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4. Access to upload attachments (currently, anyone can do it, we would make it a premium member only feature)
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Every thing sounds good except for number 4. I think most of the other posters have covered what I would say. I think that if it's a feature pretty integral to the use of this forum and has been free up until this point, it should remain so. I'd equate this to all of a sudden requiring payment in order to make posts. Let's not forget that the upload/attachment feature is not only used for bandwidth hogging photos but also helpful documents and other useful files. This could really limit the forums number one benefit to all users, members helping out other members (regardless if they pay or not.)
I understand your goal ekool, I run a forum of my own and have recently started a donation program. I however am offering "rewards" to paying members. These rewards are features that have never been available to any users before. For instance I am now offering user albums, email addresses, and blogs. This is similar to your other premium benefits. I also don't have any sponsors or advertisements like you do. I mention that because I would have thought with the number of companies sponsoring this site you would have your costs covered.
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Originally Posted by rrumaner
I do not like the idea of restricting uploads to premium members either but understand that storage space is costly. Maybe we advocate that non-premium members can only upload 10 photos a year while premium members would have no limit.
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This sounds like a more reasonable solution, but perhaps limit it with file size. Other than what I mentioned, I think it's a fair proposal. Nothing in life is free, and too often people expect that everything on the Internet should be. Being an ex-web designer and current forum admin I truly understand the work and money that goes into running a successful web site.