I took a while to think of a user name -- didn't like that no spaces were allowed. Was gonna go with my wife's new nickname for me, γγ‘δΊΊι, but Japanese isn't allowed either. So, are you going to be a mod? : )
Which is lucky, because it turns out that granting paid members privileges causes a tax problem. Also, I wouldn't call what moderators get 'privileges', that's the wrong way of thinking about it. They get extra permissions to allow them to do the job, but as soon as they that thinking that they are privileged we're on the slippery slope to DPReview style moderation.
I think your current avatar would do quite well too! π
Yes. I think that's so funny because long ago a guy on a forum used "I'm ESL!" all the time to explain his mistakes. I didn't know what it meant and for a long time thought it was some horrible disease. π
Hmm, the fact that english is not my first or second language (it is distant third with heavy IT bias - EdTLwhITb?) makes such distiction (privileges vs permissions) a bit fuzzy to me. I didn't mean creating privileged users class, I used term 'privileges' as in computer world - permissions to perform some actions.
Random quote from stackexchange: "Privilege is a permission given to an individual or group."
Just for explanation :)
I don't know how far you have got in establishing how community ownership is going to work. Perhaps an idea could be to think of this as a members club where there are Guest (free) accounts and various levels of paid membership? I belong to a site that has this type of structure it is based in France is governed by French law and doesn't have a forum it is more akin to Flickr.
If dprevived provided hosting for images in a personal directory, the membership fee could determine the number and size of images stored. I don't know if such a structure would cause the tax problem previously mentioned.
On another thread it has been suggested that having paid members could cause issues if in the process of moderation someone was suspended or banned. Could this be avoided if the payment was for the hosting not for access to the forum which is free and open to everyone (unless suspended or banned). Below is part of the structure of membership levels for the site I'm a member of. The details would have to be changed to work for this site, it's just an example of how things can be done.
Secondly: The absolute best photography forum I know is www.belgiumdigital.com/ , with an annual membership fee of β¬ 55
Language is Dutch.
Founded in 1999, it still works very well and is profitable.
Very friendly communication between members, sharing photography' passion, pictures and knowledge... No anonymous participation, I mean the staff knows "who is who"...
Absolutely disagree. People signed up for DPRreview to participate in forums. To read reviews you do not have to sign up. While reviews were good, they were one of many available. When I was looking for something, I've read as many as possible. And I said this in your first attempt, I wouldn't touch with 10' pole a forum requiring personal information. Out of curiosity, what staff of your forum does with knowing who is who? As for "bad apples" there were "ignore" and "complain" buttons.