>Well, when I posted the last message about leaving, I wasn't entirely serious: I wanted to see what the reaction would be. Since then, I've seen several other people complaining about having to "subsidize" the free memberships.
>
>See you on the MS Newsgroups.

Garrett, Tim et. al.:

I've been a PUTM for less than 2 whole days now, so I can still remember what it was like as a standard member :-). I urge you not to let the unthinking posts of a few PUTMs force you to leave this forum. They simply haven't thought through the real contributions that so many non-PUTMs make here.

I would challenge any PUTM who thinks that non-PUTMs are "dead weight": have you NEVER received help, or read a thought-provoking post, from a non-PUTM member which was not worth a year's PUTM subscription cost ALL BY ITSELF?

That said, it's clear that some PUTM members have adopted a holier-than-thou attitude now that they have their white (or paid-up blue) envelope. PUTM membership buys you extra functionality in the forum, plus some cool discounts on 3rd party products. Period. Moral superiority is not for sale here at any price.

So, in conclusion, the decision is yours, of course. But please accept that the *vast* majority of PUTMs don't pull attitude like that and are aghast that it might cause valued members like yourselves to leave this forum. The loss would be as much ours as yours.