# Definition of subscriber here **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 5, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231 "2016-02-05T15:02:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/1 "2016-02-05T15:02:16Z")
This might be a dumb question, but I have to ask it. Over on the Marketplace forum I read the rules and it says that only subscribers can start new threads. Am I a subscriber? Or is a subscriber only someone who donates money to support the SDMB? Some internet forums are like that but I don’t see any mention of donations here. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/2 "2016-02-05T15:07:30Z")
You have to buy a membership. User CP\>Paid Subscriptions ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/3 "2016-02-05T15:10:56Z")
See this thread: > **[New User Post in Marketplace](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=768548)** > > How do I start a new thread in the Marketplace message board? It says I do not have access to the page when I click the New Thread link/button at top of board. How can I gain privileges to post there? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/4 "2016-02-05T17:19:57Z")
The definition of subscribers is basically given in the Marketplace rules: > [@](#): > > Only subscribers can start threads. This includes Members, Charter Members, SDMB staff and members of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board. Anyone (including guests) can post a reply. So a subscribers are Members, Charter Members, SDMB staff and members of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board. Guests are not subscribers. As a guest, you can reply to a post (if you have a question or comment about something that is for sale, for example) but you may not create your own posts in the Marketplace. If you wish to become a paying member, you may do so by clicking on your User Control Panel (User CP on the upper left), then scroll down to Paid Subscriptions on the lower left, and follow the on-screen prompts from there. You can choose a 1 or 2 year membership, and as a paying member, you can also purchase a custom title if you want (for an additional fee) which will appear under your name. In addition to Marketplace privileges, and possibly a custom title (if you choose to pay the additional fee), paying members also are not served advertising on the message board. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/5 "2016-02-05T18:10:57Z")
Well, the definition didn’t resonate with me. Am I a Member? Or am I a Guest? **Xray Vision** , thanks for the link. That helped! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/6 "2016-02-05T18:17:52Z")
> [@JcWoman](#): > > Well, the definition didn’t resonate with me. Am I a Member? Or am I a Guest? > > **Xray Vision** , thanks for the link. That helped! It’s right beneath your user name in that post. You’re a guest. ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/7 "2016-02-05T18:25:45Z")
Doh! I seemed to have stopped noticing those! :o Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/8 "2016-02-05T18:28:20Z")
If I had money, I’d buy you a membership and title as long as you agreed to make it blank. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/9 "2016-02-05T18:41:32Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > If I had money, I’d buy you a membership and title as long as you agreed to make it blank. 😃 I read that in Gene Rayburn’s voice, “If I had money, I’d buy you a membership and title as long as you agreed to make it \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.” ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/10 "2016-02-05T23:40:28Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I read that in Gene Rayburn’s voice, “If I had money, I’d buy you a membership and title as long as you agreed to make it \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.” I said…“Charles Nelson Reilly” ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/11 "2016-02-06T00:22:47Z")
Or Kitty Carlisle. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/12 "2016-02-06T00:29:38Z")
Now I have cheesy 70s game show music stuck in my head. Thanks guys. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-subscriber-here/745231/13 "2016-02-06T04:44:42Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Now I have cheesy 70s game show music stuck in my head. Thanks guys. > > 😛 [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/LPG_VDGwj6k/hqdefault.jpg "Match Game 1973-1982 theme music") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPG_VDGwj6k)