Subscribed/not Subscribed

I'd be rather sad if posting was limited to subscribers only. What I love about this forum is that everybody can join in, owner or only enthusiast (with me being of the latter kind). 15$ a year might not be much money, even less considering the general financial level on which most of the users here are. I'm a student, I guess most of you know about the very special relationship student vs. money, I would think twice about spending money on an internet forum. Yes, no one would even notice I left, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who would say goodbye, far less new users would join in the future... which brings us to my assumption that making FChat a "pay to post" site would confirm the random visitor's prejudice of Ferrari owners being a bunch of arrogant snobs, which you are clearly not, but tell that the guy adoring Ferraris who just read "Sorry, you need to pay to make a post"....

 

I think you both make good points, but regardless of your beliefs, there are an awful lot of free memberships out there. I continue to be surprised by non-members that have hundreds or thousands of posts to their name, and they have a Ferrari?!

I have gained so much from the forums in terms of knowledge, shortcuts, and experience to make my ownership that much more enjoyable. Many rely on the few, to pay their way so they too can enjoy the benefits. And come on, you're a student and don't have $15. This has nothing to do with snobbery but economics. What is your participation in the forums worth "to you"? The guys who run this forum are endlessly patient with the non-payers, and maybe it will end one day, and maybe not. I believe if you had to walk into a room where we were all sitting and there was someone at the door collecting the fee, 90% of you would pay. Anonimity has its advantage$.

I see guys with $200k cars and they can't afford a membership? Give me a break, join forum and help make it better for everyone.

My $15 worth...

B~

 

Silver is for loosers and peasants. Rossa is for da ballaz!!!! Lolz!!!!!!!

 

I used to be subscribed but let it lapse because I was spending too much time in subscriber forums. I need to work some. I have not noticed any real increase in beligerence of late. Perhaps it's in sub forums I'm not looking at.

Dave

 

I am new, just subscribed yesterday, so it does not show yet. So dont push me out.

To funny...But a good point anyway. It is nice to be with people sharing a common interest in something. I do feel it is necessary to weed out the dreamers from the realistics from a certain point. Were I am buying one soon, and I need concrete experienced views and suggestions. Again thats just my point of view.

Jon

 

I sort of agree. My only reservation is that I'm not sure a $15 subscription was worth it for me till I had decided to active look for a Ferrari and of course now that I have one. You might squelch a lot of legitimate and useful newbie questions that make the site useful. Part of the benefit of FChat is that guys who aren't even sure if Ferrari ownership is within the realm of possibility find this site and can get that question resolved.

Maybe have a limited number of posts before you must subscribe? Not sure...

Someday I'll have the cash set aside that I can go Rossa.

 

LOL! Sir, let me know if the car needs washing...

Good one!

 

I need the lay-a-way option.

 

I agree there are many forums and sites where you can read but not post and some where you can only read the last few days posts without subscribing.

 

There are 3 levels of subscription that are offered. No one should be criticized for selecting one of three levels OFFERED (key word here).

You get more with a paid subscription, you get less with free one (mailbox size, uploads etc.). If a free subscription is not "appropriate" it should/would not be offered. People often want others to do what they did for no valid reason. And, what do you do with a guy like Verell..... someone that brings much more to this forum than he takes away. Granted, he is a paying member, I believe, but what if he was not? Should he be charged to help us and share his knowledge? I use him as one example. Of course there are others.

Everyone should be comfortable with what they're doing and allow others to do the same.... but I've been around in the world long enough to know that will never happen

 

To be honest I really don't know if restricting rights for non subscribers would improve the standard of the board.
What I do know is that any ferrari owner who has used any advice on the tech section has had more than 15 dollars worth of advice.

 

Alex,

I agree with you. I would propose to Limit number of posts/day for unsubscribed (I don't agree with not allowing to post at all) but if only 5 post/ day were allowed, trolling would be reduced, but new users could become familiar with the site.

Unfortunately I suspect the business of running a succesful site requires post volume, so anything that reduces posts (regardless of whether they are useless post) is bad for the business model (just a guess).

Simon

 

Probably true but FerrariChat is not a business enterprise and people giving advice are not/cannot be held liable for poor advice.

 

True, but the old adage 'free advice is worth what you pay' comes to mind.
I agree there is a lot of noise, but also a great many respected ferrari techs on fchat.

 

Caveat emptor! Pay or not, we're all big boys and we can elicit many opinions from the other participants with a simple post--absolutely beautiful. I think the real question is; why wouldn't you want to help? To contribute to something bigger than any one of us, and make it better.

Regardless of how long I own a Ferrari, I will always remember how helpful the forum was. Paying for it is my, and others', way of saying thankyou--make it better. Or, we can all freeload and see how long it lasts!

Cheers~

Lowly Silver sub...

 

VBulletin-based forums have an option to hide new members posts until a mod can look at them. Perhaps the first ten posts of a noob can be set this way? I've seen some new members get banned before they even hit 10, and it would eliminate the one-post spammers entirely. My .02

 

I agree there should be an option for not subscribing. There are alot of good posts made by non-subscribed members. I have also seen an increase in BS posts from both from paying users and non-paying users. Maybe there should be a rule that if you don't pay for a subscription then you are always considered on probation of some sort. One screwup and your gone!!!! Pay for a subscription and you get a few warnings first. That may help some of the non-paying noobs who like to start BS>..

 

funny, i think rob should pay me.

 

IMO should depend on the offense. I don't think subscribed or not should effect banning.

I still for the can't fathom my Vik was given so many chances... WWWWAAAAYYYY too many IMO. And he was subscribed...

 

+1, Very good idea. Preventing spam and noobs=good.

 

Well, we were all noobs at one point, but spammers get no wiggle room with me.

 

This is not a new idea for many forums oustide of this one.
Gentlemen, while new to Ferrari chat as you can see, I have worked on the elustrious prancing horse for nearly twenty years now. I have not an issue with subscription, as with my HK website,it alots my restricted information, or additional sometimes proprietary information not generally shared as some sort of benefit.
That would be the pro however.

Keep in mind that we all share a common dream as boys, growing up, seeing and dreaming of what the future may to offer us. Ownership is a privledge shared by few world wide, considering the numbers of Ferrari's ever made vs. population. In a short time I have read several non-subscribers questions, and see their pride and respect for the mark, and the hope that they may one day achieve the opportunity to sit in a chair, sign a piece of paper, and be handed the keys to a piece of automotive history and a symbol of racing excellence. Do you each remember that first moment,signing on the line?????

This forum has moderators. Their goal is to do just that. Monitor, inform, and enforce as necessary the rules and regulations set forth and agreed upon when applying for your log on. If you feel that inappropriate comments, have been addressed to you, do not reply in kind but rather forward or PM a moderator. They are more than capable of addressing the issue, or eliminating an offender.

Limiting the opinions, questions, and information from the masses here based solely on membership is a basic form of censorship.
While this may appeal to some intially, I would ask you to show wisdom, and patience as opposed to isolating yourself from those that share in a common feeling and sense of excitement twards Enzo's gift to all.

I think that's more than 2 cents

 

Maybe a bit off topic, but does anyone know how many subscribers there are at any given time?

 

If it was my call, unsubscribed newbies would post in pink until they either subscribed or built a little credibility (perhaps 20 posts without complaints from established users). Maybe....maybe....maybe limit them during that probation period to 3 or 4 posts per day.