Rewards

[Lumberjack]

A few weeks ago, someone who was writing a book asked me if I could supply some photographic images for it. I dredged a few up from my hard drive and sent them along in high resolution scans, all with my compliments. (Can never be bothered figuring out how much to charge). I was thanked in the proper manner, and forgot all about it. Today, I got an e-mail from the author saying the book is to be published in a few weeks, and I would be getting a complimentary copy. As it covers a subject in which I have a great interest, and is quite an expensive book, I am delighted with the outcome. This has made me feel much better than if I had presented an invoice, and got paid accordingly.
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Someone else asked if he could purchase a copy of one of my e-books that has now run its course. I sent him a download again with my compliments. I just received the following:

Many thanks, – all received and down-loaded, which worked very smoothly.
Your generosity and help is much appreciated – it’s rare to come across such actions these days.....
The index suggests I’m in for a treat –
Thank you again – I’ll be sure to monitor your writings online!
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Both of the above has left me with a great feeling of satisfaction that I would not have felt if I had charged them both!

It doesn't hurt to be obliging!

[AndyJ]

Hi Lumberjack

I think that the advent of the internet has been a great spur to altruism. In the early days of the world wide web virtually everything including the actual infrastructure of the net itself (except perhaps the cost of the dial-up connection) was provided for free. And even today much valuable content such as Wikipedia is still provided for free, while other services such as Google or Youtube are free to use albeit they are paid for by advertising. So much so that the concept of Creative Commons was born out of the ethos of the early internet.

Obviously ordinary altruism, such as the third sector and other voluntary activities which do not depend on the internet, also thrives so it is always nice to hear about generosity for its own sake.