Well, tomorrow’s my last day to post as a guest. I gotta say, I’ll miss this community, but I can’t bring myself to sign my name under a flawed subscription model, no matter how cheap it may be.
I don’t like the way the subscription works. By paying, you are (for the most part) only being granted the ability to spend your time helping other people. Likewise, without paying you still incurring costs by using the board (by reading it), and you are still able to receive information, but you cannot send it.
I’m afraid that I do not agree with the rationale behind the subscriptions. I understand it - the search function likely incurred the highest cost, and if they only charged for that, the result would be a plenthora of posts along the lines of “I’d search, but I’d have to pay, so here’s my stupid question.” I understand, but I do not agree. All I see it doing is driving a wedge between those who simply partake of the information exchange going on here and those who actually do something and contribute to it.
So while I have no say in the admins’ decisions, I am forced to vote with my wallet, the only leverage I have. Damn shame too. I’ll miss you all. I’ll still be here, of course, but as a ghost. An insubstantial spectre, lurking in the shadows. And if they ever change their tune, I’ll be back. In conclusion, here’s some Pink Floyd:
*Goodbye, cruel world.
I’m leaving you today.
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.
Goodbye all you people.
There’s nothing you can say
to make me change my mind.
Goodbye.*
Usually, this board contains some kind caring people.
But for some reason, as tomorrow deadline approaches, there are a group of us that seem to becoming rather intolerant and darn right snippy.
If I posted a note saying I was leaving the boards because I needed to dedicate time to something, I would expect a bunch of “well, I don’t really know you, but good luck” replies.
But I’m seeing people post goodbyes pertaining to a decision not to send $4.95 to SD, and I see all kinds of nasty little notes.
Well, InquisitiveIdiot. I don’t know you, but good bye and sorry to see you go. Anything that diminishes the diversity of this board diminishes us all. Good luck to you.
Even though I have yet to post in response to any of these goodbye threads, I’ll give my take on the snippiness. When you post to say “Sorry gotta leave, real life is intruding,” you get support because your post shows that you feel a part of the community and the community responds in like manner. These, “I’m leaving because subscription sucks” posts essentially deny any value to the community, particularly since most of them that I’ve seen make light of the amount. “I know it’s only $5, but fuck it” seems to be a fairly typical attitude. The community responds in kind.
I see it as a group of people who live on a block, and every night for 5 years have been going to the largest, best house on the block because the owners have a large screen tv, a well-stocked fridge and bathrooms for which there is seldom a line. We flop on the couch, watch their tv for free, eat their food(for free) and use their bathroom.
Now, all of a sudden, the owners decide that they will let you come to the house, flop down on the couch, and still watch tv for free. If you want some food out of the fridge while you’re watching, they want you to chip in. Not unreasonable. And they’re still willing to feed you good for less than what it cost them for the food. They’re subsidizing you. And you can still use the bathroom.
If you’d rather go to your own house and watch your 8 inch black and white set, and eat Ramen noodle soup for dinner–go for it, pardner.
3,000++people in the living room will hardly be bothered by the few who leave.
Ok so am I the only one that thought that the line Proud Charter Member of the SDMB
in the professional affiliations section of my resume is worth the $5?
Hell hath no fury as that of a netizen being presented with a bill for a previously free online service.
I’m a dev on a small-scale MMORPG that’s just started charging (after being in free beta), and I see many of the same arguments there as I do here… and they’re just as invalid.
Moderator’s Note: I’m really not just trying to get you flamed InquisitiveIdiot, but the proper forum for “all complaints and other discussion regarding administration of the SDMB” is the BBQ Pit, so I’m moving this thread there.
On the contrary, by paying, you’re largely being granted the ability to help yourself. You’ve misunderstood the subscription model. The primary benefit you get from paying is the ability to search. Searching helps you, and you alone. It allows you to find information that’s been contributed to these boards over the years.
Searching is what constitutes the bulk of the server load, so limiting the search function to those who value the community enough to pay is what’s going to improve service for everyone. Yes, Guests will still be able to browse and read, but they’ll only get to browse and read what’s easily accessible on the first few pages of the forums. Browsing and reading recent threads is small in comparison to the power it takes to search old threads.
Being able to post is secondary. You can pay to use the board and never post a single message, and still get your $4.95 worth because you were able to find information. Even if you don’t care a whit about being part of the community, if you don’t see any value in the accessibility of the information, then there’s not much else to say.
I know of other message boards that allow their members to voluntarily donate towards the operation costs of the board, and they get along just fine. If the SDMB did that, I’d be happy to donate later on when I actually have money. I even started a thread long ago (back when I was richer) expressing my desire to donate towards the costs of this board.
Unfortunately, the only options available are for each and every board member to pay, or get kicked off. There’s no easy or readily available means for more well off posters to help out their brethren, and previous threads where posters have offered to pay for other posters have unexplainably been locked.
I’m a leftist, and I have spent the last three years here because this is a leftist message board. But push has come to shove, and I’ve been forced to confront the reality that this board is a for profit enterprise run by a capitalistic enterprise.
I will miss the SDMB. I’ve had a wonderful three years here. But it looks like I will have to move on. Such is life. It will be tough searching for a new board that can compare to my experience here, but I’m confident it is possible.
I’m astonished you would say that. There have been several nigh-continuously active threads in ATMB with just this sort of activity going on - people requesting sponsorship/help processing their subscription, and people posting their willingness to help. I’ve helped to get three more people signed up in the last 24 hours alone.
If you would like to stay and it’s a matter of funds being tight, then I’ll sponsor you - email me at sunfish9n@netscape.net. If you still have a philosophical objection, then that’s your decision, and I wish you well.
Sorry to see other going though.