Membership

[BiblioCat]

Mmmm, chocolate martinis!

[jjimm]

@Mr Feldman

Why should I part with my money to fund your website when other websites offer the same services for free?

You shouldn’t.

If, during your sojourn here, you decide that you enjoy it, you may consider parting with fifteen bucks. If you don’t enjoy it, you have had thirty days to decide that you don’t want to cough up, too. It’s a fair and generous choice I think, and if you choose to depart, you’ll be able to use the other websites you mention, for free, and no hard feelings.

Speaking personally, some of the funniest things I’ve ever seen online have been on the SDBM. That’s one of the many reasons that I’ve paid to continue to post. There are quite a few others too.

Until you make that decision, enjoy mucking around here.

[C_K_Dexter_Haven]

While moderators generally don’t disagree with each other in public, I’m going to disagree with TubaDiva for letting Chez off too lightly. This is NOT the forum for personal comments or personal attacks, Chez. You’ve been around long enough to know better. In addition to violating the Rules, you’re certainly setting a horrible example for a postential new poster. Go to Rules for Posting on the Straight Dope Message Boards and see Post #10.

[hajario]

@TubaDiva

Mr. Feldman, the idea behind our trial period is to give you chance to check this place out. If you like what you see, then you don’t mind supporting us and subscription is not an issue. If you dislike instead, it’s a big ol’ world out there and the next potential better place is only a click away and you should get about clicking somewhere else. Life’s too short to spend it on websites you don’t care for.

Plus there’s some really cool stuff coming later this year. We can’t reveal what it is though.

[Chez_Guevara]

My apologies go to those offended by a somewhat intemperate contribution above.

It’s my time of the month.

[Mr_Feldman]

@Chez Guevara

People with intellectual and interpersonal skills like yours often have difficulty fitting in on a board such as this. Your posts in this thread illustrate that point unambiguously. Your imperceptible talents show a deep capacity for understanding how these forums work in a manner not often essayed by newcomers to the SD. I congratulate you for your ability to see what others here cannot.

In fact, the more I think about it the more I believe that your intelligence and social adeptness differ from those of current members. You would be wasted here. It pains me to say this but your best bet is to look for another website more suited to your personality and demeanour. Above all, if and when you do this, you should not concern yourself about leaving us.

Your loss will be our gain.

I have read your post with avid intrest and come to the conclusion that you are a boring cunt.

I mean words like unambiguously, **imperceptible ** and **adeptness ** are the type of words that would get you beaten to a bloody pulp in all but the best bars in town. Perhaps tonight when you are cooking your meal for one you may for a short while pop your head out of your arse to eat and take in the rest of the world, and more importantly, how the rest of the world view you.

[TubaDiva]

@Mr Feldman

I have read your post with avid intrest and come to the conclusion that you are a boring cunt.

I mean words like unambiguously, **imperceptible ** and **adeptness ** are the type of words that would get you beaten to a bloody pulp in all but the best bars in town. Perhaps tonight when you are cooking your meal for one you may for a short while pop your head out of your arse to eat and take in the rest of the world, and more importantly, how the rest of the world view you.

No, he shouldn’t have been sniping at you.

YOU likewise should not snipe at him.

Knock this off.

Chez Guevara had the grace to apologize. I suggest you do the same.

[Mr_Feldman]

@TubaDiva

No, he shouldn’t have been sniping at you.

YOU likewise should not snipe at him.

Knock this off.

Chez Guevara had the grace to apologize. I suggest you do the same.

Suggestion noted and ignored

[TubaDiva]

Hint: There are consequences for bad actions.

Rule No. 1: Don’t be a jerk.
Rule No. 2: Don’t be a jerk to the moderators.

Use wisely your power of choice.

[silenus]

Aaaand…Mr. Feldman joins the List of the Damned.

There are times you just have to roll up the Welcome mat, turn out the lights, and hope they just go away.

[Musicat]

@Mr Feldman

Well if you move my post it will cause confusion as to why you’ve moved it and make the previous posts obsolete.

Confusion, maybe. Previous posts obsolete? No, as all posts in a thread get moved together along with the thread title.

See – the Mods sometimes do something right. Is there anything you DO like about this board? Why did you come here in the first place?

Psst…it’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature or piss off the Mods. They rule.

[DOShaw]

Yet there is something wrong with the whole concept of a “cover charge” for posting here.

The concept of the neighbourhood bar is not cricket!

[Giles]

@DOShaw

Yet there is something wrong with the whole concept of a “cover charge” for posting here.

The concept of the neighbourhood bar is not cricket!

It’s not exactly the same model, becauie your average neighbourhood bar does not have a cover charge. However, you are expected to buy some food and/or drink: people who just wander in to use the toilets, chat up the locals, etc., without buying anything, are frowned on.

So I suggest that the Chicasgo Reader get into the food and drinks business. If they do, I promise to shout the first round here.

[silenus]

@Giles

It’s not exactly the same model, becauie your average neighbourhood bar does not have a cover charge. However, you are expected to buy some food and/or drink: people who just wander in to use the toilets, chat up the locals, etc., without buying anything, are frowned on.

And rowdies who call the bartender names are tossed out on their ass with little ceremony.

[DOShaw]

So Is This Site Here Simply For Making A Buck Then?

[XJETGIRLX]

@DOShaw

So Is This Site Here Simply For Making A Buck Then?

We have a winner!

[Telemark]

@DOShaw

So Is This Site Here Simply For Making A Buck Then?

Actually, the site is here to pay homage to Saint Cecil, and not lose money in the process.

[zoid]

@hajario

Plus there’s some really cool stuff coming later this year. We can’t reveal what it is though.

That’s just crule

[Chronos]

So Is This Site Here Simply For Making A Buck Then?

It’s worth noting that this board existed for several years completely free. The purpose of this board, like that of the column, is to fight ignorance. Eventually, though, it became costly enough that the Chicago Reader, the newspaper which owns this message board, couldn’t justify continuing to lose money on it, so we went to the pay model we have now. It’s still not exactly raking in the dough.

[Mr_Feldman]

So if this site existed for several years WITHOUT a membership fee and now you have to pony up $15 so you can say your bit, could someone actually point out the bits that have improved?

Perhaps you all get something special for the lightness in your wallet. A Christmas card perhaps? A book of discount vouchers for Best Buy? How about 50c off the ‘sub of the day’ from Subway?

Free Speach isnt Free

…and why is it set at $15 and not $5 or even $1?