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I wouldn't. And now with all the Gold posts popping up, I'm not sure how much I'll stick around at all. It definitely feels like a secret club. I'll stick with my January mamas, but otherwise... this is kind of disappointing.
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@littlebug: aww no, you should stick around!
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Getting more "privacy" is a nice idea, but the fact is, it's the Internet. There's no such thing as privacy on the Internet and I definitely don't think $25 will buy you much more of it. I totally understand the need to monetize a website, however, and I don't begrudge the Bees wanting to do that. I just think making the whole site subscription only would diminish these negative feelings I'm seeing.
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While $25 is a fair subscription price, you don't get much for your money at this point. And I am not going to pay money just to use forums on any website - and wouldn't care about any other extras. I share the concerns that the community will become divided. It has the potential to change the whole vibe of the boards.
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I have to say, even though I can't currently swing the cost of upgrading, I have no issues with the Gold program.
Mr. and Mrs. Bee work hard on this site and put a lot of time (and probably money) into making it as great as it is, and they deserve to make something back for their time. It's a community but it's also a business, and that's completely understandable.When I have a little extra money I'll probably upgrade to Gold, even if I don't feel I HAVE to get a lot out of the site, just because I appreciate this site enough that I'm willing to pay for it.
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And maybe I'm just cynical, but I worry that there will be a surge of fluff gold posts just that will result in others feeling pressure to get membership because they are missing out.
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@MrsTiz: I love the anonymous feature idea. I'm so bummed now. I love hb.
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@littlebug: Agreed. I don't know how much longer ill stick around either. Maybe I'll come back for a month board when #2 comes along...maybe.
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@runnerd: agreed - it's funny because when I first heads the idea I was like "cool!" Now after seeing the board and threads it is feeling divisive. If it wasn't for our sept mamas board I'd probably be posting significantly less.
FTR: I'm not against supporting the community financially - I just wish I could do it another way without feeling like I was excluding part of our HB community.
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Definitely not.
I really enjoy HB & LOVE that many of the main bee mommas I've known since planning my own wedding & then getting pregnant together BUT I really feel having subscription "options" as opposed to making the whole site paid/free will just cause separation in the community & like others have already pointed out make it more "cliquey". And seeing the gold threads already is really off putting.
I'm glad that the blog has become so diverse in coverage, but I dont use the boards for alot of advice (I use another site that has more specific parenting groups) so I will probably stop visiting as frequently.
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@Weagle:
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This doesn't sit well. Seeing the "gold" posts rubs me the wrong way maybe they can be invisible all together.
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@char54: agreed.
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@mrsmenow: i think that is a good idea!!
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Look how divided we already are..."HB gold is awesome!" "HB gold is worrisome!" I fear this is just the beginning...
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@mrsmenow: agreed. When they're visible it feels like it's for the sole purpose of pressuring people to "upgrade" rather than letting them decide for themselves.
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I'm undecided. I have to echo everyone who feels sad, annoyed and left out with the gold threads that are popping up, as well as the concerns about HB becoming cliquey-er.
I'll give it some time though to see if I want to sign up because $25 is a fair price.
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I definitely understand supporting the site, but I'm unsure about the gold being more private. If a person was out to be a creeper and find out the private information, what's stopping them from just ponying up the $25 and still lurking?
I'm sure this will take a bit to iron out the kinks, and I'm not totally against it, but like others have said, the Internet is the Internet and I'm not sure it makes me feel that much more secure. Need to sleep on the idea, I guess.
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I agree with whomever said it seems cliquey... I'm not getting it.
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@MRSSCB: I agree with you about your statement of privacy and the internet. If someone IRL was set on reading what you wrote on the boards, I don't know if $25 would slow them down.
My rule of thumb: if you don't want something to be seen on the internet, just don't put it out there. Ever.
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@littlebug: agree !!
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@Happygal: "if you don't want something to be seen on the internet, just don't put it out there. Ever." <-- exactly!
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Definitely not. And considering the number of gold threads, I doubt I'll be around much longer, which is sad because this was a nice resource.
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@Happygal: So true.. and I guess if everyone gets GOLD it kind of defeats the purpose of it being "private". I am so torn!
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I have upgraded.. but not entirely happy about the structure.
I don't like how it is already dividing the boards and people are already saying they will leave as they feel left out.
I agree that only Gold member should be able to see the gold threads.. there is no need for non gold members to feel like they are missing out.
BUT I do want to support Mr & Mrs Bee and am happy to pay the $25 a year if that's what it takes to keep Hellobee running. I love this community and I would rather pay $25 a year than to not have it at all.
In saying that I'm not sure how often I will use a gold thread... maybe for photos thats about it.
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@mrbee: I would be totally for it if there were more features! Right now the only real incentive to me seems to be access to a secret club. Not why I joined HB. Maybe if the future features make it worth it I will join. I am not 100% against the gold idea. I just don't like the idea of paying for the same thing I was getting for free, but now in a secret club that everybody else can see but can't participate in. Now, if you made a HB app I would pay for that sucker in a heartbeat!
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Posting in a gold thread and then posting in the normal thread (same question) does NOT make it better. Ya I won't be posting here anymore.
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@Mrs Hedgehog: I would be ALL over a HB app!
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Definitely not, but I'm no where near as dedicated to this place as most of you seem to be. To be honest, I find the concept of the gold threads to be kind of (dare I say) stupid. You want privacy? Then post on a private message board or Facebook group. Most people start threads to get feedback from others. If only a certain percentage of members can see your threads, then posing the question seems kind of useless, ya know? Sure, maybe you'll get a few replies but you certainly won't see anywhere near the kind of response you'd normally get when everyone was equal.
I have a feeling this new concept is going to backfire.
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@anonysquire:
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@anonysquire: Aww don't leave
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@Mrs Hedgehog: For sure! I RARELY pay for threads but I'd drop a pretty app penny for an HB app!
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@Mrs Hedgehog: agree about the app !!
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@anonysquire: It'll likely take me a little while but I'll probably be following you soon.
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@runsyellowlites: Please don't leave! I need the company of other natural Mamas. *cries*
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@anonysquire: I just saw that someone did that and I swear that wasn't me! I poster my thread over 20 mins ago and hers was 15. I just noticed it! I'm so sorry!
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@Mrs. Pen: Yeah that's kinda creepy. I don't like that. But that's not the fault of the system, that's a user being annoying. Sorry...
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@anonysquire: don't go!
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@Mrs. Pen: I was actually going to post the same question right before you did, but stopped because I don't want to post photos, but I figured gold was a safer place to do so. If it bothers anyone I'm happy to ask that my thread get deleted. It was about a privacy thing, not to be malicious.
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@Arden: I'm sorry, but I have to call you out on the use of "annoying" because I'm offended by that. Please read my above response.
In my opinion, annoying are all the complaints about a feature that is available to everyone if they so choose. This is a family owned site and in my opinion, supporting them with a paid subscription is better than them having to shut the site down. Also annoying are all the negative comments about not wanting to click ads and not wanting to pay for premium features on a site full of such great resources. This site can't possibly run for free, so the community has to help keep the site running somehow.
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