# Should I become a member? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 8, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711 "2009-08-08T00:58:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TheFatKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@TheFatKid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFatKid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/1 "2009-08-08T00:58:34Z")
Ok, I’ve just been here a few days, but I can tell this is a really smart and fun crowd. I’m thinking of joining. But I thought I’d ask… What are the benefits of becoming a member, and is it worth it? Please share. Thanks -tfk ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/2 "2009-08-08T01:04:16Z")
Upside-no ads and I think more PM storage. Downside-The squid has been…lonely. In either case, welcome and enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/3 "2009-08-08T01:07:53Z")
Members get: 1. more PM storage 2. location/post count displayed 3. the ability to post a picture in your profile 4. fewer ads in browsers that allow ads, I think. There may be a couple other little whistles and bells. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/4 "2009-08-08T01:36:54Z")
You are allowed to design your own membership card using color pens instead of crayons. ---
**Author:** ![TheFatKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@TheFatKid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFatKid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/5 "2009-08-08T01:37:32Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You are allowed to design your own membership card using color pens instead of crayons. Ooooh! ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/6 "2009-08-08T01:43:58Z")
\ Let’s move this over to _About This Message Board_. Welcome, **TheFatKid**. Glad to have you with us. \ ---
**Author:** ![TheFatKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@TheFatKid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFatKid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/7 "2009-08-08T01:46:19Z")
> [@Rico](#): > > \ > > Let’s move this over to _About This Message Board_. > > Welcome, **TheFatKid**. Glad to have you with us. > > \ Ok, thanks. Newbie mistake. :o And hey, you can just call me FatKid. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/8 "2009-08-08T01:53:58Z")
As a member, you also get to bitch and moan with slightly greater moderator mercy. Just an iddy bit. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/9 "2009-08-08T01:58:14Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > As a member, you also get to bitch and moan with slightly greater moderator mercy. Just an iddy bit. Cite? (Observe the board culture in action, **FatKid** ) ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/10 "2009-08-08T02:02:06Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Cite? My post is my cite. > [@](#): > > (Observe the board culture in action, **FatKid** ) (Continue observing.) ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/11 "2009-08-08T02:05:42Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > My post is my cite. > > (Continue observing.) Nicely done. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/12 "2009-08-08T08:17:24Z")
> [@TheFatKid](#): > > Ok, I’ve just been here a few days, but I can tell this is a really smart and fun crowd. I’ve been here for 8 years. Maybe you could point me in the direction of a couple of threads that support your claim. ---
**Author:** ![TheFatKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@TheFatKid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFatKid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/13 "2009-08-08T14:22:20Z")
> [@Chez\_Guevara](#): > > Maybe you could point me in the direction of a couple of threads that support your claim. Well, I reckon not _everybody_ is fun. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/14 "2009-08-08T15:34:20Z")
I know I’m not. But I’m used to it. Sorry for killing your thread. That happens sometimes… Welcome anyways! ---
**Author:** ![TheFatKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@TheFatKid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFatKid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/15 "2009-08-08T18:02:22Z")
By any chance, does the site run faster if you’re a member? (I.e., with no ads?) ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/16 "2009-08-08T18:05:45Z")
It runs fine if you visit during late afternoon and/or evening hours. Those are the primary times I visit and I have had very few speed/connection issues with this place. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/17 "2009-08-09T03:33:56Z")
> [@TheFatKid](#): > > By any chance, does the site run faster if you’re a member? > > (I.e., with no ads?) No. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/18 "2009-08-09T03:47:45Z")
It does, however, run a lot faster on Firefox with AdBlock and FlashBlock installed. FYI. Nothing whatsoever can assist the thoroughly broken search feature, you’re pretty much stuck with that. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/19 "2009-08-09T04:07:14Z")
> [@TheFatKid](#): > > (I.e., with no ads?) As somebody posted upthread, members don’t see ads. ---
**Author:** ![TheFatKid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/34f0e0/32.png) [@TheFatKid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFatKid)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711/20 "2009-08-09T13:48:21Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > As somebody posted upthread, members don’t see ads. Yeah, I know. That’s what “I.e., with no ads” meant. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-become-a-member/505711.md?page=2)