Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by Doug, Illinois on March 13, 2009:

Randy - A fine compromise. Again, thanks for putting the effort into all of your work.

Posted by Bill, Potomac, MD on March 13, 2009:

Only downside I see is that some of us who also subscribe to the free edition for the express purpose of getting the HU a couple of days earlier will unsubscribe from the free edition, thus dropping your numbers a bit.

Posted by Cory, Topeka Kansas on March 13, 2009:

I'm typically not one to tell you how to do your job. So in my opinion, who gets what and when doesn't really matter a ton.

As for your decision: do what works best for you. My biggest concern is that "True" remains profitable enough for you that it doesn't get taken away from me.

If this helps: great!

Thanks for your great publication.

Posted by Scott, Chicago on March 13, 2009:

I agree entirely with both Doug and Bill. A very elegant solution!

Posted by Andrei, Reno on March 13, 2009:

Perfect Solution.

Posted by Amber, Champaign IL on March 13, 2009:

How long will each H.U. be posted online? I ask because I tend to read True 20 at a time.

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The H.U.s have their own permanent archive, at http://www.HonoraryUnsubscribe.com. -rc

Posted by Rob in Florida on March 13, 2009:

My sister and my mother both read True, but they do have to pay by the minute for their internet time, so they download their email, go offline and read, that way paying only for the time they absolutely must use. Now, they will miss most of the HU since it will be on the web, and if they cannot afford the Premium, or the minutes to spend on the web, they are SOL. I cannot help them since I have lost my job, my internet connection with it, and can barely pay the necessary bills at my house right now. So I am sorry to see it come to this. I know that you all must feel this is what those who can afford to pay deserve, but it sure does hurt those of us getting crunched during this recession. Isn't there a saying for this type of economy? The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, and the rest play dog eat dog?

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I haven't met anyone in a long time that has had to pay by the minute for online connections, even on dial-up. And even you are on a broadband network (I looked up your IP address), so I'm finding your claim dubious. I give a huge amount of material out for free, and don't begrudge anyone staying on the free list forever -- and have said so repeatedly. What I offer is what I offer -- and it's one hell of a lot. -rc

Posted by Ryan, Canada on March 13, 2009:

Regardless of the decision I will still remain a loyal reader. I have been one since early on through many e-mail address.

I would love to be a premium subscriber again. I just cannot make it a priority right now. I do not mind being last, heck it should be expected. I do not mind a bit of inconvenience, again, it should be expected.

I actually enjoyed the article on your website as it pointed to further reading. This is something I have done after reading many of your HU's. (Maybe a bit of extra revenue too? I can help this way!!)

Can I ask for a small compromise? Could you put the direct link on the free edition?

Thanks and keep up the good work!

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The problem with the direct links is that they're really long. I do plan an update of the HU site design to be both cleaner and easier to navigate, but the GOOHF site is in line first. -rc

Posted by Lynn, Melbourne, Vic, Australia on March 14, 2009:

I really like the H.U. I am a Free Reader & cannot afford to upgrade, since I have so little income I can only afford 1 meal a day. But if it was completely gone, I would really miss it - if it is a link, fine! I have been really interested in these since hearing, years ago, how the inventor of blood transfusions bled to death - since the only near hospital was a whites-only - what a waste! There are so many who should be recognised but people don't know of them.

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You refer to Dr. Charles Drew. That he died when white doctors "refused" to give him a blood transfusion is an urban legend; in fact, giving him blood would have killed him sooner, and another doctor in the car with Drew when he crashed said they all received immediate, and excellent, care. Details at the Straight Dope site. -rc

Posted by Plain Jim, Central Jersey on March 14, 2009:

It's a good solution for the short term... but within a short time, I suspect that people who currently subscribe will be used to clicking on the HU link, or will just give up that feature. More important, though, people who are forwarded the email, and who have never seen it before, probably WON'T click the link, probably WON'T see the excellence that is the HU... and, thus, probably WON'T see one of the best features in This Is True. They may then be less likely to become free subscribers, which, I'm sure, is the primary (probably only!) source of premium subscribers.

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The people who care will click the link. New subscribers will likely check it out eventually, and find a rich trove of interesting write-ups in the archive, which few people in the past have ever bothered to visit. So, instead of reducing exposure to the H.U. concept, I'll argue that instead, there will be significantly more exposure to the amazing people that have been featured over the years. -rc