Posted on 06/23/2006 12:27:30 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
I am not certain what the legal ramifications would be in changing Free Republic from donations to a subscription service. It seems to me the switch may be detrimental to legal issues such as copyrights. If that is true I'd appreciate if someone could briefly explain that to me. However if that is not the case here is my suggestion:
I have been wondering about this for some time now and have not seen any discussions about it. So I would like to ask: Is it time for Free Republic to become an online subscription service?
Currently, the site is very antiquated. People can easily abuse the "add a keyword" feature and there seems to be a growing number of liberal trolls, foreigners and even pro-homosexual agenda-driven people infecting the site. In order to cut down on the undesirables and enhance FR at the same time, would it be advisable to start charging a monthly fee of about 15-30 bucks to be able to log into the site and post? There could also be different subscription levels like Basic, Premium or Platinum. That way, the more you pay the more features you have access to. Some of these extra-services could include storing photos or FR could be a conservative search engine for the web.
I have seen online sites where people can still read the boards for free. FR could do something like that so it would still be accessible to the Conservative public even if they are not paying members with posting priviledges.
Websites that rely heavily on banner and pop-up ads need as many hits as possible so for them restricting posting rights to subscribers might not be so desirable. However, Free Republic does not work like that. There are no ads other than some book links on the home page so the number of hits is not as crucial to the bottom line which is currently being paid for by donations.
Donations seem to be working well, but I am sure the cashflow could be improved. How many of you people honestly are put off donating money to FR because it is not what it should be? Especially in regards to the undesirable element that can be found throughout many of the threads. Wouldn't this change in format go a long way in eliminating the undesirables? I think so. Plus it would be neat to experience an upgraded more modern version of Free Republic.
Note: If you are a democrat troll, foreigner or pro-homosexual/lesbian then I am really not interested in your opinion and you should not be posting it to me (just the fact that I have to add this note is proof that something is not right).
I find most of what I post 'unnecessary', but that's what makes it fun.
I kinda like one of the '1000 monkeys' you throw into a room.
Eventually, I'll type something intelligent!
:)
Good luck. I had him 16 years. Could not get him off apolitical. He is pretty handy with a lawnmower and weed eater, though
I = I'm
See?
:)
However the recent thread hijacking on FR by the anti-immigration crowd has made me want for an ignore button at this site.
We really don't have it out for you, it's part of the zot feature, there's mind control built into it.
What should also work;
Build a stone altar beside your computer. Place a beer upon it. Bow down before the offering chanting "Oh great and mighty Moderator, please accept this sacrifice from a humble FReeper."
... and... SHAZAM! Lightning will arc from your computer to the beer, vaporizing it.
Do this once daily and all should be well.
Ahhhhh.
There is that factor, alright.
Yupper. Aussie Dasher and Mad Ivan are my favorites.
And YOU of course, are the judge of what is correct Conservative thinking.
I would say that expecting everyone to march lockstep with your views is not exactly a Conservative value.
Probably a great part of the value of Freerepublic, is developing the ability to identify the deceptions and manipulations of the lib/left/Dems. That's made us all more discerning, discriminating, more thoughtful -- than if we were never challenged to have to do so.
Of course there are better ways of being challenged obviously -- like finding the good, but we also have to be aware of the bad, and those only pretending to be the good so they can set us up for a great deception, ie., the mainstream media tactics.
So it is well that we see it all and work together as an exercise in exposing the fraudulent and insincere -- as great practice for when we encounter these things alone and can recognize them because they have become so familiar and obvious.
There's a big problem. Subscriptions means accountability to subscribers.
I gave several hundreds of dollars under the Monty22 handle. I got in a few fights with howlin and some others over how they seemed to be 'above the rules'. I was quickly banned.
Because it's a 'contribution only' website, there is no recourse. The entire power structure of FR would be dimished if they had to answer to complaints, instead of just banning anyone that disagrees with the 'powers that be'.
Watch, they'll call me an 'evil troll' and ban me for just bringing this up, because I was banned long ago after giving hundreds of dollars awhile back.
LOL. Thx.
I handle clear boundaries pretty well.
It's when it seems like there's a double standard or an irrationally or mysteriously shifting standard that I can't possibly figure out how to stay on the right side of
THAT really gets me lodaded down with despair. And some years, I don't need more despair! LOL.
You seem to be unhappy here.
Please feel free to leave at any time.
Uh, no. And if I read him right, the Boss will never even consider that. We raise operating funds each quarter, somehow. Yah, people get their knickers in a wad over that. Enough of us, "get it" to contribute enough to keep the lights on.
Really, it ain't broke
Remember, man hits woman with tuna, or how many freepers does it take to change a lightbulb. Then the classic, close your tags? Italians, ash alert..... There were things that happened the newbies will never understand.
Undesirable to who, you??? I disagree with everyone at FR on one topic or another...And I agree with the same people on other topics...
It's sounding like you want a 'Liberal Republican Catholic' site where all the issues are down pat before anyone even posts...
This site, to my knowledge, has the restoration of a Constitutional Gov't as it's theme and that theme draws folks from all types of affiliations...
Go ahead and start a restricted access, pay site...I won't be there...
"You shouldn't have the ability to change your post after you figured out you were a moron about it."
I'm sorry, but that sounds like discrimation against us morons!
I resemble that remark!
:0)
Following your logic, I'd have to have many monikers: Argentine Freeper, Brasilian Freeper, Belgian Freeper, German Freeper, Aussie Freeper, and (drum roll please), American Freeper!
(rolling eyes)
Good! I enjoy this site enormously - great crossroads of good ole American ingenuity and humor! Go FR!
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