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Pastimes : Discuss Go2Net's acquisition of our beloved SI -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lane3 who wrote (169)	4/25/1998 7:55:00 PM
From: SI Brad	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 446

Thanks for coming out of the shadows. You make some great points. And one that you have left out is that some "lurkers" contribute indirectly by interacting with posters via email. We haven't charged you to date, largely because we have been hoping that you would one day become a contributing poster. You obviously have knowledge to share, and I appreciate that you have taken the step. While obviously there is some "blather" in the boards, it's a necessary component of interaction that creates the glue of SI. You're right, by not posting, you're not consuming substantial resources. Some posts are phenomenal, while some things would be better left unposted. But on average, a post creates value for others. I consider simply "lurking" an unwillingness to share knowledge with others. I believe you will be given an opportunity to become a lifetime member by either (1) paying a small amount of money or (2) by starting to contribute to the site. Regards, Brad

To: Lane3 who wrote (169)	4/25/1998 8:15:00 PM
From: Caroline	Respond to of 446

You stated that point very well, and I believe Brad's answer was good, too. Simply wanted to point out that internet sites are "content" driven, and as such, we provide the content. The model is not unlike Geocities, in which the users are the content. I'm sure, after having read your post, that the SI audience won't confuse your contributions with those we'd rather not read. If your observations on the market are even half as eloquent as your plea to be viewed as something other than a "lurker," I'm sure they'll be very well received. Caroline

To: Lane3 who wrote (169)	4/25/1998 10:51:00 PM
From: Hiram Walker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 446

Kholt, but what did Brad sell to GNET? Mainly this is like a bar,that everyone wants to belong to,like Cheers. Hey where would the bar be without Cliff,and Norm contributing? What Brad has, is a whole bunch of highly educated,techically savvy people,willing to impart knowledge to others. There is a lot of hype here,and some false prophets.also. But in the information age,what do we really have to sell,but that? I am working on a new theory of economics,rewriting Shumpeter's theories of creative destruction, to that of creative transfer. Knowledge must be transferred to increase wealth,though you still possess it. Thanks,Brad,good luck. Hiram

To: Lane3 who wrote (169)	4/25/1998 11:06:00 PM
From: Zeuspaul	Respond to of 446

kholt, please stop by the Dream Machine thread #subject-18946. We talk about all aspects of home computers. We do not get very many posts so any input or questions are welcome. If you have a question on Windows 95 or a computer hardware question please do not hesitate. All questions or input is welcome. No one needs to be an expert. Post a question or a Windows tip to me if you like #reply-4115359 . I probably will not know the answer but there are a lot of knowledgeable people on the thread who perhaps will. An open invitation to all lurkers Zeuspaul

To: Lane3 who wrote (169)	4/26/1998 12:51:00 PM
From: Zeuspaul	Respond to of 446

>>I felt a bit guilty, but not $125 worth of guilty, particularly when I had seen no campaign to get a payment from us old timers and could find no instructions on how to pay if i wanted to.<< I share your views. At the time the fees were introduced Jeff indicated in one of the threads that charter members were in for life #reply-1129375 . That put my mind to rest at the time. I surely would have paid the fee at the time ( I think it started at $45) or would have maintained the minimum level of posting if I knew what it was. I think Brad is saying the same thing but with better definition. If we know the rules we can follow them. Asking someone to post a certain minimum sounds reasonable to me. (heck, the state confiscates my savings account if I do not make a deposit or withdraw each three years!) Confessions I am an introvert too. I think a lot of us are. The Web is actually a pretty good place for us. I do not interact well with people at all. If I email someone with a question and they answer back "just call me" I usually take my business elsewhere. The SI forum has given me a means of communicating with people that has no equal. Keep Posting Zeuspaul

To: Lane3 who wrote (169)	4/26/1998 3:38:00 PM
From: Scott Pedigo	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 446

With regard to non-posters not being grandfathered: I wish that more people would share your conscientiousness with regard to not posting meaningless blather merely to feel like they are participating. But if you do not desire to post, and in fact never do, then if your current free subscription is not grandfathered, you don't lose anything, do you? You will still be able to lurk, just as do many others who came later than you (after the fees started) who have not subscribed. The worst thing that can happen is that you end up being subjected to banner ads, if they are implemented for non-subscribers. It would be a form of "use it or lose it". Having said that, I don't see what difference it would make to SI if you WERE grandfathered, along with the active posters. It wouldn't cost them anything. In fact, it would actually require effort (programming = time + money) on their part to sort out the non-active from the active, and the old-time free subscribers from the recent paid subscribers, in order to remove your id. from the database. Easiest just to leave the subscriber database the way it is.