As the original banner ad of Hammock forum and a cottage that is coming into our tenth year, there are a few points worth adding here.
First the cottage manufactures are as our mission statement at JRB states the folk that "Enabled four season hammock camping" by developing and making available the gear to support the year round use of hammocks. They have invested, some heavily, to make this market...Ten years ago you could not buy an under quilt, a hammock optimized tarp, several different, efficient, non stretching and light hammock suspension systems and numerous secondary hammock related accessories.
Second we have contributed thousands of dollars to support and enable the growth of HF.
Third these contributions began way before there was a donating member program and way before there were banner ads.
Today these cottage contributions along with the donating members carry the huge population of casual users and members who choose not to donate and support the forum. You are welcome
The cottage vendors support the major trail associations and many of the forum advertised and organized hangs with direct donations and gear for raffles.
As a vetran of two wars I personally support each American's right to freedom of speech, freedom to associate, and the HF donating members personal right to turn off the subtle banner ads... Because these things are guaranteed by the US Constitution or stated in the HF policies.
As a cottage vendor and charter member of HF, personally I wish those who want to turn off the ads would do so privately and not make a crusade of their personal view at the expense (reduced ad reach) of long time supporters of the comunity and forum.
FTR, personally I look forward to the day that both the growth of hammock camping and both corporate and cottage sponsorship enables Hammockforms.net to be the internet model of a free, dynamic and civil community of a million plus members.
Pan
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