Should Free Republic become a paid subscription service?

Vanity | 6/23/2006 | Berlin_Freeper

[Berlin_Freeper]

I am not certain what the legal ramifications would be in changing Free Republic from donations to a subscription service. It seems to me the switch may be detrimental to legal issues such as copyrights. If that is true I'd appreciate if someone could briefly explain that to me. However if that is not the case here is my suggestion:

I have been wondering about this for some time now and have not seen any discussions about it. So I would like to ask: Is it time for Free Republic to become an online subscription service?

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.

I have seen online sites where people can still read the boards for free. FR could do something like that so it would still be accessible to the Conservative public even if they are not paying members with posting priviledges.

Websites that rely heavily on banner and pop-up ads need as many hits as possible so for them restricting posting rights to subscribers might not be so desirable. However, Free Republic does not work like that. There are no ads other than some book links on the home page so the number of hits is not as crucial to the bottom line which is currently being paid for by donations.

Donations seem to be working well, but I am sure the cashflow could be improved. How many of you people honestly are put off donating money to FR because it is not what it should be? 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? I think so. Plus it would be neat to experience an upgraded more modern version of Free Republic.

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).

[DManA]

Is this what they call a "trial balloon"?

[nuconvert]

"foreigner" ?
What's wrong with foreigners?

[mc6809e]

You have been here for about 1 1/2 years and you are calling for taxes? Are you sure you are not a Democrat?

Conservatives don't mind paying taxes for services they consume.

It's Democrats that want something for nothing.

[zarf]

FR is a blog. /s

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Is this what they call a "trial balloon"?

I think we have a winner!

[ctdonath2]

The owner will do with this site what he will.
You're not the owner, and somehow I don't think you've discussed your idea with him first.

[Indy Pendance]

This site is way easier to navigate than the new stuff out there. Try following a discussion on yahoo or whatever forum, here, all you have to do is hit view replies. It's not antiquated. But, you're new....

[frogjerk]

Donations are in line with Free REPUBLIC. You have the right to donate or not to donate. A subscription fee would be a mandatory taxation without representation.

I think a better idea would be to sell stock in Free Republic and make it part of the capitalist system.

[MEGoody]

If it does, I'll drop it. I can post for free elsewhere.

[Al Gator]

Exactly right.

Without sparing partners, the arguments get old and stale. Over time you turn into putty.

I say, let em in, bring em on!

FreeRepublic, where the slow and liberal are shaken, stirred and eaten! BWAHAHAHAHA

[SerpentDove]

IB4Z

[JeffersonRepublic.com]

[Is it time for Free Republic to become an online subscription service?]

Yeah right! And say goodbye to the people who make this message board a success. There are to many people who run free message boards for the free republic to be able to charge people.

[don-o]

I think we have a winner!

What for - the quickest one liner off the top of your head? Fine

[Al Simmons]

OK, so now you are not only paranoid (see his webpage anyone with questions), a basher of divorced fathers (your contribution to a recent thread), but a (de facto) tax advocate...

Remind us again why you want to post here????

[Admin Moderator]

We have to have restraint. Believe me, if this was my forum, I'd be talking to myself.

[avacado]

I found FreeRepublic a few months ago when I was searching for the Iraq prewar documents. I wound up finding 'jveritas' and his translations and made friends with him. I went on to present the translated documents to Tom DeLay at dinner with just him, me, his wife, and my sister.

Had FreeRepublic been a subscription site none of the above would have occurred.

[Berlin_Freeper]

"Since the purpose of your plan is to reduce the number of people who post here, I dont see any advantage in your idea."

The problem with this is that FR has a very specific "target audience" and purpose. Which is supposed to be a thinktank for Conservative Americans and not some kind of general open door chitchat forum. My idea is trying to enhance the intended audience and thus function for Free Republic. So yes, there are people who do need to go as their ideas and opinions are detrimental to the Conservative cause.

[Frank_Discussion]

Vhat's next Sprocket, vee danse?

[jazusamo]

Perhaps this is something you should discuss with the owner of this forum, ya think?

[DCPatriot]

I don't search or seek other right-leaning websites, so I can't agree or disagree about the opinion here that FreeRepublic is "antiquated".

As a supporting member since August 98, I think we've gone for Model T to M5 quality. (partial to German imports).

For as many people posting during important live threads this site rocks in terms of speed and information...Rathergate comes to mind. as does the Shuttle breakup.

I'm sure Jim and John keep this on the cutting edge technologically.