# How does one become a member of SDMB? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [December 16, 2008, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405 "2008-12-16T15:57:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jesse\_Leigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ea924/32.png) [@Jesse\_Leigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesse_Leigh)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/1 "2008-12-16T15:57:35Z")
G’morning! When I read the rules, earlier this morning, I thought I read that the option of membership could be selected at the top of most threads. Either my eyesight is failing, my brain is farkling, or I’m otherwise missing it. Can U please help? TIA - Jesse. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/2 "2008-12-16T16:01:49Z")
Here is where you get a membership: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/payments.php](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/payments.php) ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/3 "2008-12-16T16:25:06Z")
The instructions are not complete with respect to type and delivery of pie. ---
**Author:** ![Jesse\_Leigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ea924/32.png) [@Jesse\_Leigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesse_Leigh)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/4 "2008-12-16T16:57:05Z")
Thank you, G factor, I was able to complete the transaction satisfactorily. - J. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/5 "2008-12-16T17:35:49Z")
> [@Jesse\_Leigh](#): > > Thank you, G factor, I was able to complete the transaction satisfactorily. - J. Welcome aboard! ---
**Author:** ![Jesse\_Leigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ea924/32.png) [@Jesse\_Leigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesse_Leigh)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/6 "2008-12-17T10:13:16Z")
G’morning! Thanks for the welcome - and the help. 🙂 Have a spectacular day - Jesse. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/7 "2008-12-17T14:31:57Z")
> [@Jesse\_Leigh](#): > > Thank you, G factor, I was able to complete the transaction satisfactorily. - J. Welcome, **Jesse** , enjoy your stay! ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/8 "2008-12-17T14:40:24Z")
umm, about that pie? just kidding… welcome! have you seen a squid running around here? ---
**Author:** ![Jesse\_Leigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ea924/32.png) [@Jesse\_Leigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesse_Leigh)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/9 "2008-12-17T15:00:41Z")
Bonjour Picker! I gave up on pi in school when it wasn’t served with ice cream. :smack: Cheers - Jesse. ---
**Author:** ![Karyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Karyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karyn)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/10 "2008-12-17T15:14:18Z")
I’m confused about this too. Are we supposed to become members and chip in? I don’t mind doing it but I didn’t notice it when I registered. ---
**Author:** ![Jesse\_Leigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ea924/32.png) [@Jesse\_Leigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesse_Leigh)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/11 "2008-12-17T15:25:38Z")
G’morning Karyn! Membership here requires the payment of an annual fee after your first 30-day free trial. I didn’t bother to wait as I like this forum. The link in post #2 that Gfactor was nice enough to post for me will take you to a page where you can register. It’s $14.95 U.S. or $18+ CAD annually, and once you set it in motion it’ll be taken from your PayPal account or Visa automatically every year for as long as you wish to remain a member here. Personally, I think it’s well worth it. Hope this helps - Jesse. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/12 "2008-12-17T16:03:21Z")
Actually participation in the boards is free, the 30 limit on guest memberships is a thing of the past. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/13 "2008-12-17T16:04:59Z")
[QUOTE=Karyn] I’m confused about this too. Are we supposed to become members and chip in? I don’t mind doing it but I didn’t notice it when I registered. [/quote] You can post here for free as long as you like. Annual membership has some additional features. For example you won’t see advertisements. ---
**Author:** ![Jesse\_Leigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ea924/32.png) [@Jesse\_Leigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesse_Leigh)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/14 "2008-12-17T16:31:41Z")
Hmm… I’m happy to be a member anyway, but I’m fairly sure it still says you have only thirty days free on the thingy when you register to post on the forum. :confused - Jesse. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/15 "2008-12-17T16:36:47Z")
> [@Jesse\_Leigh](#): > > Hmm… I’m happy to be a member anyway, but I’m fairly sure it still says you have only thirty days free on the thingy when you register to post on the forum. :confused - Jesse. The registration agreement is out of date. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/16 "2008-12-17T18:10:59Z")
I’m glad that **Jesse Leigh** decided to join despite the membership fee, but how many other people didn’t join because they still think it costs money to post here beyond the first month? I think the powers that be ought to make changing the registration agreement the highest priority. They should also make it very clear on the front page that the board is free to post. And also add a paragraph explaining the advantages of paying. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/17 "2008-12-17T18:34:48Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’m glad that **Jesse Leigh** decided to join despite the membership fee, but how many other people didn’t join because they still think it costs money to post here beyond the first month? I think the powers that be ought to make changing the registration agreement the highest priority. They should also make it very clear on the front page that the board is free to post. And also add a paragraph explaining the advantages of paying. And they should get around to distributing those free ponies to everyone, too! ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/18 "2008-12-17T18:37:50Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > And they should get around to distributing those free ponies to everyone, too! You mean you didn’t get yours already? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/19 "2008-12-17T19:16:41Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > You mean you didn’t get yours already? :eek: Yeah, we distributed them to all the smart posters so you should have…ohhhhhh… 😃 (Peace, **PRR** - it’s a riff on an old Steve Martin bit…) ---
**Author:** ![Pixilated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aeb1de/32.png) [@Pixilated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixilated)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-member-of-sdmb/477405/20 "2008-12-17T19:46:22Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > For example you won’t see advertisements. ah-ha! So that’s WHY! I got a notice that my sub was due to expire and had forgotten that my CC expiration date changed so it probably didnt auto-renew like I had planned! :smack: