Why do you think Twitter and Facebook are so popular? Because people are not only allowed but encouraged to advertise their products and services. The contributing members benefit from their contributions.

Do you think they'd still be popular if they stopped that? Not a friggin' chance. One of the reasons forums are dying is because they are living in the past...when they could get members just on the novelty aspect of being there.

Commercially-based forums still operate like they were still back in 2003...rub the dirt from your eyes, times have changed, the novelty has worn off.