primitive asks Skins a good question

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=437x5068

Oh my.

Lyric  (1000+ posts)      Mon Nov-14-11 10:20 AM
Original message
 
About the upcoming changes to the price of DU stars

I understand that non-donors will have access to groups, which is new--and good. I also understand that non-donors will also have to deal with ads, just like current DU.

However, many of us would like to know what "special features and functions" donors will have access to that non-donors won't. It's hard to have discussions in GD about this change without a clearer idea of what the differences actually are. Some more information would be very helpful.

Skinner ADMIN  (1000+ posts)        Mon Nov-14-11 11:01 AM
Response to Original message
 
1. Good question.

I think the most important thing everyone needs to know is that every function members get for free on DU2 will also be free on DU3 (if the function exists at all on DU3). Plus, we have also created a bunch of new functionality that will be available to everyone, regardless of whether you purchase a star membership. For example, we have a new "My Subscriptions" function which gives members the ability to subscribe to their favorite small forums and easily see when new threads are posted in any of them.

As I said in my post, those who choose not to purchase a star will still be able to post and participate free of charge.

I think the biggest thing people will get on DU3, in exchange for purchasing a star membership, is that they will be be able to view DU without seeing the ads. There are a number of other things that star members will get, but they are all related to new DU3 functionality, and I don't think it would make much sense if I tried to explain it here. For one thing, star members are given more opportunities to help run the site, by serving as hosts in our big forums, by helping to keep the site clear of trolls (to name a couple things).

But I think it's worth noting that at this point we are not asking anyone to sign up for a DU3 Star Membership at the full rate. Indeed, you will not be able to do so until we move into DU3. The point being: You won't have to decide whether the features and functions are "worth it" until we have already moved into DU3 and everyone knows exactly what they will get. For now, all anyone really needs to know in order to decide whether to donate is whether it's worth a few bucks to surf DU without ads for a year. Which is all you've ever needed to know in order to donate to DU.

I don't see what the big deal is, about Skins's island without advertisements.

They never bothered me, the advertisements.

[thundley4]

I don't see any ads on DU, so they don't bother me.  I do sort of miss seeing the DU Adbot, though.

[Celtic Rose]

I remember that there was a very prominent purple sex toy ad on the front page for awhile there.  Wonder if that was on purpose to encourage people to buy a start to avoid the embarrassment.

[BEG]

For one thing, star members are given more opportunities to help run the site, by serving as hosts in our big forums, by helping to keep the site clear of trolls (to name a couple things).

So...the rich run things on DU too. Skinner is a CAPITALIST. Off with his head!

[tanstaafl]

For one thing, star members are given more opportunities to help run the site, by serving as hosts in our big forums, by helping to keep the site clear of trolls (to name a couple things).

So...the rich run things on DU too. Skinner is a CAPITALIST. Off with his head!

I betchya ol' Nutcase Nadin is bouncing around the shabby little condo, hard up against the San Diego Expressway, clapping her hands and screaming "Hallelujah!!111! Revenge is MINE!!!"

All them bullies that are always calling her posts to question! Take that, you SOB.

I think she will single handedly block just about every swing dick over there that never slavered at her blessed feet during any of her OP's.

This is gonna be GREAT!

[miskie]

So...the rich run things on DU too. Skinner is a CAPITALIST. Off with his head!

..Some animals furries are more equal than others.

[thundley4]

For one thing, star members are given more opportunities to help run the site, by serving as hosts in our big forums, by helping to keep the site clear of trolls (to name a couple things).

It almost sounds like each "star member" will have their own little echo chamber forum that they host and they can block dissenting opinions.

[franksolich]

It almost sounds like each "star member" will have their own little echo chamber forum that they host and they can block dissenting opinions.

You know, if that had been possible about three years ago, Mrs. Alfred Packer, the hippywife primitive, could've blocked her bete noire, the late Tangerine LaBamba, from the cooking and baking forum.

But then a new complication.

The late Tangerine LaBama was more affluent than Mrs. Alfred Packer; one wonders if she could've out-donated the hippywife primitive, and blocked her.

One wonders how that's going to work in this DUnumbers.

[thundley4]

I hope they don't turn it into a members only forum.  I would hate to have to log in just to read what the idiots write.

[Big Dog]

So...the rich run things on DU too. Skinner is a CAPITALIST. Off with his head!

And Skinner creates the DU 1%. Think the 99ers will have the huevos to Occupy DU?