[chris_at_lucas_RN]

I never thought I'd see the day.

I really thought that this was a "pro bono" (for the general good) effort, and that the point was that we put up with the ads along the side, at the bottom of our posts, etc., because that was how this was funded.

Then came premium membershp. Okay, I can see if it's a voluntary thing, and people can get some kind of perks with it.

But the Break Room and Current Events? These are areas where we vent, support, complain, hug and love on each other, argue, and really have community.

Allnurses has been where I have come for community for over a year. I've provided a lot of support to people I "met" in the break room.

Now you want to charge us? What, the ads aren't pricey enough?

I'm sorry, but I consider that my contribution to this BB is my support and counsel, and my spreading the word (and believe me, I do) about how useful and important it is. I've had it on good authority that this was appreciated.

You didn't even tell anyone in advance. And before Christmas? With the card exchange list located in the break room? We are already up to 93 members--but now we can't communicate on our own thread unless we pay you?

Not any more.

This is a major violation of our trust. Not even a warning. And before Christmas.

Thanks a bunch.

[brian]

After further consideration, it would have been better to give a warning, so I will be opening both the Break Room and the Current Events forums until Jan 2nd. Give me a few minutes to re-open the forums and modify the announcement.

Sorry for the error in judgement. (I'm human)

Happy Holidays!

[presC.]

Originally Posted by brian

After further consideration, it would have been better to give a warning, so I will be opening both the Break Room and the Current Events forums until Jan 2nd. Give me a few minutes to re-open the forums and modify the announcement.

Sorry for the error in judgement. (I'm human)

Happy Holidays!

REALLY! THANKS BRIAN!!!
I'M SOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY

[Nemhain]

Originally Posted by brian

After further consideration, it would have been better to give a warning, so I will be opening both the Break Room and the Current Events forums until Jan 2nd. Give me a few minutes to re-open the forums and modify the announcement.

Sorry for the error in judgement. (I'm human)

Happy Holidays!

Yes, we're all human! Thank you so much for your consideration. It is appreciated. happy holidays to you too.

[lisamc1]

I am a little disappointed in this decision. I do have a few questions, too. Does becoming a premium member mean that we wouldn't have to put up with the ads? Why are the ads there if it isn't to offset the expense of the site? I know this is only $15 or $24 to some people, but to some of us, it is a huge amount. Thank you for at least keeping the nursing forums open to us. Also, how can we be sure that the charges for a premium account won't go up, or that all the expenses will now be covered without new surprises for us? Is there a way to break up the cost? Say, pay for 6 months at a time? I have never been denied access to a board because I couldn't pay for it before.

[brian]

Originally Posted by lisamc1

I am a little disappointed in this decision. I do have a few questions, too. Does becoming a premium member mean that we wouldn't have to put up with the ads? Why are the ads there if it isn't to offset the expense of the site? I know this is only $15 or $24 to some people, but to some of us, it is a huge amount. Thank you for at least keeping the nursing forums open to us. Also, how can we be sure that the charges for a premium account won't go up, or that all the expenses will now be covered without new surprises for us? Is there a way to break up the cost? Say, pay for 6 months at a time? I have never been denied access to a board because I couldn't pay for it before.

Lisa,

I'll look into offering different payment options, maybe monthly or q3 mos or q6 mos.

[CCU NRS]

Originally Posted by chris_at_lucas_RN

I never thought I'd see the day.

I really thought that this was a "pro bono" (for the general good) effort, and that the point was that we put up with the ads along the side, at the bottom of our posts, etc., because that was how this was funded.

Then came premium membershp. Okay, I can see if it's a voluntary thing, and people can get some kind of perks with it.

But the Break Room and Current Events? These are areas where we vent, support, complain, hug and love on each other, argue, and really have community.

Allnurses has been where I have come for community for over a year. I've provided a lot of support to people I "met" in the break room.

Now you want to charge us? What, the ads aren't pricey enough?

I'm sorry, but I consider that my contribution to this BB is my support and counsel, and my spreading the word (and believe me, I do) about how useful and important it is. I've had it on good authority that this was appreciated.

You didn't even tell anyone in advance. And before Christmas? With the card exchange list located in the break room? We are already up to 93 members--but now we can't communicate on our own thread unless we pay you?

Not any more.

This is a major violation of our trust. Not even a warning. And before Christmas.

Thanks a bunch.

Chris, I thought perhaps I was the only one that felt this way and so being solitary I didn't want to be too vociferous.

Now seeing you so upset makes it clear to me that I am not the only one that feesl like the ads should be paying the bills. I didn't ask that question in my earlier post because as I mentioned I thought it may just be me.

Now to see you, one of the kindest, gentlest, most supportive people on this site so vehemently upset I feel I am indeed in good company.

chris_at_lucas_rn is running the Christmas card thread and performing the duties vountarily. Now banned from break room. Notice January 2 at least long enough to finish that campaign hmmm.

Brian no disrespect to you but we do advertise for the site. We also bring people back, by being open and caring to new members that post things like First time and I'm new, many of us welcome these newcomers and express our joy of using this site. Many of us give our knowledge and experience away to those young new grads and suppport them in a time when they feel they are alone and helpless.

I understand that you are not changing the basic offering, we will still have a general forum and it will remain free. I do not like a few of the stipulations with the premium member though. We have always had our little titles and avatars and signature lines. These seem like pretty inane things to remove from the non-pay associates. I really have always remained logged in using the remember me function so that (at home) I can just click on the link and be ready to read and post. I feel that if I am going to be visible to others by the who's online fuction I should be able to see who's online as well, turn about is fairplay and all that. I feel now I will be logged out for the most part and only log in to post in that way creating my invisibility.


We would all I am sure like to support you in this however it seems that it is just a little too steep. $24 a year is really not that much I admit but too people that are already living paycheck to paycheck and have children and families and homes and are on a very close budget it is too much. There are ads running on every page.


I am glad the general forums will remain free and open to all and I do intend to keep posting and visiting and offering my knowledge and support to those I can reach, but I felt that I would be remiss if I hadn't spoken my mind, especially when such a Wonderful person as I have come to feel Chris is could be feeling much like I do I have to wonder if you have considered how much this means to many of us.

[karenG]

as my previous offering here has been removed.. I will say this carefully. I agree with Chris... the break room may not be a 'nurse' related topic but its where we go for support and encouragement, to vent to like minded people. To take away so abrubtly just seemed unfair. Thank you for giving us time to finish things like the christmas card exchange.

at the moment I dont feel like becoming a premium member.. as a single parent, every penny is counted and right now there are no spare pennies! Also, removing my previous post has made me feel small... didnt think I was so out of line but I obviously was, for that I apologise. somehow some of the joy I have felt in coming here has gone.

Karen

[abundantjoy07]

My favorite favorite favorite room is the Break Room...
Well I guess being a student is a good thing since we pay $15...
I think I can scrounge up $15...
But I don't know if it's really worth it. Especially every year until I die? (Because I really like allnurses.)
All I know is that the network at school had better be up and running at all times if I'm going to have to pay to use my favorite room.
I'm hoping that all of the frequent non premium members don't leave... ,
BabyRN_06

[webblarsk]

Hey Brian, thanks for giving some extra time. Do appreciate it!