# POLL: Would you pay $25 per year for SDMB? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 14, 2001, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442 "2001-05-14T22:17:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![socpro69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@socpro69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/socpro69)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/21 "2001-05-15T04:45:31Z")
No. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the board and think of it as a great compliment to webpage. It’s just that I usually lurk anyway and only really chime in if there is some relatively arcane knowledge I can share or if a thread grabs my imagination and I’ve got a bit of time on my hands. It seems to me that all a subscription-based board would do is offer the teeming hundreds a more limited pool of knowledge and experience from which to quench their insatiable thirst. > [@](#): > > \*\* > So just answer YES or NO and leave out any qualifiers. > \*\* Oh… and also try to encourage people to remember the instructions listed in the OP :rolleyes:. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/22 "2001-05-15T04:50:56Z")
I would pay, that’s not much money, after all. ---
**Author:** ![MysterEcks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@MysterEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysterEcks)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/23 "2001-05-15T04:56:56Z")
**Would you pay $25 per year for posting privileges on the SDMB?** I doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![King\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7bcc69/32.png) [@King\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/King_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/24 "2001-05-15T05:44:13Z")
No. ---
**Author:** ![AmbushBug](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ambushbug/32/4600_2.png) [@AmbushBug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmbushBug)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/25 "2001-05-15T06:30:17Z")
> [@](#): > > **Would you pay $25 per year for posting privileges on the SDMB?** \*\* Yes, even though I seldom post. And see how much I’ve been posting, in so long - I just lurk. ---
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/26 "2001-05-15T06:51:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bernse \* > \*\*Nope. While it is a great refuge from the rest of the abyss we call the internet, I don’t use it enough to pay for it. It would be a pity if it ever did become a pay site, since so many of the people that contribute (not necessarily the regs) would cease as well. > \*\* I totally agree. The SDMB is interesting only BECAUSE it is free. Make it a pay site and then it’s just another stupid “chat board” or newsgroup, or whatever the hell they’re called. I’ve enjoyed being a part of this community, but I definitely don’t want it limited to just those who are willing to pay for the privilege. I am certainly not one of those people myself, on principle. I think this forum should be open to EVERYONE. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/27 "2001-05-15T06:59:02Z")
I’d pay to use the SDMB as it now exists. But ironically, if it actually became a paysite, I’m sure 95% of the people here would vanish and the site that remained wouldn’t be worth the price. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/28 "2001-05-15T07:14:50Z")
Right now, NO. If I ever get a real job again, maybe … ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/29 "2001-05-15T07:35:08Z")
[sup]Hey! I’m in Lizard’s sig![/sup] I’d pay… but I’m in the camp that thinks it would ruin this MB… But what has to be has to be! And maybe the board would survive & prosper… who knows! ---
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/30 "2001-05-15T07:53:18Z")
No. With the Aussie/US exchange rate as it stands, it would be $50 per year for us and I just don’t have that kind of dollar to spend on a luxury while I’m a student. I’m also in the camp which says the SDMB as it is will die and it will be hard to attract new blood if we move to paying. If it is pay to view, then it would be very hard to maintain. I think the Well is struggling to survive as a paying message board and it is well established and has never been free. Pay to post is another option… but are people going to pay to answer other people’s questions? I’m sad. I can see why the CR can’t keep up the SDMB but I think the SDMB in its present form is not going to survive a move ☹ ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/31 "2001-05-15T08:07:22Z")
I’d pay for me and Guinastasia, 'cause I like to read her posts. ---
**Author:** ![Tabithina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@Tabithina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabithina)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/32 "2001-05-15T08:25:20Z")
I would pay, at least once. However, I worry that the SDMB would gradually evolve into something not worth paying for any more. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/33 "2001-05-15T08:26:43Z")
I think that the two Comments boards should remain free, and maybe even General Questions, with the justification that those three follow, most closely, the original intent of the Straight Dope. Everything else “grew” as it became more of a community… the “extras” should come with a price. In addition, I think viewing should be free, as well. What’s the point in having the Boards if it’d just be a private club? With that said, I would definitely pay $25 a year, with almost any stipulations placed on that fee. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/34 "2001-05-15T08:50:12Z")
No. I enjoy posting here, but it’s not really that important a part of my life, all things considered. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/35 "2001-05-15T09:02:18Z")
Don’t know. I’d lurk for a while and see how it turns out. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/36 "2001-05-15T09:07:27Z")
Actually, it might be just the thing I need to wean myself off this drug. I’d pay for the first year. But the way I think it’ll go, I doubt I’d be back for the second year. An inestimable loss. And wouldn’t it be a dull place without the trolls and socks? pan ---
**Author:** ![kellibelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@kellibelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellibelli)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/37 "2001-05-15T11:11:51Z")
**No**. I can only access the board early in the AM, or late in the PM - I dont think its _worth_ paying for - its busted. And its as someone else said - you make it a pay site, and the population will change, and it will lose something. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/38 "2001-05-15T11:21:18Z")
**NO** It would destroy the board. See the reasons posted earlier by others. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2001, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/39 "2001-05-15T11:27:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by toadspittle \* > **And I know people are still arguing over various schemes and donation methods, etc., but I thought some hard numbers on SOMETHING might help.** As was noted earlier in this thread - this has been asked here before, in a different way, and this effort will end up being just as unappreciated as the first one. I will say “no”. No, not because I run the UnaBoard now. Because I would much rather, personally, donate money for a new server or for a “slush fund” for bandwidth, tech support, whatever, as a spot purchase. Why? because even though my finances are poor, I hazard I still am in the top 5% of income for Board members. And I would rather be the one to help out, instead of asking the high-schoolers, starving college students, and those that are not as fortunate as myself to pay. And I love the continual, fresh input of the young people here, most all of which would vanish if they had to pay to be here. But it doesn’t matter. This poll will not change anything, or sway opinion. Trust me. ---
**Author:** ![robgruver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@robgruver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robgruver)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/40 "2001-05-15T11:30:43Z")
I’ll have to say no to this, because of the reasons stated above. The community would change to drasticlly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442.md?page=3)