Kissing up to the Mods (not really) but I have noticed that people have...

[patricia92243]

posted 1,000 plus and not supported DU. I would not do anything else in life and expect it to be free - such as go to the movies. obviously somebody gets enjoyment from this forum

[Bronco69]

1. There are some

who are not in a position to contribute right now. I, for example, have been unemployed for quite awhile and was only able to contribute yesterday. That doesn't mean they support DU any less.

[wantnobush]

2. I am

one of those not in the position to contribute right now.
Because I can't, does that mean I'm not welcomed here?

[GOPisEvil]

4. No...don't listen to this stuff.

DU is for everybody. Not everybody has loads of free cash. If ya got some to spare send in a little. If not, hang around until you can.

[wantnobush]

6. Thank you

:)

[HereSince1628]

3. Well that's disappointing...

Three million people have lost their jobs in the US. Some of them have turned to DU for various reasons.

Having lost my job I didn't have money to spend on a paid email account. Now I am a not gainfully employed PHD earning about 20% of my previous salary. I still don't have medical insurance, retirement contributions (indeed using the 401K to cover big bills like mortgage and property tax has it going the other direction), I can't afford cable, or a paid email account.

I got a star when after refusing to take money from an elderly neighbor for helping on their lawn, I was told to give the money to my favorite charity. I gave it to DU and got a star.

Not everyone lacking a star is some sort of dead beat free-loader. I find it very disappointing that a post like yours would be placed on a chat board that professes to prop-up democratic values.

At any rate, I thank Skinner and company for being accomodating. I hope that should you find yourself in a bad spot others will provide some help as well.

[HereSince1628]

9. Sternenlos.

Ich bin nicht dummer underemployed. Leider macht das Personen wie ich selbst Ziele für verletzend eine Linienversetzungen. Ich denke, dass das Bedürfnis für die Entschuldigung nie erfüllt werden darf.

[Wickerman]

5. Last quarter a drive was established

by some very kind DUer to have those who could afford to give, to give for those who couldn't. We saw a proliferation of stars! I regret I don't recall who set it up, but I know it was a huge effort and they should be congratulated all over again. I doubt they want to run it again but perhaps someone would like to mirror their efforts this quarter?
At DU no one is excluded because they can't afford a star - The star is not meant to be devisive - its there as an incentive to donate so you can get the good stuff - search function, etc.

[Catch22Dem]

7. That's complete CRAP

The net is free. Plain and simple. There are so many people who rely on DU for friendship, support, entertainment, etc... yet have absolutely NO way to contribute any money. I think it's foolish to assume that people who spend time here should PAY for it.

[MercutioATC]

8. The "net" is NOT free...

You pay for access (or whomever owns the computer you're using does). There is a charge for registering a domain. There is a charge for hosting a site. There is expense involved in equipment. Then, there's the TIME involved.

DU has been set up as a site where you have the option to pay, but that doesn't mean they have an obligation to provide a free service. TANSTAAFL....(There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch).

I also refuse to believe that anybody is unable to kick in $1.34 (a buck and a stamp). That's pocket change.

If you have an issue with DU (as I do right now) I can understand withholding contributions. If you don't, I'm not saying that you're morally obligated to pay, but paying would make sense if you want the service to continue.

[blondeatlast]

10. Administration has made it clear that DU will never be a subscription site

They are quite perturbed by the dissing of those who don't contribute, too. I'm with the admins on this.

Ideas count more than dollars here, and that's a wonderful thing.

[HereSince1628]

11. And many of us are grateful

Aber, wird sich die Frau von Carolina wahrscheinlich nie entschuldigen. Konservativ zu sein, bedeutet nie die Notwendigkeit habend zu sagen, dass Sie bedauern

[MercutioATC]

13. I don't disagree with you at all. I just object to the idea that DU is

OBLIGED to provide a free service necause "the net is free".

[Rabrrrrrr]

16. Dude, you have it so utterly wrong

DU is not *obliged* - the deal is this: Skinner has DECIDED that DU *WILL* provide a free service, and those who wish to contribute, may, and those who don't, still get access. I think that's pretty darn cool.

I don't know what's up your selfish butt, but THIS DUer believes in the idae of helping out others, so I'm happy that my donations help to cover costs for a few other people who either can't or won't donate. Doesn't matter to me - I like DU, so I help support it, and I'm tickled pink that others are allowed to come along for the ride.

Don't be so damn selfish, and get with the program. You sound like a republican when you speak down to people who haven't donated.

[MercutioATC]

20. What the hell's wrong with what I said?

The poster I originally responded to said:

"That's complete CRAP


The net is free. Plain and simple. There are so many people who rely on DU for friendship, support, entertainment, etc... yet have absolutely NO way to contribute any money. I think it's foolish to assume that people who spend time here should PAY for it."

...and I simply pointed out that:

1) the "net" is NOT free

2) donations are optional, but DU has no moral obligation to provide the service because "the net is free".

Exactly what issue do you have with this?

[Rabrrrrrr]

23. Perhaps I'm misreading you,

or perhaps you aren't being clear enough, but you said:

DU has been set up as a site where you have the option to pay, but that doesn't mean they have an obligation to provide a free service. TANSTAAFL....(There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch).

I also refuse to believe that anybody is unable to kick in $1.34 (a buck and a stamp). That's pocket change.

That sounds to me like you think people should pay and if they don't they're just being cheap. And that, perhaps, they shouldn't even get access until they pay, since it's just pocket change, and there is no moral obligation to provide a free service.

I agree with you that the net is not free - that's inherently obvious, so I'm not sure why the other person said it was. And I get your point that expecting DU to provide a free service because "the net is free" is erroneous.

But your other statements are inherently - at least, seem so to me - anti-non-donor.

[MercutioATC]

27. I didn't mean it that way, but perhaps I was unclear.

I also said "I'm not saying that you're morally obligated to pay, but paying would make sense if you want the service to continue."

This seems to be a simple logical fact to me. The board would die if nobody contributed.

Yes, I have a hard time believing that somebody who uses this board can't afford $1.34, but I agree that it's great that a contribution is not required.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

12. I don't mind subsidising people who can't afford to support the site.

I can't really afford to donate much either ($5 this time) but I don't begrudge anyone who doesn't donate. Those who can pay are glad to help out those who can't.

[blondeatlast]

14. Why not make a contribution for someone who can't?

Let's see, I personally know of some who are unemployed, have numerous health expenses, one who declared bankruptcy over medical expenses due to fraud by the employer, a single mom who barely hashealth insurance for their child who has a chronic condition...

It'll make ya feel real good, too.

[HereSince1628]

15. Pienso que p está más interesado en avergonzar a la gente.

Lamentablemente ella parece no entender que muchos de los sin estrellas harán hacer daño los sentimientos.

Su hilo era solamente un paseo - disparando.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

18. Sí, usted tiene razón

Sí, molesta que esta persona se siente que las personas de la vergüenza de la necesidad que quién no pueden proporcionar donan.

Las disculpas para mi español atroz

[HereSince1628]

19. Mis español no son mejores.

Mi esperanza es que "p" reconocería que unos la gente lamentablemente sin estrellas pueden leer y escribir en múltiples lenguas y tener mucho para ofrecer DU.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

21. Damn straight.

[pink_poodle]

26. No pienso que "p" vera eso.

'

[Screaming Lord Byron]

28. sure seems that way, doesn't it.

[pink_poodle]

25. You are correct. This was the intention.

:

[MissMillie]

24. Just did!

Twice!

And it felt terrific.

They weren't big contributions, but contributions nonetheless.

[lpbk2713]

17. I'm retired and frankly I have other priorities.

But I strongly believe DU is a good and necessary thing. The BFEE, Faux, and assorted other wingnuts require a counterbalance. I visit the DU site several times a day.

[pink_poodle]

22. Some of us cannot contribute all the time. I've done it for the last.....

few campaigns plus I played "angel" and gave someone else a star too last time. This time, I'm broke, so I will just have to wait a while, but I still appreciate this forums. A lot!!

[Skinner]

29. I appreciate that people are encouraging others to donate.

But I think this thread has taken a somewhat antagonistic turn and is not really serving it's purpose.