# The SDMB is switching to paid subscriptions **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 18, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724 "2004-03-18T18:26:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/261 "2004-03-19T14:46:20Z")
> [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > How can I find out where the accepted payment methods are? As in, will I need to use a credit card, or can I mail in a check or post office money order? Well, one way would be to read the first post in this thread, where Ed Zotti said: > [@](#): > > How do I subscribe? > > Once we make the switch, click on “subscribe” in the menu bar at the top of any SDMB page. You’ll be shown a screen listing your subscription status and payment options. Just follow the directions. We accept payment by major credit card or PayPal. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GawnFishin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9bcb4/32.png) [@GawnFishin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GawnFishin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/262 "2004-03-19T14:59:00Z")
Everyone is anticipating that with an upgrade of the servers and this will be so much better. I don’t believe you’ll see any new servers based purely on Ed’s comment post #40 on page one of this thread. This wont be the first time a company has collected and whole load of cash from subscribers and then folded. > [@](#): > > As for an equipment upgrade, if **everybody** subscribes and service remains as sucky as it is now, at least we’ll have enough cash to fix things. Well there, I don’t think **everyone** is going to subscribe. I know I’ll be on the first flight out of here and I really wont miss a thing. The level of arrogance from long time members is really amazing. This is goin to turn into an elitist club. As is already obvious from the number of posts that say things like “You wont be missed” and “well if your that cheap” I don’t think cheap has anything to do with it. I for one don’t believe this attitude fosters friendship. It will cut out the trolls yeah right delude yourselves if you feel you must. The internet as far as I am aware was originally thought of as a way of sharing information **freely**. I guess this concept goes out the window now. I am often paid to share my knowledge in other places as an educator for me to pay to share my knowledge no thanks. To all those who are staying enjoy your club. Different types of membership “charter member”, “Life time member”, “what’s next member” each level is going to want more and more privileges and why wouldn’t they if I’m paying for champagne don’t serve me beer. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/263 "2004-03-19T15:06:53Z")
> [@Ed Zotti](#): > > (1) Will the SDMB draw a smart, lively crowd who will dedicate themselves to the struggle against ignorance and be a credit to The Master? ANSWER: With one or two exceptions, yes. You’re talking about _me_, right? So does that mean I get a discount, or do I have to pay extra? ---
**Author:** ![pantom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/34f0e0/32.png) [@pantom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantom)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/264 "2004-03-19T15:20:14Z")
Jeez. I’ve lost more money than this on a single round of blackjack. What **SuperNelson** said about the lifetime subs, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/265 "2004-03-19T15:40:34Z")
The idea of a lifetime subscription may bring in more money at first, but I have to wonder at what would happen the first time a “lifetime member” got banned. If someone gets banned and loses 5 bucks, oh well, but if someone pays $100 or so and gets banned? I could only see it as making it more difficult to ban lifetime members because of the uproar it would cause, and I think any system where certain members are less likely to get banned than others simply because they paid more money is not a good precedent to start. I would rather have it be either you are a member, or a guest, period. Granted those that are most likely to pay for a lifetime membership are those who have been here a while and are likely in good standing, but we have seen longterm members get booted before and I’m sure it would happen sooner or later. Just my .02. I’m not really in a tizzy over it one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/266 "2004-03-19T16:20:18Z")
Two Questions: 1. Can I pay by mailing a check to the Chicago Reader? 2. How many computers can a subscribed member post from with one subscription payment? Feel free to direct me to the answer if it’s already been posted. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/267 "2004-03-19T16:27:17Z")
> [@Governor Quinn](#): > > 1. How many computers can a subscribed member post from with one subscription payment?. I guess I don’t fully understand this question. What would where you post from have to do with it? Your subscription would change the nature of your account. It doesn’t matter where you are when you login to your account… it’s still the same account. Just like your bank balance doesn’t change depending on what ATM you go to–it’s the same account. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/268 "2004-03-19T16:34:48Z")
Never mind then, never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Lockz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Lockz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lockz)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/269 "2004-03-19T16:35:24Z")
I don’t know about this. Sure, almost $7 isn’t that much to pay, but is it really worth it? I’m another one of those people with a post count of maybe 0.05 per day. If anything, I’d register just for the search function because that is really useful with all of the experts we have here on a wide range of topics. Just lurking like I usually do won’t make me pay, and I don’t post that much now as it is. I’ll have to think about it … maybe I’ll post more if I pay, and maybe I’ll be free of this crack if I don’t. Hmm. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/270 "2004-03-19T16:53:06Z")
Could a mod force **lucwarm** to explain what the heck he was talking [about](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=244831) ? ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/271 "2004-03-19T17:00:13Z")
> [@12 parsecs from home](#): > > The internet as far as I am aware was originally thought of as a way of sharing information **freely**. But it’s not free for those who supply or host the source for the information. Look—I know what you’re getting at, but I’m a webmaster myself, and my web hosting costs money. The bandwidth people use to view my site costs me money. It’s not free for me. I accept that it costs money and I have decided to still pay for web hosting (and pay to share information with others) but I have my limits of how much I am willing or able to pay, as does the Chicago Reader. The Chicago Reader is not obligated to keep funding the costs involved with keeping this board afloat to the World At Large. The information on the Internet is not free. It never has been, because the people who create web site and create boards like this pay for hosting. And they always have. ---
**Author:** ![Jadis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@Jadis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jadis)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/272 "2004-03-19T17:29:43Z")
Has it occurred to anyone who’s whining about there not being a check/money order payment option that the reason those options weren’t made available to begin with is that they’ll require MANUAL PROCESSING, which will suck up way more resources than they’re worth? I’m sure that the folks at SDMB aren’t interested in opening up a whole accounting department to process payments and then have to deal with the whole subsequent host of issues that present themselves along with it, such as having to generate bank deposits, getting hit with bank fees for deadbeats who bounce checks, etc. My guess is that it’s just not worth the hassle. There have been many suggestions made in the past 6 pages about how to pay if you want to, but don’t have a CC or PayPal account. I don’t think any of them are all that complicated. Can we stop with the whining? ---
**Author:** ![GawnFishin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9bcb4/32.png) [@GawnFishin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GawnFishin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/273 "2004-03-19T17:37:55Z")
> [@](#): > > The Chicago Reader is not obligated to keep funding the costs involved with keeping this board afloat to the World At Large. I also run web services but I don’t not charge the people who make my service what it is. Without the users the system is nothing it’s just a computer with software. Take away the users and it’s nothing. Add users and it has value so here’s a thought charge they people who make your system worth something. Ed makes a clear point the servers are expect to be faster simply because of the drop in usage. And then states that if necessary then they will have the money to do something. Ok what if they don’t have enough money what if they don’t get **everybody** to subscribe and the job does turn into more than they are expecting. What then? Will we see the SDMB go the way of the dodo with all your subscription fees in their pockets. Maybe not but I know I’d rather call it quits whilst trying to generate revenue from other sources rather than draining the pockets of those who make this what it is. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/274 "2004-03-19T17:38:55Z")
> [@12 parsecs from home](#): > > Well there, I don’t think **everyone** is going to subscribe. I know I’ll be on the first flight out of here and I really wont miss a thing. The level of arrogance from long time members is really amazing. This is goin to turn into an elitist club. As is already obvious from the number of posts that say things like “You wont be missed” and “well if your that cheap” I don’t think cheap has anything to do with it. I for one don’t believe this attitude fosters friendship. It will cut out the trolls yeah right delude yourselves if you feel you must. The posts saying things like “You won’t be missed” have almost all been directed at people who announced their departure with some degree of snarkiness. As for the ‘cheap’ thing, $4.95 is _extremely_ cheap in some places: the UK for example, thanks to the amazingly strong pound. Some people just can’t imagine that others might be flat broke but still have access to a computer, but it is so. ---
**Author:** ![GawnFishin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9bcb4/32.png) [@GawnFishin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GawnFishin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/275 "2004-03-19T17:54:05Z")
> [@](#): > > The posts saying things like “You won’t be missed” have almost all been directed at people who announced their departure with some degree of snarkiness. With the number of threads dedicated to this business I tend to see more of the attitude that if you cant afford to be here then it’ll be a better place without you. I really think the elitist attitudes are already starting to shine through but I could be wrong. > [@](#): > > Some people just can’t imagine that others might be flat broke but still have access to a computer, but it is so. And again this points to attitude, if you can’t afford it you shouldn’t be here as well this closed mindedness presents the casual reader with the impression that if I don’t think like you then I wont be welcomed. Why waste my money. ---
**Author:** ![Biere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Biere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biere)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/276 "2004-03-19T18:03:49Z")
I wouldn’t pay $0.95 a year to post on this board with the same old 400 Dopers, day in and day out, about the same old subjects. I hope this board can support itself on a budget of about $2,500 a year! Aufwiedersehen und Viel Gluck … ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/277 "2004-03-19T18:19:46Z")
> [@Jadis](#): > > Has it occurred to anyone who’s whining about there not being a check/money order payment option that the reason those options weren’t made available to begin with is that they’ll require MANUAL PROCESSING, which will suck up way more resources than they’re worth? …Can we stop with the whining? Lessee…$5 per name…2 minutes to enter the user name and check a box…that makes…ummm…borrow the three, carry the one…$150/hour. At $15/name, $450/hour. Give me just half of that, and I’ll be glad to do all the manual data entry needed. ---
**Author:** ![Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/2bfe46/32.png) [@Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xavier)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/278 "2004-03-19T18:22:52Z")
> [@Second Guest](#): > > Count me as one of those people mentioned by **Musicat** –no credit cards or PayPal. I _do_ have chickens, but I am not willing to part with little Louie and Elmo for the privilege of posting here. And it has been a privilege, one I’ve appreciated immensely during some dark and lonely times or just when I’ve felt like having a little fun. While I’m aware that I’ll burn in hell (and deservedly so) for my participation in a few of the game threads, I hope that I’ve also posted one or two things that were informative, helpful or amusing over the past two years. I doubt that my absence will register so much as a blip on the SDMB radar and I know I will not be missed by any of the longtime frequent posters, but I will certainly miss these boards. Perhaps it was time to move on anyway. Thanks. You just depressed the living shit out of me. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/279 "2004-03-19T18:25:46Z")
I’m game. I woke up. I spent $ 16.70 on lunch. That’s 3 1/2 YEARS of SDMB. I will say that the idea of a gift subscription, handled privately but as secured and locked-in as any other subscription, is a very good idea. Dopers take care of their own. ( Except Slug, who we have to hope has the scratch for his own membership, even after paying for his own India Ink and fresh nibs for his pens. 😃 😃 😃 ) Cartooniverse, who bought The Straight Dope at Coliseum Books in NYC a billion years ago and hasn’t looked back. ---
**Author:** ![DrDoom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DrDoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDoom)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/280 "2004-03-19T18:34:38Z")
> [@Biere](#): > > I wouldn’t pay $0.95 a year to post on this board with the same old 400 Dopers … I hope this board can support itself on a budget of about $2,500 a year! Now, maybe, we will see how many real Dopers there are! Maybe 400 “real” Dopers plus 150 dopy Dopers will sign up at $4.95 a year thru 3/22/05. (However, I wouldn’t be too surprised if SDMB subsides or overstates their subscribers.) When the cost goes to $7.50 a year in '05, SDMB will tank, maybe sooner. If it doesn’t, it will certainly become a cluster fest of only a very few people. No sane person would ever pay $14.95 a year for a subscription to any message board on the Internet. Out of here … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724.md?page=15)