I think a lot of people complaining about the fee for stars don't use them anyways.

[LoZoccolo]

If they did, they'd know that they'd be able to search for posts by a particular user in a particular date range. I think that they do not avail themselves of this power even when they have it due to the fact that there's been a persistent rumor that I was a Joe Lieberman supporter in the general election for U.S. Senator from Connecticut in 2006. This could easily be dispelled using an advanced DU search for posts by me containing the word "Lieberman" or "Lamont" for the period between August 8th, 2006 to November 7th, 2006, but yet it remained for some time.

I hope that more people choose to support DU through the donation program, but if you cannot afford it, you may find that you did not use the advanced search feature much to begin with.

[Cirque du So-What]

1. I, for one, used that feature extensively

Using teh google doesn't work as reliably. You can narrow the time range to specific periods and still get multiple returns on a search.

[dkf]

2. It's not about the features. People take pride in having a star by their name.

Now that is being taken away because they can't afford it.

For people with money, they can weigh things like using the advanced search. But others don't really have a choice.

This will separate people into the haves and have nots and it will be proclaimed who is who.

Before we were equals, going forward not so much. This feels Netflix like to me. I think it was gamed out on the revenue side but not on the emotional side.

[Codeine]

6. That's just silly.

Nobody pays any attention to stars. There are starless posters who are among my favorite conversationalists and people who have had stars for years without adding anything of value to the board (most would say I fall into that category ;) ).

[hlthe2b]

10. No... it is not.

[hlthe2b]

8. Yes... and not creating a "class"-based community here

based on ability to pay. I can not believe the lack of compassion on this issue. In this economy. How many DUers just don't give a flip that so many DUers will be relegated to "separate and very non-equal" status here, simply because they can not afford $60 per year in this economy.

I have been here since early 2001. I have donated every year. I love that our community rallies to chip in for those members struggling. I don't want that to end. I don't want a 1% society here. That said, I am not criticizing Skinner's planned changes. Just, like many, suggesting some supplements to those changes that would take this issue into account and afford an opportunity for those more "flush" to aid those who could not donate at that level.

[TransitJohn]

13. I've been here a long time too, and stopped donating

when it changed and the purges started happening.

[0rganism]

11. the "Star-Bellied Sneetches" theory?

As a long-time member (since 2001 IIRC), there have been times where the finances are rough and I've had to go without donating in numerous fund drives.

Being a blank-bellied sneetch is not so bad, sometimes.

I think, for a lot of us, the post count means as much or more than the star, and the quality of personal interactions we've had with people mean more than either.

[dkf]

14. Lol.

Gotta say the laughs at DU are worth the admission.

I just hope this star thing doesn't tear the place apart.

[snooper2]

12. You are joking right? Pride about a few pixels by anonymous handle on a website?

Are we all a bunch of tweens around here? pre-tween actually?

[dkf]

15. It's part of being a community and feeling like you contribute to it.

Why do you think people donate stars to others?

[hlthe2b]

3. And, I think (know) you have NO ability to know that...

No way of knowing how the countless donating DUers use the features here.

[LoZoccolo]

4. That's why I wrote "I think", not "I know". n/t

[dionysus]

5. that may be, but it doesn't change the truth about Oasis...

[LoZoccolo]

7. That is true; you can find the classic Oasis posts using advanced search.

author: LoZoccolo
keyword: Oasis
forum: DU Lounge
date: January 26th, 2005 to April 3rd, 2005

[The Straight Story]

9. Anyone can search DU, no star needed:

https://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&safe=off&source=hp&q=liberman+LoZoccolo+site:democraticunderground.com&pbx=1&oq=liberman+LoZoccolo+site:democraticunderground.com&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=5493l6007l2l7297l2l2l0l0l0l0l170l281l0.2l2l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&fp=53103a27a694d4e3&biw=1320&bih=655

And I think they were referring to this post:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2997711

[RC]

16. I donate to DU because I like the concept of a Liberal, progressive, whatever site

without some brain dead bu$h lover trying to counter me by blaming bu$h crimes on Clinton or Obama with impunity.
That doesn't stop the brain dead Luddites here on some non-political subjects though, who can't seem to accept any new ideas.

[Coyote_Bandit]

17. Ummmm......

I've made frequent use of that feature.

I'll miss it.

I'm long-term unemployed and cannot afford the annual donation. That same $42 will (1) pay a month of trash, water and sewer service; (2) pay a month of phone service, cable tv or internet service; (3) purchase t-shirts for my summer warbrobe or an ample supply of new skivvies and socks; (4) buy enough gasoline to enable me to visit my elderly parents or provide me local transportation for 2 or 3 weeks or mow my grass for the entire summer; (5) feed me for a most of a week (6) pay over two-thirds of my annual car tag fee or the expenses associated with one of my two annual oil changes or a number of other needs and expenses that take priority over having a DU star.

I've been here without a star before. If I must do it again then so be it. But there are some ads I will not tolerate.