I enjoyed the "dessert" analogy, but...
...if you start reducing posting limits etc... you will drive people AWAY...not intice them to PAY ! You will create the exact opposite of the desired effect. imo
To me (and let me say I am a "FREE-loader") the whole idea of paying money to post on a messageboard seems flawed to begin with. I mean really !
Do I wish I had full PM priviledges ? Yes !
Do I wish I had Search priviledges ? Yes !
Do I wish I could Highlight Favorite Posters ? Yes !
Do I wish I could eliminate the ads ? Hell Yes !!!
But...do I want those things badly enough to PAY for them ?
Uhhh...NO ! Obviously, some do and that's fine but, to me...it ain't worth it !
Instead of focusing on what is offered NOW...as a FREE user vs. a PREMIUM SUB...and then trying to dream up more ways to limit and deprive the FREE user of ALL the...ah hem "wonderful" priviledges the PREMIUM SUB now enjoys, you should be doing just the opposite. You should be ADDING NEW FEATURES/PROGRAMS to the site to both intice NEW SUBS...and...to RETAIN existing ones.
Of course, that would require thinking outside the box. Maybe doing something different than the garden variety messageboard. Being inventive...being creative. Not saying that hasn't been done here. But, if you really want to excite people...and excite them enough to PAY a subscription to be a part of something. That "something" HAS to be more than just posting on a messageboard. imo
I mean REALLY !!!
It just aint worth it !!!
waterwisp :8^)