Would you pay to subscribe to Answerbank?

[meglet]

Would you be in favour of paying a subscription in order to post on Answerbank? I'm thinking not a huge amount, more of a nominal sum really like �5 a month, as a way to combat the problem of trolling and abusive/offensive posts. The idea is that you would have to sign up to a monthly "pay as you go" type subscription (with no tie-in) and pay by direct debit only. That way you would have to enter your bank details and these, instead of your IP address, would be used to identify you. It's simple to get a new email address but who would go to the trouble to open a bank account to post abuse? For those users that are consistently breaking the rules the AB Ed can ban their bank details so ABers would have to moderate themselves. I am not anti-free speech but the AB Ed obviously doesn't have the resource to moderate the site and there have been a fair few posts recently complaining about it.

Can I iterate now that this is not at all directed at any particular ABers.

I accept that it would put off users just wishing to come on here to post a quick law question but they would only need to pay the �5 and then they cancel. Also, it may mean they actually use the search function. Personally I think the AB search function is poor so a few more quid in AB's coffers may actually mean that they can sort out a proper metadata search and sort out the Beta site too.

Thoughts anyone?

(I am not expecting bloodshed but I have St Johns on standby just in case).

[monkeyeyes]

Hmmm..........not sure it would work in practice but 10/10 certainly for thinking outside the box, Meglet.

[MONTCRIEFF49]

hpope thats not an ambulance but i
agree with that x

[B00]

No, I probably wouldn't pay to use AB.

As much as i love it, to even think about paying for something that I can do for nowt (talk crap on a forum) breaks my miserly Lancastrian heart.

[meglet]

Why not Monkey? Do you think people wouldn't bother subscribing?

Monty, I did mean St Johns Ambulance but perhaps some St John's Wort would also be a good idea!

[meglet]

Ok B00. What if is set at 1p a month? The main point is the identification really, not the cash.

[splat!]

I wouldn't pay either... why don't they just get the facility to 'ban/lock' ISP addresses.... wouldn't that stop the majority of 'multiple users' on here...

[B00]

A penny a month? checks penny jar, OK I could manage that, just......

But I want an incentive to part that penny from my sweaty mitt each month, a tray of eclairs would do nicely thank you!

[Morty Vicar]

I wouldn't pay and I agree with splat - although I accept that using an IP re-router is possible, in most cases it is unlikely.

[monkeyeyes]

I think it would turn away the casual user.
I think it also may give some of the paid up members an inflated sense of entitlement to the site.
I also think that there may be too much red-tape surrounding the holding of bank details, etc.
And I think the trolls would somehow find a way round it.

[meglet]

I agree it would turn away the casual user.
The paid up members would be entitled to the use site as they would be the only ones who could.
I'm pretty sure the bank details service could be outsourced to a provider.
Maybe the trolls would somehow find a way round it, dunno.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not sold on it either way.

[Barmaid]

Great idea meglet. Unfortunately, I think that it is doomed. There are a lot of great people on here who have a particular area of knowledge and will happily give people the benefit of help and advice but rarely ask questions themselves. To ask them to pay, even if it is just 1p will remove the usefulness of this site.

I wouldn't pay since like Boo says if I want to talk nonsense on a forum, there are free sites. And yes, it would put off the casual user.

The trolls and the nasties tend to stay in here or B&S and a few other places, but the rest of the site is generally OK.

I don't get why they can't use IP address checking software - other sites do. Also if the rules were properly enforced perhaps by use of moderators, other people may feel less intimidated and willing to post.

[whiffey]

No.

One of the attractions is trying to guess who the impostererers and trolls are. I like trolls that are not abusive or personally nasty.

[Kimi-R]

yep good idea, unfortunately, I wouldnt p1ss on some peeps here. never mind pay to converse with them.hahahaha
H A K

[cruella]

No, I would not pay to be on AB.
Not on it long enough in my case.

[meglet]

Ok folks, fair enough! Tried to apply a bit of alternative thinking there but came up with a dud!

[Quoi]

Meglet - dont stop thinking though. Any solution to the current madness would be welcome.

[Tichfield]

If you had to pay �5 per month per ID then some people here would need a new benefit book to fund their frivolity.

[:Ace:]

No, I wouldn't pay. AB isn't that good...

[novalis]

I wouldn't pay ... but your idea was not a dud. Anything which provokes thought/discussion is valid and worthwhile.

[leg_end758]

yes