Hi, all Late as usual with my 5 cents' worth, but here goes. I think an important point is being missed here. I remember someone (Darthlogice, I think) posting a thread once, asking if anyone actually USED the things he'd offered in freestuff. D/l'ed by the thousands, but rarely if ever seeen in a pic. Other people have complained (and I sympathize) that they spend countless hours developing some great tex, or prop, or whatever, and see it d/l'ed in droves from freestuff - just to receive an appreciative e-mail or two, if they get any response at all. Freestuff has to be paid for - in RECOGNITION. A thank-you e-mail, a credit in a pic, a "great stuff" in a post - something to make it feel meaningful to make the next item. A select few, like Schlabber, are deservedly famous in the forums. As for the rest - well, they'll remain the unsung heroes. If you're one of them, you may feel that when people actually PAY for your stuff, that's real recognition. It means someone actually thinks your stuff's worth sacrificing their hard-earned brass for. And no, I'm not one the unsung heroes - I never made freestuff, only a few donation items. They sold modestly but they did sell. I've posted a few pics in the galleries (back in the R'osity days), too, and they didn't make me famous (sigh), but they did get an average of a few hundred viewings each (and some heart-warming comments). But guess what felt best? Yep, selling stuff. I didn't get a cent of the money earned, but that didn't matter - what mattered was that a few cents were actually being paid. Anyone can d/l stuff just-in-case - paying for it means you really want it. I know a few people are actually making (or trying to make) a living by selling stuff in the stores. Most other creators' are just making that bit of extra cash, but they could most likely make quite a bit more extra cash by investing their energy and dedication in more profitable activities. So could those who run the forums, no doubt. My point : if you want freestuff, pay for it. In recognition, that is. Give'em a thank-you note, a credit line, a pat on the back in the forums. I always did. All those unsung heroes earned it - we all know some of the freestuff guys are light-years ahead of some of the commercial guys, and even those who aren't are still giving away many, many hours of hard, hard work. The internet is coming of age, and we all have to learn that bandwith and servers aren't free, but there's still plenty of room for amateurs who enjoy the creative process AND enjoy giving away the creative product, if they get new creative impulses - and a few cheers ;-) - in return. That goes ditto for those who run the forums - they may be after money, or they may not, but they need money to keep the forums there. I've done my bit in the battles in and among the forums, but I've reverted to neutrality, as it feels silly to fight it out, when everybody will do as they please, anyway. All one can really do is appreciate the hard work done by each and everyone. In the long run I think that's what will keep freestuff (in the broadest possible sense) strong. Another smoking keyboard, I'll sign off. Thanx for your time. Cheers, thip