johnf, Ben, and others, who encouraged me to continue).
John always look forward to seeing the Email that there is a new post on the blog. And enjoy reading the progress of the latest project and look forward to seeing the Trevithic running, as do a number of other readers of the blog.
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Thanks Brendan. Your feedback has always been stimulating and encouraging.
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I am also very pleased that you decided to continue with the blog.
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Thanks Roy
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That’s great John.
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Thanks Ray
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I only found this site about a week ago, and I haven’t even read all the posts yet, I’m very relieved that you are continuing.
I bought my first lathe 3 weeks ago, I have already bought my second, I was so relieved to find another lathe nut!
Cheers
Ron
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Oh dear. Another one with the disease.
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Great News John, I always look forward to see the latest Post Too
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Thanks Bernie
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Thanks for continuing.
The progress on the dredger is worth reading alone.
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Thanks Ian
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Model engineering and the community you have created here trumps the annoying money grab.
I think you win easily here John .
If it goes up again I’m sure some of us will chip in. Not so much because of the money but in solidarity.
(disclaimer: the use of the words “trump” and “solidarity” are intended as apolitical )
Good on you John.
Cheers. Tim
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It’s not the money, it’s the principle Tim. Hmmmm… something like that anyway.
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Hi John
Very pleased to here you are continuing, I too look forward to your blog I was inspired to build a boiler you kindly sent me some plans, I have changed a few aspects of your design and am currently redrawing it to present to our boiler inspector at the end of the month. I have subscribed to WordPress also and will get some information up shortly, I have started to set the blog up with only a few things to look at. My site is emersmodels.com after my plans are approved I will get stuck into it.
Hope to see more of your posts
Cheers
John
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Thanks John. I look forward to reading your blog. John
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Hi John,
I am another of those “Silent Admirers”, whilst I may not press the like button or leave many comments, I am certainly pleased when I get that email notification that you have added another post.
Have you considered moving your blog to a different hosting service?
I maintain a few web sites for friends using the “Whois” web hosting service. The cost is usually less than half of what you are probably paying.
Anyway.. I am glad you are continuing for another year.
Now where is that like button? 🙂
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Lovely. Thanks Jenny. Happy with any likes, silent or otherwise.
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I’m glad you’ve come to your senses and that I’ll be able to continue living my vicarious life as a machinist through your blogs!
Aloha,
Richard Duggan
a/k/a Dare Design
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Ha. Chuckle chuckle.
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Hi John, David from MSMEE, Are you going to the Friday meeting. We spoke about plans and your reject boiler for the No7. Hope to see you Friday
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see you then. I remembered the boiler and plans, but you will have to re-introduce yourself John
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Will do
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