This is a PRIVATE FORUM. If you don't like the RULE then why not leave and quit whining!

[j@cko]

Some people are whining about what used to be free and now they have to pay for it. Well, if you already don't know, this is a PRIVATE FORUM... not a public DUH~.. so if you don't like it nither shut up or leave.

This thread is flamebait. Or was, since it's now locked.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[crab]

Nobody needs to pay for anything...

 

[gopunk]

i don't know where anybody came up with that... i saw the subscription page, and if you look at it, there's *nothing* that says you have to pay. it just says you'll get added bonuses if you pay.

 

[j@cko]

That's what I am saying...
Cu'z I saw some people posting in another thread that "why pay what used to be free" or something like that...
I mean no one force them to pay... but if they don't like it, why not just shut up or just leave. It's just my opinion.

 

[SinNisTeR]

i agree with you guys.. there is no need to get bent over this. i think ppl are just mad cuz they think that they are getting the crumbs while the ppl that pay get the whole enchilada. but crumbs work nonetheless. i like crumbs.. yum.

 

[MichaelD]

OK, I'll bite. I saw that post about the "Subscriber Service". I fully understand the message that Anand was trying to convey. It was clear as the proverbial bell. Here's my concern. Now let me say that "my concern" is b/c I've seen this happen before with many other sites.

My concern is that eventually, the FREE AT will go away. IOW, you'll go to WWW.ANANDTECH.COM and be directed to a login page. No password, no access. Of course, to get a Pword you have to be a paying customer.

Before you go and flame me, pleae read the preceeding paragraph anew. Thanks. I LOVE AT! 1/2 of what I know, I learned here. I applaud Anand for saying "this site helps thousands of users a month" He's 100% correct. This site helped me build my first home-built PC. It's helped me troubleshoot problems, helped me locate resources and definitely provided me with hours of entertainment. (Can U say OT on a rainy Saturday night?) I'll do my part to keep this place going....I just hope it doesn't turn into a purely for-profit site.

 

[ChrichtonsGirl]

I don't think I was whining in the other thread when I said I wasn't going to buy it, but after I posted, I thought maybe I should have said more to explain.

I also love AT - and I'm not anything close to a computer expert, so my contributions and benefits are very limited. I really like a lot of people I've "met" here and have fun reading posts and learning stuff now and then. I joined AT's SETI team and run it every day, even though I don't produce many work units, because I do like this place and a lot of people here and I try to do what I can when I can to show it.

I won't pay to subscribe though, but it's a personal choice that isn't about whether or not it "should" be free. I know it's expensive to run this place and the forums are a drain - I certainly don't blame Anand for making the decision to offer additional benefits for a small fee. He'd be a dumb businessperson if he kept this venture as it lost money. So he's striking a balance between paying subscribers and members who have access to most things that are free.

I don't conduct business here, I don't sell or trade things, I'm not building my own computer right now and when I go into the Highly Technical forum, my ears bleed. I'm also on a highly limited income as a mostly single parent, I'm thinking about starting a home-based business because it looks like my health is going to keep me at home for a while and I have a kid who'll be going to college in about 9 years. To me, $30 a year is unaffordable, although it's a teeny amount in the overall scheme of things. And because I don't contribute all that often anyway.....I guess it's okay if I can't access the forums sometimes because there's too much non-subscriber traffic.

I can't afford to pay a fee for the degree of companionship and amusement I get here, and since I don't have any professional need for the forums, I guess I'll just take my chances and stay a regular old member without the bells and whistles. And if it eventually goes to all paid subscribers, that's okay too. I understand why it'd be done.

 

By posting useless opinions like this post, you are using bandwidth, further pushing the need for money.
Congratulations, you have just contributed to all the bitching you hate.

 

[777joee]

Well said Sammy Son. I just paid the $30 and it is worth it IMHO. The site is still FREE to use. You know if want a better beer you pay more for it. I hate BUD @ $3.00 but I like Newcastle @ $8.00 a sixpack.





That reminds me I think I'll have another!

 

[MustangSVT]

<< Some people are whining about what used to be free and now they have to pay for it. Well, if you already don't know, this is a PRIVATE FORUM... not a public DUH~.. so if you don't like it nither shut up or leave. >>



i thought this was a public forum... how is it private again?

 

[gopunk]

well i think he was just saying that it's privately owned.

 

[Ultima200]

Paying to use an internet forum??? Whats next, a tax on emails???? Seriously though, like Russ said in one of the threads, the only reason he is starting this so called premium service is because it is a drain on his personal income. Why pay to use something that should be free and is free everywhere else?? Oh yeah i forgot, its private so they can do whatever the DELETED the want.



BTW, j@cko- stop drying to be a god damn goody tooshoes, you are really acting like a tool.


And you sir are acting like one too.
Cut the crap,If I see you swearing like that again,you will lose your privelage of posting here.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[ISAslot]

You can still click the babe thread links for free! :Q

Be happy!