[Lee Wallace]

Originally Posted by MrEyes

This has resulted in yet more criticism and more accusation of profiteering, even though this is only being done because members have asked for it the conspiracy theorists still believe that this is only happening so that I can somehow line my pockets.

If your members don't understand that a forum cannot be run "cost free" from the owner's perspective then they are out of their minds. No-one should care if your making any money at all. If the board is up, it's running fast, and thus giving them a place to hang out then who cares. My members know that if there is any profit then it goes back into making give-away items and promotional stuff to make the board even better. I've got eleven sponsors and just get by, I'd pay for the board myself if I had to since I'm doing it for the industry and to make it better. I personally am passionate about what I'm doing but am very happy to have all my costs covered. The members also know that I put in allot of time and effort, day in, day out, so their board is running smoothly and the environment is kept appropriate.