Trip to the Cape next year

Sorry - no au on that address.

Hi Deserter

Is there a special section on this site or is it just through the forum?

Thansk

Wato35

Hi Mick

I have thought about becoming a member, but for the time I spend on this site I cannot see the value. I not saying its not worth it, but I have looked around & I do not see what the difference between the two. Maybe there should be a short term viewing of what the members see, to show me and other potential members what they are missing.

Regards

Wato35

Hi Wato,
This is an excerpt from the About Us page...

"Why Pay to become a Member?
Although site registration is free, additional features are locked-out to free users. Getting the most from the site requires Membership (small annual fee).

The reason for Membership, is two-fold:

* ExplorOz is self-funded
* To provide a quality online experience


We work very hard to minimise our administration expenses and don't exhibit at shows, or use fancy marketing. In fact, the site does not gain any "profits" because all earnings are put back into the site operations (staff and operating expenses). Our view to having advertising on the site is that it should remain relevant to the site users, so we would prefer to only take ads related to the core theme of ExplorOz, which is tourism and on a more specific level, 4WD/Caravan/Camping and outdoor recreation.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to secure sufficient ad-sales from the relevant market sectors to fulfil our ad-serving potential so we have been forced to accept ads from outside our niche market. This approach is not to our ultimate satisfaction, so we have attempted to create ways to buffer the reliance on ad-sales to keep the site viable. And this is where Membership fits in...

Membership enables all the best features - such as Blogs, GPS data downloads (from Treks and Places), EOTrackMe, and the integrated enhancements of being a Member are visible to others as you use the site. Members have their own webpage on ExplorOz (your Member Profile), a Member Footer is shown in all your Forum posts, you have a Member Screen Name, and you have use of Member Messages (an IM/PM style communication tool).

Members also get 5% discount in our Shop, free overnight courier delivery*, and eligibility to redeem any of the advertised Members Rewards (offered by our Business Members). Membership can be both renewed or activated for free if you make a qualifying purchase in our shop.

We see Membership as the life-blood of ExplorOz and put all our energies into developing new site features and services but we have kept it an optional subscription. Whether you see value in the specific benefits offered in our Member service, or because you know how important Membership is to keeping ExplorOz viable, we hope this information has encouraged you to join.
"
Does that help clarify?