Okay here is what I have worked up for my own purposes.
- A new group will be created for subscribers.
- There will be a cronjob script provided that will notify subscribers before their subscription expires. An expiration added to the user table will handle this.
- Expired Subscribers will be relegated back to the Registered User group via another cronjob. (configurable)
- The following will be controlled on a UserGroup Basis: Avatars, Custom Titles, User Badge (look at SitePointforums.com for example), PM Storage Limit, Download PM's to Email, Message in Email Notification, Default Styleset, Download Attachments.
One thing I plan on doing is allowing my members to "purchase" their subscription with participation in the community but more about this later.
Looking at Chris's original post, setting the email up the way he wants to do it will be the most difficult. However I am open to ideas.