# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/61 "2001-05-16T00:04:34Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by mrblue92_: > > When it comes time to upgrade the server, you announce it, make up some keychains, pen & pencil sets, coffee mugs, whatever, and “sell” them for 5 times what they’re worth. I had that idea in [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=64439) thread where I said: > [@](#): > > …we all go to Ebay and outbid each other like crazy until we’re paying something like $50 per [book]! That’s basically what PBS does, right? I mean, you call up and offer to buy an attractive tote bag for $75.00 knowing full well that the damn thing only cost them $2.50 to make. That thread is, by the way, a good one to read to find out why The Reader won’t take our money. Several good alternate suggestions are also mentioned therein that do not amount to throwing money at The Reader but largely they are not responded to. ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/62 "2001-05-16T00:29:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by OpalCat \* > **[Poll](http://polls.vantagenet.com/1/0/921219410/polls/2514194117/index.htm) \<—you can vote here** I thought I’d move **OpalCat** ’s poll here from Page One for anyone who missed it. On that poll, the totals are: 36: Yes 24: No Please vote only once. (It’s possible to vote more than once if you change terminals, like in a public library.) ---
**Author:** ![that\_darn\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@that\_darn\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/that_darn_cat)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/63 "2001-05-16T00:57:35Z")
**NO** Pay-for would be the death of the SDMB, as several other posters have pointed out. I would (and have,$40 for t-shirts and mugs I didn’t really want) make a voluntary contribution to a new server fund. ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/64 "2001-05-16T04:52:38Z")
No. Good points on both sides. $25.00 is not a lot for a year, but if every cite I went to (message board or other) were to charge $25.00 a year, I’d be broke. ---
**Author:** ![lolagranola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ea5d25/32.png) [@lolagranola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lolagranola)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/65 "2001-05-16T16:28:58Z")
No. I have a need to explain. There are two of us here that post, and we’re Canadian. By the time I pay for both of us, with the exchange rate, it comes to approximately $77.50 CAN. That’s a little steep for us, considering that we’re a family of six, and I’m a student. $10 US each, probably. That only comes to approximately $31 CAN. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/66 "2001-05-16T18:48:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by barbitu8 \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by mattk \* > > \*\*In terms of GQ, there are other message boards offering the same service. I know of at least two, one UK-specific (delayed moderation) and one UK/US (real-time). I think that GD and, for those that enjoy it, MPSIMS are the attractive points here. I don’t know any other boards that offer the same variety of subject matter, but things like GQ are not unique. \*\* > > Would you mind posting the links to their websites? \*\* Sorry for the delay, **barbitu8** : [The Guardian: **Notes & Queries**](http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/notesandqueries/index.html) (moderated, not real-time) [The Free Pint Bar](http://www.freepint.com/bar/list.php) (mostly, but not restricted to, ‘serious’ questions) ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/67 "2001-05-16T22:17:39Z")
Yes, but with all the same reservations as posted herein. I would also be willing to buy a banner ad, which, IMHO, seems the most logical way to “donate” to the Reader to keep the SDMB afloat. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/68 "2001-05-16T23:14:12Z")
Thanks Mattk. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2001, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/69 "2001-05-17T13:37:23Z")
Yes, I’d pay. Also wanna point out that this survey is kind of skewed, statistical base-wise. It’s actually only a poll of “people who happen to come into IMHO, and who feel like opening the thread, and who feel like voting”. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2001, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/70 "2001-05-17T13:39:44Z")
No. Money isn’t the problem or the issue. Quality is–and the quality in most SDMB discussions just isn’t consistently there. Sorry for the slight hijack, but I’ve often wondered how some SD’ers have managed to post 6,000 - 9,000 contributions over a two-year period. Good God, use some discretion, man! A related question to the original post is this: if a fee were indeed levied, would the quality of the posts improve or decline? Perhaps a tiny fee could be assessed for each post–so as to discourage inane contributions, dimwitted poetry, wild-assed guesses, ribald comments, mindless drivel, etc. Here’s my take: GQ is great. Maybe 20% of GD is worth reading–and then maybe 20% of THESE contributions are interesting. Ditto IMHO and MPIMS. Some SD’s have fascinating or helpful things to contribute but, well, you get my point. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2001, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/71 "2001-05-17T13:42:33Z")
I WOULD pay if I posted from home—but I would get fired immediately if I did anything from work that wasn’t free (which is why I don’t read Salon anymore). So, as it looks like the SDMB will be going subscription soon, I guess it’s time for me to fold my tent and silently steal away . . . ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2001, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/72 "2001-05-17T13:45:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*So, as it looks like the SDMB will be going subscription soon, I guess it’s time for me to fold my tent and silently steal away . . . \*\* Don’t fold up that tent yet, ma’am. They haven’t decided on diddly/squat yet. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2001, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/73 "2001-05-17T13:47:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jab1 \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by OpalCat \* > > **[Poll](http://polls.vantagenet.com/1/0/921219410/polls/2514194117/index.htm) \<—you can vote here** > > I thought I’d move **OpalCat** ’s poll here from Page One for anyone who missed it. \*\* I just clicked on that link to check the status of the poll, and it’s not there! Wha’ happen? ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2001, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/74 "2001-05-17T20:36:46Z")
That link worked for me. Currently, the totals are “Yes: 45, No: 36.” ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2001, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/75 "2001-05-18T05:35:08Z")
I still insist that the simplest way is the voluntary donation method like PBS uses. The SD stalwarts would all contribute and newcomers would be seduced as well. Most of all, there would be no dilution, no obligation to allow posting, no problems with banning. The donation is non-refundable and all of the current terms of service remain in place. I urge the administrators on the strongest possible terms to please consider implementing this plan before going to subscription based funding. ---
**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 18, 2001, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/76 "2001-05-18T07:05:27Z")
I have to admit a flat $25 fee would solve all this board’s problems. With the hundred or so users who remained, the traffic would be quite manageable even with the currect system. And after a few months, it’d probably get even better as they left. I would agree to pay voluntarily to help in the upkeep of this board. I’d even be willing to pay more than twenty five dollars (I’ve donated larger amounts to other boards). But a flat fee? That’s burning down the house. ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2001, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/77 "2001-05-18T14:36:25Z")
Yes. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2001, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/78 "2001-05-18T14:37:01Z")
Little Nemo, I don’t know if it would make things much faster. There are still going to be Guests who can read messages & search, etc, which still creates a load. ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2001, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/79 "2001-05-18T21:59:52Z")
I think I’d pay $50 if the board’s performance gets no better than it was today! I’m sick and tired of waiting fifteen minutes for a page to load only to get a “document contains no data” notice! I’m tired of posting a message only to get the same thing! I once posted a message that took **thirty** minutes to show up! This is ridiculous! The poll is now running: 51: “Yes” 38: “No” ---
**Author:** ![DRY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2001, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442/80 "2001-05-19T04:33:00Z")
Yeah, I would. I’d pay more than $25 as well, if necessary. HOWEVER, I would NOT contribute to a donation/pledge drive/etc. I don’t think such things are evil or anything like that–I’m just uncomfortable with the idea that some people are putting in more than their “fair share” while others do not contribute anything. (Personal experience has marked me as someone who gives more than he gets, so to speak) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-would-you-pay-25-per-year-for-sdmb/65442.md?page=5)