Feed Archives

jfab · #1 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 02:14 AM

Was just wondering why on earth, all of a sudden, you must be a premium subscriber to listen to the archives? Seems very inconvenient and a bad choice on the site admin's part. Lets bring back the free archives for those of us to contribute in other ways (just not financially) to this site. I know I am very naive when it comes to radio communications, but I also know there are very intelligent people on this site that don't contribute money, but contribute invaluable advice, information, etc. Anyone else with me on this?

BRING BACK THE ARCHIVES!!

mtindor · #2 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 02:52 AM

I don't agree. Everything on this site just cannot be free if people want it to exist perpetually. If you compare the number of active people on this website, only a percentage of them listen to live audio. And, I believe the percentage is much much smaller of people who rely upon the feed archives.

The archives take an enormous amount of resources for storage, delivery, maintenance.

Oftentimes people who are looking for feed archives (just read the forums to verify this) are agencies or professionals that for some reason are looking for the feed archives because they need it for business/agency purposes.

I think all of the above, together, provide a very strong case for requiring premium membership before you can access archives.

Mike

jfab · #3 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 02:57 AM

Didn't think of it that way. Thank you for the insight!!

mtindor · #4 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfab

Didn't think of it that way. Thank you for the insight!!

You're welcome.. although I'm an outsider looking in, just like you. Much of what I say is speculation based upon what i know to be true from working in the IT field for so many years. Nothing is free. Hardware, software, colocation/bandwidth, development/programming, legal services.. there has to be a substantial amount invested in the ongoing effort of RR.

Mike

jasonpeoria911 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 02:21 PM

In addition, Radioreference wouldn't be able to expand like it has the past few weeks without the paid subscriptions. To be able to support thousands of feeds, 20+ thousand listeners and record every single feed 24/7, that requires some serious money. Probably at least $1,000 a month or more. In addition to the purchasing of new digital scanners for the great scanner appliances that Lindsay is building lol.

Jason