Subscriber Comments for
Edhat Needs Your Help

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

TIBBLY	2012-09-28 05:59 PM
Thank you, Peter and your staff, for all the hard work you have put into providing information and a forum for this great community. I will be forwarding a donation -- in addition to my already paid subscription. I encourage my fellow edhatters and madhatters to do the same.
COMMENT 325578	2012-09-28 06:13 PM
I would live to contribute, but it would have to be to that simple, helpful edhat of old. To be honest, the old girl just ain't herself and I really have to put the blame squarely on the shoulders of the owners themselves. Every change to the Site since those glory days seems to reinforce the worst in its users, from the anonymity to the us vs them attitude with paid/non-paid. Would love to help, but if you're calling it a community website, you need to allow input from the members and then the money will come.
PURPLERIDER	2012-09-28 06:13 PM
I am a paid subscriber because I believe in what Edhat does and what it stands for, freedom of the press. Not the kind of press that certain other papers in SB practice. So I've decided to sign up for another year, IMHO an Edhat subscription is money well spent. Thanks to all the hardworking men and women who make this site possible, I hope you raise enough cash to keep going.
COMMENT 325580	2012-09-28 06:16 PM
Santa Barbara owes you heartfelt thanks - The Knight Foundation should be supporting you too: You've been ahead of the curve on local participatory journalism.
PUPLUVN	2012-09-28 06:16 PM
Count me in, too. I just renewed because the value of Edhat more than makes up for the now-and-then annoying riffs from the trolls. Thanks, Edhat!
PURPLERIDER	2012-09-28 06:18 PM
578, change is the only constant in the universe, embrace it or not that is your choice but if you no longer like this site then why are you still reading it or even care? What is stopping you from doing one of your own?
SBSWEETPEA	2012-09-28 06:20 PM
I love you Edhat! I look at your site several time a day. I tout your website to everyone. I am often surprised to see how few PAID subscribers there are! I think the monthly fee you charge is damn cheap I can't believe ANYONE would complain about it. You can spend that much on one cup of designer coffee. Please tell me how to donate more to your worthy cause. Thank you for all you have done and are still doing for our community.
TISHERSELF	2012-09-28 06:34 PM
Love ed-hat!!!! I'm here everyday. Thank you Peter!!! It's a sad day if you have to close shop!!
MJPSB	2012-09-28 06:34 PM
Let's keep EdHat afloat readers! This is hands-down the best news source in Santa Barbara. Don't let another great SB business go down the drain. Support!!!
COMMENT 325591	2012-09-28 06:35 PM
I also love edhat. Although i am addicted to it, i am not a paid sub. I do feel that if you want something bad enough you should pay for it.....Soooo if you want people to pay, quit making it free!
COMMENT 325595	2012-09-28 06:50 PM
Things are difficult financially for me which is why I let my subscription lapse. But everyone is right; Edhat is THE community resource here, and I have renewed my subscription again. I encourage everyone here to do it as well. Edhat may not run exactly the way you want it to run, 578, but you obviously use it. So I encourage you to pay for it.
COMMENT 325597P	2012-09-28 06:51 PM
Peter, it is a great website and supremely useful during two fires where we had to evacuate our home and neighborhood, which led me to become a paid member. You had the best and most current information every step of the way. But as a businessman and CEO for thirty plus years I must ponder the question, if the current income is so marginal, why the expansion to so many other communities? Have you thought about shutting those sites down and just focusing on where it all began? In my company we are always reflecting back on our roots and core mission and whether expansion is for the sake of expansion or because it is part of our core mission and enhances what we are already doing. Good luck to you.
SBFUNLOVER	2012-09-28 07:01 PM
Please join us and pay for this valuable community resource!
COMMENT 325606P	2012-09-28 07:17 PM
Ditto what SBSWEETPEA said! Set up a "Donate" button so we can help support Edhat!
COMMENT 325612	2012-09-28 07:31 PM
I have to agree with 578, as a long time contributor of free content and a paid subscriber. This site is like no other that I know of. . . Local, in the truest sense. Yet the numbers instead of names to the comments is just wrong. It seems to bring out the worst in people. For that reason alone I find it hard to renew my paid subscription next February. I have been pestering Peter for years about this. It's his site, so who am I to complain, but now he's asking everyone to bone up. Don't expect any new subscribers if you don't change some basic formats of Edhat. If they didn't pay before, and they won't pay now. Peter, it's up to you. Sincerely, Dan.
CRUELTYFREE	2012-09-28 07:34 PM
Done.
COMMENT 325578	2012-09-28 07:36 PM
I am curious what became of the survey? With a 6% subscriber rate, I'd think there would be more proactive response to user comments rather than pleas for money. I notice this thread is dominated with previously paid subscribers, which reinforces the opinion that edhat is an echo chamber for a small minority of users and not the community Site it professes to be.
COMMENT 325618P	2012-09-28 07:36 PM
Often, friends in other cities need information or referrals, and all I can say is, "Too bad you don't have an edhat." I've renewed my subscription. This is a valuable resource that we are fortunate to have.
COMMENT 325619	2012-09-28 07:37 PM
I find myself checking Edhat several times a day. I can say that my usual intent is to see what Roger has to say about whats going on out there in this city. I do read other articles too, and comment. I get tired of the debates that go on at times. But I expect them. I can also choose to skip over them. I have been meaning to upgrade to paid membership for a while now. I will be doing so now.
COMMENT 325624	2012-09-28 07:52 PM
Got me to re-up. Small price to pay for a site i access multiple times a day. Of course its not perfect--what is?? Its a good investment in a valuable community resource
COMMENT 325627	2012-09-28 07:54 PM
I would like a donate button, enjoy being a paid member, and often just overlook comments by unpaid posters because I assume much of their comments are trolling. Perhaps if there is "someone" who has fallen on a genuine hardship, then maybe that person could be sponsored. Unless you are paid, there really is no way to account for what you post...and you are not an equal member. I totally disagree however with cutting off the ability to view and post for nonpaid folks, I like having the total community involved.
COMMENT 325635	2012-09-28 08:08 PM
Interesting that 79% of the comments are from paid subscribers. I chipped in a couple of times but haven't renewed because of the depersonalized comments, the swing away from conversation to streams of snarky wise-cracks, and the restricted hours imposed on non-paying contributors. Like Santa Barbara, it's lost some charm by growing. And like 597P, I've felt the talk of expansion into other cities diminished the community service nature of the site and framed it as just another online business looking for growth and expansion, less a neighborly enterprise that collaborates with the volunteer contributors who feed it. That's not to say that the format isn't good for other places, only that I don't feel a need to support Arianna's Huffpost financially, either. Still, I check in on Edhat frequently, so probably will chip in a little once again. (Posting this before the cut-off hour.)
COMMENT 325578	2012-09-28 08:22 PM
Few contribute more here than Dan Siebert, so I listen when he speaks. The problem is not money, the problem is that, like Santa Barbara, edhat has moved away from everything that made it great. You will attract more flies with honey than vinegar and punishing people who don't pay with restricted hours and anonymous user names only hurts the site. If there is an emergency, will users be allowed unlimited comments? If so, that says a lot about the day to day news here. If not, we all lose out.
ZIPPER101	2012-09-28 08:56 PM
I'm not sure that I get the numbers vs. names thing that is mentioned here. Are "handles" going to make comments more civil? No, I am not going to use my "real" name as, like many others, I have a public sort of life/career that precludes my doing that. I appreciate Edhat and plan to renew. A donation-type button is a good idea. My suggestions: Lighten up on the censoring except for the truly offensive. If possible, let the community "flag" in some way. Maybe put all the animal and insect-related stuff in a separate tab. Maybe allow discussion on (and aggregate accordingly) to national topics on certain days.
COMMENT 325656	2012-09-28 08:57 PM
I'm in (as a new subscriber) - thanks for providing edhat.
TIBBLY	2012-09-28 09:08 PM
For those who want a "Donate" button, I found an alternative... -Scroll to the top of this page. -Click on the black "About" tab. -On the next page, scroll to the bottom of the list and click on "Make Payment to Edhat." (This is for additional payments/donations, not for subscriptions.)
CALI4NIADEE	2012-09-28 09:19 PM
I found that the option to make the (very) small monthly payment that is automatically withdrawn from my debit card is hugely helpful for me to be able to remain a paid subscriber. I'm not sure how many people are aware of this option, but is is available to those of us on a tight budget. I value this site, it's not perfect but neither are any other ways I get my news. I like being connected to my community and hearing from my neighbors, not just through news reports and newspapers. I get tired of the snarky, anonymous comments just like everybody else, but they exist everywhere comments are allowed. I'm pretty good at filtering those out and focusing on the comments that are relevant to me and my interests. I love Rogers posts, and I find a great deal very entertaining. I appreciate this resource and I show my appreciation by my paid status. I hope more readers will too.
COMMENT 325666	2012-09-28 09:19 PM
I love edhat as the best single source of local news, and have subscribed for a couple years now, but I think as a community forum it is falling short. Let's face it, the current commenting mechanism just isn't working. Every post and every question receive almost nothing but snarky comments now, ad hominem attacks, etc. I don't know what the answer is here. It's not necessarily banning anonymous comments. There are other models, e.g., slashdot and stackoverflow, that provide ways of allowing the readers themselves to vote on and rank comments, thus helping to push the snarky comments out of easy viewing distance. What does this have to do with funding? Well, one way to get more subscribers is to get more participation, and for people to get more out of that participation. But I can't see the current commenting model encouraging much participation.
EMI PHOTO	2012-09-28 09:42 PM
I value Edhat enough that I will continue to pay my annual subscriptions. The limited hours for non-subscribers makes sense to me - it would be difficult to moderate anonymous comments and we'd likely check in every morning to read profane, racist, sexually offensive rants. Not that every non-subscriber does that but at least with a subscription there is some manner of accountability for one's comments. Thank you for this resource.
GREG	2012-09-28 09:58 PM
Have just renewed my subscription. Thank you for all your efforts Peter and the Edhat staff. The censoring touches seem ok. The snarky comments which accost posters reflect unseemly, unfortunate fear and anger. Edhat is like Santa Barbara. Edhat is as comfortable part of my routine as a good cup of coffee.
CEES	2012-09-28 10:09 PM
As a daily user of Edhat I support the site with a paid membership. Edhat does offer an alternative payment plan for those on a tight budget - read the subscription page. I agree with Dan that showing all user names, paid and not paid, did seem to help the comments stay appropriate, and if nothing else, us regular users learned which comments to skip because they came from someone who regularly posted in a manner we didn't like. Thank you Peter for Edhat!!
COMMENT 325686P	2012-09-28 10:17 PM
I check in with Edhat several times a day. I am going right now to renew my subscription and then some. Thanks for the site and all you do.
SBSWEETPEA	2012-09-28 10:22 PM
OK. So has anybody done the math here? If you figure they have 695 paid subscribers time 52 weeks (1.00 per week) that is only $36,140.00 that is pittance for a business to operate on. I realize there are some advertising revenues, which probably exceed the paid subscribers. I am embarrassed that our community is full of so many cheapskates! Come on people, Edhat is a truly unique site. I often tell my out of town friends about Edhat. I was pleased to see the site for Sonoma County. I grew up there and enjoy checking out what is happening up there and if you all have looked at the other city sites a lot of the postings "spill over" from the S.B. site. As far as all you non-subscribers (aka whiners) who are complaining that you can't post after hours if you want to have your say you need to pay! Plus you expect staff to stay up to censor your comments. They have a life too you know! Stop complaining and become part of the solution. Geez...............
COMMENT 325691P	2012-09-28 10:35 PM
Thank you SBSweetPea - you're comments make sense. Edhat subscribers feel a sense of community. Some people's handles are always refreshingly thoughtful; we have a website that edutains and informs us on local interests. Even a reduced rate subscription is appreciated. Ask friends and neighbors to join us, as contributors of news, or/and as a supporting Edhat member. Our lives are enriched by Edhat fun and news.
COMMENT 325696	2012-09-28 10:50 PM
OK - you got me. I just paid a full membership. I've been here too long on a freebie. I've enjoyed this site for so many years now. Just haven't posted much and used it as a valuable resource. This has actually been the best news source in SB - better than TV or radio and that is a fact. No place gives you up to the date news all day and all night. I remember being stuck like glue during the fires. There are a lot of talented people here. I'm sure you can get people to write material for free each month or blog here that will increase visibility and paid subscribers. I would be happy to volunteer to monitor the site in the evenings - and I'm sure there would be other folks here who would volunteer! Edhat is a resource of Santa Barbara - it is a household word here. We aren't going to let it go! Please give us the ability to send donations - Paypal and by mail. You'll be suprised how much money shows up at your door.
MESARATS	2012-09-28 11:23 PM
No it is not perfect, but it is local and I use it so I support it. I also read the Huffing Post, but would likely not pay if it became subscriber only as there are many alternatives Also I don't think Pete has Arriana's funding and there is no wrong in getting paid for the work and effort. I think a very basic business model is if you give everything away then no one would pay Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free. I am also of the opinion that there is a feeling greater accountability as paying member. A monatary investment as well as a identiy, even if it is cloaked, or maybe the paying members are more connected by design. I remember when Craig's List used to be more engaging and community focused and we all know what that has become.
COMMENT 325700P	2012-09-28 11:23 PM
.... check me out - now that I'm a paid subscriber i can add my comments after 9pm -- woohoo......
RLMCDON	2012-09-28 11:24 PM
Thank you for a site that is interesting on any given day and priceless during an emergency. Money is tight and I can't afford an additional donation but I'm happy being a paid subscriber.
COMMENT 325702	2012-09-28 11:33 PM
And by the way - Roger is just awesome. I read all of his scanner posts, and just love his commentary and stories. Roger is the "Vin Scully" of Santa Barbara IMHO. I would definitely pay for a "Roger Dodger" T-Shirt!
LTK	2012-09-29 03:04 AM
I just subscribed. I love edhat & love Roger. Thank you so much.
COMMENT 325707	2012-09-29 03:51 AM
I just love edhat. It keeps us up to date with whats is going on around us each day. I try to contribute I just love Roger! I love all the pictures and stories and info. I look forward to people in the community and love hearing whats really going on. Most of the time we aren't told whats happening. I am still learning how to submit questions,news and pictures to edhat! I hope more businesses and companies will get to know edhat! So many people still don't know about Edhat. I tell all my friends and neighbors about it. I hope more people will support Edhat. Thanks so much for all your hard work!
SUNSHINE STATE	2012-09-29 03:54 AM
Although I now live in Florida, Edhat helps keeps me connected to SB. Thank you. I just subscribed.
COMMENT 325715	2012-09-29 06:57 AM
I appreciate your service to the community. Please let me know how to be a paid subscriber. Thanks!
COMMENT 325718	2012-09-29 07:17 AM
I'm back as a paid subscriber the minute you stop censoring me. It seems arbitrary, who gets the nanny. I have said nothing that was meant as offensive, certainly never as snarky as what does seem to get thru on so many posts these days, and yet I have been subjected to your censorship and rewrite more than once, even when I paid. I won't pay for that treatment. As others have said, there are formats that could be followed that allow users to decide for themselves, with up votes, etc.. Then, you have a community. You do not have a community when you are rewriting news submissions, and arbitrarily banishing comments. (Perhaps more frequently from those you don't personally know? Or? I have been really perplexed as to why I have been axed.) Treat your subscribers well and you will have more of them.
TOPCATHAT	2012-09-29 07:24 AM
I've been a complete slug all these years, even though I read Edhat EVERYDAY......I just signed up and now I'm "bonafied" reader.....thanks Edhat
COMMENT 325721	2012-09-29 07:24 AM
Signed up! Scared to have everyone see how many comments I get deleted. I still maintain that the mosque in Goleta should have a Chil-Fil-A drive through... Also excited to post links! Support Edhat!!!
COMMENT 325724	2012-09-29 07:29 AM
Now that I'm a bonafide member, I can post a link! Here's a direct link to Edhat's DONATE form: https://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=3698
COMMENT 325728	2012-09-29 07:56 AM
Having a quote from Marty Blum on your sign up page does not help your cause. I was going to become a paid member, but then I saw that and feel ill.
SBSWEETPEA	2012-09-29 08:21 AM
On come on 5728 that is just an excuse! Diversity and being able to voice your opinion is the strength of a great community. Fork up the 4.33 a month. Just like we vote for picture of the day maybe we should choose a whiner of the day! HA!
SBCARDINAL	2012-09-29 08:33 AM
Just renewed my subscription and added to it. Edhat is the first spot I check in the morning, and always where I go to find local news. Thank you Peter, for making this resource available to us. I hope you can find a way to make it work well for you.
COMMENT 325751	2012-09-29 08:44 AM
Fix how you remove or censor comments and I will consider becoming a paid member again. When removing a comment do you even read the rest of the comments on the same article? If a comment references another comment do you read the other comment? If I am not allowed to refute a comment that refers to my relative and his business, then why do you allow the derogatory, fact less and slanderous off topic comment to remain?
COMMENT 325755P	2012-09-29 08:47 AM
Okay, I am now signed up too.... I didn't want to because I already have a lot of bills but this is a resource I use daily, especially for Roger!!!
EZ2	2012-09-29 08:58 AM
Pay up and then go to santa barbara arts and but an edhat tshirt Lets show our support for themost unique website
COMMENT 325760	2012-09-29 08:58 AM
I just upgraded. My recommendation is that paying be mandatory and that the Nanny become more active. There a lots of internet places that people can go to be snarky with irrelevant and hurtful information. Edhat is a timely and valuable resource. To have people not be willing to pay and still feel they have a right to be snarky is rediculous. Thank you Peter for your unique contribution to our community. You deserve our support.
COMMENT 325767	2012-09-29 09:12 AM
Anonymous blogs need to allow anonymous contributions.
COMMENT 325771	2012-09-29 09:26 AM
Two reasons why I don't subscribe: I tried once. I typed in my credit card number and nothing happened. I emailed. I never received a response. I have asked several times that Edhat detail precisely which credit cards they take. Still no answer. You don't want to take Discover? Fine. But it's really stupid to not at least list which credit cards you DO accept. I'm not in the habit of plunking in my numbers willy-nilly. My next fave card is my AmEx. Or do you only take MC and Visa? SECONDLY: Is a little more vague but it is summed up by the absolutely nasty froth of bickering that can be found in the story yesterday about the Reads and their foreclosed home. Why would I *PAY* to be a part of that? It's sick and disgusting. I have no choice. I have to monitor Edhat (and other local news sources). But to PAY to be a part of this? Not without some serious changes.
PUPLUVN	2012-09-29 09:41 AM
@751 @771 I did not renew my paid subscription a couple of months ago because there were some threads/comments that were so awful, I was embarrassed to be associated with them. However, Peter's "heartfelt" post forced me to own up to how often I come to this site and how much I rely on it. There are plenty of thoughtful and well-informed posters here, too. I renewed.
COMMENT 325786	2012-09-29 09:53 AM
I dont understand why you need very much money to run this site. Aside from hosting costs, what are your costs? The site can be built for not a lot of funds (open source tools do 95% of what you want) and you have a sizable paid audience and advertisers. I'll wager you have readers that would donate their time as well. Is this about you making this your full time job? You aggregate content from other sources and have a lot of community(free) reporters. There are lots of ways you can make more money with ads and community and etail and otherwise - you just choose to not follow them. So I am sorry Peter, the market has spoken on your chosen business model. Change, adapt or die - or run it as a labor of love - it should be mostly automated anyhow.
COMMENT 325578	2012-09-29 10:11 AM
I think TENNIS BUM has it right. This letter or similar gets published about once a year and the subscriber rate never really tops 6%. Since subscriber suggestions and surveys don't seem to affect any change, it's really time to just put up a paywall and see what the true value of the site is to the community. Other local blogs seem to be pretty successful with a relatively hands off approach to moderation and I just can't see paying to have my comments censored, regardless of their truth, because they aren't "nice".
PIXIETANGERINE	2012-09-29 10:12 AM
Donate button please!
ZEUSTHEGOOSE	2012-09-29 10:22 AM
maybe there's some external revenue streams that can be tapped, the first would be adding an inconspicuous paypal button to all the edhat pages that can accept donations. also have you looked into affiliate marketing with google and amazon? might be good place to start. you can also host PPC advertisements from google. my last word of advice would be to research crowd source funding, maybe edhat qualifies for a kickstarter campaign or something similar? as a paid subscriber to several online services my funds are stretched a little thin, the paypal button would stimulate me to make a random donation here or there when using the site. outside of the annual subscription it's gonna be tough to pull more funds from edhat subscribers who belong to the local workforce, i'm no lawyer, investment banker or pensioned employee of the prison, medical or war industrial complexes...
COMMENT 325822	2012-09-29 10:50 AM
I'm torn, and haven't subscribed. I have a vision for how great Edhat COULD BE, but I am not sure Peter and the Edhat crew can visualize it. If you guys want to get serious, you know where to reach me.
COMMENT 325767	2012-09-29 10:52 AM
edhat draws a high proportion of posters that hate the rich, suffer class envy, tax and spend progressives, claim they can't afford to live in Santa Barbara, demand handouts, and are always looking for deals on goods and services (aka cheap). Catering to this demographic, edhat harvests what edhat posters sow. There is money to be had on State Street just for the asking. Time for edhat to put its hat and cardboard sign out, play the whinging guilt card and pull in the feel-good bucks this town loves to hand out.
COMMENT 325826	2012-09-29 10:54 AM
Peter, I know anyone can send a news item to you for posting on Edhat and I also see how often places like Noozhawk and others use it to drive traffic to their own sites. Do they pay to do that? If not, why not institute a charge for that privilege? Private contributors should not pay to post stories or Q&As or to ask for referrals and recommendations but commercial ones could and should pay. For those people who use the site but refuse to pay because of nasty, ill-conceived comments I can see your point, but consider this: You are not supporting those commentators, but instead supporting a site that provides an unusual and important resource. Think back to what you have utilized on Edhat. During the last fire it was, for most of us, THE essential place for information. There was no place that had the various reports from different neighborhoods than Edhat, and had them instantly. That allowed many of us to make decisions as to when to begin the process of evacuating. Less important but still good: Have you ever used the referrals to find a business or resource for yourself? The recommendations from your fellow members counts for a lot, doesn't it? It does for me. I have found a number of business that now get my business because of others' experiences. (And some that never will.) These, and more, are the reasons to subscribe. I encourage those of you who say you won't subscribe until your preferred changes are instituted to focus not on what you don't like--there will always be things that make you crazy if you let them--but instead on what you do get out of it. It will probably be much more than you think now if you let go of the annoyances of nasty posters, formatting, and other relatively minor issues. They really are not important in the bigger scheme of the usefulness of Edhat. And, really, the cost is so minor. Pay for a week or a month or three or six months at a time if money is tight. It can be done.
RED CREEK	2012-09-29 11:06 AM
This is one of the best webpages around, creative, directly linked to the community, the community actually reports better the the local media, and is responsive. And you make it very inexpensive. A latte or two a month. Several years ago we suggested that the people that don't pay are often the most negative and least interesting. How about giving them a year free for commenting and then, pay or no more posting. They can read for free. No pay no play. We don't really enjoy the freebie ranters anyway! And you guys are making peanuts off a great site that deserves more financial support.
COMMENT 325836	2012-09-29 11:19 AM
I had subscribed twice in the past. Reasons I don't anymore, too much bickering. Stories like, Canada has a maple syrup shortage make it to the front page and CA stories affecting local people don't even get posted. The nanny is ridiculous, create a flagging system, we don't need to be watched like we're in 5th grade. You've created a ridiculous difference between paid and non-paid subscribers. 9PM-6AM no posting, three deleted comments so no posting, no links. I'm all for supporting the local community and business, fix some of the big issues and maybe I will again.
COMMENT 325837	2012-09-29 11:22 AM
I really do see the value in the Edhat community, but why would you hire more people, if you're hurting for cash with the current staff? That doesn't make any business sense. Edhat could be ported over to Wordpress or Movable Type (Huffington Post, TechCrunch, Boing Boing, sites with millions of visitors a day, etc all use both WP or MT) and it's100% free. Plus, you have enough plugins so that USERS can upvote, downvote comments and send them to moderation. I'm running a blog with 12K daily uniques on Wordpress and my server bill is $99 a month, including management. I'm able to run the site on less than 1 hour a day of work. It's all about automation.
COMMENT 325578	2012-09-29 11:35 AM
@837 hit the nail on the head. edhat is clinging to an old homebrew site design that creates more problems than it cures. upgrading to a modern blog platform would eliminate the need for the ridiculous nanny, the difficult to follow comment threads and would inspire more useful participation rather than anonymous snark.
COMMENT 325847	2012-09-29 11:39 AM
837 - i need U to run my website
SPAIN	2012-09-29 11:46 AM
Done.
COMMENT 325852	2012-09-29 11:47 AM
@ZIPPER101 Handles, though anonymous, connect your posts; numbers are far more anonymous. People become attached to their handles and feel a sense of responsibility for what is posted under them; there is no sense of responsibility at all for a numbered comment. But the heavy-handed nanny policy is my biggest beef. It's a not a community website as long as one person, Peter Sklar, decides what can be posted based on his own idiosyncrasies. I have told him repeatedly in person that I will not pay as long as he forbids quoting other posters ... it's an incredibly foolish rule that you will find nowhere else on the web. And the other rules, while mostly sensible, are imposed in a very selective fashion. And the rule that you can't discuss moderation makes it feel very much like corporate control. If Peter wants more people to financially support the site, he needs to work a lot harder to make it feel like the community, not him personally, is in charge.
COMMENT 325868	2012-09-29 12:08 PM
-837 and -852 make some excellent points. I'm one of those non-paying occasional posters whose posts have sometimes offended Edhat management in the past, and as a result any comments I make are usually vetted for hours before Edhat posts them. This makes me even less interested in paying for this site than I was before. Lest you think I'm just a troll, I contribute to the Newshawk and SB Independent regularly and have never been censored or had a post removed as offensive on either of those sites. As others have written before me, if Edhat updates its business model, I hope they also take a look at the commenting policy as it has evolved. It does appear to me that Peter's personal preferences have a lot to do with who gets to comment, and this makes Edhat more of a personal vanity project/boutique site rather than one that truly reflects all aspects of a sometimes troubled community.
PJG	2012-09-29 12:23 PM
Edhat rocks! Who needs Angie's list (a paid subscription) when we have edhat. Yes, some of the comments are snarky but much less than most sites. I would think it would be full time job just being the Nanny which I really appreciate.
AQUAHOLIC	2012-09-29 12:26 PM
Yup, I'm a true believer. I just re-upped for another year and gave a bit more just cuz I love ed! I'm a fan-actic daily user and over-contributor. Peter, I sincerely hope you take all these heartfelt kudos and helpful advice to heart. Reading all the great comments on this thread in particular, reinforces why I love this community site so much...you have some very smart subscribers! C'mon people, quit yer whining, if your'e reading, whining AND commenting, you gotta pay up!
AQUAHOLIC	2012-09-29 12:39 PM
BTW, ...I forgot to address one of the overriding themes on this thread, that of, the snarky and mean comments. Of course I find them annoying, and have taken the bait on occasion, in which case it never ends well. I have found that being a regular subscriber, commenter and lover of the comments board, I am able to sniff out the two or three trolls who inhabit the site and avoid their froth... it's a small price to pay for the vastly larger amount of REAL, non-inflammatory, insightful, informative and heartfelt comments. Thanks edhat subscribers!
COMMENT 325578	2012-09-29 12:55 PM
How do you sniff out trolls without names?
JAZZEE	2012-09-29 01:05 PM
It's pretty easy to identify the trolls -- usually snippy one-liners by someone who hasn't subscribed. It's far easier to snark on Edhat than other blogs, some of which have cumbersome sign-in procedures and have lost commenters as a result. Edhat's simple access attracts the trolls. I like that we have a Nanny. Even when my own comments get censored.
AQUAHOLIC	2012-09-29 01:21 PM
@902, case closed.
COMMENT 325923	2012-09-29 01:56 PM
I'm new to Edhat. I've looked at this site for about a year now, and was very impressed by the positive spirit and happy atmosphere around the site, the posts, the comments. About a month ago I signed up for a free account. During the year I watched from the sidelines I noticed a gradual increase in the animosity on the comments board. I've noticed a serious deterioration in the comments section in I'd say the last few months. If this site doesn't deteriorate into palaver, I'll pitch in. But I have one question first. Are you in or are you out with this project? Because it sounded a little like you may be looking for the door, which I would understand given all the time it takes, but I don't want to be throwing coin at something you may be getting ready to bail on.
RIBES	2012-09-29 02:09 PM
Got bored reading all the excuses for not subscribing ($4.33/month!) so skipped right to here to say thank you very much. I just have my sub automatically deducted from my CC and never even notice it. Maybe the answer is to further enhance member benefits to entice people to subscribe. Me, I just like to pay my own way.
SMARTYPANTS	2012-09-29 04:15 PM
Edhat is a community treasure. There is no better way to get fast digital reporting. We need to know what is going on with near real time reporting in this beautiful burg. Edhat is integral to meeting the need for real information on a timely basis. Peter and staff deserve a big round of applause for towing the line. Don't take Edhat for granted. Pitch in please! I have been reading for 6 years and find the ad dollars I spend on Edhat to be well worth evey penny. If some are too thin-skinnned to read opposing views or snarky comments, go to a tannery.
COMMENT 325767	2012-09-29 04:42 PM
Snark is better than the predictable scolds, who drag down the energetic flow more than anything. edhat inadvertently has provided a forum for the cure of the common scold. Take two snarks and don't call me in the morning.
COMMENT 326008P	2012-09-29 04:43 PM
I found Edhat purely by accident and paid tor full membership within a few hours after browsing thru the archives. Now I get most of my news thru Edhat. I have talked Edhat up to any and every person who express interest, and even to those who don't! I have friends in Ventura and they don't feel like Edhat is that good there. I have looked into it and it has nowhere near the activity that the Santa Barbara edition's do. I have also noticed that there are other editions from other counties, and other States. Can someone tell me how they get their revenue, and who funds them? I freely admit to my addiction to Edhat, and I hope that together we can pull this thru!
COMMENT 326022	2012-09-29 05:21 PM
How much do you pay people who contribute stories and photos to the website?
MADMAX	2012-09-29 06:18 PM
SAVE EDHAT!!!!!!!
REDTOP	2012-09-29 06:42 PM
I truly feel that Edhat is a community treasure. I am contributing and then some. I do feel that the anonymous posters who are so negative should put their money where their mouths are! Long live Edhat!!!
MACSCIDOR	2012-09-29 06:43 PM
I use Edhat for news and referrals. I love it that Edhat makes it easy to pay by check! Edhat posts have 'seriously' enlightened me on the huge spectrum of folks who live in Santa Barbara = reading-comprehension levels, assumption jumps, and, those who do not jump to assumptions are all found here, plus some 'funnies.' Sometimes I just go, 'Wow!' (I posted a news item once [with pic]: Never again. I don't need to experience those reading-comprehension levels a second time.)
AUNTIE S.	2012-09-29 07:09 PM
I agree with all those above who want to donate more $$$ and don't know how to do it. Please let us know where to send a donation. Edhat is a very valuable community resource and we need to keep it going strong. Thank you Peter and all the dedicated staff who have worked so tirelessly.
COMMENT 325591	2012-09-29 07:16 PM
I would like a spot on edhat to report crime...Maybe crime alert or something of the sort ...thank you edhat.
JUKINJAY	2012-09-29 08:41 PM
I've been a paid member for well over a year and will re-up again. As a paid member, I'm not usually aware of the restrictions placed on comments by the unpaid. It's fine to give perks such as a personalized header to the paid. But, even as a paid member, I'm against artificial restrictions placed on the unpaid such as limited hours and inability to post links. I, too, miss the old EdHat. Counts, Wednesday-where-is-it and the like made it fun.
COMMENT 326096P	2012-09-29 09:28 PM
I appreciate that the deleted comments are posted for us to read.
ZENYATTA19	2012-09-29 09:29 PM
Almost everyone I know uses this site or has at least heard of it. Many of my friends check Edhat and comment several times a day. None of them are paid subscribers because most people will take or use whatever is free... I wish more people would step up and acknowledge the value of Edhat. I wish my friends were not such losers (you know who you are).
JAZZEE	2012-09-29 10:12 PM
I decided to pay for Edhat after I realized that I needed it as my local news source during fire season.
COMMENT 326146P	2012-09-30 07:11 AM
I like edhat. I read, or at least skim it, daily, as a paid subscriber, and plan to continue paying for this service. Why not have it be paid viewers/participants only? The cost is minimal. What other biz peeps in town give away their wares? and why should you be expected to?
COMMENT 326146P	2012-09-30 07:13 AM
6064....Crime reports? have you missed Roger's reports? They are classic.
NATFABS	2012-09-30 07:25 AM
$4.33 a month! Even if you don't think its perfect, edhat is a huge community resource. I refer people to it all the time, and its a great way to stay in touch with SB when you are away. PLUS, edhat has news you can't get anywhere else.
COMMENT 326164	2012-09-30 08:06 AM
I do subscribe (and appreciate the reduced rate) - and expect to renew when it's up in November. 146P: Except for the News-Press all online news here are free, Noozhawk, Santa BarbaraView, Independent, Montecito Journal, for example, all free, all with paid staff and probably extensive costs. It's tough since staff has to be paid. But subscriptions have never paid for regular hard copy newspapers; ads do. What's unusual about edhat is that almost none of the contributors get paid and yet we are expected to submit stories and photos --- "expected" since it is clearly volunteer — I used to submit many more photos than I now do since there are plenty of others. If edhat paid Noozhawk, for example, or any of the others for using its material that would be a stronger argument for money. As others, I am disappointed in how edhat has evolved and it may be as Dan writes because of the use of numbers rather than names, something I choose to do much more often than using the name. It does give a freedom to snark! To me, this is simply not a community, not one that I am proud to be belong to and so generally prefer to remain anonymous. However, I do subscribe because I appreciate and use the referrals and am curious, too, about some of the rest. In addition, having the eyes of edhat on the city keeps city (and maybe county) staff a little more on their toes. But I do wish there was less of a nanny content (everything is not all sweetness; all photos are not all awesome;) etc.
COMMENT 326180	2012-09-30 08:45 AM
Thank you Peter et al.
UPONTHEHILL	2012-09-30 08:51 AM
Thank you Edhat for being here. I will take the snarky remarks made by those who don't want to join. This assures that all in the community may participate. I am not looking for a big time, slick, perfectly presented news source. I much prefer a slice of Santa Barbara with all it's good and bad.
COMMENT 326185	2012-09-30 08:52 AM
You should always allow everyone to read and post to threads about community safety (fires, traffic, etc), but after that you should severely restrict a non-paid member's ability to read from and/or post to a thread. 95% of Edhat's value is in its comment threads. That is where you should control your value. I've said this 472 times before, but I'll day it again. We live in a mobile world, and you are not in it. Your website is virtually unusable on a mobile phone. It is SO EASY to modify the format of your news/comment pages for those accessing Edhat from a mobile device. It is inexcusable not to have a mobile version of Edhat. I don't know if you do the web coding yourself or if someone else does it, but adding a mobile version has to be one of the least expensive ways to improve Edhat. If you ever happen to tap into a decent revenue stream, then you could look into fancy apps that interface with the site.
COMMENT 326189	2012-09-30 08:56 AM
I love and appreciate Edhat, and have embarrassingly allowed my subscription to lapse. I will go and remedy this sad fact right now.. and appreciate your thoughtful reminder. I start each day with Edhat and I wish to thank you for all of the info and opportunities for sharing of knowledge/ideas which you provide!
ARCHIE	2012-09-30 09:14 AM
Giving a GIFT SUBSCRIPTION would also be a nice option, especially since holidays are a comin'
COMMENT 326204	2012-09-30 09:20 AM
I had a paid subscription for years & used to proudly renew--and mention my subscription to friends w/unpaid subscriptions when Edhat inevitably came up in discussion. But over the years, the commenting & some of the content has sullied the experience for me. So I purposely let my subscription lapse. I now scan about 1 email a week. A few weeks ago the top story asked if there were nail shops in town who would do a pedicure on a fungus-ridden toe. That type of 'news,' combined with the copious snarky, intolerant, holier-than-thou comments...no thanks. I AM voting with my dollars or, sadly, lack thereof in this case. I am only participating in this conversation because my subscription didn't auto-end when I stopped paying. I agree w/many posters who want it to be paid-members only, but if given an ultimatum at this point, the choice would be a clear one: no Edhat for me.
CALTEX	2012-09-30 09:42 AM
Love ya' EdHat and Peter!!!!
KATETHECAT	2012-09-30 10:49 AM
I have been a paid member since reading EdHat. I believe in paying for goods and services, even if I could get them for free. If we do not support services, they will be gone and then we won't have them. I was a Daily Sound "subscriber" also, but there was not enough monetary support and they went out of business. I also support local businesses even though I could get goods for less elsewhere--where are all of the independent bookstores and hardware stores?
FLICKA	2012-09-30 10:58 AM
Absolutely amazes me that critics complain and state why they won't pay because it's not up to their standards. Why do they bother to read Edhat?? It is SO cheap to pony-up; good grief, a dollar a week! To me, reading free is like stealing newpapers from a stand. There was mention of the free papers in SB; But, they aren't dailies like Edhat. I LOVE Edhat, my source for news.
S.B.RON	2012-09-30 11:00 AM
Love EdHat and have been involved since the beginning. I love Roger and his creative spelling and his enthusiasm. Sometimes the trolls are annoying. Also some of the "haters" who seem to resent anyone who got an education and worked hard for what they have. But then I remember how lucky we are to live in a country where we have the freedom to make such comments without fear. Like Dan, I do wonder about all the other "EdHat" locations and hope they will bring Peter some revenue. So, Peter, keep up the good work. I can't imagine not having EdHat.
BONNER	2012-09-30 11:16 AM
I will renew and upgrade now that I am able. I love the topics and community input but agree that perhaps paid subscriptions might cut down on the 'LENGTH" of the comments. Regardless of the snarky and unrelated comments, who has the time to scroll through all that when you are genuinely interested in the story or feedback from the community which enhances the story, not on-and-on bickering. Maybe a self-censoring button? I do appreciate the entire edhat staff and the format, it's akin to overhearing conversations in the local coffee shop, but the free/anonymous nature allows personal bias and off-the-topic snags. There's no arguing, however, that it's the best resource in the county, hoping a few improvements will enhance the forum for the public and the business.
EDHAT ONLINE	2012-09-30 01:13 PM
here the direcect link To the page where you can contribute to Edhat..
RAINE5360	2012-09-30 02:39 PM
Sorry to hear this. I've subscribed for a number of years and I guess the best thing is to make it subscription only and avoid anonymous posts. I will say, however, I have contacted ed about three times this week and never heard back, nor did my "story" see the light of day. As a loyal follower, that is disappointing, esp since my story would have helped some deserving people.
COMMENT 326363	2012-09-30 04:07 PM
Flicka: Noozhawk, Santa Barbara View, Keyt.com and the Independent online are dailie, daily media, that is, with Noozhawk, particularly, having a strong news presence. I agree, though, they aren't like edhat which does take from those others and link to them. Only the SB News-Press has a pay wall for reading online. Edhat is indeed valuable and I hope this call brings in new subscribers and not just praise from those of us who've been around here for a while and have things about it we dislike but more we like enough to pay for it. It would be interesting to see the results of the survey of a month or so ago and see what was said, whether any of the recommended changes, if any, will be implemented.
COMMENT 326419	2012-09-30 07:49 PM
I never knew there were restricted hours here for non-paying members. I thought edhat was a once a day, early morning newsletter; amusing and entertaining, but not something for which I wanted to pay a lot of money . NOW you tell me I'm missing out on so much more by not being a paid member - and it's inexpensive! I'm sure it's somewhere in the print, but in the wee hours of the a.m., I'm just strolling through the email, not looking at the terms and conditions. Is it possible that I'm not the only one who didn't know they are missing out? And by the way.....I <3 the Ventura edition.
COMMENT 326469	2012-10-01 08:42 AM
Luv EdHat, read it W morning coffee & adding comments tends to have me start my day later than scheduled. Automating portions sounds like it could help, but I'm just learning Nanny rules and tend to read deleted comments, especially when referenced by non-deleted comments. A way to skip from one to the other would be nice... but it would make my schedule fall further behind. I agree that Roger is awesome & enjoy reading his scanner posts, and am up for a "Roger Dodger" T-Shirt, too. Keep up the great work! BTW you are one of a very, very few "auto pay" accounts
NIGHTCAP	2012-10-01 03:41 PM
A heartfelt thanks to Ed and his family for all you do to keep Santa Barbara informed and connected. You ARE appreciated!
HATTIE	2012-10-01 10:07 PM
i second nightcap's message--a huge hug of thanks to peter for creating edhat & to the dedicated staff for all their efforts! you are awesome. :-)

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