Can someone please explain....

...the difference between a Subscriber and a Member? I thought that when you Subscribe you become a Member....there is a difference?

Blond Carol

AH: I, also, thought the same thing, so can't answer your question.

Here are some FAQs that are intended to help visitors and members understand the differences:

Do I have to subscribe to use your site? http://davesgarden.com/faq/home/#122
Why do you charge a subscription? http://davesgarden.com/faq/home/#30

Terry....thanks for that...but it still doesn't answer my question. I am a MEMBER when I subscribe? I am a SUBSCRIBER and not a MEMBER when I subscribe. Why is there a difference...as in Birthday List?

Carol

When you register a username, you become a member of DG.

When you pay to subscribe, you then become a subscriber to certain features and forums that are not available to non-paying members.

The birthday list was divvied up because there are some nice folks here who send birthday greetings every day and start threads to wish people a happy birthday - and they wanted to know (more easily) if they were dealing with a member's or subscriber's birthday. (No sense in starting a thread that the birthday boy or girl can't read ;o)

I figured a member is some one who belongs but hasnt paid for a subscription...I was a member at first, but I wanted to post on the forums so I paid and became a subscriber :)

Thank you Carol, it must be a blonde thing , as I am blonde also and even after reading it, still didn't know the answer. (ROTFL)
Glad you spoke up.

Speaking as one who once ran a non-profit organization, the term "member" was defined in our bylaws. If DG has bylaws, they'd have to define "member" therein as well. Since people tend to equate "success" with large memberships, such groups usually have a pretty lax definition of "member". The organization with which I was affiliated had different classifications of members; e.g, 'supporting member', 'contributing member', etc., with definitions for same. It would be easier to understand the differences, I think, if DG were to include the word "member" with "subscriber". I can't readily find how many subscribing members (current ones) there are.

a member is some one who signs up to use Dave's

a member then goes to become a subscriber when you pay for the privaliges that go with paying the subscription.

you are still a member but you have been upgraded in you status to subscriber once you pay your money. and with the money paid Daves is open fully to you.

a member only certain things are open to you.

GOT it!!! Thanks so much! Not so blond now...the grey is back!!!

Too bad, when you're blonde, no one expects you to have brains. So you can play dumb when you want to. (LOL)

All subscribers are members, but not all members are subscribers. All subscribers pay a fee and have total access. Members are non paying and are limited in their access. Patti, another blond (no gray yet at nearly 62) go figure.

This message was edited Dec 31, 2006 8:44 PM

Right now, there are 6992 subscribers

...and how many members?

267,265

This message was edited Dec 31, 2006 9:54 PM

Patti - clever you!!! No grey! Actually, I had to let the blond go, it didn't 'go' with the 'cleatmarks of life (wrinkles)'...so now I tell everyone I am older than I am and they inevitably say..." Why, my dear, you don't look THAT old". Makes me feel MUCH better!!!!

LOL

Gotta get those Members to become subscribers!!!! How to do that? Maybe tell them about all the stuff they MISS by not being able to read the posts...? Limit being a 'member' to 2 years and afterthat no more freestuff or else they become subscribers....send out the squads....?

2 years? I say one month.

Lots of non-subscribing members are searching PlantFiles just for a specific plant. You have to sign up to use that too....I've had requests for photography from museums and magazines needing a specific plant image for a project. They have an editor searching the web for whatever they need...they hit on PlantFiles and have to sign up to contact me about the image. It's simply a tool for them, they're not looking for a community to join....this happens frequently.

Some folks simply need info on how to take care of a plant ...or where to find it, and come through PlantFiles to get it...many don't look to see the whole other area that's available with the forums...they get their info in PlantFiles and are satisfied there...others are searching the GardenWatchdog for info...they find it and don't look beyond it. All of the sections of DG are connected and many folks never find...or feel like they need the community.

When I first came across DG I was searching for plants, and there was a limit of 10 searches per day. This didn't worry me, I didn't need more, and I hadn't a clue how my life could be transformed by communicating with others here. I felt I didn't need to be a subscriber, it was when I discovered I could add plants to Plant Files after ending up on the site many times that things changed. When searching for plants you don't see all of what is available, it takes time to realise there is more. I took the step of adding some plant pics, then someone commented and I couldn't read it! I begrudingly signed up, and it has been one of the best decisions I have made!

So, if people keep stumbling across DG as I did, eventually they just might think it's worth giving it a try too. With all the new forums being available to members they will likely come across them regularly, do a google and DG is right there near the top of the list now. With extra exposure a lot of people are going to start thinking they will be missing out on something, give it time, people are curious.

Another Blonde Here ..... bottle blonde ..... LOL .... I think those who are "Just Members" are missing out on a LOT .... they should ALL become subscribers! They don't know what they are missing! I've only been a member/subscriber for a couple of months and the annual fee has been MORE than worth the information I've received from so many nice "Plant People" here in the Garden! Not to mention the gardening friends I've made!


Thank's Y'all and Happy Growin!


Lin

I agree.... While I am a grower and feel generous about sharing information...DG is a treasure.....