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Personally, I think all Internet forums should be free, regardless of topic. The Internet was intended as a free space, and even after rampant commercialization, most education and edifying spaces are still free. Yippee.
Surely there are many benefits to being a participant, and I am not disparaging that in any way. Also, I recognize that there are loads of tasks involved in the upkeep of membership and maintenance.
Aside from those facets, there are many benefits to you to be derived from free access, including the credibility it brings your organization, to prove that such luminaries trust you enough to spend a lot of their free time conversing around here. Anyone can find that out on their own, without an initial contact with you directly. Additionally, since many of the Forum folks are also in your galleries, hits to this Forum will inevitably lead to the galleries, and to your home page.
I don't think it's a good idea. And if you still don't believe me, do a google search on my name and read the article I wrote (in favor) on the subject, right before my company went belly up.
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