# Should I renew my subscription? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 20, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426 "2005-03-20T15:35:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/1 "2005-03-20T15:35:46Z")
No, not “please tell me I’m cool or I’ll stop posting.” (Although you can feel free to tell me how cool I am and how much you like my posts if you want 😉 ) When I need to renew, do I get an e-mail or is it my responsibility to keep track of when my membership runs out and send in my check? ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2005, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/2 "2005-03-20T15:38:29Z")
I renewed mine a couple of weeks back. It automatically takes into account the time you have left and just starts the new subscription from the expiry date of the old. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2005, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/3 "2005-03-20T15:39:39Z")
Doh! I just realized I answered a question you didn’t ask! Ah well. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/4 "2005-03-20T15:49:08Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Doh! I just realized I answered a question you didn’t ask! > > Ah well. Maybe I should have asked the other question instead. And while I’m at it, did you just press abutton or something. Sorry, I’m being lazy. Although I do have the excuse of being the only person working here today so I don’t have too much time on my hands. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/5 "2005-03-20T16:37:12Z")
> [@SiXSwordS](#): > > Maybe I should have asked the other question instead. > And while I’m at it, did you just press abutton or something. Sorry, I’m being lazy. Although I do have the excuse of being the only person working here today so I don’t have too much time on my hands. Yeah, I just clicked Subscribe at the top, scrolled down to Active Subscriptions, and clicked Order. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/6 "2005-03-20T18:00:01Z")
> [@SiXSwordS](#): > > No, not “please tell me I’m cool or I’ll stop posting.” (Although you can feel free to tell me how cool I am and how much you like my posts if you want 😉 ) > > When I need to renew, do I get an e-mail or is it my responsibility to keep track of when my membership runs out and send in my check? We’re not sure how this is going to work, as this is the first time we’ve had this situation. My assumption is that as the expiration date ticks closer, people will start to see nag screens. You can resubscribe at any time, of course. And thank you very much for doing so; it’s the support of the membership that keeps this place going. your humble TubaDiva ---
**Author:** ![brownie55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/7 "2005-03-20T20:16:08Z")
If I pay extra, can I pay you enough to stop using that annoying “your humble TubaDiva” sig? ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2005, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/8 "2005-03-20T23:24:02Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Yeah, I just clicked Subscribe at the top, scrolled down to Active Subscriptions, and clicked Order. That’s it? But it says it’s $7.48. I thought it was about $15.00? And please, how do I pay for someone else? I don’t want to know his/her password or other details. Oh: **Welcome back, TubaDiva!** 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/9 "2005-03-20T23:58:32Z")
> [@](#): > > That’s it? > But it says it’s $7.48. > > I thought it was about $15.00? If you signed on in the first wave, then you get half-off for life. Or at least, as long as you keep your membership up-to-date. I’m not sure what would happen to a halfer if he let his subscription lapse, and then later re-activated it. And **SiXSwordS** , you’re so cool that you should keep posting ;). ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/10 "2005-03-21T00:33:32Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > If you signed on in the first wave, then you get half-off for life. Or at least, as long as you keep your membership up-to-date. I’m not sure what would happen to a halfer if he let his subscription lapse, and then later re-activated it. I think it was stated elsewhere that they would have to pay full price. **gum** , to my knowledge there is currently no way to pay for someone else’s subscription without logging in under them and paying that way. Of course, the responsible payee should change their password afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/11 "2005-03-21T00:38:03Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m not sure what would happen to a halfer if he let his subscription lapse, and then later re-activated it. > [@Ed Zotti](#): > > Your username stays in the database and we should be able to reactivate it. However, if you don’t renew by 4/28/2005, your charter membership lapses and you’re no longer eligible for the lifetime-half-off-the-regular-subscription-fee deal, but must pay full freight. 1. The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 2 characters. Heh. Didn’t it used to be 10 characters? ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/12 "2005-03-21T00:44:03Z")
> [@Jayn\_Newell](#): > > **gum** , to my knowledge there is currently no way to pay for someone else’s subscription without logging in under them and paying that way. Of course, the responsible payee should change their password afterwards. > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > I believe you can also go to the screen where you would buy a subscription for yourself, and replace the userid# in the URL with START’s # and reload the screen. That way you don’t need a password. From [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=307411). I seem to remember reading this information from an admin, too. Maybe Ed can confirm that? Oh, and that quote from Zotti came from [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=305301), btw. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/13 "2005-03-21T01:10:50Z")
> [@Silver Fire](#): > > From [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=307411). I seem to remember reading this information from an admin, too. Maybe Ed can confirm that? Yes, sending somebody your password is the approved way to let someone pay for you. Incidentally, I talked to Jerry about adding gift subscription capability to our payment system. He thought it was doable but presented some technical challenges and he didn’t think they’d get around to it in time for renewal season. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/14 "2005-03-21T02:40:58Z")
yes. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/15 "2005-03-21T06:03:19Z")
> [@gum](#): > > And please, how do I pay for someone else? I don’t want to know his/her password or other details. I had given step-by-step instructions in this thread last year. The method should still work: [Can I pay for another Doper’s subscription without getting his password?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=251375) ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/16 "2005-03-21T13:30:57Z")
Thank you all. Thank you **xash** and **Artemis**. Just what I was looking for. You’re all cool. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/17 "2005-03-22T15:43:36Z")
Now may I ask another stupid question? Did someone by accident pay for _me_? I just ordered [for one year] and saw that I’m now paid for till 2007. :eek: That is sooo sweet. Who[m]ever you are. \*\*Thank you! \*\*. Could you mail me, you philanthropist you? 🙂 love, gum. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/18 "2005-03-30T06:35:14Z")
> [@Ed Zotti](#): > > Yes, sending somebody your password is the approved way to let someone pay for you. (looks around desparately for a signal that this is a joke. finds none. wails loudly enough to wake up the dog.) _Won’t somebody think of the non-repudiation!_ You’re not joking? I realize this is “just” a message board, but I do hand-to-hand combat against this sort of misbehavior all day long. Your friendly neighborhood security administrator’s begging you to implement a means to allow 3rd-party payments without sharing passwords. ---
**Author:** ![Time\_Like\_Tears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@Time\_Like\_Tears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Time_Like_Tears)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/19 "2005-03-30T07:08:01Z")
All someone has to do is change their password to something else for a day, let the subscription donor know the changed one, donor pays, then the password is changed back to the original. No one gets anyone else’s password. ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426/20 "2005-03-30T09:04:10Z")
> [@xash](#): > > I had given step-by-step instructions in this thread last year. The method should still work: > > [Can I pay for another Doper’s subscription without getting his password?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=251375) The method given in the thread works, but the link used there has the $4.95 rate in it. If you are renewing someone from the original subscribers, that needs changed to $7.48, and if you are subscribing someone for the first time, it needs to be changed to $14.95. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-renew-my-subscription/295426.md?page=2)