How Can I Better The "Patreon Experience"?

Yes - the recaptcha and / or email verification is a new obsticle to getting logged on. I suggest you contact Patreon and tell them about your experience in that regard. I have done so repeatedly myself. Perhaps if they get enough feedback things might improve.

Fran Blanche

all that is way too time consuming and should I want to check in a couple of times each day.... well, you can see how time consuming that can get to be. This all adds up and makes a worthwhile experience into a rather tedious one. Might this be a reason why your Patreon numbers have dropped? Is this happening to everyone?

Maybe there might be a problem with Patreon - recently (past 2 months or so) each time I attempt to log in to Patreon I get a popup message that says that they need to confirm my right to be here. Then it says that they will sending me an email to verify who I am, which in turn requires me to log into my email account, wait for the email to arrive and then reply to it - and finally, to access my Patreon account.

It is not as much up to you as what variable my brain wants when it wants it. Kind of like a dog chasing squirrels. ...Ooooo, that looks interesting....SQUIRREL!!

Thanks everyone for your comments - I am very glad that the content is in line with what you like and expect. I will only be doing live chat on Patreon from here on out I think, with edited reposts on YouTube like what I did for this past weekend, but other than that I don't plan on making any other changes to the current format.

Fran Blanche

I enjoy your YT-videos, they are rather unique, I would miss you and your content if they would disappear, that's why I am a patreon.

I'm just happy to contribute Fran, but my preference is the video's and live video's. Just keep doing what you are doing, you've earned it through and through.

Ian Johnston

I just like to reward, in my small way, your work. The live stream isn't my thing due to timing being in Australia and often the length of the videos as I only have 4G where I live hence expensive internet.

More than happy with the current mix of short and longer pre recorded videos plus the live streams. Also happy to chip in to help keep these going. Content wise I particularly like to see the building of things using older electronic parts, the repairing of quipment, and taking stuff apart to see how they work.

John Russell

I'm happy just to chip in so you can continue to create the Youtube videos that you love.

Joar

Just keep doing what you’re doing!

Rob Smith

I'm entirely happy with the status quo :-). I became a Patron simply because I wanted to see Franlab continue into 2019... Whatever projects you want to do, I'm happy to watch and continue being a Patron.

I'm enjoying the delicious geeky novelty of FranLab. I prefer edited videos over live content because the content is tighter and more respectful of my time. But I appreciate that editing means more trouble for you. I'm happy with FranLab Quickies, since they are edited. I am very happy with FranLab content choices. The only thing I can think of that might be fun is if the Patreons had a private community project so some sort, where anyone could contribute some aspect of content to a bigger project. But the project would need to be of a different nature to past FranLab projects; something that was accessible to most people. It would need to be a project that truly benefited from the crowd's input. I cannot for an instant imagine what the project might be.

SpringRat

You had me hooked with the DSKY. Reeled in when I realised that you are THE Fran of Frantone! But metalworking, woodworking, fabricworking... Every idea you've ever put on YouTube has been interesting to me, whether I knew it beforehand or not. I'm a patron so that you can explore those ideas without being beholden to The Man.

My goal (if you want to call it that), is to interest more young people into electronics. You are doing a great job of that, Fran! I wonder if there was a way to let schools know you exist. Maybe there could be a school club rate.

I am an old fart like some others here - and for me, you hit all the right buttons. Maybe younger people would not be as interested - I wouldn't know, or know what you could change to please them. For me what you do is perfect.

I agree with the above. You don't need to add- or change a thing.

Jeffrey R. Broido

"Just be you" is the perfect sentiment. No need to make yourself crazy trying harder -- just do what you've been doing. You are already inspirational!

I love that you have so many different talents.

Yes agreed just be you. Though I loved FranLab Live too. Guess you’re a natural!

Harry Lakhaney

You and what interests you is just fine IMO. I will admit that Patreon's new log-in procedure is a pain, but you are worth the trouble!

William E Lee

I just simply enjoy watching your videos, and I pay money through Patreon on order to support you doing that. I don't need anything extra in the form of perks, though I must admit if I could afford a bit more getting the postcard would be very tempting :-)

The experience of videos is the reason i am here. After all the Patreon is just a way to say Thank you.

I agree with Bert and the others. You produce some of the most interesting content on YT. I grew up in the 50s & 60s, so space and science were a big thing. My career started in 1969 as a trainee electronics engineer at the BBC. I ended up becoming a video tape editor (note the tape!) and finished up working with digital Non-Linear editing. All the tech you collect and talk about has some overlap with my career. Where it doesn't, it is really interesting. Even guitar pedals! Keep doing what you enjoy doing and we will follow you.

Sadiq Mohamed

I know that you can't regularly dive so deep, but the Fran I really loved was the guy who does photography the old fashioned way, prepping his material in a tent, etc. I think you have a great curiosity about such technical things and always ask the right questions, as well as start from an impressive baseline of knowledge. We (wife and I) also enjoy the tool demos and the surprises in the viewer mail episodes. In any case, we really enjoy the content, so keep on keepin' on!

Michael S Wilhelm

Fran, the experience is already worth the money. Don't worry so much you are doing a fine job. Live video would be nice, but it is not worth making yourself ill over. The challenges you have with the Internet can cause sleepless nights; believe me, a good night's sleep is worth a lot more. Keep up what you are doing and all will be fine.

I second what Bert said ... I love the content, I have learned much from you, and I have been inspired. I sponsor you solely for the video content....please keep it coming!

AB1DQ

These little twitter a like messages are very cool and I like them a lot, but I don't think you need to do much more than you already are.

Fran, I chose to be a patreon because I enjoy the content. I would sponsor you regardless of any perks of doing so simply because I'd hate to see the channel go silent. I only wish my budget allowed for more.

Bert Nielson

My first thought, personal takeaway deliveries.

In the nicest way possible: relax and enjoy. You're doing fine.

Al Hunt