# 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:** 33
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2004, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/642 "2004-04-14T21:24:40Z")
Paid my $5–did it take yet? ---
**Author:** ![MetalDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@MetalDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MetalDog)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/643 "2004-04-18T14:36:24Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Too late. 10 pages of finger-flickin’ fools beat you to it. :)Guess what would happen then, sure as bootin’ – “Ads?? ADS??? We don’t need no stinkin’ ADS!! I’d gladly pay $4.95 just to get rid of them daddy-ruckin’ ads!” 😃 What is usual is to pay for no ads or don’t pay and get the ads. That way the haves and the have nots can exist together quite happily (apart from the occasional epileptic fit brought on by a flashing punch the monkey banner). I can’t afford to pay subscriptions all over the net - I can /only just/ afford net access at all. The Straight Dope was a good message board and I liked /occasionally/ chipping in, but I won’t be able to do it anymore. There are other message boards out there with the same quality as this one and human nature being what it is, I’ll probably spend more time with the ones I /can/ contribute to if I choose. I feel compulsory subscription is a mistake, but I hope y’all don’t suffer too much from it. Have fun, stay chilly, bye bye. ---
**Author:** ![IWLN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5ac83/32.png) [@IWLN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IWLN)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2004, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/644 "2004-04-18T18:02:32Z")
> [@MetalDog](#): > > There are other message boards out there with the same quality as this one … Blasphemy!!! You should be banned. Of course you would have to join first. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2004, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/645 "2004-04-18T18:32:08Z")
Erm… he (?) did join. He just didn’t pay for a subscription. Guest accounts can be banned just like subscribed accounts. ---
**Author:** ![DeepField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@DeepField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepField)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/646 "2004-04-19T23:15:51Z")
I just found out you’re switching to paid subscriptions, and I am afraid I won’t be “chartering”. Being a foreigner, my credit card charges me a fee of US$25 if I use it in dollars, so the fee goes up to $30, a little high for a once-a-month posting. I am glad I still will be able to read your posts… ---
**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:** [April 20, 2004, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/647 "2004-04-20T01:30:43Z")
> [@Algernon](#): > > **Reeder99** , if you are concerned about security and anonymity, I’d be happy to function as an intermediary. I’ll subscribe for you. You can then send me the money order. > > All you have to do is provide me with your username and password (a temporary one) and you remain anonymous to the SDMB. > > If you are interested, email me at [greenfleurdelis@hotmail.com](mailto:greenfleurdelis@hotmail.com) If you, or another Doper, would be kind enough to extend this arrangement to me, I would greatly appreciate it. I promise to reimburse immediately. My concern is none other than I would prefer to maintain my anonymity. I’m hardly a “star” on this Board–I hardly cast a shadow at all–but I would like to remain with you folks. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2004, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/648 "2004-04-20T03:22:59Z")
> [@DeepField](#): > > I just found out you’re switching to paid subscriptions, and I am afraid I won’t be “chartering”. Being a foreigner, my credit card charges me a fee of US$25 if I use it in dollars, so the fee goes up to $30, a little high for a once-a-month posting. Really? $25 fee tacked on? Just how “foreign” are you, Mars? 😃 Seriously, tho, if that is really the surcharge, I will offer to pay for a one-year subscription for you, **DeepField.** I was going to say just send me some cheap, but representative trinket from your country, but the shipping cost might be equally exorbitant. Still, let’s screw those credit card bastards. Send me a postcard from your country (that won’t cost you more than US$5, right?) and I’ll pay your fee. If you are interested, email me and I’ll give you my address. ---
**Author:** ![SandWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8491ac/32.png) [@SandWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandWriter)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/649 "2004-04-20T16:21:31Z")
Here’s a plan. Sign up 10, or however much you want to invest, ID’s, then sell them at 2x the price, which is less than the full price, to people that missed the charter sign in price! You’re happy, they’re happy… List of possible IDs Owned Owned\_1 Owned\_2 Owned\_3 … ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/650 "2004-04-20T17:26:03Z")
…except that registering more than one name is specifically against the rules and is one of those “instant ban” offenses. ---
**Author:** ![SandWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8491ac/32.png) [@SandWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandWriter)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/651 "2004-04-20T17:36:34Z")
**Oh, well if it’s against the rules then forget I even mentioned it.** Oh wait, then you’d have to ban everyone that pays for another person??? As they specifically own more than one ID? “no wait, thats different. Besides, we got a waiver.” ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/652 "2004-04-20T17:41:59Z")
Noooo… because you aren’t _registering_ a second name when you pay for someone else’s subscription. They are already registered. And just because you paid the fee does not mean that you own their account, either. ---
**Author:** ![Baraqiyal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@Baraqiyal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baraqiyal)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2004, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/653 "2004-04-21T03:35:59Z")
Test ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/654 "2004-04-22T00:54:06Z")
Tonight is the charter deadline, so that means that after 3 years and almost 800 posts, this is probably my last, as I won’t be subscribing. The boards will wither away, I’ve seen it before when free forums go pay. Maybe not right away, but a year from now new registrations will dry up. This injection of fresh ideas is what really sustains a board in the long run. I don’t want to pay for what will essentially become SDMB Lite. I also don’t like the idea of paying for the privilege of providing the content that is being sold. Finally, I simply can’t justify paying for something as frivolous as a message board when there are so many free alternatives available. It was a good ride while it lasted. To tell you the truth, during our “Winter of Missed Content” I initially believed the Reader finally pulled the plug, so I saw every day since then as a bonus. Nothing lasts forever. Goodbye. ---
**Author:** ![Taz0mania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9d8465/32.png) [@Taz0mania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taz0mania)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2004, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/655 "2004-04-24T00:04:29Z")
It probably is not a new idea (I have not read all 14 pages of postings), but in the same vein of “What keeps someone from re-registering as a guest” is the question “why would we not all pitch in for the $4.95, and all use the same member name (share the password)?” For the love of pete, am I going to be prevented from contributing from work and home (different IPs, of course)? Are they going to track IP like other subscription sites where if you visit from more than say 10 IPs in a day, you forfeit your subscription fee? I have heard of porn site password-sharing, but message board password-sharing? I am more interested in this message board for the exchange of information, not the notoriety that I make more valid points than Joe Blow. To that end, I would be willing to share a logon (“NotSoGuest?”) with thousands of other contributors. That’s my two cents. Only $4.93 to go. I have discovered that life is but fragile, fleeting opportunities. - Taz0mania ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2004, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/656 "2004-04-24T00:10:10Z")
> [@Taz0mania](#): > > For the love of pete, am I going to be prevented from contributing from work and home (different IPs, of course)? Are they going to track IP like other subscription sites where if you visit from more than say 10 IPs in a day, you forfeit your subscription fee? Since they’ve never done this before and have not said anything to make anyone think they would even consider it… and considering that almost everyone posts from both work and home or school and home or whatever… I think you’re jumping the gun quite a bit. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Micro\_Furry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Micro\_Furry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Micro_Furry)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/657 "2004-04-24T02:05:55Z")
And they _still_ only accept credit cards and pay-pal. What the heck? Who even thought that up? They had to have known how many people don’t have credit cards. I don’t even have a bank account, so paypal is out. I would have subscribed if a money order was allowed, but… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![sunfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@sunfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunfish)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/658 "2004-04-24T02:14:14Z")
**Micro Furry** , if you’d like me to handle your subscription for you, drop me a line at [sunfish9n@netscape.net](mailto:sunfish9n@netscape.net). ---
**Author:** ![Taz0mania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9d8465/32.png) [@Taz0mania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taz0mania)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2004, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/659 "2004-04-24T19:07:03Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I think you’re jumping the gun quite a bit. 😕 My point wasn’t to “jump the gun,” but rather to point out that everyone that does not want to pony up the whole whopping $4.95 for the unique name (because that would be the only distinction), why would they not all pool together under one name (as easy as sharing a password)? That being said, is the message board going to monitor the number of IPs used for the purposes of canceling a subscription because of “password-sharing?” I had thought my point was pretty clear in the previous post. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2004, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/660 "2004-04-24T19:19:26Z")
> [@Taz0mania](#): > > I had thought my point was pretty clear in the previous post. Your point was clear, but flawed. Only one computer at a time can log on one with your shared user name, so the more people who rely on this method to access the board, the less successful it will be. Besides, it is against the [Basic Rule.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/rules.php?) ---
**Author:** ![verybdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/49beb7/32.png) [@verybdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/verybdog)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/661 "2004-04-26T16:34:00Z")
The time is 12/26 12:32 pm. The deadline to switch to pay only scheme is surposed to be in effect at noon time. Hey how come I still can post as a guest? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724.md?page=34)