[MJM]

Well ... firstly I want to say that I don't think the essence or spirit of this community is lost. It is (mostly) preserved in all the contributions that have been made to this site.
Most vB users, (including me) don't regularly come here to gain insight through these discussions or ponder inhouse debate, but to utilize the mods that others have generously provided.
It is only a relatively small number who are part of daily going-ons, or return from the past and may perceive mole hills as mountains, so to speak.

I am writing for several reasons ...
This software, combined with a photo gallery application means very very much too me. It has enabled me on a small income to put my life's work on the net in an interactive community environment. My wishes were simply to share info, ideas and experiences regarding my profession - as a mostly recreational artist in a specialized medium - in a non-commercial environment.
It has evolved, from a site comprised of mostly newbies wanting to learn, to increasing numbers of up-and-coming professionals who need to find ways to make a living from their acquired talents.
(even though a large number of members use their talents primarily as a recreational hobby)

Now I am faced with the challenge of deciding what level or direction of commercialization to take the site, without losing the integrity of a site that was based on sharing without expectation of monetary gains.

This is where I see similarities.
vB.org has provided this community for learning and sharing.
Now many have become or are becoming professionals and need to make something from it to justify the effort spent.
(even though a large number share their talents and consider it a recreational hobby)

There is another similarity
In proportion to my membership base, and to vB's membership base, it is only a small percentage of members who have made most of the contributions of content, or code to the community.

This clearly demonstrates that it is not necessary to provide a commercial platform for the whole world to engage in, but rather, one could bring together a smaller team of professionals to develop content/code, and thereby retain the integrity of the community as one of members helping members.
This still leaves open the possibility of having a separate paid resource directory.

Well, as a non-coder I'm not qualified to give any opinions on the direction of vB.org but to wish you the best.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share these thoughts.

Goodnight ... er good morning
Mark