I’m not sure what the always looming threat of closure has to do with this, but I’m pretty sure that the time it takes to build up to the break even point would be shortened by going to free subscriptions immediately- in fact that is precisely WHY they said they are switching business plans. They already have 3 different Google ad models going for guests, what the heck else is he trying to get into place?
You know what? I’m not even going to bother arguing with you. I just realized you have already been warned about your attitude in the “Sponsorship” thread.
Membership will continue regardless, if you have a problem with the company continuing to accept memberships, take Marley’s advise and take it to the Pit. I’m done with you.
If your cable company asked you pay for a year’s service to get 2 months service, would you just pay it? How about paying for a full year of internet access to get only a couple months?
I also said that the personal stuff doesn’t belong in this forum, regardless of who it’s coming from. And my comments were notes, not a formal warning.
Well, you’d still get this: Improving the SDMB - About This Message Board - Straight Dope Message Board
That seems reasonable to me at the charter member rate. If I were a regular member, I’d take a posting sabbatical until the new system kicks in. YMMV.
Another option - although undoubtably a hassle - would be to allow shorter-term memberships, say for $1.50/month – so people wouldn’t have to pay $15 for two months before the board goes free.
Probably not feasible, but I’m tossing it out there.
If I’ve overstepped the line I do apologize. :smack:
That’s the plan. It’ll be a win-win for the sdmb, since I’ll be generating ad views while not having the ability to post.
Unlike a frightening number of charter members, I actually do want to support the boards, and I don’t care a whit about titles. Since, as Ed says, paying for no ads costs the sdmb money compared to not paying and generating ad views, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Thanks, Ed. I just re-subscribed on the basis of this information. I’d have preferred to save the $15, but it’s just not that big a deal… a few months ago I’d been planning to re-up for a year anyway, so it’s not like I’m losing anything. The worst interpretation is that the SDMB has suddenly shot up to a whopping $5 / month. People pay more for magazines with far less content.
If the membership fee for my club is worth it to me, I’ll pay the price. If not, I won’t.
Fairness doesn’t enter into the equation.
I see how things run in the world of medicine. Frankly, they run only slightly less smoothly in the world of the SDMB.
I re-upped too, as I really don’t want to forget later.
I resubscribed for the small painted wooden duck.
Wait, wait! Was there a box to check?! 
I chose the “best of the SDMB 1999-2001” CD. Damn, reading those old threads is great.
I subscribed for the tote bag, because I need something throw in the back of my closet with my zillions of other unused promotional tote bags.
Perhaps you can use your new SDMB Tote Bag to tote all of your other unused promotional tote bags? 
Not quite true. Having recently renewed, I decided to go in and renew again. Why? Because I like this place and I am happy to pay my $7.48 a year and more to help keep it going and don’t give two hoots whether this pays for two months or a year. But it wouldn’t let me. You cannot renew when your subscription expires in more than 12 months time.
Just renewed.
I was going to wait for free posting, but, really, the seven and a half bucks is negligible and I couldn’t face the prospect of losing posting privileges until the new setup is complete.
I re-subscribed, and all I got was a label on my postings saying “Charter Member”. Is there a secret URL you need to go to for the tote bag?
I’d send you mine, but if I went into the back of my closet, I’m afraid the jumble of tote bags would attack and hold me hostage.
(In case your question is serious, the tote bag/duck/CD/etc. is a joke riff on the various subscription bonuses you get when sponsoring public TV/radio, subscribing to magazines, etc. There is no actual swag to be gotten here, unless you want to by Straight Dope gear on your own dime from the link on the SD front page.)
Sweet lord. Why is it when anyone makes a stupid joke around here a dozen people have to pile into the thread to make the exact same joke and fill up the whole thread with it. You guys are why Tuba has to close down every thread that goes through ATMB. Is a little self control on the “submit reply” button too much to ask?