I think it is fair to say that just filling the screen with models, whether freebeis or original creations, will not produce a good final image...which is really the goal. (Unless of course you're just trying to highlight modeling skill...in which case see drac's display kit.) If the artist did not bother to comment on where the models came from and you didn't know they were freebies somewhere then you'd be left with judgning the pic for the pic...which, in my mind, is what it is all about. Of course if you use someone's gear you SHOULD credit them but not, I think, to your disadvantage in getting kudos for the final image. As to boycotting the HOT20 by not voting...hmmm...if the folks who participate most in the community stop voting, those who participate least will fill the HOT20. Would you really want a newcomer to the site to view some of what we have seen, and not liked, there and think that that is the quality of work in this community? I wouldn't.