Aa
Membership
What about having an annual membership fee? Nothing huge, maybe even just a couple dollars annually. I cannot help but think that if people had to pay a nominal fee to create a user name, that may cut down on the trolls who are so willing to create a dozen user names after being banned. No charges for services like tickers or the like, just a small annual membership charge to pay via paypal or the like. Back in the day I used to donate via Paypal when it was an option and sort of saw it as a way to contribute to operating costs back when it was non-profit.
From just asking around, many of the members I have mentioned this to over the years were on board with it as long as it wasn't overly expensive. All of the requests on the suggestions forum have to be costing a fair amount of money to implement and I think that sometimes folks are forgetting this comes at a cost to the organization. And adding some of these other features not only costs money in development and implementation, but bandwidth and running speeds are commonly compromised which then spawns a new series of complaints as well.
At the very least, I think we owe our thanks to the folks that make it all possible. Sorry, it is just frustrating to see this wish list on here like a greedy child's Christmas list at times.
Perhaps the biggest change we would see is the decrease in troll behavior. If it costs a person a few bucks to join, they are less likely to keep coming back and creating new user names and this could also help to fund the cost to employ the moderators who work so hard to keep up on this crazy place. It must be a daunting task to try and monitor 300+ forums for problem posts, fights, and trolls. I think we all take for granted what MH has offer us all in terms of a place to call home, a place to take our shoes off, cozy up, and share our lives with others.
Just throwing it out there.
From just asking around, many of the members I have mentioned this to over the years were on board with it as long as it wasn't overly expensive. All of the requests on the suggestions forum have to be costing a fair amount of money to implement and I think that sometimes folks are forgetting this comes at a cost to the organization. And adding some of these other features not only costs money in development and implementation, but bandwidth and running speeds are commonly compromised which then spawns a new series of complaints as well.
At the very least, I think we owe our thanks to the folks that make it all possible. Sorry, it is just frustrating to see this wish list on here like a greedy child's Christmas list at times.
Perhaps the biggest change we would see is the decrease in troll behavior. If it costs a person a few bucks to join, they are less likely to keep coming back and creating new user names and this could also help to fund the cost to employ the moderators who work so hard to keep up on this crazy place. It must be a daunting task to try and monitor 300+ forums for problem posts, fights, and trolls. I think we all take for granted what MH has offer us all in terms of a place to call home, a place to take our shoes off, cozy up, and share our lives with others.
Just throwing it out there.
Bad idea. I would not have been able to afford this. Trolls should be dealt with by moderators. Others forums have trolls removed and banned.
Isn't it bad enuff that medical in the US is so damn expensive? And here in Canada, it's difficult to find a good family doctor. I thought that was the point of this website.
if i wasnt on disabilty for my MPD, asthma, major depression and full blown fibromyalgia.. and get such a low income.. and have it all gone right after i pay all the bills and medical billings.. i would say ok..
sadly though.. thats all the money i get for the whole month and then only get $40 something for food stamps to last me a month.. i scrape by month by month every single month.. and down to day by day..
its so hard...
sadly though.. thats all the money i get for the whole month and then only get $40 something for food stamps to last me a month.. i scrape by month by month every single month.. and down to day by day..
its so hard...
I never would have joined if there was a fee. I found MH on accident while googling my question and I would have went to another link if I was asked to pay.
I think it is a bad idea.
I do however, think that something needs to be done about trolls
I think it is a bad idea.
I do however, think that something needs to be done about trolls
No, I will have to leave Medhelp if there's a user fee, I'm that strapped financially and can't squeeze out 1 more dime for something like this.
Susan400
Susan400
Quote: "Sorry, it is just frustrating to see this wish list on here like a greedy child's Christmas list at times. "
No offense intended, but this is a suggestion forum. I don't think anyone anticipates every request to be granted...simply considered (because MedHelp has asked for these suggestions).
Definitely-everyone is blessed to have such a great place to enjoy, gain information, ask questions, make friends, etc. I'm sure all are quite appreciative of this and respect MedHelp's efforts. The Moderators are wonderful and caring; so are the Community Leaders (whom also donate their time and resources).
I have been in many, many other types of groups, forums, blogs, gamerooms and such and i've discovered that regardless if it is a pay service or not, there are still "trolls" and those who just don't play well with others.
No offense intended, but this is a suggestion forum. I don't think anyone anticipates every request to be granted...simply considered (because MedHelp has asked for these suggestions).
Definitely-everyone is blessed to have such a great place to enjoy, gain information, ask questions, make friends, etc. I'm sure all are quite appreciative of this and respect MedHelp's efforts. The Moderators are wonderful and caring; so are the Community Leaders (whom also donate their time and resources).
I have been in many, many other types of groups, forums, blogs, gamerooms and such and i've discovered that regardless if it is a pay service or not, there are still "trolls" and those who just don't play well with others.
I vote No on membership fees.
1/ I would have passed on MH if there was a charge, as I did with American Heart Assoc.
2/ If you look at the best online communities, they are ALL free i.e. myspace, facebook,
3/ Cost of running the site can/and is underwritten by advertisers - it's a simple effective model.
4/ MH does not need to add more functionality. Keeping a site clean and simple to meet the primary mission of a creating a community of peers is key. Everytime successful online communities have gone down the road of monetizing through membership they have failed. There is tremendous power in "free-dom" :)
What is/are the problem/s we are trying to address by charging fees?
The CL (Community Leader model is a simple straightforward idea) works very well in the Heart Disease Comm.
Just my "free" 2 cents.
Cheers,
Toby
1/ I would have passed on MH if there was a charge, as I did with American Heart Assoc.
2/ If you look at the best online communities, they are ALL free i.e. myspace, facebook,
3/ Cost of running the site can/and is underwritten by advertisers - it's a simple effective model.
4/ MH does not need to add more functionality. Keeping a site clean and simple to meet the primary mission of a creating a community of peers is key. Everytime successful online communities have gone down the road of monetizing through membership they have failed. There is tremendous power in "free-dom" :)
What is/are the problem/s we are trying to address by charging fees?
The CL (Community Leader model is a simple straightforward idea) works very well in the Heart Disease Comm.
Just my "free" 2 cents.
Cheers,
Toby
Have you tried asking the pain managment forum?
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/53
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/53
Pay? To ask questions which are ignored? I don't think that would be very good. When people come here, its most likely because they are searching for some information...some help or hope. So they ask a question and get ignored. What is there to justify paying for it? I came here trying to find out SOMETHING to do for my shoulder pain. Posted twice and received 0(thats a zero) response...and I am supposed to pay for that?
No membership fee. Look around at the multitudinous pages of advertisements; no different than basic t.v. service, which is free.
It would keep many people under 18 off the site, because they would need a parent's credit card to pay. This would make the parents feel entitled to look at the info, since it's a service they're paying for, thus making it useless to many teens. Also, I for one couldn't afford -any- kind of membership fee, and would be forced to stop using the site.
It would be ridiculous for me to pay a couple of dollars as it would cost the person up to $10 to do the currency transfer. AND $US2 is a lot more in this country, as it is in many others and in some countries they would never be able to send money overseas let alone to America at any cost.
And no is my vote. I would leave too as the reason I have joined here was another site I am on is likely to start charging and I wanted to have a home where I could make friends and talk to other people who were experiencing similar things to what I am. And not have to be charged for it.
And no is my vote. I would leave too as the reason I have joined here was another site I am on is likely to start charging and I wanted to have a home where I could make friends and talk to other people who were experiencing similar things to what I am. And not have to be charged for it.
I would not pay to be a continued member here as I have said alot here I would have to
MOVE ON
MOVE ON
No:
The trouble of going through a membership/payment process,
So many members have limited funds due to illness,
Confidentiality issues
The site says payment can be anonymous, but as someone above mentioned a financial trail would be created that might be discovered by family members or others
I don't know much about trolls, but I believe what others have said about trolls are willing to pay money anyway to wreak havoc.
The issue of trolls is important, but I just don't think a membership fee to reduce this outweighs the problems.
The trouble of going through a membership/payment process,
So many members have limited funds due to illness,
Confidentiality issues
The site says payment can be anonymous, but as someone above mentioned a financial trail would be created that might be discovered by family members or others
I don't know much about trolls, but I believe what others have said about trolls are willing to pay money anyway to wreak havoc.
The issue of trolls is important, but I just don't think a membership fee to reduce this outweighs the problems.
Originally posted by AR-10
Some sites raise money by letting regular members become Team Members, with e-mail accounts and other perks not offered to regular members, in return for their "donation". That leads to Team Memebers looking down their noses at "freeloaders", regardless of how many times the site owner tells the membership that HE doesn't care if everyone is a Team Member or not.
And you still get advertising up the wazoo, because that is where the site financing comes from, even if you have Team memberships. "Team Member" brings in a little more revenue, and fosters a "dedicated memeber vs. freeloader" attitude.
And to be real honest, If I wanted to troll and cause trouble, a few bucks would not be an impediment. The site I belong to with members and Team Members has a lot of trolls with Team memberships. Gives them credibility, they think. They have no problem throwing down $25 on multiple accounts.
Staff has no problem banning paying members, either. It's a donation, not a refundable fee.
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In light of this post, which makes a good point, if there were a "fee" for a membership or a donatin made for whatever benefits that would come with it, the members or donors could remain annonymous to avoid this situation. If the fee would be just to cut down on the trolling, the poster also makes a good point regarding trolls. If someone really wants to be a PITA to a site, a few dollars probably isn't going to stop them.
Some sites raise money by letting regular members become Team Members, with e-mail accounts and other perks not offered to regular members, in return for their "donation". That leads to Team Memebers looking down their noses at "freeloaders", regardless of how many times the site owner tells the membership that HE doesn't care if everyone is a Team Member or not.
And you still get advertising up the wazoo, because that is where the site financing comes from, even if you have Team memberships. "Team Member" brings in a little more revenue, and fosters a "dedicated memeber vs. freeloader" attitude.
And to be real honest, If I wanted to troll and cause trouble, a few bucks would not be an impediment. The site I belong to with members and Team Members has a lot of trolls with Team memberships. Gives them credibility, they think. They have no problem throwing down $25 on multiple accounts.
Staff has no problem banning paying members, either. It's a donation, not a refundable fee.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In light of this post, which makes a good point, if there were a "fee" for a membership or a donatin made for whatever benefits that would come with it, the members or donors could remain annonymous to avoid this situation. If the fee would be just to cut down on the trolling, the poster also makes a good point regarding trolls. If someone really wants to be a PITA to a site, a few dollars probably isn't going to stop them.
I would pay a fee to be a member of this site however, I understand the reasons why some would/could not.
What about a membership fee with certain "privaleges" for example, it costs $15.00 to ask a queston of one of the Drs that are on the site. Maybe allow the folks that are paying members to post their questions for free or reduced price as a benefit of their membership.
Just a suggestion,
What about a membership fee with certain "privaleges" for example, it costs $15.00 to ask a queston of one of the Drs that are on the site. Maybe allow the folks that are paying members to post their questions for free or reduced price as a benefit of their membership.
Just a suggestion,
Andij, I just stumbled across your poll accidentally. I am a co-CL on the MS board and we don't appear to have any major problems. There are CL's who monitor the activity, and do so on a voluntary basis. I would think MedHelp generates enough revenue to handle their salaries and bandwidth needs. Even a nominal charge would discourage people from using our forum. For many its the economics. For others they just don't have aCC or wouldn't feel like paying. I'm wondering if there was some specific incident that set off this thinking or a general frustration? Be well, Lulu
I really like Medhelp, in fact I am a "medhelp junkie", but I would not pay to be a member of this site.
Sometimes questions go unanswered unless you are very well known on that particular forum and I just do not see new members finding it worthwhile to pay for this website.
Andij- I totally see your point, but I just do not think that it would work. It might not even stop trolls, people that are truly sick for attention will doing anything to get it. So, lets not punish everyone else for these people. Maybe medhelp should do a better screening process instead of fee.
Sometimes questions go unanswered unless you are very well known on that particular forum and I just do not see new members finding it worthwhile to pay for this website.
Andij- I totally see your point, but I just do not think that it would work. It might not even stop trolls, people that are truly sick for attention will doing anything to get it. So, lets not punish everyone else for these people. Maybe medhelp should do a better screening process instead of fee.
Having a low income, I can't really afford it, or even if I could afford it, I would be turned off by the concept of having to pay.
Great idea but I must agree that if I came here during a critical time in my life, needing to speak with someone, I'd be completely turned off by going through a payment process first. Even one that was only a few dollars.
I would not have joined if it required a fee.
I would have lurked and read if that option was available, but I would not pay to be a member.
A lot of people getting help here cannot work and have no diposable income.
It's also a matter of principal. Very few sites require a fee, and I won't pay a fee to access a site.
Some sites raise money by letting regular members become Team Members, with e-mail accounts and other perks not offered to regular members, in return for their "donation". That leads to Team Memebers looking down their noses at "freeloaders", regardless of how many times the site owner tells the membership that HE doesn't care if everyone is a Team Member or not.
And you still get advertising up the wazoo, because that is where the site financing comes from, even if you have Team memberships. "Team Member" brings in a little more revenue, and fosters a "dedicated memeber vs. freeloader" attitude.
And to be real honest, If I wanted to troll and cause trouble, a few bucks would not be an impediment. The site I belong to with members and Team Members has a lot of trolls with Team memberships. Gives them credibility, they think. They have no problem throwing down $25 on multiple accounts.
Staff has no problem banning paying members, either. It's a donation, not a refundable fee.
I would have lurked and read if that option was available, but I would not pay to be a member.
A lot of people getting help here cannot work and have no diposable income.
It's also a matter of principal. Very few sites require a fee, and I won't pay a fee to access a site.
Some sites raise money by letting regular members become Team Members, with e-mail accounts and other perks not offered to regular members, in return for their "donation". That leads to Team Memebers looking down their noses at "freeloaders", regardless of how many times the site owner tells the membership that HE doesn't care if everyone is a Team Member or not.
And you still get advertising up the wazoo, because that is where the site financing comes from, even if you have Team memberships. "Team Member" brings in a little more revenue, and fosters a "dedicated memeber vs. freeloader" attitude.
And to be real honest, If I wanted to troll and cause trouble, a few bucks would not be an impediment. The site I belong to with members and Team Members has a lot of trolls with Team memberships. Gives them credibility, they think. They have no problem throwing down $25 on multiple accounts.
Staff has no problem banning paying members, either. It's a donation, not a refundable fee.
I marked that I would pay...and i would, but as Jules said, had I first come here seeking help about my pregnancy and had to pay, I'd have ventured on. Yes, it would cut down on the trolls (thank GOD!), but we may miss out on some really cool people, too!
I must say I agree with Jaqui. If I first came across this site and had to pay I would have moved on (what a pity). Also you must remember that this is an international site and you have visitors from all over the world. Here is South Africa the exchange rate is 1 USD = 10 Rand. Which means a small fee to you may be huge to us. I also know of people who visit from other African countries that are worse off than we are. Internet alone here is extremely expensive. Keep it free and advertise as much as you want.
Sorry, I forgot something....
Also, cost IS a factor. For some,, even a dollar or two IS too much...I know because I USED to live that way.
On top of that, some folks do not have credit cards or even bank accounts....and SOME that do, are on here in a private fashion, right or wrong, and their families do not know.
Some seek help for problems that have stigmas attached and if there was payment, this would show up to their family members. I know people here who are like that, and if there was even a chance of their family knowing, they'd never have joined in the first place. For some who don't want their families to know, it's not even necessarily about a particular problem they're having...some folks don't want their spouses on the internet at all....again, not to debate whether or not these folks have healthy relationships, I've seen folks on certain forums talk about stuff like this.
Also, cost IS a factor. For some,, even a dollar or two IS too much...I know because I USED to live that way.
On top of that, some folks do not have credit cards or even bank accounts....and SOME that do, are on here in a private fashion, right or wrong, and their families do not know.
Some seek help for problems that have stigmas attached and if there was payment, this would show up to their family members. I know people here who are like that, and if there was even a chance of their family knowing, they'd never have joined in the first place. For some who don't want their families to know, it's not even necessarily about a particular problem they're having...some folks don't want their spouses on the internet at all....again, not to debate whether or not these folks have healthy relationships, I've seen folks on certain forums talk about stuff like this.
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