Why Charge for Avatars and Messaging on Forums?

[Esran]

Why does this site charge people for using avatars, signatures, and getting expanded private message space? This seems kind of crummy to me. A better system would be to charge people to access certain forums or to get some administrative rights. Here is a list of forums that use this system or are completely free.

http://forums.cpp-home.com/
http://forums.philosophyforums.com/index.php?
http://www.sciforums.com/
http://www.groupsrv.com/science/index.php
http://java.sun.com/
http://www.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=16167&TabID=146190

Please post any comments on this issue that you have.

 

[Monique]

Rather, we ask people who enjoy the forums to give support. You're not paying for the avatar, but investing in the system.

 

[Hurkyl]

I don't follow...

you'd prefer a forum where you get the fluff for free instead of a forum where you get the content for free?

 

[Evo]

This is by far the best forum I have been to.

Paid membership is optional, and I believe that most that decide to contribute do it because they want to help out, not because of the "extras".

 

[Entropy]

Hey I'd contribute if I had the cash, even without the extras.

 

[DarkAnt]

same here, but right now I have a grand total of about -$90, so unless the PF wants my -$90 which I would gladly give, I'm not going to be donating anything for a while.

How about it greg, want -$90?

 

[Esran]

Good points. I'll shut up now. I guess Linux has forever tainted me.

 

[chroot]

Esran,

We have much in common with linux -- those of us that run PF donate our time quite willingly. Trust me, I've spent many, many hours modifying the site's source code to add LaTeX and search enhancements. I'm not asking for any kind of remuneration for this work; I did it because I really love the community here.

However, the host and bandwidth are not free -- they cost us money. We don't mind donating our time, but we really do need help paying those expenses. This is in the same vein as RedHat (the old RedHat) charging money for a box on the shelf, because the packaging and book cost money to produce. The bits, which took nothing but time to create, are free. It's analogous to the situation here.

- Warren

 

[Esran]

I understand. Sorry for bothering you. I just wanted to see how everyone felt about it. I'm fine with charging money to cover expenses, but why not just have a "make a donation" button? I'm sure that a lot of people would be glad to make a donation. This is an excellent community and I don't want it to die off.

I don't have any money to donate myself, but I can donate time.

 

[Phobos]

No problem, it is a bit unusual to pay for avatars, etc.
We used to have a "make a donation" topic posted at all times, but it didn't bring in enough to cover expenses.
We're trying different things to bring in donations without being a distraction from the overall content of the forums. You're seeing our current attempt. It may change.

 

[loseyourname]

I definitely paid so that I could have an avatar.

 

[Evo]

I definitely paid so that I could have an avatar.

She's very pretty, your girlfriend?

 

[iansmith]

He wish , it's Scarlet Johanson

 

[Evo]

He wish , it's Scarlet Johanson

Ah, well you can tell that I don't get out much. Thanks Ian.

 

[loseyourname]

He wish , it's Scarlet Johanson

Indeed I do.

 

[Moonbear]

Okay, so I'm not crazy. I thought loseyourname was a guy, but then when that avatar appeared, I thought I was badly mistaken. Who's Scarlet Johanson? Obviously it isn't anybody I recognize.

 

[iansmith]

Scarlet Jojanson is an actress and she the main character with Bill Murray in "Lost in Translation"