This could be a bad idea, but...
If only paid subscribers were allowed to post comments, it would address two issues.
1: The people who generate the most page views (us) would be paying for that privelege.
2:Idiots like shoogin would think twice before paying, just so they could post crud like that which also results in their account being disabled. (No refund policy for disabled accounts would need to be enforced.)
Drawbacks:
1:People outside the States or Canada would have difficulty subscribing. An easier method would be needed.
2: Newbies would be discouraged from posting by the up front charge. Most of us subscribed because we were already here and had a sense of community.
Perhaps a 30 day free (or severely discounted?) membership is in order in that case?
Alternately, if the comments are available to read, it draws more people in to post, but negates the benefit of reducing page views by non-members.
3:The pool of posters would tend to stagnate and shrink as attrition takes its toll, and the influx of new posters is reduced. This could result in a long term reduction in income.
There are obviously some defects in this idea, but perhaps someone has some ideas that would help alleviate the downsides? |
