who forgot to pay the bill?

[iobidder]

Unless MDS is a non profit, soliciting and taking donations make it a 'paid site.'

Not to beat a dead horse here but I don't believe your evaluation period on this site has expired...no it hasn't and you're not grandfathered in here whereas you don't have to pay and remain. There's no solicitation, he's not selling a thing. Asking for contributions doesn't make something for profit. '

Many not for profit organizations ask for contributions, the minute they receive a check doesn't make them for profit....ever.

 

[swinokur]

Ever heard of PBS?

 

[iobidder]

Ever heard of PBS?

No, not at all

 

[erwos]

This whole "let's not have a bifurcated system of payees and non-payees" concept strikes me as bizarre, because that's what we already have.

IPs are like tiny gods on this forum, and it's not always because they've earned it by being good people or good stores or whatever - it's because they've paid up their $400 a year. They've got their own special private forum, even, that us non-paying proles can't see. Tell an unfortunate truth about one, and you'll be told how they're supporting the forum, and you need to address that problem with them privately. That's special treatment because they paid up if I've ever heard of it.

I have no particular need to be treated like a tiny god, but some of us really like this forum and would like to be special, too - by showing our commitment via monetary support, and having the usual membership benefits. You want a rule about not calling out non-members, I'm totally onboard. But the current system massively favors industry over consumers, and restoring some balance while supporting MDS - how is that not a bad thing?

 

[Maverick0313]

Ever heard of PBS?

 

[iobidder]

This whole "let's not have a bifurcated system of payees and non-payees" concept strikes me as bizarre, because that's what we already have.

IPs are like tiny gods on this forum, and it's not always because they've earned it by being good people or good stores or whatever - it's because they've paid up their $400 a year. They've got their own special private forum, even, that us non-paying proles can't see. Tell an unfortunate truth about one, and you'll be told how they're supporting the forum, and you need to address that problem with them privately. That's special treatment because they paid up if I've ever heard of it.

I have no particular need to be treated like a tiny god, but some of us really like this forum and would like to be special, too - by showing our commitment via monetary support, and having the usual membership benefits. You want a rule about not calling out non-members, I'm totally onboard. But the current system massively favors industry over consumers, and restoring some balance while supporting MDS - how is that not a bad thing?

I am not sure I understand where you going with that...are you saying that a 'tiny god' on this forum is already entitled so it bothers you to have more than one different class of membership on this forum? If so....IT IS FREE TO JOIN! No one is forcing you, and certainly no one is handcuffing you either.

If that is not what you are saying, OMIT the previous and please clarify. Thx.

I swear...some of you here just love to make mountains out of mole hills and fast. Asking is NOT demanding or required, and certainly that's not how it was worded.

 

[Mr H]

This whole "let's not have a bifurcated system of payees and non-payees" concept strikes me as bizarre, because that's what we already have.

IPs are like tiny gods on this forum, and it's not always because they've earned it by being good people or good stores or whatever - it's because they've paid up their $400 a year. They've got their own special private forum, even, that us non-paying proles can't see. Tell an unfortunate truth about one, and you'll be told how they're supporting the forum, and you need to address that problem with them privately. That's special treatment because they paid up if I've ever heard of it.

I have no particular need to be treated like a tiny god, but some of us really like this forum and would like to be special, too - by showing our commitment via monetary support, and having the usual membership benefits. You want a rule about not calling out non-members, I'm totally onboard. But the current system massively favors industry over consumers, and restoring some balance while supporting MDS - how is that not a bad thing?

Please...

IPs are forum SPONSORS. They assist in paying the freight for the rest of us. In return, they are able to hawk their wares. NBD.

The rest of us have the option to contribute or not, and no one is judged for it. We also have the option to visit at our leisure... or not.

You seem to have a case of IP-ness envy, and it's unbecoming.

 

[jjbduke2004]

After Derek's takeover I vowed not to return, as did many others.

I'm still sad about that. Hopefully Oleg got a nice chunk of change in the settlement.

 

[PJDiesel]

On shotgun world, you can pay a small fee to be a "bonus" member. Bonus members don't see ads, whereas non-bonus members get a bunch.

Which is the way it should be. Most times when I mention this people are offended.

 

[swinokur]

Well, the owner of the forum doesn't feel as you do. I'm good with the current model.

But my opinion doesn't really matter, as this is a privately owned forum.

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

Now we get to see who has a bonus member...

Count me out.

 

[erwos]

I am not sure I understand where you going with that...are you saying that a 'tiny god' on this forum is already entitled so it bothers you to have more than one different class of membership on this forum? If so....IT IS FREE TO JOIN! No one is forcing you, and certainly no one is handcuffing you either.

You're missing the point. The argument the mods are using against having paid membership options is that they don't want two classes of posters. My point was, we already have that, so please offer some options to those of not hocking wares. How that suddenly became "get rid of IPs", I don't know.

IPs are forum SPONSORS. They assist in paying the freight for the rest of us. In return, they are able to hawk their wares. NBD.

It's like you're proving my point for me. I hit the favoritism that the IPs get, and you respond with a vigorous defense of said special treatment. This "special favorite posters" was contrary to the stated aims of the mods, and I was pointing out that they already exist. I don't envy the IPs, they are what they are. I simply want options for us "normal posters" to have our own places and memberships, to be non-commercial sponsors, too.

 

[PJDiesel]

Well, the owner of the forum doesn't feel as you do. I'm good with the current model.

Norton said he wasn't sure exactly what would happen. VB based internet forums must be new to some of the members here, I've seen them go from free with zero ads to a full pay to play (in most sections) AND banner ads. When that happens, I'll gladly pay.

Constantly whining that if it wasn't a "free" site you'd have to leave seems a bit childish.

 

[swinokur]

I think the owner wants the forum to be free, not the primary goal of establishing two classes of memberships. The free forum came first, then the IP program. IMO it wasn't the goal to have 2 classes of memberships. It seems like it was an organic thing as the forum grew. I see no point to go further if it's not a fiscal reality that it's needed.

Just my opinion.

 

[erwos]

I think the owner wants the forum to be free, not the primary goal of establishing two classes of memberships. The free forum came first, then the IP program. IMO it wasn't the goal to have 2 classes of memberships. It seems like it was an organic thing as the forum grew. I see no point to go further if it's not a fiscal reality that it's needed.

But... they do need it. They're asking for money from non-IPs. As noted before, I gladly paid up both times, more than I paid for my ARFCOM membership. I just think it should be more of an official program. I mean, you may as well ask why the IPs don't just pony up the money on demand without the IP program, right?

Is anyone really arguing to go full pay to play? I think all that anyone's really asking for is an icon and a private forum or two in exchange for some yearly membership fee. It's not really a big deal, and as I said, a rule about not calling out non-members would fix the theorized problem with it.

 

[swinokur]

Norton said he wasn't sure exactly what would happen. VB based internet forums must be new to some of the members here, I've seen them go from free with zero ads to a full pay to play (in most sections) AND banner ads. When that happens, I'll gladly pay.

Constantly whining that if it wasn't a "free" site you'd have to leave seems a bit childish.

Well, you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

I never said I'd leave. i said I liked the environment here because the owner wants it to be free.

 

[swinokur]

The associated costs and work related to a membership type of system would seem to be something the owners and mods don't want to take on. It seems almost like a full time job for the mods to just keep the inmates in line. (not pointing any fingers)

Adding administrative responsibilities seems like something Don and Norton don't want to take on. It's easy for those of us not involved in running this place to opine how how it should be run.

reality seems to dictate otherwise.

 

[iobidder]

You're missing the point. The argument the mods are using against having paid membership options is that they don't want two classes of posters. My point was, we already have that, so please offer some options to those of not hocking wares. How that suddenly became "get rid of IPs", I don't know.

No I'm not, I get it, you don't want generalized with how bold and colorful your screen name is as IPs have already. People have a series of options, don't join, join, don't donate or donate. Same as IPs, either pay to be an IP or don't pay and don't be an IP.

I'm sure it is fully understood some cannot afford to do so, and with that said no one is bashing them or booting them off the forum. This isn't a big deal not at all.



Sent from my iPad Mini using Tapatalk

 

[vector03]

I think offering members a "Members Lounge" section wouldn't be a bad thing, If one isn't forced to join to continue the access they have now, why not?

Wouldn't offering this "Lounge" still keep the site free?

 

[PJDiesel]

I think offering members a "Members Lounge" section wouldn't be a bad thing, If one isn't forced to join to continue the access they have now, why not?

Wouldn't offering this "Lounge" still keep the site free?

Completely. It would most definitely alleviate the every so often issue of people crying about water cooler content.

The fear of people not being able to afford a premium member status makes no sense, it wouldn't be required to view 98% of the site.