VIP=Rip Off or Good Thing

[BrianAlt]

Do us a favor, don't subscribe. They'll survive without you. Go find a "free" podcast. Have a nice life.

[jjamis]

Originally Posted by chocobomoshpit

While I think it's kind of silly to complain about the VIP situation (it's BONUS content, not the show itself), I do have one suggestion...

I think the KATG Beginnings episodes should be public. I'm not a new listener by any stretch of the imagination, but I would imagine that new listeners just getting into the show wouldn't see the value-add of the VIP service. A lot of what makes the show special are the relationships between the hosts and the guests and the history... it all provides a greater context that could potentially be lost on someone new to the show.

Seeing almost 1,600 shows has to be daunting for those just getting into it, and having a quick and easy way to at least get the gist of what's going on would (I think) do them a service. I mean, why would somebody start supporting a show they just started listening to? I'm sure the show is plenty enjoyable out of context, but the HISTORY is (in my opinion) what makes it so special.

Just my two cents. I understand and appreciate the pay wall for the exclusive content, and when I'm not in such a monetary rut, I will be subscribing as well (though, my meager $5 monthly donations will NEVER end), but for new listeners, I honestly think the Beginnings episodes are absolutely crucial, not only for context of the show, but context for the community as well.

There maybe a practical reason for having the past shows being exclusive to the VIP club, it likely costs a lot of money to store and pay for the bandwidth to deliver that amount of data.

I've listened since show 50 and listened to the first 49 in those early days, I think the VIP club was a fair and very natural progression for the show. Adding and selling the extra content was a great way to add value.

I guess what I miss is that in the old days we would have had this guys home address and would have had his school records, mothers name and workplace by the end of the first page.

[chocobomoshpit]

Originally Posted by jjamis

There maybe a practical reason for having the past shows being exclusive to the VIP club, it likely costs a lot of money to store and pay for the bandwidth to deliver that amount of data.

I've listened since show 50 and listened to the first 49 in those early days, I think the VIP club was a fair and very natural progression for the show. Adding and selling the extra content was a great way to add value.

I guess what I miss is that in the old days we would have had this guys home address and would have had his school records, mothers name and workplace by the end of the first page.

Oh, no no no! I'm not saying the past shows shouldn't be in the VIP at all!

I'm talking about the KATG Beginnings episodes- the clip episodes that follow certain "story threads" that help establish the hosts and guests. They're a tiny fraction of content compared to the back episodes, but do a wonderful job of helping both new listeners get a feel for the show, and is just as enjoyable for long time listeners that just want a quick refresh or nostalgia.

[Keith]

What have we recently talked about that might be hard for a new person to follow?

[chocobomoshpit]

Originally Posted by Keith

What have we recently talked about that might be hard for a new person to follow?

Unfortunately, I can't give you a list or anything, but there have been references to Spooky and Potatoe recently...

But it's not necessarily about being able to "follow", it's more about building a relationship with the show. It's easier to be connected to something when you feel a bit more in-the-loop, and I think the Beginnings are crucial for somebody getting into the show. It gives a concise and digestible slice of the KATG pie and serves to make you (Keith and Chemda) more fleshed out and interesting.

Which is not to say that you guys, or the show, are not interesting or entertaining (I wouldn't be a listener/supporter if it wasn't).

Besides, wasn't the initial purpose of the Beginnings to catch new listeners up?

Maybe there's evidence that they didn't really serve much of a purpose or something. I don't know. I just think it's strange to keep what is essentially a primer behind a pay wall.

(AGAIN, totally support the idea that all the other content is behind a pay wall. I think it's a brilliant idea. I just don't think that's where the Beginnings belong.)

[DWarrior]

I think Beginnings were an era ago. If they did a beginnings now, "we used to do beginnings" would belong on it.

[chocobomoshpit]

Originally Posted by DWarrior

I think Beginnings were an era ago. If they did a beginnings now, "we used to do beginnings" would belong on it.

Fair enough, I suppose. I suppose I just found it odd that what was originally a KATG primer of sorts would be in the pay section. If I'm really in the significant minority on the subject, I'm happy to drop the subject.

[BrianAlt]

Originally Posted by Keith

What have we recently talked about that might be hard for a new person to follow?

The whole drinking less soda thing can be confusing without episode 30 in mind.

[dEadERest]

Originally Posted by MrPoutine

Go suck a bag of dicks!

i believe he may actually have such a bag

[EllaMacFarlane]

Wow, I've missed this place.