I don't know where you people live,but over here 20$ a year can be too much,and I don't think Belgium is a 3rd world country.I'll give you 2 examples in which I know the people personally.
1.A retired widower on a tiny pension who has been playing chess for over 60 years,he's 78 now,has some mobility problems.He's unable to regularly visit the chessclub which he attended for 40 years.The club gave him their old PC and each member chipped in for internet access.He is delighted to play chess vs people all over the globe from his own home,but he can't afford to subscribe to any site.His children help him out financially,if not he would have to move into a retirement home for the poor.Is he not entitled to make suggestions to improve this site regardless of his movecount?
2.A 29-year old divorced man.He sold his tv set and car to buy a PC with internetconnection 'cause when his daughter stays with him every other week,he wants her to be able to access the internet which she needs for schoolwork.In the little spare time he has,he likes to play chess on the net.He cannot afford 20$ a year.He has trouble enough making ends meet as it is.In fact,the ends often do not meet.Is he not entitled to make suggestions?Or maybe he should get a 3rd job instead of playing chess?
There must be others in similar situations like this,I'm sure.Though I agree that its probably a minority,but you don't know that when you push someone to subscribe.It's very unfair to label them as parasites when you know nothing of their personal/financial situation.
Stop judging so readily!
But don't worry,none of the 2 people I mentioned play here,as far as I know.They will not disturb you with suggestions they are not entitled to make.
Goodnight.
Sir Lot.
If somebody likes the site and has money, it is more than likely that he/she will eventually sign up. Pawn stars have more features - fair, other features (including forums) are accessible for all. I don't like hard-pushing of non-members by other site users. Let everybody decide on his/her own.
Grrr, there seems to be no end of people upsetting me on this site lately.
The bottom line is this: RUSS is the site admin. RUSS allows non-subscribers to play for free. RUSS allows non-subscribers to use the forums openly. RUSS has never made any comment about non-subscribers not having the right to post ideas/wants for the site.
Though I am sure he appreciates that you want people to subscribe, he probably doesn't appreciate the possiblity of you pushing them away from the site by berating them for not subscribing.
Whether people don't subscribe because they can't afford it, because they think it's too much, because they just don't feel like it, it doesn't matter. What they can do on the site is what Russ has put in place for them to do and we have no right to put those people down because they choose to utilize the site in the way Russ has allowed them to do.
ncrosby😠
Originally posted by ncrosbyExactly!! You've just said everything I was about to attempt to say. Thank for you for freeing up some more of my time for my study of the French Defence.
Grrr, there seems to be no end of people upsetting me on this site lately.
The bottom line is this: RUSS is the site admin. RUSS allows non-subscribers to play for free. RUSS allows non-subscribers to use the forums openly. RUSS has never made any comment about non-subscribers not having the right to post ideas/wants for the site.
Though I am sure ...[text shortened]... n because they choose to utilize the site in the way Russ has allowed them to do.
ncrosby😠
Originally posted by SirLoseALotOops! 😲
Damn you crosby! 😠
I have enough trouble with his stupid french opening as it is.There really was no need to give him even more time to study on it!
If I lose,I blame you 😉
Sir Lot 😛
Well, I could always start another thrashing thread complaining about something or other that is totally unfair to draw him back here! Would that help? 🙂
Then again, I think we have an overabundance of those, so I'll just take the blame. 😉
ncrosby🙂
Originally posted by ncrosbyCan't you make a thread about him?And only say nice things 🙂
Oops! 😲
Well, I could always start another thrashing thread complaining about something or other that is totally unfair to draw him back here! Would that help? 🙂
Then again, I think we have an overabundance of those, so I'll just take the blame. 😉
ncrosby🙂
That'll distract him 😀
Originally posted by SirLoseALot😀
Damn you crosby! 😠
I have enough trouble with his stupid french opening as it is.There really was no need to give him even more time to study on it!
If I lose,I blame you 😉
Sir Lot 😛
You can blame no one but the inventor of that odd variation you're trying.
I'm glad to say that i will hopefully become a subscriber soon because this is a great site.
I only join a little while ago but didn't subscribe then because i'm only fiftenn and i'm in the process of persuading my parents to 'cough up'. I'll pay then back but they just don't like to idea of spending money on the internet.
And for any non-subscribers out there, I don't want to put any pressure on you but just subscribe. It's only fair.
As a non-subscriber i never felt abused or segregated.
(To Russ and Chris)
I hope my little contribution help to keep this site going for as long as possible. and woe betide those non-subscribers that take advantage of your kindness.
Originally posted by NathanMarchWelcome to the club!
I'm glad to say that i will hopefully become a subscriber soon because this is a great site.
I only join a little while ago but didn't subscribe then because i'm only fiftenn and i'm in the process of persuading my parents to 'cough up'. I'll pay then back but they just don't like to idea of spending money on the internet.
And for any non- ...[text shortened]... as long as possible. and woe betide those non-subscribers that take advantage of your kindness.
Originally posted by SirLoseALotthey ARE a VAST minority. Alot of non-subs just take advantage of what's free, and let others pay for the services.
I don't know where you people live,but over here 20$ a year can be too much,and I don't think Belgium is a 3rd world country.I'll give you 2 examples in which I know the people personally.
1.A retired widower on a tiny pension who has been playing chess for over 60 years,he's 78 now,has some mobility problems.He's unable to regularly visit the ch ...[text shortened]... hey will not disturb you with suggestions they are not entitled to make.
Goodnight.
Sir Lot.
If no-one would pay anymore, due to funding problems the site would shrink. I think that it would even shrink so much that even the non-subs of the present would see the services they enjoy be limited even further. I can't imagine a site with 75000 visitors to be able to substain 6 games per player, forums for all, archives, messaging during games and a message system outside the games without any funding.
Assuming i am correct in the above, the non-subs use a part of the site subs pay for...
non-subs are not obligated to join, but using that fact to play heavily for free isn't right.
I think it says something positive for the RHP site and the RHP community when we can offer a free membership to those who can not or simply choose not to pay a subscription fee. I don't feel that I'm being imposed upon if a small part of my subscription fee helps to maintain that free membership policy on this site.
It serves no purpose to argue endlessly about whether there are members who can or cannot afford membership. There is no requirement to justify remaining as a non-subscribing member. As long as a free member is happy with the restrictions placed on them, I don't feel it is necessary or desirable to harrass them in any way.
They don't play heavily. They can't. They play a maximum of 6 games at one time. No clans. No Tournaments. No personal graphics. It used to be more games, but was cut back to six.
As far as I'm concerned, they are welcome to maintain a free membership for as long as they want. No questions. No guilt. No harrassment. Enjoy our site, stay as long as you like!
If the administrators feel that free members are placing an excessive burden on the resources, they will surely do something to take care of it.
Just my opinion,
Marc