I have read several long threads during the past couple of days regarding freestuff providers and downloaders. Speaking from a purely personal viewpoint, I don't care if I have to spend a few minutes watching a flash intro or clicking through someones website to download something that has probably been many hours in the making. When I have downloaded the FREE item I try it out and if I don't like it or I can't make it work because of my own lack of knowledge then I delete it. The cost to me is measured in minutes. The harm done to me is nill and the benefits to me - I may have learned something whilst trying to get the item to work as I want it. These problems occur in maybe one out of thirty or forty downloads, the rest are all good and have a deserved place on my hard drive, which by the way has a daily decreasing amount of free space thanks to all the free stuff providers here on Renderosity. I am guilty of not saying thankyou but when I see that the file has been downloaded hundreds of times I feel that if we all said thankyou it would be meaningless and the forum would be clogged with messages all saying the same thing. I take this opportunity to say thankyou and I mean it sincerely. I view this forum a lot but I don't post much because I have nothing constructive to say most of the time ( I think this makes me a lurker). I felt that as a downloader of freestuff I should post this message to let the freestuff providers know that they are appreciated even if we don't say it very often. Sorry for rambling on so but I've just opened my 8th can of beer and it's hard to shut me up now. Thankyou again to everyone who has ever posted a free item.

You are right though, and I would like to take this time to thank all of the contributors also. Sharen

Thanks grahamjames for posting this message. I would also like to thank all the free stuff providers and people who make freebies available on their sites. I too feel it's important to thank them as they may not hear it enuf, and for them to understand that I'm sure a lot of us really appreciate their efforts but dont say it as much as we could. I know my work would be no where near as good and as fun to work on without all the stuff I've collected. I have learned alot just by using (or attempting to use) all this great stuff. I can't stress enuf to everyone, PLEASE always read the readme's to see if it's ok to use these items for commercial purposes (if that's something you want to do)and contact the creators if you have any doubts. The large percentage of them are very gratious and almost always give permission if it's not been spelled out. They also really appreciate those that ask. I hope we can all continue to profit from their hard work and we really can't thank them enuf! Ok, the soapbox is going back in the pantry.

I know I would be lost without the freebee's, if I had to buy everything that I use, my harddrive or my pocket book would be empty. It's the generocity of the renderosity folks that make my day. Thank-you one and all.

I agree totally with what grahamjames said , and as a grand master lurker i will take the unprecedented steep and post in support , Thankyou to the freestuff providers .

Attached Link: http://fast3d.co.uk

I'm a provider of freestuff - my site's all freestuff! - because I really enjoy making it. All my models are used in animations, and once used seldom get used again by me. Its good to think that someone else can get use from them, rather than just sleeping on my hard drive. I'm sure I can speak on behalf of all freestuff makers in saying that kind comments like those mentioned above are very much appreciated, and help compensate for our intermittent bandwidth problems!

Adding my thanks too!

To put it simply... Thank You All!

Normally, I make all my own stuff...well, mostly. My computer got stolen recently...with all my files. I got a hot free 4 gig computer as a gift from a friend...and was SO THANKFUL for the freestuff that I could find, to at least make some renders. Freestuff providers...you are the best. So many put all in the market, these days. Gosh, so much of your free stuff is even better than what i see from many in the market. thank you. Pop...Pop...Poppi!!!

Attached Link: http://www.beyondbent.com

Speaking of free stuff, I got a brand new figure for free at my website, my way of saying thank you to everybody who's helped me over the years.

visit www.beyondbent.com and check the free stuff section.

Thanks all,

davo

very cool Davo!

While we're at it, I'd also like to thank all the people who provide excellent tutorials, and those who provide support, education and insight in these forums.

I always like to say thankyou to freestuff providers, and one way I have been doing it is by giving back a few things that I have done... for free.....Do as you would be done by.