Quote Originally Posted by twilyth View Post
OK, one more time, could someone tell me why a membership approach is so repugnant?

I understand a lot of people are minors or students or just not in good financial shape. So if the site were crippled for non-members that would well and truly suck.

But it doesn't have to be like that. Just give members certain privileges that would be nice to have but don't affect the value of the site for everyone else.

Some of these have already been mentioned, but it could be things like a special font color for the user name, the right to edit the avatar title, the right to have an animated avatar or a longer sig (inwhich case the current limits would be pared back for non-members).

You could also create members only sub-forums/fora that don't relate directly to hardware and oc'ing. I can't think of any examples right now (wink, wink) but you get the idea.
I think that creates an eliteism and the last thing that is wanted here.
Everyone should feel equal.
Donations should be because people want to help, not for something that others don't have.
Also I don't think we want to alienate anyone due to financial situation.
The 15 year old kid tinkering with his system today is the sampsa and macci of tomorrow..