Post #183751 by aquarj on Thu, Sep 1, 2005 7:33 PM

One prediction has been that new members won't be attracted if they cannot see B&B. Just a reminder - Beyond & Bilge both did not originally exist at all. Before the Beyond Tiki forum was created, absolutely every single new member joined as a result of their interest in the other forums. So to accept this hypothesis, one would have to discount whatever it was that attracted all the members who joined before Beyond, because the other forums are still free and open just as they were back then.

Unfortunately, some of the opinions seem to be going "beyond" the subject and moving into a bunch of negative comments about Grand members (?) and the whole idea of Grand membership. This part I really don't get. Seems like this is coming from a mindset that it's not enough to insist that all of TC must remain free for everyone into perpetuity, but also to go one step further and disparage those who voluntarily contribute money, and disparage Hanford, presumably for stooping to such a low level as to solicit or accept these voluntary contributions. If people want to contribute money, what's wrong with that? If Hanford wants to give special privileges as thanks for contributions, what's wrong with that?

And anyway, why not just be thankful for what's free? The whole second class citizen thing doesn't make sense to me. If a group is restricted from even having the right to pay a fee and get privileges, then I can see how they'd feel subjugated. But refusing to pay for something and then complaining about not getting the associated privileges, all while still enjoying free privileges from the same service?

To the75stingray, although you say you've never disrespected anyone here, you do seem to harbor some ill feelings toward sort of a mainstream of TCers. What's the difference between you wanting to "post a happy birthday to an old member who you felt was a positive influence" and other people "kissing ass"? When other people say nice things to each other, how do you measure whether it was genuine versus intended for the rear end?

To those making claims about the degree to which TC costs have been covered by Grand memberships, is that based on any real information about Hanford's costs, or is it pure speculation? Have you decided now exactly how much is appropriate for Hanford to receive from Grand members, and anything further is deserving of your scorn?

-Randy