In my honest opinion after being on the internet for the best part of 20 years these types of forums are always best off when they are independently operated. As soon as Ben sold Atomic to Haymarket it went to shit, as soon as those with deep money get there hands on good things they turn it into shit. And so I say, it’s not all about the money. It should always be about the community first.
I’ve seen this road before… and to say the least the glue that binds these things as it did at one point for MacWorld and other publications such as Atomic was the community that it created. When you start chasing dollars rather than servicing your community niche (no pun intended) it all tends to go to shit.
I should clarify so this doesn’t sound like a negative rant at the powers that be here. I don’t blame people for getting paid, money has to be made somehow, I jut think these things are best left to fulfill whatever niche it is that they have in the community. Where large sums of money are involved it changes the whole atmosphere of the place.