[tomku]

There are actually two components that the author is promising. The interactive learning environment and website will be free and open source, but the author is also planning on selling a premium, paid month-long course with extra content. The premium course is what's promised in the $50 tier, and what will cost $100 after the Kickstarter ends.

Edit: As the responses indicate, the premium course is probably against Kickstarter's rules. I didn't mean to imply otherwise.

[pc86]

The point is that people are trying to use Kickstarter to eliminate risk in a business venture. If you're good enough o charge $100 for membership for one of your website, do it. Take a risk. Be entrepreneurial. Don't be that guy trying to get other people to provide you back-door seed funding so you can just bolt if it all falls apart with an extra $10k to boot.

From the KS: "Launching a Kickstarter campaign is the best way I can think of to get the word out and see if there's real interest in this. I always try to focus my time and energy on things people want (easier said than done), and this campaign will help me figure that out. So if you want this to exist, cast your vote by pledging!"

I try to be civil and calm here but that is complete and utter bullshit. Kickstarter does not exist so people like this guy can get a few months rent while trying out his latest business venture.

[briandear]

Lol. Tell that to every SilVal wannabe startup begging for seed funding. Being entrepreneurial IS about gathering reasorces to make your idea happen.

Kickstarter shouldn't exist so some guy can raise money to sell 3d printers either, but that happens all the time.

[pc86]

You've got a point there, but let's be honest: that 3d pen was pretty cool.

[bdcravens]

Any kind of membership site is against Kickstarter rules.