JimRob agrees but I'm not at all sure he wants to change the volunteer system.
I'm relatively new, I pay a very modest monthly fee now but started with just a few small donations at first. Because I know there are thousands of FReepers that find it hard to give much I try to think of ways (they might not be good ways) to help increase FR funding. Jim has been very responsive to my ideas but always indicates that he likes it as it is. It's his site and I feel less guilty about posting a lot now that I am at least monthly.
Getting a *lot* of small monthlies could go a long way toward helping out FR IMO.
No, he wants to stay on donations only and I agree. A ‘paid’ forum operates under a different set of rules AND regulations.
I prefer mail in checks so I send a check for three months at a time.