I would highly recommend creating a premium account service for users. Something that sets it a part from the a casual user. Set a one time fee or yearly fee for special services on this site and income would be provided to alleviate any financial crux and/or bandwidth issues. I for sure would sign up for such a service, this site is great.

Yeah, it is.

But that is a terrible idea.

Agreed.

There are already enough sites on the net grabbing for cash from the pocket and I would hate to see such a fate befall my beloved Encyclopaedia Metallum. One of the greatest things about this site is that it does not cost the metalhead a dime (as it's a well-known fact most of us are broke assholes anyway).

It is a known fact that we are broke assholes, but there is a small percentage of us who can still afford to donate. Infact, it wouldn't hurt us to donate what we can afford each year. It would hurt us a whole lot more if the site proves to be too expensive and unmanageable and they decide to shut it down. I wouldn't push for premium subscriptions, just donations.

Premium service is a bad idea, like others have said. What could you offer that would be worthwhile, that you can't offer for free. Only paying users could submit info? Terrible, since alot of info would be lost in this way. I like the donation idea, if donations are kept secret( who does and how much). Otherwise, you will get the I donated and I can't afford to camps, creating unnecessary drama and general gayness on here.

That is SO not going to happen. I'd rather have Google ads or even banners.

Ugh, man, this sort of thing would lead to so much fucking drama it's not even funny.

Well if not that then do something i need m-a.com, i am dependent. How could I donate money?

Soon you'll be able to do it. Just wait a bit.