I have to make sure i word things carefully, because this and the ads have become a real touchy subject....
I know the costs involved in keeping a large forum like this going. I could care less about the ads. Doesnt bother me at all. Like i said before, most of them are almost comical. I think its safe to say that Gregg has the ads here to help aid in the cost of the forum so he wouldnt have to charge members a fee or membership to post or view the forum.
I myself am on disability. If it comes down to it and a membership is required, then i will bite the bullet and use the money out of my spending for kits just to pay for a membership on here. Honestly i hope it doesnt come to that, but if it does, then so be it.
Now as far as diluting the forum with paid members and non paid member and accessability to the forum, i will say bad idea. I would just leave it as you have to pay to be an active member.
Only other solution would to do like Brians Model Cars did and let members choose to donate. A yearly donation. The owner of that forum had it set up to where you could donate through paypal, and you could choose the amount you wanted to donate.
But in the end, this is ultimately Greggs decision.
Time for me to go swimming now... Lol