What would you pay to read?

The last post was about how "Keep turning left" is now charging 99c per download. But will that catch on?

Just after posting I got reading this article on the BBC web site about news sites paying for content. Two things didn't seem right. Firstly the idea that the NY Times is the world's greatest English language newspaper - sorry, it just isn't. We get the so called best of it with the Observer and it comes over as condescending, blinkered and biased, in particular about the Middle East (more details here).

The other was the concept of a "pay wall", which seems too rigid a concept. It comes from the time when news web sites had just two choices - to be free (i.e. advert funded) or to be subscription based (as per WSJ).

But now there are a range of options from micro-payments per page to pay per read to pay to own to first N free, pay for N+1.

And this flexibility means that payment could in future be a question for bloggers. I'd agree with the author of the Bursledon Blog that my decision from day one was I had no expectation of getting anything out of blogging apart from exercise at the discipline and craft of writing, so there was no need of distracting adverts.

However Dylan's move did make me wonder - along with Tillerman and O'Docker - what would people pay for?

My first cut answer was it had to be something unique and the result of effort or expertise that the general reader either didn't have the time or skills to do them selves. And alas most of what gets posted here would fail those criteria.

But there is a lot of talent out there, and sailing must be a classic niche marketing activity. Not to get to hot-airy, but user generated content for niche interests is a sure fire winner from the opening up publishing to the general public. The professionalism of Keep Turning Left is an excellent example of this.

And the forthcoming iPad brings out some new possibilities - publishing eBooks and articles direct to the public with no publisher or agent. And that is no doubt scaring many, many people in the industry out there.

So it is ironic that the probable most bankable part of this blog would be a fictional sozzled Australian quasi-hack. But is it fair to unleash "Buff Staysail and the swimsuit shoot" on the web - either to its readers or its writer?

I think for all concerned it might be better if this remains a free to read and hence unconstrained to write blog.

Cool Art Wallpaper | Resolution 1024 x 768

For those of you who like collect art image or wallpaper, this is it. Plenty of cool art wallpapers that you ever wanted.

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Keep Turning Left 49 for 99c

Keep Turning Left has gone pay per view. What was once a free jolly on YouTube is now a dedicated site with a PayPal button.

So what do I make of that? Well the initial reaction is the standard "it's on the internet so surely its free."

But as someone who earns his living selling software that is a slightly weak argument. In reality I think content that has value and took effort to create should be able to make a return. And that means doing what we are all reluctant to do, namely pay.

And there's no doubt that the Keep Turning Left series from Dylan Winters is of a very high standard (though a bit too many panning shots of Walton that don't feel comfortable). So I went over there and with a couple of clicks was able to see the latest instalment.

Quite a lot about seals there was too:

Dylan even gets up at what he calls "horrid o'clock" to do a bit of seal watching. Slightly worryingly he waxes eloquently about the beauties of the female seals - has he been out there too long one wonders?

But the seals are rather wonderful. In the murky mud they use their whiskers to sense minute changes in water flow that might indicate the presence of a tasty fish.

So will I pay up 99c next time? Probably - and as a general rule I don't think we should be scared of paying for user generated content.

Quite the opposite, as there are an awful lot of talented people out there with something to say. And we should be able to reward the good ones with the one feedback that shows really mean it.

Nothing says "good job" as much as a click on a PayPal button.

New Look at Tulemar Bungalows in Costa Rica

For years, Buena Vista Villas & Casas have been been the TOP choice for my Costa Rica bound clients. They love the private villa atmosphere, the option to keep cool drinks and snacks on hand in the granite kitchen, or BBQ some fresh catch on their verandah. They also enjoy the private beach at Tulemar. All beaches in Costa Rica are public, but because this one is landlocked by private land, it is private! Because Buena Vista Villas are super popular, we haven't always been able to get our clients in when they book at the last minute. The only other option on property are the Tulemar Bungalows - however, I never mentioned these to my clients because they weren't up to par. They reminded me of the places I stayed at when I was backpacking Central America 12 years ago! Fast forward to 2010 and Tulemar is getting an upgrade! Check out a few sneak peak photos below! Rates start at only $195/night.

{hey good looking}

Ready for a little Costa Rica in your life? We can make it happen:

info @ caribbeanjourney.com or 866-236-1924

Washed up whale and a Local Hero

I'm currently watching for the n-th time Local Hero, a lovely gentle movie, where the real hero is the wonderful Scottish scenery. It ends up with the oil refinery project (boo! hiss!) being rejected in favour of a environmental research centre (hurrah!)

And if it had been real there would have been good week for such a centre, with two environmental stories this week from the BBC. First up was the huge 17 metre dead whale that ended up washed on a beach in Cornwall.

Another story was about the discovery of an enormous area in the Atlantic where plastic rubbish accumulates, the equivalent of the great but ghastly Pacific Garbage Patch.

Ah, if only the health of the planet could be guaranteed such a neat ending by gentle script writers.

Here's hoping....

Casa de Campo Spring Promo

Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic should be on everyone's list of the top 100 places to visit before you leave this planet. It is THAT good.

The Dominican Republic’s Casa de Campo is combining high-quality golf facilities with upgrades to attract visitors this spring. Casa de Campo’s Go Green in March special grants guests who reserve a luxury room for a five-night minimum stay for travel March 1 to April 4 receive an upgrade to the new chic Elite rooms, a $200 resort credit and a $25 gift certificate for use in the Golf Pro Shop, too. This translates to a $525 savings on free room upgrade plus $200 resort credit and $25 gift certificate, for a total $750 value. La Romana is the closest airport to Casa de Campo and American Airlines seems to have the best flight schedules in an our of this airport. You may combine this package with cheap flights to the Caribbean from Europe too. 

Casa de Campo is home to three Pete Dye-designed golf courses -- Teeth of the Dog, Links and Dye Fore -- and a new David Leadbetter Golf Academy. The resort won a Gold Resort Award by Golf Magazine in its March 2010 issue. The award is based on what its editors and subscribers deem the game’s finest properties ranked on four criteria -- golf, lodging, food and drink, and service. Casa de Campo is one of only 25 properties cited in the 2010 Gold list.

Sound good? Call me - 866-236-1924. I'll book it for you!

Name a Bar & Win a Trip to St. George's Caye, Belize!

What do you call two parts laid-back luxury and one part Belizean hospitality, served straight up on the reef? You tell us – help St. George’s Caye Resort name its bar! Whether sharing tales about the one that got away or simply kicking back and enjoying one of our bartender's frozen concoctions after a long day in the sun, our bar is the place to be! Visit their new website at www.belizeislandparadise.com and submit your suggestion for a name (and make sure to tell your clients too.) The winner will be awarded a 3-night stay for two so they can toast their victory on the island. Cheers! Entry deadline is March 31, 2010.

Good Luck,