I know a 5$ fee could bring in some low quality posters.
Some people just don't get it. How in the world is a $5 fee going to bring in low quality posters? As opposed to a $0.00 fee? Really? It doesn't seem that the $5 is really about server costs. Sure those costs need covered but Tim could have tried to cover them different ways. This hopefully kills two birds with one stone. Costs get covered and hopefully this deters the huge influx of noise contributers who seem to be clogging up the site. I actually would be for a slightly higher cost and annual is fine.
When I first joined, it seemed pretty clear a new person's role was to shut up and listen. I did, and learned alot. The noise factor was low. Over the last couple years, tornado chasers on TV, the TIV, etc. being a chaser has gotten "cool" and the noise factor has gone up, waaaaay up. Stormtrack is really my only option for a serious, well regulated chase forum. I'm not anywhere near on the level for CFDG membership and there are a lot of us in this boat. I'm for whatever fee keeps out people who can't read and follow rules. I'm for paying more mods (lol) to tightly regulate the board and kick people off who can't seem to follow rules.
For those who say "hey, where is that money going? I want to see your finance report!" Guess what! This isn't the Elks Lodge. It's a privately owned weather bulletin board. All of us are guests here. If you don't like it, can't follow the rules, or are afraid someone is buying Ferrari's off your dime, uh, well, GTFO. If Tim V. or Tim M. or Dave is making a little coin off this which I seriously, seriously doubt that is their right in a capitalistic society. They are providing a service. The service depends on the customer. For me, it's a chance to learn more about severe weather. For some, it's an opportunity to teach, or network, or place subtle subliminal advertisements, or to "see cool stormz pix lol". My thought is a small fee will seriously cut down on the latter.
Sorry for getting off topic. My interest is seeing this board continue to be a healthy part of the storm chasing community. The finances need to be there, and the board quality needs to be there. Hopefully this new fee system will make both happen.