Just thank you.

March 12, 2009 9:46 AM

$5 is a bargain

After literally years of lurking, I recently ponied up the five bucks to join. I don't have any FPPs and just a few comments, but a couple of days ago I posted an AskMeFi on a highly personal and potentially controversial topic. I didn't know what to expect - drama? meh? misunderstanding?

What actually happened? You guys broke my and my wife's hearts with sincere, to-the-point advice and empathy. Dios, scody and min in particular took time to share personal information.

So in the midst of the snark here, don't forget that this is sometimes a very special "place."

And thanks.

posted by werkzeuger to MetaFilter-related at 9:46 AM (87 comments total)

Best $5 I ever spent, here or in town.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 10:04 AM on March 12 [3 favorites]

Werkzeuger's trying to touch my special place again!
posted by klangklangston at 10:05 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]

Ditto. Five bucks, at the time I spent it, is about the cost of a pint here in the UK. Let me tell you, I've got more out of this place than I've ever gotten out of a lager.

And no hangover!
posted by Happy Dave at 10:06 AM on March 12

That's great and all, but how do you feel about favorites?

In all seriousness, welcome to the vocal side, and I'm glad your first question was met with grace and intelligence. I think that's how things generally go, but some memorable incendiary threads provide specific counterpoints.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:07 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]

Also, Werkzeuger, on looking at your question, I think the very careful framing and explanation in your question had not a little to do with the measured and helpful tone of the responses. Your lurking clearly clued you in.
posted by Happy Dave at 10:07 AM on March 12 [9 favorites]

Welcome to the community werkzeuger, and sorry to hear about your tough situation.
posted by ALongDecember at 10:08 AM on March 12

Five dollars? I got in at about 4:30pm, before they put the bouncer at the door and started charging cover.

Of course I've been at the bar since then so I'm pretty hammered and I'm getting belligerent.
posted by eyeballkid at 10:11 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]

dios is actually ron kuby's sock puppet so that explains that.
posted by klanawa at 10:12 AM on March 12

It really is a bargain. I would have paid $5 alone for the first time AskMe saved my ass. All the subsequent enjoyment has been one long bonus round.

Welcome aboard and best of luck to you, werkzeuger.
posted by EatTheWeak at 10:17 AM on March 12

Shit, I'd have paid $5 just for the stress relief MetaTalk provides me with on a nightly basis.
posted by gman at 10:24 AM on March 12

I'll start the bidding at $10 just to see gman's account disabled!
posted by mrmojoflying at 10:29 AM on March 12

Have we met?
posted by gman at 10:31 AM on March 12

If you've lurked that long, you may already know that dios can be a two-edged sword.

I keed.
posted by Joe Beese at 10:34 AM on March 12

Okay, $20. Damn it, gman, you have me bidding against myself.
posted by mrmojoflying at 10:35 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]

Makes mental note to shake Dios' hand if I ever run into him IRL
posted by Jofus at 10:36 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]

oh you five-dolla-noobs, suck my 3 digits.

Damned though, that I didn't think to create another 6 accounts at the time.
posted by nomisxid at 10:43 AM on March 12

suck my 3 digits.

Which ones exactly?
posted by gman at 10:45 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]

He's all thumbs, actually.
posted by dersins at 10:48 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]

What's this five dollars you people are talking about? The guy from Nigeria wanted my bank account number before he'd let me join.
posted by marxchivist at 11:02 AM on March 12

*steps aside from the one-liners*

Werkzeuger, welcome. I'm so glad the question generated some good info for you and your wife.
posted by scody at 11:14 AM on March 12

Here's what happened when I ponied up the $5.
yours is better.
posted by Bango Skank at 11:17 AM on March 12

I always tell friends that MF is the best $5 you'll ever spend. What a bargain!
posted by porn in the woods at 11:17 AM on March 12

I paid a little more than $5 for my lunch today. Metafilter, in contrast, has provided me with sustenance for about 1.25 years now.

Obviously, I got a sweet deal on lunch.
posted by owtytrof at 11:18 AM on March 12

$5. A pittance to pay for a site like this. A bloody rip off if I have to leave it as a tip for that waitress who laughed at me when I asked for ice in my iced tea.
posted by Elmore at 11:18 AM on March 12

I call that a BARGAIN!

The BEST I've ever HAAAAAAAD.
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:25 AM on March 12 [7 favorites]

After literally years of lurking, I recently ponied up the five bucks to join.

You could have done it quicker had you lurked figuratively.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 11:28 AM on March 12 [2 favorites]

I bought my girlfriend an account for Christmas. She seems to like it. An account for sure lets her participate in one of my obsessions.
posted by cjorgensen at 11:29 AM on March 12

oh you five-dolla-noobs, suck my 3 digits.
posted by nomisxid at 1:43 PM on March 12

only if you finally tell us how the hell we're supposed to pronounce your name.
posted by shmegegge at 11:31 AM on March 12

I wanted to take a moment and thank *you*, werkzeuger, for asking the question. I know a number of people whose babies were born quite prematurely who would definitely have benefited from knowing the information supplied so kindly by the AskMeFi community. I suspect it would have given me peace of mind during my wife's complication-filled twins pregnancy as well.

As for your wife's pregnancy, may it be complication free and last until at least 36 weeks! Good luck.
posted by zarq at 11:34 AM on March 12

I bought my girlfriend an account for Christmas. She seems to like it. An account for sure lets her participate in one of my obsessions.

See, that's the smart play. The most inappropriate comments emanating from my account were posted by a jealous girlfriend who wanted revenge on one of my obsessions. Remember that Heath Ledger obituary thread??!?
posted by gman at 11:42 AM on March 12

AskMe patron gets helpful responses, is thankful. News at 11.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 12:28 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

I ran across AskMe a couple years ago doing a google search for something or other. I poked around a bit on AskMe and it blew me away. People were asking the most obscure questions imaginable...and getting real answers.

Sometimes I can't help but snark but the admins are there with a quick knife to save you all from exposure.
posted by trinity8-director at 12:34 PM on March 12

I call that a BARGAIN!

The BEST I've ever HAAAAAAAD.

WE'RE ALL WASTED!!!!!

*power chord*
posted by jonmc at 1:06 PM on March 12 [6 favorites]

I'll start the bidding at $10 just to see gman's account disabled!
posted by mrmojoflying at 1:29 PM on March 12

You must work for Homeland Security.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 1:08 PM on March 12 [2 favorites]

It actually has something to do with his sister.
posted by gman at 1:14 PM on March 12

His sister is cortex's mom?
posted by dersins at 1:17 PM on March 12

This reminds me...I really need to pony up a fiver (at least)...
posted by JoanArkham at 1:18 PM on March 12

His sister is cortex's mom?

Holy shit. I thought she looked familiar.
posted by gman at 1:22 PM on March 12

No-miss-Sid
posted by nomisxid at 1:23 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

Those are two different songs, jonmc. So you're all wasted.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 1:25 PM on March 12

Those are two different songs, jonmc.

Really, Captain Obvious?
posted by jonmc at 1:29 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

I too just recently finally broke down and paid after lurking since 2002 (gah). Very much worth it.

Thank you Metafilter!
posted by strixus at 1:33 PM on March 12

Welcome werkzeuger! Let me apologize and try to clear something up, right up front; I sometimes go a little crazy and let the voices in my head take control and comment on my behalf. Sometimes they say things that aren't so nice.

So, an easy way to tell who is who; if you see a comment from me talking about aliens, zombies, strippers, guns, booze, hobos, movies, music, fire, knives, knives that are on fire, conspiracies, siege weaponry, small unit tactics, hacking the Gibson, felonious behavior, demonic possession, sedition, or a desire to "burn the world" with orbital death rays, it's a safe bet it's a head-voice exerting control.

If you see a comment talking about my bunny or baby ducks, it's probably me.

Any combination of baby ducks and demonic possession or siege weaponry is probably going to be best evaluated on a case by case basis.

With this in mind, I hope you enjoy your experiences here.
posted by quin at 1:40 PM on March 12 [2 favorites]

It occurs to me that I'm a remarkably cheap date.
posted by Meta Filter at 1:50 PM on March 12 [5 favorites]

I bought my girlfriend an account for Christmas.

See, I'd like to try that, but we get home from work and are sitting having dinner talking about our day. I listen to her for a while, then she asks me, "So anything happen to you today?". And I watch as her eyes glaze over when I say, "Today on Metafilter..." So I've stopped saying that, and I don't think she'd wear her account even if I spent $5 on it.

I do show her the cute animal videos that get posted - she appreciates Metafilter just for those...

The cute ones, like the box of puppies, not the turtle fucking a boot.
posted by Elmore at 2:00 PM on March 12 [4 favorites]

You could have done it quicker had you lurked figuratively.

that doesn't make sense. "lurking" is already figurative.
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:09 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

Metafilter: not the turtle fucking a boot
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 2:13 PM on March 12 [2 favorites]

It was a shoe. A sexy, sexy shoe.
posted by quin at 2:22 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

Elmore, Are you making fun of my girlfriend? Because she thought the turtles were funny. I found that clip about 20 minute after I'd already posted for the day. I was trying to get her to post it, but she said she didn't want to be known as the woman that posted "the turtles humping shoes."
posted by cjorgensen at 2:22 PM on March 12

The turtle penis explained.

She did find me that though.
posted by cjorgensen at 2:26 PM on March 12

No no no, how could I make fun of anyone who uses the internet to find out more about turtle penises? No seriously, she needs to have more faith in herself, and next time post the turtle vid and the follow up detail. That would have made a superb FPP. Turtle Penis For The Win.
posted by Elmore at 2:32 PM on March 12

Actually for Australians it's more like eight bucks. But then, eight bucks isn't even a pack of smokes - in fact there is nothing you can buy here for eight bucks, except sixteen lollipops - so, yeah, best eight bucks I've ever spent too!
posted by turgid dahlia at 2:41 PM on March 12

I've paid a total of $15 for MeFi. I bought accounts for two of my friends who were lurkers...

And they continue to lurk.

JERKS.

Oh well. It's still a bargain at twice the price. Or three times. Or four... Maybe not five though. That might be pushing it. Oh, what the heck, five times.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 2:43 PM on March 12

I bought my girlfriend an account for Christmas.

See, I would like to buy one for my boyfriend, and I think he would really like once he got in there. He enjoys a good, healthy debate. In our house, if there is a technical computer problem, he tries to solve it even though he doesn't have any formal training. While he runs around from computer to computer, upstairs downstairs, I keep asking, "Should I ask the nerds? Should I? Should I?" For him, it is a point of pride if he can fix it before I hit AskMe! Then, one time, something happened and he fixed it in record time. I was mighty impressed, and then I go into his room to see the tell-tale sign of the Green! I pointed at him, and said, "Ha!" His only response was to repeat, "It was the first result, it was the first result!"

Derail, sorry.
posted by typewriter at 2:45 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

I've comped friends accounts on a couple occasions and subsequently had to talk Jessamyn down from banning them. I'm a little slower on the ol' Gift button now.
posted by cortex at 2:46 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

I bought my girlfriend an account for Christmas.

yeah, that just totally gets an A for effort...but it would never work in my marriage. my husband perfected the "today on Metafilter" eye-glaze several years ago (and me still a lurker all that time...) and more perniciously he keeps trying to get me to stop bitching about being a gamer widow by inviting me to play StormReach with him....RIIIIIIIIGHT. cause he needs more encouragement!
posted by supermedusa at 2:51 PM on March 12

The cost is the bother/trust of putting in your CC card info.
I predict if it cost $10, it wouldn't significantly decrease sign-ups.
posted by blenderfish at 2:58 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

I've lost count of how many times I've paid the five dollar fee, now. Still feels like a bargain every time.

Also, welcome werkzeuger. Your AskMe was carefully considered and very well written, and I'm not at all surprised by the responses. There are many amazingly good people here, and it's almost shocking how eager they are to lend a hand. I wish you all the best.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 3:15 PM on March 12

I've comped friends accounts on a couple occasions and subsequently had to talk Jessamyn down from banning them.

valentinepig-- amirite?
posted by dersins at 3:15 PM on March 12

I would never buy The Spousal Unit an account. I don't need her and Jessamyn coming after me.
posted by trinity8-director at 3:38 PM on March 12

It occurs to me that I'm a remarkably cheap date.
posted by Meta Filter at 2:50 PM on March 12 [1 favorite +] [!]


And boy, do you put out!







stupidsexyFlanders, I saw what you did here, you cheeky monkey. Film at 11 indeed!
posted by never used baby shoes at 3:39 PM on March 12

And I watch as her eyes glaze over when I say, "Today on Metafilter..."

Yep, same story at my house. I have offered to buy my wife an account because she is amazingly awesome and would be an amazingly awesome addition to the site. Unfortunately she is too busy being out in the world doing awesome stuff to devote any time to this. Meanwhile I live in the internet and consider it my duty to be an emissary from this world to hers.
posted by Bango Skank at 3:42 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

Meta Filter - this is the weirdest, most prolonged group date I've ever been on. I was thinking I paid $5 for entry into a verbose gentleperson's club, where peeping is free.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:49 PM on March 12

Yep, same story at my house. I have offered to buy my wife an account because she is amazingly awesome and would be an amazingly awesome addition to the site. Unfortunately she is too busy being out in the world doing awesome stuff to devote any time to this. Meanwhile I live in the internet and consider it my duty to be an emissary from this world to hers.

Well, seeing as she doesn't know the site, I can just pretend my account name is Bango Skank and she'll swoon when she sees this post.

Then I'll have to explain why my username is Bango Skank. That's when I start up the vid of the fucking turtle.
posted by Elmore at 3:55 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

A while back, I asked a question about Chicago restaurant suggestions, and forwarded the results to the people with whom I was traveling and they couldn't believe how all these strangers took the time to give such excellent advice.
posted by Stylus Happenstance at 4:01 PM on March 12

I would never buy The Spousal Unit an account.

me neither. I got my wife one for free, way back when. I have several friends and acquantances, who I've mentioned here and mentione the site. I figure they have Wacky Neighbor status.
posted by jonmc at 4:06 PM on March 12

"lurking" is already figurative.

And they continue to lurk.

JERKS.

LURK JERKS
LURK JERKS
FIGURATIVE LURK JERKS
TURTLE FUCKING LURK JERKS
LURK JERKS
LURK JERKS
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:08 PM on March 12

LURKOFFS
posted by jonmc at 4:09 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

If you've lurked that long, you may already know that dios can be a two-edged sword.

I keed.
posted by Joe Beese at 10:34 AM on March 12 [+] [!]

Yes. I've also lurked long enough to know a newcomer shouldn't be too pushy.
posted by werkzeuger at 4:13 PM on March 12 [14 favorites]

I have enough sock puppets for my entire family. Sadly no one will talk to me.
posted by blue_beetle at 4:36 PM on March 12

There's no shortage of posts and comments. let them lurk.
posted by theora55 at 4:37 PM on March 12

"Let them eat lurk."
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:49 PM on March 12 [2 favorites]

I bet I could swallow a whole block of Post-It Notes.
posted by turgid dahlia at 4:57 PM on March 12

werkzeuger, your question was one that defines why I love MeFi, and in particular AskMe. I've followed some really interesting, thought-provoking threads that didn't necessarily apply to my life, but really made me stop and think.

I also agree that MeFi was the best five bucks I've ever spent. And I've even made IRL friends out of it. Yeay for Meetups!
posted by radioamy at 5:05 PM on March 12

The hub and I joined independently. I don't think we've ever intersected here. He certainly lurks more than I do....so, hi there! /me waves

I think MF would probably have a strange bell curve, going from extremely poor to extremely excellent - there would be the normal "cool" bump, the "great" trough, the "excellent" mini-bump, then the "OMG" spike.

Which shows you just how much I know about stats and distributions. zip. But I still think it's applicable
posted by lysdexic at 5:12 PM on March 12

Yes. I've also lurked long enough to know a newcomer shouldn't be too pushy.

Oh snap!
posted by chiababe at 5:27 PM on March 12

I keep asking, "Should I ask the nerds? Should I? Should I?"

That's exactly how I phrase it. Asking the nerds.

(And a MeFi meet-up was "hanging out with the nerds." But he stayed home to play WoW, so I don't know which is nerdier.)
posted by grapefruitmoon at 5:42 PM on March 12

Five proper dollars says you can't.
posted by pompomtom at 5:47 PM on March 12

(hugs, metafilter)
posted by dunkadunc at 6:11 PM on March 12

It is a fairly nifty place we got here.
posted by deborah at 6:38 PM on March 12

"Let them eat lurk."

Except for the vegans. Let them eat toflurkey.
posted by TedW at 7:40 PM on March 12 [5 favorites]

Agreed.

Not exactly with everything said above but, you know, the five bucks part.
posted by donovan at 8:47 PM on March 12

I bet I could swallow a whole block of Post-It Notes.
With all the government budget cutbacks caused by throwing truckloads of money at Qld Health to get them off the front page of the Courier Mail, post-it notes have been banned where I work. Well, you can use them, but you have to buy them yourself. So, we would be happy to accept any you don't want, even if they're damp.

I bought hacked my SO a free account not long after I joined, but she doesn't think much of MeFi so her account sits there unused lo these many years. A virgin, unused, five-year old 15k account just going to waste. I thought of selling it on eBay, but she might change her mind one day.

Welcome, werkzeuger and get to work on thickening up that skin if you intend to hang out here in MeTa - it's like the diametrical opposite of AskMe, but awesome in its own "special" way.
posted by dg at 2:23 AM on March 13

[to Welcome to the Jungle]

I call that a BARGAIN!

The BEST I've ever HAAAAAAAD.

If you've got a favorite, tater
you'll make sidr sad.

Metafilter! Hello Metafilter!
I'm glad you are short of sle--sle---slslslslslsl-SLEAZE SLEEEAZE!:
posted by Netzapper at 3:29 AM on March 13

Yes. I've also lurked long enough to know a newcomer shouldn't be too pushy.

HA! I haven't smiled this hard in weeks.

Re: Spousal Unit - she has an account, but has only posted a few AskMe's and a couple answers. Generally, she'll ask "Read anything good on Metafilter today?" To her credit, she knows enough about me to only ask about the threads, and rarely the links, and she also usually lasts 4 - 7 minutes before the eyes glaze over.
posted by owtytrof at 11:28 AM on March 13

Pics or it didn't happen.
posted by the latin mouse at 2:30 PM on March 13

Werkzeuger, I'm so glad to hear you got helpful information. Welcome!

MeFi is definitely the best $5 I ever spent.
posted by min at 9:33 AM on March 15