Re: Future ways to make a living

**"* A* N* <i*@gmail.com>**

Hi Lois, 

I am here, reading the thread and trying to come up with a brilliant answer or at least some
cohesive thoughts. Still working on it. But I offer this for now:

We must remember the internet was meant to be free to users and readers. It was designed by open
platform computer geeks who get their kicks by producing a phenomenal tool for the masses and NOT
having to charge for it or be part of the establishment. They did it because they could.

There are two groups who have come along behind them: the ones who always want to capitalize on a
great idea, and those who understand that information (at least as it applies to the open platform
model) is going to have to be free. I haven't a clue how to reconcile this. I  think you need to
make a serious effort to stay in the game, but you may have to get another day job... and that
doesn't make folks very happy.

I sometimes think garden writers fit into this category "My occupational hazard being my
occupation's just not around," from Jimmy Buffet (A Pirate Looks at Forty).  Clever, eh, how I
brought that back around to the pirating of our work on the web? 

I recently asked to be the Idaho Gardening Examiner at Examiner.com.  Not paying squat and it's a
lot of work. They aim to be the new CNN of the planet.  I don't know where any of this is going, I
just wanted to be on board when it launched. They told me I could be the Boise Garden Examiner, I
told them I wanted Idaho. I got it.  

No answers for you, just some random thoughts.

Have a good weekend. I am off to review the Western Idaho Fair hort entries and to eat a corn dog.
Occupational hazard.

MA