# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![verbenabeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c4cdca/32.png) [@verbenabeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/verbenabeast)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/81 "2004-03-18T21:17:22Z")
I wanna pay NOW… only problem I see is that I am big softy and will probly wind up paying for everybody that says they are leaving because of this and makes a tearful goodbye… I may be a Beast, but I am a benevolent one… ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/82 "2004-03-18T21:17:50Z")
Hey, I’m in. I _will_ want Wally, HOJM, Smacky and Dubious, though! ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous\_Coward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/83 "2004-03-18T21:23:55Z")
[QUOTE=Knighted Vorpal Sword] I pay for nothing on the net. Just a matter of principle. [\QUOTE] I had that attitude once as well until I realized that some things _are_ worth paying for. I’ve since changed that line of thinking to “The only things on the net that I pay for now are things that are unique”. There are tons of message boards out there and some of them (like **Opal** ’s Fathoms board) have a great SDMB feel to them, however I think the true SDMB experience that I love so much can only be found here and I’m willing to pay to continue that experience. Besides, you still have time to hit 1000 before you go! The doors don’t close until April 21. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/84 "2004-03-18T21:24:10Z")
Voluntary Donations: we discussed trying voluntary memberships for a LONG time. Many of us were big proponents of this, and argued that we can always switch to subscription later. People who supported requiring a subscription argued that it would cut down on trolls, socks, and traffic, improving performance. In the end the Reader decided to go with subscriptions. Special bennies: we may at some point institute a “higher” level of member (for a nominal charge, or course) that might get goodies like a custom title, avatar, french kisses from Ed, etc. No credit card: Paypal allows direct drafts from your bank account. Or you can send $5 and your password to a doper you trust (5 cents for shipping and handling) and they can sign you up. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/85 "2004-03-18T21:29:03Z")
> [@](#): > > Serious offers (at least I think they were serious) have been made to provide Chi Reader with dynamite equipment, anonymously dropped off at the doorstep if need be, and I think the comraderie generated by people liking to help would be a good thing. And as generous as those offers were, that still only covers a small portion of the expenses. Hardware is a one-time (or rather a “sometimes”) cost; it’s the ongoing ones that suck up the cash - the T1’s, the tech salaries . . . unless of course, you have a way to drop off some bandwidth. ---
**Author:** ![cichlidiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@cichlidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cichlidiot)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/86 "2004-03-18T21:31:21Z")
Another poster chiming in to see what the status is on paying with a money order. I’m more than willing to pay, but would like to know my payment will be accepted. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/87 "2004-03-18T21:31:54Z")
I second RTFirefly’s remarks. I’m in, but I’m sorry we didn’t try other approaches. I recommend that the admininstators take steps to track the inflow of new members currently, and after the new system is implemented. ---
**Author:** ![RitzyRae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aca169/32.png) [@RitzyRae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitzyRae)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/88 "2004-03-18T21:32:14Z")
_Ooo ooo_ if I donate an extra buck or two could I get a pretty flower by my name? Or a heart, or a sheep, or a bunny? And not tacky icons. Tasteful, colorful ones. (And for those who don’t like bunnies, maybe a funny face or a football, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/89 "2004-03-18T21:32:23Z")
> [@Knighted Vorpal Sword](#): > > I pay for nothing on the net. Just a matter of principle. Well, it’s kind of like sex. Just because you’re not going to a hooker, doesn’t mean you’re not paying for sex. You _always_ pay, one way or another. 😉 Before March 22, you pay with slow performance and outages. After March 22, you pay a few bucks and (I sure as hell hope) get better board performance. Other sites make you pay with irritating pop ups, flash ads, banner ads, or whatever. For this place, I’m happy to pay my way in cash so the experience is nice. ---
**Author:** ![olanv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ec8ea/32.png) [@olanv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/olanv)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/90 "2004-03-18T21:32:32Z")
> [@II Gyan II](#): > > Nice implementation. > > The 30 days guest allowance functions as a trial period. People can read anyway. The only drawback is that guests can’t search. So, no “this has been discussed 10 times already” posts. Posters can take charge of this by collecting these threads for the staff… The staff could cooperate by implimenting a new/seperate group with question headers that contain a series of links within that single post. ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/91 "2004-03-18T21:32:59Z")
As long as they accept British debit cards I’m totally in. ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous\_Coward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/92 "2004-03-18T21:34:23Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > unless of course, you have a way to drop off some bandwidth. I had some extra kicking around, but I spent it all posting this message. sorry… ---
**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/93 "2004-03-18T21:34:40Z")
This is a very good deal. I learn a lot here even tough I feel rather anonymous. It is a grreat place to hang out. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/94 "2004-03-18T21:38:25Z")
Well, you’ve got me, I guess. I’ll lay down five simoleons to see how it works out. If it turns into a graveyard, I’ll be sad and move on. My thinking: fewer socks, trolls and “total dipsticks”, probably. Maybe so few that things are no longer lively, maybe fewer enough that, for one thing, we won’t have to read through masses of unpaid political advertising to have a discussion on events of the day. Thanks to the administrators of this board for what they’ve done so far, which is to help keep this the best of its kind I’ve enountered on the 'Net. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/95 "2004-03-18T21:39:05Z")
I think turning off the search function could really make a lot or repeat threads. Or do you mean that once you register as a guest user, you can then search? If so, I’d put a notice about searching first on the registration page in very large letters. Personally, I’d rather have a system that gave special powers to the paying members, like avatars and signatures or something. I think that $15 is going to really put a crimp on the new members. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/96 "2004-03-18T21:42:42Z")
Five bucks a year for the Dope ain’t much. I paid more than that when I lost my bet with **RTFirefly** about the Dean primary. I’m in, although I will reconsider in a year if the feel of the board changes. The thirty day guest pass is a great idea. Can I ask if it is OK to set up some joke/trivia/whatever threads, newbies only, with a one-year subscription for the best post? I would contribute to something like that, and it might draw some new blood (or Pit-meat). But $4.95 is less than I spent on the other kind of dope. You know, the less addictive kind. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![heater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/858c86/32.png) [@heater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heater)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/97 "2004-03-18T21:51:20Z")
Aw hell…and I was just getting warmed up. Oh well, my boss appreciates it. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/98 "2004-03-18T21:51:35Z")
> [@Ed Zotti](#): > > If you sign up **before Wednesday, April 21, 2004** , your first year’s subscription costs an unbelievably low US $4.95. What’s more, we promise that as long as you remain a subscriber, you’ll be able to renew annually for 50% of whatever the regular rate is at the time. If you don’t sign up till after April 21, you’ll have to pay the regular rate of US $14.95, just like the newbies. I think this is a great idea, and am glad it’s happening. May I make one small suggestion? As the system is now, everyone has a small incentive to sign up on Tuesday, April 20, in order to stretch their $4.95 as far as possible. In order to avoid this incentive, it might be worth saying that all membership subscriptions between 3/22/04 and 4/21/04 expire on 4/21/05, so that folks will sign up throughout the month instead of on the last day of the trial period. Of course, maybe 7,000 signups on one day won’t overtax the servers, or even maybe folks aren’t incredibly petty and trifling, in which case there’s no need to do such a thing :). Just a thought. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/99 "2004-03-18T21:55:35Z")
Wooo! Way to go Ed et al! I’ve been begging for this for years. I hope it helps speed up the boards, I miss this place. ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/100 "2004-03-18T21:56:26Z")
Maybe this is a stupid question, but the answer wasn’t clear to me: Can people still _lurk_ (i.e., read the boards, but not post) without registering? 'Cause if not, it seems like there will be precious little incentive for anyone to register, not having read the boards. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724.md?page=6)