# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/121 "2004-03-18T22:55:23Z")
**Question** : When word of a premium/pay-as-you go message board gets around, is there a chance that more hackers will be stopping by to pay a visit? Like hyenas to a dead carcus, I assume hackers will flock here in an attempt to cause mayhem & steal whatever it is hackers like stealing. [/QUOTE] This is exactly the question that popped into my head. How secure will the credit card/Paypal information be on the SDMB’s server? In other words, is that information retained for long after I start my subscription? I’m not asking for you guys to spill the beans entirely about your security…I just want some reassurance that this issue has been thought about and that the appropriate (and **secure** ) measures will be taken. And yeah, I’ll be starting my subscription pronto. This place is like digital crack, and I’ll need my fix. There’s nothing else like it on the Internet, and it’s worth paying for, as far as I’m concerned. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/122 "2004-03-18T22:56:05Z")
[QUOTE=Knighted Vorpal Sword] I pay for nothing on the net. Just a matter of principle. [\QUOTE] > [@Anonymous Coward](#): > > 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”. So did I. In fact, I still refuse to subscribe to most things on the 'net. Then one day I realized, (during my non-work hours) I already am paying to surf the net. It takes the more indirect and subtle form of ISP fees, the price of a PC, electricity, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/123 "2004-03-18T22:59:08Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > My problem with it is the same #1 concern I’ve always had: new blood is important to a board like this, and IMHO we won’t be seeing as much of it after April 21. > > Two things here. First, a month really isn’t very long: I registered in May 1999, and it took me until at least September to climb above the 100-post threshold; by November I would surely have forked over my $14.95, but probably not much sooner. I’d have probably just wandered off. > > I’d recommend either a longer guest membership (60 days, anyway) or a guest membership based on posts: maybe 100 or 200 posts allowed as a guest before you’ve got to pay. > > Second, I think the $14.95 threshold is a bit steep for a newbie, and will cut down on the number of new posters who stay. (Yeah, I know it **really** isn’t much; it’s the psychology of it, though.) Magazines and stuff offer low trial subscription rates to get you in the door, and I think that makes sense here. If not that, then maybe dump the renew-at-50%-of-the-newbie-rate deal, and have all subscriptions and renewals alike after 4/21 cost the same, say $9.95. > One thing I’m especially sorry about is that the past two-plus years weren’t used as a laboratory to try some more voluntary approaches, such as free basic service, with paid membership getting you a bundle of advanced features; or selling classified or banner ads to members; or selling SDMB (as opposed to SD) merchandise. Two things are obvious here: (1) neither we nor the CR will never know what revenues some combination of these approaches would have generated, and (2) instead of getting _any_ of that revenue over the past two years, the SDMB raised zero. Those potential revenues are gone and not recoverable, which is a shame. I agree wholeheartedly with this. When I first discovered the dope I would only come on intermittenly, every now and again just to see what was happening and kill some time. It was over a period of many months that I gradually became hooked on it and eventually came to feel part of the community. I think we will in fact lose a lot of potential new valuable contributors with such a limited trial period. It takes time for something like this to grow on people. I’m certainly not complaining about the price itself. I’ll be here for a long time I suspect. I love the place and I’m only too happy to pay in order to help. From this thread it seems obvious that many (most?) active posters feel the same. Why even limit the time a non-subscriber may post? Can’t we trust that people here will be glad to subscribe of their own accord out of appreciation for the place? They’ll have that nagging screen after every post to remind them. Threads will pop up where veteran posters casually discuss it and its importance to the continued existance of the place and newbies in time will come to feel the same thing as they learn that they are the minority. (Plus they’ll surely get jealous of post counts). And should someone just want to pop in every few months to break up the monotony in their lives with a few contributions here and there they’ll be able to without paying for a whole year’s service. Oh, and something that I predict will surely change about the boards: there will be a helluva lot more pit threads about the boards and the mods themselves. You know all those sarcastic responses you get in the pit when someone’s complaining (“well gee, because you pay so much to be here I guess the mods should change their policies to suit you huh?”). People are gonna feel a great deal more justified in criticizing the way the place functions. my $.02 ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/124 "2004-03-18T23:02:31Z")
While I don’t think **Ed** in his OP really opened this up to suggestions, it certainly isn’t stopping us is it. 🙂 I might as well get my two cents in here as well. > [@Alto](#): > > This is the part that troubles me. We’re creating not just an elite, but a permanent elite. Ideally, having"charter member" under your name wouldn’t make a difference in how people consider your contribution to the discussion–but given how sensitive people already are about post count, I think it’s likely to. After thinking about this, I too have a concern about creating class distinctions. We’d be creating an exclusive group where it wouldn’t just be _difficult_ for someone new to gain entry, it’d be _impossible_. Exclusivity without ability to gain entry will create ill feelings. > [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > A 30-day trial / guest membership is far too long. > [@RTFirefly](#): > > …a month really isn’t very long: I registered in May 1999, and it took me until at least September to climb above the 100-post threshold; by November I would surely have forked over my $14.95, but probably not much sooner. I’d have probably just wandered off. I’d recommend either a longer guest membership (60 days, anyway) or a guest membership based on posts: maybe 100 or 200 posts allowed as a guest before you’ve got to pay. Hmmm. As usual it looks like we have some differences of opinion. I lean towards 30 days being too short. I too remember my newbie status and there is no way I’d have shelled out money with only 30 days posting experience behind me. I don’t know if a post-driven criteria would be easier or harder to implement than a date-driven criteria, but I think it should be considered as an alternative. > [@RTFirefly](#): > > I think the $14.95 threshold is a bit steep for a newbie, and will cut down on the number of new posters who stay. (Yeah, I know it really isn’t much; it’s the psychology of it, though.) Magazines and stuff offer low trial subscription rates to get you in the door, and I think that makes sense here. If not that, then maybe dump the renew-at-50%-of-the-newbie-rate deal, and have all subscriptions and renewals alike after 4/21 cost the same, say $9.95. I’d like to second this suggestion. It’s clear from the posts that $4.95 is considered a tremendous bargain. $9.95 would be fine with me and I agree that it is less of a hurdle for newbies. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/125 "2004-03-18T23:06:38Z")
Huzzah! Well, it’s about damn time! I used to be a member of the “I won’t pay for anything on the Net” club and then my favorite Website, [Salon.com](http://Salon.com), went pay. I had a crisis of ethics and my ethics were conquered by my desire to keep reading. It’s worth it to support sites that are worth it. I’ll be jostling to be first in line. ---
**Author:** ![Phedre\_no\_Delaunay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/839c29/32.png) [@Phedre\_no\_Delaunay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phedre_no_Delaunay)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/126 "2004-03-18T23:06:49Z")
After finally working up my nerve to begin posting rather than just lurking only recently, I guess I’m hooked. Think of it this way, it’s less than the cost of a paperback book! That’s pretty dang cheap! If y’all do decide to allow avatars and custom sigs, can you make sure they are small and unobtrusive? Some of the places that allow avatars (which I have less of a problem with) and custom sigs (some of these are very annoying!) are very difficult to read with all the blinky, animated crap going on. I know I’m really new so my opinion doesn’t count for very much, but the absence of blinky, animated crap makes this place a joy to read! I hadn’t given much thought to the security issues with the CC payment, but now that it’s been brought up by others, I hope the powers-that-be will address them. Some of the questions about this are really good, and I’d like to know the answers as well. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/127 "2004-03-18T23:07:54Z")
I’m in. The only things I suggest are (a) what **Left Hand of Dorkness** said about the expiration period, so people don’t wait until the last minute, and (b) in conjuction with that, a special bonus for early registrants: if you sign up within the first, say, ten days, you get to choose your own title. I just really want a custom title. 🙂 I am a little concerned about what others have suggested, that the new blood on which this board thrives may become a little scarce, but I expect the Powers That Be can tweak the guest-member settings (60 days instead of 30, or limited searches, or whatever) if they see it becoming a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/128 "2004-03-18T23:08:28Z")
You know, all the complaints about “class distinctions” and stuff… Dudes, we’re _already_ elitist. Watch the way “witnesses” and “true believers” of all sorts are cut into sharkbait when they come in. And I like it that way. ---
**Author:** ![LVgeogeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@LVgeogeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVgeogeek)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/129 "2004-03-18T23:08:57Z")
I am a SDMB junkie 😃 … Ill pay to stay. Ill even sponser a Doper who really needs it 🙂 email me if you need sponsership ---
**Author:** ![harmless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/2acd7d/32.png) [@harmless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmless)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/130 "2004-03-18T23:09:23Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Only $4.95 for the first year, if we subscribe before April 21st? I would have expected, and paid, that much per month. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Don’t give them any ideas! I’m looking in couch cushions as 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 18, 2004, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/131 "2004-03-18T23:17:09Z")
… that you can, of course, nominate others as well. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/132 "2004-03-18T23:17:24Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > Pit thread in 3…2…1… > I’m in. [Please place all SDMB subscription complaints in this thread, you cheapskates!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=245873) (There’s another in IMHO too) ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/133 "2004-03-18T23:19:36Z")
I’m not posting much anymore for reasons ranging from (a) actual life interferes, to (z) I’m not sure of the wisdom of continuing to participate in an activity that about half the time pisses me off. (But ah, that other half . . . .) But for four and a half years of entertainment, I figure I owe considerably more than five bucks. And I may want to post more anyway, considering that the SDMB is more addicting than crack. So I’m in for at least the first year, and if during that time I just wander away, well, so long and thanks for all the fish. ---
**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 18, 2004, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/134 "2004-03-18T23:22:31Z")
> [@wakimika](#): > > Also, there really should be a system that will allow those without paypal or plastic to mail in money orders. I second that emotion. Or checks. How about debit cards? I have one of those with pretty yellow daisies on it that is still virgin, altho I had hoped to keep it from being deflowered. [Homer] Mmmm…French kisses from Ed… [/Homer] ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/135 "2004-03-18T23:31:17Z")
> [@wakimika](#): > > Well, so much for anonymity. The Dope will now have a database of **real** names and cc info linked to email addy’s and usernames. I have to agree with this. I don’t give my identity or any personal info that possibly could lead to it/provide for some link to it, to anyone of any website (let be one where I post) and I’m not going to do this ever. I suppose there must be other people in an identical situation. For every problem there is of course a solution… Yet before I go for that : If there is an other possibility to pay subscribtion then the ones suggested, could you let that be known please? Thank you. Salaam. A ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/136 "2004-03-18T23:33:22Z")
Credit card processing companies do the currency conversion automatically. It’s just like using your ATM or debit card in a different country. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/137 "2004-03-18T23:34:30Z")
Well, I’m in. I paid $24.95 for an art site and even though I’m getting some exposure there (but I do use screenblock. SPF Aleph null) it’s not half as interesting as the SDMB. I will have to make an arrangement with somebody though, as I live in a strict cash/money order/barter/plasma center economy. Just kidding about the plasma. Haven’t done that since college ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/138 "2004-03-18T23:35:35Z")
… and one of these days I’ll learn to check the number of pages in a thread before replying to a post on the first page… ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/139 "2004-03-18T23:40:09Z")
I put my $5.00 bill in that cute round pop-out drink tray on my computer and it took the money in. Did you get it yet? Actually, I think $4.95 is perfect. A token thanks for the work you guys have done over the years, a little cash to keep things working, and a small step in keeping the wild-eyed, fly-by-night flamers away. Even the $14.95 is no biggie. I agree with what the others have said - it’s about time! ---
**Author:** ![Hugh\_Jass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4da419/32.png) [@Hugh\_Jass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hugh_Jass)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724/140 "2004-03-18T23:40:59Z")
Posted this in the pit thread, but decided to post here too. These are comments, more than complaints. If I’ve duplicated other comments, I apologize. 1. It took me longer than 30 days to get into the Dope. I think there are a lot of people who could make a contribution to the Dope that might not get hooked right away. I think this would help with the “keeping fresh blood” issue. I’d like to suggest a 90 day trial membership. With the annoying popup for the last 30 days. 2. I think the “Jerk Rules” need to be clarified. I can live with a loose interpretation of this for a free board. But if I’m paying, I’d like to have a better set of guidelines. 3. I think paying posters should be subject to a “time out” or suspension on their first ban-worthy offense. It seems reasonable for a paying customer to receive better treatment than a guest 4. I’m worried that a clique of paying members will develop that will be unfriendly/unwelcoming to guests. Guests haven’t earned their stripes, so to speak. I can see posters deriding the comments made by guests. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724.md?page=8)