Thank for the mention Carolyn and the salient points you made.
1. The problem with a subscriber's membership has continued for a number of years . - I can't say exactly how long but recall reading articles on this problem more than two years ago. The solutions you propose make common sense. I've been a member since April 2018 and would hate to lose that continuity.
2. Which brings me to your second point. I like others to see my membership status and how long I have been on the platform - lends credibility to my writing. I have noticed some writer profiles do not have an About section on their home page, but am unsure if this means they are non MMS or haven't written anything in their About section - it's a guessing game.
3. The lack of consistency is extremely frustrating. As I mentioned in my reponse to your previous article, on principle I do not read pay walled stories by non MMS writers - Roz Warren and many other writers also follow that principle.
Before the yellow star was introduced, the green circle was a clear indication that a writer was an MMS - no matter where their avatar appeared. For example your avatar at the top of this article used to have a green circle so I would know immediately you are an MMS and I would read your story. and let you earn a few cents for my reading time, because you make a contribution to the money pot.
To give an example - someone who recently followed me is not a subscribing member (I could tell from my notifications.) This writer has 1.2K followers and puts all their stories behind the paywall - I regard that as stealing!
I too have notice that in some publications the green circle is present, but not in all publications!
Why can we not revert to the green circle, which was consistent on laptop and Android (I can't speak for iPhones!). Every avatar everywhere, in responses, publications or self-published had the green circle indicating an MMS.
Another important point is there is no indication on my list of writers I follow whether they are MMS or not. Once a year, I used to go through this list and unfollow those who are not paying subscribers, ie no green circle. Now I can't do that.
It doesn't have to be a green circle but it worked for years - so why change something that worked?
I'm waffling. Irrespective whether its a circle or a star I want to know who you are! If you're not an MMS, I'm not interested in giving you a free pass to my subscription money.
