>William,
>
>>Walter, is it fair though for 'others' to pay for what you are getting for free? How about we all get it for free so we are on the same playing field. At that point, none of us have anything. Whether you have to pay has nothing to do with how friendly we all are or how helpful. I don't think the two are related.
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>Yes, It is !! Everyone has a choice whether they want or not want to be a PUTM. I choose to be not, though I'll be in the near future. Why did you choose to be a member ? I'll guess you did like the benefits of being one. It's up to the UT management to decide whether it's neccesary to close the site for non-members. When indeed there are financial problems (which we don't know) that are related to the performance, you can try to solve it another way. Closing this site is the last thing I'd do if I were Michel. The UT has grown when it was open to everyone. It could only die if it becomes closed. Advertisers here on the UT could say: "Hey michel, there are less visiters here, we decrease our contribution" Is this what we want ? Certainly not.

Then reduce the features of those who are free to reduce the traffic. I keep hearing about this lack of credit card thing.

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>As for being friendly, I really do think there are numerous reasons to choose for being a non-member. Financial situation is one. Financial transaction problems can be anotherone (Not having a Credit Card for example).

Last time I looked, the UT will take a check or money order for payment also. This is not a socialistic enterprise where paying members pay the freight for the non-paying ones.

>what if you only pop in once in a month. Do you think all VFP prominents would subscribe even when they only visit this site once a month ? I don't think so. I really think the quality of the site would decrease if we close the site for non-members.

I doubt it. Where I come from you get what you pay for. When all of us stop paying, then we can be assured that the site will probably dry up.

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>If you close the UT for non-members, you'll a lot of people will not choose to get a PUTM for all kind of reasons. Is this our kind of idea to help the ones who need help?

Guess not.