This is a capitalist country. If Jim has found a way to make money with a web forum, I say good for him! It's not a 501(c)(3); donations are not tax deductible. There are no reporting requirements. People who want to support the site because they enjoy it are free to do so. Many who do enjoy it do not donate (myself among that latter group). For someone to get angry that Jim may be making money on this site, all I can say is that they are entitled to their opinion. As far as I am concerned, though, to me, they sound like the occupy protesters complaining that CEOs or corporations are making too much money and it's not fair.
Agreed. I pay a generously fair amount to use this site. It’s worth it to me. I also think of young people or poorer people who can’t afford to pay but want to, so I pay for one or two of them. Often I have to pay more for less in other things in life.