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>>>In the digital world we should be working for labor wages (someone needs something written, they hire us for contract to do that job), and not for continuing income off a prior one-time effort (creating a product and then selling it over and over while denying others from having that thing which now exists, was created, can be used by them were it not for this artificial barrier that's been erected personally by the hoarder).
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>>I have a question, out of interest: a company produces a computer software product which costs $X per month iro salaries and other costs. It is an ongoing running/development cost. In your model, what should this company sell this product for? Assume that if revenue falls below $X then obviously the company goes out of business.
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>I was with Doug in thinking Rick had really lost it this time until you brought up the business concept. (I still wonder at Rick's comments the majority of the time and in this case as well) Is SWFox a business? In this situation, it must at least break even in order to continue. Should it also generate income? It is not unreasonable that those involved in the production should be compensated for their time and energy. However, if the greatest purpose is shared knowledge, then a virtual conference suits the same purpose - other than the personal interaction which cannot truly be duplicated by a virtual conference. With a virtual conference, there are other costs, sometimes even greater. How does SSWUG do it?
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>For SWFox, there is no victim and it has been and most likely always will be an attempt by folks to continue to provide a place to learn and meet people who otherwise you would never have the opportunity to know in person not to mention the knowledge sharing that goes on outside of the conference sessions. I have not attended (I have attended other conferences in years past) but that is not due to not having the desire to do so. It really does support the Fox community. The question will always exist every year - can the Fox community still support it? A brick and mortar conference serves a greater purpose than just knowledge sharing...

I dont mind if organizers and presenters make a profit. For me, this is all part of doing business as far as I'm concerned - people have taken the time to learn things and then take time to talk about that knowledge - there is a need to compensate for that and I in turn can use that to improve my business which in turn improves my client's business, etc. I understand that Rick does not agree with this as all things are from god, you do nothing that he does not give you, you therefore should also give in turn again to the next one at the lowest possible remuneration you can, or free. I understand his position.

That conferences also offer a chance to network is indeed useful although I have not attended many myself. There are certainly people from this forum that I would enjoy to meet and share time with, share a drink and a meal with, and get to know better and perhaps even call "real-life" friends one day but time, distance, opportunity ... maybe one day :)