# PAY-PER-POST?!?!?!?!?! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 10, 2001, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557 "2001-11-10T01:28:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/41 "2001-11-10T04:32:22Z")
**andygirl** , **Primaflora** - if you guys can’t see the text I posted on the original page link, you may want to mail **Tuba** and/or **Lynn** and let them know that some people may not be seeing the whole issue, so to speak. And tell what version and type of browser you are using. That could explain a lot of people’s confusion… ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/42 "2001-11-10T04:38:52Z")
Hmmm it works for me. I just filled mine in saying I won’t be posting anymore. _sigh_ It’s probably for the best, since I needed a good reason to start doing homework anyway. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/43 "2001-11-10T05:12:46Z")
no no no no no, all. This is not the place to ask questions or get them answered or announce your intentions. It’s all about how this has become a “sell out corporation.” I’m just so eager to see how this pay-to-post (which, by the way, is far different than a pay-per-post) makes this a sell-out corporation. It may or may not be a good idea, but that’s not the point… It’s all about selling out and becoming corporate. Alas, my weak background in economics prevents me from understanding the OP, and the quicker it can be explained, the quicker I can go back to sleeping at night. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/44 "2001-11-10T05:15:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > \*\*Without commenting TOO much on the poll…one thing a subscription would do is weed out the trolls. How many trolls would pay even the lowest amount mentioned for the privilege of posting 3 or 4 messages, which would likely be wiped out before the troll was spotted and banned? Hmmmmm? Particularly since those threads/posts would likely be deleted in a few hours? > > Yep, we’d lose some people, and I’d really miss quite a few of them. We’d also lose about 99.99% of our troublemakers. \*\* No offense, but you’d be surprised. Look at Something Awful. People are stupid. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/45 "2001-11-10T05:21:11Z")
**andygirl, Primaflora** I couldn’t see the text either - only the registration form. I’m using Netscape - could that be the problem? ---
**Author:** ![VeraGemini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e9bcb4/32.png) [@VeraGemini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VeraGemini)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/46 "2001-11-10T05:49:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alice\_in\_wonderland \* > \*\ ***andygirl, Primaflora** I couldn’t see the text either - only the registration form. > > I’m using Netscape - could that be the problem? \*\* FWIW, I am also using Netscape, and I don’t see anything beyond the “click here for more information” link either. Netscape 4.72/Win95/98/ME ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/47 "2001-11-10T05:52:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by VeraGemini \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by alice\_in\_wonderland \* > > \*\ ***andygirl, Primaflora** I couldn’t see the text either - only the registration form. > > > > I’m using Netscape - could that be the problem? \*\* > > FWIW, I am also using Netscape, and I don’t see anything beyond the “click here for more information” link either. > > Netscape 4.72/Win95/98/ME \*\* Netscape 4.72, Windows 98 ---
**Author:** ![naughtysiggie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c4cdca/32.png) [@naughtysiggie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naughtysiggie)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/48 "2001-11-10T07:00:26Z")
I understand the reasoning behind charging a fee, but I wouldn’t pay it. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/49 "2001-11-10T07:00:27Z")
Thanks for posting the info. I had no idea what everyone was talking about. I got nothing other than the form. Netscape 4.75, Mac OS 9.2.1. Oh, and I can see myself paying maybe $20 to keep with this board. But if the fee gets steeper than that - I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/50 "2001-11-10T07:16:36Z")
[QUOTE] \*\* \*\*From the page: > [@](#): > > We’re thinking about charging for the SDMB - probably in the range of $20-$50 per year. > > We appreciate the offers of donations but don’t feel this is a long term solution. Should the SDMB switch to a fee basis, however, the Teeming Millions may wish to consider establishing a way for well-off members to subsidize the cost for those who can’t afford it. > \*\* Do you really think that will happen?!? All I can say is FUCK YOU! ---
**Author:** ![Slip\_Mahoney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Slip\_Mahoney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slip_Mahoney)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/51 "2001-11-10T08:02:05Z")
I’ve got a major problem with this situation. If I’m going to pay to post, then, by God, they’ll be high quality posts. How do I do that? ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/52 "2001-11-10T15:42:36Z")
I dunno. The thing that makes this site special isn’t anything the Reader is doing, apart from providing the forum. It is the people who post here that make it what it is. WE provide the content that they are asking US to pay for. But then I suppose a good analogy would be, say, renting space for a party. You provide the fun, but you pay for the place to have your fun. All I know is, I will revert to Lurker. I have precious few funds to pay for something like this. Too many free online forums to have to payy for this one. Besides, I bet General Questions and Great Debates dries up like a Sahara lakebed once they switch to pay. The same paying posters can only ask the same questions and have the same debates for so long… ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Rubin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billy_rubin/32/3622_2.png) [@Billy\_Rubin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Rubin)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/53 "2001-11-10T15:48:51Z")
There are still a lot of free boards. People who can’t or don’t want to pay can use them, or establish their own. I feel there are too many people here I like too much to not subscribe. And anyone can still read the posts. I’m sure this system costs a lot in time and money to maintain. I’m willing to do my part just because it’s being treated like a business and not like some whiney subscription drive PBS crap. Sign me up. b. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/54 "2001-11-10T15:48:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by particlewill \* > **But then I suppose a good analogy would be, say, renting space for a party. You provide the fun, but you pay for the place to have your fun.** This is one of the better analogies I have seen posted. > [@](#): > > **All I know is, I will revert to Lurker. I have precious few funds to pay for something like this.** ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Tricia\_Valentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@Tricia\_Valentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tricia_Valentine)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/55 "2001-11-10T15:52:09Z")
Too fucking bad. See me? 17 year old without money to give, let alone a way to give it? I’m gone. How many more like me? ~C~ ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/56 "2001-11-10T15:56:12Z")
Okay, I re-read my comment to **Lynn** and it sounded kinda snarky-which it wasn’t. I’m just saying I wouldn’t be too surprised if one or two people did pay to troll. Or, say a regular poster signs up, and then sees it as a license to act like an ass. Or formerly banned members, such as **Satan** , **DITWD** , **Wildest Bill** signing up again-if they have the cash-and deciding they now have even more “clout”, or what have you. I could probably afford to. But I choose not to, as I don’t think it’s worth it. Hell, I have about 20 MBs bookmarked-Snopes is a good one. And hey, there’s always yahoogroups mailing lists, yahooclubs, delphi forums, etc etc. I also have to say, I’m hurt by some of the snarky MOD comments. I would think you guys are above that sort of thing. Good lord. I post at Customers Suck, as you know-I’m a mod there. When that place was having some severe financial problems, the owner went to ads, pop ups (yes, they suck, but I’d rather put up with them than lose CS), donations, CS merchandise, and maybe cutting back a little on the extras. And guess what-it’s still around-and it’s a pretty decent board. I don’t want to get nasty. I like you guys. But to jump on **Nachos** and **PLG** because they said they can’t afford it-fuck you. I’m not going to pay one goddamn red cent just to be subjected to THAT. ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/57 "2001-11-10T16:09:42Z")
I hope nothing in this post is seen as being disrespectful to those who can’t or won’t pay. I admit that I haven’t read 80% of the threads or posts regarding the proposal so I am not singling anyone out. This is simply my own humble opinion. I really hope they don’t go to a pay site for the simple reason that although I am willing to fork out the fee, there are others here I really enjoy who can’t or won’t pay. That is a shame. This may sound like a cold and harsh analogy, but I would really, really like family season floor tickets to the Utah Jazz but they are too freakin’ expensive. I love the Jazz, I love basketball, and I REALLY love Karl Malone. I just can’t afford season tickets. I could sacrifice vacations, new shoes and clothes, new carpet, an oil change in my car, not buy food. I could get a second job for a month or so or even take out a loan. I choose not to. However, the fact that Larry H. Miller and company charge an arm and a leg for season tickets has nothing to do with me and how much I really want those tickets! I think it is unfair that they descriminate against those of us who can’t afford their tickets. It doesn’t matter that I buy the t-shirts, watch them on TV, and on occassion splurge for a live game. It doesn’t matter that I have naughty dreams about Karl and that I love their team colors and really miss Jeff Hornacek since he retired. The sad fact of the matter is that season tickets are a luxury that I can’t or am not willing to obtain. That is not the fault of Larry H. Miller, the Jazz, or Karl. It’s just a cold hard fact of life. ---
**Author:** ![Freedom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Freedom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freedom)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/58 "2001-11-10T16:22:03Z")
Well, I’m not going to miss clayton\_e, that’s for sure. The Reader has been footing the bill for awhile. In my world, the person who foots the bill deserves some respect. ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/59 "2001-11-10T16:25:36Z")
Would the Reader accept money orders for payment, in addition to credit cards? This would alleviate a lot of the problems for those who are either high school students, or those who don’t have a credit card. Right? Money orders can be bought at 7-11s and other convenience stores, plus any US Post Office. Yes, there is a fee, $.90 at the post office, but it is a way to pay. For the record: I’ll be paying for myself and **Anniz**. I can afford it, and I think it’s worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Rmat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@Rmat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rmat)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557/60 "2001-11-10T16:33:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yosemitebabe \* > \*\* > Oh, and I can see myself paying maybe $20 to keep with this board. But if the fee gets steeper than that - I’m not sure. \*\* No shit. I AM sure. Big difference between 20 and 50. Fuck it, go to $10 a year and participation will scarcely drop at all. At fifty bucks, 6 insufferable blabbermouths will be the extent of the membership. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-per-post/92557.md?page=4)