I mentioned the fee based thing because it takes money to operate the site, and have enough server space to make it run, and to give folks a reason to participate.
That was all..
I really don't know that "giveaways"work, but to the degree that they do, they cost money..
Sorry.. As much as I waste on cigarettes or a beer, I'm conscious that things cost money..
I'm out of money, and by the Grace of God, I'm out of debt.. I'll call it good and be thankful, at least for today..
I don't mind Tom jabbing a stick in my eye as long as I can return the favor. But I'm used to pissing people off, too..

I was just trying to convey what I saw that worked. USCCA was a marvel for a few years. Admin acting like telemarketers is what killed it.
I'm a member of Warrior Talk forum too. I don't post there, because it's a different kind of board, and this group just isn't that kind of group. Theirs is an active forum, though. I guess AR15.com is probably the most active that I've seen.
Let me point out, while I'm thinking about it, something that this forum is, that any other I've seen isn't.. This place is RELAXED!!
You can post an article without admin clipping it off after the first half a paragraph. You can speak your mind here without condemnation from on high.. I appreciate that.. And to be candid, I wouldn't hang around if I couldn't speak my mind. (Sorry you guys have to suffer through it..

)
I think things like evaluations of the flavor of the month would be a good thing, and there are a few here that I've seen, too. That's helpful content for a newbie.
Carry holsters, techniques, accessibility and drawbacks of each would be helpful content, again for the newbie.
I carry in a way that nobody does. I use a shoulder holster. I do something that nobody else has that I've seen. I paint it white, (so it won't show up against the background of a white T-Shirt..) I know, it sounds stupid, but it works well for me.. Gun guys don't notice it hanging there. It works.
Keeping a current list of "good" gunsmiths would be exceptional content. If that came in the form of some sort of blind test or non-compensated endorsement, or maybe just members posting good and bad in our own areas. That's great content!
Know what I mean?
I do enjoy jousting with Tom, and I don't mind challenging FQ on his ideas. I don't want to get into it if I'm gonna be dealing with somebody who is gonna be hurt so bad that I can't talk about anything else with them. That sucks.. I'm a little thin skinned, myself sometimes, but that's my problem, isn't it..
I don't make sense to myself half the time, but I try to consider the points somebody is trying to make. I wold like the same consideration.
This NDAA thing is something that I consider to be a nation ending problem. I differ with Tom and Jnevis on it because they read the law while I read the nature of people who would interpret/enforce it.
That's the nub of the difference. I think you guys must think that I listen to Prison Planet. (I don't, btw.. I listened to the guy there one evening and came here and talked about it. I think he's nuts, but I'm not sure he's all wrong, kinda like Ron Paul..)
Where politics intersects with keeping my/our guns is where politics is relevant here. I think it's worthy of discussion, and in fact imperative here..
Well, I'm getting up off the toilet and watching Restaurant Impossible with the wife..
I've rambled enough on this..
FQ, I hope you get your way!! I think newbies is a better group to target. Too many know-it-alls and the self-important are a drag..
God bless!!