P4GTR Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 haha nice. If the porcelin on the 'ol bowl was plated like a gold rep, you'd have blown it clean off, eh? ...With content like this how could you not want to donate a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 IMO, to each their own. If you can contribute and choose to, then awesome. If you don't then I certainly have no problem with that. Especially with you Doc. I have seen some great posts by you and you contribute in your own way. This is an amazing community here and there are so many members who contribute with great write ups, reviews, photos and just helpful suggestions or comments. That's what I get out of it and that's why I am a platinum member and love to buy as many raffle tickets as I can. (Still haven't won anything yet though , but I hope to one day!) As for the "trolls", karma is a bitch and it will always come back to bite you in the a$$ some day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllergyDoc Posted December 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 And you're a doctor for crying out loud, dont be a cheap ass. I can't help it. I'm just cheap. Truth is, I wouldn't be Plat if it wasn't for Lan.. But he's starting to become as long winded as RobbieG. They both have a ways to go to catch up with Demsey, though. Or JohnG, who was a lawyer and still thinks he gets paid by the word. Lani: That's right, it was Oren not Owen! You are gracious with your words, as always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southcoast68 Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 Interesting topic indeed. I consider this to be the same as going into a book store and browsing through some books or magazines. Many book stores these days even offer some nice furniture to sit on and coffee to drink in the hopes that if you enjoy your shopping experience, and the books, you will make a purchase and be a return customer although there is nothing to stop someone from reading a bit and leaving. Same as going to the public library, you can go in, grab a book or mag, have a seat and read, all without even having a library card. Of course if you do not have a card, you can't check a book out, but if you have the time to read there, its free to you. Of course, the library is supported by tax dollars and is a public service. The book store would eventually close its doors if nobody ever paid for a book. So, there is always some measure of support that has to take place for it all to even happen. Some folks may have the idea that if they pay, everyone should, and considering the immense cost of this type of site, I can understand that position. To me, to each his own, whether you choose to support with donations, a subscription, donating a watch, doing reviews, or contributing knowledge, its all good. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 I can't help it. I'm just cheap. They both have a ways to go to catch up with Demsey, though. Or JohnG, who was a lawyer and still thinks he gets paid by the word. Lani: That's right, it was Oren not Owen! You are gracious with your words, as always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demsey Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 They both have a ways to go to catch up with Demsey OK, we can see the way this is going. Mods, lock this mess up. When will they ever learn? Trolls. <edit> BTW I'm on a barter with the Admin. here. After a month of posting I was given Platinum gratuitous. So. There you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 OK, we can see the way this is going. Mods, lock this mess up. When will they ever learn? Trolls. <edit> BTW I'm on a barter with the Admin. here. After a month of posting I was given Platinum gratuitous. So. There you go. Cheapo.. so tight ya squeak ya walk.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demsey Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 Cheapo.. so tight ya squeak ya walk.. True, but I'm a Scot. You know that joke? What's the difference betwixt a Scot and a Jew? The Jew will loan you the money. On terms. I don't want to see any racist connotation or disparaging comment with regard. It were Shakespear's line in The Merchant of Venice. So, take it up with him. Anyhoo, I made good on the gesture from Admin., for the Platinum account. It were a humbling moment when I logged on and the PM popped up; "Dems, you are now a Platinum member." I have no practical use for the technical database here as I once had on TRC and the old RWG. But, since registering here, I have fired my therapist, those two guys I used pay to go drinking with me, and no longer buy Playboy on the odd occaision. Think of the savings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 True, but I'm a Scot. You know that joke? What's the difference betwixt a Scot and a Jew? The Jew will loan you the money. On terms. I don't want to see any racist connotation or disparaging comment with regard. It were Shakespear's line in The Merchant of Venice. So, take it up with him. Anyhoo, I made good on the gesture from Admin., for the Platinum account. It were a humbling moment when I logged on and the PM popped up; "Dems, you are now a Platinum member." I have no practical use for the technical database here as I once had on TRC and the old RWG. But, since registering here, I have fired my therapist, those two guys I used pay to go drinking with me, and no longer buy Playboy on the odd occaision. Think of the savings. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThinkBachs Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 It's nice to read a post that has so much potential to go downhill fast turn into something like this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mastrmindalliance Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 I just got the benefit of being a member here by having a refund given by reluctantly posting a topic here when no amount of polite emails did the job. While i really shouldn't have to happy about that, i am. if i wasn't already a card-carrying member, i would be now. This is an interesting topic, I originally upgraded so that as n00b, I'd feel comfortable asking the "dumb" (inexperienced) questions that n00bs do. Being a mod on another forum has taught me a lot, but one thing in particular. Older members always feel a sense of entitlement, and often deride newer users simply because they're new. This forum is certainly amongst the friendlier forums i frequent but (whether paid not) this divde is still present. The strange situation here is that, when you pay it's a real entitlement, not a sense of one... you're paying for the privilege. Oh, and i'll go platinum when the search function is fixed . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest techlogik Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 You want trash talking..go to sherdog.net forum...that is crazy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omni Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 History Lesson: The original RWG was free as the admin had the notion that accepting donations would corrupt the perception of it being somehow "sponsored" and perceived as a scam itself. His original intent was to just put up a website that exposed scam watch websites. His big mistake was to allow a forum onto the website which was so successful it overwhelmed everything, including the server, bigger bandwidth cost more. What to do? "accept donations" allowing it to even grow bigger and the rest of the problems followed. I think the "manifesto" or "prime directive" of the original RWG is still carried out for "free" by the progeny forums RWG, RWG1.1, RG and RWI. Its good to know that none require a paid membership and gladly give their time and efforts to steer members away from being scammed. In a sense these forums are voluntary organizations and they work the same as your local community organizations. A few volunteers will always benefit proportionately more of the populace that don't volunteer. I agree with Doc that no one should be shamed into feeling they have to "donate", that goes against the original concept of the forums, "free information". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikellem Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 If you are referencing posts encouraging members to become supporters.. then I am number one on the list for that type of posts. the forum is not free to those of us who "support" the forum through supporter contributions and donations to the raffles.. and support others who after a long time, and many reps and support, in the form of info and reviews,.. tutorials..et all. choose not to donate to supporter status .. there are many who choose not to for one reason or another. RWG is a "not for profit" fora.. before we resurrected raffles, and encouraged members to go for "supporter status",.. the monthly usage fee was payed for many times by the member who started this forum so others could benefit from it's knowledge and support.. and I be talkin about Admin. digging into his own pocket for the "rent" .. and then when the monthly usage got too much with all the traffic, members (usually the same ones) used to be called on (voluntarily) to donate whatever they could to keep us afloat. and without mentioning names .... these individuals would throw in hundreds of dollars at a time to pay the internet usage fees. +1 Thanks Lani.. MM A Couple of dealers (you would think more would step up to the plate) who benefit from this forum give back by donating reps for raffle, if you have noticed we have been raffling (giveaways) we do NOT stock pile funds.. for any personal use.. we raffle tickets when we deplete our "prudent reserve" .. the supporter donations do not cover all the $$ needed for our usage fee.. look at how many members have been here awhile without at least an orange banner .. which is only 30 dollars a year. that is 2.50 per month that is 8 cents per day .. you would think that with all the support and info obtained here 8 cents per day is not giving up a lot. but there are givers and takers in life.. you hope that there will be a medium between the 2. In your profession... do you do all pro bono work ?? or do you charge a fee for your knowledge ?? you need to pay bills as we all do.. this forum is no different. at one time our usage fee hit 1k a month.. not peanuts fo sure, for all the traffic we have through this community.. there are those who hit and run.. one rep.. outta here..but we hope that if members have been around and become part of this community .. which IMHO.. is the most supportive forum on the net... they would help out and become Supporters or Platinum members. It does not end there.. what if we had not reviews.. tutorial.. wrist checks.. would noobs waste money on buy's that they could of avoided .. or sites that would have scammed them ?? I believe RWG is number 1 in tech knowledge and info .. and is the best community bar none.. markets are asking for donations to charities at the check out counter... how many people donate a dollar to whatever support group is asked ??? I am suprised by how many people just don't care..is a dollar a week too much ?? yet they can throw away food .. sorry but I am one that has been on both sides of the fence.. and imo.. you only can keep what you have by giving back.. so.. in answer to your Q.. yes RWG is a "for free" forum.. but we need to keep the lights on.. and to do this we need to pay usage fees.. and to do this without the same members donating .. we need to push for members to support RWG through donations... "we" need to support each other.. and not me support the other member, nor the other member just support me..if a member gets frustrated it is out of love for this community .. his/her passion.. nothing more.. or a difference in languages.. nothing personal.. I asure you of that. Give and take.. such is life .. IMO.. AC/Lani Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shundi Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 History Lesson: The original RWG was free as the admin had the notion that accepting donations would corrupt the perception of it being somehow "sponsored" and perceived as a scam itself. His original intent was to just put up a website that exposed scam watch websites. His big mistake was to allow a forum onto the website which was so successful it overwhelmed everything, including the server, bigger bandwidth cost more. What to do? "accept donations" allowing it to even grow bigger and the rest of the problems followed. I think the "manifesto" or "prime directive" of the original RWG is still carried out for "free" by the progeny forums RWG, RWG1.1, RG and RWI. Its good to know that none require a paid membership and gladly give their time and efforts to steer members away from being scammed. In a sense these forums are voluntary organizations and they work the same as your local community organizations. A few volunteers will always benefit proportionately more of the populace that don't volunteer. I agree with Doc that no one should be shamed into feeling they have to "donate", that goes against the original concept of the forums, "free information". Extremely, extremely well said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 I thought this was a religion for most; doesn't that always involve money?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllergyDoc Posted December 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 gioarmani, Your siggy is my new religion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 Allergyface, you ponied up! You Sucker! T is drinking a Stella Artois on you riiiight nooow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cib0rgman Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 You are beating a death Horse. If you do not want to pay for your membership. then do not pay and keep going with your life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demsey Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 Please let this thread die. It's taking away too much attention from the 'Shoutbox'. TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllergyDoc Posted December 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 You are beating a death Horse. If you do not want to pay for your membership. then do not pay and keep going with your life. "dead horse" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgegrasser Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 I've noticed a lot of "trash talking" lately to members who don't financially contribute to the forum. What's the "official" policy of this forum? Can someone join and participate without ponying up? How long can someone participate without donating, and not draw the ire of the board? What's the purpose of this board? To steer members away from scam dealers, or to pay the bills? My question ensues from me observing the treatment of non-paying members, like myself, who have been ridiculed lately for being "free loaders." If someone doesn't pay up, should he move on? All members are welcome. It's the Socialist way. Equality for all members of the community. Wealthy members should pay. They got their riches by stepping on the backs of the common man. Have no sympathy for the rich and entitled and take what you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 All members are welcome. It's the Socialist way. Equality for all members of the community. Wealthy members should pay. They got their riches by stepping on the backs of the common man. Have no sympathy for the rich and entitled and take what you need. puuuuuuuhhhhhlllleeeeese ya can come up with something better than that can't ya?? free loading is more apropo's euphemism Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 "dead horse" Classic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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