No shit.
All together now: Donations won’t work! Do a search in ATMB. Believe me, they’ve considered this. They’re not that dense.
Seconded.
Trolls are a fact of message board or usenet life. If you’ve got a vibrant, interesting group it attracts them.
I’d seen how long this thread was, and shrugged. “Just people bitching and steam-venting,” I figured. I clicked on the pre-register link, entered a “yes, I’d pay a nominal fee.”
Then I read that “something” referenced above, and I’m with Tranquilis. A single pertinent piece of data that wasn’t included in a view of a situation, can change the entire meaning of that situation. This is one of them for me. I’m not going to pay the Reader to take copyright of my words, rambling and prattlings they may be.
Of course, if the legal types make a substantial change to that legal-ownership-of-posting notice, that will change things. If it stays the same, no way.
I’m not angry about it by any means; I don’t think badly of anyone who doesn’t think of that as a big deal. I wish the Reader the best of luck if they follow through–I just won’t be supporting them.
Man, I only wish I’d read this thread before I ticked the “yes, I’ll pay” box on the survey page.
I ticked that box because I love this place dearly. But, it seems clear now that the SDMB won’t be the same when it is subscription based, so why bother?
It will cost me the better part of a day’s pay to access the boards (AUD 80). This at a time when I’m cutting out little luxuries, trying to scrape together a deposit for a home, and coming home from full time work dead tired only to babysit for hours while my girlfriend works a second job. I think my last movie was in '99, and I don’t have cable and the like.
But it’s probably going to happen anyway, which brings me to the strange subject of donations. Over the time I’ve been doping, I’ve seen various “why can’t we sent you money?” type threads -especially back in the slow server days. I seem to remember there being no straight answer to this. Surely in America, the bastion of capitalism, I am entitled to send a check to a business for no other reason than I’m in a good mood?
So here’s my suggestion:
If we must pay for the SDMB, have the credit card sign-up page worded thus:
YES, I wish to subscribe to the SDMB for one year, under the following payment plan -
{ }$5
{ }$10
{ }$20
{ }$50
Simple, no? Each amount provides the same access, and people can pay what they can afford. We’re a pretty trustworthy bunch here, so it won’t be much abused. Hell, I don’t think I’m alone when I say that I’d probably choose an amount at the upper end of my financial limits. IANAL, but the fact that you’re paying for a service would surely negate any legal concerns regarding donations, even though there would be an element of charity built in?
Anyway, I think the whole thing stinks. Too many people I like have said they’re leaving. And the business of paying to give the Reader copyright on our work is an insult.
I agree that this is unlikely. When fathom had a fund raiser donation drive to buy a new server, there were no problems. I realize that we’re a much smaller board, but consider that during the fund raiser I banned 1/2 of a couple on the board, who had donated a significant chunk of change. I never heard any attempts to get special priveleges.
I have to add to the lame ass comments of a few of my fellow SDMBers (clearing throat, um Demo I love you hun but sheesh.)
Simply put, a person has priorities, those priorities are those of food, clothing, roof and other essential needs. Many use the internet as their sole means of entertainment – not talking about me and my financial situation since I am a recluse anyway. I realize that you and many others feel that it would be an obligation (I guess) that Suzie-Q-Poster should pay for the SDMB and in order to pay up, they must look to a second job, an odd job, etc…but be realistic.
Many people who are in this thread are in school, some work as well, what little time they do have they spend with their friends or loved ones and the SDMB comes at some point. However, for them to get a second job to pay for this and the other sites that are going on subscription, they simply wouldn’t even have the time to enjoy their down time on the 'net anyway, so why bother when there are so many sites out there that are free?
$20 is not a lot of cash for many, for others it’s a serious stretch. My best friend has an internet connection, new baby, full-time job and can’t even afford her current and crappy lifestyle. I am sure that there are a lot of others like her. (She’s not on this board but as a comparison.)
If my friend were to enjoy a place like the SDMB, she wouldn’t pay for it, she would simply go elsewhere because she SIMPLY CANNOT afford it, she doesn’t have the time to make extra money as she is stretched for time as it is. There are circumstances that you may not be able to see. I think your thinking is very wrong.
And no, not everyone has a credit card. I don’t have credit cards anymore, I think they are a stupid idea. If I don’t have it in my checking account then I don’t buy it. I live in a reality (although I do have a debit card that acts as a credit card) that credit cards are bad. You spend beyond your means to have the things you can’t afford to pay so much more to enjoy it now…buy now, pay later, bad idea. Besides it’s much more satisfying and rewarding to buy a nice new thing when you have actually saved and earned the money – and I digress.
In either case Demo, money is time, time is money, many here are stretched for both as it is. I think it’s sad that you have that attitude.
If people like racin, PLG and many others can’t afford it don’t jump down their backs about it. That’s really unfair of you. They have their priorities and the SDMB is a fun thing for them but they can’t afford it. I for one wont make the jump to pay because I wont spend the money. I am somewhat a tight-ass with my money. If I get value out of my money then I will go for it but the SDMB is entertainment and I am a tight-ass about entertainment.
I am happy that you and others are willing to pay for the “privilege” of using the SDMB but that’s exactly against what I felt this board is about. The posters here are a privilege to the SDMB in that we offer opinions, knowledge and sometimes the funniest points in our day. Hey even some of the dolts that have been here in the past have contributed, and even though many are banned, they still give us topics or fun chatter in threads.
I will miss the SDMB if it goes to pay but please don’t get on people’s asses for stating they can’t afford it. It is not a priority for them, they hate the idea because they love this place but getting good grades in school, maintaining a family on a strict budget, etc. does not mean they should have to justify to you why they can’t afford it. Frankly, I am dissapointed in you.
Count me as one of the “principle” people. Money really isn’t an issue, as I spend $5-40 each night I go out to a pub (twice a week or so.)
Fuck it, I’ve made a ton of friends, had a relationship (or two), met over 100 members, but I simply won’t pay for membership to a Web Board.
If LJ went pay-only, I’d be out of there, too. I’ve got other things to do, and like I said before, I’d be willing to donate money if the opportunity presented itself, but I simply will not get into a pay-to-post situation.
I say do it.
Hey Sarah, fuck the guys ragging on you because your money is tight.
Face it, internet aint cheap as it is. A computer costs in the upwards of 1000 bucks, a net connect is is 20 bucks a month min.
Thats just what it cost to get to the reader.
They shoulder the cost of having us.
We come to their house to party, lets chip in for the beer.
I want to add clarification. My sentiments refer only to the regular troll investations (and I disagree Guin I’ve never gotten the idea that the trolls in general are anything other than folks w/lots of time on their hands, but not independently wealthy); and not to regular posters.
I was a bit uncomfortable w/having my quote pulled out and then a different sentiment being referenced. Not upset w/you, you understand, just don’t want there to be confusion.
Yes, we need newbies here too, but perhaps instead of the bored to tears I found someplace let’s try to muck with them types that we habitually get, we’ll instead get folks who have lurked for a while, and are more intellectually invested in the place.
Thanks for the link to that thread, CnoteChris.
So for $20 a year, I can look forward to:
[ul]
[li]being judged by arrogant, egotistical pricks who know nothing about me;[/li][li]the elitist, good-ole-boy, back-slapping, fifth grade bully mentality Demo and Mr. Cynical displayed;[/li][li]insightful remarks about “cunt seepage.” Thank you for doing your part to fight ignorance, Maeglin;[/li][li]back-stabbing, bitchy comments like those from SilverFire;[/li][li]a minority of posters whose main purpose AFAICS is to flirt in MPSIMS, flame in the Pit, and flirt some more in MPSIMS; and[/li][li]an insightful analysis into my finances and a list of why, exactly, I am poor.[/li][/ul]
Thabnks, but no thanks.
Quite. I couldn’t agree more. It’s the principle, and if that sticky little blurb changes, I’ll reconsider.
Never thought it would completely do away with them, but at $$ per registration, I’d bet it’d slow it down (especially the 3/4users springing up w/in seconds gig) and that’s just ducky with me.
Talkin’ as a private person, not as a “representative” of the Straight Dope or a moderator here. I don’t make a cent doing this. I should pay the Chicago Reader for the opportunity, because it’s a shitload of fun and an escape from drudgery. I’m not at all trying to convince you to “sign up.” Just trying to put things in perspective here.
[[If the SDMB goes to pay for posting, I will be able to do it if they keep it low. Say, 20 dollars. I mean, I need winter clothes. I need gas in my car.]] Nocturne
[[And for the record, I am positively repulsed at how many people have somehow decided it’s okay to insult people for not having money: accusing us of being lazy, stupid, and unappreciative of this Board. If you are the people who are going to be left over, I am grateful that I cannot afford it. You all truly make me sick. I think it’s extremely hypocritical to claim to be fighting ignorance while perpetuating stereotypes about poor people and addressing us as if we are somehow inferior and need to be weeded out. I have $7.59 in my bank account until next Friday. Yup, you’re right, you ARE better than me.]] Nacho4Sara
Not to diss you folks or anything but… what’s that you say? You have a car? You have a bank account? You have leisure time to use the frigging INTERNET? You’re… poor??
I served in the Peace Corps in a village where people my age had lost all their teeth or were blind in one eye from conditions we in the US would consider completely preventable. If a kid in that village broke his leg, there was no chance of getting it set and casted… he was a cripple and beggar for life. If you didn’t have shoes, you couldn’t go to school. And that was pretty common. I had neighbors with hair that had turned red from malnutrition. Poverty is a relative term.
If you don’t like the idea of paying for this entertainment and escape and community, fine. I’m really not trying to talk anybody into paying to post on a message board. But quit singing the blues. It’s making me sick.
Sorry, wring, didn’t intend to cause any confusion. But it seemed to me that you weren’t aware of the way in which the statement originally referenced (by you in the first quote) was meant. I wanted to clarify, but did a piss-ass job of it because before I had a chance to collect my thoughts and keep typing, something else came up. Others have, I see, done my job for me, and I am thankful. 
Well, I would pay because I think the service is worth it. (Although I hope it’s closer to $20 than $50 - I’m in Canada folks - 50 of yer greenbacks converts to about 80 of mine.)
That being said, I would also sponser another member if they couldn’t afford it. I understand being a student and having to choose between a text book or food for the next month.
Perhaps there could be a discount for students?
Al.
Just a few rambling thoughts on this subject.
I’ve read all the posts and as usual on a message board some make sense and some dont…
Do you really want to give out your charge card number to a group of people you know SQUAT about ESPECIALLY after some of the INCREDIBLY PERSONAL information you have posted on here??? How much of this information do you really think will remain private? Yea, yea, I’ve heard all about how anyone can get any info about you they want… but why make it EASIER for them? Good Lord, I remember a lot of the things that have been said on here, things you’ve admitted to, that your closest friends probably dont even know and now you would be willing to let ANYONE that wants it have access to it?
Anyone with a lick of sense KNOWS marketing companies buy personal information, yes, even from the sites who claim and swear to God they will never sell your information…
If you look or your lawyer looks deep enough you will find a little clause somewhere in the fine print that their privacy statement means NOTHING and can be interpreted in many different ways.
Yep, all you Post Raisin Bran fans will be getting bombarded with offers from Kelloggs to try their cereal, all the Ramen Noodle fans will be hearing from Campbells
and the peole with the weird fetishes will be hearing from
x-rated websites or local Psychiatrists.
Pretty cool huh?
If the pay to view/access continues the Internet will soon be only accessable to the HAVE’S. The HAVE NOT’s as usual will be screwed…
In Atlanta they are now planning to charge commuters a fee
to use the HOV lanes. So now, the folks with the big SUVs
Cadilacs, Jags and MONEY will be the only ones who can afford to use the “FAST LANE”.
And to the people who are “willing” to sponsor one of the “misfortunates”, NICE GESTURE, but I’m sure there are some people on here who do have some PRIDE and refuse to accept charity. I certainly wouldnt but would offer a heartfelt, “Thanks Anyway”.
And which one of you “SPONSERS"will decide which of the
posters are " w o r t h w h i l e” as GASPODE/member put it. Will they be required to have similar views as you?
Will they be required to submit a financial statement?
Do they have to be exceptionally well read,exceptionally funny? What constitutes, worthwhile?
As to the thread asking people to describe "How and Why they joined SDMB. Was that posted just to get statistics
and info as a lead in to this “Pay for SDMB” thread? hmmm I wonder. Infact I wonder about a LOT of these threads and WHY they were started.
ONE MORE THING: To all of you youngins’ please dont post your ages! There are a lot of great and wonderful people on here but there are a few nuts running loose too, so be extra careful…
Anyway I guess it’ll boil down once again to the HAVES and the HAVENOTS.
Maybe I’m a HAVE, Maybe I’m a HAVENOT, I’m not telling, but I sure wont be paying.
Sarah,
Yep thats about right.
God I love this place, god help me but I do love it so.
You think everone here loves me?
Gad no, that’s the appeal. I get to be flamed by people who despise all I stand for, I get to reveiw guarded comments from people who wish they could express themselves so candidly.
But mostly I get to reveiw the thoughts of a vastly differing community.
While it has done little to change my attitude, I must admit, I have leared much.
I would pay 2.00 a mont for such a privelege anytime.
Jill, it’s not a matter of “singing the blues”. I posted a brief account of my finacial situation. Others did likewise. It’s not a plea for sympathy. Heck, I’m a whole lot better off than the people in that village you spoke about. I’m also a whole lot worse off than, I dunno, Bill Gates or the Sultan of Brunei. That’s not the point. The point is that people are going to leave the boards. Not one or two, but a goodly percentage. Funny people. Smart people. Circa '99 veterans. They’re outta here. That’s the risk you take. It might pay off, but I suspect the SDMB will wither and die. That’s all we’re trying to say.