[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Mandatory Team Member Status...??? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/11/2005 9:04:59 PM EDT
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With all the recent BS going on around here and with the constant trolling of DUers and other asswhole punks....Do you think ARF.com should make it mandatory to pony up the cash to become a team member in order to view and post on this site? I'm just looking for honest opinions, but if past events dictate the future of even this thread then I'm not looking for much...It'll probably end up being swamped with sarcastic pricks. I realize that sarcasm is needed sometimes, I often us it with my friends to generate a good laugh, but there's a time and place for everything.  I'm just getting pissed because I can remember when I first joined, I could come here and find out all kinds of information that I would have never known before, if it wasn't for this site I probably would have never owned an AR  . I'm currently not a team member, because I'm still and student and funds are extremely limited, but if it became mandatory I'd definitely round up the greenbacks....in fact I think I'm going to anyway.
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When I first came here I didn't really notice the bullshit either, but then again I only stuck to the AR-15 board and the EE. I think it wasn't until I ventured over to General Discussion that I noticed all the "drama". I say if all you wan't info with no other discussion stick to those parts of the board. That's what's great about this place, a little something for everyone. Digital |
You may be on to something. Most trolls wouldn't pony up the 5 bucks for basic status, but you'd still have to pay 20+ for the cool Team Member status. Digital |
I'm not just looking to make MY arfcom experience better, I would like it to be better for everyone (that's not a troll of course). |
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No, no, and no. I know if i stumbled across this place for the first time and saw that I had to pay for it, I would've just passed it on by, and I have a feeling a lot of other people are with me on that. That being said, people that have thousands and thousands of posts that have been on for years should probably pony up the cash if they can at all spare it. :) |
WTF does your post count matter?....Obviously I'm not a post whore, but I've been here for over 2 years. I always thought you learn more by listening than talking (typing), maybe that's just my southern raisin'..? I only post when I have something constructive to say, or if it's MY thread. Post whores can do what they want......I'm just not one, and I don't see how your number of posts has anything to do with donating cash....WTF? To me....the information that is available on this site is worth the membership fee. |
Hey I am a college student, Isn't that the excuse? If not let me know the new one. 
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There may be some merit to the idea of a "pay to post" system. The cost would have to be low, and you wouldn't want to restrict any viewing privilages for non-paying guests. That way you could read and learn without posting, or pony up and fork out $5.oo for posting privilages. It's an idea, but it would come with a drop in people visiting the site. I for one would be gone. Sure, I might stop in and read a few threads now and then, but often times money is tight. I couldn't justify any cash donations for such a recreational thing. I mean, in reality hanging out on this site is only slightly better than vegin' out infront of the TV. |
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i'd like to see the member's only areas expanded a little more. less "IBTL", "+1", "Pie", "I'd Hit it", "removed", etc. etc. and MAYBE a little more gun talk. perhaps archive some of the good info and actually be able to search it more than 90 days back? >>>>>>>>>>Edited out "the phrase that shall not be mentioned"......threefiftynone www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=305565&page=1 |
Funny thing about arfcom, if you leave it alone generally things will fix themselves. |
No just that some people who currently dont pay probaly would put up $5. If someone really wanted to start shit they would still pay the $5 a few have payed $20+ for membership before. |
I agree with not restricting viewing, but c'mon $5 for a whole year ain't bad, just skip one meal for one day out of the whole year. I don't visit too many sites because I find all I need here, and on glocktalk.com, and knifeforums.com...of which the later two are not filled with alot of trolls and BS, which is my main reason behind the madatory membership...to eliminate some "problems." I definitely wouldn't want to create more problems. |
| absolutley not. not only have Goatboy and EDsr made that fact overly clear we have A LOT of good memebrs that for their own reason have not become team members. If the TEAM wants a place to go without the non team members posting they have that in the team forum. |
So,start your own sight.And leave this one alone.It is just fine as it is,and the people running it do a real good job. |
Since a great percentage of the sarcastic pricks are team members I'm not sure what making membership mandatory would possibly help. |
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It's a good idea--in theory. As someone else said, the cure would be worse than the "disease" though.  That said, the Avila's have most emphatically stated this site will always be free to use--and have added features available for paying members, in order to encourage membership donations. Membership donations will always be strictly voluntary--but unfortunately have become necessary (again, on a voluntary basis) for the continued existence of the site, due only to its amazing growth. The members ARE the site, so nothing will be done to limit or reduce the membership. Every single member, in their own way, makes a valuable contribution of some type. The guy who is barely getting by, and really CAN'T afford a Bronze membership, may be the guy who can help another member fix his car/air conditioner/computer/doorbell. Every one of you are valuable and important here--we sometimes fail to make that obvious, but we do our best. 
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I've agreed with you, BenDover, and livefreeordieNH today. Someone make a note of this...... 
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Here's the formula: paid members + advertising revenue = money to pay the bandwidth bill. advertising fees = $$ x active members, views, etc. active members = benefit/cost Now if the cost goes up, that benefit/cost ratio goes down and so does active members and page views (and click-throughs). Let's abbreviate that AMPV. If AMPV goes down, so will advertising revenue, even to the point that more paid members will not offset the loss. That is the math, what actual numbers are plugged in is known only to management. Nobody can say for sure how much making it a pay-only site would decrease membership, only that it surely would. |
True, but it is the specific desire of the Avila's to have this be a free site. I don't know if you know the history of the Team member donation thing, but several of us had to beat GoatBoy about the head and neck (almost literally, ask HiramRanger) for a year to get it started. Only when BW costs got to several thousand bucks a MONTH did he finally relent. The next year the three-tier system of present was implemented. I can't tell you any numbers, because I don't know, but I can tell you FOR SURE, no one makes a dime from this site (save paying advertisers HOPEFULLY!)--all work is done by volunteers and donations, and is done for the benefit of all. The Avila's in particular view it as a way to "give back" to the Country, and gun owners in particular (long story there, known to many, but suffice to say Ed Sr. and his lovely wife are immigrants who fled Castro/Cuba). The site will always be free to use, per them, and that's all there is to it. We deal with trolls as best we can, and try to keep the place enjoyable and beneficial for all.
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I know I should NOT be in here but I feel as if I should make my case. If AR15.com was an pay or not post sight I definately would not have bothered to remember this sight's name. Also because of it I'm becoming more educated on the matter of firearms, how our crooked government works and other things. If every sight was a pay sight then the internet use would serously drop and libraries (SP) would get a lot more regular customers. What I'm trying to say is this. I like the way things are now, team members get to have a personal Icon and a sig, When I get more funds that are able to be spread AND get a lot more information on firearms instead of just tidbits then I may become a team member but until then I can't afford it. Many people have reasons for not being team members don't go pushing around that all the users must be team members. |
My friend, what you just described is EXACTLY the way the site is intended to work. Hang tough, Bro.!
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I agree. I am a Bronze Member, and I probably won't renew my membership. The benefits of membership just are not there for me. In other "FREE" forums on the Internet, I have a larger Avatar (pixel size and kb), unlimited search function, and I am not limited to a 3 month search either. Also, I think some mods need to lighten up around here. |
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I never said that the people running this site don't do a good job....don't put words in my mouth. I was simply trying to think of a solution to trolling problems and assholes that NEVER have anything to say (that anybody wants to hear)!! I think this is a great site and the people that run it do a great job. I'm not trying to stir up any shit with this thread....I just wanted some people to express their opinions. I'm glad this is a free site, and I understand why the Avila's want to keep it that way, I really respect that. I honestly don't care either way, but I would like to see this site "grow up" a bit. I'm sure that how I define "grow up" is completely different than everyone else. If things stay the same around here it'll just mean a few more grimmaces on my face each day, but I can live with that, because the knowledge I've gained while I've been here is priceless, and to me that is the true beauty of ARFCOM.....bitches. |
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I think it should be free for all. However, if I reach 1000 posts and haven't got an actual member ship by then, I will quit posting until I can do so. The site runs fine. Some people stay, some go. Some cause problems, some don't. Trolls will be here no matter what. Look at how many people troll that are paying members even. +1 If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The site is great and I would like to thank the people who were willing to give us all a chance to find that out. |