Do you pay to post on any message boards?

stevew · 09-29-2009, 01:11 AM

The reason I ask, is that a site I usually visit recently adopted a stricter contributors only policy. Anyone with >X posts was told they could either pay a membership fee(minimal amount of like 6 bucks a month) or couldn't post there anymore.

Me personally, I posted roughly once per day there, and I can't see chipping in anything for that little amount of usage.

I guess I can see the model of minimal advertising, and server dues. But I tend to lean towards the fact that advertising should support a site. Although if an occasional "chip in" is needed, I can see doing that. Like to renew the vBulletin license.

Thoughts?

Lathum · 09-29-2009, 01:18 AM

I guess if it meant FOFC going away I would kick in a few bucks, but that is because I am a long time member here with relationships.

I would never pay to post on a board that I had no clue of the dynamics.

Groundhog · 09-29-2009, 01:20 AM

I don't pay to use any msg boards. If FOFC became a pay-to-post place, not sure what I'd do. I guess I'd pay, but the quality of the boards would probably suffer with the people that would be lost, which probably isnt as much of an issue with bigger boards.

stevew · 09-29-2009, 01:23 AM

It's a very well run site, so I'm not trying to diss it in any way.

I'd probably still hang around here if it wasn't free, but I certainly wouldn't join somewhere that was "pay only."

stevew · 09-29-2009, 01:27 AM

Dola-
This is not a porno site, it's one of the best Steelers sites on the interwebs.

JediKooter · 09-29-2009, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew

Dola-
This is not a porno site, it's one of the best Steelers sites on the interwebs.

Hmmmmm...so many ways to go with this one...

RainMaker · 09-29-2009, 03:02 AM

Sometimes pay-to-post is good for a message board. It usually keeps out the riff-raff and trolls, as well people aren't as anonymous as they'd feel with a throwaway hotmail address. It adds a little more civility to a message board.

At the same time, if you're picky, you can find those boards that are free and still great. I'm not opposed to paying, but I prefer the donation method much more.

Sgran · 09-29-2009, 06:58 AM

Can't imagine paying for a forum. maybe with company money for an industry-related forum.

spleen1015 · 09-29-2009, 07:16 AM

I don't think I would ever pay to post any where.

Dr. Sak · 09-29-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew

Dola-
This is not a porno site, it's one of the best Steelers sites on the interwebs.

So you pay for the mullets?

CU Tiger · 09-29-2009, 07:21 AM

depends...I pay/subscribe to a couple business related, and there is a local non business related one I pay, but its only $7/year (still x 6,000 members not a bad side job for someone)

Marc Vaughan · 09-29-2009, 07:40 AM

I 'pay to post' only for technical support style setups - for instance I'm a subscribed developer on various 'platforms' and they frequently do their support via. messageboards and/or newsgroups .... so you could argue I'm paying to use those forums.

For a general 'chitchat' board though, no I wouldn't pay a subscription although I might make small donations if requested.

fantom1979 · 09-29-2009, 08:56 AM

There are quite a few general discussion forums out there, so I couldn't imagine paying to use one of those.

SnDvls · 09-29-2009, 03:17 PM

scout & rivals "insider" pages make you pay for the "premium" info.
So I guess in a way I pay to post, but a general message board like this no.

Flasch186 · 09-29-2009, 03:18 PM

whoops i said sure but thats wrong so dont count that 1 as a 1 but as a none

Karlifornia · 09-29-2009, 03:33 PM

Used to pay for Stanford's premium scout.com membership, but can't really afford it at this point.

I like Deadspin's policy of auditioning before you get to comment, but that's kind of different than a message board.

Subby · 09-29-2009, 04:32 PM

Bonuswhores.com used to have a private casino-whoring forum that cost $30 per month. That paid off big time. Plus, much of it was fascinating in a look-at-these-degenerate-criminals sort of way.

Pumpy Tudors · 09-29-2009, 04:33 PM

Why pay for a forum when I can watch SkyDog talk shit about this one for free?

digamma · 09-29-2009, 04:33 PM

I've paid for content (college sports) before, but doubt I would pay for the ability to add my own content.

BishopMVP · 09-29-2009, 05:07 PM

I chipped in once for the primary UMass sports message board which is run out of pocket with little/no advertising revenue when I ran into other posters at a tailgate, and would if FOFC needed money for a domain license and I could figure out a way that doesn't involve paypal or a credit card. But a subscription or money that's going into someone's pocket? Never.

SackAttack · 09-29-2009, 05:10 PM

So, uh, does the monthly broadband bill count?

mckerney · 09-29-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew

The reason I ask, is that a site I usually visit recently adopted a stricter contributors only policy. Anyone with >X posts was told they could either pay a membership fee(minimal amount of like 6 bucks a month) or couldn't post there anymore.

Me personally, I posted roughly once per day there, and I can't see chipping in anything for that little amount of usage.

I guess I can see the model of minimal advertising, and server dues. But I tend to lean towards the fact that advertising should support a site. Although if an occasional "chip in" is needed, I can see doing that. Like to renew the vBulletin license.

Thoughts?

I'd consider paying for a forum I like if it were something like MetaFilter where there's a $5 fee to sign up a new account. Not too much to help support, and it helps to keep trolls away. Not sure if I'd go for something with a monthly or yearly subscription to post somewhere though.

Swaggs · 09-29-2009, 06:01 PM

I pay for the WVU scout.com premium content and messageboard.

lungs · 09-29-2009, 06:27 PM

I would never pay to post on a forum. Why would I pay for the right for nobody to give a shit what I have to say?

Noop · 09-29-2009, 06:33 PM

I pay for rivals but that's about it.

stevew · 09-29-2009, 08:20 PM

Rivals actually gets you news and such.

DanGarion · 09-30-2009, 01:39 PM

I paid for search and archive search access at Something Awful years ago. It's paid off since then. But I'd have to have a real reason to want to do it again in the future. I think my acceptance to not block banner ads is enough.

NewIdentity · 09-30-2009, 07:13 PM

Never. People asking for a handout never get my money.

But, if they get off their ass and sell me something, coffee mug, T-shirt, Candy Bar, Basically anything where I am getting something for my Money and the organization is getting something back from the retail sale. I just need the People to show me a little work on their part, for me to hand over my money.

I thought this was why you see all those Amazon links on websites?

View Poll Results: Pay to post
Never	48	80.00%
Sure	4	6.67%
chip in occasionally, but not regularly	8	13.33%
Voters: 60. You may not vote on this poll

09-29-2009, 01:20 AM	#3
Groundhog Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia	I don't pay to use any msg boards. If FOFC became a pay-to-post place, not sure what I'd do. I guess I'd pay, but the quality of the boards would probably suffer with the people that would be lost, which probably isnt as much of an issue with bigger boards. __________________ Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. --Ambrose Bierce

09-29-2009, 06:58 AM	#8
Sgran High School Varsity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Budapest	Can't imagine paying for a forum. maybe with company money for an industry-related forum. __________________ What the hell is Mike Brown diagramming for them during timeouts? Is he like the guy from "Memento" or something? Guys, I just thought of something … what if we ran a high screen for LeBron?

09-29-2009, 07:16 AM	#9
spleen1015 Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2003	I don't think I would ever pay to post any where. __________________ Why choose failure when success is an option?

09-29-2009, 03:18 PM	#15
Flasch186 Coordinator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL	whoops i said sure but thats wrong so dont count that 1 as a 1 but as a none __________________ Jacksonville-florida-homes-for-sale Putting a New Spin on Real Estate! ----------------------------------------------------------- Commissioner of the USFL USFL

09-29-2009, 01:18 AM	#2
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	I guess if it meant FOFC going away I would kick in a few bucks, but that is because I am a long time member here with relationships. I would never pay to post on a board that I had no clue of the dynamics.

09-29-2009, 01:23 AM	#4
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	It's a very well run site, so I'm not trying to diss it in any way. I'd probably still hang around here if it wasn't free, but I certainly wouldn't join somewhere that was "pay only."

09-29-2009, 01:27 AM	#5
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	Dola- This is not a porno site, it's one of the best Steelers sites on the interwebs.

09-29-2009, 03:02 AM	#7
RainMaker General Manager Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL	Sometimes pay-to-post is good for a message board. It usually keeps out the riff-raff and trolls, as well people aren't as anonymous as they'd feel with a throwaway hotmail address. It adds a little more civility to a message board. At the same time, if you're picky, you can find those boards that are free and still great. I'm not opposed to paying, but I prefer the donation method much more.

09-29-2009, 07:21 AM	#11
CU Tiger Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Backwoods, SC	depends...I pay/subscribe to a couple business related, and there is a local non business related one I pay, but its only $7/year (still x 6,000 members not a bad side job for someone)

09-29-2009, 07:40 AM	#12
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	I 'pay to post' only for technical support style setups - for instance I'm a subscribed developer on various 'platforms' and they frequently do their support via. messageboards and/or newsgroups .... so you could argue I'm paying to use those forums. For a general 'chitchat' board though, no I wouldn't pay a subscription although I might make small donations if requested.

09-29-2009, 08:56 AM	#13
fantom1979 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sterling Heights, Mi	There are quite a few general discussion forums out there, so I couldn't imagine paying to use one of those.

09-29-2009, 03:17 PM	#14
SnDvls Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2001	scout & rivals "insider" pages make you pay for the "premium" info. So I guess in a way I pay to post, but a general message board like this no.

09-29-2009, 03:33 PM	#16
Karlifornia Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	Used to pay for Stanford's premium scout.com membership, but can't really afford it at this point. I like Deadspin's policy of auditioning before you get to comment, but that's kind of different than a message board. __________________ Look into the mind of a crazy man (NSFW) http://www.whitepowerupdate.wordpress.com

09-29-2009, 04:32 PM	#17
Subby lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: sans pants	Bonuswhores.com used to have a private casino-whoring forum that cost $30 per month. That paid off big time. Plus, much of it was fascinating in a look-at-these-degenerate-criminals sort of way. __________________ Superman was flying around and saw Wonder Woman getting a tan in the nude on her balcony. Superman said I going to hit that real fast. So he flys down toward Wonder Woman to hit it and their is a loud scream. The Invincible Man scream what just hit me in the ass!!!!! I do shit, I take pictures, I write about it: chrisshue.com Last edited by Subby : 09-29-2009 at 04:32 PM.

09-29-2009, 04:33 PM	#18
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	Why pay for a forum when I can watch SkyDog talk shit about this one for free? __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor. Last edited by Pumpy Tudors : 09-29-2009 at 04:33 PM.

09-29-2009, 04:33 PM	#19
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	I've paid for content (college sports) before, but doubt I would pay for the ability to add my own content.

09-29-2009, 05:07 PM	#20
BishopMVP Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Concord, MA/UMass	I chipped in once for the primary UMass sports message board which is run out of pocket with little/no advertising revenue when I ran into other posters at a tailgate, and would if FOFC needed money for a domain license and I could figure out a way that doesn't involve paypal or a credit card. But a subscription or money that's going into someone's pocket? Never.

09-29-2009, 05:10 PM	#21
SackAttack Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI	So, uh, does the monthly broadband bill count?

09-29-2009, 06:01 PM	#23
Swaggs Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	I pay for the WVU scout.com premium content and messageboard. __________________ DOWN WITH HATTRICK!!! The RWBL Are you reading In The Bleachers?

09-29-2009, 06:27 PM	#24
lungs Pro Rookie Join Date: May 2002 Location: Prairie du Sac, WI	I would never pay to post on a forum. Why would I pay for the right for nobody to give a shit what I have to say?

09-29-2009, 06:33 PM	#25
Noop Bonafide Seminole Fan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Miami	I pay for rivals but that's about it. __________________ Subby's favorite woman hater.

09-29-2009, 08:20 PM	#26
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	Rivals actually gets you news and such.

09-30-2009, 01:39 PM	#27
DanGarion Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Great Northwest	I paid for search and archive search access at Something Awful years ago. It's paid off since then. But I'd have to have a real reason to want to do it again in the future. I think my acceptance to not block banner ads is enough. __________________ Los Angeles Dodgers Check out the FOFC Groups on Facebook! and Reddit! DON'T REPORT ME BRO!

09-30-2009, 07:13 PM	#28
NewIdentity High School JV Join Date: Jun 2009	Never. People asking for a handout never get my money. But, if they get off their ass and sell me something, coffee mug, T-shirt, Candy Bar, Basically anything where I am getting something for my Money and the organization is getting something back from the retail sale. I just need the People to show me a little work on their part, for me to hand over my money. I thought this was why you see all those Amazon links on websites? __________________ I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. Michael Jordan

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