Need opinions from the members.

[TheCableVine]

I am getting hit left and right with people signing up just for the purpose of spamming. I'm constantly deleting accounts from these people and invariably someone innocent gets deleted or denied access. I just deleted over 100 accounts that were awaiting e-mail confirmation. And I'll probably delete another 100 in a couple of days. This doesn't include the accounts that I delete through out the day.

Here is what I'm getting at: I have always said that as long as I own this site it would be free. Now I'm starting to see what a free site is to 99% of the internet (who are non-locators of course)... a chance to spam directly or through profiles or whatever other method they have come up with. It is becoming a huge pain in the butt.

So... here is what I'm getting at. I'm thinking about making this a pay site. I'm looking for input from everyone.

If It does go to a pay site, it will be closed to everyone who hasn't paid. That means that 95% of the visitors who are locators who just come by to read will not be able to. That to me is fair to the subscribers. Everyone who has already signed up and is an active member will not need to pay.

Comments anyone?

[yahoo]

i'm down but will you be able to control this issue????

[TheCableVine]

i'm down but will you be able to control this issue????

control the issue? I don't understand what issue.

[ifinditunderground]

What kind of costs are you looking at Steve? Would it be cheap enough for everyone to afford, and have payment options easy enough for everyone to live with? I love this site and would hate to lose good potential members for the sake of a buck......Would additional help be a better solution? Golden and TBone do a good job, but their time is as limited as everyone elses......

[ifinditunderground]

Who opened the screen door?

[RoadMap]

Manhoe you kind of sound like a loser! You have 5 backup names waiting! Damn you must not have a life! Or your wife is ugly and you can't stand her! I will just put you on the ignore list with USIC.

[TheCableVine]

What kind of costs are you looking at Steve? Would it be cheap enough for everyone to afford, and have payment options easy enough for everyone to live with? I love this site and would hate to lose good potential members for the sake of a buck......Would additional help be a better solution? Golden does a good job, but his time is as limited as everyone elses......

Just a minimal cost of 5 dollars. that will keep all the spammers from signing up and will keep losers like the previous poster (manhoe) from signing up as well. Each time he does it will cost him 5 dollars.

Like I said. I am just looking for input on this.

[Goldenboy]

I must agree with ifindit. It would really suck to lose potential members because of the cost. If it was a small fee that the lowly locator could afford maybe it would work.

Would people be able to view the forum? Otherwise how would they hear about it to know they'd be interested in signing up. Maybe we could make it an invite only club? Kinda like the clubs downtown where you need the password to get in.

[Dennis_CLS]

Manhoe you kind of sound like a loser! You have 5 backup names waiting! Damn you must not have a life! Or your wife is ugly and you can't stand her! I will just put you on the ignore list with USIC.

LOL, look at this other idiot. hahahaha

Let me stop wastin my bullets. I was told the ban would be lifted on November 4th

[sprayandpray]

Hey, whatever you need to do is Ok with me - a $5 charge would probably keep the USIC upper mgmt off also as cheap as they are

[underground quester]

I am okay with that Steve. Can you set up paypal or something similar?

[Hurricane9]

I like Golden's idea. Set up an invite only type access. If someone wants to join, they must first email one of the mods with enough information to prove that it isn't a spammer. Then they also provide their screen name. When they do that, they get the password to the registration page, and it could change every week. That would keep the kiddies out of here.

Just a thought.

[Damage Investigator]

I would not have a problem with paying but you would need a way to let some one see the site first before having to pay. Maybe they could view the site for free but before they could post they would have to sign up and pay.

[gypsygirl]

I would not have a problem with paying but you would need a way to let some one see the site first before having to pay. Maybe they could view the site for free but before they could post they would have to sign up and pay.

That is a good idea... I remember on the old site we had back room. Do we have one here? If so, then you would have to be signed up to view this area also. Otherwise it would be blocked. I don't have a problem with a $5 fee, but I do think people should be able to "look before they buy". Limit their looking... (ie no viewing personal profiles or backroom stuff), no posting and you could even have them moderated for the first 90 days or so many posts after they join. (Just my 2 cents worth).

[TheCableVine]

Yes... we have the backroom here as well.

I'm thinking this may not be a good idea. I don't want to limit exposure to the locate community.