As a 15 year writer for the site, I thought I'd chime in here, too, after the lock.
People here on BI are here for different reasons and there's no one right reason to be here. Some are here for the community. Some are here for the entertainment. Some are here for love of Cal or to support the site or to learn new things or some combination of the above.
I and as far as I know, everyone who writes for the site, don't consider those who don't subscribe to be freeloaders. I just think there are people who feel like they get enough Cal talk and information about the team from free sites that they don't feel it's a good value to subscribe and there's nothing wrong with that.
Those that subscribe tend to do so largely for three reasons: To get a deeper level of knowledge of what's going on with the team and recruiting, to have a more focused and slightly less crazy forum to post in and to support the site, which costs a decent amount to maintain, whether it's expense related to server or tech costs, writer salaries, travel expenses and other administrative expenses.
Believe me, Greg didn't buy this site to get rich. He knew that wouldn't happen. But he's a businessman and a competitive person, so he didn't buy the site to see it stand pat and not grow and get bigger and better, either. He bought it because he loves Cal and he loves this forum and he had a vision to grow it into something that could hopefully appeal to a broad cross section of Cal fans and I think that's well on it's way to happening.
For those that feel like information on recruiting or inside info on the teams or AD or other issues we discuss there quickly or slowly makes it's way to the free board, I'd say that the dominant majority of that type of info in fact never makes it here. Some here might find that info interesting and enlightening and some might not care at all and that's okay.
As far as the purpose of the free board, yes, it occasionally results in converted subscribers. but whether or not that ever happened, we would always maintain this free board because Greg, I and GreyBear before Greg have always valued every board in this community and would never think if depriving you from this community to be a part of. There's too much history and tradition there, going back some 20 years.
Bottom line, if you want to be more plugged into the team and hear more from knowledgeable and connected posters beyond the staff here or just want to support the site, give it a try. We have a lot of lurkers who have never posted in all their years on the board that have subscribed for one reason or another, too. But if you're strapped for cash or you just don't feel it's worth it, enjoy the free boards and root for our Bears.