[GOP_Proud]

< People can easily abuse the "add a keyword" feature... >

Actually, I've come to enjoy laughing at the "abusive" use of the "add a keyword" box. Sometimes I'll see a post and start laughing before the first reply because I just know the keyword box is going to get hilarious. Like this one, for instance. Chill.

[Tench_Coxe]

Well, reading through the posts, you've definitely managed to bring up some old timer names I haven't seen too often.
I'm not one to tout my 'old timer' status. Mainly because I believe the measure of a poster is in the content of his/her post(s), rather than the amount of time spent on this forum. But, I do have a bit of an 'old timer's' perspective, having lurked here beginning several months before the March for Justice in '98, and finally my better judgement having been overcome and signing up in May of '99.
I think your idea is well meaning (for the most part), but misguided. It doesn't really suit the character of this forum. If you had been here in the earlier days, this place was a little more reminescent of an unmoderated usenet, although for the most part those posting tried to keep things in check. Then, mods were brought in to keep things from going off the rails after this site got really popular around 2000.
The beauty of this place is in the ability of anyone who has something to say to sign up and post. You get your share of grumblers, and, for some strange reason, a core group of folks who should have been nailed for their conduct some time ago but are still kept around (comedy relief, perhaps?). Because of the nature of this forum, it has attracted some pretty fine minds, not to mention a few 'celebrity' posters.
A subscription service would most likely turn this place into a quasi-lucianne.com (I remember that fandango well ). I think there would be some who would sign on to your idea, sharing a similar view of 'undesirables' ( read:those whose viewpoints differ ). Not a chance. The fact that this place continues to get donations to run it is a testimony to those who, despite the flame wars, the few truly obnoxious posters, and the idiotic threads of dueling religions (I will not speak its name ), decide that the forum is truly desireable and valuable to the purposes of conservatism.
Another true testament is the fact that 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.

My regrets: there has been a slow decline in number of posters/frequency of postings from some who I considered to have excellent minds or uncomfortable viewpoints that were very topical. I think this place suffers for their lack. A subscription service would only make this forum that much more diminished.
Anyway, I'll put my soapbox away now. As a side note, if you truly wish a subscription type forum, there is nothing stopping you from setting one up. Just don't be surprised if the results are disappointing.

[Chena]

Should Free Republic become a paid subscription service?

Easiest question I've answered this year. The answer is, "no". The reasons are as obvious as the nose on your face. LOL

[Bella_Bru]

You've been here a year and a half. FR did just fine before you joined and 1 & 1/2 years later gave us your great idea.

If FR were by subscription only, it would be the end of exchange of differing opinions and would turn into a small-ish echo chamber. People paying would not want to read opinions differrent from their own (some of don't want to now!). Eventually, all you end up with is 100 posters all saying "bump" and "you're right".

Sounds like fun. Not.

[freedom moose]

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).

If FR became a pay site wouldn't it be harder for YOU to ban unwanted "foreigners" like me? At least during the term of my paid subscription.

P.S: I'm not one of the nasty BBC foreigners who berlin_freeper says are stalking him

[SamAdams76]

As far as I'm concerned, Free Republic already is a paid service. I donate a monthly fee to keep the site going and everybody else who is able to do so should do that as well.

[goldstategop]

A forum should ALWAYS be free. However if Jim Rob wants to add premium content material or special content upgrades, I think he can charge for them. The way to promote a business is to offer something for free that will lead people to consider an upgrade. If you've ever seen affiliate businesses around the web, you know why the free to join ones get lots of sign ups. People can see what is on offer and decide if the investment is the worth the cost of running the business. Free Republic is a non-profit site but I suppose it could branch out as business. But that's up to Jim Rob and FR management to decide if the prospect is commercially viable.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[varon]

Note: If you are a democrat troll, foreigner or pro-homosexual/lesbian then I am really not interested in your opinion.................................

I am neither a democrat troll, foreigner nor pro-homosexual/lesbian but am interested in how you would keep those that are, from subscribing?

[meyer]

I volunteer to donate a bit to FR to keep it running. If it were changed to a subscription model, I'd stop. One of my favorite photography forums recently changed owners and went to a subscription model. I quit the forum as there are many, many free forums out there that serve the same purpose.

While FR is unique in many ways, it would lose its lustre as a fee-based forum. Membership would fall drastically, as many people would seek other ways to discuss the issues without having to pay for the privilege.

[kabar]

If you charge a subscription price, would you enable the site to ban paid subscribers if they "cross the line?" Would they get their money back? A paid site entails a contractual obligation, which could open FR up to legal action.

[DejaJude]

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?

Sounds like you're looking for a "final solution".

[mo]

Trolls are useful. Part of being effective means enhancing critical thinking and defending your position logically. The libs preach to the choir constantly, and consequently have lost any ability to reason clearly.

[hershey]

The wonderful secret about FR is that it reaches everyone...some by accident, some through word of mouth and reputation. If made into subscription service, you'd cut the influence by at least half. Think of all the young heads full of mush we wouldn't influence! Hillary would be thrilled.

[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..

[HIDEK6]

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

This site is privately owned.

[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?

[SandRat]

Keep FR just as it is.

[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..................

[Atlantic Friend]

You raise several questions in your post :

1) Is FR technically satisfying ?

I have no technical expertise to give any kind of answer, so I'll just say that FR is the most user-friendly of all the sites I've browsed through. The search engine is streamlined, the presentation is very clear, the navigation from forum to forum is comfortable. Frankly, most sites would just love to propose their users the same level of comfort.

2) Should donations be replaced by subscriptions ?

I feel, like many other Freepers, that it would result in a significant shrinking of the Freeping crowd as people are usually ready to donate freely but don't like to have their arm twisted. The way I see it (but I could be wrong), the success of FR hinges upon the fact posters see the site not as a commercial venture but as a place where they can express Conservative opinions and even organize some political actions. Wouldn't a mandatory subscription to FR be akin to a tax on Conservative activism ?

3) Should foreigners (among others) be allowed to post ?

Well, it`s not for me to say, and AFAIK it`s not for you either. This site, like any other self-respecting opinion website, has an administrator who sets the rules and moderators who enforce them. If the current FR administration say foreigners are OK, then why shouldn`t they post ? The day they decide foreigners aren`t OK, then FR will be closed to non-US members, for better or for worse.

As a foreigner, I find it mildly amusing that I`m guilty by association of "ìnfecting" this site. I guess it's up to Freepers and FR administration to say if me, MadIVan, Eurotwit, Atlantic Bridge, Michael81Dus, and countless others are some kind of viruses, and if the world (or FR) would be better without us.

IMHO, banning foreigners or US Freepers who do not 100% agree with you won't exactly do much to further the Conservative agenda, as it will mean reducing the number of Freepers and the scope of experience Freepers will be able to share. But once again, this decision isn't mine nor yours to make.

[bmwcyle]

Keep your stupid ideas to yourself.