I found the link to the gift memberships. It is on the free version of this site: http://digitalblasphemy.com/giftcerts.shtml



I rarely visit that portion of DB so I had forgotten where I saw it.

So if you love Ryan's work and want to support him beyond your lifetime membership, consider giving the gift of subscriptions to Digital Blasphemy to friends and family.



Cheers,

Link33

Ryan, I just have to say something. When I first found your web site, I said, finally, a web site that will accommodate my three 19inch monitors. It did not take any brain power to figure out that $15.00 a year was very, very, reasonable! And I had made up my mind that as long as YOU CONTINUED TO DO THIS FOR US, I was going to renew each year. You have a great talent, Ryan, not everyone does, I do not. Please continue to do what you do best. As for the $49.00 lifetime membership, thank you, I thought that it was very fair and I was ready to jump on it. Thank you for thinking of us. But I felt a little guilty thinking that after paying the $49.00 you would never receive anything from me again unless I donated something each year. It was after reading comments from your other members, that I decided that I will decline and renew each year so that you have a steady income.



I would like to hear from you, Ryan, in the comment section if you want to give us your thoughts on the $49.00 lifetime membership.



Ryan, again, thank you for the work you do. It is the best, and please do not ever think of stopping.

Les Paul S says: "Lets see.....7 new wallpapers a year (and dropping) aren't even worth renewing even at a reduced price!"



What in the world are you talking about? Ryan's done seven so far this year during a time when he was having serious medical issues. He still has eight months to add to that number, if quantity is all you care about. In 2008 he did 27 new images, 25 in 2007, 35 in 2006, and so on. If that's not worth the price of renewal, you can surely spend that measly $15 on a couple of caffè lattes at Starbucks.

Just a couple of thoughts here on what's been said by a couple of people...



"Walo" - Yup - I totally agree with you and if I were in a slightly different financial position then I'd probably jump at the $49 offer myself. In fact I know that I would have done a few years ago and who knows where I'll be this time next year. Life is such a fickle mistress.



I also know though that I'm inherently lazy and if I did take advantage of Ryans offer now I probably wouldn't keep "donating" regularly because - well - because there's always a million things that are more important to do. :-(



"Les Paul S" - Maybe you have a point? I personally don't think it's valid but hey, it's your dollars and you do what you need to do. I'd never even thought about "yearly output" and to be honest I assumed it was less than that but that was never the point. The point for me is that I have *NO* graphical ability whatsoever, I wish I had because I really wish that I could create some nice unique backgrounds for my programmable remotes but I haven't, and I love seeing whatever Ryan posts up next. I am in awe of his ability to create fantastic images in the same way that I am in awe of my housemates ability to run 100km in a bit over 8 hours and I want to do what I can to support and encourage both...



Phil

I agree with people saying that 49$ is too low for a lifetime membership, but for people like me that are poor and can barely if at all afford to save 90$ at one time for anything thats not first need is a great chance to get in the train, if you really want to support Ryan then make donations on a regular basis, people really underestimate the power of donations, even with 5$ a month that's 60$ a year per person, better than paying an annual subscription. And that's precisely what I'm going to do if I can save the 45$ this week to get that membership.

Lets see.....7 new wallpapers a year (and dropping)aren't even worth renewing even at a reduced price!

Having only 3 months ago gone for the $40 3 year renewal the new $49 lifetime pricing is a bit of a blow.



Having said that I do agree with the general feeling that continued contribution is the honourable thing to do.

I feel the same way as a lot of people here - the prices are so reasonable and the artwork so good, I feel bad only paying $15 a year. Personally I feel like I am supporting you more, in the long run, by renewing every year. Oops, looks like last time I renewed for three years. Well, you know what I mean.



Glad to hear you are doing better. Please keep up the great work.

I'm with everyone who says keep paying the yearly fee - I'd feel like a freeloader before long with a lifetime membership; I'd rather pay the yearly amount and know I'm supporting your work...



The gift membership commment was a good one - do you have a model for this in place now? I could see giving a yearly gift to several people!

Love your work and I like helping to support you(go entrepreneurs) on a yearly basis.

Ryan, I thought I had seen at one time gift purchases for membership. It'd be a nice way for us to support you and spread the goodness to our friends and family too.

My yearly subscription is up in a few days so the $49 lifetime is very tempting, but at the same time, as others have said I like supporting your work with the yearly subscription. I will have to ponder this, while staring at my desktop ;)

I give you an A+ on generosity!!! especially in times like these.



also... I CAN NOT WAIT for the next background/wallpaper to again beautify my moniter. Im super excited. YAY!

Got to say that the lifetime membership offer is great and if you're doing it to try to get some extra cash through the door given your recent fun and games then just say and I'll happily throw some extra in the pot.



My head says don't be a div and just go for it but I'm afraid however that my conscience just doesn't sit right bunging you $50 then sitting back and waiting for your hard work to roll in from now til whenever.



I'm with the others when they say that even though it'll cost me more in the long term I'm assuming that a regular drip feed of income is better for you in the long term than a one off injection (sorry to use the medical references!) - so unless you say otherwise then I'll stick with regular renewals thanks and look forward to every new image with the same excitement as the first.



As for the abstracts - I have *NO* problem with them so more than happy to see then appearing!



:-D



Phil

It's the best $10 I spend everrrrrrrrry year, and I'd rather the continued support, as others mentioned. You're the man, and I love your artwork more than anything. I haven't disgraced my desktop or HDTV with anything other than DB artwork in almost a decade lol.

wossName, I gotta agree with you, the Abstract sections are the big reasons I joined this site in the first place. Ryan, unpopular or not, keep those Abstracts coming. I love 'em and can't wait for more.

As has been mentioned by others, I stick with the yearly subscription because it gives you more money over the long run - the art is totally worth it. $50 for a lifetime is a steal though - if you'd prefer I could do that and then just donate $15/year anyway I guess? =)

I think I will keep renewing my membership, too. $49 is a steal (almost stealing?), no question, but I feel better providing continued support.



Completely unrelated to that: I just came across an older blog post of yours, where you said that your abstract works are fairly unpopular. I just wanted to state that I LOVE your abstract images! :) I have never rated in the gallery, though.

I like paying yearly as I feel its helping to contribute to you doing what you love. I'd feel like a freeloader if I paid one payment then had everything for free, doesn't seem sustainable to me. Keep up the good work!

hah, you can't fool me, i'm going to keep paying annually forever.

I have paid for the yearly subscription for about 3 or so years before I decided to go ahead and do the lifetime membership about 2 months or so ago. Best $99 I have spent in a LONG time.

Now I kinda wish I had waited for a month or two and I coulda saved $50, but I figure this way I get to help contribute to helping Ryan pay off the medical bills quicker. :)



Best design site on the web. Keep up the great work, and get better soon, Ryan.

I paid $99 a couple years ago and have never thought twice about it. Your work is brilliant!

I wish I would have known about the discounted lifetime price... I just got a yearly membership; had I have known, I would have purchased that. It's cool anyways. I love your art!

I have been a member for several years as well and While I want to continue supporting your work, I am not sure that a yearly membership is the way to go. It doesnt seem to be a Value to you. The Value to me is obvious, but a 'LifeTime' membership doesnt seem to be a good thing to you and the continued support of your work.



I am, however, considering the lifetime membership as I am on a 'fixed' income and $49 is wuite inviting.



Keep up the good work. I check in with your site at least once a week. :)

Paid $99 about 5 years ago and have been happy ever since :)

That was an easy one. Thanks Ryan! :)

I paid my $99 years ago and I have never regretted it.

I've been a member for years now, and have always thought I should convert to lifetime, but just wasn't sure I was going to be coming back for the next 7 years to justify the 99 dollar price tag, but 49 is much more attractive...so much so that I just converted to lifetime. Great idea on the price reduction!

I currently renew year on year and have done for four or five years so far. I've wondered about buying a lifetime subscription but the year on year sub works out well for me. That said, if a bunch of current subscribers taking out this lifetime subscription would help you out then I'd be happy to do that, but as already mentioned I'd rather pay a bit more in the long run and support you year on year than pay a bunch upfront and feel a bit like a freeloader in four/five years time.



So, really, what helps you most, Ryan? Year on year, or upfront subscription?

It was a steal at $99.

Thank you for the wonderful offer, but no thank you. I'm with Vivian and Ted B. on this one.



I think the yearly renewal price (of just over a dollar per month) is extremely reasonable. Combine that with the fact that I'd like you to continue producing art for years to come I'd rather pay a little bit more to help you continue doing what you obviously love dong.







Thank you and keep up the great work!



DrScriptt. . . .

I feel I have absolutely gotten my moneys worth when I paid whatever it was that I paid, so anyone who signs up for this is getting a great deal! I just kinda wish I had waited 4 years before paying so I could get in on the deal too! hehe :) Glad youre doing so much better and happy to hear from you!

Hi,



First all I love your work and have been a member for a few years, although I changed my actual Member Name from LadyDrac :)



2nd my husband is a Game Art Design student due to graduate in December (WOO HOO) and recently purchased a Wacom Medium Board and is really happy with it. This is the 2nd pad he's purchased as he does so much drawing he knew he'd need one, the first one isn't even worth mentioning (was very cheap) http://www.wacom.com/intuos/medium.php



I hope your health continues to improve, I have a cousin with Crohns :(



And thanks for the lower "Lifetime Member" price, next payday I'll be switching over.

I have a lifetime subscription. Completely worth it. No new computer is finished without a Digital Blasphemy background. :)

Like some others have already mentioned, I always renew at the end of my subscription because I feel like your work is completely worth it, but this may be too good to pass up. Thanks for making my desktop the envy of all my friends, Ryan!

I've been a yearly member for a few years now. I saw the original lifetime membership and decided to stick with the yearly membership anyway.



My reason for sticking with the yearly membership is because it's such a low price and it earns you more money in the long run than the lifetime membership. I fully support you supporting your family. :-)



So I'm happy with being a yearly member as always. I also throw in a few extra bucks when I can afford it when I renew.



I look forward to seeing more great artwork from you. :-)

While I hope the discount brings in more customers, I have to say that I do the yearly renewal specifically BECAUSE it's more money in the long run, and still a hell of a bargain for the enjoyment I get in return.

I'm a lifetime member for few years but this is a great idea to help people that love your work and who could not afford an "expensive" investment. Thank you for not being selfish in a world in crisis.



Bravo et merci.



P'tit Lu

I've been wanting to become a liftime member. I wasn't sure when my current membership was going to expire, but I'm jumping on your offer now. No reason to wait. Thanks again!

I think your offer is a great one, Ryan, but I'll just keep renewing every year. It's cheap and provides me with endless enjoyment, and I feel good about continuing to support your work.

Definitely a no-brainer. Thanks Ryan!

WITH THE WORLD IN ECONOMIC CRISIS, I'M VERY GLAD SOMEONE IS THINKING WITH THEIR HEAD AND NOT THEIR WALLET. THANK YOU RYAN, FOR THINKING OF US 'AVERAGE INCOME PEOPLE'. I WILL BE SURE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS HALF-PRICE SPECIAL. GOOD LUCK AND CONTINUED GOOD HEALTH (I HOPE YOU ARE). THANKS AGAIN. KEEPS THOSE TERRIFIC IMAGES COMING...

This deal was too good to pass up! Already purchased the lifetime renewal. Great artwork! Thank You!!

But that's almost too cheap!

Hey. I'm definitely interested in buying a lifetime. I'd already thought about it. This just makes it a no brainer.



You may wish to update these pages too:

http://members.digitalblasphemy.com/content/account.shtml (99 link at top) which leads to

https://secure.digitalblasphemy.com/restricted/lifetime.shtml



Thanks!

Wow! I've been buying a membership every year for 4-5 years now so now adding a lifetime at 49.95 works out perfectly for me price-wise. Thanks!

Ryan: Thank you. I only wish I could be doing what I loved for a living like you. You (and your art) inspire me. I will certainly take you up on your offer.

Thanks for the offer!

That's very generous of you Ryan. I'm already a lifetime member, but if I weren't, I would be very soon.



I'm glad to hear the new render is going well.