Should you pay to be a member or?

[8Daytona8]

<span style='color:red'>Just seems like there is a required status here!</span>

[Pipefighter248]

[tjdobb]

I feel this board is for anyone that respects its morals and values, no matter what there financial status. Some people are just getting by and maybe cant afford to join. This site has alot of people that can afford to support it and we should. The info around here is invaluable, but should be shared with all. IMO!!

[BlueHaya]

If you can afford to donate go ahead. If you cant that s ok too. I do not think there is a requirement to pay to view this site.

I have donated because I know things cost and the information and the group on here is top notch so I do not want it to go away.

[captain]

Not sure where this one is coming from. We have hundreds of folks that post only a couple of times a year. I'm OK with that it all has to do with information and having the opportunity to post if they choose. We also have hundreds of folks that post every day, everyone has the same option to play on the site...

This site will never be a charge for service site. Requiring members to pay for access takes away the whole spirit I intended for this site.. You have 90 post since Feb so it looks like you kick back more than post and Im Okay with that. You cant expect to sit in the corner by yourself then wonder why your dont have a status with other members.......

What kicked your thought process off?

[8Daytona8]

(captain @ Sep. 10 2006,13:53) Not sure where this one is coming from. We have hundreds of folks that post only a couple of times a year. I'm OK with that it all has to do with information and having the opportunity to post if they choose. We also have hundreds of folks that post every day, everyone has the same option to play on the site...

This site will never be a charge for service site. Requiring members to pay for access takes away the whole spirit I intended for this site..  You have 90 post since Feb so it looks like you kick back more than post and Im Okay with that. You cant expect to sit in the corner by yourself then wonder why your dont have a status with other members.......

What kicked your thought process off?

Just a post/poll to get some idea what is accepted or taboo. I read some remarks that got me wondering. Like our country it takes all kind to make it great! As for the post count until the new server you went to there were more that i went to post, said I was logged in but then said i wasn't allowed to post, and dumped it. Works great now! Thanks for all your effort in keeping it top shelf!!

[MC MUSTANG]

You forgot the poll option about how member contributions and donations are also accepted in the form of knowledge and assistance.
Personally, I donate because it makes me feel good to give a little something back to a board and its membership that has helped and supported me since I first joined.  The members are friendly and believe in the site, and strive (struggle?) to make it a different kind of place than other internet online communities.  
I am not aware of any panel of members (the horsemen, golden four godfathers, etc) who sit around and arbitrarily decide who becomes a member and who doesn't.
You don't have to attend board meet and greets to be accepted, but you have to expect that people who have met in person develop a new facet to the board bond.
I am not aware of any mods/admins who treat people poorly just because they don't like them.


Sometimes new members arrive and they don't know what the board has been through in recent memory - and not to drudge up bad memories, but the actions of one person almost tore down everything that the CAp has worked for.  It is hard for the people who were here for that not to be protective of the CAp and the board and the membership.  It is hard for the membership to ignore some of the ways that members have been worked over for money and parts and sympathy.  Yet we keep giving, how or why even I don't know... but we jump to the aid of those who need it - most times, even when they try to refuse.

Bottom line is that this is our little slice of internet heaven.  In many ways it is a true community, if not a Co-Op of sorts.  We take care of each other and our internet home.  Many of us have recommended that there be a fee to join, and the CAp (as he mentioned in his post) flatly refuses to do so.  You are a member and you have joined.  No member has a better standing because he or she has donated; they may have access to bigger avatars and email accounts, but they are not better members because they donate.  There have been some true scmicks that have been kicked out by both Admins and popular opinion who were donating members, as well as people who are phenominally helpful tot he boards and its membership, who have not donated.  

In my opinion, is it important to give back to the board? YES - give something!  But remember that the something could be a new way to perform a mod, maybe a product review that we could all benefit from, maybe just getting the word out about new busa stuff or the board itself.  Not all contributions are measured in dollars and cents.

I can't donate as much as I would like, financially or even technically. But I still try to help point people towards things they can use, help them with small problems and generally just listen to them vent. Those are the ways that I contribute. SInce I can't always cough up the cash, I try to ensure that I am of some value tot he board and its members in other ways. Do that and you can never go wrong.

You have already joined and are already a member.  I have said it before and will say it again... welcome brother - PICS!

Just my .02,

Shawn

[nitrousjunkie]

(MC MUSTANG @ Sep. 11 2006,02:08) You forgot the poll option about how member contributions and donations are also accepted in the form of knowledge and assistance.
Personally, I donate because it makes me feel good to give a little something back to a board and its membership that has helped and supported me since I first joined. The members are friendly and believe in the site, and strive (struggle?) to make it a different kind of place than other internet online communities.
I am not aware of any panel of members (the horsemen, golden four godfathers, etc) who sit around and arbitrarily decide who becomes a member and who doesn't.
You don't have to attend board meet and greets to be accepted, but you have to expect that people who have met in person develop a new facet to the board bond.
I am not aware of any mods/admins who treat people poorly just because they don't like them.


Sometimes new members arrive and they don't know what the board has been through in recent memory - and not to drudge up bad memories, but the actions of one person almost tore down everything that the CAp has worked for. It is hard for the people who were here for that not to be protective of the CAp and the board and the membership. It is hard for the membership to ignore some of the ways that members have been worked over for money and parts and sympathy. Yet we keep giving, how or why even I don't know... but we jump to the aid of those who need it - most times, even when they try to refuse.

Bottom line is that this is our little slice of internet heaven. In many ways it is a true community, if not a Co-Op of sorts. We take care of each other and our internet home. Many of us have recommended that there be a fee to join, and the CAp (as he mentioned in his post) flatly refuses to do so. You are a member and you have joined. No member has a better standing because he or she has donated; they may have access to bigger avatars and email accounts, but they are not better members because they donate. There have been some true scmicks that have been kicked out by both Admins and popular opinion who were donating members, as well as people who are phenominally helpful tot he boards and its membership, who have not donated.

In my opinion, is it important to give back to the board? YES - give something! But remember that the something could be a new way to perform a mod, maybe a product review that we could all benefit from, maybe just getting the word out about new busa stuff or the board itself. Not all contributions are measured in dollars and cents.

I can't donate as much as I would like, financially or even technically. But I still try to help point people towards things they can use, help them with small problems and generally just listen to them vent. Those are the ways that I contribute. SInce I can't always cough up the cash, I try to ensure that I am of some value tot he board and its members in other ways. Do that and you can never go wrong.

You have already joined and are already a member. I have said it before and will say it again... welcome brother - PICS!

Just my .02,

Shawn

I'll donate for the both of us Marine!

[MC MUSTANG]

(nitrousjunkie @ Sep. 10 2006,14:21) I'll donate for the both of us Marine!  

You already do Sir; you already do!

Semper Fidelis, brother!

[Schism]

i am game for a member fee, but within reason of course. money has been a bit tight for me this year. there should also be a free trial period for new potential members.

[GSXTacy]

I couldnt find anything i agreed with to vote........looks like im not the only one, 72 views, 3 votes.

[Don Hardcastle]

Gotta agree with MC and NJ. I have been riding Suzuki sport bikes for over 20 years (damn I am old) and I have learned more about my current bike than I ever knew about all the other combined and I learned it here.

I don't think it should be a pay site, but I do think that everyone on here that has learned something they didn't know could afford at least $10 to the board.

For those of you that smoke (today is my 367th tobacco free day) that is less than 3 packs of smokes.

It is expensive to maintain this place and any little bit helps. If you absolutely can not afford it, then so be it, keep posting and learning.

JMHO

Don