>Jim,
>>
>>I have been using this site for only 4 months (silly me). I began paying in the second month and I am sure I have not yet learned the full utility of everything I paid for. However, I can tell you that what I paid was a tiny drop in comparison to the financial gain I have already reaped from using this site.
>
>I think this would also be the case if you stayed a freebee.
>
>>Concerned about those unable to pay? What will be your reaction when your major clients decide to outsource their major projects to those poor hapless souls who cannot afford to pay $100 Canadian ($67 US) for literally thousands of dollars worth of information, available at almost a touch of a button?
>
>My clients will have very good reasons if they do. Do you think that my clients will say: "Hey walter you're a good guy and therefore we decided that you may lead our project instead of those cheap guys who can do the same for a much lower price ?" Of course not ! As a businessman you don't pay more than you need. If someone can do it cheaper, you'll find out their strategy and will do the same (or better).
>
>>Does Microsoft charge those in need less than the going rate for its Fox Development Platform?
>
>Well it depends, I think. I can imagine that support in Asia is much cheaper than in the US.
>
>>All that having been said, a thirty day trial should take care of the browsers. That should give anyone enough time to be send a check, money order, wampum or any other form money might take on this quickly shrinking planet.
>
>I still stand on my point that this would be a major mistake and can cause the UT going to die.
>
>-Advertisers withdraw

>-Hesitation of the newbies to join
>
>This can lead that many people shift to another free site and will overgrow the UT. PUTMs will see that this other site is more popular and leave, etc...
>
>Dont' take me wrong: I'm willing to pay for the site. But I know people who don't.
>
>Walter,

Let us hope that Advertisers are smart enough to know that someone who cannot afford to pay for the kind of financial return this forum affords, cannot afford to pay for products and services that might be advertised. I always pay my cable bill.

THBS, I do believe that it is putting the cart before the horse to ask for an increase from paying members before improving the service. I think JVP is dead on in his discussion of this forum running as a business. If it is a community service then the Michel should be paid a fee for maintenance and the books should be open to the public.

I also think it takes far more that $5000 to upgrade a server and line connection. It may be that for hardware, but software people should know the value of the time that goes into tweaking and putzing/fussing with any system.

I believe also that either everyone should pay (except the MVPs) or no one should pay. Mixing business and charitable metaphors almost always leaves someone with dung-covered end of the stick.