I think it's a real shame. I reckon that 95% of the members there gain more knowledge than they donate (and I include myself in that 95%, and deliberately use the word 'donate'), save themselves £100s, or even £1000s, and then blow off about having to give a couple of quid back......
It's Paddy's forum, and it's nobody's business how much money it makes, or loses. It's his business.
I think that if I am to gain commercially from somebody's knowledge, then I should pay. No question.
Oily. (steps down from soapbox)
But having said that, the situation could perhaps have been handled a little better.