Can someone explain why having "charter member" under your name is important.

[Seven]

The subject pretty much says it all.

What is the big deal?

[don't ask]

It isn't.

[Manda JO]

I'll admit that I like having "1999" as my join date, which is like an even snobbier version of the same thing. I think its because we moved all the time when I was growing up, and I love it whenever I am not the new kid.

[Ace309]

It isn't. I prefer not to view ads, and so I'm going to be a paid member; I'm maintaining my charter membership to keep the half-price subscription rate.

If someone wants my Charter they're welcome to it.

[Ephemera]

I was a Charter Member for two or three years, and I'm only a member now because Jodi paid for my subscription.

It isn't a big deal at all.

[Elyanna]

Charter membership. It keeps us warm at night. Puts hair on your chest, son. Divides the men from the boys. Yes, charter membership. Hold your head up high. You've earned it. You really have.

[Omega Glory]

I'm only a charter member (in name only - I don't get the discount) because of a board screw up. I let my membership lapse last year, and paid the full amount later. If it were to disappear, it wouldn't matter in the least.

[dangermom]

Mine just disappeared. It cost me a pang, but I'll get over it. It doesn't really mean anything. (I still wish I'd registered in 1999, but no, I lurked for months and now I'm not quite as cool.)

[Elendil's Heir]

Mine just disappeared. It cost me a pang, but I'll get over it. It doesn't really mean anything. (I still wish I'd registered in 1999, but no, I lurked for months and now I'm not quite as cool.)

Well, you are to me, dammit.

[Dung Beetle]

I need it. God knows I'm not impressing y'all with my wit.

[Athena]

Well, I like the free beer and the big screen TV in the Charter Member Lounge. Also, the massages are nice.

I don't much like the snacks, though. I wish they bought a better grade of caviar, and I prefer Belgian chocolates to the Swiss they always put out.

[suranyi]

Mine just disappeared. It cost me a pang, but I'll get over it. It doesn't really mean anything. (I still wish I'd registered in 1999, but no, I lurked for months and now I'm not quite as cool.)

Same here. I didn't get the notice to renew, and it's not worth it to re-up as a regular member. For now, I don't mind the ads.

Ed

[Troy McClure SF]

I'll admit that I like having "1999" as my join date, which is like an even snobbier version of the same thing.

Jerk.

[Guinastasia]

Uh, the discount? That's about it. (I can't understand why people care more about getting the title than the discount -- haven't some said they don't mind not getting the discount, but they're pissed because they don't have "charter" under their name?)

Once because of a glitch, I didn't get it under my name, and didn't even realize it until someone else made a big fuss over it.

I say just make everyone a member and do away with the whole stupid fuss.

[Giles]

Well, I like the free beer and the big screen TV in the Charter Member Lounge. Also, the massages are nice.

I don't much like the snacks, though. I wish they bought a better grade of caviar, and I prefer Belgian chocolates to the Swiss they always put out.
The caviar? The chocolates? I only get squid and pie. Who do you have to bribe?

[Manda JO]

Jerk.

And see? I have to take that from you, Mr. March. Rules is rules.

[ShibbOleth]

The caviar? The chocolates? I only get squid and pie. Who do you have to bribe?

It's all squid pro quo around here.

[Guinastasia]

The caviar? The chocolates? I only get squid and pie. Who do you have to bribe?

Psst!!! Umm...so whatta you got?

[kunilou]

If I had to choose one, I'd keep my join date and give up the CM status, but let's remember (and Seven, you've been here long enough that you're familiar with the story) how the whole Charter Member subscriber thing came about.

In the dark, dark days of the board, about 5 years ago IIRC, we Dopers had been enduring frequent board crashes, incredibly slow servers and a complete shutdown that wiped out several months of our accumulated conversations (since known as The Winter of Our Missed Content.)

Faced with a need for money and an increasingly restless community The Powers That Be chose the -- ahem -- controversial revenue model of charging us to post. Needless to say, this decision was not greeted with universal approval and many, many, MANY Dopers decided to leave.

However, a hardy band of spendthrifts decided to pony up some cash in hopes of keeping the SDMB alive. As a reward for our misguided fiscal priorities, we were granted the title of Charter Member (and a half-price subscription) for as long as we continued to pay up.

Currently, the P2P model is augmented with advertising revenues and paid membership is no longer absolutely essential to the Board's continued survival. But if not for the timely financial support of a now-dwindling group of diehards, the SDMB would probably be on the scrap heap of Internet history along with Jennicam, Webvan and the original pets.com.

That's the big deal.

[Athena]

The caviar? The chocolates? I only get squid and pie. Who do you have to bribe?

Crap! I mixed up the 99ers Buffet with the Charter Member Lounge. Sorry, you have to be a 99er to get the caviar and chocolates.

[Mikemike2]

I just lost my charter status and therefore also my post count. I was gonna renew, but I had to go through paypal which is a pain because I don't have an account so I didn't. Its not so bad and now people can't see how little I post.

Having said this I will admit I like post counts as it is some proxy for whether a wierd post is from a sock, or someone who has been around long enough to know the rules.

[hajario]

You didn't really lose your post count. You can still see it when you or anyone else looks at your profile.

[Seven]

That's the big deal.

Yes, I remember all that. I even paid a couple years to keep this place going.

But now all it means is you don't know how to use an ad blocker.

[C3]

I'd like to point out that I actually did join in 11/99, but my username was deleted during the Winter of our Missed Content. When they fixed the problem, it said my join date was 2000. And I've been pissed about it for almost a decade. Well, maybe not pissed, but a little annoyed that I'm missing out on chocolate.

[rowrrbazzle]

I was a Charter Member, but I chose not to renew for a variety of reasons.

However, the title was important to me because that was the agreement. If I joined up at the beginning and kept up my membership, I got the title and lifetime renewals at half price. The title means no less and no more than that.

If some think the title isn't important, that's fine for themselves. However, when I make an agreement with someone, I hold up my end, and I expect the same from the other party.

Is it really so hard to understand the concept of not changing the terms of an agreement while it's in force?

If there had been no special title, I would've subscribed at the time anyway. But that was not the agreement.

And as long as I'm here, I'll say I have little sympathy for people who simply forgot to renew on time. Again, the agreement was to renew on time or lose the title and discount permanently. I took this seriously. I set Outlook reminders to make sure I wouldn't miss it. The irregularity of e-mail reminders confirms the value of this precaution.

[Just Some Guy]

Don't forget that charter members have access to the you know what. I would say more but talking about it in front of members and guests gets you downgraded. Aesiron knows all about that...

[dangermom]

And as long as I'm here, I'll say I have little sympathy for people who simply forgot to renew on time. Again, the agreement was to renew on time or lose the title and discount permanently. I took this seriously. I set Outlook reminders to make sure I wouldn't miss it. The irregularity of e-mail reminders confirms the value of this precaution.Whoa, calm down there.

(Actually, I decided not to re-up. I'm broke and I don't need the title. Actually, I need to wean myself off this crack...)

[Enright3]

I'm prouder of my join date and my member number (157). There's not a whole lot of people left here that joined before me. If they had a status that said something like "been here since the AOL days" I think that'd be cool.

Then again, I suppose it doesn't really matter.

[ZenBeam]

The subject pretty much says it all.

What is the big deal?Can you explain why it's a big deal to you? Big enough to start a thread asking about it?

[Cardinal]

I'll admit that I like having "1999" as my join date, which is like an even snobbier version of the same thing.Yeah, it lets me be "more knowledgeable than thou, which is about all I'm good at. It's why I'm a teacher. Kinda sorta really.

[Gorsnak]

I won't speak for anyone else, but for me it's the free hookers and blow.

[Bad Samaritan]

Until I got the renewal email last week -I hadn't even visited these boards in about 6 months. Obviously, I don't get my money's worth, but what the hell...

[Q.E.D.]

Can you explain why it's a big deal to you? Big enough to start a thread asking about it?

Spoken like a true Whiney Niner.

[Sleeps With Butterflies]

Can you explain why it's a big deal to you? Big enough to start a thread asking about it?

I can't speak for the OP, but I opened this thread because I have wondered the same thing before.

Most people don't seem to care one way or another, but every so often somebody loses their title and you'd think someone had smacked their kid and kicked their mother in the snapper. It becomes a VERY.BIG.DEAL. Much whining and gnashing of the teeth.

So, curiosity. Is that really so hard to understand, or did you just feel like being uppity?

[Q.E.D.]

Most people don't seem to care one way or another, but every so often somebody loses their title and you'd think someone had smacked their kid and kicked their mother in the snapper. It becomes a VERY.BIG.DEAL. Much whining and gnashing of the teeth.

You ain't just whistlin' Dixie, sister. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=507465)

[Dripping]

It isn't. I prefer not to view ads, and so I'm going to be a paid member;What ads? :confused:

[nivlac]

Charter membership = discounted subscription, that's it for me. This board has the contents and contributing members to make a subscription worthwhile. And if I'm going to subscribe why not give myself a discount in the process? If I should ever miss a renewal date and get bumped to a mere Member, I can live with that. But I'll never be Guest!

[Guinastasia]

You ain't just whistlin' Dixie, sister. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=507465)

Holy shit.

[Seven]

Can you explain why it's a big deal to you? Big enough to start a thread asking about it?

It all makes sense to me now.

I was wondering whose Wheaties I urinated in this morning.

And you're right, it was a pretty big deal to start this thread. I had to call in late for work, compose several drafts, pass copies off to my lawyer in triplicate, and go over 500 pages of research. The posts in this thread may have contained the answer to free, renewable, non-polluting energy and a cure for global warming - but you had to go fuck it all up.

When your grandchildren ask what it was like to have polar ice caps, live above ground or pay under $500 for an ounce of oil,.. just remind them how it is ALL YOUR FAULT!

[Manda JO]

Yeah, it lets me be "more knowledgeable than thou, which is about all I'm good at. It's why I'm a teacher. Kinda sorta really.

Me too!

(unless you aren't a teacher and that was snark at me for talking about teaching all the time. In which case, wow that came out of nowhere. )

[Scumpup]

I used to be a charter member. I let my subscription lapse. The title is unimportant. The service this board offers is not worth even a trivial amount of money. At one point you could get good answers here. Now? GQ threads are a mush comprised of Google hits, wikkipedia links, and lame ass joke answers. The other fora haven't even that much to offer.
I donated my subscription money to the NRA instead.

[MsWhatsit]

I wouldn't say "important," exactly. I just like it. There's things I pay a hell of a lot more than $7.48 per year for that I like a hell of a lot less.

[Atrael]

It's a combination of what MsWhatsis and kunilou said. I supported the board when they were having money troubles (and ever since) and I got the spiffy title. Yeah I'm a bit miffed that there is no grace period or something, but I'm not kicking my chair over in the cubical. I asked what would benifit the board more, becoming a member or clicking the ads. Then I re-upped. So while I'll miss my charter status, it isn't the end of the world.


Now if I somehow lost my 99'er status....well, that's another thing. :)

[Dragwyr]

I wouldn't say "important," exactly. I just like it. There's things I pay a hell of a lot more than $7.48 per year for that I like a hell of a lot less.
Well said, MsWhatsit.

I figure there's a lot of things out there I spend a lot more money on that I don't enjoy. The SDMB is one of the few things I do really enjoy and the cost for a membership that will keep it up and running is minimal, so I figure it's a small but worthwhile expense.

[The Great Sun Jester]

...you'd think someone had smacked their kid and kicked their mother in the snapper.CAN'T! BREATHE! OMFG that's...I'm gonna have to be using that one thankyouverymuch!

--Inigo, former star-bellied sneech

[Guinastasia]

If you think about it, all "Charter Member" really says is "I'm cheap!" ;)

[MsWhatsit]

If you think about it, all "Charter Member" really says is "I'm cheap!" ;)

...and?

[kunilou]

If you think about it, all "Charter Member" really says is "I'm cheap!" ;)

Yes, but it says it so politely!

Actually, though, it says a lot more than just "cheap."

I'm cheap enough to want a discount, but not so cheap that I'll accept ads.

I've been cheap since at least 2004.

I'm not only cheap, but so anally retentive cheap that I remember to resubscribe by a due date that moves around by a few days each year.

I want to say I'm cheap in a way that makes me look important.:p

[cmyk]

Haven't you seen the Charter Member's restrooms?! Solid fucking gold urinals.

[JohnT]

Just try not to see them within five minutes of Gorsnak's leaving.

I'm just sayin...

;)

[JohnT]

Anyway, having the Charter Member tag isn't important to me, but supporting a site that has given me more infotainment than any other internet location is.

And I received an email saying that my membership was about to expire... doesn't everyone?

[KneadToKnow]

Holy shit.

Postin' "me too," like some brain-dead AOLer.

[Peanuthead]

Losing the Charter Member tag doesn't bother me as much as no Location showing in posts. Sometimes it's relevant to the thread. In my case, when it is I mention Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA as the case may be.

[Cunctator]

If it gets me a cheaper subscription, then I'm quite happy.

[Caught@Work]

'cos I'm hanging out to be the last one.

[Sam Stone]

I just lost my charter member status. My account expired while I was on the dope - refreshed a page, and suddenly there were ads. It turns out the renewal notice they sent out got eaten by my spam filter. I signed up again right away, but had to pay the double price. I E-mailed Tubadiva to see if they could reinstate my charter status since I was only a guest for a few hours and fully intended to stay paid up, but she said it was impossible.

Ah well. No big deal, other than that I'm not paying twice what I used to.

But now all it means is you don't know how to use an ad blocker.

No, it means that I like paying for the things that I find valuable. This place doesn't run on charity, so I feel it's only right to pay for it. For the same reason, I actually pay for songs I listen to, even though it's trivially easy to get them for free.

[Kiros]

The Charter Member title means I'm kind of a big deal around here!

What?

You say it doesn't really mean that much, there are a ton of people that have it, and those that don't have it could really give a damn?

... well it's still a 50% discount for something that I pull some pretty good enjoyment and education from every year. So it's worth it for that.

I still think it should affect my self-esteem SOMEHOW, though . . . :(

[JThunder]

I use it to impress women.

[Marlitharn]

It signifies that you have passed the Nine Sacred Challenges, gaining the wisdom, dignity, and humility required to be admitted to the Chamber of Goats and Brethren.

Me, I got tired of cleaning up after the Goats (and Brethren) so I let mine lapse. I figure I've been here nine years and haven't even hit 3,000 in my post count; as long as I can still read and post I'll take the free route. Ads don't bug me.

[Atrael]

Anyway, having the Charter Member tag isn't important to me, but supporting a site that has given me more infotainment than any other internet location is.

And I received an email saying that my membership was about to expire... doesn't everyone?

Sort of. Like others mentioned it sometimes gets eaten by a spam filter. For me, the registered email address with my SD user name isn't one I use all the time. In fact it's pretty much only for here. So I only check it every week or so. Hence me getting the notice only 4 days before my account expires doesn't really help me.

I'd also like to point out that there are probably more than a few of us that don't pay much attention to the announcements. Why? Because most of the time they don't apply. I don't often engage in personal attacks, go to real life meetings, or self-promote my book. So I tend to ignore them totally.

[Dragwyr]

I use it to impress women.
::Looks around and sees no women even close to Thunder. ::

So, Thunder. How's that workin' out for ya?

[Markxxx]

I've been around longer than most of the charter memebers. But if you didn't pay, you don't get it. So really all it means is that some people signed up early and paid for having a "charter member" under it.

It's kind of like sites that have "post count." or "ratio," or even MySpace where you get as many "friends" as possible even though you've never talked to most of them.

[BiblioCat]

It's kind of like sites that have "post count." or "ratio," or even MySpace where you get as many "friends" as possible even though you've never talked to most of them.
I don't see it like that at all. Back when the board went Pay-to-Post, if you didn't pay, you couldn't post at all. You were gone. It's not like some people paid and got the title, and others chose not to pay, but were still posting under the 'Guest' title.

We do have posts counts here. If you're a guest, it's not displayed in your posts, but it is in your profile.

[Guinastasia]

I do have a question, though. Let's say someone misses the window, and gets downgraded, and loses their title, has to pay full price, etc. But next year, they subscribe early -- can they get the whole deal back? I just want the fucking discount.

[Telemark]

I But next year, they subscribe early -- can they get the whole deal back? I just want the fucking discount.
Apparently not. It's always been that if you lose Charter Membership, it's gone forever.

[KneadToKnow]

Charter Membership, virginity, mental stability.

I'm seeing a pattern here.

[Harmonious Discord]

It's a status symbol of attrition, but I don't see why the people that lost the symbol have to be so bitter about it.
It's something you'll never get back but that's the nature of the beast.

[Unintentionally Blank]

There's precious few things on the internet that are high enough quality that I'll pay for it. This is my small way of telling Unka Cece et al. that I appreciate their efforts.

[MacTech]

For me it's the discounted membership, and more importantly, the lack of ads, I *HATE* ads

And yes, I do have an edited Hosts file running so even if I did let my membership lapse, the ads would still be blocked, however, I feel I get enough enjoyment out of this place that it's worth the $7.95/yr

apparently, TPTB at The Reader would prefer everyone see the ads and there would be no Members or Charter Members, so that's another reason to continue my Charter Membership, I'm kinda' contrarian that way <evil grin>

[foolsguinea]

What Guinastasia said. The discount is nice.

[Sam Stone]

I do have a question, though. Let's say someone misses the window, and gets downgraded, and loses their title, has to pay full price, etc. But next year, they subscribe early -- can they get the whole deal back? I just want the fucking discount.

I lost mine for a couple of hours, and it's not coming back... I tried. I was told it's impossible.

[Guinastasia]

I once asked why they didn't just make everyone members, and do away with all the fuss. I think Tuba said they suggested it once after the first year and everyone went apeshit at losing their title.