Is this site still active?

Question at bottom of post if you don't want to read my soap box story....

My intro: My name is Chris, and I'm really interested in tattooing. I've done what appears to be normal progression from cheap coils (struggle), onto cheap rotaries (struggle), then onto better rotaries (struggle less) and good supplies from a reputable tattoo site(start to make progress). I've been working on practice skins for a couple months, finally purchased Reel Skinz (based on advice from this forum) and have been reading this forum and watching YouTube videos. I'm definitely willing to put in the time to learn, and accept criticism.

Ive looked around at forums and this is the only beginner friendly site I've found so far. Of course i'd love an apprenticeship, vit where I live they cost 4k (lower end shop) and up depending on how good they are (10k). Unfortunately, in Virginia, it's the only way to get a license though, so it's kind of like a self licking ice cream cone (to make money you just need to get a license, then open shop, then take on paid apprentices...... no focus on good tattoos, for some shops anyway, not all).

QUESTION: Anyways, I don't have a lot of money and I'd love to sign up here, but there is only a lifetime membership for $110.00 (not too bad if there are active members) but I don't want to sign up for a "dead" forum (no offense if it is not). I've been able to look through the premium topics, and there doesn't seem to be much for new posts there, but there is some newer stuff in the basic section.

Anyways, thanks for listening to me drone in, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Hi,
Yes it's quite slow since it passed from 10£ for life to 110$.

Still, the premium archives are loaded with great information on many subjects.

Asking questions often gets you a bunch of replies but those past couple of months have been very quiet. It happens and then suddendly there's a lot of activity.

Peace,

DKJ

Appreciate the response. I will sign up for premium when I get some extra money then.
This place has admittedly been an invaluable source of information and inspiration from watching others progression and seeing that everything I've encountered seems to be the norm.

DKJ said:

Yes it's quite slow since it passed from 10£ for life to 110$.

Click to expand...

Did it??? Dingue!!

This forum really has been the best forum, and very active. As DKJ confirms it's been very slow lately though. If the premium member fee jumped from 10£ to 110$ that's of course an explanation, but I have a feeling all the YouTube videos also make forums like this a little less necessary - or at least less interesting? Or am I wrong?

About premium cost I think 110$ really is a lot, BUT you can find much much more information in premium section.

Just my 2¢ - I have certainly used YouTube as a learning resource, but there is a lot less ability to get back and forth conversation on questions, or the ability to post ones own work to get critiqued. Most of the YouTube channels are posting content that increases subscriptions, and not posting the bad / ugly to show their learning progression for newbs like me to realize it's okay to suck at first - normal people do at first!

$110.00 is maybe a lot (maybe not), but it's worth it to me if this place is still running. It'll just take me a bit to save it up, then I won't have to worry about it again, so that's a plus!

Thanks again for the responses!

Chris

Completely agree about YouTube!

And yes, 110$ is worth it

Since I own a forum I can confirm that forum activity in general has been reduced since the introduction of social networks. Noticeably with the start of facebook many forum members left my forum to go create their own "wall".
However, forums are certainly not dead, many still stay around because the way forums work is unique and no social network is real good substitute for that. Many forums have the option to embed videos from youtube and the likes which makes their information much more valuable.
While forums may be in decay their informational value still stays very high because of their intricate and far more in-depth discussions.
This is also the case here. Even though you may find less activity, there are certain "core-members" that are always around to answer any doubts.
For sure, as MalligaMallan mentioned, I also didn't know about the premium price change. That's a sure way of not getting premium members, and thus less members willing to stay onboard.

I feel this forum will be around for a long time to come and is a great source of info and help for anyone in the realm of Tattoo life. The membership is well worth it and will pay for itself as members become professional with the help they have gained along the way from other pro members. I still keep returning after years because it is a good community as well.