Too Much Information? 

Don't blame yourself or your camera or your looks. Its clear from your view counts what goes well and what doesn't. People come here for the vintage display tech and other retro content, but most of your videos are filler. I understand you're throwing everything at the wall because there aren't enough old clock radio designs out there for you to feature, but that's what the people want. PS: I do like the complaint videos, but its probably not a good thing when your channel is trying to be about retro electronics.

I always thought that with some rare exceptions, youtube was supposed to be a side business, if you really like it (it seems that you don't) move to a cheaper place out of the city, that is supposed to be one advantage of being a youtuber. If you are not willing to make the "sacrifice", then have another business and do youtube when and if you feel like it. I was here for your why I don't repair my pedals rant, I remember you saying that a company may some day produce your pedals, and I just couldn't understand why you were not more involved in that. People on their future or on what they have achieved. I do enjoy your videos and I hope you keep doing them.

Watching it all and it's never enough. You're one of a kind. Much appreciated!

20:00 Have they actually rebuilt on that Franlab 1.0 site, or is it just in limbo? Site visit video?

After 21 years and 274 separate Public Radio programs the I hosted and produced, you are at the same crossroad that I faced; should I continue when it is very hard to maintain originality and interest? I retired and then spent over two years second guessing myself. Life does go on, and your contributions, like all of ours, to society enters the archive of human existence. Period. Relax.

I'm in for the duration. I really don't have a preference necessarily for any particular type. Bench, viewer mail, rants, RU-vid issues, etc are all part of the true FranLab experience. There are some times I don't think I want to hear anymore Therimin or see anymore Lumitime, but then I miss them only because I worry that by chasing the elusive algorithm you don't feel as free to be yourself. Being your unique self is an extreme rarity and I highly value that you continue to just do you.

Yep, SO much to watch on RU-vid. I'm subscribed to about 130 channels (& another 60 on my other channel) but I can't watch everything that they all put out. Can't remember what brought me to your channel. Might well have been a rant but I keep coming back & watched this one to find out what TMI meant - & I still don't know! Oh, & I never watch to the end if there are just names scrolling up/down the screen...

I’m a long time fan. In 2021 during your struggles with moving to new locations and all I became a Patreon at a 20 dollar level. Over time your content has changed from interesting technical, often old and cool stuff, to more and more about how you struggle with RU-vid and parteon and the willingness of followers to pay. This is interesting too, but me, for myself miss the electronics work, showing old stuff, and new. It’s not up to me to dictate what you should be working on but it is my wish that you in some degree showing more of the stuff you used to do. I’m very thankful for all your work and I’m following your channel regularly. The exclusive content on patreon I’m never watch because I’m only watching on Apple TV and patreon doesn’t have an Apple TV app (very bad of patreon). Sorry for eventually bad English, but it’s not my native language. Best regards!

You just need lower rent. One problem one solution. Relocate to some place completely different and video the scary adventure. We love scary.

11:30 300% more? Youch, that's Brutal.

Your work is worth paying for and supporting -- there's nothing else like it on RU-vid or anywhere else. I encourage other folks to become a patron. I'm all-in, Fran. I've been a patron for a few years. I'm now back up to the $20 tier again. I work in Public Radio & TV and know how the donation model works. It's a tough model and getting tougher.

Maybe shrink the credits to be less than 30 seconds long, like most TV shows?

I have a small gadget you might want for a tear down for your channel. I an currently using a one-time-use Furoscix Lasix On Body Infuser which dispenses Lasix (furosemide) over about a five-hour period. While it is technically medical waste with a small needle, I think you could safely disassemble it. It obviously contains a motor, pump, a micro with associated electronics. I will understand completely if you you don't want this. Please keep up the good work.

Honestly, the complaining does get very tiresome. I still watch to support you and so I won't miss the occasional project when you do it.

buying a pole barn just outside of a city was the best investment i ever made. nobody bugging me, and nobody raising the rent. no crime

Your channel is unique and that is why I subscribe. Not a whole bunch of clickbait headlines and sponsor plugs. In this digital age, I really enjoy the videos about pencils. Any chance of doing videos about different types of paper (notebook, drawing, painting)? I know thousands and thousands of YT channels seem to copy the latest trend (living in a van, for example). Please stay true to yourself.

Had to come looking for you cause YT has pushed a lot of stuff that I don't like. You think about moving out of the city to pay less rent?

I have to scan my subscriptions regularly, even with the ringing bell. I stick to your channel, (I wish I had money for Patreon), as I don't want to watch the flashy fast pace production stuff; that's the cable TV I really don't watch. You have the 'You' Tube I like, the simpler personal production. But appealing to the general public...ask anyone in customer service nowadays...my God...I watched a screaming match over a f'n BAGEL that wasn't toasted 'enough', recently. The audience is changing, not a lot for the better; I think you have 3 seconds to catch their attention and 10 seconds to hold for a minute...

idk how true this is these days, but doing collaborations used to be a good way of growing channels back in the day. Sorry, it feels like I'm back-seating, I just want things to improve for you.

i like your content. I like when you do tear downs too. keep going x

You probably were getting the ai trending on music genres at one point as well with the frantone and music production stuff.

i would try and set some items aside to sell on commission; but not easy to find someone to take that on.

My theory is that rants and meta-posts tend to call attention to the business of the channel and invite viewers to consider their level of involvement, which leads to more likes and comments, which leads to recommendations, which leads to more likes and comments...etc. I haven't had one of these recommended in a while. Maybe try to include a minor breakdown in videos, works for Bo Burnham.

Old tech is interesting to me since in this day and age everything is built cheaply and flimsy. Seeing these old switches makes me think this could survive a direct hit by an asteroid and still function, which is fascinating.

Fran. It's not the way you speak but the words you say. Your words are always worth listening to, from the heart and to the point.

Do whatever you want and we'll watch it more than likely. Me I like the pens and pencils 😊

keep doing what you're doing!

The youtube algorithm / video watch percentage is a difficult balance. Some people enjoy the long deap dive, others only have a few minutes of attention. Pros and cons for each direction.

I love the calm style videos like yours. I can't stand the over-the-top loud sensational videos. Keep being you 😎👍

You could always fight Mike Tyson.

Came for the tech. Staying for all of it. A day without Fran is a day without sunshine❤🎉

also I don't care about all the good looking channels I have 4 channels i look for evry day Fran, Dave, Clive and Adam savage .i could live without the rest .

Hello Fran, you are an electrical engineer, you build your own pedals you are very proficient in anything electrical, alright so when people tune in to your streams they really want to ask you questions about electrical expertise and things they’re doing themselves, I know you enjoy talking about the videos you post and issues or things your doing currently but people really want to ask you those electrical based questions and maybe joke and carry on as well I believe you would do fantastic if you go in the direction I’ve mentioned above and if you rant occasionally that’s absolutely fine but don’t make it the only reason you do a stream or video Continued Success Fabrizio

Fran, your intelligence is at least two sigma greater than the mean of your peer RU-vid channels. I like your conversational style too.

I enjoy the TMI. In regards to the revenue drop: this is across the nation due to the soft lading recession (watch CNN interview with Bank of England, Bank of America or Wells Fargo financial analysts). People are thinking twice about purchases because their money doesn't buy as much due to inflationary pressures. Other businesses are getting hit too, not just you. I don't hear you complain at all, just telling it like it is, you're keeping it real. Please hang in there Fran.

Fran I have noticed that there are channels like yours that I have to search for your new videos I hate how youtube has made me tough to find my original channels !

Never TMI from you Fran.. well…yet. hee hee

feedback, negative or positive, is over rated. RU-vid is going to increasingly screw its "creators" so maybe Rossmann app (Grayjay) is the future

Thanks!

Franlab is educational and informative, not TMI ! Not to mention really interesting!

I can't think of any reason why you should listen to me but I won't let that stop me. I'm not a fan of franting videos or the life sucks ones. I can do all of it I want for free. Actually, I almost want to pay myself for having to listen to myself. You are pretty, sexy, and have enough of the rest of the stuff to compete, but that isn't why I'm here either. The vintage displays are ok, but really I just want to learn a little more about electronics projects in general and some of the restoration work you have done. It feels very strange to me that I have been watching for almost a decade I think, but I still wouldn't know where to start designing an electric guitar effects pedal. It doesn't need to be one of the effects that made you famous, a beginner one would cool. How about a cheap amp? How does a synth work? It seems like how to design and make music and sound effects stuff would be something you would enjoy, have parts for, and I would think your audience would like too. Tell stories of exceptional franatude while you work, if you like. There are things about you that most of us never got to experience being, that stuff would also be interesting if that isn't too personal for you to comfortably share.

by no surprise ... this vid appeared in my feed. Business redoubling its efforts to shunt the working world to the gig economy eclusively. Fewer responsibilities and exspenses.... Bit-minning of the soul as it were, with the added bonus of being able to monetize your data in perpetuitywith an easily offset cost of doing business (for storage and power) Of which I am certain there are plenty of teams and schemes dedicated to offset those.

I think most of us can't even remotely understand how stressful it must be to have so much of your income out of your control. I think I can speak for most in saying we appreciate you being on RU-vid .

FranLab is perfectly pitched

Even the 8 bit guy can't make a living off of RU-vid anymore so he is going into the arcade business. Everybody thinks he is rich, but he is not. Hang in there, Fran.

Nooo Fran your the coolest, sexiest and most exiting channel on the tube! I’m loyal to the end!

The customer is always right! Stop complaining...

I pretty much enjoy everything you do, even stuff about pens while I am not even using a pen daily anymore. I just am basically making ends meet barely myself and can't spare any money. And with the situation worldwide these days with inflation rates unimaginable 10 years ago, I guess that's the current problem. It would be sad if you had to stop doing what you do.

All of the reasons you give to Not watch yer channel, are the same reasons I "do" watch this channel. Keep at it

Now I know I will let the crawl play out :)

Trying to help, the inflation situation is very hard on people, especially us old geezers. I hope you can continue, as really enjoy your unique take on all things in the lab and sundry! As an aside I really enjoy your musical work, a little more mixed in would be nice.

But your smart

Modern slavery?

No need to 2nd guess yourself as far as I'm concerned. 👍

Well, I guess I have to prepare for the ending of your channel. It seams you are trapped in a too expensive appartement. For multiple reasons you are not able to do projects that attract a bigger audience. Relocating is not an option, as you have explained years ago. I am a regular viewer since years, but I do not have any good advice to offer. I hope the tide will turn in time for you.

Sorry, I don't watch to the end because I can't stand the outro vocalization.