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You want my money for me to read?? Since when??
This morning, I was continuing my wake-up webcomic reading on a title I was enjoying. When I first read it a couple years ago, it had its own domain, but has since moved to a multiple-comic hosting site, mangamagazine.net.
I was chugging along, enjoying the thought of all the new pages that had been created since I last read, when I was forced to screech to a halt. Why? Because I received this message:
I have to pay to read more. I HAVE to PAY MONEY to read more.
My first reaction was irritation. Yes, I did register, but no way am I giving that site money. I'm too irritated at them. And that leads me to ask why.
I understand that webcomic creators want or even need to make money off their work. I get it. I want to earn a living off my original stuff one day, too. But I resent being forced to give money to this site if I want to read more.
I suppose I am spoiled, from the hundreds of free webcomics out there, that I can read from start to most recent page for free. I don't HAVE to PAY MONEY to read. I can read it all, and CHOOSE to give the creator money directly via a donation button, or purchasing goodies like t-shirts or buttons.
The free model is the classic webcomic model. I like it. It works. It generates good will.
The subscription model is the classic publisher's model. Here, have a free sample/read in the bookstore, but if you want more/to take it home with you, you gotta buy it! It works. It generates good will. And usually, I like it.
But apparently not for webcomics.
I wish I knew why the creator moved the webcomic from their private site to this pay-to-read hosting site. I'd love to see how the change has affected their traffic. If they're making more money here, rather than just the adds and goodies on their former private site. And what about the rights to their webcomic? Do they still own it? Could they remove it from the hosting site and reclaim their private server without hassle? Or does it belong now and forever to this hosting site, and they now work for it?
I'd love to know the answers. But for now, I'm left wondering at my reaction to this HAVING to PAY MONEY to read a webcomic.
I don't like it. I understand it, but I don't like it.
And no, I'm not paying money to read more. I have too many bills right now. I'll wait until more of this particular webcomic is free. And if it never is, then I won't resume reading it.
After all, there are plenty of free, entire webcomics out there for me to enjoy. :P
(Note to future self: Being forced to pay to read a webcomic is very irritating, and will cost you readers.)
I was chugging along, enjoying the thought of all the new pages that had been created since I last read, when I was forced to screech to a halt. Why? Because I received this message:
The page you are trying to access is premium content. Please register or sign in to be updated when this page will be free. If you have an activce subscription please sign in to read this page. [sic]
I have to pay to read more. I HAVE to PAY MONEY to read more.
My first reaction was irritation. Yes, I did register, but no way am I giving that site money. I'm too irritated at them. And that leads me to ask why.
I understand that webcomic creators want or even need to make money off their work. I get it. I want to earn a living off my original stuff one day, too. But I resent being forced to give money to this site if I want to read more.
I suppose I am spoiled, from the hundreds of free webcomics out there, that I can read from start to most recent page for free. I don't HAVE to PAY MONEY to read. I can read it all, and CHOOSE to give the creator money directly via a donation button, or purchasing goodies like t-shirts or buttons.
The free model is the classic webcomic model. I like it. It works. It generates good will.
The subscription model is the classic publisher's model. Here, have a free sample/read in the bookstore, but if you want more/to take it home with you, you gotta buy it! It works. It generates good will. And usually, I like it.
But apparently not for webcomics.
I wish I knew why the creator moved the webcomic from their private site to this pay-to-read hosting site. I'd love to see how the change has affected their traffic. If they're making more money here, rather than just the adds and goodies on their former private site. And what about the rights to their webcomic? Do they still own it? Could they remove it from the hosting site and reclaim their private server without hassle? Or does it belong now and forever to this hosting site, and they now work for it?
I'd love to know the answers. But for now, I'm left wondering at my reaction to this HAVING to PAY MONEY to read a webcomic.
I don't like it. I understand it, but I don't like it.
And no, I'm not paying money to read more. I have too many bills right now. I'll wait until more of this particular webcomic is free. And if it never is, then I won't resume reading it.
After all, there are plenty of free, entire webcomics out there for me to enjoy. :P
(Note to future self: Being forced to pay to read a webcomic is very irritating, and will cost you readers.)