This will hopefully be my last post on these topics as I should really restrain from talking to myself... since it's obvious the people who run the forum only listen to their own thoughts.

Promotions/ demotions... why don't you just cancel the whole title thing and let the post count/ rep points speak for themselves... no... bad idea... OK, then stay on the same course... there's still probably one or two experts/ gurus/ etc. that you haven't alienated yet... keep trying... if at first you don't succeed... demote, demote, again

As for the paid services, it's fine when it's not being shrouded in secrecy, fine print, and a guarantee only to pay the forum. I could give you a hundred scenarios where things can (and most likely) will go wrong and you have no contingency plans in place to resolve them. The only thing we know for sure is that the forum will get paid... no guarantee the poster will get the answer they want nor that the person who provides the answer will get the compensation they deserve. If that's the case, maybe I will create a dummy profile, put $500 in the account and keep asking questions. In the end, each time I get a response I will keep changing my criteria (inception creep) until the responder gives up trying to fulfill my needs. Then I will ask another tough question. At the end of the month, I only really have to pay 25% to the forum and I can redeem 75%. The forum will be happy... I will be happy... and as for the admin/ moderators who won't get their hard earned money... well, they can talk to Arlette and she can direct them to the FAQs.

abousetta

P.S. Just to be clear, I would never attempt to cheat anyone out as described above, but wanted to show an example of how the system is flawed. I feel saddened that the community is dying and wish everyone a great life.