I never said extortion...you did.

Gold memberships are free?

I want one too.

You better get posting, son...a few hundred more outta do it.

Traffic = nothing other than bandwidth which is a cost center not a profit center. Advertisers never ask for our stats, they advertise because they think it is a good avenue. Just thought you would lfind that info interesting.

Also not nice to talk about Cat when he can not defend himself. Let's move on.

But isn't it a "good avenue" because of the traffic (we consumers are here)? Therefore, I would think:

more hits = more consumers = more value to an advertiser = more money for OSO

I do find that interesting.

haha even if he was here he woudn;t be able to defend himsilf :P

as for traffic yeah chock that up in the expense column

havasu hangin,
steve is a business man, it like sitting in a bar and not ordering anything,but enjoying there heat or ac. 30.00 is cheap for all this entertainment. if it's more money for him god bless it,he started this great site. you should give your customers free stuff to.
cat deserves what he gets and whiny.

Dont bust on a guy for not paying. THis site was built on the membership that was free for along time. If you feel the need to pay to see and participate in certain aspects of this site..amen! If not, its all good. Both types of members are good for business ie. advertisers, traffic, and most importantly......CONTENT

Agreed.

Does your view apply when fellow members give someone a hard time for not being a paying member?

Refering to Outer42 calling non paying members "cheap ass". But I have learned not to debate here as nothing productive comes of it so I wont say much more on the subject.
Maybe that will be my New Years Resolution