I don't remember when it was, as for a date, but I remember the controversy. I never understood why people objected to paying the $15.00. Running these boards is expensive. I'm sure I saved many $$ by getting help at CompHelp, rather than taking my PC in, or having to have someone come to the house.

At that time many posters said they felt that the Internet should be FREE. Why? We pay for gas for our cars, water to drink, fuel to heat our homes, and food to eat. I feel like anyone who can afford to buy a computer and pay for Internet service can afford $15.00 a year for the help and enjoyment we get here.

And we didn't have all the problems then either, like we have now.

Sue

I tell ya, I'd much rather pay the $15 again than deal with these irritating imbedded ads. grrrrr....

Me too jennmonkey!

I bet the ads pays better than a $15 subscription fee.

For those who have s slow speed internet connection, the pages would come up much faster if those were devoid of ad graphics and content.

I think it has been at least 8 years since we no longer had to pay. Wasn't that when we all had to re-register...when Spike sold to IVillage? I could be wrong on that, but one thing I know for sure is, my GardenWeb tee shirt is so old that it is now full of holes...that feels like 8 or more years to me...

I wish they'd give us the option of paying if we don't want to see the ads. They could keep the ads for the people who don't want to pay. I know there are some internet radio sites that do that.... why not Gardenweb?

I never got the t-shirt but I remember many did. How many actually go to any of the links that the imbedded adds show and has anyone bought anything from them? If you scroll down on the sides of the posts you can miss them (if you're careful)
I liked it when Spike was "the man"
Many said they couldn't afford the $15 and some paid for others. I'm sorry I find that hard to believe someone figured that broken don it ws just a few cents a day.

It must've been about six years ago. I started a particular job seven years ago and the next year, gifted a co-worker with a subscription for her birthday. It was very shortly after that, that it went to Free.

I really REALLY wish it would go back to the way it was then. FUN FUN FUN, and not so many problems with access (and their Cutesy way of announcements) and the irritating ads.

I belong to so many websites/groups that I wouldn't/couldn't pay for them all. I'd be paying $15 for this one, and that one, and that one, and that one...on and on.

I believe it was the year of 2003 that was the last we paid.

Nita paid my membership for me that year...I remember,coming home from camping with the Old Lad and realizing it was the end of Aug., and dint think I would be able to get $$ to the states quickly enough.

In 2004 I moved as a separated person to where I am now...and had the KT,so the membership had to have been free by then

I no longer fit in my T shirt. Waaaaaaaaa

My estimate is around 2000. That's when I got my first computer. I remember paying a fee to go on Gardenweb. I dodn't visit KT right away, I found it later on. Whatever I did pay, it was a bargain and I'd pay every year if needed now. I have so many pals on GW I'd need to check up on you all.

I turned off the annoying adds and the pc's ad block plus keeps the others out. The kt is back to it's old self!

It has been quite a while since it was pay. Sorry I don't remember either.

I know I paid when I joined and it was 9 years ago. Well worth the money..

That was one 15.00 I gladly paid and would do it again if they asked.

A short time after I joined they started to charge. I would gladly pay the #15'00 to have it like it used to be.

Yes, I agree with you all....that $15.00 was a real bargain.
I wonder if it was 2001, as my member page says I joined then, and I know I came here long before then.

I first registered in 9/04' and I paid the membership fee. It was only a couple months after that it went free because I remember being irritated that I had just paid it.

ttt

Just a couple notes to add on here.

In case new posters don't know, the $15.00 covered every forum on GW.

When iVillage took over, every one had to reregister, and there were several changes to the profile questions. One being that you were asked for your birth date, not just the day and month, but including the year. Many objected to adding the year, and so they left it blank and January 1st became the default date. Amusing how many GW peeps have the same birthday, isn't t?

Also the old profile had a place where you could say call me_____ and you put in your real first name, which makes it so much easier than trying to remember all the screen names. iVillage took that away also.

We used to put our State and Zone # and it was all in Capital letters. iVillage took that away.

We never had the problems like we have now.

P.S. I never got the T shirt; Cute idea, but not something I would wear.

Sue

My last payment for GardenWeb was in May 2005. I would also rather pay than deal with the ads. It was an incredible bargain for $15 a year.