# The only SDMB subscription thread you need **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 25, 2004, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278 "2004-03-25T04:27:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/101 "2004-03-26T20:39:03Z")
**Greathouse** , get another Doper to sign you up by proxy, and pay them back when you’ve got the funds. I’ll do it; I bet others would, too. My email addy is in my profile. Email me with your password, and I’ll sign you up when I get home tonight after work. I’ll email you back to let you know it’s done, and give you my snailmail address so you can send me the fiver when you’ve got it. Deal? it’ll save you ten bucks, after all. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bangiadore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@Bangiadore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bangiadore)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/102 "2004-03-26T20:47:28Z")
I’ve tried to subscribe using my trusty low-balance Visa-brand debit card, but I kept getting an error notice saying that the card number is incorrect. Is this something intentional, not allowing folks to pay with a debit card? Or is it all just a horrible mistake? It’s just that I’ve never run into this particular problem before – the card’s worked anywhere that Visa’s accepted. I don’t _wanna_ sign up for PayPal or vex some RealPal with my need to use their charge card, but I probably will go ahead and find some alternate means if SDMB actually isn’t taking debit card payments. Either that, or my sadness will have an inestimable bottom. ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/103 "2004-03-26T20:55:21Z")
**Bangiadore** Have you tried removing the spaces between the numbers? \*I’m in. Thanks to my brother, who has a different PC, different browser & different creditcard \* ---
**Author:** ![Greathouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greathouse/32/2992_2.png) [@Greathouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greathouse)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/104 "2004-03-26T21:08:43Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > **Greathouse** , get another Doper to sign you up by proxy, and pay them back when you’ve got the funds. I’ll do it; I bet others would, too. My email addy is in my profile. Email me with your password, and I’ll sign you up when I get home tonight after work. I’ll email you back to let you know it’s done, and give you my snailmail address so you can send me the fiver when you’ve got it. > > Deal? it’ll save you ten bucks, after all. 😉 **EddyTeddyFreddy** , thanks for the offer. I just sent you the email with my logon details. I really appreciate this. ---
**Author:** ![Bangiadore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@Bangiadore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bangiadore)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/105 "2004-03-26T22:06:03Z")
I’m not sure I shouldn’t be embarrassed not figuring that out for myself, so I won’t be. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/106 "2004-03-26T22:58:23Z")
hehehe, Your welcome, **Bangiadore** Glad you’re in. \*\*🙂 \*\* ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/107 "2004-03-26T23:07:54Z")
Not to ruin the spirit of the thread, but I just wanted to say I think it’s really fucking cool seeing all these people offering to help other people. Sort of reaffirms my faith in humanity, at least for a moment. ---
**Author:** ![kinoons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a698b9/32.png) [@kinoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kinoons)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/108 "2004-03-27T22:10:39Z")
I just don’t get how anyone can think that going to subscriptions is going to hurt the board. It would appear that the vast majority of people are shelling out the five bones, so I don’t foresee us loosing many posters. I just can’t understand how giving up a little cash so the board can improve it self is going to cause the demise of my favorite place on the internet. I think we are very fortunate to not loose the board while the Chicago Reader was footing the entire bill for it. ---
**Author:** ![ultress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7c8e57/32.png) [@ultress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultress)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/109 "2004-03-28T00:47:22Z")
Lynn I always knew you were a glutton for punishment. We know you ain’t reading all this crap. ---
**Author:** ![Bandanaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ab097/32.png) [@Bandanaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bandanaman)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/110 "2004-03-28T02:15:51Z")
I just want to thank all you people for making me feel better about myself. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/111 "2004-03-28T03:09:05Z")
> [@Andros\_X](#): > > I feel I have to get this out of my system, so here I go… > > I think that this subscription thing is a bad idea, due to the societal stratification that will ultimately result. > > “Oh STFU, Andros,” you cry, “It’s only 5 bucks!” > > But will it stay five bucks? No. It rises to fifteen soon, which will stratify the board even more. With fifteen bucks you can buy: > > [ul] > [li]A gently used video game[/li][li]Internet access for a month[/li][li]Two months’ supply of blank CDs[/li][li]A few days’ worth of groceries[/li][/ul] > > 15 bucks is just above my pain threshold. If subscriptions are here to stay, it would be best to keep them at a low level. Offering everyone a $7.50 subscription price (or even $10) seems like a fair middle ground. I don’t think you understand the point of the subscriptions…they’re not to cause a “stratification” of the board, they’re meant to make the board self-supporting. If the board doesn’t make enough money, it WILL be shut down. The discounted subscription is an incentive to all the old timers, particularly the ones who signed up a long time ago. I don’t think that we could continue to operate the board for a fee of $5 a year for everyone. No matter WHAT number we picked, it would be just above the pain threshold for some people. I think that this is an extremely reasonable offer. Besides, in the case of the video game, how long are you gonna play it? A full year? Even the epic RPGs don’t take THAT long to play. You get more bang for your buck with the Straight Dope, IMO, and I’m a gamer, too. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/112 "2004-03-28T03:09:56Z")
> [@ultress](#): > > Lynn I always knew you were a glutton for punishment. We know you ain’t reading all this crap. Who sez? ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/113 "2004-03-28T04:24:08Z")
Do you read _ **all** _ the threads? If so, I’m really embarrassed about what I said in the “Do you have sexual fantasies about mods?” thread. ---
**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/114 "2004-03-28T04:29:53Z")
> [@Lynn Bodoni](#): > > [sub]no sig[/sub] You remembered! ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/115 "2004-03-28T08:21:15Z")
I really don’t have any deep philosophical reason. The money isn’t really the issue, and paying for things on the internet is not a show-stopper either. I think the things I’ve seen in the last days since the great “announcement” of the pay model has really turned me off. I’ve read most of the threads debating this issue, and it really opened my eyes. Folks that are staying are “patting each other on the back” while those that are not are derided with “good fucking riddance”, “don’t let the door hit you on the way out”, “cheap bastard”, and other pleasantries. It’s a message board, folks. No more, no less. A nice one, I will admit. One I stumbled on in 1998 or so, lurked for a while, and began slowly posting. I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve bought Cecil’s books and I suspect if another comes out, I’ll buy that too. My concern is what this board may turn into. I’m not one of the “players” on this board. I add quality content when I can, a quip now and then, and I try to ask honest, provocative questions when I am truly curious as to the “teeming millions” opinions. There are quite a few smart folks out here. (There are quite a few folks that think they are smarter than they really are out here, too.) But everyone brings something to the table, and I enjoy the banter and energy that is found on this board. My thoughts: The board is changing already. Charter members are talking to charter members, and that’s all you really see. And in my opinion, that will push off a lurker quicker than you think. I know that was supposed to be a reward for folks, but if I were staying, member would have been enough for me. I think that’s a bit more welcoming to a newbie. Someone I fail to remember at this moment said that this board will turn into a pseudo-intellectual circle-jerk of charter members continually reminding themselves how clever they are on a routine basis. Please don’t let this happen. There is a tremendous amount to learn. One way to prove it to newbies is to open up the search function. Let them see the amount of information that has been gathered already. That would sell the site more than anything I can think of! Best of luck to you all. If anyone would like to know where my user name came from, please send me an email and I will gladly answer. For those that don’t care (or are delighted I’m leaving) well, no hard feelings. I’ll move on and so will you. And since I know not a sole out here in real life, no tears need be shed on either side. Stink Fish Pot 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/116 "2004-03-28T08:32:33Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > The board is changing already. Charter members are talking to charter members, and that’s all you really see. And in my opinion, that will push off a lurker quicker than you think. Oh for fuck’s sake. I’ve seen LOT’S of newly-registered Charter Member newbies with only a very few posts in the last few days. You don’t want to stay, then don’t. But stop whining about it. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/117 "2004-03-28T08:45:49Z")
I’m not whining, ass-munch. Just making an observation. Perhaps yours is different. Why such an angry response? The defensive position you all take is very strange to me. And very consistent. I find that interesting. I’m not talking about the lurkers that have been around a while and saw the announcement, zipperhead. I’m talking about those lurkers that might add something to this community after the “charter member” period goes away. Good news, though Q.E.D. ! You’re a “charter member”! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/118 "2004-03-28T11:15:13Z")
Q.E.D-my fellow “Charter Member”- did you hear something? 😃 :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/119 "2004-03-28T14:05:54Z")
Q.E.D.: **Stink Fish Pot** Wasn’t whining and has a point. The ‘patting on the back’ and ‘good riddance’ talk, between ‘charter members’, makes me slightly nauseous too. I agree on the search function for new people as well. DrDeth: That was exactly one of the stupid remarks **Stink Fish Pot** was talking about. I got this nasty tast in my mouth now for being a ‘charter member’. Thanks. Good luck, **Stink Fish Pot** ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278/120 "2004-03-28T14:14:07Z")
Stink Fish Pot, if money is a problem, just let one of us know. There’s a thread in ATMB where you can sign up and someone will sponsor you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-sdmb-subscription-thread-you-need/236278.md?page=7)