Should Free Republic become a paid subscription service?

Vanity | 6/23/2006 | Berlin_Freeper

[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).

[SLB]

As someone who started participating in FR in its early days, I'd have to say that such a move would undermine what I thought the whole point in launching it was in the first place!

I have been here a few days less than you. Have you noticed the change in the posts in the past few years? It is to the point now that I lurk some, post very seldom and mainly work in the garden as it is more enjoyable than reading the average drivel that is posted here now. IMHO FR will fade from the screen in two or three years. No idea what, if anything, will take its place, it will just go away and become irrelevant. I fear the same thing is getting ready to happen to the republican party and FReepers will wring their hands and watch it happen.

[Quix]

Would be nice to have an easier route to seeing the "view" count. Perhaps an option to have it listed as part of one's settings . . . say on every thread or on selected threads.

I think such would help to motivate folks toward better posting.

[hosepipe]

[[ 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. ]]

So then the undesirables are "poor"?.. Basic, Premium, Platinum.. LoL.. I think you've hit on the surest way to marginalize Free Republic.. Suggest a re-think.. Free Republic is damn near perfect.. Talking to the choir only works with liberals.. Herding Freepers is like herding Cats.. won't work.. Cat herds are Moonbats..

[Quix]

For sure.

[No more than some 'domestic' FReeper signup;)]

[HIDEK6]

I don't think it's your decision to make.

This site is privately owned.

[Quix]

The libs preach to the choir constantly, and consequently have lost any ability to reason clearly.
- - - -

And, perhaps with all those chronic, automatic abortion tendencies, their genetic core is getting the idea that being born with brains is a waste of good material and effort.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Currently, the site is very antiquated.

Antiquated??? This is one of the best sites out there!!!

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.

I think we dispatch them in short order. No need to get your undies in bunch.

There could also be different subscription levels like Basic, Premium or Platinum.

You sound exactly like a Lib! That's the way THEY do business.

Donations seem to be working well, but I am sure the cashflow could be improved.

How would YOU know? FR's cash flow seems to be just fine. They seem to have no problem raising what they need. If JR or JR had a problem, I'm sure they'd let us know.

If you are a democrat troll, foreigner...

I'm not sure WHAT your problem is with foreigners. I think we have a lot of foreign posters -- from England, Japan, Italy, to name a few.

I say, as a newbie, you should STHU. But then, you're probably not a newbie, are you?

[Irish_Thatcherite]

I'm not sure WHAT your problem is with foreigners.

I sure would love to know!! It doesn't seem to occur to him that other countries have conservatives, too!

[John Lenin]

Mr Berlin sounds like a disgruntled Freeper. Maybe he should find another site to troll at.

[killjoy]

Is that your idea of fun?

Well, some of the keywords are pretty damn funny. Did you really miss the love parade?

[kanawa]

...there are posters from foreign lands who have similar interests as the purposes of the forum, and who also treat it as a beacon of freedom when the lights are threatened to be extinguished in many places.

BUMP

[fanfan]

I read Ivan's page, I understand the sentiment

I understand as well.

I just finished posting to a FReeper who claimed that the Ontario Liberal government represents all of Canada.

I thought conservatives were supposed to stick together, but some don't seem to think so. Sad.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

I just finished posting to a FReeper who claimed that the Ontario Liberal government represents all of Canada.

There was an idiot a couple of months ago who claimed that Ireland, not France was the most anti-American country in Europe!! Thankfully, he is now banned.

I thought conservatives were supposed to stick together, but some don't seem to think so. Sad.

The guy who posted this thread doesn't seem to think so, either.

:(

[nopardons]

As always.........LOL

[SandRat]

Keep FR just as it is.

[Windsong]

Rangers lead the way.

[Txsleuth]

bttt

[festus]

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).

Speaking as a proud lesbian democrat troll I have to extend my sincere thanks for you calling for higher taxes just like we asked you to at our last secret enclave meeting..................

[al baby]

Keep FR just as it is

No kidding its just fine like a well broken in lazy boy recliner

[Quix]

No kidding its just fine like a well broken in lazy boy recliner
- - - -

Now look. There you go spilling the beans.

I sit here in Dear departed Grandma's Laz-Y-Boy rocker . . . my cordless Logitech keyboard on my lap; my cordless Logitech trackball from Taipei on the arm of the chair or a little lower on the trackball cart I built; my Samsung LCD screen 3' or so away a bit lower than knee level; DirecTV on my left about 5' away . . . .

Works for me.