In an old thread by Scylla, it was suggested that the Chicago Reader should try harder to get us online folks to subscribe, so as to put more money in Cecil’s pockets to support his noble Mission from God. It was further mentioned that, A, subscribing members could be offered some sort of frills online, as an enticement to plunking down the money, and B, other than Cecil’s column, most of the Reader wouldn’t be too relevant to a non-Chicagoan. So, how about eliminating the middleman, and allowing us online Teeming Millions the option to buy a “deluxe membership” or some such, with added priveleges? The free memberships would remain the same as always, so as to ensure that the site is accesible to everyone, but a person might pay $50 a year, say, to have their posts marked “gold member” instead of “member”, say, or to be able to read the current column at the same time it hits the papers, without the week delay, or some such.
So, first of all, do people think that this is a good idea in principle, and secondly, if we did have this, how many would be willing to pay how much for it?
Speaking for myself (as we all always do), free is the right price. Everything on the web is headed for free these days, and I like the trend.
The problem with money would seem to be that Cecil doesn’t want to be popular, if it means he can’t be gross all the time. That decision is great, if it’s free. Not so free, not so great. Speaking IMHO, of course.
As much use as I get out of this damned board, yeah, I’d pay. But the problem is, you might run into difficulties banning people if they have paid for the privilege. Potential legal can of worms that could be opened up (though it’s possible to close this can of worms, I’d think)
The internet is already costing me quite a bit of cash already . Ok , I’ve got a free ISP but here in Ireland local calls aren’t free ( 15cents/ 5min peak and 15cents / 15min off peak ) . Luckily during peak times like now I’m in work .
But over a 2 month period the net costs me around $100 - $150 . I like surfing , playing games , talking bollocks here . So please don’t increase my expenditure .
I agree entirely that ordinary memberships, like we all have right now (well, almost all… I won’t mention SoSueMe’s name) should remain free, so that anyone can come and weigh in. What I’m suggesting is a new level of membership, so there’d be free memberships, and paid deluxe memberships. As for Cecil getting paid, the admins have often said that the reason he so rarely posts to the board is that he doesn’t get paid for it. As to banning folks, it most certianly can be done: Most organizations, IRL and on the Internet, reserve the right to kick out members, even if they do charge for membership. Besides, I somehow suspect that most sockpuppets and trolls wouldn’t be willing to put forth the cash, so it wouldn’t be much problem.
To be honest, I have some qualms about the idea myself… That’s why I’m asking, to see if it would be a good idea or not.
Chronos, I was thinking on your thread idea last night. I think it is a good one, with apologies to yojimbo, if there was a nominal signup fee, say $10. How quick would the sock people keep multiplying if they had to pay each time they signed up?? So, I see that as a definite advantage. I’d pay it, those that couldn’t, they could always put up a plea on a certain forum to see if any of us would chip in for their costs.
I see some difficulties, but it’s worth a noodling around with, anyway. Banning would still be possible, by way of refund, OR state, if you’re a jerk, you’re tossed NO MONEY BACK. Maybe that might shut a few up!
I haven’t been here long, but I do know that most trolls/sockpuppets do NOT list e-mail addresses on their profile (as I do), or actual personal webpages (as eggo does).
My username is my initials, and matches up with my e-mail address, which is quite valid (as about a half dozen people who have exchanged e-mails with me and know my “real life name” can attest). Sockpuppets, as a rule, are not nearly so open with their true life identities.
I find your insinuation that I’m a sockpuppet totally laughable. But I’ll indulge you–who would you say are my “other identities”?
Eggo, have we even replied to each other on one or two other threads? You are new to me.
Not to pick nits or anything ** DRY, ** especially considering that I’ve always enjoyed your posting style, BUT, I’m no piece of linen and I don’t have my e mail address listed either. Some of us had to learn the hard way, it’s best NOT to list something that others could take advantage of, sad, but true.
Thank you for your compliment on my posting style. May I return the compliment and say the same about you?
Perhaps I should have made this more clear–I referenced the fact that I have an e-mail address listed as evidence that I am likely NOT a sockpuppet.
However, AT NO TIME did I mean to imply the reverse–that NOT listing an e-mail address should arouse suspicion that the person in question MIGHT BE a sockpuppet. The reverse does not logically follow AT ALL. Aside from that, I’m very aware of some of the misfortunes that people who list e-mail addresses in their profiles have suffered, and that some of these peoplehave had to remove these listings after abuses which have been all too sadly chronicled elsewhere on this message board.
I didn’t say that not listing an e-mail address made one likely to be a sockpuppet, I never meant anything like that, but yet, I’m more than happy to issue an open apology to anyone who DID feel that this is what I meant.
Anti Pro, a sincere thank you for pointing out that my words could have been misinterpreted to mean something entirely different from my intent!
Wow! After seeing the banning action on the board today, I’m beginning to think that the ‘paid membership’ might be a good idea!
Too bad every sock puppet didn’t contribute $10 to the ‘Support the SDMB’ fund.
There ARE ways that a paid membership might work without penalizing new people, if the software would support them. One: Reading the board is free, posting privileges are a VERY small fee ($5?). OR
Two: Reading the board and posting to Cecil’s Columns and the Mailbag forums are free, posting to the rest of the board (GQ, etc.) is a $5 paid membership.
I really like suggestion Two - new people could post to the two forums that are most likely part of what attracted them in the first place. They can read the free columns on the website and post comments, criticisms, etc. for free. They can READ the rest of the message board to see if they are interested enough in posting to cough up a measly $5, or can remain in lurk mode until they just HAVE to join that debate over in GD - well, ya’ll know how addictive this place is!
Of course, this will concentrate most of the sock puppets/trolls in those two forums, which I’m sure Arnold and Dex wouldn’t appreciate - but it would make them easier to spot and eliminate. Those that just really HAVE to bring their puppetry and trollishness into the rest of the board will at least pay their share towards board maintenance. I bet sock puppetry would disappear just about overnight!
Actually, they are probably lousy suggestions, but I’ve had a rough day and am facing a rougher one tomorrow, so I plead temporary insanity.
I support the idea of paying a fee for posting privileges, but I feel I ought to point out that as soon as money enters the picture, the picture changes. For one thing, you’d have to have Designated Money Handlers, accountants, audits, the Internal Revenue Service, paperwork out the wazoo. I’d have to wonder if it would be worth the hassle. And I sure wouldn’t want to add another brick to the administration’s load.
Wouldn’t it be less hassle all around if we all just worked on developing our “Ignore This” reflexes where obvious sock puppets and trolls are concerned? No trouble a-tall to just scroll/stroll past the steaming cow patty posts without stepping in them.
If you think you’ve spotted a troll or a sock puppet, send a mod an e-mail instead of posting about it.
Hmm, I think that the effect on trolls is a side issue to what I was suggesting… As DDG mentioned, they’re probably just ignored and handled quietly. The original idea behind my suggestion was more along the lines of “Support your local all-knowing font of knowlege”. I think that Cecil et al. are doing a darn good job, and they probably don’t get paid as much for it as they deserve. I was just thinking that this might be a way to help correct that. Certainly, it might end up adding a lot of red tape, paperwork, and other such overhead, and if so, definitely no, it’d be more trouble than it’s worth. Just sort of brainstorming.
Yeah, I was just pointing out that if people are thinking, “Let’s charge a fee for posting and that will take care of the troll problem”, it seems to me that there is an easier way to deal with the troll problem that doesn’t involve the Internal Revenue Service.
I’ve seen you around, but i don’t ever remember replying to you. I also find it quite amusing to be called a sockpuppet, if i’m any thing, i’m a marionette.
there are plenty of other free sites here on the ol’ net. If I had to start paying for the S Dope, I would just move on down the web till I can git my fix for free.
