Thoughts on paid forum memberships - free for active members

[Frank S]

here is a thought and just as thought to be rolled around on the floor before hucking it in the waste bin.
I know first hand how expensive running a forumn site can get once it reaches a certain level of traffic. plus the amount of storage space it requires on the servers. I am also a collector of memorabilia. I see things at some sites for sale promoting the public image of those sites if I like the item I'll buy it I may or may not actually use the item all that much but the items I do use get exposure to others they often ask me where did I find such and such.
HMT. has become a go to brand among the diy scene. I am also aware of the probability that there are many more who visit this site who never become members that there are current members. Those are the ones who will randomly search for ideas on how to complete a project they are working on or what ever. Sure they see the ads but if they buy from those ads HMT.net does not receive a share of the price of the goods sold not directly any way. HMT. net may get paid some in concessions as in lower band width costs due to having the advertising.
But what would happen if and minde you I am not one of these per guys who thinks someone should pay a per click charge like went around in the early days of the interweb. And I am really not a pay per view person either but like jon mentioned some form of subscription for the availability of the vast knowledge base contained within these forums has value or should have some monetary value to the occasional wed surfer who happens by. maybe not a monthly subscription just to stop and kick the tires but some limited access which would require a paid fee to view. These charges could be lessoned should the person become a contributor and eventually go away entirely.
Or the possibility of having a store with items for sale may generate income from the membership base as well. Caps T shirts key fobs pens jackets you name it the possibilities in having items branded with the HMT.net logo is almost endless. even to an eventuality of having proprietary items made for HMT is a possibility though remote.
I used to have a machine shop and an install company for advertising I gave away the usual things business cards pens key chains caps and such some of my customers asked me if I had things like coffee cups or winter hats T shirts jackets and other apparel like I provided for my employees I told them I could do that but as give-me's and they would have to be slightly different to distinguish between someone who worked for the company and someone who had bought the item. we couldn't have persons going around wearing a jacket with the company logo on it and have people assume they were representatives of the company.
So as I said just some thoughts to roll around on the floor before hucking in the waste bin.
but to be sure I surely would buy cups and caps and the likes.